Chapter 241 - Observing a Lesson and Checking for a Reply
After spending about three days on my personal secret training, I decided to visit the Instruction Bureau, which has been a hot topic lately.
I rode my medium-sized bike, still unnamed, to the training grounds for the apprentices and was a bit surprised by all the changes.
The apprentice training facility is a large building that looks like a town hall. It used to be the main base of the Marzio Family, confiscated when we took down a hostile organization long ago. The spacious building and grounds are perfect for accommodating a large number of people.
I hadn't visited in a while, but when I did, I noticed the building had grown even larger. The exterior walls had been upgraded for security, and the overall structure was more impressive than I remembered. It's not as grand as the new headquarters we're building, but it's still quite impressive.
The facility includes dormitory facilities, lecture halls for theoretical studies, and a small training ground. While most combat training is done outside the city, theoretical studies are conducted here, so I should be able to observe a lecture even now.
As I entered the grounds, the building's entrance was right in front of me, and to the side, a makeshift parking lot was lined with cheap trucks and buses for transporting personnel.
I parked my bike and entered through the front. At the entrance, there was a reception desk.
"Ah, President! Welcome back."
"Yes, thank you. You all are doing a great job with security."
This young woman is a member of the Security Bureau. Since this is an important training ground for apprentices, they always have a few personnel stationed here.
I handed over some baked goods I bought from a street vendor as a treat.
"Thank you! Everyone will be delighted."
"Is Fulaveneta here today?"
"The Director of the Instruction Bureau is out, and so is the Deputy Director. Would you like me to have them return?"
I had just dropped by on a whim, so I didn't want to cause any trouble.
"No, that's fine. By the way, is there a lecture going on right now?"
"Hmm, let me check... Yes, there should be several lectures happening now. Oh, in the East Wing on the first floor, Bonnie-sensei is starting a lecture."
"Bonnie? Alright, I'll go check it out."
Bonnie, the leader of the Fourth Combat Unit, was a surprise choice as a guest lecturer. While she's typically involved in combat training, it was unexpected to see her take on a temporary teaching role.
Curious, I decided to observe her class.
The building has several lecture halls for theoretical studies, with lectures tailored to different levels of apprentices. A good number of them seemed to be in class.
I didn't want to be a distraction, so I decided to peek through the window.
I arrived at the lecture hall and observed from the window. Bonnie noticed me but gestured for me to stay out of sight.
Let's see what kind of lecture she's giving.
"Listen up, I'm going to teach you how to deal with pick-up artists. Pay attention!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Hmm, dealing with pick-up artists might actually be a good fit for the Fourth Combat Unit leader.
Bonnie, the guest lecturer, spoke with authority, scanning the room as she began her lesson.
"For example, imagine you're enjoying a sunny afternoon at a cafe, feeling a bit lonely."
Ugh, that's a terrible example.
"Then a well-off pick-up artist approaches and casually says, 'Hey there, are you by yourself?' He might try to charm you with his eyes. Alright, what do you do?"
"Um, um..."
The girl who was suddenly called on was flustered and couldn't answer.
"Too slow! When asked a question, you need to respond immediately. Always keep your wits about you. As punishment, fifty push-ups, no magic allowed!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
It was a bit sad to see her earnestly doing push-ups.
The demon instructor pointed at the next girl with a sharp finger.
"You, answer for her."
"I-I'm meeting someone, so I can't talk," the girl replied.
The unreasonable demon instructor frowned and slammed her fist on the desk.
"Are you really okay with that answer?! Listen, whether the person is a man or a woman, don't let your guard down. Whether your answer is a lie or the truth, there's something you should do before responding. What is it? You, answer!"
"Uh, uh..."
"Too slow! Fifty push-ups for you too! You, answer for her."
"Yes, I would observe the person carefully before responding."
"Good, that's right. You need to assess who they are. Their appearance and clothing might give you clues about their profession. They could be a spy from a rival organization or the media. Check your surroundings for any suspicious individuals or objects. They might be a decoy trying to distract you while someone else attacks. Assess the situation before engaging in conversation."
The room fell silent, a mix of admiration and disbelief.
The girls who were doing push-ups added a touch of melancholy to the scene.
"Bonnie-sensei, what should we do if it's really just a pick-up artist?"
"If you determine it's just a pick-up artist, do as you please. I won't judge your personal preferences. As apprentices, you don't have much free time, but once you're a full member, you might encounter such situations. As for how to handle them, give them a strong glare. Most guys will run away just from that."
True, Kikyo Society members are tough. A mere glare would probably scare off most people.
"But if they're persistent, kick them in the groin. Don't hold back; aim to incapacitate them. Don't worry, no one in this city will complain about the Kikyo Society."
Indeed. If someone did complain, I'd ignore it, but her methods are questionable...
"Bonnie-sensei, this is different from what Sophie-sensei taught us the other day..."
"Bonnie and Sophie are different people. Of course, the methods will differ. There's no one right way. Choose the method that works best for you and the situation. You, how many push-ups have you done?"
"Forty-two!"
"Your form is too sloppy! Start over from the beginning. Next, let's move on to another scenario. Listen up—"
I don't think all her lectures are like this, but her approach is quite unique. Teaching extreme methods to ensure they don't hesitate in a real situation has its merits.
Well, I've seen enough. Bonnie's lecture was entertaining, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'll head back to the headquarters instead of wandering around.
In the following days, I continued my secret training using Combat Body Transformation Magic and spent time visiting various acquaintances.
I visited Torietta-san at the clothing store Brillonvest, the board member Jallens at the Commerce Guild, the younger sister of Anastasia Union, and the leader of the Bruno Gang, among others. I also made sure to greet familiar shop owners and restaurant staff, spending generously to show my appreciation.
Meeting people individually is important, but doing so in public places where many people can see has its own significance. It reinforces not just personal connections but also organizational ties, which can prevent unnecessary interference.
I also visited Kikyo Society facilities.
The Princess's Shelter Inn, where our first store was located, has become a tourist attraction under Lily's management. The Elegance Balloon and the Epic Junebel Hotel & Resorts are now well-known luxury destinations. There's even a casino in the basement of the Sixth Avenue Branch, along with other small casinos and lodging facilities.
We also have control over several pleasure districts, and the city itself is quite extensive. While there are still many uncontrolled areas, I believe we can gradually bring them under our control over the next year.
All of these are Kikyo Society assets, and the number has grown significantly.
Despite the increasing responsibilities, I feel more joy than burden. This is the result of our hard work.
The warm welcome I receive everywhere is not just a formality. It's a sign that our management is going well.
While I was busy with these visits, I finally received a reply from Rosmerta.
It wasn't delivered by a regular courier but by a servant from the Duke's household.
I tore open the high-quality purple envelope and read the letter on the watermarked paper, which had a distinctly noble appearance.
My goal was to ask the Magic Item Guild for mediation, and while I don't expect them to refuse, I'm concerned about what they might ask in return. I assume they might try to offload some troublesome tasks, so I need to be careful.
Reading the letter, I found it to be typical of a noble, with a long, formal greeting. If it weren't from Rosmerta, I would have skipped it entirely.
In summary, she said I could visit anytime. She seems to be busy with work in the Royal Capital and doesn't have much time to go out, so my visit would give her a chance to take a break.
Hmm, nothing unusual in the letter. Maybe I was being too suspicious.
It was still early in the afternoon, and I had no immediate plans. In fact, I had nothing scheduled for the next few days. As the president, I have the luxury of flexibility.
"Let's go now," I thought.
The Bloomstar Galaxy was already delivered, and Doc had confirmed it was in good condition, giving it the green light for high speeds.
"Frederica, I got permission to meet with Rosmerta. I'm leaving now, so please take care of things here."
"Right now?"
"Yes, I need to negotiate with the Magic Item Guild after meeting Rosmerta, so it's better to start early. How about Valeria?"
"She said she was cleaning her room. Are you going with both of us?"
"No, a small group is better. You've already compiled the specifications for the magic items we need, so it should be fine. Plan for a four to five-day stay in the Royal Capital."
"Understood. I'll let everyone know. Be careful, Yukari."
Everyone knows I'm going to the Royal Capital, so there was no surprise. I just informed them of the departure time.
On my way to my room, I stopped by Valeria's.
"Still cleaning? We're leaving for the Royal Capital."
"I'll get ready right away. How long do you plan to stay?"
"I told Frederica four to five days, but it could be longer if the negotiations are difficult. If everything goes smoothly, it might be shorter."
"Got it. Are we taking the bike?"
"Yes, but you'll ride behind me."
Valeria has her own high-performance motorcycle, but she didn't object to riding with me. She started preparing without any questions.
I quickly packed my bag. I had already prepared some things since I knew I was traveling.
I changed into a tight-fitting rider's jacket, the same one I wore the last time I went to the Royal Capital. The gloves and boots were all black, my favorite outfit.
The large buttons and engraved magic patterns on the jacket added a cool touch. My hair was tied back with a black ribbon that doubled as a lightning protection magic item. Instead of my usual teardrop sunglasses, I wore a sturdy pair of goggles, necessary for the high speeds.
I packed two large bags with the undead dragon's gold bones and black scales. They were bulky, but I could secure them to the bike. I didn't plan to ride at full speed with the extra weight and a passenger.
"Valeria, I'm ready."
"Me too. Let's go."
We were seen off by the Secretariat members and headed out. I secured the bags to the bike and got ready.
With Valeria behind me, we set off with high spirits.
---
The lecture scene turned out to be quite funky, but it gave a glimpse of the teaching style. More serious lectures will come another time.
The story was supposed to focus on education, but it veered into a plot involving the Magic Item Guild.
The upcoming story will likely involve some scheming with the cunning lady, but the Magic Item Guild might not be as easy to deal with.
Next chapter: "Approaching the Royal Capital."