Chapter 4

We were walking along, taking in the town's scenery, with Erika.

It's not as bustling as the capital, but there are still many people, and it seems lively.

"Erika, are you an alchemist?"

"Yes, I passed the 10th level exam last year."

"Hmm... to pass such a difficult national exam at your young age is truly impressive."

"Erika is very talented."

"No, not really... Ah, and you don't have to use formal language with me. You can call me by my first name if you like."

"Huh?"

"Helen, what should I do in this situation?"

I ask Helen for advice.

"Huh? Just do it normally, right?"

That makes sense...

"Should I call you Helen?"

Erika asks Helen, who is perched on my shoulder.

"Yeah. She's my familiar, Helen."

By the way, I named her after Helen Keller.

"Wow, she's so cute!"

Hmm... as expected of someone who passed such a difficult national exam. You have a good eye.

"Thank you."

I grab Helen from my shoulder and hand her to Erika, who holds her with both arms.

"My name is Helen. Nice to meet you."

Helen introduces herself, and Erika's smile grows even wider.

"Nice to meet you too, Helen. I heard that Ziegvalt has a black cat familiar."

I see.

That's why she was comparing the letter and me.

"Ziegvalt is a bit long. Just call me Zieg."

Everyone does.

"I understand. But Zieg, you're an alchemist and a mage too?"

Only mages have familiars.

Alchemists don't have familiars that might knock over their equipment.

My familiar has never done that, though.

"I learned both because my master could do both."

Of course, I'm talking about the head of the main office.

She also has a hawk familiar, but it doesn't come out because my familiar gets scared.

"That's amazing. I've heard you're an excellent alchemist, and to also have a national mage certification is truly admirable."

Erika hands Helen back to me with a smile, and there's no hint of insincerity in her expression.

This girl is really nice.

"No, no, Erika, you're a national alchemist too, right? That's impressive for someone your age. How old are you?"

"Thank you. I'm 20 this year."

As expected, she's young...

She must be very talented.

"Do you have no intention of going to the capital? With your talent, you could advance in your career."

...Unlike me, she has a great personality too.

"No, I was born here, and I want to contribute to this town. I do have a bit of a fascination with the capital, but I want to make my hometown a better place."

Hmm...

"Hey, Helen... are this girl and I the same kind of person?"

Obviously not, right?

I've never even thought about making my hometown better, even in my previous life.

"Master Zieg, Erika is a good role model. This is what goodness looks like. Please purify your soul."

In the end, I'm going to be purified...

"Ah, right. Erika, do you know the Side Hotel?"

"Yes, it's the hotel in the west of town. Are you staying there tonight?"

"Yeah, I got a discount ticket from an acquaintance... no, a friend."

Adele called her a friend, so she must be a friend.

She's my first friend in this life...

Even though I did something terrible...

"Wow, what a good friend."

Really...

"Yeah."

Erika continues to explain the town as we walk.

Despite being a border town, it's close to the sea and forests, so it's rich in food and resources.

It seems to be a very pleasant place to live, with many gentle people.

As she explains, Erika stops in front of a building with a sign that reads "Alchemists' Association, Riet Branch."

"This is the branch office."

The branch office is a three-story building, much smaller than the main office in the capital, both in width and height.

I guess that's to be expected.

But it seems a bit desolate...

"Thank you for showing me around. Is the branch chief here?"

"Yes, he's in the branch chief's office."

"I'd like to greet him."

"Understood. Please come in."

Following Erika's invitation, we enter the building. The first floor is like the main office, with an entrance, reception desk, and sofas for waiting.

But there's not a single person around.

Maybe it's a holiday?

In the capital, there was always someone at the reception even on holidays, but this is the countryside...

"Where's the branch chief's office?"

"Oh, it's right there."

Erika points to a door inside the reception area.

"On the first floor?"

At the main office, it was on the top floor, the fifth.

"Yes. The second floor is the laboratory, and the third floor is the storage for materials."

"Hmm."

I guess each branch has its own way of doing things.

"Come this way, then."

Erika walks to the reception area, and we follow her.

We enter the reception area and approach the door, where Erika knocks.

"Branch chief, Ziegvalt is here to greet you."

"Ah, come in."

A man's voice comes from inside the room, and Erika opens the door and goes in.

We follow her inside, and there's a large man in his 40s sitting at a desk.

He has black hair with some white strands and a beard.

Honestly, he looks more like a soldier than a desk worker.

"Branch chief, this is Ziegvalt Alexander."

As I feel a strong sense of incongruity, Erika introduces me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ziegvalt Alexander. I'll be working here from tomorrow."

I greet him and bow.

"Hey! I'm Werner. To be precise, Werner von Langheim."

A noble... I thought he didn't look like an alchemist, but he's probably a political appointee.

It's a common occurrence in both my past and present lives, but I don't really object to it.

It's up to the higher-ups, and as long as they don't interfere with me, it's fine.

Though sometimes they do interfere a lot.

"Branch chief, Zieg is also a mage," Erika says with her usual smile.

"I know. The documents have been sent here. Still, you're quite the elite."

The branch chief looks at some documents.

Well, it's probably my resume.

"Is that so?"

"You're the youngest to ever obtain the national alchemist certification, and you also became a 3rd-level alchemist at the youngest and fastest age. On top of that, you have a 5th-level national mage certification."

"Wow... I can hardly believe you're human."

I don't think so either.

Of course, in the sense of light and darkness.

I'm the darkness...

"However, you've been demoted... apparently, you have some personal issues."

"Huh? Is that so? You seem like a kind person."

Thank you, Erika...

I feel like crying.

By the way, should the branch chief say that in front of me?

"No, it's written here. They even say to straighten you out, even if it means hitting you."

It must be the head of the main office...

"V-Violence is not acceptable!"

"I know. But for the head of the main office to write such a thing..."

The branch chief is taken aback.

"The head of the main office is my master and also my guardian. I'm an orphan."

"I see. That makes sense. This is from a master and a parent."

The branch chief tosses the paper he was looking at into the trash.

"I made a lot of mistakes at the main office."

"I see... Well, that happens. Anyway, I'm counting on you from tomorrow."

"Understood."

I bow again.

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