The Altruistic Adventurer
"Celestia?"
"Yes, Teacher Edn."
"You should call me Professor."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Haa... Anyway, this research proposal is rejected. If you plan studies like this, it won't pass."
"What? What's wrong with my perfect research proposal?"
I flipped through the research proposal I'd written in front of Teacher Edn.
The research proposal read as follows.
How to Draw Your Sword Super Coolly
[Research Field: Swordsmanship]
"Celestia. Does this really look problem-free to you?"
"Isn't it a truly perfect research topic? I really can't see the issue."
"No, the topic itself is wrong. No one wonders how to draw their sword super coolly. And using 'super coolly' in a research proposal is way too informal. It looks like you want to study drawing your sword, so I'm rejecting it—come back with a proper topic."
Teacher Edn said that and ultimately refused to approve the proposal.
And just like that, my plan to snag research funding went up in smoke.
"I can't understand it..."
How to draw your sword super coolly is actually crucial in real combat. A cool draw can crush the enemy's morale, or draw their eyes as needed for various dramatic flourishes. Plus, it's easier to chain into an attack than a standard draw.
No one seemed to realize that fact.
Teacher Edn was the same.
"What should I do now..."
I pondered quietly.
Research funding was off the table. But there were plenty of ways to make money.
For instance, Millon. Going to him and squeezing more cash out again could work. But even if Millon was rich, it was hard to believe he'd recovered his allowance so quickly after I took it all. In other words, there probably wasn't much left to squeeze.
'Nothing left to mooch...?'
I racked my brain over it.
Then a good idea struck me.
Come to think of it, Academy Special Class students were guaranteed at least B-rank upon adventurer registration. And with an adventurer's license, it doubled as ID to freely leave the capital, plus I could take requests to earn pocket money.
Of course, I had no intention of diligently doing jobs for pocket money.
What I loved was taking others' stuff.
I planned to take from the start.
For example, plundering plunderers or robbing thieves.
Or bandit-ing bandits...
"Teacher Edn."
"Yeah?"
"Where's the nearest adventurer's guild?"
"What's this sudden interest?"
"For my research. I can fill out the proposal later, right?"
"Hocklis Adventurer's Guild in the southern capital. Near the south gate."
"Thank you, Teacher Edn."
"Professor."
"Teacher."
I bowed to Teacher Edn, grabbed my Black Demon Sword, and headed straight south.
"Requests over here!"
"Coming right up!"
"Hey! Receptionist sis! This ain't right! How are we supposed to live on this pittance?"
"That's it for us! Party's disbanding!"
"Please don't... You know we can't make it without you...!"
The southern capital's adventurer's guild.
The moment I stepped in, a marketplace din hit me, mingled with the smell of assorted foods.
Hmm... So this is the adventurer's guild I've only read about in novels.
With my eyes closed, I scanned the guild's layout.
Closing my eyes made the structure even clearer. If I'd tried with them open, the crowd would've blocked my view.
Fresh. New content always thrilled me.
I curled my lips into a smirk and slowly advanced inside.
"Excuse me. I'm here for adventurer registration—is this the right place?"
"Here for registration? Please wait a moment..."
The receptionist fetched some forms and returned.
Good—it seemed they handled registration here.
She handed me the papers and stared openly.
"Um... just to check, do you have trouble with your eyes?"
"Is that a problem?"
"If you can't see, the registration test might be an issue."
"Don't worry. My eyes are fine."
I said that and quietly opened my eyes.
She gaped at me for a while.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah... nothing. Ahem. Sorry. Once you've filled out the forms, come this way."
"Oh, right—I'm actually an Academy Special Class student."
"Pardon?"
"This. Submitting it guarantees at least B-rank, right?"
I showed her my Academy student ID without forgetting.
She glanced between me and the ID, then nodded.
"You're really something else."
"How so?"
"Nothing about you is ordinary. Anyway, I'll take the student ID for authenticity check."
"Of course."
"You'll do the test in the meantime—head this way."
Adventurer registration had three main steps.
The first was the paperwork I'd just finished.
The second was the combat test. Adventurers needed basic fighting skills to prove their prowess. Even non-combat classes like priests weren't exempt—they required fundamental combat literacy.
Finally, an interview. Usually cursory and not a big deal.
The key was the second: the combat test that determined your rank.
"Enter here and wait your turn."
"Looks like a few others are registering today."
"Yes, it's pretty steady."
The receptionist pointed to a door in one corner of the guild as she spoke.
I stepped inside.
As she returned to her desk, I heard her fussing excitedly.
"What do we do? Academy Special Class? A big shot like that coming here! And she was a total beauty too!"
My lips curled up.
I was starting to like this place.
I moved to sit in the waiting area for my test turn.
'That person...'
But someone already there caught my eye.
What a coincidence.
"Oh? You..."
"Pleased to meet you. Yuria Lisus El Rehitkel."
One of Glan Braden's harem members.
'Yuria Lisus El Rehitkel.'
Brown skin, scar on her cheek. A female warrior boasting considerable beauty despite it all—Yuria, already seated in the test waiting area.
"Celestia Erienne El Fredericia, was it? What brings you here?"
"Adventurer registration."
"Registration, huh. Guess that's the only reason to come here."
I quietly sat beside her.
I didn't feel like standing.
"I heard from Mariella. You always use formal speech, right?"
"That's correct."
"Feel free to drop it with me. Warriors don't bother with honorifics among ourselves."
"I'll pass."
"Shame."
I was used to formal speech anyway—it was easier. No need to switch registers, no headaches. Besides, no reason to go casual with Yuria when I didn't even do it for Mariella.
"Looks like the others didn't come with you."
"They don't need to be adventurers."
Right. In the original story, Yuria secretly worked as an adventurer. Glan eventually found out... But unlike Mariella with the Raiklant family's ample support, or Glan with his mercenary savings that were solid if not overflowing, Yuria was short on cash.
The Rehitkel count family ruled modest farmlands, relying on low-margin primary industry. With most land as fields and most folk as farmers, their territory income lagged behind other houses. And as the third daughter, Yuria was low priority for family aid.
So she had to hustle on her own for what she needed.
"And you? Why become an adventurer when the Fredericia lady could get all the support she needs?"
"For research."
Can't say it's to plunder plunderers. Or that I'm short on macaron money...
Wait. Thinking about it...
Was the reason I wanted to be an adventurer really just money?
No. Not money.
I needed money to be worshipped.
In other words, the ultimate goal was being adored.
Money was just the means.
And what would that money buy?
Obviously, cool outfits. Items for dramatic flair or building an awesome character.
So it was for me, but also an altruistic duty to show my coolness to others.
When I solved problems, people praised me.
A win-win business where everyone got what they needed.
So I could say something like...
"It's also for the world. Plenty of people out there need me."
Kya~ Nailed it.
Isn't this the epitome of a badass character? The super cool one lurking in the shadows for justice.
That was me.
Now all that was left was the praise and acclaim!
"...Impressive. You mean that sincerely?"
"Dead serious. It's a strong one's responsibility."
"Makes me see you in a new light. You're truly admirable. I can't fathom why Glan doubted you."
She stood and offered a handshake.
I couldn't hide my grin.
Perfect. This was what I wanted.
"Honestly, I doubted you just because Glan did. But you seem like a good person."
"I'm grateful you think so."
I took her hand.
Yuria. As expected of a musclehead— a little flattery and she gave me exactly what I wanted.
And then—
"Yuria Lisus El Rehitkel. Enter the testing area."
It was her turn.