Chapter 59: Adventurers’ Guild

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Translator: Soafp

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It sounds like a morning before a dark day, with Lewisbell, Nero, and me meeting at the school gate. Lewisbell demanded to get registered as an adventurer quickly.

Originally in the magical department, Lewisbell could manipulate magic but still needed a lot of training in physical enhancement. He wanted to change from chant-based magic to non-chanting spells.

Though he was just starting his training and wasn’t ready for full-fledged adventurer activities, Lewisbell insisted on getting an adventurer card. He’d bug me whenever he had the chance, asking to see my adventurer card.

I often wonder if this is really his character, but perhaps he was always like this. Nero would always join in whenever there was training. He probably liked training a lot.

So, we gathered at the school gate to head to the adventurer guild for registration.

“Ah, can’t wait. Aldo, let’s hurry.”

“Wait, Lewisbell. The guild isn’t running away.”

Actually, I had something I’d been thinking about for a while, so I decided to ask Lewis about it.

“Lewisbell, there’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“What is it?”

“Your name… It’s kinda long, isn’t it? Can I just call you Lewis?”

“Well, Olivia also calls me that, so it’s fine.”

Naturally, Nero would end up calling him Lewis too.

Chatting foolishly like that, we finally arrived at the adventurer guild. As we were about to open the door, Lewis stepped forward.

“Hey, let me open it.”

He seemed a bit excited.

“Sure, go ahead…”

Lewis slowly opened the door of the adventurer guild. It was the usual scene for me, but it seemed different for Lewis and Nero.

Even the usually laid-back Nero was looking around nervously with Lewis. I waved at Naga-san.

For some reason, Naga-san stared wide-eyed at me. It was scary. Come to think of it, I’d left without resolving the Wind Wolf subjugation.

Suddenly, my stomach started hurting. Yeah, this was it. Today was not a good day. I felt bad for Lewis, but it seemed like I’d have to postpone this for another day…

I turned around, and there was Joeguna, leaning against the wall.

“Hey, Aldo, long time no see.”

“Joeguna, it’s been a while.”

“Just call me Joe. Naga-san wants to have a looong chat with you!”

He had a sneaky grin on his face.

I couldn’t avoid it forever. I headed towards Naga-san.

“Long time no see, Naga-san.”

She mumbled something in response. What’s with her? Scary.

When I tried to leave, Naga-san finally spoke up.

“How long do you think I’ve been searching for you? I thought you’d come back for the money the next day!”

“Ah, sorry…”

“Please, just in case, tell me where Aldo-san lives!”

“Mumble mumble…”

“Eh? What?”

It seemed like Naga-san’s impression had changed quite a bit.

“It’s at the Blue Ring mansion in the Noble District.”

“Blue Ring?”

As Naga-san was pondering, Joe yelled out.

“Are you the Shura!”

“Shhh! Why are you yelling so loudly?”

“I can totally believe the rumors about you.”

“Quiet! Keep it down. And how do you know about it?”

“I heard it over a drink. There’s a rumor about a Shura emerging in Blue Ring.”

“You! Don’t you dare spread that around!”

“Something this interesting? Can’t keep quiet about it.”

I emitted some serious killing intent. If I continued, Joe would have turned to ashes with a Condense Ray spell…

Instantly, Joe raised the white flag.

“Well, I won’t spread it around, but it’s probably impossible to keep it quiet.”

“Why?”

“Because you stand out.”

“…”

“At your age, being an adventurer alone stands out, not to mention your skills.”

“…”

“Besides, you recently hunted down a Wind Wolf, and the rumors were all about you for a while.”

“Really…”

“Anyone with a bit of sense can easily link a warrior to you.”

“Uh, I’m starting to feel dizzy.”

“By the way, which type of warrior are you?”

“…”

“I can’t hear you.”

“I’m a blood soaked one!”

“I knew it! Blood soaked warriors are said to be the scariest. Hahaha…”

Joe was laughing, clutching his stomach. I could have punched him again to make him clutch his stomach for real.

Perhaps due to my killing intent, Joe stopped laughing and started sweating nervously.

“Haa, we came here today to get these guys registered as adventurers. Please, Naga-san.”

Naga-san looked at me seriously.

“Do you remember our last conversation?”

“The one about not wanting kids to die?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“They’re here for registration after some training.”

“Got it. So until Aldo-kun gives the green light, I’ll refuse any solo requests from these kids. Okay?”

“That would be great. I was a bit worried too.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure not to accept any requests unless approved by Aldo or accompanied by him.”

“Thank you.”

Lewis and Nero were standing awkwardly in the background.

“”We need Aldo’s permission for this?””

“It would be nice if you could invite me.”

“”Well, that’s true, but…””

It seemed like the two of them were planning to secretly take on a request. That was close. True to form, Naga-san.

“Then, fill out these forms.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to listen carefully to the instructions. She’ll teach you how to accept requests.”

Both of them nodded vigorously in response.

Standing idle, I was called by the receptionist next to me.

“What is it?”

“Naga-senpai said this is for the previous quest’s reward and the penalty fee.”

“Oh, right… Thanks.”

I received a leather pouch. It had a considerable weight to it.

I wondered how much was in it. I sat on a nearby chair and spilled its contents onto the table.

Total: 3 gold coins, 9 silver coins, and 8 copper coins.

For defeating the Wind Wolves and the magic stones combined, it’s 5 silver coins per beast: 5000 yen. Eight beasts would make 4 gold coins, but the penalty fee cost 2 copper coins. Altogether, it amounted to 3 gold coins, 9 silver coins, and 8 copper coins.

(That’s 40,000 for that battle. It’s quite good, isn’t it? If I hunted solo, it would have been… about 10,000 each with a party of four. Tough.)

Come to think of it, Noel was the one who retrieved the magic stones. She deserves a share too. While thinking about the money, it seemed that Lewis and Nero had finished their explanation.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah.”

Lewis and Nero looked at me expectantly.

“Not happening. We’re not going.”

“It’s still morning. A little bit won’t hurt, right?”

Nero also agreed with Lewis.

“It’s not happening until your body reinforcement is somewhat up to par. You’d be a liability whether we run away or advance.”

The phrase “liability” seemed to hit home, seeing their regretful expressions.

“Joe, is there any place where we can train?”

“You can do it at the guild’s training grounds.”

“Oh, where’s that?”

“It’s behind the guild. By the way, have I ever seen you fight seriously?”

“Shall we spar with wooden swords?”

“Sounds good.”

Joe exuded a slight sense of intimidation. Lewis and Nero seemed a bit intimidated too. They said they’d take on requests a lot, but I didn’t expect this from them.

The guild’s training ground was indeed right behind. It was as big as an elementary school’s ground. There seemed to be instructors, and young adventurers were constantly asking something.

“Joe, what’s your weapon?”

“I use a greatsword. What about you?”

“I use a dagger.”

“Really? Imagining you with a dagger gave me the chills.”

From the corner of the training ground, we took wooden swords resembling a greatsword and a dagger. Spectators began to gather around us. One of the instructors came running towards us, looking alarmed.

“Joe! What’s with that murderous intent against a kid?! What are you planning?”

The instructor scolded Joe. Joe kept his gaze fixed on the instructor as he replied.

“Instructor, you are calling him a kid? Don’t be stupid. I’m the inferior one here. If I let my guard down, I won’t stop shaking.”

The instructor turned toward us, eyes wide open.

Joe lightly nudged the frozen instructor, pushing them aside.

“What signal should we use?”

“I’ll let you take the lead.”

“Much obliged. It makes me teary with joy, being the inferior one and all.”

Before he finished speaking, Joe swung his greatsword and charged at me.

I purposely stepped forward.

Before the greatsword descended, I got in close.

With my dagger pressed against his throat and chest, I stopped.

“Let’s start with one…”

I moved away and readied my dagger.

“Seriously… can’t do anything against a kid, huh?”

I heard Joe muttering to himself.

From there on, it was all one-sided. It was somewhat akin to Garl from the Blue Ring Territory, a familiar opponent from Aldo’s perspective.

After about 30 minutes, Joe finally surrendered.

“I give…”

He sighed, sprawled on the ground. Out of breath, sweat pouring like a waterfall.

I approached Joe and cast a healing spell. Even with wooden swords, getting hit still hurts.

“Sorry…”

“Yeah.”

Next, it was Noel and Lewis’ turn for training.

After watching the mock battle between me and Joe, they visibly started following instructions. We primarily focused on body reinforcement.

There were many eavesdroppers around, not just Noel and Lewis but everyone seemed to adopt the things I said. It created a strange situation… quite puzzling.

Around evening, the training concluded.

Both of them were wobbly from the training. We took a short break and recovered at the guild before heading back to the academy together.

Then, everyone split up. Lewis had a guard waiting for him, showing how much he was valued.

I was with Noel. It seemed like I was valued too.

I handed a portion of the Wind Wolves’s reward to Noelle.

“Is it okay for me to take the reward for something like that?”

“Yeah, it’s the reward for you getting the magic stones.”

“I see. Then I’ll accept it without hesitation.”

“Sure thing. By the way, what will you use it for?”

“Hmm? Sending it back home.”

“I see. That’s filial of you.”

“Is it? Well, I’m the eldest daughter, so it’s normal, just normal.”

And so, the Dark Day came to an end.

There was a slightly pleasant ending after all. Next time, I’ll make sure to give more to Noel.