Chapter 41: First Time at the Office
March–
The graduation ceremony of Yuma’s high school was being held.
The ceremony opens with a speech by the principal of the school in the presence of many guests.
Third year students Yuma, Kaede, and Rui naturally attend this event, and they are filled with emotion at the last event of their high school life.
And the ceremony came to an end without incident.
Yuma went outside through the front door, which he never goes in and out of anymore.
A pleasant breeze caresses my cheeks. The rows of cherry trees in the distance are still in full bloom.
Yuma was looking up with deep emotion at the school building where he had studied for three years with the ostentatious case containing his A3-size diploma in his hand.
–I’m finally graduating.
As I’m lost in my memories, a voice comes from behind me.
“Yuma!”
“Are you leaving already? I was thinking of taking pictures with the teachers and the others, do you want to come with me?”
“No, no, no. It’s a pain in the ass.
Kaede tugs at my sleeve, “I’m not going…” I lightly scoff at her. I really wanted to go with her, but I was too embarrassed to tell her.
“As usual.”
“Louie! Why don’t you go with him? You seem to like that kind of stuff.
Louis smiles lightly, “Sure…” He smiles lightly.
Kaede was the only one who said, “Oh my god!” She was furious.
“Kaede told me. She’s going to stop going to school and get a job?”
Hmm? Yeah, well…
It’s been a long time since I really talked to Louis. We used to talk and hang out.
We are still friends, but our conversations are somewhat awkward.
“I heard you joined a dungeon-related company. Is it true?”
“Uh, well, yeah, but…”
I can’t say I was influenced by Louis here. I don’t want to.
“I didn’t expect that. I didn’t know you were interested in dungeons.”
“That’s what it is. I’m interested in it… because it’s a good way to make money. So I thought it over and ended up working for a company that deals with dungeons. Yeah, it just happened!”
It was a bitter excuse, but Louis smiled as if he understood.
“Oh, yeah. I’m glad to hear that. I’m going to work for a dungeon company too, so I hope we can exchange information with each other in the future!”
“Yeah, I guess so. But first you have to be able to do your job properly.
Rui is employed by El-Seed, the largest company in the industry, while Yuma is employed by D-Minor, a small company within a small company.
I’m not going to face Rui until I’m a full-fledged explorer at least.
I know I’m a small person, but I can’t help this feeling of inferiority.
“Yeah, you’re right. I was a little carried away. I’ll see you again when you’re a full-fledged member of society, Yuma!”
“Oh.”
They shake hands and celebrate their respective beginnings.
Kaede was saying “I’m going to get a job too!” she said. Yuma watches them go back to the school building and exhales before leaving the school gate.
This step is the start of a new life. I won’t be able to see them with a smile until I’m really on my own.
“Alright! Today is the first day of work for Yuma. Let’s go!”
The president’s loud voice echoes through the room.
Yuma has come to D-Minor, a company in Chiba. The boss was right. Today was the day he was to start work.
Yuma was a little nervous because everything was new to him.
“Well, it’s a simple job, really.”
The president sits cross-legged in his desk chair at the back of the office and lights a cigarette.
Mr. Tanaka! Explain it to him.
“Yes, yes.”
Tanaka walked up to Yuma with the materials on his desk. Tanaka is still a kind-looking man, but his stomach is shaking with dignity.
Yuma wonders if he really is a Seeker.
“Hello, Yuma. I’m Tanaka, your teacher.
“Please take care of me!”
“The first thing you need to do is raise your ‶Mana Index″.”
“The Mana Index… Is it?”
“Yeah, I want you to raise your mana quotient so that you’ll be able to fight to some extent. Eventually we’ll have to take on the ‘Red Dungeon’.
“The Red… Dungeon.”
As Yuma was swallowing Tanaka’s words the president who was puffing on a cigarette interrupted him.
“Well, the point is. We’re a subcontractor… so we have to distribute our products to the big companies. That product is from the Red Dungeon. The Fire Demon Jewel.
According to the boss, the most efficient way to defeat the demons in the red dungeon is to use ‶Water Magic‶. Therefore, the first job is to defeat the demons in the blue dungeon in Musashino to raise the mana and collect the magic gems that drop from the dungeon.
“Musashino’s ‘Blue Dungeon’ is close to my house!”
“Well, you’ve been there a few times, haven’t you?”
When asked by the president, Yuma replies with a smug look on his face.
Yeah, a couple times. And I killed a slime.
The president and Maika looked at Yuma as if he was boasting. And Tanaka let out a giggle.
