Chapter 48

It was afternoon.

The reservation limit was fifty people, and it seemed to have filled up immediately after the reception started.

It was said that the rumor had spread among the well-informed adventurers of high rank. I had expected this, so I didn't find it particularly surprising.

Naturally, only guild users can make reservations.

There shouldn't be any nobles or knights among them.

In this regard, the late king had ensured there was no unfairness.

There is a separate time set aside for knights and nobles who wish to participate to have their status reviewed.

It seems that there are also applicants from outside the country, but they are also being adjusted accordingly.

When I heard this explanation, I honestly felt relieved.

I don't want to be thrown into a group of nobles or have powerful people from the guild swarm around me.

"Then, please, the first person!"

As I sat at the counter, a large man with a ticket walked up. He looked like a typical mercenary, all muscle.

"Hey, nice to meet you."

He loomed over me with an imposing presence, handing me a guild card. I took it and held it up to the crystal.

Gunta Arter

Registered/Albion Headquarters

Solo Rank/B

Party Rank/C

"Then, I will proceed with the status imprinting. Please place your hand on the crystal and look into my eyes."

We faced each other, and I met Gunta's gaze, activating my skill.

The information was imprinted onto the card.

A moment of silence.

The task was completed without any issues, and I returned the card to Gunta.

"Here, it's done. I'm returning your card."

"Whoa, after waiting in line for so long, it's already over? Isn't there some kind of explanation or something?"

I can understand his feelings, but I need to move on quickly as I have a lot to do.

"I'm sorry. For skill consultations, please go to the next counter."

"Come on, I have to wait in line again? You could at least provide some service."

Saying this, Gunta tried to grab my hand by leaning over the counter.

Just as I was about to pull back in surprise, Gunta suddenly froze.

"Hey, no touching allowed. Didn't they explain that the only thing done at this counter is status imprinting?"

A cool silver hair gleamed from behind the muscles.

It was Quincy.

I didn't know when he appeared, but Quincy was holding Gunta's arm. Just that alone made Gunta stop moving.

"…Why are you here?"

"Wow, if you know me, it's easier. Listen, I've been assigned to guard this guy. If you have any companions, tell them."

And those who are listening.

Quincy said this and sharply looked around the entrance.

From his gaze or because they knew Quincy, the users waiting in line in the entrance were visibly trembling.

It seemed that the deterrent effect was excellent. Quincy is apparently well-known among mercenaries.

Gunta, without even joining the consultation line, fled from the guild.

"Thank you very much."

"Yeah, don't get too relaxed just because you're inside the guild."

Quincy lightly tapped my head and took a position where he could overlook the entrance.

It seemed he was intentionally showing his presence to make an impression.

The second adventurer with a ticket, clearly concerned about Quincy's presence, kept glancing up during the status imprinting.

"Next, please."

From then on, everything went smoothly.

After seeing the fiftieth person, I retreated to the back.

As I was taking a break, it was time for the regular counter to close, and Eugene and the others returned to the office.

Of the fifty people I saw, most were solo rank B. There were a few with rare skills, but from Lava's expression, there were no new discoveries.

"Good work, everyone."

When I said this, everyone replied with "Good work."

"It was tiring because it was something I'm not used to. Take a good rest today."

I said this to Eugene, who was slumped over the desk.

Eugene slowly got up and looked at me with a serious expression.

"Mr. Noah, you must be tired too. You were using your skill the whole time, how are you not exhausted…?"

"I'm a bit tired, but it's hard to concentrate for so long."

When I said this, both Eugene and Renji shouted, "No, it's not!"

What's going on?

I answered seriously.

"We were also supposed to activate the appraiser's skill during the afternoon consultations. To acquire ability scores, we tried to do everything that had even a slight possibility."

"But it was impossible to continuously activate the appraiser's skill! I could only handle twenty people!"

"I'm about the same. Normally, magic and physical strength don't last that long."

So that's what they were doing. Activating skills requires magic and physical strength.

It seems different from elemental magic, as the skills consume energy automatically when activated, so I had no issues using them.

It's said that activating powerful skills can cause shortness of breath, but I didn't feel that tired from continuously activating the appraiser's skill.

That's what I thought.

"Maybe you're not activating the skill correctly, and that's why you're using extra magic?"

I said this in a soothing tone, but they both shook their heads.

"It's not related! When the skill is activated, whether it fails or succeeds, the same amount of magic is consumed!"

"I've never activated a skill so many times in a row. It's so difficult. Doing it from morning to night…"

Their eyes, which looked at something unbelievable, were painful to see.

"Oh, oh. Since you were fine during the experiments at the magic guild, I set the reservation limit to fifty, but maybe it was too many. Are you okay, Mr. Noah?"

Lava said this with a very belated smile.

"If I wasn't okay, I would have collapsed long ago."

"Whoa!"

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder from behind, and I involuntarily cried out.

It was Quincy.

Eugene and the others were also surprised.

"Don't scare us like that…"

"Learn to sense people's presence."

Can I really do that?

I thought this but didn't argue.

"Then, would it be okay to increase the reservation limit?"

"No, that might be a bit much… It's also a good time."

Lava's eyes sparkled. It seemed like "data" was written on her face.

"Oh, is that so? What a pity."

Does she really think so?

Lava said this with a face that didn't seem to have given up.

It seemed they decided to observe the situation for now.

"Thanks! Mr. Noah, good work on the first day!"

The office door opened, and Luke entered noisily.

I told Luke, who had come to check on us, that we managed to get through it.

"You were immediately targeted, weren't you?"

I smiled wryly at Luke's laugh.

"Thanks to Quincy, nothing happened. But you already knew, didn't you?"

"Quincy's intimidation is already having an effect. It's spreading among the mercenaries."

Meaning it's dangerous to make a move. Luke said this while looking at Quincy.

"Right. Now I can feel a bit more at ease."

When I said this, Quincy gave me a merciless headbutt.

"Idiot. Those who will try something on you in the future won't be deterred by my threats. You need to be careful from now on."

"Ouch!"

But thinking about it, that's true.

Quincy said, with a wicked smile, that he had no use for small fries.

I wasn't at all feeling at ease.

"Anyway, Mr. Noah, go home and rest today."

At Lava's words, I started to prepare to leave.

Even though I would have Quincy's training waiting for me at home, there was no point in saying it here.

"Then, I'll be going back."

Luke said this and tried to leave the office.

It seemed he had only come to check on us.

"Wait, Renji, do you remember the name of the young man who came for a consultation in the morning?"

"Huh? The one looking for a skill to detect lies?"

"Right, him."

Renji flipped through the handwritten list.

"Um, Nesta Oder."

"Thanks."

As I turned to Luke, he grinned and said,

"Should I look into him?"

I blinked a couple of times.

"If you're curious, Mr. Noah, there must be a reason. I'll take care of it!"

"No, don't overdo it."

Luke waved his hand and left the guild.

He was surprisingly perceptive.

"You've really tamed him well."

"…That doesn't sound good."

Quincy had a wicked smile.

I felt a bit scared but glared at him.

"Mr. Noah, that guy…"

Eugene said, looking in the direction Luke had left.

I hadn't even had the chance to introduce him.

"Yeah, Luke from the information department. He's been a great help since I came to the capital."

"Hmm…"

Eugene's expression hardened.

What's wrong with him?

"Full of rivalry, isn't he? Having many guard dogs is troublesome."

Quincy laughed.

It really doesn't sound good.

"Eugene is my disciple, not a guard dog."

"Mr. Noah…!"

I said this half in exasperation at Quincy's jokes.

Eugene's eyes lit up at the word "disciple."

I saw a tail again.

Quincy's triumphant face was annoying.

"I'm leaving. See you all tomorrow."

Feeling Quincy's still smirking presence, I left the guild.

Thus, the first day of service ended smoothly.