Chapter 45

It's been a while!

Thank you to all the readers, those who have added me to your favorites, and those who have rated me.

In the next chapter, we will take a break and then start a new chapter.

Finally, I'm back at the counter!

I look forward to your continued support.

I was made to run around the mansion.

I was woken up by Quincy before the sun rose and got dressed with half-asleep eyes. As soon as I went outside as told, I was kicked and told to start running. I'm not good at running. Quincy just tells me to run, with no clear goal, and without knowing my pace, it was quite painful. Due to the injury, my stamina has decreased, and I need to regain it. Quincy is training me with my best interests in mind, so I can't complain. Every time I slow down, Quincy hits my legs with water pellets. Even if Quincy has a face that makes me wonder if it can be called a smile, this is for my own good. It must be.

After running for about an hour and breaking a sweat, I sit down for breakfast. Then I head to the Magic Guild and discuss skills with Rava in the morning. In the afternoon, I read the skills of new collaborators and analyze the data.

In the evening.

When I return to the mansion, I run again with Quincy chasing me from behind. I just keep running. After having dinner with Tristan, I return to my room, completely exhausted. Once in bed, I immediately lose consciousness.

This went on for a few days. I naturally started waking up before dawn, doing stretches, and waiting for Quincy. Although I still don't like running, thanks to Quincy's perfect motivation, I managed to keep running. It's definitely tough. Quincy, in a way, seems to know the limits even though he pushes me to the extreme. He doesn't give me any specific advice, just runs silently while Quincy watches me intently. When I reach my limit and am about to collapse, he stops me, saying, "That's enough for today."

"Are you not getting bored just running all the time?"

One evening, Quincy asked me this. I shook my head. I thought training isn't about getting bored or disliking it.

"I follow the teacher's instructions."

I just want to protect myself; I'm not particularly interested in learning swordsmanship or magic. Since coming to the capital, I've only occasionally swung a wooden sword at the knights' barracks and felt the lack of exercise. To seriously learn self-defense, I still need to build a solid foundation. After much thought, it boils down to this: Quincy is a veteran mercenary recognized by the late king. If he says to run, I will run.

"Hmph, good attitude. If you say you're bored..."

"What if I do?"

I swallowed hard.

"Right, I'd make you run after dinner too."

"Ah...!"

I'm glad I didn't say it! I definitely don't want that. I thought it with all my heart but wisely kept it to myself.

Just as I was getting used to this routine, I met an unexpected person when I went to the Magic Guild's laboratory today.

"Noah! It's been a while!"

"Hey, it's Eugene!"

Eugene, who was sitting in a chair in the lab, stood up and his eyes sparkled when he saw me.

"When did you come to the capital? What about the Albus Guild?"

"Mr. Noah, I heard you were injured. Are you okay?"

Our conversation was a bit disjointed. I made Eugene sit down first.

"Alright, let's calm down. I'm fine, as you can see."

"That's good, really... When I heard from the bard, I was so surprised..."

The bards Eugene mentioned are storytellers in a group of street performers mostly made up of beastmen. They travel from town to town, spreading news and rumors. The incident where the Lion King, beloved by the beastmen, was attacked must have been a big topic in Albus, where many beastmen live.

"So, tell me about you, Eugene?"

"Sure. I've acquired the Appraiser skill!"

"That's great! Now you can work as a regular employee at the Guild."

I was genuinely happy for him. Eugene also nodded with a smile.

I had always been concerned about Eugene. I couldn't take full responsibility for his independence and had to leave him to Mus and Emma.

"I came to the capital at the Guild's request. They seem to be gathering people with the Appraiser skill from all over. But more than that, when I heard I could work under Mr. Noah again, I immediately decided to come to the capital!"

"That's great, Eugene. I'm happy to work with you again."

"Sure thing!"

Eugene replied enthusiastically with a big smile. His tail was wagging.

That's strange, he's a pure human, isn't he?

"By the way, how are Mus, Marie, and everyone in Albus?"

"Everyone is doing well. Mus wanted to come too, but she's the ace of the Albus appraisal office, so they asked me instead."

It would be difficult for Mus to come to the capital, where discrimination against beastmen is still severe.

"Marie still can't use her skill. She was really upset about not being able to come to the capital."

"Haha, I see."

Marie, with her ladylike demeanor, usually behaves gracefully, but once she gets passionate, she can be quite fierce. I could imagine her going after Eugene for deciding to come to the capital.

"Good morning, Mr. Noah."

"Good morning, Rava. And everyone else."

After talking with Eugene for a while, Rava and the others arrived. In addition to the usual assistants, there were a few unfamiliar faces. They were probably other appraisers with the Appraiser skill, gathered from various places and called here. I guessed correctly. The appraisers Rava introduced were from various backgrounds. When I asked if they had anything in common, they said no. There are few known conditions for acquiring ability scores. It seems they are randomly selected and conditions are methodically searched for.

"I think it's time to start experimental services for Guild users. When we do, I want them to take turns at the new skill consultation counter we're setting up."

Finally. I clenched my hand. Eugene and the other appraisers were apparently already informed about my skill. We will start by offering status imprinting services to new Guild registrants. We will also explain the new terms of use. After they understand what the card information is and agree to have the information stored in the Guild through the crystal, we will perform the status imprinting. We will prioritize new users for status imprinting, and if existing users want it, we will accept them on a reservation basis. Others will be directed to the new skill consultation counter until their status imprinting is complete. This department will analyze the accumulated data and provide advice on the conditions needed to acquire skills. While the status imprinting is not complete, we can't determine a person's strengths and weaknesses, but we can provide some guidelines. The gathered appraisers will improve their skills at the item appraisal office in the third ward and take turns at the consultation counter to develop their ability to assess people. We don't know how many people will understand and want to use this service until we actually start it, but for now, only I can perform status imprinting. I will work with Eugene and the others.

"Please work with me, everyone."

I bowed, and the gathered appraisers responded.

"Eugene, let's work together."

"Of course! Please teach me a lot again."

Eugene and I shook hands firmly.

2015/01/12 Revised