Chapter 10

After finishing lunch, it was time to start the afternoon work.

Erika went up to the third floor to check the items to be delivered, so I was aimlessly looking around the spacious floor with Helen.

"This is a pretty laid-back workplace, huh."

"Yeah, I guess. But isn't it nice to be able to take it easy? You used to work too much, Sieg."

You really do take it too easy...

Is this what being demoted feels like...

"Am I just going to grow old and die here?"

"You're only in your early twenties. Even though your salary has dropped and your chances of promotion are slim, it's not a high-pressure job, and you can prioritize your personal life. It's all about your mindset."

But my personal life isn't fulfilling at all.

What am I supposed to do?

"There's no sense of purpose here..."

"Hmm... How about you mentor Erika?"

Mentor her...

Erika is enthusiastic and talented, so she would probably improve if I mentored her.

"Can I even mentor her? I'm the guy who was disliked by both my colleagues and the receptionist."

"Change yourself. Besides, Erika is very broad-minded and kind, so she would overlook any harsh words."

You're right, Erika always has a smile on her face and ignores any harsh things I say.

"She must be an angel."

"How about your wife?"

"That would be unfair to her."

I know it sounds bad, but I wouldn't want a husband like me either.

"That's a matter of compatibility... Oh, Erika is back."

As Helen said, Erika was descending the stairs and coming towards us.

"How did it go?"

Erika sat down next to me, so I asked her.

"Yes, everything is in order. The quantity is correct, and the quality seems fine. I called them just now, and they said they can pick it up tomorrow, so I'll deliver it in the morning."

"I'll come with you. Show me the way."

There's nothing for me to do here anyway.

"Alright. Thank you."

"Hey, what are we doing for the rest of the day?"

"There's nothing to do..."

Right?

"Maybe I'll read a book..."

"I'll study."

Erika said this and took out some books and notes from her bag.

"Study? Alchemy?"

"Yes, I'm planning to take the 9th-grade exam next month."

The state alchemist qualification exam is held four times a year.

The exam consists of a written test and a practical test.

"Think you'll pass?"

"I think I'm on the borderline for both the written and practical tests..."

Hmm... I have to be very careful with my words here.

If I were my old self, I would have said, "You'll pass even without studying."

I know that wouldn't be a good idea now.

"Well, if you don't pass, there's always another chance. Just take it easy."

I encouraged her and glanced at Helen.

"It's fine. Actually, how about you help me study?"

"Me? I don't think I can..."

Am I the worst person to be a teacher?

I mean, I only bring people down.

"Be gentle and teach me as if I were a child."

"Isn't that a bit disrespectful to Erika?"

She's a 20-year-old adult...

"I think that's the right approach. Sieg, you tend to say, 'Why don't you understand something as simple as this?'"

You're right, I've already been thinking that...

"E-Erika, do you want me to help you study?"

Please say no, please say no.

I don't want to be disliked by my only colleague, and if Erika, who is a social beginner, dislikes me, my heart will probably break.

"Really? That's okay?"

Erika beamed with a full smile.

It seems my prayers were not answered.

"Sure..."

"Thank you so much!"

There's no choice... I'll do it.

"Um, is there anything you're struggling with?"

"The alchemical reaction part and the catalyst part..."

Erika opened her book and showed me. I recalled what I learned in class and from my master and started explaining.

I chose my words carefully and explained as if Erika were a grade school student, being as detailed and cautious as possible.

Before I knew it, it was past 5 PM.

During that time, I thought, "Why don't you understand something as simple as this?" about 55 times, but I never said it out loud.

"Hey... What are you doing?"

I heard a voice and looked up to see the branch chief coming up the stairs.

"Ah, Branch Chief. Sieg is helping me study."

Erika answered.

"Hmm... That's good. But that's enough. We're going to a welcome party."

Huh?

"Welcome party?"

I asked the branch chief, who had come over.

"Well, it's your first day here, so it's a welcome party for you."

Ah... I've never been to one in my life.

"Do I have to go?"

"What are you talking about?"

I don't want to go...

"Sieg, you can't skip the welcome party. You have to attend."

Why?

"It's a get-together to build camaraderie for working together. It's rare for someone to skip it."

I understand that, but...

"I can't do a party trick."

The reason I never attended welcome parties in my previous company was because they said new employees had to perform, which I found absurd, so I politely declined.

Since then, I haven't attended any, and I haven't been to any headquarters welcome parties in this life either.

"You don't have to do a party trick. Sieg, your party tricks would be boring anyway."

"Still, the boss will insist. They'll laugh at me if I mess up, especially the branch chief. He's a military man, you know. Military men are all about power harassment and sexual harassment."

It's like a sports club.

"What are you two talking about? That's a lot of slander..."

"Shh, they're in a meeting. They're apparently training Sieg to improve his social skills."

"I see... What a sad guy."

I'm being called sad again...

"Sieg, let's go. Even though he's a military man, the branch chief is a noble."

"Alright..."

"Just leave after the first round. Fortunately, Erika is here, so you can refuse the second round by saying she'll take you home."

I see.

"No, there won't be a second round. I don't drink anyway."

"Neither do I."

Especially the branch chief, who surprisingly doesn't drink much.

"See, that's what he's saying."

"Alright... Let's go then."

There's no choice.

"The meeting is over."

"Seems like it... Is it always like this?"

"Pretty much."

"Erika, watch over me with a warm heart."

The branch chief looked at me with the same pitying eyes he uses for sad people.

Thank you for reading.

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