Chapter 89

A letter from Willic arrived at Gilbert's place.

It was a letter describing the situation at the branch of "Blazing Dragon."

The letter read as follows:

The manager, Edgar, has left the branch.

Since then, a young woman named Reina has taken over as the head of the branch, but she is, surprisingly, doing business with "Spirit Workshop."

Moreover, Roland is openly coming and going from the "Blazing Dragon" branch.

It is safe to say that the "Blazing Dragon" branch has already been swayed by Roland.

Urgent measures are required.

Gilbert threw the letter to the ground and stomped his feet.

"Damn it! Why are these guys so incompetent at everything they do? They're useless. I went through all the trouble of coming up with a plan and telling them, and this is what I get!"

After breathing heavily for a while, Gilbert took a deep breath to calm himself down.

(The guys at "Blazing Dragon" still seem to think of crushing "Spirit Workshop" as a side job. Well, in that case, I'll thoroughly mess up their relationship. I'll keep at it until they start seriously fighting each other!)

Roland called Wayne when the time was right.

Wayne entered the guild master's room, scratching his head lazily.

"What's up? You called me in a hurry. I'm busy, you know."

"Wayne, I want to ask you to take on a new job."

"A new job?"

"Equipment for A-class mages."

"What?"

The laziness in Wayne's eyes turned sharp.

"A-class mages, you say?"

"Do you remember the new job that came to "Spirit Workshop" the other day? The C-class mage equipment was just a stopgap. Will and Rana will eventually become A-class mages. When that happens, Aina's skills alone won't be enough."

"Hmm."

"Take a look at this."

Roland took out a green magic stone.

"This is the 'Storm Magic Stone.' It has the effect of enhancing the power of 'Explosion Magic.'"

"I know. But, it's almost impossible to enhance the power of magic through processing. That's why silverwork is better for making mage equipment..."

"Not necessarily. If you use your Unique Skill 'Magic Stone Cutting,' it changes the story."

[Explanation of 'Magic Stone Cutting']

By cutting magic stones, you can enhance their power.

"'Magic Stone Cutting' is a Unique Skill that brings out the latent potential of magic stones. With this, you can create equipment even more powerful than Rizetta's 'Fire Spear.'"

"Really? I've never seen anyone with a skill like that, even at 'Blazing Dragon.'"

"Of course not. It's a Unique Skill, after all. It only manifests in a select few alchemists."

"Unique Skill... huh."

Wayne said with a wry smile.

"On this island, mages have traditionally been weak. As a result, there's a tendency among alchemists to look down on mage equipment. Wayne, you're going to change that. You'll be the pioneer, the first in mage equipment."

Wayne reacted slightly to the phrase "change history."

(Indeed, that's where he reacts. Wayne seeks scale. It's only a job with the impact of changing history that can motivate him.)

"Alright, I get it. I understand why you're so fixated on A-class equipment. I'll make A-class mage equipment."

Wayne spoke as if he had already decided that he would become an A-class alchemist.

"So? What about the treatment after that? You're not going to leave an A-class alchemist as a regular member, right?"

"Of course, I plan to provide appropriate treatment when you become an A-class alchemist. In terms of salary..."

"Position?"

"Position?"

"You want me to become an A-class alchemist, right? Then I need a position that matches. When I become an A-class alchemist, I want a position higher than Aina's, right?"

"…That's a different matter."

[Wayne Merz's Skills]

'Workshop Management': D → C

"Just because you can make A-class equipment doesn't mean you can handle management. I can't promise you a position. However, I can promise you an increase in salary and better treatment."

"Still, it doesn't sound good for an A-class alchemist to have no position. At the very least, I need Aina's position or a higher one..."

"Wayne, why are you so fixated on petty internal conflicts in the workshop?"

"What?"

"You're going to become an A-class alchemist, right? Then don't get hung up on such small pride. Show everyone that you can be the best alchemist on this island."

"..."

The "Blazing Dragon" branch received the battered "Knight's Hut" again.

Even Edgar was stunned.

(What is this? Why is the B-class equipment with added defense so beaten up? This kind of thing can only be done by A-class adventurers... No, that's not all. It can't be done unless A-class adventurers are wearing A-class or higher equipment. The enemy should be a weak alchemy guild and a small adventurer guild, right? What's going on here?)

The additional budget from the guild was already used up.

The mission had failed.

Medes' evaluation of Edgar would likely drop even further.

(I lost... I...)

For a while, Edgar couldn't admit his mistake, remained silent, clenched his fists, and kept his eyes on the battered armor.

The subordinates around him couldn't even speak to him.

For a while, everyone was silent, and an eerie atmosphere filled the air. Then, Edgar suddenly raised his head.

He turned to Pat and glared at him.

"It's your fault."

"Huh?"

"It's because you said something ridiculous about the enemy having an A-class archer that the team's morale dropped, and this happened."

"But, why would that happen?"

"Shut up. I'll tell the guild master that. You guys should cover for me."

The others present nodded in agreement.

Edgar left the scene and headed towards the guild master's room.

Pat hurriedly chased after him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey, wait a minute."

"What are you doing? Let go!"

Edgar roughly pushed Pat away.

Pat was slammed against the wall.

Edgar walked away as if nothing had happened.

(This bastard...)

Pat's face was filled with hatred as he lunged at Edgar.

Reina was at the "Blazing Dragon" headquarters to submit a report on the investigation of "Spirit Workshop."

(When I was entrusted with the management of the branch, I thought it would be a disaster, but it seems I can get through this without catching Edgar's attention.)

Edgar's ruthlessness was well-known among the alchemists of "Blazing Dragon."

However, since it would be troublesome if he targeted you, no one dared to openly oppose him.

When working with Edgar, it was best to be neither too conspicuous nor make mistakes, and to adopt a nonchalant attitude.

Of course, Reina also had her complaints about him.

However, she was determined not to be the instigator in bringing him down.

It was like a game of Old Maid.

Someone would eventually challenge Edgar.

However, it would also ruin their career.

She didn't want to take on that role.

(I have to endure. If I can hold out until Edgar falls from power, surely luck will come to Pat and me.)

While Reina was thinking this, she heard a loud noise and the sound of men arguing as she walked down the hallway.

(This voice... Edgar and... Pat?)

Reina hurried to the source of the noise and found Edgar and Pat fighting.

Charles was trying to stop them.

"What are you doing? Stop it."

"Pat, what's wrong? Calm down."

Charles held back Edgar, and Reina held back Pat.

Medes happened to pass by at that moment.

"Hey, what's going on? What are you doing?"

Edgar and Pat looked embarrassed.

"What's going on? You're alchemists, yet you're fighting each other instead of working on metal. What led to this? I can't understand unless someone explains."

"Well... Due to the 'Spirit Workshop' countermeasures, there was a conflict of opinions, and both of them got carried away, leading to this."

Charles explained.

"Conflict of opinions? What's there to argue about? 'Spirit Workshop' is just a small guild. It should be easy for you to handle."

"This guy started saying nonsense about the enemy having an A-class archer."

Edgar said.

"Thanks to him, the scene was in chaos. We could have won easily, but because of his causing confusion, we couldn't win."

"But, in fact..."

"Enough. I get it. Hey, you."

Medes interrupted Pat and called over an appraiser.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Appraise both of their skills. Include their potential for the future."

The appraiser appraised both of their skills.

"Edgar's skills are:

'Metal Shaping': A → A

'Ore Refining': B → B

'Product Design': B → B

'Silverwork': B → B

Pat's skills are:

'Metal Shaping': B → B

'Ore Refining': C → C

'Product Design': B → B

'Silverwork': C → B"

"I see. So, at both the current and future skill levels, Edgar is superior. Is that correct?"

"...Yes."

"Alright. Pat."

"Yes."

"You're demoted."

"What? Why?"

"Regardless of the circumstances, you caused a problem. When a problem arises, someone has to take responsibility. To prevent this from happening again. Understand? This matter is settled. From now on, no one is to bring it up again. Get back to work."

Medes said this and left the scene.

The others returned to their posts.

Only Pat, who was dejected, and Reina, who was worried about him, remained.

"Pat, are you okay?"

Reina called out, but Pat didn't respond and just sat there.

However, he suddenly stood up.

"Reina, I can't stay in this guild anymore."

"What? But... Just because you were demoted, there's no need to take it so seriously. You can become a senior member again."

"Being demoted isn't the issue. I abandoned Wayne. I knew the first failure wasn't Wayne's fault, but I just watched as he was blamed. In this guild, you have to constantly step on others to survive. I can't pretend to be someone I'm not and work here anymore. I'm leaving."

"But, your contract period isn't over yet. It would be a breach of contract. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'll leave the island."

"Such..."

"You should stay here. You're calm and can control yourself, so you can manage here. Goodbye."

Pat said this and headed towards the exit.

Reina stood there in shock.

Then, Gilbert, who had actually been observing the commotion from the beginning, approached as if he had just passed by.

"Excuse me, miss. What's wrong?"

"Gilbert...?"

"Was it that Patrick? I saw him leaving the workshop just now..."

"Pat... Pat is quitting the guild."

"What? That's a big deal."

"If he breaches the contract, he'll have to pay a penalty. If it's known that he breached the contract with 'Blazing Dragon,' no one on this island will hire him."

"His career as an alchemist will be over, then."

"He's awkward and difficult, but he's honest and kind. He's not the type to resort to violence without reason. This time, it was surely Edgar who started it. As an alchemist, he's struggling now, but it's because he tends to get involved in others' affairs. He will surely succeed in the future. It's a waste for him to end up like this. But..."

"Hmm. I see. Indeed, we must lend a helping hand."

"But, how...?"

"I know of one workshop on this island that will accept him and protect him from 'Blazing Dragon's' pursuit."

"Really? Where is such a place?"

"I can tell you, but can you keep it a secret from the guild master Medes?"

"Yes, I won't tell anyone."

"Alright. The guild you should go to is 'Spirit Workshop.'"

"'Spirit Workshop'..."

"'Spirit Workshop' is the only alchemy guild on this island that openly challenges 'Blazing Dragon.' If you go there, even 'Blazing Dragon' won't be able to demand compensation from you."

(Indeed, the guild master Roland seemed