157. End of Mission

We arrived at the base camp about three hours before the sun set.

As expected, Jema was waiting at the base camp.

Jema was carefreely sitting on a large stump.

Rosetta handed Jema the crystal skull from the destination.

「OK. You passed.」

「Thank you.」Rosetta said, all smiles.

Jema stroked Rosetta’s head.

「As expected, the disciples of the sages were the first to return.」

「Because Rosetta and Tina were excellent.」I said.

「Yes, I did not do anything.」Arti said, nodding in response.

「Both Arti and I just followed behind them.」I said.

Upon hearing that, Jema muttered,「Hmm.」

「T-That’s not the case…」

「Yeah, because Will and Arti were there, we didn’t hesitate to proceed forward.」

Rosetta and Tina were shy.

Shiro was head-butting alternately against Rosetta and Tina.

Shiro seems to be full of vigor even though we came back with a half-jog over a long distance.

「So, Jema-sensei, what’s the next task?」I asked.

「No more. When the students come back, we will clean up the tent and return to the academy.」

「That’s pretty quick. Isn’t there still a secret task or something?」

「Will. Don’t use yourself as the basis. This is the first training camp for the first year students.」

「Indeed.」

「This much is already enough. Fortunately, it rained last night. Though, maybe not so fortunate for the students.」

「I see.」

「Ah, by the way, you used magic to help dry the other group, didn’t you?」

「Yes. Is that a problem?」

「No, no problem. Because if you didn’t do it, the teachers would have done something about it.」

「Is that so?」

「Obviously. They might have caught pneumonia if they went to sleep wet.」

「You didn’t think it was a hindrance to the challenges you put on the students?」

「That’s not the case. You did a good job. I expect it was more educational for the students than having the teachers do it. I’ll add some marks to your grade for that.」

Maybe Jema is a little soft.

In truth, when adventuring or at a battlefield, you have to deal with it on your own when it gets wet due to rain.

As if having read my mind, Jema says.

「Not everyone is going to enter the Salvation Organisation. And there are even students who will be confronting a monster for the very first time. So they can just take their time to grow up slowly.」

「…That may be true.」

You can attend the academy for a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 12 years.

And most of the graduates of the academy go to higher education institutions such as the Court Mages of the royal palace, the Knights Order, and the Academy of Sages.

Since it helps the Salvation Organisation to form connections, students other than those with excellent grades are also important to the organisation.

「It’s free time right now. If you’re tired, go take a nap in your tent. But don’t wander off too far.」Jema said, sounding completely carefree.

Perhaps she doesn’t have anything in particular to do except regularly contact the other teachers and be ready for emergencies.

「Will, can I borrow Fluffy?」Tina asked.

「If Fluffy is okay with it.」

「Pigi!」

「Fluffy seems to be okay with it.」

「Thank you. Fluffy, come with me.」

「Pii!」

Tina, Rosetta, and Arti headed to the tent with Fluffy.

「I will go too!」「Me too!」

Rubeum and Fay also followed after Tina in a hurry.

Maybe they misunderstood that only Fluffy was going to get a snack.

However, there is no reason for them to give only Fluffy snacks and not the others.

Most likely, the girls are going to get cleaned up.

Fluffy can absorb the dirt on the body and clothes and excrete it as water.

Knowing that Fluffy had previously cleaned up Saria, Arti said it might be useful in adventures.

They must be actually trying it out now.

I will also ask Fluffy to help me clean up later.

While the girls went to the tent, I spoke to Jema.

「Jema-sensei. Can we talk for a bit?」

「What is it?」

When I approached to talk with Jema, Shiro happily started head-butting her.

Although he is a glutton, Shiro didn’t follow Rubeum and the others to the tent.

No, maybe Shiro had judged correctly that he wouldn’t get a snack at this time exactly because he’s a glutton.

However, I’m planning to have a serious talk with Jema, so I need him to stop headbutting.

「Stop, Shiro.」

「Mee?」

「I don’t mind. It feels nice.」Jema said.

「…Okay.」

Jema smiled a little when she saw Shiro head-butting happily. Perhaps she also likes animals like Arti does.

「Is the task really over?」

「Isn’t that what I just said? I don’t lie. No, I do lie sometimes. But this time it’s really over.」

「Is that so? If that’s the case, maybe I should tell you about this.」

「About what?」

「Actually, my master, Milt, told me to be wary because there is a plan to attack the camp.」

「Hou. The Small Sage did?」

「Yes. Arti was also informed by the Sword Saint.」

「What about Tina and Rosetta?」

「I informed them about it. Because not only the Small Sage, but the Beloved Child of the Water God and the Hero gave me permission to tell them at anytime.」

The students do not know that Rosetta is a disciple of the Hero Regina.

However, the teachers of the academy naturally know that information because of assignments and credit recognition.

「I see. So that is the opinion of the Council of Sages, huh.」Jema muttered, and exhaled heavily.