Imdiately after separating with the mage tower folks, I mulled over Master ltas’ parting words. He’d said he’d contact once the Mage Tower Supporter qualification and the Didoa incident reward were finalized.
It had been a satisfying mage tower scouting trip(?)—full of events, but just as fruitful. I’d made good connections and basically secured a positive relationship with the Gray Tower itself.
Once either of those two matters was resolved, they would guarantee my status. With their backing, I’d be treated better than most common nobles, let alone a bastard.
This left with two options: sit around and wait for the Tower to contact , or find sothing productive to do in the anti.
While I had beco a man courted by master mages and anxiously pursued by the Gray Tower, I was still completely and utterly unemployed.
I’d spent the last few days building a good rapport with the Tower, but that also ant my job search had fallen behind.
Thinking about Fienne and Rona made restless. Those two had already landed jobs and moved out thanks to their knack for bewitching others. The idea of just waiting felt unbearable.
But then again, the Tower’s backing would significantly improve the quality of opportunities available to .
For a second, I debated asking Master ltas or Didoa for a letter of recomndation...
“...Nah.”
But I thought the better of it.
The backing of the two master mages was essentially equivalent to the Tower’s official endorsent. But the difference was that my actions would directly reflect on their reputation.
I had to avoid overdependence, if only to maintain a healthy connection.
“Let’s see...”
I checked my pockets.
“This should last a few more days.”
I ultimately decided to wait just a little longer.
***“They’re laaate, those tower people...I’m going to end up holess, y’know?”
A week passed, and still no word from them.
I hadn’t been completely idle, of course. I spent half my waking hours familiarizing myself with Bondalles (I wasn’t sightseeing) and the other half trying to control my rapidly increasing power. Plus, so training to burn off the restless energy in .
Training with Henya or getting advice from Master ltas would’ve been more effective, but sadly, I was still an outsider. Being friendly with a few people didn’t an I had free access to the Mage Tower.
I admit to being tempted to just outright join the Tower itself...but that was pure wishful thinking. Mage tower students had to take regular written exams, and I hadn’t even read basic magic texts. Trying to catch up probably ant having to devour books instead of food.
If they asked , “Why did you apply to our mage tower?”
I’d answer, “For money and power.”
Yeah, I’m not exactly equipped to handle all that.
“...”
I checked my wallet again.
“I think...”
It was the perfect ti to start questioning the Gray Tower’s administrative efficiency.
I left my room, intent on doing anything I could.
***District 9 was an area frequented by wealthy foreigners. My lodgings were here.
To be clear, I was far from well-off. My reason for staying in this district was simple: my delicate soul couldn’t handle anything below this standard. As a forr modern human with a noble upbringing, my soul was surprisingly petite.
District 9 was my absolute baseline. The day I had to downgrade would be the day I sold my soul for money, probably.
I didn’t think this was especially unusual. Fienne was staying in the even more upscale District 7, surrounded by wealthy rchants and foreign nobles. Apparently, a master-level individual of a guild—who happened to be working as a receptionist—heard about Fienne’s situation and took pity, offering her a room.
Now that made damned jealous. If only I were a cute girl capable of inspiring protective instincts...
Lost in that thought, I arrived at my destination quicker than expected.
[Fadian’s Morning]
I ca to a cafe, which stood out even in the flashy comrcial heart of District 5.
In this world, cafes weren’t just places to spend ti drinking coffee—they were social hubs for the city’s trendy(?) crowd. Naturally, their hiring standards were famously strict, but surprisingly, Rona worked here.
Once a playboy who went around charming folks with her looks, deanor, and smooth talk, she now lived up to that past and was apparently a prized asset in the hospitality industry.
The previous afternoon, Rona had visited my lodgings and asked to stop by the cafe. So, I decided to drop by before starting my serious job hunting. District 5 was also ho to several adventurer guilds, so it was a convenient detour.
The cafe was pretty quiet, probably because it was before lunchti. As I peered inside, a tanned blonde girl wiping down tables noticed and hurried outside.
“Uh, y-you’re here!”
The aloof-looking girl transford into a shy young lady upon facing . Rona greeted in her signature forced low voice.
“So, how’s life treating you?”
“...Are you seriously asking that?”
It seed the gyaru hadn’t entirely let go of her golden gyaru-oh days. She shot a resentful look.
“After turning into this...”
“Into that? You make it sound like I ruined your life.”
“Didn’t you...?”
“It’s normally called guidance. Or Rehabilitation.”
“The heck...”
“Think on your past life. Gaslighting, setting up a naked ambush at night to have a fun ti, using love potions, casting mind controlling magic...”
“Th-that was...”
Rehabilitation had awakened a sense of morality in the tanned blonde.
Recalling her past misdeeds, Rona blushed and fidgeted, a sight unimaginable for the shaless playboy she once was.
“But look at you now. A contributing mber of society, embracing the virtues of honest labor. How wholeso is that? Be proud of yourself.”
“Proud my ass...I was on the verge of 4th Rank, and now I’m a totally powerless wussy...”
Rona looked up at cautiously.
“Wh-when are you going to give it back?”
“Give what back?”
“My power, obviously!”
“If you behave—is what I could say. But I’ll be honest. I don’t know how, Rona. I think you’re better off starting over.”
“...Can I...train?”
“Why’re you asking ?”
“Because you’re my master...”
“I never thought you’d be so obedient. Frankly, when I let you go independent, I thought you’d run.”
“B-but what if I ran and never got my power back...!”
“There’s no guarantee you’ll get it back even if you stay. Well, I don’t know. Do what you want.”
“...You’re letting train then, okay? Don’t forget.”
Alright!
Rona clenched her fists, a satisfied look on her face.
“So. What’s up?”
“Eh?”
“Why’d you call to the cafe? Want to have a coffee?”
“No, it’s sothing else. Not that I can stop you if you want a drink before going...”
“What is it, then?”
“Oh! Here—”
Rona pulled a pouch from her pocket.
“This week’s wages...”
“Oh, right. Congrats on your first paycheck. That’s great.”
But she didn’t just show it to . She offered it.
“...Okay, so why are you giving it to ?”
“You’re my master. I want you to decide my allowance.”
Rona waited for to decide her allowance(?), her expression a mix of anticipation and worry.
My mind reeled. I never imagined I’d beco the owner of an auto-hunting system.
“Hey, what’s with you!”
Suddenly, an urgent voice interrupted us.
Before I knew it, the cafe patrons were staring in our direction.
A man with glasses strode toward us, stopping in front of Rona as if shielding her from . He seed to be the one who called out to .
“Miss Rona, are you alright? Did this person do anything strange to you?!”
The man asked Rona, his voice rising with a self-satisfied, heroic tone.
“...”
Rona’s timid deanor instantly transford as she retorted.
“What are you on about?”
“Huh?”
“Who asked for your help? And why are you helping anyway? Do you even know what he did to ?”
That aloof expression and low voice—suddenly, the golden playboy was back.
Apparently, his pride had been wounded by the man’s misguided attempt to protect her.
“No I, er—I thought he was bothering you, Miss Rona...”
“What do you know? This person is my—”
Rona paused, glancing at .
“Acquaintance.”
It wouldn’t do to reveal her slave status here.
“...Yes, he’s my acquaintance.”
Rona bead, echoing my words.
“An acquaintance...? Then why the money...?”
“Is there a problem? When it’s my money to give?”
Rona pressed on, emboldened.
Before I realized, the onlookers in the cafe had co closer and started murmuring among themselves.
“Did you see that? The aloof Miss Rona acting all shy in front of a guy.”
“Unbelievable. I never imagined she’d be living under a man’s thumb.”
Everyone was thoroughly entertained.
“Who is that guy...?”
“Miss Rona had a boyfriend...?”
So looked shellshocked, as if they’d been NTRed. Rona’s popularity in the cafe seed much higher than I’d thought.
“Taking her money, is he a pimp or sothing?”
Hang on, though. A pimp?
“Anyway, mind your own business.”
Rona glared at the man with glasses.
“...”
The four-eyes looked utterly defeated. He turned to head back inside, only to change his mind and leave the cafe entirely.
Sohow I felt like the bad guy here.
It was unsettling to see the despair on the faces of the n who believed they were NTRed of their gyaru-oh. But unlike , Rona was unfazed.
“Sorry for dragging you into this ss.”
With an awkward, tentative smile, she took a few coins before handing the whole money pouch.
“This is enough for .”
“No, no, wait.”
I might’ve been short on funds, but it wasn’t bad enough for to work an auto-hunt using a slave. Sure, I preferred fried chicken over plain grilled chicken breast, but happily taking her money would really make look like a pimp.
Word would get around Bondalles.
“I an, it’s your first paycheck so...okay?”
Rona’s eyes turned round with surprise as I returned the pouch.
“Thank you...”
“Why are you thanking ? Anyhow. I should get going before things get ssier. If you need anything, you know where to find , right? Just co over and say it.”
“...Didn’t you say I’m a slave?”
Rona giggled, giving a small wave while clutching the pouch tightly in her other hand.
***Gadena stared ahead with a grim expression.
-...!!! ~!!
-~~!!! ~!~!!
-...! ...!~ ~~!!!
He was witnessing sothing bizarre.
A group of timid elentals, usually wary of any approach, frolicked around the chair smothered in that human’s essence, completely oblivious to Gadena’s presence.
The elf’s pride was at stake. He refused to acknowledge the implications no matter what...but it seed this wasn’t the ti for pride.
The large man in black robes addressed him.
“Their movents have been detected in Bondalles. You must hurry, Gadena. No matter what happens, we must secure it before they do.”
“...”
After thinking hard, Gadena got up and prepared to leave the lab.
The man asked him.
“Where are you going?”
“The mage tower.”
“Mage tower?”
The man frowned. As far as he knew, no tower mage could surpass the elves in their understanding of elentals.
Gadena seed to understand his reaction as he explained.
“Master ltas knows soone who can help in this matter.”
“An elf we don’t know?”
“No. The human who made that chair.”
“...?”
The man stared at the ‘artifact’ containing mysterious power.
“You’re suggesting...that a human made that artifact?”
“...That is nothing like an artifact.”
“?”
***Risir stood before a building, staring up at the sign.
[Draffon Adventurer’s Guild]
It was one of the most prestigious guilds in Bondalles.
Risir’s expression flickered with inner conflict. He let out a dry chuckle and shook his head. As soone who prided himself on being self-aware, he figured it was too wishful for a bastard like him to try building a career at a major corporation.
Without a second glance, he turned away from the Draffon Guild.
“The Dirt Boots Guild should be around here sowhere...”
According to his research, if Draffon was the undisputed top-tier guild, Dirt Boots was a borderline second-tier. He believed it might be within his reach.
As he was about to leave, however, a voice called out.
“Yo, mister. What’s up? Why are you leaving?”
“Hm?”
A friendly-looking woman approached him.
Her na was Kela, an adventurer from the Draffon Guild.
“Aren’t you here for our guild?”
“Ah, are you...?”
“Kela. Draffon Adventurer’s Guild.”
She offered her hand, her voice full of pride.
“Ah, I’m Risir. You’re from the Draffon Guild, huh. That’s impressive.”
“Hahaha, I won’t deny it. So, Risir, I’ll ask again. Here for our guild? Why turn back after making the trip all the way here?”
“Well...”
“If you have a quest for us, I can tell you, don’t even hesitate. Just go in. Draffon will never disappoint.”
“...Actually, it’s the opposite.”
“Opposite?”
“I was wondering if there were any quests for .”
“...Ha!”
Kela’s laughter erupted a beat later as she processed his words.
“What, mister, you’re an adventurer?”
“Aspiring adventurer, to be precise.”
“Hmm...Not a good idea. Not good at all.”
“Is that so?”
Kela chuckled wryly, sizing Risir up. He appeared considerably fit. But with his delicate features and easygoing deanor, he lacked the rough, violent edge adventurers needed.
“I’ve been in this business a while, you know? I can tell at a glance. My friend, you’re not cut out for this life.”
“Do I seem that way?”
“Oh! it’s a complint by the way, not an insult. This adventurer business, you see, it’s not all romantic like the stories say. It’s a shithole. Kind of like a gutter where all sorts of bottom-feeders crawl.”
She gave him a friendly clap on the arm.
“It’s a job for those who have no other options. The way I see it, you don’t belong here. You look all fine and cute, and there’s even a refined air about you. I guarantee, you won’t last a week before running away screaming.”
“Is that so...?”
Though her advice was well-intentioned, it could easily co off as harsh.
Risir’s earnest contemplation only strengthened Kela’s resolve.
Ah! This guy is really hopeless!
She couldn’t just let this cute(?) guy rot in the gutter.
But just as she was about to continue persuading him...
“...”
Risir’s expression suddenly turned serious. Without a word, he walked into a nearby alley.
“Uh? Mister? Hey buddy! What’s going on?”
Worried, Kela followed him.
“...!”
After so minutes of walking, they ca across a strange scene.
“A wolf?”
They found a young wolf surrounded by suspicious n completely covered in black robes.
“...”
The n heard them coming and turned around. After a brief standoff...one of them drew a strange-looking sword and charged at Risir.
He’s fast!
The man’s speed caught Kela greatly off guard. His movents suggested he might be a 3rd rank.
“Risir, get back!”
Kela drew her sword, ready to defend him. Even with her party mbers, this man would have been a tough opponent. This wasn’t a fight they could win.
We need to create an opening sohow and escape!
But just as Kela braced herself—Thwack!
A sudden gust of wind sent the attacker flying into a wall.
“Gah!”
The impact to his back and head knocked the air out of his lungs—and his consciousness along with it.
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
Kela and even the other n couldn’t suppress their shock.
And in truth, Risir was just as bewildered.
Despite believing himself to be self-aware, he was wrong. His perception of his own abilities was significantly skewed.
Most people lacked the mana sensitivity needed to gauge soone’s rank with a re glance. That was possible only for individuals like that one disguised master assassin, the shaman favored by a necromancer, the master mages of mage towers, that genius mage, or the centuries-old elf.
But after all the strange experiences he went through, Risir’s perception had beco downright distorted.
The heck? Didn’t he co charging because he had sothing up his sleeve?
Risir had imdiately assessed the attacker’s rank: the early 3rd rank. He’d assud the man must have had so secret weapon to be so confident.
So, Risir imdiately used his full strength, and well...
“Wha-what did you do?”
He was baffled.
Why would you attack so recklessly with such a huge gap in magical power?
“...”
The faces of the n in black crumpled.
Reviews
All reviews (0)