Chapter 11
[……Therefore, it would be best not to think about starting any new business for the time being. If you let go of greed and exercise patience, you will achieve far better results.]
“I see. Thank you for your insightful advice today as well.”
Selina, back in her role as Madame, listened to Devotio’s concerns, which had come after a long time.
The plump middle-aged man sitting across from her laughed heartily and expressed his gratitude.
Clink.
With a heavy sound, a money pouch was placed on the table.
Thanks to Selina’s help, he had grown his small merchant group into a substantial business, and as always, he generously offered a significant sum.
Selina did not refuse it.
“Oh, by the way, I heard you’re closing for an extended period starting tomorrow. Is everything alright?”
[Yes, I won’t be around here for a while. Due to personal matters, it will be difficult for me to return before summer.]
“I see… Are you going on a trip?”
[You could call it a trip. But I feel uneasy leaving the shop unattended for so long, so I will try to operate at least once a month.]
“I understand. But it’s not confirmed yet, right?”
[It’s not something I can fully control… but I will do my best for the customers.]
“Haha, then that’s perfect. Thanks to you, Madame, a mere commoner like me has grown this far, hasn’t he?”
Devotio chuckled and rummaged through his coat, taking something out to hand to Selina.
“Please accept this.”
[This is……]
“It’s a nameplate that only VVIPs of our merchant group can have. Bring it when you visit the group, and we will serve you wholeheartedly.”
[It seems far too extravagant……]
“Oh no, not at all. This is only something I should have given earlier. Our Seravi merchant group is always open to you, Madame.”
Clink.
With the regular customer gone, Selina was left alone in the shop. She rolled the newly received nameplate in her hands.
Made of pure gold and diamonds, it shone even in the dim light.
She placed the round nameplate into the nearby box, which already contained many items. Each item looked luxurious and valuable.
“You’re popular, meow.”
Luna, having just woken from a nap, stretched leisurely and approached Selina, examining the box with the nameplate inside.
After announcing a temporary closure due to Selina’s upcoming Academy enrollment, many loyal customers and masters of the shop had given bribes to ensure her swift return.
From rare books that even nobles couldn’t easily acquire, to gloves, hats, and fountain pens—each gift was precious.
Some were as valuable as the gold nameplate, in ways money couldn’t measure.
“Since that last customer was the final one, should we close for the day?”
“Alright, meow~”
After locking the front door, Selina focused on cleaning.
She dusted every corner, even places usually ignored, and brought a white cloth from the storage to cover the furniture.
Since she wouldn’t be back for a while, she wanted to prevent dust from accumulating.
Once the work was done, she carried the gifts home and ended her day.
Despite her exhaustion, the house was lit upon her arrival.
“I’m home.”
“You’re back?”
It felt like déjà vu from two weeks ago. Fryman was there, wearing an apron, cooking as usual.
Selina chuckled at the familiar sight.
“You’re a bit late today.”
“I did some cleaning since it’s the last day of business. I don’t want dust accumulating while I’m gone.”
“I see… but what’s in your arms?”
Fryman’s gaze fell on the box Selina carried.
“Oh, gifts from customers. Each one is urging a quick return.”
Selina smiled pleasantly and placed the box in the living room. Returning to the kitchen, she saw the dining table filled with delicious food.
“You must be hungry, so let’s eat quickly.”
As Selina sat down, Fryman murmured a short pre-meal prayer. She glanced at Luna, who ignored his words and stared instead at the food on the table.
Selina suppressed a laugh.
“Let’s eat well.”
The meal began with clinking utensils, accompanied by conversation.
“In three days, your enrollment starts. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I just need to pack now.”
“Good. If you need anything, tell me anytime. I’ll help with anything.”
“No need. You’ve already taken care of my tuition, uniform, bag, shoes… even my robe is magically treated…”
“That’s because I want to provide you with the best of everything. If Stella were alive, she would have done the same.”
“True. Oh, and about Luna…”
“Luna?”
Fryman glanced at Luna, eating beside him. Luna looked up, milk around her mouth, upon hearing her name.
“I heard that animals aren’t allowed at the Academy, but familiars are. So can I bring Luna as my familiar?”
“There’s no reason why not. She’s your familiar, of course you can.”
Fryman replied calmly while eating.
“I was just worried she might not be allowed in.”
Selina fretted that Luna, not being a true familiar, might not be permitted.
“Hmm… if Luna can’t enter the Academy, no one would be there to take care of her.”
Seeing her slumped, fragile shoulders, Fryman gently stroked Luna’s back.
He alternated glances between Selina and Luna, imbuing Luna with divine power.
Selina and Luna’s eyes widened in surprise, but Fryman smiled nonchalantly.
“No need to worry. Luna is full of divine power.”
“R-Right?”
Of course. She was a god, so it made sense that she had plenty of divine power.
“You’re too young to fully understand what a familiar is.”
Selina nodded quietly; his words were true.
“A familiar is a being bound to their master’s soul. That’s why they follow only their master and resonate with them.”
“Soul… you mean?”
“Exactly. So the two of you can be considered a single entity. Do you know why I checked Luna’s divine power?”
Selina shook her head.
“Because a familiar can use their master’s power. A wizard’s familiar can use magic; a priest’s familiar can use divine power. That’s why only wizards or priests can have a familiar.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s normal not to know. How would ordinary people know? Besides, familiars are rare even among wizards and priests. I’ve only seen four people with familiars myself.”
“Really? You’ve seen them?”
It was astonishing that someone of his high rank, even a cardinal at the Lunar Temple, had seen so few.
“Usually, a familiar responds to a desperate call or summoning. But your case was unusual—you lost your memories, opened your eyes, and then Luna suddenly appeared.”
“H-Haha.”
Selina smiled awkwardly. The opening of her eyes was evidence that she could sense divine power.
Historical texts suggested those with great divine power could see the future.
However, Selina could only glimpse people’s fates—she could not directly wield divine power.
She could sense it, but using it freely was another matter.
Because Fryman knew this, he did not bind her to the temple.
“If it’s someone like Luna, there’s no problem. She has far more divine power than ordinary animals and listens to you well. That’s enough to pass.”
“That’s a relief.”
Selina finally felt at ease. With enrollment only days away, she had been anxious, but now she could sleep comfortably.
“Do well at the Academy. Make many friends and gain good experiences.”
Seeing Fryman smile warmly like a parent, Selina smiled back.
“Yes!”
They continued chatting until the moon shone brightly.
“Phew… tomorrow’s finally the day.”
Selina wiped the sweat from her forehead and placed her hands on her hips. The entrance was filled with her packed Academy belongings.
A glance around showed a house so clean it made her smile.
After two days of intense cleaning, she had dusted and wiped every corner, preparing the home for the long absence.
By the time she finished packing, it was late evening—the day before the grand enrollment ceremony.
“Good job, meow.”
Luna lounged on the bed, casually remarking. Despite Selina’s efforts to keep the blankets clean, they were now covered in black fur.
Annoyed, Selina jumped onto the bed where Luna lay.
“Meow! I cleaned the blankets thoroughly…!”
“L-Let me go, meow!”
Tickling Luna playfully, she squirmed and laughed before finally freeing herself, glaring at Selina.
But even with a fierce look, her cat form wasn’t frightening.
“I didn’t know gods could be ticklish. New discovery.”
Luna lay on the bed, smacking her tail.
“You’ll pay for this! How dare you disrespect a god!”
“Y-Yes, yes. I’ve committed a grave sin.”
“Eeeek!”
Luna scrunched her face and flailed her arms; Selina laughed heartily.
“Ha ha ha, your face is funny.”
Luna, initially sulking, then laughed along at Selina’s smile.
Soon, the room was filled with laughter.
