Exiled Alchemist’s Frontier Life: A Former Elite’s Fresh Start in the Backcountry After Failing Again - Chapter 5 New Workplace
“Erika-chan, have you explained everything here?”
The branch chief looked at Erika.
“No, not yet. I was just about to take him to the atelier.”
“I see… Zekevald, before we show you around the branch, let me explain the current situation.”
**Huh?**
“The situation?”
“Yes. Currently, there are only four people assigned to this branch.”
**What?**
“Four people? **Is that all?**”
That’s impossible. Even in a rural area, there should be at least ten times that number. Considering the size of this town, there should be even more.
“Yes. Besides the three of us here, there’s only one more person, and they’re currently out on a business trip.”
Wait, they’re counting me too? So until yesterday, it was just three? That’s way too few.
“Just to confirm, the other three are alchemists, right?”
“Do I look like an alchemist to you? I’m a former soldier, and after retiring, I became the branch chief here.”
Ah, so he’s one of those parachuted-in types.
“So, that leaves two alchemists?”
“Yes. Erika here, and Leonora, who’s away on the trip. They’re both 10th-grade alchemists.”
10th grade… Even though it’s impressive to have a national qualification, 10th grade is the lowest level. And that’s all this branch has?
“Um, what’s going on here? **To be blunt, this is abnormal.**”
“Even I, with little knowledge of the industry, can see that.”
“Did something happen?”
“Well, to put it simply, the private-sector alchemists in this town are stronger than the government ones.”
There are alchemists in the private sector too—at pharmacies, weapon shops, and the like. Of course, they need a license.
“What do you mean by ‘stronger’ in the private sector?”
It’s hard to believe. The scale of the association is much larger.
“I only learned this after coming here, but those who become national alchemists are usually **talented and intelligent.**”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Zeke-Sama.”
Oh, whoops.
“That’s not true. Anyone can become one with enough effort.”
“**Spare me the platitudes.** Even Erika here, who’s just a 10th-grade alchemist, has talent.”
“That’s right. She’s quite impressive for being just 20 years old.”
“When you, who got your qualification at 15 while still in school, say that, it just sounds like sarcasm…”
I didn’t mean it like that… I was just stating the facts…
“Anyway, I understand that talent is required. But what’s your point?”
“Well, as you’d expect, talented people head off to the capital or other big cities. Those who are 9th grade or 8th grade leave these remote areas. The ones who stay are people like Erika, who **have strong ties to their hometown**, or those who have family businesses.”
So that’s the reason… The alchemists in this town choose not to work with the association. And that leaves just two…
“Still, isn’t two way too few?”
“There were ten last year.”
Ten, huh… That’s still few, but to lose eight…
“What happened to the other eight?”
“They were recruited by a branch in a big town in the north. There’s a large airship development project there, so they gathered volunteers.”
The Alchemist Association branches are somewhat independent, so these recruitment battles are common.
“Still, with just two people, it’s impossible to maintain the branch. Shouldn’t we protest to headquarters?”
“We did. The result was that headquarters sent you.”
Ah, I see.
“Even so, three people is far too few.”
“Yes… That’s partly due to my own incompetence. Sorry, but I don’t know much about this industry.”
Well, he’s a soldier… I shouldn’t expect too much from him.
“It’s a tough situation.”
“That’s why I’m relying on you.”
This is starting to look like **a recipe for burnout…**
“I’ll do my best, but this feels impossible.”
“I understand. But I don’t have any connections. You’ll handle personnel matters, so if you find someone good, recruit them.”
I probably have even fewer connections than you… and no influence either…
“Sigh… Understood. Let’s give it a try. We can talk more after.”
“I’m counting on you. I’ll support you as much as I can. If there’s any trouble, let me know, and I’ll handle it.”
That’s the advantage of having a noble. He may not be useful in alchemy, but he’ll back me up.
“Thank you.”
“Good. Erika-chan, show him around.”
“Yes. Zeke, I’ll take you to the atelier.”
Erika said that and led me out of the branch chief’s office back to the entrance hall. I glanced around the entrance.
“With no people around, I thought maybe it was closed, but there really are only two of you.”
So the reception desk is pointless.
“Yes. Everyone left. I considered leaving too, but when I heard the salary would double…”
**Double? That’s impressive.**
“Erika, didn’t you consider leaving?”
“I was still a rookie at the time, and I lacked confidence. Besides, I like my hometown.”
Yeah, she mentioned that.
“I see… What about the other one, Leonora?”
“Leonora said she wanted to work freely. This branch is quite hands-off, since the branch chief doesn’t interfere much.”
Well, he’s a soldier. Probably just a figurehead.
“When will Leonora be back?”
“I think in about a week.”
A week, huh… Well, there’s nothing to be done about someone who’s not here.
“Got it. Show me to the atelier.”
“Right this way.”
Erika led me up the stairs, and I followed. When we reached the top, I was a bit surprised. I expected there to be a hallway with multiple rooms for the ateliers. But in front of me was just a large, open space with desks and work machines arranged in two rows.
It reminded me of an office floor or a staff room.
“Wait, there are no private rooms?”
“No. We all work here together. Though lately, it’s just been me.”
That sounds a bit lonely… Working alone in such a wide space must feel isolating. It reminds me of the all-nighters I used to pull when I was younger. Not a pleasant memory.
“Well, it’s fine… By the way, would it be okay if I brought Helen to work here?”
Even though she’s a familiar, some people don’t like mischievous cats. If I had a private atelier, it wouldn’t be a problem, but in a shared space, I need to check.
“I think Helen would be a great addition. She’s so calm, and she’s really soothing.”
**This girl gets it.** She really is sharp.
“Where’s my desk?”
“You can sit anywhere you like. The desks over there are mine and Leonora’s.”
Erika pointed to the desks at the far end of the room, indicating hers and Leonora’s opposite each other.
“Hold on… Helen, what do you think?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“I’m deciding where to put my desk. Normally, I’d choose the one farthest from the others to focus on work.”
“Huh? Why?”
“To concentrate on work.”
That’s obvious. No chit-chatting.
“Even though there are only two of us? We’re trying to work together to revive this branch, and you want to sit far away? **That doesn’t make sense.**”
Is that not okay…?
“Erika, would it be okay if I sat next to you?”
“Yes! Absolutely!”
She’s beaming…
“Zeke, this is the right choice. If you had asked, ‘Why?’ like you usually do, how would you feel if someone answered the same way?”
She’s right… If Erika had asked ‘Why?’ in response, I would’ve been really hurt. No wonder I come off as unlikable.
“Um, why are you asking Helen for so much advice?”
I guess Erika’s curiosity finally got the better of her.
“I’m just working on improving my people skills. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, can I leave my things here?”
“Oh, yes, of course. Go ahead.”
Erika and I walked to the far end of the room, and I placed my things on the desk next to hers, taking them out with spatial magic.
“Wow, spatial magic! As expected from a 5th-grade magician!”
“Yeah. Most of my classmates used magical bags, but I couldn’t afford one, so I learned this.”
“That’s amazing!”
Well, it was fun, so I didn’t mind. Magic, after all. It’s something straight out of fairy tales from my previous life.
“Erika’s desk is across from Leonora’s, right?”
“Yes. Now we’ve filled the front and side spaces. I’m glad.”
My front and right sides are still empty, though… Not that I mind… Oh, right, we need more people.