Chapter 36

In the first reception room of the Association Headquarters where Allen and Satowa had their interview, there were no surveillance magic devices like those used in the Royal Academy entrance exams.

This is because the room is designed to accommodate the exchange of sensitive information by visiting nobles.

There is a considerable distance from the seating area to the wall, and the absence of paintings or vases is a kind of statement to indicate that "this room is for such purposes."

◆

"So... how did it go?"

The president of the Yuguria Kingdom Explorer Association, Shellbur Montstel, stared at his subordinate Satowa with a sharp gaze and urged him to report.

Shell's appearance is intimidating.

He has a muscular build, a shaved head, and a large scar running from his right cheek to his jaw.

This man, who rose from a G-class explorer, is renowned as a monster hunter and has climbed to the rank of an A-class explorer.

At the peak of his fame as an explorer at the age of 40, he was invited by the royal knight corps with great respect and became a knight with the treatment of a squad leader.

In the knight corps, he demonstrated his exceptional combat skills and rose to the rank of commander.

However, even in the knight corps, it was ultimately a matter of serving the palace.

The emphasis on discipline and reports did not suit him, and when he was invited back to the Explorer Association, he took the opportunity to leave the royal knight corps and returned to the Explorer Association as its president.

At that time, his numerous achievements as an explorer and a knight were recognized, and he was awarded a one-star medal by the king.

His explorer rank, as a medal recipient, is S-class, a rank held by only a handful of explorers across the kingdom.

Incidentally, theoretically, ranks up to SS and SSS exist depending on the medal awarded.

However, it is unimaginable for someone to be awarded such a high medal and still be an active explorer in this era. There are only a few legendary explorers from the past who are mentioned in stories.

When the report came that the currently popular "Allen Lovain" had registered, Shell insisted on conducting the interview himself.

However, Satowa and Odilon, the two vice-presidents of the Association, quickly stopped him.

Odilon, a middle-aged man with a ponytail of white hair, exudes the aura of a master swordsman, which he indeed is.

Coincidentally, Allen had imagined that someone like this would conduct a high-pressure interview.

These two, Satowa and Odilon, are A-rank explorers who graduated from the Royal Academy with average grades.

They continued their explorer activities while working as officials and knights, and achieved several valuable accomplishments, eventually rising to A-rank.

However, Royal Academy graduates are automatically ranked C upon graduation.

The number and quality of their completed quests are incomparable to Shell, who rose from a G-class explorer.

Unlike Shell, who still actively goes on monster hunts, they are effectively retired from explorer activities.

Moreover, these two, with their excellent practical skills as Royal Academy graduates, are responsible for cleaning up after Shell, who often disappears suddenly.

Shell, as his background and appearance suggest, is quick to anger.

A few years ago, when a Royal Academy student came to register as an explorer out of curiosity, there were no other available executives, and Shell, out of interest, went to the East Branch Office in the capital to handle the registration.

He immediately lost his temper at the student's insolent and disrespectful attitude and beat him up.

To make matters worse, a few familiar explorers were present, and they left the fallen student and started a drinking contest at the branch office, which later became a significant problem.

"I lost my cool. I don't regret it."

This was Shell's testimony during the subsequent investigation.

Naturally, Satowa and Odilon, who had to deal with the aftermath, banned Shell from conducting registration interviews for Royal Academy students.

Moreover, Shell himself had little interest in student interviews and had never insisted on conducting them.

"That's the kid that the old man Godolphin is said to be keeping an eye on?

You guys don't understand how dangerous that old man is!

I'll handle it!"

As Shell tried to rush out of the room, Satowa pushed him back, Odilon restrained him from behind, and the receptionists Mika and Maya clung to his legs, barely managing to hold him back.

The remaining issue was who would conduct the interview.

Shell, reluctantly giving up on conducting it himself, said:

"...He's the one who, according to rumors, threatened to crush the old man Godolphin without flinching.

There's nothing to be gained from Odilon's interview now.

Satowa, you do it."

Thus, it was decided that either Odilon or Satowa would conduct the interview.

◆

"So, how did it go?"

Shell, sulking because he couldn't conduct the interview himself, asked Satowa in a rough tone.

Incidentally, the idea of all three of them conducting the interview was considered but rejected as it would be a matter of honor for the top three of the Association to interview a single student.

"The beloved boy. But he's terrifying...

That's how I felt."

Satowa, a capable former official, began with the conclusion before providing detailed reports.

"First, the rumored 'constant battlefield.'

He didn't give the impression of being as rough as I thought. It took quite a while to enter the room because the president tends to cause a commotion, but he stood still, facing the entrance, in a straight posture. When he entered, there was a moment when his eyes seemed to appraise me, but he didn't show any signs of being intimidated.

When I introduced myself and offered him a seat, he didn't sit down at all.

I had no choice but to sit down first, and only then did he bow politely, re-introduce himself, and take a seat. He said it was only natural to show respect to his elders."

"...Hmm. Sounds like a serious kid."

"Sure, it's no wonder he was the top student at the Royal Academy.

I was worried that, despite his talent, he would struggle if he were disrespectful to the old man Godolphin...

But it seems my worries were unfounded."

Shell and Odilon's evaluations diverged.

"From there, I tried to ease the atmosphere by praising his reputation, skills, and achievements.

However, he was only modest, showing no signs of arrogance or even a hint of happiness.

All he said were words of shame for his shortcomings."

"Kaa!

Well, it's not bad...

But as a kid, he should have more confidence and be a bit more cocky.

Kids these days are boring."

"Hmm.

He must know the value of the top evaluation in the Royal Academy's practical exam...

Being able to discipline himself to that extent at his age is no small feat."

Shell shook his head, while Odilon nodded.

"President, you, who beat up a cocky kid, shouldn't be saying that.

...He apparently completed his first collection and hunt from last night to this morning. His first mission was to gather food, and he hunted a Horned Rabbit. According to him, Rio drove it to a cliff, and Allen finished it off by jumping down from the cliff and breaking its horn with a wooden sword as they passed each other."

Satowa placed the two broken horns that Allen had given him on the table.

"Ah?

No matter how much it's for meat, if the horn is broken, it can't be used.

I would have caught it and pulled out the horn."

"Hmm.

Was it an attribute-carrying Horned Rabbit?

That suggests he already has combat skills equivalent to a C-class explorer...

Impressive potential for a first mission."

Odilon was increasingly impressed, while Shell seemed indifferent, picking his ear.

...

Satowa, to put it bluntly, was fond of Allen.

So, to prevent Shell from becoming too interested in Allen and causing trouble, he was careful about the order in which he presented information and how he explained it.

However, since Shell's attitude was particularly egregious, Satowa decided to reveal some information that Shell would find interesting.

"What are S-class explorers going to do competing with a student...

By the way, I forgot to mention...

He sat on the sofa, but for some reason, he was in an unnatural position, almost as if his thighs were touching. It was a quiet posture reminiscent of a predator about to pounce from the grass.

This posture did not change for the nearly hour-long conversation, no matter how friendly the conversation became.

I'm not sure what it means, but the phrase 'showing respect to elders is only natural' was said after he took this posture."

Odilon was taken aback by this, but Shell suddenly grinned.

"So, you mean there's an interesting story.

You should have said that first.

It could mean, 'There's no way a higher-ranked person would sit back on the sofa and wait, so come to me,' or maybe, 'If you say something disrespectful, I'll punch you immediately.'

I thought he was just a serious kid, but since the old man Godolphin is keeping an eye on him...

Did you punch him?"

Surprised by Shell's unexpected interest, Satowa tried to steer the conversation back on track.

"Of course, I didn't punch him, I'm not the president.

By the way, when I asked him why he wanted to become an explorer, it seems it was influenced by Rio. He accompanied Rio on a collection mission and was inspired by his deep intelligence, saying he wants to grow through explorer activities."

"Why didn't you punch him? It's a waste.

No one wants to hear such a generic reason, you know?"

"Hmm.

Despite already having a promising future, he still wants to become an explorer and endure hardships, which shows a wonderful spirit of improvement.

It seems he understands the importance of field work at his age."

Shell picked his ear again, seemingly uninterested, but Odilon was impressed once more.

Satowa, careful to keep Shell's evaluation from becoming too high or too low, chose his words carefully as he continued.

Before coming to the Association, Satowa had served as an excellent middle manager in the palace, and his ability to adjust such situations was exceptional.