While pondering the future fallout from that article, a knock came at the door—pulling me back to reality.
(Is it already that time?)
I checked—past 8:30.
I opened it. As expected—Selma-san stood there.
"Morning, Orun. Ready?"
"Morning, Selma-san. Yeah—good to go anytime."
"Good. Let's head out then."
"Sure—one sec."
I stored the newspaper in my artifact, slipped on the clan long coat, and left the room.
◇
"You subscribe to newspapers?"
On the way to Exploration Management, Selma-san asked.
"Yeah. Information matters."
"Agreed. You read Adriano's, right?"
Adriano—the publisher with near-exclusive Hero Party coverage.
"No—all three. Adriano mostly focuses on the Hero Party. Back when I was in it—I handled interviews. Reading their stuff as a participant gave me almost nothing new."
I'd skimmed them back then, but never prioritized.
"Right—you were the one they interviewed. ...How accurate are Adriano's articles, really?"
"Can't comment on that."
"Fair—worth a shot. Don't worry about it. By the way—you go out to buy them? We can arrange delivery of your preferred publisher to your room every morning."
"Really? That'd be great."
"Some like personal scrapbooks. Fee deducted from salary. Want me to set it up?"
"Please. Adriano, Blanca, and Cartelli—all three."
"Got it. They'll go in the mailbox by your door. Might take a few days—buy your own until then."
"No problem. Thanks."
◇
We reached Exploration Management.
Papers everywhere—not exactly organized.
Made sense—massive info flow every day.
Mess was probably inevitable.
A quick glance at nearby documents—nothing critical.
Important stuff was probably properly stored.
I followed Selma-san deeper inside.
We passed members—greeting as we went.
Finally—we reached Estella-san.
"Morning, Estella."
"Nya? Oh—Selma-cchi, morning~ Newbie too~"
"Good morning."
"Still a mess as usual. Your laziness is the problem, you know."
Selma-san scolded.
"Immediately" meant she cleaned regularly—yet it got this bad again.
"Ears hurt nya~"
Estella's response—hard to tell if it actually registered.
"...Honestly."
Selma-san sighed in exasperation.
Routine exchange, apparently.
"Nyahaha~ Anyway—thanks for coming early, newbie♪ Straight to it—okay to start teaching today?"
"Fine by me—but any education policy?"
"Hm? None!"
"...Huh."
"You're the instructor now—wait, 'newbie' doesn't fit. Orun-cchi it is!"
"Fine... but no policy at all?"
"Everything's up to you, Orun-cchi! Turn them into proper explorers. In half a year—have them conquering mid-layers as a party. No complaints then! Dye them in your colors!"
(That's a high bar... But if it's who I think—might manage?)
I calculated mentally.
Estella-san's tone shifted—serious now.
"Ahem—joking aside... We know you ran party operations in the Hero Party, not just adventuring. Teach them that too. Those kids—we want them as the next generation's core. I know it's asking a lot... but we're counting on you, Dawn's Multi-Talent!"
Well—I'll do what I can.
Start with building rapport.
Hope it goes well...
But—they want this too, right? Should be fine...