Grinding sound rings out through the cold hallway.
It's the sound of my prosthetic arm. Whilst walking, I'm adjusting the amount of mana I put into it to see how much would be best. Each time I clench and unclench it, my prosthetic arm makes a grinding sound. It seems that as expected of a prototype model, there isn't a way to keep it quiet.
"Is that prosthetic arm a magic tool?"
Roxy who is walking on my left suddenly asks me a question.
"Yeah. It's the result of Zanoba's research."
"That's amazing, isn't it? For it to move so precisely."
"That's true. If I can move this easily, then it seems I'll manage even without your assistance, Roxy."
"Ah-... That's, true."
When I look at her, I find that Roxy is making the face she does when she blunders.
"I'm sorry. I didn't really consider you, Rudi. Even though it'd be hard for you when I'm not around, I went and became a teacher..."
"If it's about my left arm, then you don't have anything to worry about, Roxy."
Though it'd help me, it's not as if I am asking her to do it. It's obvious that what Roxy wants to do comes first. Since it seems that she wants to help me out in place of my arm, I didn't say anything, but there are a lot of people around me who are willing to help me when I'm troubled after all.
"Anyway, it's great, isn't it? That you've gotten a left hand."
"Yeah, with this, I can touch you as much as I want, Roxy."
Whilst saying so, I tap Roxy's shoulder with my prosthetic hand. Roxy's warmth and softness is transmitted from under her robe. It seems that this can tell temperature apart, as well. It's high performance, huh, this hand of mine?
"Anyway, I want to introduce you to everyone, so please follow me."
"Introduce... yes!"
Roxy nods with a nervous expression.
------
After that, we go to places one by one, report my return, and introduce Roxy.
Rinia, Pursena.
Ariel, Luke.
Then, Nanahoshi.
Though, I have thought to go to Cliff's place, there are sultry sounds coming from inside his research room, so I pass on it.
Each person's response was varied.
Rinia and Pursena's responses were particularly interesting. With just a sniff of Roxy's scent, the two of them started to shiver. To the two of them, who had rounded their tails, I told them that this is the Shisho that I revered and loved. When I did, the two of them bowed their head to Roxy together. It's probably because the Beast Race is sensitive to such matters; this is a person they absolutely couldn't go against, for real.
On the other hand, Ariel and Luke were dull to it. When I went to greet them after my repatriation, they said something sarcastic like [You're showing your face after returning, I see.] Though I say this, it wasn't in a blaming tone. However, it was because they had assisted me a lot for my journey. Having messed up due to lack of preparations, I felt nothing but shame. That's why I apologized.
But well, that's fine. When I introduced Roxy, after giving a blank look, the two of them then looked at each other. They couldn't believe that someone as young looking as Roxy would be teaching. However, I guess it's as expected of the princess of a country. Ariel politely greeted Roxy. She's a capable person.
Nanahoshi was ill looking. It might have been that she had caught a cold, but whilst coughing, she looked at my face, and said, [With this, we'll be able to continue the research, huh] and sighed in relief. When I introduced Roxy and said that she'd be working as a teacher starting next year, she just replied with a curt [Cool.] but because she was much too curt, I went on to list Roxy's good points at length, she replied, [Pedo. Gross.] and frowned. Well, a common high school girl wouldn't be able to understand Roxy's greatness, I guess.