The dormitory conditions for the Loc Lac Rangers were even better than Altaïr had imagined. He had originally thought it would be the kind with bunk beds.
Hearing Altaïr's comment, Resha said with a laugh, "You're actually right. I heard from the seniors that it really used to be all bunk beds.
Later, the Guild Master expanded the Loc Lac Rangers, allocating more space and funds, which is how we got the rooms we have now.
Because the turnover rate for the Rangers is pretty high, the quilts, pillows, and stuff might not be very new. Don't mind it, 'kay?"
"It's fine. I'm already very satisfied."
"I can't stay too long here on the men's side of the dorms, so I'll be going. If you have any questions, you can ask Sajji. He lives here too. Get some rest early today, little brother Altaïr. Tomorrow, things are going to get busy.
Oh, right. Boss Joda will probably have someone notify you about your tasks. If he forgets, you can patrol with me tomorrow."
"Okay, thank you, Senior Resha."
"I like the sound of 'Senior,' hehe. Just call me that from now on. I'm off, little brother Altaïr." Waving her hand, Resha left just like that.
Altaïr immediately felt the ears that had been ringing all day finally find some peace and quiet.
Sajji scratched his ears. "The other guys who live in this room aren't back yet, meow. I'll introduce you to them later, meow. Want me to show you around the area, meow?"
"Don't trouble yourself." Altaïr looked Sajji over again with some curiosity. "You're not with Senior Resha? I thought you were partners."
The notion of separating men and women didn't apply to Felynes; it wasn't as if Sajji was specifically thrown into the men's dormitory just because he was a boy.
"Meow." Sajji shook his head. "I'm not Resha's partner, meow. I was just taken in by the Loc Lac Rangers, and then I stayed here to work, meow."
"Taken in?"
"I was originally a stray Felyne, meow." Sajji didn't seem to want to elaborate.
But even if he didn't say anything, Altaïr could guess what had happened.
A wild Felyne, wandering alone before reaching adulthood. He couldn't think of any other possibility besides its tribe having been wiped out by a Monster attack.
Just like me, huh...
Not delving deeper into the topic, Altaïr was about to ask something else when a knock came from the ajar door.
The man and the Felyne turned to look and saw Joda standing in the doorway.
"Sajji, go boil some hot water for me."
"Okay, meow." Sajji scampered out.
Anyone could see that Joda had just found a random excuse to send Sajji away.
"Mr. Joda?" Altaïr looked at the man, puzzled.
Joda rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, your teacher asked me to pass on a few words to you."
Altaïr's first reaction was, They found out I ran away from home! But after hearing Joda's subsequent explanation, he fell silent.
"This is your house key. Well, that's what she said, anyway." Joda placed the key in Altaïr's hand.
Altaïr was silent for several seconds. "Mr. Joda, can I go home for a bit?"
"Of course." Joda stepped aside, clearing the doorway.
Altaïr took off his straw hat, placed it on the bed, and then walked quickly out the door. Along the way, his pace grew faster and faster, until he was finally sprinting at full speed. People on the street noticed his Ranger's Armor set and, assuming there was an emergency, quickly made way for him.
He ran all the way to his front door like that.
It was a small, single-story, flat-roofed house built of earth and stone, with one door and two windows. It looked no different from the surrounding houses, and its less-than-spacious interior could be taken in at a single glance.
Standing at the doorway, he found himself in a daze, recalling a memory from ten years ago.
His teacher had been young back then. She had taken him by the hand, brought him to this little house, and said, "We'll be living here from now on. If you'd like, you can also call this place 'home.'"
His teacher's tone had been flat, but he could inexplicably sense a hint of joy in it.
Altaïr placed his hand on the doorknob and tried to turn it. As expected, the door was locked.
Instead of using his key, he turned and started running again, this time heading for Teacher Haifa's house.
The two houses weren't too far apart, and it wasn't long before he arrived at Haifa's front door. He raised his hand and pounded on it several times, the impact making his palm go numb.
"Who is it?!"
The person inside, irritated by the rude knocking, yanked the door open, causing the hinges connecting it to the frame to groan as if under immense strain.
It wasn't Teacher Haifa who opened the door, but a gray-haired, tower-like old woman.
"Se-Senior Marydan." Altaïr bowed his head slightly, feeling a little uneasy. He knew this old woman was Teacher Haifa's mother, and he also knew she had once been a powerful hunter.
The kind who could snap a Gendrome's neck with her bare hands.
"Oh, it's you, little one." Marydan's expression softened. "Here to see Haifa? That girl went off on a trip with Karin.
They told me what happened and asked me to help look after you. I may be retired, but my name should still carry some weight in Loc Lac. If you have any problems, just come find me.
Or you could move in with us? My old man is quite fond of you too."
Altaïr forced a polite smile, but before he could speak, Marydan cut him off.
"Alright, alright, that's an ugly smile. If you don't want to, you don't have to." She glanced at the armor Altaïr was wearing. "Well now, the Ranger's Armor set? You joined the Rangers?
That's a suitable place for you, at least for the short term. Looks like I don't need to worry too much.
Who's in charge of the Rangers now? Omar? Or Hassan? No, that was years ago. So who is it? Spit it out, will you?"
Faced with the impatient old woman's urging, Altaïr had no choice but to answer, "It's Mr. Joda."
"Joda? Who's Joda... wait, the name sounds a little familiar. Isn't he that bean sprout of a brat?"
Altaïr didn't know what kind of expression to make.
"Whatever. Anyway, if he bullies you, come find me. I'll go beat him up," Marydan said, clapping Altaïr heartily on the shoulder.
For a moment, Altaïr felt as if his shoulder no longer belonged to him.
—--
After bidding farewell to the feisty old woman, Altaïr's gloomy mood seemed to have lightened a little.
He walked slowly back to his house, took out his key, and opened the door. Everything inside had been tidied up neatly, though it was always kept clean.
After standing motionless in the house for a moment, Altaïr walked to the dining table.
In the past, whenever his teacher had to go out on business, she would leave a note on the table. This time was no exception. The contents of the note were surprisingly concise.
[I haven't decided on a destination or a return time yet. If you go on a long trip, you can leave a letter in the mailbox by the door or at the Guild Hall. I'll see it when I get back.
I've left some money in the bedside table. Don't be too frugal. Karin.]
Altaïr silently put the note away and began to pack his luggage. In truth, it was just some spare clothes and his previously saved pocket money, all of which fit into a single backpack.
Finally, he went to the cabinet by his bed and pulled open the drawer.
Inside was a thick stack of money, about 100,000z. After hesitating for a moment, he took the money with him.
Taking one last look at his home, he shouldered his backpack, walked out, and carefully locked the door.
"I'm heading out."