CH 14

on January 10, 2023

When I returned to the store, I saw Mr. Beck signing the papers. Apparently, the appraisal was completed.

Mariel was playing with Beck and the female staff member is chasing Crystal, Thor's fairy and gurgling over their heads.

"I'm back now."

As she briefs Mr. Beck, she beckons Marielle over here.

"Oh, we just finished, and this is your part this time."

As soon as Beck-san finished saying that, he released a small leather bag with an underhand throw.

The bag was released with a downward throw and traced a smooth parabolic line towards my chest, and when I caught the small leather bag with my left hand, I heard a small "jingle" and felt the coins in the leather bag rub against each other in my hand.

"Mr. Beck, this is too much. The promised reward should have been ten silver coins. Even that is a bargain for an apprentice. And yet here is one more gold coin."

I rummaged through the leather pouch and found a gold coin so polished that it reflected the light, and ten well-spent silver coins.

"There is no mistake. It is a just reward. Ten silver coins for the lease and a gold coin as a reward."

He explained the reason laughingly, as if amused by my panic.

"The reward for an employment contract is paid as an obligation of the employer, regardless of whether the search was successful or not."

In addition, it is customary to add incentive pay if the results are significant. The extra pay is determined by the leader, in this case Mr. Beck.

"Still, isn't that a gold coin too much?"

"All right, Michinaga. In this quest, we have killed two space lizards, just the big ones. Also, there is a drop item, a short spear. The short spear was purchased by the guild for nine gold coins."

Thor answered my question.

I see, that spear was sold for that much? No, wait a minute, nine gold coins is nine million Japanese yen. What kind of magic was granted to it? That interests me more. (That would be approximately 68,300 dollars).

"Over all, Marielle did a good job. I have added it to the payment."

Saying this, Beck-san pats Marielle on the head.

Was Marielle's part included in the reward?

Marielle was so happy to have been praised that she was jumping up and down, bursting with joy. She is an honest girl with a lot of emotional expression.

I remember Thor's words in the labyrinth.

It seems that when I entered the guild, I attracted a lot of attention because I had Mariel with me.

Of course, I attracted attention as a fairy lover, but more than that, scouts value fairies and want to have their owners as members of the group.

This is said to be because scouts in general recognize the usefulness of fairies and the increased chances of obtaining and dropping items.

"Thank you."

I thanked him sincerely and decided to accept my reward.

"Buy something for Marielle, will you?"

"Yes, I will."

I immediately respond to Beck's concern for Marielle.

"How about joining me for dinner tonight?"

Beck's subsequent invitation to have dinner with me hardens me, but only for a moment.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if we were in the habit of holding some sort of pitch or review meeting. I remember my earlier date with Robin and again regret my lack of consideration.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but I promised to have dinner tonight with Robin - the promising newcomer from Black Flame . I'm so sorry."

"What, don't worry about it. It's important to socialize with people your age, feel free to have fun."

Beck-san replied in a nonchalant manner without seeming annoyed.

"Well, in that case, I'll tell you now. We're going on a ten-day round trip. As an apprentice, you can't accompany us on escort duty. In other words, I can't take you with me. Do you have any plans or projects while we're away?"

He looks at me with worried eyes.

I sweep my eyes around the other party members, who look at me with the same worried expression. Are we that unreliable? No, well, I'm not that reliable.

"I didn't really think about it. For now, I was planning to go tomorrow to check the weapons and armor, buy some household items and also some more clothes for Mariel. I was also planning to go to the guild archives to study about demons and magic."

Actually, I was referring to the immediate actions I had in mind when I had just received a large sum of money.

No way, I plan to go around asking people on the street back and forth gathering information related to skills and magic.

"I see. Normally I would have introduced you to another party, but it seems like all the people I know well are out. If you want to spend some time studying and resting, that's fine too."

"If you wish, you can submit to being a healer in the guild's waiting room. We will handle all the negotiations and formalities for the price, so Fujiwara-san will take fifty-five percent and the guild forty-five percent."

The employee made the offer with a proud face, as if it was a good idea.

Does she have the authority to say so much here, this staff member? Or does the discretion of the guild staff members have a lot of discretion?

"I appreciate it, can I ask you to do that, Michinaga, are you okay with this?"

An expression of relief spreads across Beck-san's face, which had been worried up until now.

"Huh? Yes, thank you. As long as it's not every day, it's fine. Also, I'd like to do some simple work, is that okay with you?"

I thank Beck and check with the employee.

"Yes, that's fine. The guild also welcomes users with light magic. If possible, it would be helpful if you could decide in advance the day and time you wish to be here."

The clerk looked mainly at Beck and, while understanding my request, spoke to me about this and that.

"Yes, that's fine. It would be better for Michinaga if we had a fixed schedule."

Like a mother, Mr. Beck expressed his understanding.

My will and my opinion no longer existed there.

I appreciated it, but I watched what was happening and felt a little sorry for myself.

◇ ◇

The story was decided. 

Starting the day after tomorrow, I will be working at the guild every other day from six in the morning until six in the evening. In my free time, I will study in the guild's consultation room or train.

As much as possible, I accompany newbies with requests that last no more than a day.

Preferably with a group like roddy's.

The female guild staff said they would be happy to help me. ...... "as far as possible" and "desirable", but somehow I feel it is an obligation.

The female guild staff member said, "Leave it to me!" I think I heard her whisper to Beck, while clenching her fists.

After saying goodbye to Beck and the others, I stayed at the guild with Marielle, as there were arrangements and various treatment-related paperwork to be done tomorrow. I think I'll kill time at the guild and wait for Robin. I followed the clerk as I thought about those immediate plans.

"Then, I will ask you to be there at the agreed time, starting the day after tomorrow. Please check the documents."

She handed me the documents and continued.

"After I have finished checking and signing those documents, next, I would like to ask you for the documents related to your remuneration."

I check the documents you hand me and the documents you present to me. The content is simple. 

Marielle also looks at the documents over my shoulder.

"Can you read it?"

"I can read it, but I don't understand the math."

She scratches her head and shakes the air, perhaps thinking she is expressing her inability to understand the calculations.

"Yes, I checked the contents - did this sign it too?"

I pose the question as a question as I hold out the two documents I have already signed.

'Why are you using two documents for this very simple content?"

"What, you ask?"

The employee looks at the documents I have presented to her with a surprised expression.

"Ehhh, you didn't do the math. How did you know about calculations and such when you didn't do any calculations, Michinaga?"

Marielle asked observantly, as if unconvinced.

"Calculate without having done the math, you mean 'did you know the amount of money without having done the math?' I've figured it out. It's okay."

I say mockingly, correcting Marielle's funny words.

"Why, why..."

'I did it from memory, I calculated it in my head. It's easy to make these kinds of calculations without writing them down on paper."

Marielle remains unconvinced, so he reveals the secret to her.

"What, you can do calculations mentally? Wow!"

Marielle jumps in the air in surprise.

I put aside for the moment Marielle, who is surprised as she leaps into the air with dexterity, and turn to the employee to finish the procedure.

She's frozen, staring at me with an even more shocked expression than Marielle's.

"Um, I've read it and signed it. It's okay, right?"

I confirm to the frozen employee that the documents I just returned to her are complete.

She's still frozen.

"Um, I'm good at calculations, and with that level of calculation, I can calculate it in my head without writing it down on paper."

I had no choice but to come out and say I knew how to do math by heart.

"I see ... That's enough to get you going. By the way, what other special skills do you have?"

"It's a secret."

I returned it with a big smile to the female staff member who asked with a friendly smile....

The most important thing to remember is that you can never be too careful when doing this.

"Rather, are there any recommended restaurants or taverns where you can eat and drink?"

Asking for recommendations of places to eat, I told him I was going to have a friendly meal with Robin.

"Two apprentice scouts in a bar? Please be careful not to get tangled up with strangers and cause a ruckus.'"

He told me and showed me some stores near the guild.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not the only one who can help you.　　

"Isn't that big brother Michinaga?"

I look back with a very unpleasant feeling at the familiar voice. 'There you are, Roddy boy.

"Ah, Mr. Roddy. You've come to the right place. I have a request, or rather a favor to ask of you."

"Come quickly!" The female staff waved the boy over.

◊ ◊ 

"So, it's Beck's request, and I want you to accept it somehow."

"Leave it to me, I've agreed to be Michinaga's older brother's support.

"Thank you, that helps, Fujiwara-san has no objections, right?"

"Yes, please."

Mr. Beck cared about me and took me into consideration. I have no objection. ......

So, my plans for tomorrow were largely decided.

"Brother, I will be with you. I look forward to working with you."

The voices of Roddy and his friends overlap. The voices of the boy and his friends overlap.

A female employee looks at them as if smiling.

Mariel says it's going to be lively. I don't think anything about it.

Well, tonight's plans are pretty much decided. I spend a few minutes in the guild waiting room, thinking of excuses for Robin.