episode_0008

Two days later, today is finally the day of the test to select the owner of the academy general store.

Phew, I’m a little nervous.

Still, in order to maintain the best condition, I made a big decision yesterday and stayed in the lowest price inn room for 2 silver per night instead of the room I usually sleep in.

For a whopping 3 silver per night, I slept in a luxurious room with a larger bed.

Huh, I can’t believe I spent 1 more silver per night at the inn.

It was a considerable expense, but I was still satisfied because my bed was a little more comfortable.

After eating a hearty breakfast, I head straight to the test location, the Adventurer’s Guild.

The inn I was staying at was affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild and was located nearby, so it wasn’t too far away.

The street is close to the guild building, and the price is cheap for adventurers.

Looking at this, you can clearly see that the perception of adventurers is very good.

Even as a C-rank adventurer, this is a benefit to me.

It was safe to say that for me, a mere rural commoner, to achieve this level of success, there was almost no other way than to become an adventurer.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Ugh… It was a total mess, right?”

“…?”

However, the closer you get to the adventurer guild building, the more chaotic the atmosphere becomes.

It’s particularly strange today.

Did some accident happen?

The Adventurer’s Guild is the world’s largest guild that manages adventurers from all continents.

That’s why adventurers are always troubled by incidents and accidents.

Since they are adventurers who live a rough life, they get caught up in fights.

Attack someone and rob them.

Or, complaints filled with dissatisfaction come in due to lack of courtesy towards nobles or superiors.

Many accidents occur.

Or, you may die while carrying out a quest, or if you just die, you may not know it, but sometimes you may get involved in surrounding villages or people and cause damage.

In order to prevent this as much as possible, an adventurer academy was established and adventurers were taught there.

However, it was not possible to 100% prevent all accidents.

I also studied hard to prevent that from happening.

…Anyway, what’s going on that’s making such a fuss?

I think this is a pretty serious issue even outside of the guild.

“Wow… it’s really over.”

“I recognized you from the moment I stretched out like that.”

“Tsk tsk, this is why these guys only believe in their skills and go out there.”

It got worse as I entered the guild building.

The adventurers were openly spewing out words that seemed to mock someone.

…Did you really hit it hard in the accident?

Since it is the Preta branch where many adventurers gather, there seems to be one person who caused a big accident.

Well, it doesn’t really concern me.

It wasn’t really an accident I caused.

I ignored it and went to the stairs to go up to the third floor.

“Hmm? What are you doing upstairs?”

The stairs going up were guarded by security staff.

If you go upstairs, there seems to be a waiting room for employees, an office, or the guild branch manager’s office, all guarded there.

“Ah, I came to take the test to select the owner of the Academy miscellaneous store.”

Saying that, he holds out the note the academy security guard gave him.

This note not only states the location to go to the multi-purpose room on the 3rd floor, but also has a mark certifying that you are the person receiving the test.

If you show me this, you will be able to enter.

“Ah, yes. Confirmed. Go up to the 3rd floor and take the right hallway. This is the 3rd room.”

“Thank you.”

I know the location anyway, but I would like to thank you for kindly teaching me.

“Is this…”

I found the multi-purpose room on the 3rd floor and was about to go in.

“Oh my.”

“…?”

Suddenly I hear someone’s voice next to me, and I turn my head.

It was a female voice with an old-fashioned feel.

“Nice to meet you.”

When I turned my head, there was a woman standing there with an old-fashioned appearance that matched her voice very well.

Appears to be in his early 30s.

Strangely enough, his hair is white.

It was a woman who gave off a very adult vibe.

There were two men standing behind her who appeared to be her escorts, and their spirit was unusual.

But even more than that.

The energy of that old-fashioned woman was so strong that it was overwhelming.

…I think the men in the back are bodyguards.

Is it necessary…?

That’s what I think.

“Ah, hello.”

Could it be that this person is also the one who came to take the test?

He seems more like a wizard than an alchemist… perhaps as a hobby…?

As I was thinking that, the woman smiled and said.

“Hmm, I see. You are Edin…”

huh? You know me.

what? Where have you met me before?

It’s a face I don’t know…

“Let’s go in quickly. The test is starting soon.”

As I was looking at the woman blankly in confusion, she smiled and motioned for me to go in.

Ah, it’s almost time.

Let’s go in quickly.

#

“I would like to introduce the judges. From here… This is ‘Lasen’, the academy’s swordsmanship teacher. And then…”

“……”

Guild staff introducing the judges.

But at the end, for some reason, there was that woman from earlier sitting behind the panel that said ‘Special Review’.

As I looked at him in confusion, he made eye contact and smiled.

That smile was so charming that I turned my head in surprise.

You were a judge.

Even special screening?

Is he someone special?

Certainly, the unusual spirit I felt earlier showed that she was a special person.

I’ve never felt that kind of energy, not even from Lunarin or Claude.

It was truly an overwhelming ability.

“Although he participated today in a hurry, he came specifically because he wanted to observe the test in person.”

However, I heard an unexpected name.

“This is Mureos Avantreddin, the Chairman of the Adventurer Academy.”

“What…?”

“Lee, Chairman?”

Mureos avantredine.

The moment that name was heard, all the people who came to take the test were embarrassed and started muttering.

That would be the case too.

It’s as if the company CEO came to the interview to select employees…!

I thought he was someone great, but I never thought he was the chairman of the Adventurer Academy.

Even though you were an academy student, you didn’t even know my face?

I never met him even when I was a student, so I can’t help but recognize him.

All I know is that he is one of the greatest wizards on the entire continent?

“I would appreciate it if everyone showed off their skills in a cool way.”

The chairman says with a smile.

No, I think I’ll be more nervous because I feel pressured to show off my skills…

“If I look good to the chairman… I can get a high score, right?”

“Maybe even a higher position…”

Regardless of the burden, everyone’s motivation exploded.

Speaking of the Chairman of the Adventurer Academy, he is one of the greatest figures on the entire continent.

I have a strong desire to look good.

…I honestly feel burdened.

Well, it’s not that I have a great greed for power or wealth.

I just had to test it normally and be able to enter the academy general store…

It feels like the level of difficulty has only increased because the competitors have become overly motivated.

“Okay then. I will announce the test contents.”

The test content was simpler than I thought.

Making designated consumables.

Healing potions often used by adventurers, poisoning or bleeding recovery potions, monster attracting pheromone pouches, etc.

It is said that you only need to make about 3 of the designated items, whichever one you are most confident in.

For the sake of fairness, the guild provided the same materials, and asked them to tell me if there were any materials they wanted.

It is said that there are often alchemists who just add special ingredients to a normal process, so I think they were taking those people into consideration.

Well… I just studied alchemy books available at the library, so I only use textbook materials and processes.

First, get the ingredients.

What I will make are the healing potion, sticky, and paralysis poison potion, which are often used.

Let’s see, Krish Grass and Ethereum Ore Powder… And then…

“Oh…”

As I was looking to take the ingredients that were lined up, they looked to be in pretty good condition.

There are some slightly damaged or dried parts, but overall there are no major scratches… and the quality seems to be quite good.

It was probably dug up by F-rank adventurers.

He seems to have better gathering skills than me.

…Is it because I dug in a bit of a hurry?

As a relief measure for low-rank adventurers, there are cases where requests are made directly from the adventurer guild.

Most of them were requests to collect low-level materials.

Medicinal herbs, ores, tree roots, etc. that can be easily obtained in the forest without having to go to dangerous places.

The materials prepared as remedies are sold to the alchemist guild or wizard guild.

The remaining ones seem to be used when conducting tests or similar in the guild.

It feels good to touch good materials after a long time?

That’s when I was thinking that.

“Chet. what’s this. It’s a completely low-quality product.”

“This, this… won’t even be D-level.”

“Uh huh…”

“…??”

Dissatisfied sounds from other test participants could be heard here and there.

This is a low-end product?

Is it in good condition?

Am embarrassed.

Could it be that this is a low-grade product below D grade?

Well, then, what about everything I’ve written so far…

I was confused for a moment.

I immediately came to my senses.

Yes, when I think about it, I didn’t have time, so I hurriedly dug up the ingredients.

So it’s bound to be that bad.

In fact, even with that, they were able to make better products than those from the local general store, so… low-quality products? If you make it with field, you will be able to make a better potion.

Well, for some reason, looking at it like this, I think I understand what Lunalin means when she says ‘good performance compared to time and materials’.

Maybe I’m more capable than I thought…?