Chapter 70

"Then what do you want?"

"Haa... Can you introduce me first?"

Chris sighed and looked at the three girls.

"This is Chris, an alchemist from the headquarters. Uh, she's a 2nd class, right?"

"3rd class."

Has it really been five years?

Is she not going to take it?

"Got it. These are the alchemists from the Riet branch. Erika, Leonora, Adelheid. The branch manager is away on a business trip to the capital."

"Really, there are only four alchemists... Adelheid, it's been a while."

Huh?

"Yes, it hasn't been that long, but I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"Do you know each other?"

Indeed, they are from the same headquarters...

"It's Adelheid from the reception. We meet every morning, and we've had a few conversations."

Oh...

"That's true..."

I haven't talked to her in a while, and I don't even remember her face. Some guys even ignore her greetings.

Moreover, one of them is a classmate, which is pretty ridiculous.

"Ah, Chris, what brings you here? Did you come to see Sieg?"

Adelheid asked, looking flustered.

"No, not really. I came to evaluate the extraction and disassembly machines."

Huh?

"You came all the way for that? A 3rd class alchemist?"

"Yep."

Is she free?

Anyone can do machine evaluations.

"Hmm, let's go to the branch then. They're on the first floor."

She stood up, still holding the brick she was making.

"You can do it after you're done."

"I can work while we walk, so it's fine."

"You're as skilled as ever."

"Not really."

Chris and I went around to the front of the branch and went inside.

"There they are."

She pointed to three machines in the corner of the entrance. When we got to the corner, Chris sat down and started the evaluation.

"They're a bit old, but they're good. The head of the headquarters is really lenient with you."

"I've been demoted."

"That's your fault. Don't pick fights with August. You're smart, but you really are hopeless in some areas."

I know.

"I've reflected and am now working smoothly in a small branch."

"Seems like it. You were working well with them. Why are you working outside?"

"I was making Wednesday stones. They just learned enchanting, so they work outside."

I think they're fine now, but they're still cautious.

"Are you too?"

"I'm just keeping them company. Well, as their mentor, I'm just watching over them."

"Hmm, you've taken on cute apprentices again."

Are you envious?

"They don't complain, are obedient, and are well-mannered. If I had an apprentice like me, it would have been terrible."

Still, I don't feel bad about the head of the headquarters.

After all, character is important.

"That's not what I meant. The head of the headquarters was pleased."

Whatever.

"Got it. How's the headquarters?"

"Still busy. I'm going on a business trip to the east after this evaluation. I just stopped by on the way."

Just passing by, huh.

"Hmm, it's good to hear you're busy. What about August?"

"Who knows. It would be impressive if he could get a promotion by picking a fight with the head of the headquarters."

"Did you pick a fight with the head of the headquarters?"

Are you crazy?

"No, he used his family's influence to demote you, so he's our enemy. We're from the same school."

"Hmm... I won't get involved in your fights."

No benefit.

"That's what I thought. But if your three apprentices get into a fight, you'll help them, right?"

I don't think they'll get into a fight, but there are some crazy people who might pick a fight even if they're not at fault.

"Better not to get involved."

There's no need to consider the pros and cons.

"That's right. I never thought you'd take on three apprentices. It's a good sign of your growth. The head of the headquarters made the right decision."

To be told that demoting a fellow student was the right decision...

"Alright. Tell the head of the headquarters that I'll be here for a while. I can't leave this place in this situation."

It wouldn't work with just those three, and at least until I can get the Riet branch back on track, I plan to stay here.

"...Sieg, there's a replacement for you at the headquarters."

"There isn't."

Name them.

"There is. No matter how excellent you are, ten 5th class alchemists are more useful."

Ah... I see.

With ten, that makes sense.

"Recently, development has stagnated, and technical roles are more needed than research roles."

"Right. So, even if you're gone from the headquarters, it will be busy and problematic, but it won't have a significant impact on the organization as a whole. But it's different here. You are necessary."

Indeed, when it was just Erika and Leonora, the branch wasn't functioning properly.

"Sure, I can do it."

"You went to the trouble of taking Adelheid from the headquarters as an apprentice, right?"

The order is reversed.

"You could be the master."

"It's not that easy to change the master-apprentice relationship. If those three become my apprentices, it will only happen when you die. In that case, the head of the headquarters or one of us will take over for you."

Poor apprentices.

They'll probably just be given meaningless chores under the guise of training.

"I don't want to die."

"Say the obvious. If you took them on, take responsibility. And fix this branch. It's a mess."

Yeah...

"Is there any support? Can you get someone transferred here through your connections?"

"I actually asked someone from this town who is at the headquarters, but the answer was no."

No way.

"Is it because they hate the countryside? Or because they hate me?"

"Both."

Then it's impossible.

"You're useless."

"The head of the headquarters gave you this, right?"

Chris pointed to the machines.

"Yeah. So? Are you still evaluating? You're taking too long. Is your eyesight failing?"

"The evaluation is already done."

Speak up.

"How much?"

"1.5 million El, 2 million El, 3 million El."

Oh? Cheaper than I thought.

I thought it would be 2 million El, 2.5 million El, 3.5 million El.

"Isn't that cheap? It should be more."

"No, the core magic stones have been removed. That's why it's cheaper."

Removing the magic stones...

Ah, they were supposed to burn if I didn't extinguish the fire, so they removed the expensive magic stones.

"Stupid."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"There's a bit of a problem. Do you want to get involved?"

"No, thanks. I'm not free."

That's right.

"Sorry, but can you make the evaluation report in my name? Sign it with your full name so it's clear you're a noble."

This is Christoph von Precht, a noble known for being a friendly and good man despite his status.

"You really seem to be getting into trouble... Alright, I'll do it."

As expected of a fellow student.

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