Episode 11: Special Exam

 

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Since the adventurer's guild is close to the commercial district, we quickly arrived in front of the building.

 

I am qualified to register as an adventurer since I graduated from the adventurer school, and Milia, being a former hero, should have no problem registering as well.

 

However, just as I was about to enter the building...

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

For some reason, Milia's expression seemed dark.

 

"No, it's nothing. Please don't worry about it!"

 

Milia tried to put on a cheerful facade, but it was clear something was bothering her.

 

"Tell me honestly. We're not just master and slave, after all."

 

"R-really, it's just a trivial matter, and it's my own issue... Rain, you shouldn't worry about—"

 

"Tell me," I insisted firmly.

 

I didn't want any grievances to fester, especially since adventurers sometimes have to fight battles where their lives are on the line. I've heard of parties falling apart because of small discontent.

 

"Actually, I'm a bit scared," Milia confessed.

 

"Are you traumatized from fighting the demons?" I asked, but Milia shook her head.

 

"No, that's not it. It's just that if I take on requests as an adventurer... I'm afraid Sieg and the others might find out that I'm still alive."

 

"I see. Well, they wouldn't find out immediately unless they investigate, but if you become well-known as an adventurer, your name would inevitably spread."

 

"Exactly."

 

If Milia’s former party learns of her achievements, they might come to take her back. Even though I can imagine Milia wouldn’t want to return after the way she was treated, it’s understandable she wouldn’t want to see them again.

 

It’s likely that Milia has developed a trauma towards the hero party.

 

I understood Milia’s feelings, but this was her issue. I couldn’t erase her trauma.

 

However, I could suggest something—

 

"In that case, why don't you re-register as an adventurer under a different name?"

 

"Re-register...?"

 

It seemed like an unexpected suggestion to her. Well, it's not something people usually consider.

 

"Yeah. If you pretend to be a newbie, your name won't give you away."

 

"But changing my name..."

 

"Your first name, Milia, isn’t that uncommon. You could just change your family name."

 

In this world, women often change their family names to match their husbands' when they marry.

 

This might be more acceptable for her.

 

"That could work... but..."

 

"What is it?"

 

"Doesn't getting an adventurer's qualification take time? I’d end up causing trouble for you, Rain..."

 

Honestly, I wouldn't be troubled by something like that...

 

Besides, there are various exceptions in the guild rules that Milia doesn’t know about.

 

"There’s a way to get qualified quickly. Let's go inside."

 

I took Milia into the adventurer's guild building.

 

The inside was two stories high, with a wooden design theme that looked just like something out of an isekai game.

 

To the right, there was a table area where adventurers were already drinking in the early afternoon. To the left was a bulletin board covered with request sheets. The reception was at the back, and upstairs were meeting rooms for adventurers.

 

This adventurer's guild in the capital is quite spacious, but the basic layout is the same even in smaller guilds.

 

We headed to the reception and explained the situation to a young receptionist.

 

“There’s a special provision in the adventurer's guild where if a senior adventurer supervises you and you complete certain requests, you can immediately qualify as an adventurer— a special exam. I'd like to take that.”

 

‘Sieg’ had an excessively detailed setting, and I once read the guild rulebook when I had nothing better to do. I never thought I'd use that knowledge, but it seems useful now.

 

“I see, a special exam... But Rain, you’re an F-rank... a newbie adventurer, right?”

 

“Yes. But there’s no rule against newbies taking it, is there?”

 

“That’s true, but... I wouldn’t recommend it. This test uses real requests as the exam. If you fail, you’ll have to pay a penalty.”

 

It seemed the receptionist was subtly saying, ‘No way a newbie can handle it.’

 

Well, it's true that ordinary newbie adventurers can barely manage their own tasks, so it’s understandable she thinks that way. But Milia and I are a bit different.

 

“No problem. We’ll take the exam.”