On one morning, one week later…

“At long last, this day is finally here…”

I stood at the highest floor of the security company HQ that resembled the national parliament building, and looked down toward the gate where the hasty laborers had already gathered.

When doing something big, you need to make enough preparations, and that’s why I’ve been running all over the place this past week. It was really busy. But now this day is here… Don’t get me wrong, though, this isn’t the end. If anything, everything is just beginning.

“Ryouma-sama, excuse me.” Rurunez

“What is it?” Ryouma

The maid, Rurunez-san, was panicking a little when she approached me.

“The doctors from the duke’s family have arrived. They want to greet you and receive their orders.” Rurunez

They’re already here, huh.

They’re supposed to arrive this evening or tomorrow, but for some reason, they arrived ahead of schedule.

“I understand. Thank you, I’ll go there now.” Ryouma

“This way please.” Rurunez

The place she led me to was the newly constructed reception office.

I had Serge-san take care of the furnishings, so it was well decorated.

Within that room were three young men and two young women.

They all stood up when I entered the room.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. I am Ryouma Takebayashi. You must have had a long journey.” Ryouma

“Thank you for your kind consideration. I am the son and the disciple of Doctor Arafral, Mafral. These are my junior disciples—” Mafral

“Tint Cantelli! A pleasure to make your acquaintance!” Tint

“…Hector Moncada.” Hector

“Isabel Rozada.” Isabel

“Clarissa Roniati, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Clarissa

They all looked to be in the latter half of their twenties, but Mr. Mafral was an elf. He was probably much older than he looked. Handsome too.

The rest of the four were humans, so they likely looked their age. Tint Cantelli was an invigorating young man, the sporty sort. In contrast, the other man, Hector Moncada, struck me as more of a gloomy researcher. I’ll probably get along easier with him.

As for the women… Isabel Rozada was a female doctor through and through, she looked like a capable woman. Clarissa Roniati, on the other hand, struck me as a gentle-mannered nurse.

“On behalf of my fellow disciples, thank you for providing us with a place to sharpen our skills.” Mafral

As Mr. Mafral said that, the other doctors bowed as well.

“Nothing could be more reassuring than to have you with us! It is also a wonderful opportunity for myself to be able to learn from the pupils of Doctor Arafral.” Ryouma

I replied as such, but when I raised my head, I noticed that something was off.

For some reason, they seemed nervous.

But why? Mr. Mafral’s next words would clear my doubts.

“Takebayashi-sama, we’ve heard from his grace that you’re the disciple of Melia the Sage. Is it true?”

“Ah, yes… I suppose I am technically the disciple of Melia-sama.” Ryouma

It’s been awhile since I last took out my Status Board, but I took it out and showed them my title of ‘Disciple of the Sage’, and in the next moment, the nervousness I felt from them evidently changed into that of reverence.

I’m sure they’re trustworthy, and I’m sure Reinhart-san is trying to make things easier for me, since I’m really just too young, so he told them about my title, but… This is also uncomfortable in its own way…

“Umm, there’s no need to be so stiff. Please. Feel free to be casual.” Ryouma

“Are you sure!?” Clarissa

“That would actually be much better for me. It’s my grandparents who are amazing, not me, and as far as I’m concerned, they are not my masters but my foster parents. And besides, even if I have studied under them, in the end, I’m still but a young, inexperienced junior. As I’ve said before, I believe there is much I can learn from you. So please, just be casual with me and call me Ryouma when you need me.” Ryouma

“Alright then! In that case, please call me Tint!” Tint

“Tint-san it is then.” Ryouma

His voice sure is loud, though, like those students from the sports clubs when they’re doing their practice.

“Should I do the same for everyone?” Ryouma

When I asked that, the other four nodded.

“…It is indeed much better if we don’t have to bother with formalities…” Hector

Hector-san absentmindedly muttered. I guess among important people, they really have to fuss over authorities and other annoying stuff like who is who’s disciple.

“Oh, by the way, if it’s alright with you, would you like to take a look at your work place? After all, we’ll have to make changes if you find anything problematic.” Ryouma

“Alright.” Hector, Mafral, Clarissa, Tint, Isabel

They seemed quite ready to work, so I took them along, and we headed for the area to the right side of this building from the front, the internal hospital of the security company, which will serve as their workplace during their stay here.

In the first floor, there’s a reception area for outpatients. There’s also a waiting room, an examination room, a break room, an operating room, a room to prepare for operations, a laundry room, and a room to store medicines in. In the second floor are their individual rooms, and there’s also a meeting room, and a sick room for the inpatients of the nurse center.