If the contract has been established, there is one thing left.
That's right, the after-party.
Although I couldn't explore the unseen horizon yesterday, today is different.
"Mr. Maimail, what are your plans after this?"
"Hehehehehe, you seem to enjoy it, sir. I, Maimail, have thoroughly scouted out the shops!"
"Hohoh! But, I should warn you, I don't compromise on that side, okay?"
"Please trust me! I'm sure you'll be satisfied, no doubt about it!"
For that reason, we drank all night that night.
To be honest! It was incredibly enjoyable!
After about a week.
I continued to stay at Maimail's mansion.
Of course, we didn't just idle around.
I used the "Shadow Move" to head towards Rigold, relayed the content of the contract with Bruimund, and instructed Vester to set up mass production of recovery potions.
I also didn't forget to instruct Kajin and Geld to build a road to Bruimund.
Additionally, I conveyed the preparations for inns for future adventurers and the training of people to maintain weapons and armor.
Although the construction rush had ended, everyone was brimming with enthusiasm, knowing it would be busy again.
I spent my days hard, commanding and coordinating these preparations, and then going out to drink at night.
With the rough instructions completed, the village began to move.
I thought it would be fine to leave the rest to them. With this feeling, the road should be completed in about two months.
The money from selling the mid-recovery potions (Hi-Potions) was 110 gold coins. I had 16 gold coins, so the total was 126 gold coins.
I entrusted Maimail with 100 gold coins worth of vegetable seedlings and various seasonings and paid him. Even then, 26 gold coins remained.
Since I had quite a bit of leeway, I thought about working a bit harder, but there was nothing I needed to pay for.
The cost of drinking for this week was paid by Maimail.
He saw me as a big spender and wanted to maintain a good relationship.
The talk of connecting the road was a big deal. I received the best treatment.
Maimail is quite a capable man.
For that reason, I got along well with this merchant.
However, I shouldn't let my guard down.
This Maimail, slightly plump with a friendly face, is a meticulous merchant.
He also seems to be a moneylender, as several people came daily to request meetings.
However, Maimail didn't meet them, and the shopkeepers handled the responses.
Indeed, as a merchant with a national license, he seems to have various connections.
Even among the nobles, there are those who borrowed money from Maimail and can't hold their heads up.
Debt is a scary thing. Use it wisely.
Well, as long as it's mutually beneficial, there won't be any betrayal. Merchants are sensitive to profit and are more reliable than shaky alliances.
During this week, we confirmed each other's character and established a cooperative relationship for the future.
After completing the contract, the preparations for delivery to the village were also finished.
It's about time to start the journey.
I bid farewell to Maimail.
"Thanks for everything. I'll come back to visit!"
"Sir... I'll be waiting. Please, please come back!
I'll make sure to send the items you requested!"
"Ah, in about two months, I'll send a guide who can also serve as a bodyguard.
Just mention my name, and they'll know. Thanks."
"Yes, I understand!"
We parted with such a conversation.
The shop employees and customers were surprised by Maimail's bowing deeply.
I didn't know what they were surprised about at first, but thinking about it, it must have been strange to see the usually arrogant shop owner bowing to a child like me.
It might have been better to deal with him as an adult. Well, it's too late now.
Thus, I left the shop.
I headed to the Adventurer's Guild building.
I had a letter of introduction to meet Yuki Kagurazaka.
While receiving it was one purpose, I also needed to get an ID.
This was to have my identity guaranteed in this country, so I planned to register with the guild.
Moving from one country to another, having to prove my identity each time is troublesome.
Once I become an adventurer, my identity will be recognized not only in this country but also in any country affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild.
Registering as an adventurer will reduce the hassle of traveling to the Kingdom of Ingria.
I stood in line at the general counter without hesitation.
The clerk seemed to be free, so it was my turn immediately.
"Please register me."
"Miss, aren't you a bit young for this?"
The lady at the counter gently refused.
Given my appearance, I expected such a response. Still, it's troublesome, so let's just do it.
"It's fine, no problem."
Hearing this, the lady reluctantly proceeded with the registration.
I filled out the form presented to me.
Name, age, skills, place of origin, and other details.
It seemed that just the information I knew was fine.
I only wrote my name and "swordsmanship" as my skill.
The general registration was complete. Next, I decided which guild to join.
Since you can join multiple guilds simultaneously, there was no need to hesitate.
I chose the extermination division.
"Miss, extermination is dangerous. Are you sure you're okay with it?"
She worried about me, but I said it was fine.
She seemed to give up,
"Then, I'll give you a test.
For divisions that go outside the village, the lowest rank is E, not F.
So, you won't be recognized unless you pass the test.
What do you want to do? It might be better to quit?"
You become F rank when you first register with the guild. If you join a combat-related division, you become E rank.
Indeed.
"Then, please give me the test."
Thus, I was given a test.
It wouldn't be a problem as long as it wasn't a written test.
The lady at the counter stood up and went inside, bringing a man with her.
He must be the examiner.
"Are you the one taking the test? Whatever. Follow me."
He said and moved to another building through a back door.
Seeing us, the seemingly idle adventurers started murmuring.
"Hey, that kid is thinking of taking the test?
That's reckless!"
"Want to bet if she passes or fails?"
"Stop it, stop it, there's no way that'll happen!"
"But, the katana on her waist is rare. I've never seen it before!"
"Maybe she's quite skilled..."
It was noisy.
With little entertainment, even small events cause a commotion.
In the end, they all came to watch.
The test was conducted in a building like a gym.
It seemed that promotion tests were also held here. Since you can only take on quests of your rank, you can take the test at any time.
Therefore, each guild branch has an examiner.
The examiner, in case of emergencies, is often a retired adventurer with "A-" level skills.
The man in front of me, still young, was missing one leg.
He must have retired due to an incident and became an examiner.
"First, let me tell you, if you become E rank, you can challenge higher ranks like D and C.
However, if you fail, you can only take the test again after earning 100 points in F rank.
Do you understand?"
F points are the scores for F-rank quests.
The scores and rewards vary by quest. The point is to improve your skills and come back.
If you keep challenging persistently, it's annoying.
"No problem."
Hearing my answer, the examiner nodded.
He pointed to the ground,
"The test will take place in that magic circle. Step inside. Signal when you're ready."
Looking at the ground as instructed, I saw a circle about 20 meters in diameter.
I stepped inside, and a semi-circular barrier activated simultaneously.
The surroundings were slightly excited.
"Alright!"
When I said this,
"Alright. Then, defeat the enemy in front of you!"
The man said and cast a spell.
It was a summoning spell.
A hunting dog (Hound Dog) was summoned in front of me.
It was well-trained. But that's all.
Faster than the dog growling or getting scared,
My sword strike severed its neck.
"Hey, I defeated it. Next, please!"
The surroundings were enveloped in silence.
"Wow, amazing?"
A murmur was heard.
The examiner showed his first sign of anxiety.
"Are you not a beginner?"
"No, I never said I was a beginner. Anyway, I want to quickly become A rank!"
"No, the highest rank you can test for here is B, and B+ and above can only be tested at the headquarters.
What will you do? Will you take the B test?"
"Sure, sure, I understand! Then, please give me the B test."
It was troublesome, so I wanted to finish quickly.
Since I'm going to the headquarters anyway, I can take the remaining tests there.
Nodding at my words, he regained his composure and summoned the next opponent.
D → Hunting Wolf (Hound Wolf)
C → Giant Bear (Giant Bear)
C+ → Vampire Bat (Giant Bat)
I smoothly defeated the summoned monsters.
The surroundings were already silent, captivated by my battle. Even if they tried to follow with their eyes, they probably couldn't.
After all, I was dealing with them with a single strike.
However, I laughed when the vampire bat appeared. It felt like an old story when this thing pounced on me.
By this point, I had already earned the qualifications for C+ rank.
Next was B rank.
"Excellent. I didn't expect this level of skill...
B-rank monsters are strong opponents. Are you ready?"
"No problem. Start!"
The final enemy was summoned.
A demon with four wriggling arms. It was a Lesser Demon.
It was the first time I saw a demon. I was a bit tempted to eat it and take its abilities.
"That monster is a Lesser Demon! Simple physical attacks won't work.
So, what will you do? Say 'give up' quickly! I can't heal major injuries!"
The examiner seemed excited and shouted.
He was quite upset that the summoned monsters were defeated so easily.
However, I didn't want to show my skills or magic.
While I was thinking, the Lesser Demon glowed with red eyes and began casting a spell.
Four fireballs flew towards me. Indeed, B rank. Quite impressive.
I easily dodged the fireballs. I felt the barrier behind me explode in flames.
But, a trio (of fools), did each of them defeat this alone?
"Hey, isn't that a team challenge?"
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing just now."
"Hey, to defeat that alone, that's impossible. Is this a B+ promotion test?"
Voices like these were heard.
Glancing at the examiner, his eyes were bloodshot.
Hmm. There might be some bullying mixed in. Whatever.
Physical attacks are hard to land. It must be a semi-physical being. If I consume it, it would be simple.
Since I couldn't, I wrapped my sword in mana. It was a magic sword.
If I emit mana as usual, it would reveal that I'm a monster, so I carefully converted the mana and wrapped my sword.
The rest was just a swing.
The Lesser Demon was cut in half and turned to dust.
"Hey, is that it? B rank, right?"
The surroundings were silent,
"Amazing!!! Miss, that was awesome!"
"Hey, take off your mask and show your face!"
"Pervert, you! Ignore that guy and join our party!"
And so on. Loud cheers and invitations began.
It was noisy.
The examiner seemed to regain his senses,
"Excellent! You passed! No complaints, you passed!"
He said and offered a handshake.
I'll forget the bullying. It was nothing to me.
I declined the noisy audience and returned to the main building to complete the procedures.
I received the B rank qualification and a card.
Name: Rimuru
Rank: B
Skill: Swordsmanship
Division: Extermination
It was clearly written on the card. Unfilled sections were not marked.
Good. Now I can call myself an adventurer.
I thanked the lady at the counter.
Her attitude towards me changed. She no longer treated me like a child but with proper respect.
Indeed, a pro. The transition was quick.
Leaving that place, I visited Huez. Someone guided me.
I knocked on the door through the magic circle.
When I entered the room, Huez was holding his head.
"Hey, you're drawing too much attention!
Defeating a Lesser Demon with a sword, that's rare!
Is it a magic sword? Enchanted weapons can't produce that much power, and it's a problem!"
"Uh? Was it bad? If you saw it, you should have stopped it."
"You know... there was no time to stop it...
Now, it's done. Magic swords are a concept being researched at the headquarters as something 'from another world.'
However, there are few who can handle them well.
Since you're drawing attention as a potential Joker among the Great Demons, the invitations are getting intense.
The ones below, C rank and such, probably didn't notice.
I'll keep the examiner quiet, so be more careful in the future!"
He advised me.
Wrapping a sword in mana is a common image, but it seems to be difficult here.
Well, if there are no people around, I can just consume it.
What might be a simple task for me seems to be a high-level skill here. I chose it thinking it would be safe, but it still drew attention.
Well, it's best not to fight in places where people can see.
I'm glad I noticed quickly.
"Thanks. I'll be more careful. I'll be going now!"
"Hey! When you go to the headquarters, say hello. Be careful!"
I thanked Huez, received the letter of introduction, and left the guild.
I now have a guild card to verify my identity and earned some travel money.
I also prepared support for the village and established diplomatic relations with a small country.
Things are going smoothly so far.
If possible, I don't want to be hostile with humans. I'll continue to work towards a friendly relationship.
Thus, my stay in the small country of Bruimund ended.
My next goal is the capital of the great country, the Kingdom of Ingria.
Yuki Kagurazaka, the Grand Master of the Adventurer's Guild headquarters.
To meet a fellow countryman I haven't seen yet, I resumed my journey.