Volume 4 Chapter 17 Master-Apprentice Contract - Wade, Sandra
Due to being threatened by Sandra, the negotiation of fees and the master-apprentice contract with Mudi and the others was conducted amidst quite a bit of tension.
"Oh? You want me to take on disciples?"
Mudi said in a rough, thug-like manner. "Yes," Alex replied.
"Mudi, you're in financial trouble, right? I get it. Despite bringing back results that could enrich the economy of this dungeon city, you're a spendthrift buried in debt. It will take some time to appraise the loot from the Underworld, you've already spent the advance payment I gave you, and you need money right now."
"..."
Questioned by Alex, Mudi turned away sullenly, arms crossed, looking completely dissatisfied.
"What, is this a bad deal for you? I was planning to lower the fee to the market rate, but I'll sweeten the deal for you. You'll be satisfied. In return, you'll have to train these guys."
"Can't I just take the money?"
"What? Are you trying to increase your debt again? I might have to raise the interest rates soon."
"I'm sorry, but please, not that! When I recently returned, my house was also seized! Please, please don't change Alex-sama's super low interest rates!"
We watched as Mudi pleaded with Alex. This guy really doesn't mess around with Alex...
"So, will you accept them?"
Mudi made a grimace at Alex's smiling face. Then he looked at us and said,
"These guys, really?"
"If you don't want to, just pay the standard fee and be done with it."
"No! ...But, ugh."
Mudi looked at us with a very troubled expression. I thought he might be concerned about Clay and Toxy's damaged bodies, but since he was looking at everyone and shaking his head, it seemed like the situation was a bit different.
Then, Philia, who had come with Mudi, spoke up.
"What if I take care of the ones Mudi doesn't accept? The lack of money is a party problem anyway, so I can take care of it."
"Philia~! You're the only one I can rely on~!"
"Mudi, you're annoying."
Philia deftly avoided Mudi's embrace, causing him to stumble, and then sat down on top of him. Even though she looked incredibly heavy in her full-body armor, Mudi seemed unfazed.
...Each action seemed nonsensical to us. The exchange was comical, but serious consequences were being discussed.
At that moment, Alex asked,
"By the way, you guys used to be a party of six. What happened to the other four?"
""They died.""
Mudi and Philia's blunt words overlapped. We were taken aback, and Alex furrowed his brow before speaking.
"Don't you guys value your allies' lives at all?"
"Well, in the dungeon, you always have to think about your own survival. Death is always right next to sleep. Just like saying 'good night' when you go to sleep, saying 'see you later' when you die is the end."
"It seems Mudi has a philosophy of magic that involves reincarnation, so we follow that too. It would be nice to meet again somewhere someday."
Faced with such a fundamentally different perspective, we were left speechless. Alex ran his hand over his brow a few times before turning to us.
"Well, it's just before the fact, but remember that these guys are like this. They live by the same standards as a platinum torch."
"O-Okay..."
I barely nodded. The other members were watching the two with cautious expressions. Sandra, as usual, had an expressionless face, but I could tell she was excited from the atmosphere.
"So, going back to our conversation, will you accept them?"
When Alex asked, Mudi scratched the back of his head and said, "I have no choice..." Then, he lifted Philia in her full-body armor with one hand, moved her aside, and sat back down on the chair.
"..."
Then, he stared at each of us again. He scrutinized Clay, Toxy, Ice, me, and Sandra in turn, pointing at each one and saying,
"Useless, useless, trash, grain, small grain."
"What?"
Mudi stood up after just saying a few words. He then said, "Training starts tomorrow. Meet at the entrance here. Time is 4 a.m. sharp." With that, he left our party house.
"Um, what?"
We were left dumbfounded by the sudden harsh scolding. That's when Philia stepped in.
"Wade-chan, who was called 'grain,' and Sandra-chan, who was called 'small grain,' will be joining Mudi's training starting tomorrow. It seems the rest of you didn't meet his standards."
"Oh, so that's how the selection process went..."
I wasn't sure how to take being called 'grain,' but I couldn't help but think Mudi had a sharp tongue as we looked around at the others.
"...As expected, it's out of the question for someone who's lost their legs, huh?"
"Well, I guess there's no helping it."
"...Trash..."
Everyone seemed a bit downhearted. Seeing this, Philia laughed.
"Haha, don't be too down, guys. To Mudi, everyone is equally 'trash.' Sandra-chan, who was called 'small grain,' should actually be proud."
"Yay!"
Sandra raised her hand enthusiastically. She might actually be the most mentally stable in the party.
"Now, Wade-chan."
Philia called out to me.
"You're amazing, aren't you? I thought you were quite impressive even for our first meeting, but not only did you meet Mudi's standards, you were called 'grain' for the first time."
"Is that a big deal?"
Philia chuckled.
"Not really. You're still a rough gem. Let Mudi shape you in various ways. If you can endure that, I might consider you quite impressive."
"...I see."
Philia chuckled again. I wondered if she disliked me. But then she patted my shoulder and said, "Well, I'm rooting for you, Grain-kun." Maybe she didn't dislike me after all. I wasn't quite sure.
Anyway, Sandra and I had decided to apprentice under Mudi starting tomorrow.
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