Chapter 5

"Please register as an adventurer."

Lais returned to Amelia's front and said this right away. Next to him stood Rafi with a subtle expression.

"Are you really going to register...?"

"Yeah. I'm also curious, and if I can get rewards, there's no harm in registering."

"Well, that's true, but..."

What Rafi was worried about was whether Lais would do something out of the ordinary for a request.

—If he were to try to hand over an elixir for a potion-making request, I'd have to stop him with all my might.

As Rafi made a vow in her heart, the adventurer registration was completed.

"Lais, you will start at F-rank. You can raise your rank up to D-rank with requests other than monster slaying."

From D-rank onwards, you can only raise your rank by completing monster slaying requests. In other words, the limit for Lais, who cannot fight monsters, is D-rank.

"Since we've registered, why don't we take on a request?"

"Hmm, yeah. There was one request that caught my attention earlier."

Lais said this and brought a request from the bulletin board.

"Is this... a request to help with alchemy?"

"Yeah."

It's a perfect request for Lais, who is an alchemist. It would be just right as his first request. However, when Amelia saw the request paper, she made a bitter face.

"I think it's better to pass on this request."

"Why is that?"

"The alchemist who made the request is known for being stubborn... No one has ever completed it, so I don't recommend it."

"Hmm, I see."

Lais folded his arms and nodded.

Indeed, I can understand why Amelia is hesitant. There's no need to go somewhere where I know I'll have a hard time.

So,

"Alright, I'll take this request."

"...Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, I heard."

"Then why...?"

Lais smiled and said,

"Because it sounds interesting."

Seeing Lais's attitude, Rafi sighed in resignation. She never expected Lais to have a normal mindset.

Besides, the alchemist who made the request probably never imagined that an alchemist better than themselves would come to help. Thinking about it, it might work out.

...As long as Lais doesn't cause any trouble.

"Lais, I won't tell you not to take this request. But, whatever you do, don't show or make an elixir."

"Ah, yeah..."

Lais nodded under the pressure of Rafi's stern whisper. Rafi really wants to go with Lais to prevent him from doing anything, but she doesn't have the alchemy skills to help.

So, she is giving him this warning.

Sensing the end of Lais and Rafi's conversation, Amelia solemnly stamped the request paper, indicating its acceptance.

"Understood. If you insist on taking it, I won't stop you. This is the location of the alchemist's shop."

Lais took the map and request paper she handed him.

"Thank you."

"Then, I wish you success in your request."

With a polite bow from Amelia and a worried expression from Rafi, Lais's first request began.

***

"This is the alchemist's shop..."

Following the map given by Amelia, they arrived at a store that was neither large nor small, just ordinary.

It's a secret to Rafi that they got lost a few times on the way here.

She seems to be quite anxious.

Successfully completing this request and earning Rafi's trust wouldn't be bad.

"Alright!"

With determination, Lais entered the store. The familiar smell of chemicals filled the air, and colorful potions were displayed on the shelves.

For Lais, an alchemist, this was a familiar scene. He walked to the counter without any surprise.

"Excuse me, I'm here for a request..."

Lais spoke to a girl at the counter. She was probably younger than him.

She had light blue hair that reached her shoulders, disheveled, and wore a lab coat. Dark circles under her eyes made her cute face look exhausted.

He didn't think she was the client, but there was no one else. The real client was probably making potions in the back of the store.

—Or so he thought.

"Ah, thank you. Can you come with me right away?"

"Huh...?"

Lais was confused and stopped in his tracks.

"What, I'm the client, Daisy."

"You... you are?"

"Yes, that's right. Is there a problem?"

Daisy said this with an irritated tone, looking displeased. However, she looked like a child, no more than twelve years old. It was hard to believe she could run a store.

"Let me tell you, I'm about your age, too."

—What...?

Lais was inwardly shocked but tried not to show it. If he made a mistake, he could see the girl in front of him getting angry.

"S-Sure. I'm Lais, the adventurer who accepted the request."

"Nice to meet you. Follow me quietly."

She snorted and walked into the back of the store. Lais followed as instructed.

"So, how long have you been doing alchemy?"

"Um, about seven or eight years."

Lais started alchemy at ten years old. At first, he learned on his own, but from twelve, he studied under a master.

"Quite a while. Then, I can have some expectations."

"Thank you..."

"Here we are."

Daisy led him to a room where herbs were stored. Many herbs were immersed in special chemicals to prevent deterioration.

"What I want you to do is the 'extraction' and 'purification' of these herbs."

'Extraction' is an alchemical process to create a liquid containing medicinal properties, and 'purification' is an alchemical process to remove impurities from that liquid.

Both are essential skills for alchemists, and the more experienced the alchemist, the faster and more precise they become. Of course, Lais can handle them.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all. I need as many as possible."

"Got it."

Lais felt relieved that it was a relatively simple request.

"Please, don't fail."

The words, spoken in the lightest, cutest voice, somehow carried the greatest force.

Ignoring Lais's trembling from fear, Daisy left the room.

—Failure is not an option.

Lais, feeling more determined, began his usual work.

Yes, using alchemy, which is ordinary for him.