Translator: CinderTL As dusk fell, the sunset painted the sky with fiery orange hues.
The scene at the gates of Blackstone Town remained as familiar as ever, with hunters and farmers lining up to enter.
“Routine inspection,” a guard’s lazy voice called out.
“Names, origins, purposes, and identification badges—show them now.” Nothing had changed.
After Marcus, as captain, gave a brief explanation, the group handed over their badges.
This time, however, Zellier presented a badge issued by the Mage’s Guild, not the iron badge from the Adventurer’s Association.
The guard’s expression remained unchanged when he saw Marcus and Vales’s bronze badges.
But when his gaze swept over Zellier’s magic badge, a flicker of surprise flashed in the guard’s eyes.
He glanced up at Zellier, as if trying to memorize his face, and even returned the badges with noticeably more courtesy.
“So you’re already a magic apprentice,” Vales remarked, noticing Zellier’s badge.
“Yes, I got it from the Mage’s Guild after we parted ways last time.” Zellier suddenly grew curious.
“By the way…
how do you upgrade your Adventurer’s Association badges?
I see you all have bronze ones.” “Jade, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron,” Vales explained casually.
“Iron is the easiest—you get it just for registering.
After completing ten missions, you can advance to bronze.” “Silver is a bit tougher.
Bronze adventurers need to complete ten lower-tier mission to rank up.
These missions usually involve ‘Difficult’ rated demonic beasts, and there’s also something about mission success rates.
You’ll have to ask receptionist Ella for the exact rules.” “Above that is gold-tier.
Generally, only seasoned mid-tier professionals reach this level, though some high-tier professionals also qualify.
I haven’t looked into the promotion requirements…
but I doubt there are more than a handful of gold-tier adventurers in the entire Blackstone Town branch, right?” “I see…” Zellier recalled the mission brief for their current task.
It was marked as a standard mission, not yet qualifying as a lower-tier mission.
He nodded thoughtfully.
“So, I’ve completed two standard missions then?” “Yep.
Just eight more errands, and you’ll be bronze.” Vales smiled, a rare sight.
“You don’t need to worry about that anyway.
The Mage’s Guild emblem is far more useful than the Adventurer’s Association badge.
If I were you, I’d only display the Mage’s Guild emblem when I’m out.” Back at the Adventurer’s Association, Marcus went to the front desk to submit the mission report.
“Here are the mission items from the abandoned cave.
We cleared out twenty-four slimes in total.” Marcus placed a bulging bag of slime magic cores on the counter.
“I also need to report an anomaly encountered during the mission.” Ella, who was pouring the magic cores into the counting tray, blinked in surprise at this statement.
Another unexpected incident?
During the wild wolf mission, they seemed to have encountered a juvenile mist demon, didn’t they?
“Could you please specify what happened?” Ella asked.
“The mission description of the demonic beasts was inaccurate.
Deep within the cave, we discovered a giant slime that was the true source of the water contamination.” Marcus retrieved a much larger magic core and the solidified gel from his backpack.
“We eliminated the giant slime.
Please report this anomaly to the city hall.” A giant slime rated as “Difficult”…
Ella was slightly taken aback.
This was a particularly troublesome demonic beast.
While it wasn’t unusual for a fully equipped party to defeat one, Marcus and his group had only three members.
As she pondered this, Ella’s gaze involuntarily drifted to the new adventurer.
Zellier.
When Ella had registered Zellier as an adventurer, she had been somewhat surprised by his mage profession.
Back then, Zellier had been young, inexperienced, and looked every bit the rookie.
Yet this very rookie had now participated in the consecutive slays of a mist demon and a giant slime—a truly unexpected feat…
How significant was his contribution in these battles?
Ella couldn’t help but wonder.
Amidst the bustling crowd of adventurers, Zellier seemed utterly nonchalant.
He leaned casually against the counter, yawning.
Perhaps due to the heavy use of mana, Zellier felt far more fatigued than usual.
His lazy gaze swept across the room and happened to meet Ella’s eyes.
He nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Ella, however, awkwardly averted her gaze.
“Alright…
I’ll report this to the Administrative Hall,” Ella said, immediately lowering her head to retrieve a paper document.
“Aren’t you going to count the slime magic cores first?” Marcus asked, puzzled.
“Oh, right, right…
I almost forgot.” Ella fumbled for a counting tool and began tallying the slime magic cores.
Twenty-four slimes, bounty: 72 silver coins.
Twenty-four slime magic cores, recycling value: 48 silver coins.
Giant Slime Magic Core, recycling value: 4 gold coins.
high-quality gel, recycling value: 2 gold coins.
Total mission reward: 7 gold and 20 silver coins.
As Marcus picked up the money to leave, Ella added, “Oh, by the way, this mission’s brief contained inaccurate information.
Once the Administrative Hall confirms it, they’ll provide additional compensation.
Please come back in three days to collect it.” “Alright.” After receiving their rewards, the group divided the money outside the Adventurer’s Association.
“I won’t try to recruit you again,” Marcus said to Zellier.
“I know you value your freedom.
But if you ever need a vanguard for a mission, come find me.” Marcus handed Zellier his share of the money bag.
“I’m staying at the Redbeard Inn.” In Marcus’s heart, Zellier’s importance was self-evident.
The earnings from these two missions alone were equivalent to half a year’s worth of his usual hard work, and Zellier deserved much of the credit.
“Alright, I’ll definitely come find you if I need anything,” Zellier said, accepting the coin pouch.
It contained a total of two gold and eighty-eight silver coins—a substantial reward.
As Zellier’s figure receded into the distance, Vales turned his gaze away.
“Marcus, I’ve never seen you act so humble before.
He rejected your offer to join a permanent party last time, and now you’re actively trying to get closer?” “That’s just how mages are,” Marcus replied dismissively, waving his hand.
“Anyone who becomes a mage has a bit of pride.
Of course they wouldn’t want to be tied down by a fixed team.” “But let’s be honest,” Marcus continued, “for all their pride, their physical weakness makes them wary of other adventurers.” “That’s when you just need to show them your gentle and patient side.
Even if you have to lower your stance a little, it’s worth it.
Make them see you as reliable, and they’ll definitely come looking for you again next time they need a party.” Vales’s eye twitched slightly.
“I never realized you were such a schemer…” (End of the Chapter) —————————————————— 🧩 What happens next?
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