CH 5

Episode 5: A Man Called Leviell Stantz

“I’ve heard about you, you know? I’ve heard that you are a commoner who became a court magician after graduating from the magic academy of the Gardana Kingdom as the top of your class. And also Miss Jorha’s former party member.”

There’s no mistake in his words. So, I tried to affirm that word.

“Um, Guildmaster.”

But before I could do that, Jorha interrupted me.

“Ah, I know, I know. I already know what’s going on from Miss Clasia. That’s it, huh? You need permission to go into the depths of the dungeon, right?”

The man then played with a card-like object that he held between his right index and middle fingers.

“What’s that?”

“It’s like a ticket. The difficulty of the Fiezel dungeon increases after the 30th floors, so we impose a restriction. Well, think of it as a measure to keep adventurers from dying needlessly.”

As long as you take some measures like this, it makes you feel special, right? Then, surprisingly. The adventurers are also rather cautious. The man said that this was why he had imposed restrictions on the adventurers.

“…But, to get this ticket, you must have at least two years of experience as an adventurer in Fiezel. But, surprisingly, Miss Clasia insisted that I should not worry about it and I should issue the pass without complaint…”

The man speaks to me with a distant look of exhaustion in his eyes.

…I knew it would be something like that anyway.

This was the first impression that came to my mind because I knew Clasia’s personality. Jorha looked at me sideways, and his expression was no different from mine, tinged with dismay.

“But the problem is, Miss Clasia has a pretty good point this time. If your ability is really good, there is no harm in giving you a pass now. The restriction is to prevent adventurers from dying needlessly”

The restrictions are only for the adventurers. That’s why it’s okay to make some exceptions. His words could be taken as if he was saying that.

“Aside from the idiot Ornest, if you wanted to make a party with Miss Clasia and Miss Jorha, you should have been able to make an exception at that point——I could allow for exceptions to the rule at that point. It’s a bit of a stretch, considering the floors the girls are diving into.”

Anyway, you guys should work on the shallow floor for about six months just to get used to it. But, I don’t think you’re going to do that, are you? I’m sure you’re going to resume the deep level first, right? said the man.

Without facing the gaze of the man who constantly appealed to her, Jorha turned away and rebutted in a muffled voice.

“…Of course, that’s why I asked you here.”

“I can’t unconditionally allow a guy who’s been in a lukewarm place for four years to go to the 52nd floor of Fiezel’s dungeon. If he died, it would be as if I had killed him.”

I’m having a hard time sleeping, damn it. The man who had bluntly said this to me made a good point. I think I would have said that even if I were in the opposite position. So, I wasn’t going to argue with him.

“——But…”

But the man’s words seemed to have another explanation prepared for me.

“Like I said before, these restrictions are just a way to keep adventurers from dying. So, you know. If you can get me to recognize your abilities that Miss Jorha are talking about… then I have no reason not to give you this permit.”

“So what should I do?”

“Then, go to the dungeon in order to see what you can do. But if I let you dive alone, it’s going to be a complete disaster.”

The man said he didn’t know what he was reluctant to give the pass for.

“…Guild Master. Don’t be such a prude, just state your conclusion quickly.”

“Well, the point is. I want to see what you’re capable of.”

“…I see.”

If he had the authority to give or reject the pass, I thought it was reasonable. However, is there any inconvenience in doing so?

Jorha, who was next to me, had a grim expression on her face and bit her lower lip lightly.

“…I knew that was what Clasia wanted.”

“Well, this is a proposal from the lady of Clasia, you know? If I recognize your ability, I will give you a pass. That’s all I’m saying. It’s that simple, right?”

Despite the fact that Jorha was probably spitting venom at Clasia, who was not here, the big man was enjoying himself and breaking his face.

It’s not that she wants him to beat me. The condition that was set before me was to get him to admit me. So it didn’t seem so difficult.

It was only a moment later that I wondered why Jorha had such a grim expression on her face.

“I don’t care about that. I won’t make any exceptions for you girls, and for two years I stubbornly refused to give you a permit.  Maybe that’s the reason why you are behaving like that.”

I think they had an exchange like this four years ago. He might be remembering. This is why the man smiled nastily.

I’m sure it’s true, as the corners of Jorha’s mouth are twitching slightly in resentment.

“…Ornest did something stupid. They had only been in Fiezel for a month, I think. He asked me to give him a permit, and I accepted if he could beat me as a guild master, and he lost miserably. Because of that, their access to the lower floor got denied for two years.”

That action was typical of Ornest’s self-confidence, I thought.

But he was not just a talker. He also had the skills to do the job. I know that more than anyone.

“It’s a terrible thing to say. I did win at the time, but in another 10 years, the situation will be different. If I had been in the worst condition, I would have lost.”

The man praised Ornest in his own way. He was confident that Ornest would beat him in another ten years.

“So, what are you going to do now, Alec Huguette. Will you do it, or not? For me, it could be either way. Except for this condition, I have no intention of granting any special exceptions for the permit.”

If so, there’s no problem.

Jorha came to me because she said she needs my help. But if I can’t help her after coming this far, it will be useless. I didn’t want to disappoint them.

So…

“…Not sure if I can reach your expectations, but I’ll still do my best.”

“Okay, that’s it. Then follow me this way. I’ll take you to the best place.”

Having said that, he took over the lead for Jorha and was about to step into the guild, but he stopped for a moment and turned around.

“Well, I haven’t told you my name yet, have I? I’m Leviell. I’m Leviel Stantz. I’m the guild master of Fiezel.”

Leviell.

The name he told me was familiar to me for some reason. I wonder where I had heard that name before.

“And I was an adventurer in an S rank party until almost ten years now.”

Leviell Stantz.

…Oh, yes.

Leviell was an adventurer who belonged to an S-rank party. He was probably past the prime of his career, but that didn’t change the fact that he was a very skilled magician.

“Give me your best, okay? Alec Huguette.”