After āthe other apprenticeā finished changing, Ever prepared a place for us to introduce ourselves.
If only we couldāve done this without the awkward atmosphere of me bumping into her being naked.
Since the moment she left the room, the girl has been staring daggers at me.
Sheās wearing something Japanese-themed, but I canāt tell if itās a kimono or a hakama.
Her eyes, her pointy ears, her black hair, her clothes. Sheās a beauty all-around.
ā This is Takaya, my new apprentice. He looks weak, but his skills are impressive. Takaya, this little brat here with the nice body is-
At Everās teasing words, a pale blue katana reached her proximity.
Sheās skilled with katanas. I couldnāt even follow it with my eyes.
ā Grandmaster, youāre leaving me no choice.
ā Whatever you say, This is-
ā Tsubakibaru, Grandmaster. I believe youāre the one constantly grumbling about respecting your name.
ā You are so dense. Thatās why youāre still a vir-
ā GRANDMASTER?
ā Yeah, yeah.
Ever shrugged and moved the katana away. She then started introducing the apprentice again.
ā Takaya, this is Tsubakibaru. Sheās from a small island near this continent. She wasnāt meant to become a disciple but her parents insisted on it, so now she lives here as my research assistant.
ā Ohh.
I looked at Tsubakibaru but instead of bowing, she turned her back on me.
ā Iām really sorry, Tsubakibaru-san. I had no idea there was someone else here.
ā Huh, I see. I understand now. Itās a certain someoneās specialty to forget about important parts. Iām sure you also stepped into one of the cursed rooms. And Iām sure after that you also came to āthe only other room thatās not cursedā.
It seems we have a lot in common.
We share the common factor of being able to complain about Ever. Weāll get along.
ā Do not misunderstand. The Grandmaster might recognize your talent and skills, but I donāt. To me, youāre just a weak-looking excuse of a man.
Tsubakibaru glared at me while holding her sword. I mightāve given her the worst possible first impression.
ā S-So⦠About our roomā¦
ā āOur roomā? Itās a room for one, and I have no intentions of letting go of it.
I have to ask Ever for a solution.
There could be a lot of problems with a girl living in the same room as a boy, but my main concern is that I donāt want to sleep in one of the cursed rooms.
ā Hm? If for me it was, Iād rather you two lived in the same room. It would make things much easier.
Thereās a very thin line between Ever not even seeing me as a man and Ever wanting to assault me.
ā Takaya, I am willing to leave this incident behind. Simply do not involve yourself with me anymore. We might both be apprentices, but I have no intentions of helping you.
I feel bad, but after what I did, I understand her decision.
Iāll let the Grandmaster decide how I should take responsibility for it.
ā Huh? Non non, what are you two talking about?
Apparently, the Grandmaster has a different plan for us.
ā Tsubakibaru, Iāve decided youāll be in charge of Takayaās education. You can complain all you want, but at the end of the day, you have to listen to my orders.
ā What!?
ā Well, itās settled then. Hope you two have a good time! Come on, handshake!