Exiled Alchemist’s Frontier Life: A Former Elite’s Fresh Start in the Backcountry After Failing Again - Chapter 4: Transfer to New Job
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- Exiled Alchemist’s Frontier Life: A Former Elite’s Fresh Start in the Backcountry After Failing Again
- Chapter 4: Transfer to New Job
We were walking through the streets with Erika-san, taking in the sights.
Although it wasn’t as crowded as the royal capital, there were still quite a few people, and it seemed lively.
“Are you an alchemist, Erika-san?”
“Yes, I passed the 10th level last year.”
Oh… She looks so young, but passing such a notoriously difficult national exam is quite impressive.
“You must be really talented, Erika-san.”
“No, not at all… Ah, um, you don’t have to be so formal. You can just call me Erika, without honorifics.”
Hmm?
“Helen-chan, what should I do in this situation?”
I checked with Helen-chan.
“Huh? You can just do what she said, can’t you?”
That makes sense…
“Is her name Helen-chan?”
Erika asked, looking at Helen-chan perched on my shoulder.
“Yeah. She’s my familiar, Helen.”
By the way, I named her after Helen Keller.
“Aww, she’s so cute!”
Impressive… As expected from someone who passed a difficult national exam—she has a good eye.
“Yes.”
I picked up Helen-chan from my shoulder and handed her to Erika. Erika cradled her in her arms.
“My name is Helen. Nice to meet you.”
When Helen-chan introduced herself, Erika’s smile grew even wider.
“Nice to meet you too. I heard that Zekevald travels with a black cat familiar.”
Ah, so that’s why she was comparing me with the paper earlier.
“Zekevald is a bit long, isn’t it? You can just call me Zeke.”
That’s what everyone calls me.
“Understood. But Zeke, you’re an alchemist and a magician?”
Only magicians have familiars. Alchemists don’t usually have familiars that might mess up their tools. Though mine has never caused any trouble.
“My master was skilled at both, so I learned both.”
Of course, I was referring to the head of the main office. She also has a familiar, a falcon, but it never comes out because my Helen-chan is too scared of it.
“That’s amazing. I’ve heard you’re an exceptional alchemist, but to also have the national magician qualification is really admirable.”
Erika complimented me with a smile as she returned Helen-chan. There wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in that smile. She’s such a good person.
“No, no, Erika, you’re a national alchemist yourself, right? That’s amazing at such a young age. How old are you?”
“Thank you. I just turned 20 this year.”
She really is young… and quite talented.
“Have you ever thought about going to the royal capital? With your skills, you could move up the ranks quickly.”
…Unlike me, she seems to have a great personality too.
“No, I was born here, and I want to contribute to this town. It’s not that I don’t admire the royal capital, but I still want to make my hometown a better place.”
Hmm…
“Hey, Helen-chan… Are we even the same kind of person?”
We’re clearly different, right? I’ve never thought about improving my hometown, not in this life or the previous one.
“Zeke, Erika is a good role model. This is true goodness. Let your soul be purified.”
So, I’m getting purified, huh…
“Oh, by the way, Erika, do you know the Side Hotel?”
“Yes, it’s the hotel on the west side of town. Are you staying there tonight?”
“Yeah, I got a voucher from a… friend.”
Adele called herself my friend, so I guess she is. My first friend in my entire life… I really messed things up with her, though…
“Wow, that’s a great friend you have.”
She really is…
“Yeah, she is.”
As we continued walking, Erika explained more about the town. Even though it’s on the frontier, it’s near the sea and forests, so it has an abundance of food and resources. The people here are also peaceful, making it a great place to live.
As she was talking, we came to a stop in front of a building. The sign read, “Alchemist Association, Liet Branch.”
“This is the branch.”
The building was three stories tall, much smaller in both height and width compared to the main office in the royal capital. Well, that’s to be expected. But it seemed a bit run-down…
“Thanks for showing me around. Is the branch chief here?”
“Yes, he’s in the branch chief’s office.”
“I’d like to introduce myself.”
“Understood. Please, come inside.”
With Erika’s invitation, I stepped inside. The first floor was similar to the main office, with a reception area and some sofas for waiting. But there wasn’t a single person around.
Could today be a holiday? In the royal capital, there’s always someone at the reception desk, even on holidays, but… well, this is the countryside.
“Where’s the branch chief’s office?”
“Oh, it’s over there.”
Erika pointed to a door behind the reception area.
“On the first floor?”
In the main office, it was on the top floor—the fifth.
“Yes. The second floor is the atelier, and the third floor is used for storing materials and other supplies.”
“Huh.”
I guess every branch has its own way of doing things.
“Follow me, please.”
Erika led us to the reception area. After we followed her in, she knocked on the door.
“Branch Chief, Zekevald is here to introduce himself.”
“Ah, come in.”
A man’s voice came from inside, and Erika opened the door. I followed her in, and there, sitting behind a desk, was a large man in his forties. He had black hair streaked with gray and a beard. To be honest, he looked more like a soldier than a desk worker.
“Branch Chief, this is Zekevald Alexander.”
As Erika introduced me, I couldn’t shake the sense that something was off.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Zekevald Alexander. I’ll be working here starting tomorrow.”
I bowed politely as I introduced myself.
“Oh! I’m Werner. To give you my full name, Werner von Langheim.”
So, he’s a nobleman… I had a feeling he didn’t seem like an alchemist. He’s probably someone who’s been transferred here after retirement. It happens in both this life and the last, but I’m not one to criticize it. It’s up to those in charge, as long as they don’t interfere with my work. Though, sometimes, they do get in the way.
“Branch Chief, I heard Zeke is also a magician.”
Erika said this to the branch chief with her usual smile.
“I know. The documents about him have arrived here too. Still, what an elite we have.”
The branch chief glanced at some paperwork. It’s probably my résumé.
“Is that so?”
“He passed the national alchemist exam at the youngest age ever and became a third-level alchemist in record time. He also has a fifth-level national magician qualification.”
“Wow… I can’t believe we’re the same species.”
Neither can I. Though I mean that in terms of light and darkness. I’m the darkness…
“Still, he’s been demoted… apparently, he has some personality issues.”
“Huh? Really? He seems like a kind person to me.”
Thanks, Erika… I’m about to cry. But seriously, does the branch chief have to say that right in front of me?
“Well, that’s what it says here. ‘If necessary, beat some sense into him,’ it says.”
That’s definitely from the head of the main office…
“V-violence is not okay!”
“I know that. But for the head of the main office to write something like this…”
The branch chief sounded exasperated.
“The head of the main office is my master, by the way. He’s also my guardian. I’m an orphan.”
“Ah, I see. That makes sense. This is more like a note from a parent than a superior.”
The branch chief tossed the paper he was reading into the trash.
“I made a lot of mistakes at the main office.”
“I see… Well, these things happen. Anyway, I’m counting on you starting tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
I bowed once again.