XVII: Adventurer
IN the end, I went with the flow and became a member of Daybreak. My three new companions cooked and ate the Bloodbear’s meat, then started throwing up and writhing around with digestive distress. It must’ve been a bit premature for them to try a monster that strong.
Those reckless idiots.
As I watched this hellish scene unfold, I nibbled on my jerky. I had hoped dried monster meat might not be completely disgusting, but as usual, it just tasted poisonous. If anything, the awful flavor was even more concentrated somehow.
Life isn’t easy.
I waited until the others seemed to calm down, then I asked, “So, where are you guys planning on going?” They’d said they were going west, but I couldn’t remember them mentioning any specific location.
“Oh, yeah…” Kylan shook his head, trying to recover the feeling in his mouth. “Torino.”
Torino was the westernmost country on the continent, a maritime nation that bordered the ocean. It was known for its thriving commerce.
“Why Torino? That’s about as far away as you can get,” I said. I didn’t really care where we went, but I did want to know what my party’s specific goal was, if they had one.
“That’s exactly why…” Belinda replied. She had been casting antidote spells nonstop during the entire meal, so she was even more exhausted than she had been during the fight. “It’s because wherever Farune goes, adventurers lose their jobs. The Hundred exterminate monsters without even being asked to, because they’re after their meat. Sure, there are other jobs adventurers can do besides killing monsters, but not many. That’s why we want to get as far away from Farune as possible. Like animals being driven out of their habitat.” She smiled awkwardly.
It was a bit sad. Sure, ordinary citizens were delighted, but that happiness came at the cost of others’ unhappiness.
Well, whatever, I thought. My goal was to eat an ordinary meal—with delicious meat in it, if possible. Once I fulfilled that, Daybreak and I would be going our separate ways. In all likelihood, our time together would be short.
✦ ✦ ✦
🍖🍖🍖
A few days had passed since I had become a member of Daybreak, and there were still absolutely no indications that I would ever be able to eat an ordinary meal. My party members monitored each other, making sure none of them ate anything besides monster meat. It looked like I was stuck eating the jerky Gamarath had made me bring.
However, the journey itself was fun. We took on requests, defeated monsters, made money, then headed for the next town. This sort of carefree life wasn’t half bad.
Also, my power as a wizard wasn’t anything to scoff at. I could only use basic spells, but thanks to my mana, which had gotten to be quite powerful without me even knowing it, every spell had the strength of mid-level magic. I got fresh enjoyment out of defeating monsters with magic instead of with a sword, and a part of me was actually considering just committing to becoming a wizard.
We had finally arrived at a large city in the country of Rayuth, which served as a gateway to the western nations. The place didn’t feel very different from the countries of the east.
“You can register as a wizard at the Adventurers’ Guild here,” Kylan said. Then he brought me to the Guild.
The Adventurers’ Guild was in a solid, imposing stone building. There were large stone pillars on either side of the entrance, and the Guild’s coat of arms, a crossed sword and shield, was carved above the door. It was a bit intimidating, which made me reluctant to enter, but the others walked through the door like it was the entrance to their own home.
“Hey, I want to register him as a new adventurer. Is that all right?” Kylan said after greeting the cute receptionist in an overly familiar manner.
The receptionist looked at me, then smiled brightly.
“Of course. Judging from your clothes, I’d say you’re a wizard. Do I have that right?”
“Yeah, you do,” I replied. I was still somewhat nervous. Did they have a test I had to pass, or something?
“Do you have any past experience?”
“I was a magic researcher in the Magedom of Kiel. I can use most basic spells.”
“Oh, from the Magedom of Kiel?” A sympathetic expression appeared on the receptionist’s face. Maybe there were quite a few other new registrants with a similar background. “If that’s the case, we may be able to register you at a high rank from the start.”
“You can do that?”
“Well, there’s no point in making strong people start at a low rank.”
It seemed to be a more flexible organization than I had expected.
“All right, I’ll call the examiner, okay?” the receptionist continued. “He’s a bit strict, but please do your best.” She got up from her seat, soon returning with a bald man who wore an eyepatch over his left eye. He really looked the part of adventurer examiner.
“You the rookie?” the examiner asked, carefully looking me up and down. He was being quite rude to someone he’d only just met, but maybe that was how things were in this crowd.
“Yes,” I replied.
“You came from Kiel, after it was defeated by Farune?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Hmph, the place was probably destroyed because it was full of spineless guys like you.”
He had an awfully disdainful attitude, but it wasn’t like I could just say, “Actually, I was the one who destroyed it,” so I was at a loss as to how to reply.
“What, nothing to say to me? You weak bastard. Tell me, do you think a wimp like you is fit to be an adventurer, huh? Don’t screw with me! Go ahead, hit me! I don’t care whether you’re a swordsman or a wizard, if you don’t have any fighting spirit in this line of work you’ll die. I’ll stand still for you, so give me your best shot!” The examiner jabbed me in the chest with his finger, then tauntingly turned his cheek to me.
Huh? I’m supposed to hit him? I don’t really get it, but do I have to go through a rite of passage like this to become an adventurer?
With no other choice, I balled my right hand up into a fist, then lightly swung it like I was crushing a bug. My punch landed cleanly on the examiner’s cheek with a dull whomp. And then—he went flying, made an incredible spin in midair, and rotated several times before crashing to the floor.
The room instantly fell silent. After a moment, the receptionist hurriedly rushed over to the examiner and began to look him over.
“Are you all right?!”
Hm…did I overdo it? Maybe I can’t control my strength because I’ve only fought people in the Hundred for so long. But still, isn’t he too weak to have a job like this? You’d hope an examiner would be tougher.
Belinda also went up to the man and began to offer up a prayer to cast a recovery spell. He was shrouded in a faint, miraculous light, and he slowly opened his eyes. Then, he pointed at me.
“Was he going to register as a boxer or something? Either way…it’d be nice if I’d had some time to prepare myself, you know…”
“No, I’m a wizard,” I said.
The examiner was silent for a moment. “You’re joking, right?” Then he suddenly got up and placed both hands on my shoulders. “With that arm of yours, you’ve got a shot at becoming world champion. Open your eyes! You’re suited to strength, not magic!”
But that’s hardly any different from what I was back in Farune.
“Actually, well…I’d like to be a wizard, please…”
“No way! You’d just be wasting your talent.”
Now this is a dilemma. I was standing out more than necessary. Everyone around me was whispering, and my party looked surprised, too. I have to stand firm and make it so I can be a wizard somehow.
“Actually, I have more talent as a wizard, so…”
“I doubt it, but if you insist, I’ll test your magic too. Come with me, alone. The contents of the examination are secret.” After saying that, the examiner headed to a door in the back.
I turned to look at Kylan, wondering if I should really go with the examiner.
“As a rule, the adventurer aptitude test is kept secret,” Kylan said. “I’m surprised you have talent in something other than magic, but we already know you’re skilled as a wizard, too. Good luck, Marcus.” He gave me a thumbs-up.
Y’know, this is kinda nice. It really feels like we’re friends.
I gave him a thumbs-up back, then I followed after the examiner.
I wonder what the adventurer aptitude test is like?