At the entrance of Langard,

  a girl holding a silver wand and carrying a pitch-black longsword, paired with a dwarf shouldering a warhammer—an odd duo that looked like travelers—were silently going through the city entry inspection.

  "I’m telling you, Hulim, a lot of people are staring at you......"

  Charkin whispered.

  "Staring at me? Aren’t they staring at you?"

  "What’s so interesting about me! It’s definitely you. I never got this many looks when I went out before."

  "......"

  Alright, Hulim admitted, quite a few of those glances were indeed directed at her.

  But why?

  Hulim quietly cast a wind magic—originally a fairy magic—and caught snippets of the whispers around her.

  "Hey, look at that...... Is that her......"

  "Yeah, it must be......"

  "I can’t believe I’m seeing her in person! I want to ask for an autograph......"

  "Don’t. She looks like she’s not to be approached casually."

  "Right, approaching her would probably get you killed."

  "Y-You’re right......"

  Hulim: "......?"

  What the hell is going on here?

  After a while,

  under the gaze of many onlookers, Hulim and Charkin finished the inspection, met with strange looks from the city guards.

  "Thank you."

  Hulim thanked the guards out of habit.

  "N-No need for thanks, Your Grace! Please take your time!"

  For some reason, the city guards were extremely polite—even reverent. Most city guards were usually quite arrogant.

  Shortly after Hulim left, the wind carried more voices to her ears.

  "Her Grace spoke to me~! She thanked me! Today must be my lucky day!"

  "Tch, quit bragging, you bastard!"

  "Damn it, I should’ve taken a later shift......"

  Hulim: "......"

  Once inside the city,

  Charkin looked at Hulim, barely holding back a laugh.

  "Don’t look so serious. It’s just a small crowd. Get used to it—you’ll see a lot more of this in the future!"

  "......Charkin, you seem quite experienced with this."

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  Hulim said coldly.

  "That’s right~!" Charkin puffed out his chest. "Back in my day...... Never mind, talking about the past is boring. Hey, do you want to change into a hooded mage’s robe?"

  "Not now. Let’s go to Irus’s place first."

  Hulim said, but stopped after walking a short distance.

  "......We’d better take a carriage."

  Flying wasn’t allowed in the city, and walking was a bit far.

  Yes! Taking a carriage is definitely more convenient!

  "Fine, fine, whatever you want~!"

  Charkin said with a grin.

  What’s with that annoying smile!

  The temperature in Hulim’s eyes dropped a few degrees.

  The two quickly hailed a carriage.

  Once inside, the glances that had been lingering on Hulim finally disappeared.

  Next time, I must wear clothes that cover my face when going out.

  Hulim thought silently.

  ......

  "Aren’t you coming with me?"

  At the entrance of Charkin’s Blacksmith Shop, Hulim asked Charkin.

  "Nope, nope!"

  Charkin shook his head violently, his face filled with reluctance.

  "I’ll pass. I don’t really want to see her."

  "Alright then...... I’ll go alone. See you later."

  "See you later."

  Unnamed Potion Shop.

  Jingle~!

  Hulim pushed open the door and walked in.

  As usual, no customers were around—making one wonder if the potion shop was just for show.

  "Irus, I’m back!"

  Irus wasn’t in the shop area, so Hulim called out toward the back room.

  Soon, Irus walked out.

  "Oh? If it isn’t the strongest top student in Manacos Magic Academy’s history, the greatest genius in a thousand years—Her Grace Hulim Heyerar?"

  "??? Huh? What are you talking about?"

  Hulim looked confused.

  "Haha! Alright, I’m just teasing you."

  Irus walked up to Hulim, pulled her into a hug, and ruffled her hair.

  "Let me see! You’ve grown taller again!"

  "......So what was that just now?"

  "Hmph, it seems Hulim doesn’t know yet. Even though I was joking, I didn’t make up that title. You—"

  Irus let go of Hulim and said with a wide smile:

  "Have become a celebrity whose name is known all over Langard~!"

  "......Huh?"

  Later, Irus explained the whole story to Hulim.

  In short, it was all because the deeds from the Royal Martial Arts Tournament over a year ago had spread far and wide.

  The youngest Rank B powerhouse in Himmler’s thousand-year history! The undefeated champion of the tournament! The greatest genius in Manacos Magic Academy’s history!

  These eye-catching titles, promoted by merchants, adventurers, and even meddlesome bards, had spread almost across the continent in a year.

  Especially in Langard, where Manacos Magic Academy was located, the name Hulim Heyerar had become a household name. Even after a year, the hype hadn’t faded at all—it was still growing.

  There were even unscrupulous merchants secretly selling unauthorized merchandise......

  "......"

  Hulim was completely stunned.

  She knew she might become famous......

  But wasn’t this taking it a bit too far?!

  "Hmph, you look like you’re wondering why you’re so famous! It seems Hulim really doesn’t get it~!"

  "Get what?"

  "Winning the Royal Martial Arts Tournament is impressive, but it wouldn’t have gotten you this much attention. Your biggest issue is—"

  "You’re too young!"

  "To reach the pinnacle of the world’s younger generation at only twelve years old! That’s far more significant than a regular champion!"

  After Irus explained, Hulim gradually understood.

  "Hmm...... It looks like I really do need to disguise myself when going out from now on."

  "Alright, alright~."

  While Hulim was still thinking about it, Irus brought out a tea set and placed it on the table.

  "Don’t worry too much about it. I figured you’d be back around this time, so I prepared some special flower tea—new product~!"

  Hot water was poured into the teapot, and soon the scent of special flower tea—fragrant with a hint of sweetness—wafted out.

  Hulim sat down at the table.

  "Do you have sugar cubes?"

  "You’re still as rude as ever~."

  Well...... Can’t be helped. If the World Tree Nectar now was as sweet as it was when the tree was young, she wouldn’t need extra sugar cubes.

  "Really~!"

  Irus shook her head, looking helpless, then took out a jar filled with white sugar cubes.

  "I knew you’d ask. I prepared them in advance~!"

  "Thanks, Irus!"

  Hulim took the jar and happily used tweezers to drop sugar cubes into her cup one by one.

  One, two, three, four......

  As the sugar cubes piled up at the bottom of the cup, Hulim showed no sign of stopping.

  Irus was completely dumbfounded......

  Gurgle, gurgle.

  The brewed flower tea was poured into the cups.

  Both picked up their cups, blew gently, and took a sip.

  "Mmm~, this is good."

  "Right~?"

  The shop was peaceful and serene. The wind chime at the door jingled softly in the breeze, and sunlight streamed through the door, spreading a warm golden carpet on the floor. In the undisturbed air, the faint sweet scent of flower tea lingered. The girl and the elf silently enjoyed this leisurely and peaceful moment.

  "Well, even though it’s a bit late."

  Irus put down her cup and smiled at Hulim.

  "Hulim, welcome back~!"

  ......