It was so different from the world she had seen so far. A place where only quietness was always demanded. Being raised to behave properly, with just enough education to get married into a good family, was common. That was the environment where Riley had lived.

Receiving education as a woman was not to utilize one’s personal capabilities as a member of society… it was just a means to increase marketability to marry into a better family, a successful man’s wife. A welltrimmed flower, a goodlooking flower. The given role was solely to highlight the men.

‘Amazing.’

The women here had all won this place for themselves.

They looked so confident, perhaps because they had come through the overwhelming competition rate of Horizon with their skills and abilities alone. Selfdirected and leading people, Riley’s mind went blank among them.

‘What have I been doing all this time?’

“Don’t act stupid.”

“Don’t do anything. You just do as you’re told.”

“Honey, shouldn’t we educate her to some extent?”

“Hmph, it’s like pouring water into a bottomless barrel, so give it up. No matter how much you educate her, who will take that child? Just think of sending her to a decent family.”

“If you want to get married, behave. Don’t rebel, face your situation. A woman who is not modest cannot be loved by her husband. You don’t even know this basic thing, tsk.”

I thought it was natural that I shouldn’t do anything.

I only knew that it was best to cook as I was told. I just whined, craving affection, knowing that I could never really be a family. The years when I was doing what they told me felt empty.

“This is the library that collects magical books.”

A library with tens of thousands of books.

“This is the hospital. There are researchers and professors who study magical medicine, not ordinary doctors.”

A hospital where magicians who can use healing magic work as doctors, professors, and researchers.

“This is the Sample Development Institute. Where they test magic tool samples, where they make the designs is the building next door. Next to it is distribution.”

The tour continued in succession.

What to do? The more I looked around the tower, the more I saw people working hard in their places, the more I felt a longing writhing inside me.

Cool. I want to be like that too.

I couldn’t see all the buildings. There were so many types and they were so vast. Riley, who had looked around a few places, quickly ran out of energy.

Just then, a park came into view. The benches in the park, used as a resting place for the people here, were packed with people taking breaks.

“Shall we rest for a moment?”

“Yeah.”

Will there be a place to sit? This was a very foolish worry.

As he moved his steps, those who spotted him all turned to stone and cleared the way.

“Why do some people run away when they see you?”

“It’s a natural reaction.”

“?”

“No one greets a scumbag boss.”

Ah, is he too overwhelming to face? And his reputation isn’t that good either…
Riley nodded her head as if understanding. Considering the pressure she felt when she first met him, she empathized with their feelings. Moreover, since they were working here, it must be even more burdensome.

The fleeing ones did not look back. They didn’t even murmur about this situation among themselves.

Walking parallel with a woman Matopju didn’t know was certainly eyecatching, but it was strange to see them scramble and run away, treating her as if she didn’t exist.

“Sit.”

It suddenly became spacious. There were more than one or two empty benches. Riley found a spot on a bench and sat down.

“I thought it would be boring.”

“…….”

“It seems quite interesting.”

Riley nodded at Gibnen’s words.

“I thought it would be boring, but it’s more interesting than I thought. To be honest, it’s a bit…… shocking.”

“What is?”

“Everything, it’s so different from the world I lived in…… This place is too glitzy.”

I wonder what the lives of people here are like.

I want to live a life that glitters like that too.

“You know…… the wizards here must make a lot of money?”

“It may vary from person to person, but at least I think I get the best treatment in the industry.”

In fact, the turnover rate at Horizon was very low. It’s not without reason that people call it an iron rice bowl.

“……Awesome. They all came here on their own merit.”

In response to Riley’s murmur, Gibnen stared at Riley and asked.

“I mean.”

“Huh?”

“I also came up to this position with all my ability.”

“You? You don’t need to say it…… what’s the use? You’ll just hurt your mouth.”

“Say it even if it hurts your mouth.”

“What?”

“You’re awesome.”

What is it, this unanswerable childishness.

Riley, who was just blinking, burst into laughter.

“You’re cool, really. I thought you were cool from the moment I first saw you.”

He finally smiled contentedly.

“Where shall we go now?”

“The academy. What do they do there?”