Chapter 19

Before the situation could escalate into a major problem, we ended our disagreement with Mr. Dread and headed straight to the back of the association.

As we walked straight ahead, a place clearly marked "Reception" was immediately found.

(How clear...)

Even a first-time visitor could tell at a glance that this was the reception—very user-friendly design.

However, there was one very unfriendly aspect.

(Is, is that person... the receptionist...?)

The person waiting at the reception was a man with an extremely intimidating appearance.

A completely bald head.

A neatly trimmed mustache.

Sunglasses darker than black.

A well-built, muscular physique.

He was probably in his mid-forties.

His expression was completely blank, and he was silently reading a newspaper.

(Is there anyone else at the reception...?)

I looked around, but unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone else who looked like a receptionist.

(Is it just him...?)

Honestly, he's a bit scary... but Miss Lea seems to have arranged everything, so it should be fine... I hope.

I swallowed hard and took a step forward—then Reia and Rose simultaneously grabbed my clothes.

"No way, Allen! That guy looks totally dangerous!?"

"We shouldn't get involved... that face is definitely a killer."

"But... there's no one else here..."

First of all, the 'Swordmage Association' is one of the public institutions.

The receptionist here is a government employee, and I sincerely hope they are normal...

(Is it... going to be okay?)

I'm still quite anxious, but I can't just stand here forever.

"Let's go."

"Ah, Allen...!?"

"...I understand, I'll steel myself."

Thus, the three of us stood in front of the reception with unwavering determination.

"..."

He neatly folded the newspaper he was reading and quietly stood up.

(He's... big...!?)

(He's... like a bear...!?)

(...Scary)

He was about two meters tall... probably about the same size as Ms. Pola.

(In terms of sheer size, the bulky Pola is probably bigger. But...)

This man had an overwhelming presence in his appearance and demeanor.

He had a different kind of scariness from her.

Still, I—gathered my courage and spoke up.

"Um—"

"Hey, kid. I saw that... you've got something good there, don't you?"

He said this, distorting his fierce face into what was probably a smile.

Honestly, it was really scary.

"Um, thank you..."

I'm not sure what I was being complimented on, but I thanked him anyway.

"I haven't seen your face before... but could you be the 'volunteer' that Miss Lea mentioned?"

"Ah! Yes, that's right!"

A ray of hope shone through.

"Ah, really? I'm glad I figured it out. I was told on the phone, 'If you see three unfamiliar people, they're volunteers, so please take care of them'... But the information was too sparse. She hung up on me and I couldn't call back, so I was wondering what to do."

He scratched his head vigorously.

"My teacher was rude... I'm really sorry."

I genuinely felt bad about that.

"Hehe, don't worry about it. She's been like that since I knew her. ...Well, let's introduce ourselves. I'm Bones. Bones Dalton. I'm the branch manager of the 'Swordmage Association Orest Branch.' Nice to meet you."

He said this, extending his right hand and shaking hands with each of us.

It seems that despite his scary appearance, he is a very reasonable and good person.

Feeling a bit more relaxed, we each introduced ourselves briefly.

"I'm Allen Roder. Thank you for having us today."

"I'm Reia Vestaria. Nice to meet you."

"Rose Valencia, nice to meet you."

"Allen and Reia, and the 'bounty hunter' Rose... Got it, I remember."

Bones nodded and matched our faces with our names.

"Alright, let's get the registration for the swordmages done first. Allen and Reia, right?"

"Yes."

"Alright, then both of you write your names, ages, and addresses here."

He took out two sheets of paper labeled "Registration Application."

Allen and Reia filled in the necessary information on the sheets.

"I'm done."

"I'm finished."

Surprisingly, there were few items to write, and it seemed that only the most essential personal information was required.

"Alright, let me see."

He took off his dark sunglasses and put on reading glasses.

His eyes, which were unexpectedly round and very kind, were revealed.

"Alright, no missing information."

After checking both sheets, he put away his reading glasses and put on his intimidating sunglasses again.

"Alright, I'll go make the plates. Wait a moment."

"Okay, thank you."

He walked to the back of the reception.

As soon as his figure disappeared, the three of us let out a big sigh.

The tension had finally eased.

"Phew... It was good. He looked really scary, but he was a good person inside."

"Yeah, he had cute eyes."

"Ah... I'm glad he was a normal person."

'You can't judge a book by its cover'—we were reminded of this obvious fact.

Then, while we were waiting for Bones to make the plates—another conflict broke out.

"What, you say! Say it again, you!"

"Sure, I'll say it again! The failure of the last request was all your fault!"

A pair of people, presumably from the same party, suddenly started a physical fight.

Their faces were red even without the excitement, and it was clear from a distance that they were drunk.

"Another conflict...?"

"This association... has a lot of them."

"Does that mean there are fights in other associations too...?"

We whispered to each other in a low voice so as not to draw attention.

"Hey, hey!"

"Good, good!"

"My stomach! I'm hungry!"

The surrounding swordmages didn't try to stop the fight; instead, they seemed to be enjoying it as a side dish with their drinks.

Then,

"...Damn, it's noisy."

Bones, who had made a big sigh, peeked out from the back.

It seemed he had finished his work, and he was holding two plates in his hand.

"Bones, a fight suddenly started...!"

Reia said, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I know. Wait a moment."

He walked toward the fighting pair with big strides, apparently to mediate as the branch manager.

However, the two men, who were engaged in a heated fistfight, didn't seem to notice Bones approaching.

"Take this! Die, die, die!"

"Heh, where are you aiming, you moron!"

"Who do you think you're causing a ruckus in?"

Bones' intimidating low voice echoed.

"Wh-What!?"

The heat of the drunkards' fight seemed to cool down instantly.

"B-Bones... S-Sorry... Huh!?"

Bones' powerful right straight hit the swordmage's face accurately.

"It hurts...!"

"That was intense..."

Reia and Rose closed one eye in surprise at the impact.

I was convinced.

(He's... strong...)

From his feet to his waist, from his waist to his chest, from his chest to his arm.

A perfect weight transfer with no wasted movement.

Furthermore, it was a perfect straight trajectory with no slight wobble—truly a supreme punch that evoked art.

The other man, who had just witnessed such a terrifying blow, said,

"S-Sorry...! But he called me a burden...!"

He tried to explain himself, desperately trying to avoid the punishment.

"Do you know? The rule here is—both parties are punished in a fight!"

"I don't, I don't... Huh!?"

Another punch.

The same beautiful, perfect punch as before hit his face.

Thus, Bones successfully ended the fight and shouted loudly throughout the association.

"You damn fools...! You drink, you don't get drunk! Got it!?"

After hearing the responses from various places, the association fell silent.

Bones, who had just finished his work, returned to us.

"...Damn, sorry about that. We have a lot of hot-blooded drinkers here. Such things happen a few times a day..."

"Is... that so..."

It seemed like a tough job.

Bones cleared his throat and returned to the previous conversation.

"Here, this is the plate that proves you're a swordmage. Don't lose it."

"Thank you! Thank you very much!"

The plates we received had a bit of red on them.

Probably the blood from when Bones hit the two swordmages.

"..."

However, after seeing that powerful right straight, I had no intention of complaining.

"So, what do you want to do? Since you're here, why don't you take on a few requests?"

"Sure, I'd like to. Please."

"Alright. ...But before that, can you tell me why you're doing this volunteer work?"

I realized that Miss Lea hadn't properly explained it to him.

"Well, it's like this—"

I briefly explained the situation.

During the Grand Five Saints Festival, I had a literal 'death match' with my opponent.

As a result, I received a one-month suspension, and Reia and Rose, who were held responsible, received the same punishment.

We couldn't attend the Soul Armor class, but to prevent our sword skills from getting rusty, Miss Lea gave us 'a certain punishment.'

This volunteer work, becoming swordmages and completing requests for free, was that punishment.

Bones listened to the story quietly while sitting in his chair.

"I see, that's the situation..."

He nodded in understanding.

"Well, in that case, I recommend monster extermination."

"Monsters... not wild animals?"

Wild animal extermination involves hunting animals like bears and wolves that, while not aggressive, could potentially harm people.

Monster extermination is a step above, involving the hunting of dangerous creatures like chimeras and orcs that actively attack humans.

"Of course! Wild animal extermination is too small-scale to be a proper training. Men should silently hunt monsters!"

He laid out three request forms on the desk.

Each one was for the extermination of goblins, orcs, and chimeras.

It seemed he was recommending that we take on these three.

"But Miss Lea recommended wild animal extermination...?"

"Ah... Probably not a big deal. Miss Lea can't tell the difference between wild animals and monsters. I've told her many times, but..."

Bones had a nostalgic look on his face as he said this.

(I wonder what kind of relationship they have...)

I was a bit curious, but I didn't want to ask anything that might upset him, so I kept quiet.

"What do you think, Allen...? I've hunted goblins in Vestaria before..."

"Chimeras are strong, but maybe we can do it with three of us..."

They stated their opinions and then looked at me in silence.

It seemed I had to make the decision.

(Goblins, orcs, and chimeras...)

Unfortunately, I haven't fought any of them, so I can't really say.

However, Reia has successfully hunted goblins in Vestaria...

And Rose thinks we can handle a chimera with three of us.

(...Let's give it a try)

Besides, Bones has been waiting for us to nod in agreement.

It's too late to turn down these three requests now.

"Let's give it a try."

"Great! Then this time, I'll assign you these three requests. I'll take good care of you!"

He stamped the three request forms with a big stamp.

Thus, we successfully registered as swordmages and took on the three monster extermination requests.