Frieren: Understand Humans, Aura!

"Why are you sweating so much? Is it really that hot today?"

Aura's voice carried a casual curiosity as she observed Sheila, who had barely taken a few steps before beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"...No, it's not hot," Sheila answered, her tone stiff, though her arms trembled slightly under the weight of the suitcases.

Aura tilted her head, glancing up at the sky in confusion. The sun was already hidden behind thick clouds, and the evening air carried a crisp chill. She squinted, as if searching for the invisible heat that had reduced Sheila to such a state.

When Sheila heard Aura's question, she was just a little angry, but she endured it.

She refused to believe that this girl had carried these suitcases effortlessly all the way from Kribi without some kind of trick.

But now was not the time to question it.

Muttering under her breath, she discreetly cast a levitation spell, lightening the load. The weight eased instantly, and she exhaled in relief as the strain left her reddened fingers.

At that moment, Aura, walking ahead, was already urging her on.

"Why are you walking so slowly? Aren't you supposed to be leading the way? Could it be that those two suitcases are too heavy for you, Sheila?" Aura glanced back at her, covering her mouth as she chuckled.

"They're not heavy. Not heavy at all… Miss, please follow me!"

Aura's words were clearly out of concern, yet for some reason, Sheila felt her blood rush to her head.

Her fingers, which had begun to loosen from exhaustion, suddenly clenched into fists. With a muffled grunt, Sheila hoisted both suitcases onto her shoulders and, with a burst of determination, marched ahead of Aura.

Leading the way, Sheila occasionally turned back to observe Aura, only to see her looking around carelessly, as if she were completely carefree and lacked any sense of caution.

Sheila sighed inwardly.

Yet another naïve lady raised in a flower garden, untouched by hardship, completely unaware of how treacherous people can be.

She felt a bit sorry for Aura. Whether Aura would resign or be reassigned had nothing to do with Sheila, but she still sincerely hoped Aura could last a little longer.

After all, every so often, Sheila had to welcome a new director and guide them through the Hohenburg branch of the Magic Association. It was quite a hassle.

After weaving through the city's narrow alleyways and stone-paved roads, the looming structure of the Hohenburg branch finally came into view. A modest building compared to the grand halls of Kleeby, but still imposing with its thick stone walls and heavy wooden doors.

Sheila exhaled sharply as they arrived in front of a smaller two-story building adjacent to the main branch.

"This is your residence," she announced, her voice carrying a note of finality.

"Mm," Aura murmured, stepping inside without hesitation.

Sheila followed, setting down the suitcases with a dull thud before rolling her shoulders. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and resisted the urge to collapse into a chair.

Normally, protocol dictated that she take the new director on a formal tour of the branch first. But after the exhausting ordeal of carrying those infernal suitcases, she decided that could wait.

For now, dropping off the luggage was enough.

After taking a few exhausted breaths, she lead Aura to the various departments of the Magic Association branch.

Sheila introduced each one in turn:

"This is your office."

"Mm." Aura barely spared it a glance.

"This is the conference room."

"Mm."

"This is the classroom for magic apprentices."

"Mm."

"This is the experimental material storage."

"Mm."

"This is the library. The archives are right next door."

"Mm."

Sheila sighed inwardly. Was this girl even paying attention? Aura's responses were listless, her gaze uninterested as if none of this concerned her in the slightest.

But then—

"This is the dining hall."

"Mm!" Aura's tone shifted so suddenly that Sheila almost stumbled mid-step.

She blinked, turning to find the previously indifferent girl looking up at her with unexpected interest.

"Is it free?" Aura asked, her purple eyes gleaming with something akin to hope.

Sheila hesitated, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected question. "Uh… no, it's not free. Both apprentices and association members have to pay, but the prices are cheap. Even apprentices from poor backgrounds can afford a meal here."

"But in Kribi, it's free," Aura countered, tilting her head slightly.

"Kribi is a major city," Sheila explained with a sigh. "The headquarters there is wealthy enough that they don't bother collecting a small source of income like this. Hohenburg is different."

Aura pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Oh… Is the food good?"

Sheila frowned. "Good, I suppose? I don't know your tastes—wait, Miss, what are you doing?! You can't stick your head in there!"

Before Sheila could stop her, Aura had already tiptoed up to the serving window, peering inside with curiosity. Her violet hair swayed slightly as she craned her neck, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of the kitchen.

"That's the food distribution window, not the entrance!" Sheila hissed, scanning the hallway to make sure no one important had witnessed this embarrassing display.

"I was just curious," Aura said, pulling her head back with no hint of embarrassment.

Sheila pinched the bridge of her nose. "Curious…" She exhaled. "It's not mealtime yet, but if you really want to see, I can take you in later when they start serving food."

Aura seemed satisfied with that answer, which only frustrated Sheila further.

She couldn't understand why the headquarters had sent someone like this to Hohenburg. This girl—this new director—was far too naïve. She didn't carry herself with authority, she showed no understanding of the political workings of a branch like this, and worst of all, she was curious.

Curiosity was dangerous.

Sheila had seen many so-called "reformers" come and go. Outsiders, sent from the capital or other major cities, all believing they could change things. All of them had failed. Some left quietly, some were dismissed, and some… well, it didn't matter.

The point was, they never lasted.

Sheila stole a glance at Aura, who was still looking around as if the world fascinated her.

If she gets pushed out, then so be it, Sheila thought.

Outsiders have tried before—why would someone from Kribi be any different? There's no way she can bring change to Hohenburg.

This small place would stay the same for the next hundred years. Sheila's own life wouldn't change either.

And that was fine.

After finishing the tour, Sheila returned to her own work, relieved to finally part ways with the strange new director.

Aura didn't seem to mind being left alone. If anything, she looked pleased—probably planning to wander around the branch on her own. Sheila didn't understand what she found so interesting, but that wasn't her concern.

Shortly after parting with Aura, Sheila made her way down the corridor, carrying a stack of documents.

Before she could reach her office, she noticed a small group of magic apprentices lingering near the entrance. Dressed in plain, somewhat worn robes, they stood close together, murmuring among themselves.

As soon as Sheila arrived, one of the apprentices' eyes lit up with barely restrained excitement. He stepped forward immediately, his posture straight, his movements eager, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.

"Miss Sheila, hello!" He greeted her with respectful enthusiasm before cutting straight to the point. "My application for the Kribi magic exchange program… has there been any news?"

Sheila barely glanced at him. Her voice was even, detached, as if she had recited these words dozens of times before.

"I submitted it to the higher-ups. Please be patient."

Despite her indifference, the apprentice's face brightened with hope.

"Ah, thank you, Miss Sheila! Sorry to trouble you."

Sheila resisted the urge to scoff. Trouble? What trouble? It wasn't as if she had any power over the selection process. These apprentices groveled before her as if she could grant them a future, but she was just a messenger. A functionary.

Still, she wasn't completely heartless. She had seen too many of them cling to their dreams, only to have them shattered when the rejection letters arrived.

So, with a sigh, she offered him a more realistic alternative.

"Don't stress over it. If it's meant to be yours, it will be. If not, then it won't." Her voice was flat, pragmatic. "Given your skills, even if you don't make it to Kribi, you can still apply to be a court mage for the Graf. You may never leave Hohenburg again, but the salary is decent—enough to support a family."

The apprentice hesitated, his hands clenching into fists. He didn't look disappointed, exactly—more like someone who refused to accept the limits of his reality.

"Ah, thank you for your kind words, Miss Sheila," he said, forcing a smile. "I know the Graf is benevolent and willing to give us half-trained apprentices a chance to make a living… but if I get the opportunity, I want to see the pinnacle of magic." His eyes gleamed with something distant and unreachable, a dream just beyond his grasp. "I want to visit Kribi, the City of Magic, and meet the great mages there. What must that place be like?"

Sheila inhaled slowly, adjusting her grip on the stack of documents she was holding.

"Mm… Kribi isn't all that different from Hohenburg," she said, her tone carefully measured.

The apprentice laughed softly, shaking his head. "That can't be true, Miss Sheila. Kribi is the heart of magic itself. The academy there trains the best of the best. The archives are filled with knowledge we can only dream of. I heard even court mages from noble families compete for a chance to study there."

He looked up at her, his face still filled with hope. "My parents sent me here to learn magic so that I could one day leave Hohenburg. The Graf's job offer is great, but I can't betray their expectations."

Sheila studied him for a moment. His youthful determination reminded her of so many others before him—apprentices who had stood in this very hallway, making similar declarations with the same fervor in their voices.

And she had seen what happened to them when reality caught up.

"Mm… I understand," she murmured, though she wasn't sure if she truly did.

The apprentice beamed, taking her words as encouragement. "Thank you for your guidance, Miss Sheila! I will keep working hard and strive to be the most diligent mage, no matter where I end up!"