Volume 1 Chapter 1 I Was Expelled for Such a Silly Reason
"Hey, are you messing with me? Ryuuji"
I decided today to take a day off, but out of nowhere, I got called to the inn and was hit with those words.
Honestly, as always, there's no subject or clarity in the message.
Doesn't this guy ever consider making an effort to let the other person pick up on their intentions?
With a sigh, I glared down at Guy, the leader of the <Berserk>, who was lounging right in front of me.
There's no need to hold back against someone who looks down on me so arrogantly.
"I could ask you what you mean, but it would probably just infuriate you, so I, being the kind person I am, will guess what you mean. You're complaining about how I only produce magic stones as usual, right?"
Guy's brows twitched at my sarcastic words, but it seems he didn't get enraged; he let out a big breath and calmed down.
Strange, he usually lunges at me then.
Well, it's not like there's ever been a time when a punch actually landed.
"Yeah, that's right. Thanks to you, we have to complete requests as a group of 4. But even if you joined us, you wouldn't be able to move like us."
"Well, that makes sense. I'm an enchanter, after all. I'd be in trouble if you expected me to move like Minori or Suzu. So, you prioritized my production of magic stones, didn't you?"
Thankfully, Guy doesn't seem to expect me to work like Sean the ranger, Minori the swordsman, or Suzu the magician, who all have natural talents.
But I don't understand why he's complaining.
"What's this? Are you trying to shift the blame onto me? With that big body of yours, you're the one who's useless, so I prioritized the production of magic stones, didn't I? First of all──"
Guy cut off his words and pointed at my right wrist.
There was a bracelet indicating my status as an adventurer.
"We're second rank, and you're third rank. Do you understand what that means?"
"...I'm still third rank because I can't participate in requests and contribute, right? You're the one who prioritized the production of magic stones, aren't you? Are you okay in the head?"
I could only feel exasperation at Guy's nonsensical ramblings, spreading my arms to show "I don't get it."
Adventurer ranks.
This system determines ranks based on how much one has contributed to the Adventurers' Guild.
The higher the rank, the more trust there is in one's ability to carry out requests, ranging from ninth rank to first rank, and even special rank.
And it's obvious that Guy, Sean, Minori, and Suzu, who have taken on more requests than I have, are in higher ranks.
Guy, who seemed to have finally lost his patience with my response, slammed his palm down hard on the table in front of him.
I wish he would stop, as the loud noise would disturb the inn.
"Stop babbling! The reason we can't move up to first rank is that you're still third rank! We can't be recognized as a second rank party!"
"So, I've been saying this all along, haven't I? You prioritized the production of magic stones. That's why you can't participate in requests, and your rank isn't going up. Got it?"
I broke down the reasoning so even a child could understand, but Guy's expression still trembled with anger.
It's unfortunate; I can't think of a clearer way to explain it.
In the first place, the magic stone is something that has been imbued with the secret art of a specialist enchanter for the "Stone of Nothingness," and it's strange that it hasn't been deemed as contributing to the request.
This guy is using me to create magic stones as if it's a given, but making high-quality ones is inefficient without a workshop, and first of all, magic items like magic stones can't be mass-produced.
"If you have complaints, make sure to include the effects of the enchantment in the report when the request is completed. Otherwise, let me participate in the request too, and then──"
"...that's enough."
I felt an eerie sensation from Guy suddenly going quiet, and when I looked at his expression, he was wearing some sort of lewd grin.
"You, quit the party today. I don't need someone who can only make tools bit by bit."
"Huh?"
What is this guy talking about?
After all, it was this man who forcibly brought me into the party that was originally made up of me, Minori, and Suzu.
...I see.
"You were planning this all along, giving instructions to Sean to take Minori and Suzu on a business trip request, weren't you? No wonder the greedy leader who is so eager to complete requests didn't go along. You were planning to expel me when the two weren't around."
Sean is like a loyal servant to this man.
By now, he's probably holding back my sister Minori and the others.
"Huh? You always say not to accuse people based on assumptions, Ryuuji."
With a chuckle, Guy gave me a mocking look, and I shot him a glare of contempt.
...It seems he can think clearly only when he's scheming.
But if that's how he wants to play it, then fine.
"Got it. In that case, I'll take my leave without holding back... But I want all the magic stones I lent you back."
"Huh? What are you talking about? The magic stones belong to the party, right?"
Guy is really not understanding, furrowing his brow.
It seems this guy is misunderstanding something.
I have never once given him the magic stones.
"Every time I handed you a magic stone, I had you sign a receipt, but you didn't read it, did you? It clearly states here that it's a loan, not a transfer. We could even take this to court, you know?"
When I held up the stack of receipts I pulled from my magic bag, Guy looked away and clicked his tongue as if he had just learned something.
"Going to court" means taking the case through the Merchant Guild.
If I lose the case, it could mean demotion as an adventurer.
It seems that he doesn't want to take that risk; Guy roughly dug into his magic bag, pulled out the magic stones, and scattered them across the table.
Hey, hey, treat borrowed stuff with care.
"...You're short on <Magic Stone of Sublimation>. But you act like you look down on enchanters, yet you plan to rely on magic stones?"
"Shut up! This is enough, right?"
Guy threw the additional <Magic Stone of Sublimation> at me.
Ouch, what're you doing?
But now, I have received all the magic stones I lent him back.
I worry about my little sisters, but they won't let me leave easily, so I need to handle this well.
"Well then, Guy. Say hi to Minori and Suzu for me."
After tossing the stack of receipts onto the table, I said that and left Guy's room.
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