Volume 4 Chapter 5 Alex's Advice
When it comes to defeating dragons, I remembered that I had a direct deal with Alex, so I ended up belatedly declaring, "I have already received approval for clearing Alex's quest."
The reason for this delay was that without the leader, we couldn't make the clearance declaration. I was also busy with Moruru's matter, but I just ended up forgetting about it.
"...Finally, huh. I was wondering why you hadn't shown up despite all the rumors."
The receptionist calmly confirmed the details and nodded, saying, "Yes, we have received it."
As we were about to leave, the receptionist said, "By the way."
"Do you have anyone here who's a bow adventurer at the copper rank and has mastered more than six types of magic?"
"Oh, that's me."
"I am too."
When Clay and I raised our hands, the receptionist chuckled and placed something on the counter, saying, "I thought as much."
We looked at it and couldn't help but say, "Huh?"
"We have confirmed the achievement of defeating monsters that qualify for silver rank quests, as well as acquiring five or more types of magic. Therefore, Wade-san and Clay-san are certified as silver bow adventurers."
"Huh, just like that?"
"...Was it really that simple?"
In response to my words, the receptionist asks for clarification. Clay shakes his head.
"No, it wasn't that simple for me. Wade-kun is Wade-kun, so it was simple for you."
"Haha... I thought it would be something like that. It must be tough having an outstanding genius as the party leader. Well, from my perspective, everyone in Wade's party is a genius."
We are unsure how to respond to the receptionist's lackluster praise. Then, she turns to the side and asks, "What's wrong?"
"Hm?"
The receptionist was facing a direction hidden from us by the wall, so we couldn't see who was standing there. The person standing there spoke in a lively tone.
"Hey, are you the one guiding the Wade party until now? Thank you. Now, it was decided that I would accompany them once they reached the Silver rank, so I'll be taking over for you."
"Oh, yes. Wow, I didn't expect such young people to be part of the party led by a senior like you."
"That's how it is. Come on, move aside."
"Yes, yes. Um, everyone from the Wade party. From now on, the other staff in charge will guide you to the designated staff, so please cooperate."
Well then, excuse me. The receptionist stood up and moved away. Taking her place was a very petite girl with a mischievous smile.
"Hello, hello! Congratulations on reaching the Silver rank first! Wade-san, Clay-san."
"Thank you..."
"Thank you."
Me and Clay were taken aback and responded. The girl smiled even more and introduced herself to us.
"I'm (Boku) Nai. I'll be your receptionist from now on, so nice to meet you all!"
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too."
Thinking she was a very friendly receptionist, I responded so. Then, Nai said.
"I was actually watching the exchange with Frain-san earlier. You're aiming for gold, right? Since I've become your assigned receptionist, let me give you some advice."
"Oh, that would be helpful."
I smiled and nodded, and Nai smiled back and said,
"Right now, I recommend torch. The difficulty level jumps quite a bit from the 5th floor of copper to reach silver, which requires reaching the 30th floor. And gold is on the 80th floor!"
"80... I see. I understand that the hurdle for gold is incredibly high. But for now, silver seems achievable, right? Yes, thank you."
"Because I'm your assigned receptionist, this much is a small favor."
So, we received two silver bow adventurer badges and headed back home. By the way, I forgot to ask why dungeons are recommended, thinking about such things.
After finishing everything we needed to do at the guild, we returned home.
Everyone else had already returned to their rooms early. It was to prepare for tomorrow. Well, with that flow, we might as well dive into the dungeon right away from tomorrow, yeah.
But I didn't feel like sleeping yet. I was alone in the living room, draped in a light blanket, sipping tea in the dim light.
Then, Alex appeared.
"Hey, Wade. It's rare to see you alone in the living room."
"Is it? ...Maybe. We've been together all the time recently."
"Kakaka! It's a party gathered around you. I won't let you out of my sight. But I was impressed by your previous harem declaration. Well, you have charisma and a good sense of balance. Be careful not to upset the balance and end up getting stabbed by everyone, okay?"
"No way. I genuinely like everyone. As long as polygamy is allowed, I won't make anyone cry."
I chuckle and shrug my shoulders, and Alex chuckles softly.
"You look cool. You're really cool, Wade. You're stronger than anyone, and you keep getting stronger. It's only been a short time, but you've achieved many great things in this short period. You're amazing."
"Why the sudden praise, Alex? Getting praised so much by you is making me uncomfortable."
"Don't say that. I just felt like saying it. And... I feel like I have to say it soon."
"If I miss this opportunity, it won't be good." Alex's tone had dropped a notch from before, and it naturally became clear that he was about to share something unpleasant.
I sat up straight, adjusting my posture to listen attentively.
Alex called my name.
"Wade, it's about time you start considering your own capabilities."
Alex said with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"You're a genius. The word 'genius' might not even be fitting enough. I didn't emphasize it that strongly before, but after what happened with Windy, it needs to be said. ...You're a monster of talent."
"I don't understand what you're trying to say, but maybe it's just because my gravity magic is strong."
"No, that's not it."
Alex continued.
"You always say 'my gravity magic is strong.' But you know, Slow Magic is still Slow Magic. I had the chance to observe other gravity magicians recently. It made me rethink things."
"...What do you mean?"
"Wade. If you only focus on yourself, you might misunderstand that 'gravity magic is strong.' However, only you or someone who is immortal and can spend infinite time on magic can say such a thing."
"...?"
As I furrowed my brows, Alex said, "In other words."
"Gravity magic is weak. It is true that once developed, it boasts considerable strength. However, it only works unexpectedly because you are a genius who doesn't understand the reasons behind it. If an ordinary person tries it, they would realize it requires infinite time and patience."
"...What do you mean?"
Then Alex said this.
"About magic, you guys easily learn new ones, but on average, it takes about five years to learn just one new magic, you know?"
"..."
I recall the conversations of the old men in the guild.
In my own mind, I feel like the worldview I had recognized up to now is being fundamentally destroyed.
"Hey, why do you guys think that over 90% of your peers are still stuck at the iron rank? ---Is it because they can only use their first magic?"
"No, it's not like that."
"It is... When they start learning their second magic, they finally start showing signs of reaching the copper rank. Once you become copper, then you're considered a full-fledged mage."
"Indeed, I've heard that reaching the copper rank is a big deal."
"It's not as simple as that. Do you have any idea how many adventurers die in the five years it takes to learn the second magic? 50%. 50% of them die without ever progressing past using just their first magic."
"But I managed it in just a few weeks."
"That's right. Wade, that's where your incomprehensibility lies."
Alex explains,
"Such a thing is not normal. In Transformation Magic, there's no one else besides you who can learn a new magic within a few weeks span."
"Well, it's not like they don't exist. Frain seemed to have learned the second one a little later than me, and Ice and Clay too."
"They're geniuses in their own right, not as much as you, but still impressive. ...I see. Being surrounded by geniuses, is that why my sense of things has been off?"
Alex sighed with a troubled expression. Hearing that, I started to somewhat understand why my magic had been considered unfortunate.
Still in disbelief, I asked,
"Seriously, it takes five years?"
"Yeah. It's mostly a world of talent, so of course, it can vary, but on average, it's five years. That's how you increase your magic and become a full-fledged copper rank."
"I see..."
I pondered. Indeed, the veteran adventurers around me had said the same. I had just not been paying enough attention; this was the norm.
Speaking to myself, I confirmed,
"So, it takes five years just for the first gravity magic to make yourself heavier?"
"That's right. If people can master gravity magic, they'll be really strong. Even the 'The Sage of the Forest,' a group of half-elves known for their magic research, have published their findings on it."
Still, Alex said,
"Even those The Sage of the Forests couldn't develop gravity magic as well as you, Wade. No matter what you say, gravity magic remains underrated. It's like Slow Magic. You're just exceptional."
Then, Alex called me.
"Wade, you're a genius. A huge genius. And those around you are too. Everyone is improving rapidly. If I were to evaluate each person individually, they would all be geniuses that come once every ten or hundred years."
Alex praised each person one by one.
"Ice has mastered ice magic without water magic up to a practical level. Do you understand why ice magic is called half-baked magic? It's because their magic doesn't grow much, and before they know it, they fall behind other party members' growth. However, Ice has finally reached a level where she won't lose to anyone if she does it properly alone. Ice is undoubtedly a genius."
"Clay is the kind of talent who would normally be called a 'promising rookie' or 'hero in the making.' Due to some tricks up his sleeve, Clay has become unbeatable against all but the toughest opponents. Do you get it? If Clay struggles or can't win, it means the enemy is in a league where humans can't win. Dragons are enemies people shouldn't normally challenge."
"Toxy is really wicked in a cool way. She's not your typical flashy magic user, but more like someone who would have been popular. She weakens enemies with poison magic, while heal her allies with medicine and medical skills, trying to minimize any side effects. ... Healing magic usually leaves a lot of side effects. That's why there are so many retired adventurers because of it."
"Sandra is an outstanding genius. She lacks some human qualities, but makes up for it with exceptional magic, a privileged background, an adventurer-friendly personality, she has it all. If you weren't around, Wade, she would definitely be at the top of her generation. Among her peers, there probably wasn't anyone who could beat Sandra. At least, there shouldn't have been."
As I listened to one person after another, I began to understand what Alex was trying to say.
"And Wade, you are a genius in the eyes of such geniuses. It's said that an ordinary person is a prodigy one step ahead, a genius two steps ahead, and three steps ahead is incomprehensible. But you, who surpass geniuses two steps ahead, appear to be a mythological figure from the sidelines, or perhaps just a monster."
"There's no one who can match you," Alex said.
"But somehow, fortunately, you have managed to gather geniuses who can barely keep up with you, Wade. So, until now, you have managed to avoid being lonely. Now, just by watching you and trying to keep up with you, it's a testament to genius. But even that has its limits. Unable to keep up with your talent and destiny, they once fell."
I realized at that moment. Alex's expression was one of pity.
"Then,"
I bit my lip.
"What should I do? I'm just living normally according to my senses."
"Normally? ...Is that so?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You, you're using gravity magic to make yourself constantly heavy, right?"
"...I know that, but."
"Even Moruru, giving it her all, is being toyed by you. Every single day."
"It's a parent's duty to indulge in their children's play."
"When I peeked into your room before, there was a stack of papers. They had analyses and combat strategies for monsters and people."
"...You saw them? It's embarrassing. But it's nothing major. Just some analysis notes. I simulate the tough enemies I've fought before while taking a stroll and compile them."
"Hahaha... Is that amount like a mini encyclopedia?"
Alex flashed a tired smile.
"It seems like you're enjoying it."
"...Well, yeah."
"That's probably why. They say passion can be cruel, and your talent is no exception."
With that, Alex stood up.
"For now, think about what you'll do with your comrades. What you lack is situational awareness. If that's off, tragedy will strike somewhere."
"...Tragedy."
When I said that, Alex casually patted my shoulder.
"You know, I actually bought Wade's idea. It cost me quite a bit. I wouldn't admit to paying for such preachy stuff if it wasn't true."
With a "See you later," Alex said and left. That's when I naturally remembered Frain.
What he said. The death of a comrade. The tragedy caused by differences in strength. The regret.
"They were just lucky not to die. If I had been a little later, Ice would have been in danger."
I bit my lip. Then, I crossed my arms to protect myself from fear.
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