Chapter 44

The time has shifted a bit, but it was a certain weekday, about a month and a little after the start of the school year.

It seems that Senpai Rio's concerns had come true, and he was apparently dealing with visitors who came to his family home after hearing the rumors, right after his classes.

I wanted him to accompany me to buy the necessary equipment for explorer activities, but when I caught him on the morning hill path and asked, he politely declined, looking apologetic.

"I'd like to go with you, but my parents are turning away the general public, and it seems they can't refuse when influential nobles make formal appointments... Since my father can't handle it as work, my mother and I are dividing the tasks and trying to manage it."

I feel bad for causing trouble to the senpai I respect...

When I offered to go and apologize to his family, he declined, saying it was too early for that.

Once things calm down, I should go and greet them with a gift.

When I apologized for causing trouble to his family, he chuckled and said, "My parents are actually pleased that you and I have become friends, so you don't need to worry too much about it."

I feel bad for making him worry, and I'm deeply sorry.

So, with the club activities I newly started getting on track, and eager to begin my explorer activities, I decided to go shopping for the necessary equipment on my own since waiting for Senpai wouldn't get me anywhere. One morning, I saw Stella with her pink twin-tails in the cafeteria and decided to consult her.

Stella is from the Achilles family, known as the guardians of the Daley Mountains. She should be knowledgeable about such equipment.

"Stella, do you have a moment?"

"What is it? It's rare for Allen to talk to me."

"Is it? I have a favor to ask. I registered as an explorer and want to go gathering and hunting to earn some living expenses. I need to get the basic equipment for that, like knives for gathering and dissection, storage bags, and the minimum survival gear for emergencies. Since you seem to know a lot about this, could you give me some advice?"

"Ah, I see. I can give you advice, but the appropriate equipment varies depending on the area and purpose of your activities. Of course, it also depends on your budget. It might be better to talk to someone familiar with the situation around the capital at the Explorer's Guild or an explorer supply store."

That makes sense. You're right.

"Got it. That's a good point. Thanks, I'll come back to you if I have more questions."

"...I thought you were going to ask about main weapons or armor... Do you already have those? Are you going to use a sword with the same shape as the curved wooden sword you always use? I think it's called a 'katana.'"

When Stella asked, I realized my oversight for the first time. When I hunted the Horned Rabbit last time, the wooden sword was sufficient, so I didn't feel the need for anything else, but there are certainly monsters that can't be handled without proper weapons.

Seeing my tense face, Stella shook her head in exasperation.

"Usually, people think about weapons and armor first... You're a strange one. But don't underestimate monsters, even if you're Allen. Larger monsters often have high resistance to blunt attacks. If you're going to operate in areas where monsters appear, you should at least have a powerful weapon and a chest plate. How much is your budget?"

I planned to use the money I earned from the first gathering with Senpai to cover the initial costs. It's too risky to invest living expenses before having a steady income. While it might seem a bit unconventional, I don't want to take unnecessary risks and end up in ruin.

"It's okay to go a bit over, but I'm thinking around 2500 reals in total. I don't intend to get high-quality items from the start. I want to get the basics first and gradually upgrade as I earn more."

Stella crossed her arms and thought for a moment.

"...I don't know the prices in the capital, but even for the basics, 2500 reals might not be a generous budget. You shouldn't rush to buy; it's better to scout first and decide what to prioritize."

That's a sensible opinion.

Stella's words may be rough, but she can see things objectively, which makes her reliable. I asked if she could accompany me for the scouting.

"Are you free after school today? Could you come with me for the scouting?"

"...Sure, I don't mind. But it's unusual for you to invite a girl to go shopping so casually... Are you really a D?"

"Haha! Stella doesn't seem like a girl to me! It's a relief!"

*Thud*

"Die, you damn D!"

Stella hit me hard in the solar plexus and left the cafeteria. I told her, in a daze, "15:00 at the main gate." I admit it was a slip of the tongue, but the girls in this world are too quick to react...

◆

"So, why are they here?"

At the main gate, besides Stella, Fay and Jue were also there. I deliberately chose the main gate to avoid them, but...

"Maybe you thought you could meet secretly at the main gate and feel clever, but you underestimated our friendship, Allen? You were probably planning to invite the innocent Stella to a dangerous area, save her from thugs, and boost your points with her. Maybe even get a chance tonight? But Kate saw through everything."

Fay smiled and laid out her ridiculous fantasies.

"I don't mind if you play around with other women as long as you give me your D... But Stella was scared by Kate's teasing, so I decided to come along. Kate said she was busy with the 'manager' interview... She regrets not coming along."

Declaring that she would take my D so openly...

She's really getting bolder...

"I'm not scared! I can beat up the thugs before Allen does!"

Why is it already determined that we'll be harassed by thugs... I sighed in exasperation.

"Ha. I get it, you're both the same. But I also invited Al and Coco, so your ridiculous fantasies are unfounded. You can go home if you want."

"I believed in you, Allen."

Fay is smiling, but she has no intention of leaving.

"Good thing I arranged for a larger magic car. It's like a triple date."

Jue had already arranged the car and showed no signs of leaving.

"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. Oh? Jue and Fay are here too! Nice to see you! Let's get going if everyone's here!"

◆

The magic car Jue arranged was an open-top type with a driver. It was painted a flashy sky blue with a strong golden yellow, similar to Jue's hair color, and the Levance family crest (a large eagle with a sword in its feet and wings spread) was emblazoned on it.

I have no idea how much it would cost to rent, but it seems to be a personal vehicle...

We sat in the seats covered with what looked like high-quality monster leather, three men and three women facing each other.

We were heading to a retail store for weapons and equipment, one of the largest in the capital, as recommended by Stella.

"By the way, Allen. Why did you invite Al and Coco but not us? Do you want us to intensify our stalking?"

"Stop saying scary things with a smile! These two are in the same situation as me, with no extra allowance, and they're interested in being explorers. They want to learn the fieldwork and earn some pocket money. It would be a waste of time for you rich people!"

"Feh. In terms of efficiency, I think Allen is doing something quite wasteful. I heard you registered as an explorer at G-rank? You keep doing unusual things, making it hard for my excellent secretary to gather information on you. You never bore me, Allen."

It's only been a few days since the meeting with Satowa, and already Fay knows about it... How excellent is her secretary?

"That's right. With your current fame, you could earn more than 10,000 reals per half-day as a tutor in the capital. If you're doing it for money, being an explorer is extremely inefficient."

10,000 reals per half-day?

No way, if I earn that much in the current rumor-filled state, my sense of money will be ruined...

By the way, in my previous life, I was a man with no dreams, thinking that if I won the lottery, I would save every yen for three years to avoid being overwhelmed by a large sum of money.

"Sorry, I'm not well-informed. Is being G-rank a big deal?"

Al asked curiously.

Well, in this world, explorers have a side similar to day laborers. It's understandable that Al, who was born into a noble family and was exceptionally talented, wouldn't know.

I was thinking about how to explain it when Jue answered for me.

"I also learned a bit about explorers when I heard the rumors from my butler, Sebastian. Explorers have ranks based on their achievements and skills, with A-rank being the highest (excluding medal recipients) and G-rank being the lowest. Normally, explorers start at G-rank, but when students from the Royal Academy register, they are usually ranked D. In other words, Allen chose to register as a G-rank explorer, giving up the privilege of being a Royal Academy student."

After Jue's explanation, Al and Coco looked at me with confused faces. Stella already knew.

"There's an interview with a high-ranking official when you register. I caused some trouble during the interview and was told to start at G-rank as a form of punishment."

I summarized the reason.

"Feh. Allen, you're a poor liar. I heard you manipulated the vice president of the Explorer's Guild, Satowa Fjord, and forced her to register you as a B-rank explorer, but she agreed to register you as G-rank instead."

What is that... No matter how you look at it, I was the one manipulated, yet another ridiculous rumor is spreading.

"That's baseless. Your so-called excellent secretary must have gotten fake news."

I confidently denied it.

"Is that so? She said she confirmed it with Vice President Satowa herself. She said you smiled with a terrifying face, saying you wanted to experience being an explorer thoroughly."

That bastard! What does he mean by not spreading it lightly! He's spreading rumors with added details, and I'll definitely protest next time!

"...I see, is that part of the training? Then I'll register as a G-rank explorer too!"

Coco nodded firmly.

"Stop it, Al. It's a waste of time."

I tried to stop him, but I was half-resigned, knowing these guys wouldn't listen once they made up their minds.

Well, it's fine.

If they plan to make a living as explorers in the future, I'll stop them firmly, but I don't think any of them will. So, there's no need to be too fixated on the rank.