Exiled Alchemist’s Frontier Life: A Former Elite’s Fresh Start in the Backcountry After Failing Again - Chapter 15: Muddy Work
When we reached the second floor, I took my seat and prepared Helen’s lunch. Then, I took a supplement with water and started eating the bread I had bought for my lunch.
Eerika-San was sitting next to me, eating a sandwich while reading a book on alchemy.
“Studying?”
“Yes. I’m feeling motivated all of a sudden.”
That’s a good thing.
“I just received the magic stones from Lutz-San downstairs. By the way, the deadline has been set to three days.”
“Three days!? That’s quite…”
“It’s no problem. If anything, it’s lucky that I’ll be able to earn some overtime.”
My salary has been reduced…
“W-Well, I’ll help out after all.”
“It’s fine. Eerika-San, this is a crucial time for you. You don’t need to be distracted by the harassment from that demoted noble. Focus on learning the basics and studying properly. With your skills, you could pass a level 9 exam.”
I’d prefer her to prioritise her newfound motivation.
“Do you think so?”
“Based on your abilities, even if you fail this month, you’ll likely pass next time. But there’s no need to wait three months. With a level 9 certification, your salary will increase, and this idle time is a great opportunity.”
“Got it! I’ll do my best studying!”
I hope she does.
“Are you not taking the level 2 exam, Zeke-sama?”
Helen-Chan, who had finished her lunch, asked.
“For levels 2 and above, you need practical experience. Level 2 requires five years, and level 1 requires ten.”
“Oh, I see there are such requirements.”
“They’re just useless restrictions. Levels 2 and 1 are basically the same in practice. I’ve seen a few people with those levels, and they’re laughably bad.”
Of course, there are some competent individuals, but…
“Hmm… Perhaps that attitude was why they were disliked by their superiors?”
“Maybe. I’ve learned that truth can hurt people. Lies are also important.”
It’s only natural that people get angry when you call them incompetent.
“…Wait, was it a lie that you could pass?”
Eerika-San looked up.
“No, that’s true. Eerika-San, you have the capability to pass level 8, not just level 9, so aim for level 9 quickly and then set your sights on level 8.”
“Understood!”
Good.
“Now, let’s get to work…”
I took out the magic stones and placed them on the desk.
“Oh, I need to get to work too.”
Eerika started working on transforming iron ore into iron.
“I’m taking a break since I’m idle.”
Helen-Chan curled up and started to sleep, so we both continued our tasks in silence.
As evening came and the clock passed 5 o’clock, Eerika-San finally transformed one piece of iron ore into iron.
“One piece in a day…”
That’s slow… too slow.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a matter of getting used to it. Potions and bricks were the same way.”
“That’s true. But still…”
The wooden crate behind me had over twenty magic stones piled up.
“It’s all about getting used to it.”
And this is the skill level of a level 3.
“It’s impressive…”
“Well, yes. But at this pace, we won’t make the deadline, so we’ll have to work overtime. Eerika-San, you can go home now.”
“Huh? But…”
Eerika is a good person, so it’s hard for her to leave her colleagues behind…
As for me? I’ll head home without any worries.
“Since Helen-Chan is here, I’m not lonely. Eerika-San, work at your own pace. If you want to earn extra by doing more work, that’s fine too.”
I’m not going to fuss about it.
“N-No… Then, I’ll head home first… Please don’t overdo it.”
“Alright. Thanks for your hard work.”
“Thank you for your hard work too.”
Eerika-san bowed and left, so I continued working.
“Isn’t it alright if Eerika-San doesn’t help?”
Helen-chan woke up.
“I can’t rely on Eerika-San for this. That Mayor will definitely complain if there’s any drop in quality. Sorry, but she’s not up to the task.”
Besides, she probably hasn’t done this before, and we can’t afford to train her while trying to meet the deadline.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“It’s the truth. But I didn’t say it out loud, did I?”
“You’ve grown.”
Helen-Chan nodded in admiration.
“Well, I don’t want to be disliked.”
“Oh? How unusual. Are you finally showing some interest in women?”
Am I a middle schooler?
“It’s not like that. I’ve been thinking about the situation with Adele.”
“That’s a good thing.”
I continued working while talking with Helen. After a while, it was past 9 o’clock, so I stood up to stretch.
“Are you still going to work?”
“Yes. I want to get as much done as possible since we don’t know what might come up.”
I don’t think we can shorten the time any further, but since this request seems like harassment, it’s better to advance as much as possible.
“It seems unlikely that I’ll be able to clean up my room today.”
If anything, weekdays are already out of the question.
“I’ll do it during the next break.”
“Sounds good.”
As I was about to return to my seat and resume working, Eerika’s face peeked out from the stairs.
“Good work. Are you still working?”
Eerika-San came over and asked.
“Just a little longer. What’s up?”
“Did you have dinner yet?”
“No, not yet.”
Tonight’s dinner is just portable food.
“Would you like to eat something? It’s leftovers from dinner…”
Eerika-San offered me a lunchbox.
“Is it alright?”
“Yes. I made too much, so please take it.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
I accepted the lunchbox and placed it on the desk.
“Alright. Keep up the good work. I’ll head home and continue studying.”
She said and bowed before leaving. I opened the lunchbox and found several sandwiches inside.
“She’s a nice person.”
“She’s really a good girl… Zeke-sama, do you understand?”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“This isn’t just leftover dinner. She specifically made it for you.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“There’s no way she’d have this many sandwiches leftover. Plus, if lunch was also sandwiches, normally you wouldn’t eat them for dinner too.”
I eat bread for every meal, though?
I know that’s not the norm.
“She made it specifically… I’ve made her do something I shouldn’t have.”
“She didn’t want you to think that way, so she said that. Be sure to show your appreciation.”
Yes…
“Would you like some, Helen-Chan?”
“Just one, please.”
We ate the sandwiches for dinner and continued working. Then, before midnight, I went home, took a bath, and went to bed.