“Next is Hannah’s turn. Are you ready?”
“—Yes! Or well, I think I am a bit nervous.”
Placing one hand on her chest, Hannah replied with a tout expression.
She had seen everyone’s job promotion upto now after all. After witnessing the phenomenal scenes, her heart must have been bursting with expectation. I know...because I had the same feeling.
But fret not, Hannah. You will definitely be one of them soon!
“There are upgrade route for «Alchemist»; low-ranking «Professional Alchemist», mid-ranking «Alche-master», and high-ranking—also the peak of alchemist— «Alche-meister». I want you to take «Alche-meister».”
“Wooahhh, «Alche-meister»!?”
“......By the way, Zephyr-kun, what is «Alche-meister» like?”
“So you don’t know?!”
“Huuh?”
Just when I was surprised by her surprise, she then came to tell me she didn’t know.
Daaaaamn, I moved my hand—much like in stand-up comedy shows, you see one end up lightly slapping someone back—in a comeback reflexively! My hand struck her shoulder. But boy was that so close to disaster...if she had been a bit more taller. My hand would have struck you-know-what.
I’m so glad that it didn’t come to pass. It wasn’t something where you reflexively end up moving hands. I’m so glad you’re small, Hannah.
“Ahem, oh yeah. I forgot that barely any production job holder gets up to job promotion. So that explains it.”
“Hmm? Yeah. Probably? I have only heard about «Witch of Darkness» as the advanced version of «Alchemist».
“You know about «Witch of Darkness»...?”
“It’s one of the famous jobs from stories.”
Ohh? Now that reminds me of Aegis-senpai’s «Dragon Princess» case. It seemed like they’re familiar with some that made their appearance in fables or stories, but rest were an uncharted place for this world yet.
Speaking of it, «Witch of Darkness» Was the advanced version of «Dark Alchemist». Basically, it could also use dark spells, quite an interesting and fun job. I wonder why the sight of a witch stirring an alchemy pot was so fascinating? It just somehow pulls on your heart string.
Also, since it «Witch of Darkness» could also work in dungeons as well, it often made its appearance in the stories. This further added to its fame.
This might be regressing from topic, but «Alchemist» also had one more, but derivative, upgrade route. Though also a bizarre one, as it completely abandons the path of production job and transforms into combat job. Its name was—«Arms Alchemy».
It was oriented toward the physical side. Why the heck would they suddenly throw everything they have invested in? It was incomprehensible to me. Also, it was actually quite a strong job too, so doubly incomprehensible.
Anyway, it was typically the upgrade route of «Battle Alchemy», so I doubt there would be anyone from «Alchemist» to join. So I had kept it out of the options.
In the end, «Alche-meister» was the surefire way to go for the production jobs.
Though that was their reply, their gazes made it clear they apparently had more to say. ......Maybe I should pat their head later.
Anyway, after levelling up my bond level with Hannah, I decided it was time,
“So, Hannah, are you up?!”
“More than ever! Let’s do it, Zephyr-kun.”
“Leave it to me. The conditions for «Alche-meister» are simple. Well, its only high-low ranking after all, and you already have «Alchemist» at max level, AND «Alchemy LV10», «Dispensing LV10», «Mass Production LV10». Now all that’s left is to use this «Heart of Devotion».”
After clearing out the details, I took out «Heart of Devotion», one of the «Heart» items required in high-low ranking jobs.
Appearance wise, it looked like a heart made of glass. And well, all the «Heart» category items were shaped after it, and they also bear the same size. The sole difference however comes from material. It was made of glass. I wonder if it was a message—trust is like glass, with mishandling, you could have cracks, or even crack it. ......Hmm, philosophy is deep.
With utmost caution, I passed «Heart of Devotion» to Hannah.
......A boy presenting a heart to a girl. I wonder how it might look on the sideline. I was a bit curious about the gazes here.
“T-Thank you, Zephyr-kun.”
It seemed Hannah was just as conscious. She had suddenly frozen up while receiving the heart with both hands.
“Hannah?”
“I-I am alwight!”
“Are you sure?”
“Ahem, Yes, alright. I am all fine! I am going to use it then!”
I couldn’t tell what goes around in her mind as she prattled off quickly, face bright red, and used «Heart of Devotion».
Once again, the scene reenacted—the «Heart of Devotion» disappeared amidst the glittering particles that soon vanished into Hannah. It’s because they had displayed the same effect that everyone categorised «Heart», «Crystal», «Jem» items in the same list.
“N-Now I just need to touch «Dragon Statue» and select the job, right?!”
“Yes, though take it easy, Hannah. You haven’t received «Advance Job Ascension Ticket» yet.”
“O-Ohh, yes! I need that, yeah!”
The mood kinda shifted the gear for a moment, but otherwise everything went smoothly afterward; Hannah received her «Advance Job Ascension Ticket» and safely acquired «Alche-meister».
Albeit, unlike in the case of «Princess Job», the fantastical scene didn’t play out unfortunately. It was a special scene limited only when you complete ‘special conditions.’
“Wow, I really have it...... the advanced job... I have it.”
“You sure did have. Hannah, congratulations on job advancement!”
“—Yes! Thanks, Zephyr-kun! I still can’t believe it, but I will continue to do my best!”