Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: 2. I Got a Job at the General Store.
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Clip-clop, clip-clop.
"......"
It's uncomfortable.
No, the carriage itself is actually really comfortable.
The coachman is highly skilled, and since the capital's roads are basically all smoothly paved, there's hardly any shaking.
On top of that, the interior feels like a plush sofa, so the ride is ridiculously good.
The problem isn't my body.
It's my mind—my mind that's uncomfortable.
What is this, treating me like an honored guest from some noble house?
I'm just a job interview candidate...
Adventurer Academy... it must carry this much prestige.
It must've developed even more while I wasn't looking.
Lost in a daze like that, a stylish butler-like woman spoke up.
"Ah, come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet."
Come to think of it, things have been so hectic I hadn't even noticed.
Who is she, anyway, to come pick me up personally in this thing?
"My name is Rinen. I'm the chief secretary to Chairwoman Mureos Avantredin."
"...?!"
Ch-Chief secretary to the Chairwoman?
She's the top direct subordinate under the Chairwoman herself.
They say she's even higher up than the academy instructors...
No wonder her presence feels so extraordinary. She's a big deal.
Just like Chairwoman Mureos, I'd never seen her when I was a student at the academy.
But I'd heard plenty of rumors about her.
There were stories that she'd been offered a position in the Imperial Knights—reserved only for the empire's top talents—but turned it down to stay by Chairwoman Mureos's side.
And rumors that she'd single-handedly taken out dozens of assassins who attacked the Chairwoman without a scratch.
True or not, after meeting her, I could believe those rumors might be real.
She just seems that incredibly strong.
"......"
Having someone like that come pick me up personally only makes me feel more burdened.
The seat is more comfortable than any I've ever sat in, but my mind is more uneasy than ever before.
"...Um, is this normally how..."
I started to ask if they always treat interviewees this extravagantly, but I quietly shut my mouth.
Asking something like that feels rude somehow.
"No. It's because you're special, Edin."
"...?"
The escorting butler woman answered my half-formed question.
She even knew what I was about to ask.
As expected of the Chairwoman's chief secretary.
But me being special?
What on earth...
"Ah, I should mention this in advance. You're the only one who passed this exam. The interview will be replaced with a one-on-one meeting with the Chairwoman, just for form's sake."
"...Pardon? What does that mean?"
Why are there so many surprises today?
I'm mentally exhausted enough that I feel like I'll sleep like a rock tonight.
Not only did I alone pass the exam, but the interview's gone, and it's just a direct sit-down with the Chairwoman?
The situation is unfolding so extraordinarily that my brain can't keep up.
"You're taking it better than I expected. Did you anticipate this?"
"......"
No.
I'm actually shocked out of my mind.
If anything, I'm so shocked it's not showing on my face.
"Lady Lunarin said the same thing. That you're remarkably unflappable."
Lady Lunarin said that about me...?
I'm not that unflappable, though.
Maybe that's just the side of me she saw.
"Ah, we're almost there."
While my thoughts couldn't keep pace and I sat there blankly, we'd already arrived at the Adventurer Academy.
Well, it wasn't far to begin with... about ten minutes by carriage.
On foot, it'd probably take 30 to 40 minutes.
The academy entrance gate was already open before we arrived, so we passed through smoothly without stopping.
Out the window, I saw the guards I'd met during the exam bowing their heads.
It's fascinating.
This kind of treatment is a first for me—bewildering, but fascinating.
"This way."
Even after getting out of the carriage, her escort continued.
"Look over there. Isn't that woman... Chief Secretary Rinen?"
"What? Really? You know her?"
"No, I just glimpsed her once before and remembered her face."
"Whoa... she's so cool."
Murmurs rose from those around us.
As expected, Rinen is famous.
Of course—rumors swirled wildly about her even back when I was at the academy.
"Who's the guy behind her?"
"Dunno... a new academy student?"
"It's not student recruitment season yet."
Some talk about me pops up too.
Though there's hardly any interest in me.
It's just mild curiosity about the guy next to Rinen.
Why pretend to whisper if you're going to talk loud enough for everyone to hear?
Receiving this lukewarm attention for a bit, we boarded the magic transport device in the Adventurer Academy plaza and headed to the top floor.
The Chairwoman's office, at the pinnacle of the grand, towering academy building.
That's where the magic transport stopped.
"This is the Chairwoman's office. I'll take my leave here."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for the guidance."
After bidding Rinen farewell, I stood before the door to the Chairwoman's office.
"Sigh... whoo."
I took a deep breath.
I don't know the exact reason, but I'm the only passer, and it seems all but certain I've been hired for the general store job.
It might be a joke or prank, but would the Adventurer Academy send their chief secretary to lie to someone like me for no reason?
Anyway, once I open this door and meet the Chairwoman,
I'll officially become an Adventurer Academy employee.
The deep breath eased my tension a little.
Come to think of it, I never thanked her properly for helping me out when Claude was about to hit me before.
This is a good chance—I'll express my gratitude.
Smoothly—
I reached out to knock and ask if I could enter.
As if she'd known, Chairwoman Mureos's voice came from inside.
"Yes, come in."
Well, she's someone who can sense magic better than the eye can see light.
Of course she knew I was here.
With that thought, I opened the door and entered without a word.
"Welcome, Mr. Edin."
Inside sat a beautiful white-haired woman with a gentle smile.
The meeting ended more simply than I'd expected.
It started with small talk like how I'd been lately, if I'd eaten, and so on.
Then moved to interview-like questions: how I felt about working here from now on, any resolutions or ambitions?
She didn't ask anything too intense, and the Chairwoman kept the mood light and relaxed, so I conversed comfortably without tensing up.
But one question lingered in my mind.
"Um..."
To resolve it, I asked Chairwoman Mureos.
"Why did you hire me?"
It might come off as arrogant.
Or like, 'Why'd you pick me? Shouldn't have bothered?'
I was cautious, but I couldn't shake the doubt, so I asked.
Chairwoman Mureos chuckled amusingly and replied.
"Just as Lunarin described. You still don't seem to grasp your own value."
"...?"
My value...?
Lady Lunarin said that too?
With Lunarin's name coming up so much, it seems she recommended me, playing a big role in this.
But my value... what does that mean?
For someone ordinary like me, who just knows a bit of alchemy—what great value could there be?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Mureos smiled and said,
"Don't worry. Working here, you'll surely realize your value soon enough."
"Y-Yes..."
My value.
I'd never thought much about it while with Claude.
People say everyone has value and is precious.
But there's a hidden meaning there.
Everyone has value and is precious, but some have more, some less.
In this world, the 'more valuable people' are like Claude, Lady Lunarin,
and the Chairwoman Mureos right in front of me.
Talent and skill.
Genius qualified to stand above others.
And up till now, I've definitely been one of the 'less valuable' people.
Always yielding the lead to Claude, supporting him from behind.
But not anymore.
I've been kicked out of my supporting role for Claude, but in exchange, I've gotten a chance to be the lead myself.
And that lead role,
that 'more valuable person' persona,
I'll build it here, at the Adventurer Academy's general store.
Maybe that's what the Chairwoman meant.
"Thank you. I'll seize this opportunity with all I've got."
"Pardon?? Ah... opportunity. Hm, sure, let's say that."
"...??"
What?
Something feels off in the conversation.
Whatever. Does it matter?
I've landed a job as the owner of the Adventurer Academy's general store.
If not now, when will I celebrate?
"Then you can start tomorrow. I've asked another instructor to handle the handover, so head to the store tomorrow and..."
After hearing the rundown for tomorrow, I thanked her profusely and left the office.
"Starting tomorrow, huh."
The second act of my life.
This time, I'm the lead.
Time to do it right, I resolved.
"Owner of the academy general store."
Pretty nice title.
My original post-retirement goal was to open my own shop.
It's not fully mine, but it's basically achieved.
...Makes me think of the previous academy general store owner.
They called him 'General Store Grandpa.'
I'd stop by sometimes since I shopped there often.
He was incredibly kind and pleasant.
Grandpa... it's affectionate, a good name.
Wonder if I could have something like that.
I'm not grandpa-age yet, and bro or big brother feels too cheeky on my conscience.
Then...
"General Store Uncle..."
The academy's General Store Uncle.
This has a nice ring to it.
Affectionate.