“Oh, I’m just saying that I understand.”
Dorothea not understanding his answer, Suimei explained that he’d been answering in the affirmative. Even though Japanese translated without difficulty, apparently loanwords didn’t work. As he ruminated on the inefficiency of communication, he raised his head to gaze up at the wooden ceiling. Looking back, Dorothea still looked a bit confused. (In the original, the term Suimei used that she didn’t understand was “おーけー,” i.e. “okay.” I thought about using an equivalent from another Romantic language as it makes more sense relative to English… except that “okay” is essentially a part of every language on Earth by now >_> so I went with a less-known form.)
“Ha… If you say so. Now then—”
Just as Dorothea was about to continue, they sensed activity from the inner room. The doors opened and someone stepped out.
Having noticed their presence, the newcomer called out to them.
The voice that reached their ears was like the tinkling of a silver bell, a voice like a gentle breeze—
“Is that Suimei-san?”
“Oh, Gurakis-san. We meet again.”
Looking their way was the person he’d met earlier for a decidedly unique reason, Lefille Gurakis.
Her bright red hair flowing behind her as she approached, she frowned at Suimei’s greeting, a look of shock on her face.
“What brings you here?”
“They tell me I’m to undergo an assessment of some kind.”
“…Huh?”
“Something wrong?”
“…You weren’t here to submit a request?”
“Oh…”
Facing Lefille’s surprised look, Suimei finally understood. That was what she’d meant earlier.
Back when they’d separated at the reception desk, she’d wished him well with his “commission.” She’d misunderstood. Thinking back, now he understood the reason for her words.
Wanting to dispel the misunderstanding as quickly as possible, Suimei again explained his goal.
“Actually, I’m like you Gurakis-san: I’m here to join the guild. Oh, by the way, I’m basically a mage.”
“I see now. You weren’t carrying any weapons, so I’d thought…”
“…I’m sorry. Really, really sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Don’t worry about it.”