Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends-Chapter 2.5 - Skill Appraisal

A few days later...

While I was working in the café as usual, Simon dropped by.

After leisurely enjoying some tea and cake, he beckoned me over with a little wave of his hand.

“Kuna, do you have a moment?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“The truth is, I’d like to have a little chat with you.”

I stiffened slightly at his words, but Simon gave a wry smile.

“It’s nothing scary, I promise. I just want to ask about how you’ve been and how you’re feeling.”

Behind his monocle were kind gray eyes, not intimidating in the least.

“Could you come to my room afterward? Oh, and bring Lulu along,” he said with a gentle smile toward Lulu.

Lulu, happily wagging her tail after receiving a strawberry, seemed quite pleased.

“Ruuu~”

The invitation felt so natural that before I realized it, I had nodded.

“All right,” I agreed.

“Great, thank you. Shall we head there now?”

After informing Ruri and Dan, Simon led me out. I followed him, walking alongside Lulu.

◆

It’s been about a month since I started working at the café, but now that I think about it, I’ve only ever been on the first floor of the guild building.

Ruri once gave me a tour of the guild, but at the time, I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t really take in much of what I saw.

Walking behind Simon now, I began to realize just how large this building really was.

After climbing some stairs and passing several meeting rooms, we finally arrived at the guild master’s office.

“Well, here we are,” Simon said with a cheerful smile, holding the door open for me.

“E-excuse me,” I said nervously as I stepped inside.

“Ruu,” Lulu added, following behind me.

The room I entered was bright, clean, and well-organized.

At the back of the room was a large desk piled with stacks of paper.

In front of it was a sofa and a low table. Simon gestured for Lulu and me to sit on the sofa.

“These are something I received from an acquaintance recently. Please, help yourself,” he said, setting out some treats.

“Wow, they’re so pretty,” I exclaimed.

On the plate before me were sparkling, colorful gems.

“They’re candies made from the nectar of a flower called Ilia, which only blooms in labyrinths. The nectar comes in various colors, making the candies look like jewels,” Simon explained.

Lulu hopped onto the table and sniffed at the candies. The moment she realized they were sweet, she grabbed one in her mouth and began crunching it enthusiastically.

“Ruu~”

Crunch, crunch, munch munch...

“L-Lulu, those are meant to be licked, not bitten...”

Even as I said that, Lulu didn’t pay it any mind and kept munching happily.

“Haha, what a little glutton of a Carbuncle this one is,” Simon said with a laugh.

“S-sorry...” I apologized.

“Well, she’s still a baby, so I suppose she’s at that stage where she’s always hungry,” he replied, gently stroking Lulu’s head with tender fingers.

For a while, we chatted idly, and I updated him on how things were going:

That my health had completely improved,

That I’d grown used to life working at the café,

And that Lulu had put on a bit of weight.

Simon was a great listener. At first, I was a little nervous, but as time passed, I found myself speaking more naturally.

“I’m so glad to hear that; I’ve been worried about you,” Simon said with a soft smile after hearing everything.

“When you first arrived here, you were injured quite badly, and I was really concerned.”

“...Thank you very much for helping me back then,” I said, bowing my head slightly.

Simon shook his head.

“There’s no need for thanks. Everyone under our guild’s care is like family to me.”

“...Family?”

I hadn’t expected to hear such words directed toward someone like me, a mere employee. I was taken aback.

“Now, this might feel a little sudden, but there’s something I’d like to confirm with you, Kuna,” Simon said, his tone growing more serious.

“?”

Simon smiled gently, as he always did, and spoke.

“Kuna, if it’s alright with you, may I appraise your skills?”

“...Huh?”

Appraise my skills?

“Um, I don’t have any magical power at all—I’ve been like this since I was a child. So I don’t think there’s any point in appraising me...”

I was startled by the unexpected suggestion and blurted out my response. Simon, however, shook his head gently.

“Magic power can change over time with age and training. Additionally, sometimes special skills awaken when you least expect them.”

He added, with his characteristic calmness, “Of course, if you’re uncomfortable with it, that’s perfectly fine.”

As he said that with a warm smile, I glanced down at my hands.

Well, I didn’t think I had anything special, but Simon was my benefactor. If this was something he truly wanted to do, I didn’t mind helping. It wasn’t like I had any reason to refuse.

“It’s fine with me. But I really don’t think I have anything noteworthy,” I replied.

“Ah, thank you! It’s no problem at all if there’s nothing. Besides, skill appraisals also give some insight into one’s health status, so it’s useful either way,” Simon explained enthusiastically.

After mulling it over for a moment, he raised a finger as if struck by an idea.

“There are two methods of skill appraisal. One is to use magical tools. The other is to use Appraisal Eyes. This time, I was thinking of using my Appraisal Eyes to check your skills. How does that sound?”

“Simon, you have Appraisal Eyes?”

“Yes. I use them fairly often, so I’ve gotten pretty accurate at it.”

I was shocked.

In the Kingdom of Aluda, people with Appraisal Eyes were incredibly rare. Most appraisals relied on magical tools instead. This might be the first time I’d seen someone with genuine Appraisal Eyes.

“Also, there are things that current magical tools can’t fully appraise,” Simon added with a smile.

“Now, if you could just stay still for a moment, that would be great.”

“Y-yes,” I replied nervously.

How does an appraisal even work…?

Simon extended his hand toward me, palm facing me.

The moment he did, a warm, gentle sensation enveloped me, as if I were being bathed in soft light.

“Whoa!?”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Just stay still, okay?” Simon said reassuringly.

When Simon opened his eyes, which had been closed, his gray irises shifted to a golden hue.

Wow, they look like jewels—so beautiful…

While I was captivated by his eyes, Simon muttered something under his breath, grabbed a binder nearby, and began writing something inside.

“Roo?”

Lulu looked back and forth between Simon and me, tilting her head.

Maybe she sensed something was changing.

Then she sniffed my body, curiously.

After sniffing me thoroughly, it seemed like she still didn’t understand what was happening, and she jumped onto my lap, scratching at my clothes.

“Lulu, wait a second.”

“Roo~.”

As I tried to gently lift the fluffy creature off my lap, Simon stopped me.

“It’s fine, just leave her there.”

“Roo!”

…So, Lulu stayed where she was, and I continued with the appraisal.

By the way, Simon is such a beautiful person…

I wonder if he’s human. Or maybe he could be from a different race.

“Mm…”

Simon’s hand paused for a moment, and I tilted my head, wondering what had happened.

The appraisal seemed to have finished, and a warm light faded from my body.

“…Alright, it’s finished. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“No, thank you…”

I gave a small bow and asked to hear the results.

Simon furrowed his brows slightly and said,

“First, about your health. I’m sure your doctor has already told you this, but you’re underweight. You need to eat more nutritious foods.”

“Y-yes…”

I thought I had improved quite a bit since coming here, but it seems I still have a long way to go.

“Now, regarding your magical power…”

I swallowed nervously.

D-Did something change…?

As my heart raced, Simon said nonchalantly,

“Indeed, it’s zero. That’s quite rare.”

I almost slumped over in disbelief.

…Well, that makes sense.

I’ve had no magical power since I was little, so there’s no way it would suddenly appear.

“However, Kuna, I discovered two incredible things.”

“Incredible things?”

“Yes.”

After nodding, Simon looked at me and Lulu and said,

“It seems you’ve become Lulu’s contractor.”

“Huh? C-Contractor?”

“Roo?”

Contractor… what does that even mean…?

Noticing the confusion on my face, Simon smiled and said,

“High-ranking spirits, holy beasts, and divine beasts generally do not become attached to humans, nor lend their special powers to them. However, if someone they like appears, that is not the case.”

“…?”

“If they wish to lend their power to someone they like, they will form a bond with that person’s soul and lend their power to their contractor.”

“Wait, hold on a second.”

I hurriedly stopped Simon.

“I only met Lulu in the forest. Nothing special happened…”

Simon tilted his head as if thinking.

“That’s the thing. Normally, a contract is completed by giving the other party a name and providing them with bodily fluids.”

“…Eh?”

Wait, hold on a second.

“You gave Lulu the name, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“Then, did you make her drink your blood or anything?”

“No…”

But bodily fluids, that could mean…

“U-Um, does that include tears, too?”

“Ah, yes, tears count too, since it’s a bodily fluid.”

Simon nodded cheerfully.

I couldn’t help but hold my head in my hands.

Did I make a contract with Lulu without even realizing it…?

In that forest, Lulu comforted me when I was crying.

I must have unknowingly given her a name without thinking, and that’s why this happened…

“Lulu, is it really okay that we made a contract?”

I couldn’t help but turn to Lulu and ask.

Lulu tilted her head.

“Ru? Ruu~”

She rubbed her fluffy head against me.

Was she asking if I wanted to play? It seemed like that.

“What should I do… It seems like Lulu doesn’t really understand either.”

Seeing our situation, Simon laughed.

“Haha. Well, I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

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What? That’s so casual!

I heard that Carbuncles are supposed to be really rare creatures…

“Even if you give a name and bodily fluids, if the other party refuses, the contract won’t be made. But at least, Lulu clearly likes you.”

“R-Really…? It’s not like she’s being forced into a contract because of me…?”

“Of course not. And look at her. Do you really think she dislikes you?”

At Simon’s words, I looked at Lulu.

“Roon♪”

Lulu seemed pleased that she was the topic of conversation, wagging her fluffy tail.

She looked at me and Simon, then happily spun around on the table.

…Indeed, it doesn’t seem like she really hates it.

“I think it’s a good thing that you took care of this little one,” Simon said, adjusting his glasses.

“Certainly, Carbuncles are still a mysterious species, but for now, I think it’s fine to just observe her. Nothing changes just because we found out about the contract.”

T-That’s true…

Lulu, acting affectionate, jumped onto my lap, so I gently stroked her neck.

“Kyu~ruu,” Lulu purred happily.

“And there’s one more thing. This time, I have some news about you.”

Simon looked at me with a serious expression.

Is there more to it…?

“Um…?”

What could this “one more thing” be?

Simon cleared his throat and said again.

“Actually, it seems you have a special skill.”

“A special skill?”

I couldn’t help but blink in surprise.

I’ve had my skills appraised several times before, but I’ve never had any particular skills.

“However, there is a lock in place, so we don’t know exactly what it is yet,” Simon continued.

“Lock…?”

“When a skill is about to awaken, and it’s appraised, it becomes obscured, as if covered by mist. In such cases, it’s usually because the person will eventually acquire a very special skill.”

“…But I haven’t had anything until now.”

I was stunned.

Could this possibly be the influence of Lulu…?

While I was lost in thought, Simon spoke seriously.

“Listen.”

“?”

“Recent research has revealed that having a magic value of 0 is extremely rare.”

I knew that well myself.

But Simon shook his head.

“People like that often awaken special skills later on, typically as a result of external factors.”

“!”

I’ve never heard anything like this before…

So, does that all the people who had a magic value of 0 until now have special skills?

“However, there is a condition,” Simon replied.

“Condition?”

With a sigh, Simon continued.

“…You have to experience a strong mental shock.”

“!”

“It doesn’t always awaken, but it seems that you have awakened it.”

My body jolted.

A strong mental shock…

Could it be that what happened during that party…?

“I… I…”

Cold sweat formed on my forehead.

I hadn’t told Simon or anyone else what had happened to me.

I know I should, but every time I try to talk about it, the words get stuck and don’t come out.

It must have been a huge shock…

“…It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me what happened.”

Simon said, his expression softening.

“However, from now on, you will awaken to a special skill. People with a magic value of 0 often develop very powerful skills later on. You’ll have to learn to control it.”

“Control…?”

“It’s not a scary story at all,” Simon said with a smile.

“As long as you practice properly, you’ll be fine.”

I wondered if that was something I could do on my own…

As I looked uncertain, Simon spoke again.

“Kuna, would you let me occasionally evaluate your skills? If I can understand the details of your skills, I’d like you to learn to control your power under my guidance.”

“…Is that okay?”

I was surprised, and my ears twitched.

This was something I should be asking, not him.

“Of course. Anyone in my guild, I must protect. That includes you, Kuna.”

My chest felt warm.

I had something I really wanted to ask, so I nervously opened and closed my mouth, and Simon gently encouraged me to speak.

I lowered my ears and, with hesitation, asked Simon.

“…Everyone here is too kind. Why are you all so kind to someone like me… A woman, a beastkin, someone who’s useless? Why are you being so kind to me?”

When I asked, Simon smiled.

“Do you need a reason to be treated kindly?”

A reason…?

“…I don’t understand why everyone is like this. Well… I can understand it in words—helping each other is important. But, I wonder… deep down, I’m still really puzzled by it…”

As I kept talking, I started to lose track of what I was saying.

“…This seems like it will be an interesting lesson,” Simon said.

“? “

Simon gave a wry smile.

“If you need a reason, well, first, you’re a child. Children should be carefully raised by adults.”

“But, I’m already 15.”

Did I look like a child…?

Seeing my surprise, Simon shook his head.

“Fifteen is still considered a minor in this country. Adults start at eighteen.”

In the country of Aluda, fifteen is the age at which people are already married.

It seems like the age of adulthood is higher here.

“Then, you were covered in injuries, and had no adults to protect you. If that’s the case, we have to protect you. Because we’re the adults.”

“…”

“Also, our guild’s motto is ‘To become someone who can be asked for help, and someone who can help others.'”

Saying that, Simon smiled.

“Adventurers form parties because they know there are things that can’t be accomplished alone. They live by complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

“Complement…”

“It’s the same with races. Humans have their own strengths and weaknesses, and beastkin have theirs. So, you can’t just say one is superior to the other. To make that kind of comparison is a very sad thing, Kuna.”

Simon’s gentle words helped calm my heart a little.

“If you stay here, you’ll understand. There are people of many different races here, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Everyone lives with pride in themselves. It would be good for you to watch them from afar every once in a while.”

Simon laughed.

“You can stay here, you know.”

“!”

For a moment, my eyes grew a bit warm.

I hurriedly rubbed them.

“Roo…”

Lulu, who had been silent until now, looked up at me and tilted her head.

She was about to lick my cheek again, so I couldn’t help but laugh and stopped her.

“…So, as for the skill, is it okay for me to take care of it for the time being?”

“…Yes. Please take care of it.”

I said this and lowered my head in a small bow.

Then, I heard the sound of someone knocking on the door rapidly.

“Master! We’ve got another complaint from the central guild!”

It was Ellen who entered.

“They’re demanding Kiril! Where the heck is he wandering off to!? Apparently, he promised to handle an S-rank request for the central guild. And what’s worse, he’s causing more trouble with women! T-R-O-U-B-L-E!”

She came in, placed a stack of documents on the desk, and looked back at us.

Then she looked at me and her eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah! Kuna-san!? And Lulu-chan too!”

“Hello.”

Ellen laughed in embarrassment and stuck out her tongue.

Simon, too, looked a bit troubled, furrowing his brows.

“I really wish Kiril would take care of those S-rank requests. When they pile up, we have to pass them to Gear, and that’s a problem.”

“That guy’s already a staff knight,” Simon muttered.

“Honestly, he slacks off, playing around with girls! Oh, Kuna-san, next time you see Kiril, could you tell him to actually do some work?”

“Eh?”

“Kuna-san, if it’s something you’re asking, he’d probably listen to anything!”

W-would he?

Ellen was fuming with anger.

“Now, now,” Simon laughed, pointing to some snacks.

“How about we have a little tea time together?”

“Ah…”

I suddenly felt embarrassed.

“Sh-Simon…”

“Hmm?”

“S-sorry…”

“?”

Simon looked at the plate.

Then, he opened his mouth.

“Looks like Lulu ate it all…”

“Roo~♪”

Lulu was happily licking her lips.

Seeing that, I couldn’t even be mad anymore, and we all just ended up laughing.

––I still have some uncertainties, but I feel like I might be able to manage here.

As I laughed, I suddenly thought that.