Chapter 39 Himezaki Rieslett ⑥
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Elder Sister, please wake up. Elder Sister!”
Jessica Cornaut, my roommate, shook my sleeping body. It was finally a day off; I really wanted her to let me sleep in a bit longer.
”Ugh… it’s a holiday… just a little more…” I groaned.
”Oh, the sight of you wallowing in such blissful lethargy is wonderful, Elder Sister! Wait, no! That is not it! You were the one who said you wanted me to guide you through the city today because it was a holiday~desuwa!” Jessica said.
”Auuu…”
Now that she mentioned it, I felt like I might have said something like that. Or maybe I hadn’t. Either way, I didn’t want to crawl out from under the covers.
”My, my. If it has come to this, I have no choice~desuwa,” Jessica said.
With those words, Jessica dove into the bed with me, pressing her body tight against mine. And then-
Skritch, skritch, skritch!
She began to fumble around my armpits.
”!? Ah! Stop! Wait, Jessica! Ahaha-haha!”
”Well? Are we getting up now, Elder Sister~desuwa?” Jessica asked.
”I’m up! I’m getting up! Stop it-ah! Hahaha! Stop!”
As expected, having someone go to town on your ribs is a surefire way to blow away the cobwebs of sleep.
”Elder Sister, let me brush your hair for you~desuwa,” Jessica offered.
I sat up, my hair a chaotic nest of bedhead, and Jessica began to comb through it. While she worked, I sat in a meditative posture to begin my mana circulation¹. I could feel the magical energy permeating every fiber of my being. Back when I was a shut-in, I never gave a damn about my appearance, but since being tossed into another world and enrolled in the Academy Sorcery², I’ve tried to put in a little effort. Though, really, I should be doing this myself. Relying on Jessica to brush my hair is probably a sign that I’m failing as a functioning human in several ways…
”No, no. This is a labor of love for me~desuwa,” Jessica said, her face beaming with a radiant smile.
And that was exactly why I found myself constantly leaning on her kindness.
”There, all finished. Let us have a quick breakfast and head out~desuwa,” Jessica said.
”Thanks. Sorry for always making you do this,” I replied.
The brushing had finished while I was lost in thought. Mana circulation had become my first-thing-in-the-morning ritual-practically a daily necessity now. Jessica, unfortunately, still couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t quite grasp the mental image of mana flowing through her internal pathways.
”Haa… a date with Elder Sister… wow…”
Jessica whispered something under her breath, but I didn’t quite catch it. Still, she looked thrilled, so I figured she was just really excited to guide me through the city.
Then again, she always looked happy when she was with me.
* * *
I’d expected as much from the design of the dorms, but the city of Foxia was remarkably modernized. The buildings were mostly square, two or three stories tall, though I spotted a few that had to be at least ten floors. The roads were wide, clean, and well-organized, with streetlamps standing at regular intervals. They even had the decency to separate the sidewalks from the main road. Just looking at the cityscape, it didn’t really feel like I was in another world at all. I mean, the dorms themselves looked more like a luxury resort hotel than a medieval barracks.
However, the moment I looked at the crowds, the reality of my situation came crashing back.
The fashion was a strange mix of 18th-century style and modern cuts, but you’d see people in full plate armor or wearing the unmistakable robes of a sorcerer just strolling along. There were Elves and Dwarves scattered here and there, too. Furthermore, the “traffic” wasn’t cars, but carriages. And they weren’t all horse-drawn, either; some were being pulled by massive, bipedal birds.
I almost let the word “Choc-” slip out of my mouth.
”So, Elder Sister, where should I guide you first~desuwa?” Jessica asked.
”Hmm. I guess the Guild Monster Hunter³ should be our first stop. After that, somewhere we can grab a bite to eat.”
”Understood~desuwa!” Jessica replied.
We hopped on a communal carriage-basically the local bus-and headed for the Guild Monster Hunter. The city was apparently quite sprawling, hence the need for public transit. Several of our fellow passengers were decked out in leather armor with swords strapped to their waists. Likely headed for the same destination.
”Morning, little ladies from the Academy Sorcery. Where are you off to today?”
A man who looked like a Monster Hunter happened to be sitting next to us and struck up a conversation.
”I am showing Elder Sister around. We are heading to the Guild Monster Hunter~desuwa,” Jessica answered.
”Ho? So the little missy plans on becoming a Hunter, then?”
”Ah, yeah. That’s the plan for now,” I said.
”If Elder Sister is doing it, then I shall become one as well~desuwa!” Jessica added.
”I see, I see. Well, good luck to you both!”
The man gave us a toothy grin. He seemed like a decent, friendly sort. By the time we finished chatting (or rather, by the time Jessica finished chatting for both of us), we had arrived at the Guild Monster Hunter. It was an impressive two-story building. As we approached the entrance, the doors slid open automatically.
An automatic door? Seriously? Well, I suppose they had those in Ancient Greece, but still…
”Wow…”
”So this is it…”
The sheer volume of people inside was overwhelming. The layout reminded me of a bank back home. A long line of reception counters stretched across the hall, each with a queue of Hunters and a busy receptionist. They were likely middle-manning jobs, handing out requests, or processing rewards. To my surprise, we weren’t immediately accosted by the “template” burly thug looking to pick a fight with the rookies.
Though there were plenty of guys who certainly looked the part.
”Registration is way over there at the end. Well, if luck’s on our side, maybe I’ll see you around!”
With a wave, our companion from the carriage went his own way. We headed for the registration desk as instructed. There wasn’t much of a line, so it was our turn in no time.
”Welcome. Are you here to register as new Monster Hunters?”
”Yes, we are,” I replied.
”Understood. Please fill out these forms,” the receptionist said.
Jessica and I took the papers and filled them out. It was mostly just basic info-name and such. Once finished, we handed them back to the receptionist.
”Himezaki Rieslett and Jessica Cornaut. Very well. Please touch this crystal ball so I can verify your Levels,” the receptionist instructed.
I placed my hand on the sphere, and the number “1” shimmered into view. Jessica’s was the same.
”Confirmed. Please wait a moment,” the receptionist said.
The receptionist slotted something white into a machine-like device and ran our forms through.
”Thank you for waiting. These are your Monster Hunter Identification Tags. Renewals are free, but please be aware that there is a fee for re-issuance if lost,” the receptionist said.
She handed us two tags on a small tray. They were white and felt like polished ceramic. I worried they might be fragile, and Jessica clearly had the same thought.
”Um, excuse me, but will these break easily~desuwa?” Jessica asked.
”They have been enchanted with a hardening spell, so they should withstand most everyday wear and tear,” the receptionist replied.
That was a relief. I didn’t want to be hemorrhaging money just because I dropped my ID.
”Now, I shall explain the duties and request system for Monster Hunters. Is that acceptable?” the receptionist asked.
We both nodded. I had the gist of it, but it was better to be sure.
”Thank you. Simply put, a Monster Hunter is…”
Basically, it was exactly like the “Adventurers” you see in fantasy light novels. The primary job was monster extermination, but it also included gathering medicinal herbs and exploring ruins or labyrinths. Interestingly, guarding peddlers or caravans fell under the Guild Mercenary, though most Hunters in Foxia registered with both. Jessica didn’t seem too keen on the idea, but I figured I might sign up later. As it turned out, I could do it right there at the same counter, so I decided to get it out of the way.
Then there were the ranks. From bottom to top: White Porcelain, Celadon, Obsidian, Jade, Amber, Red Copper, Black Iron, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Usually, your rank would go up as your Level increased. You could climb the ladder to Amber with relative ease, but apparently, it became a different beast entirely once you hit Red Copper. In fact, on this entire continent, there were only about twenty Silver ranks, three Golds, and only a single Platinum. As it turned out, one of those Silvers was Professor Philneed, and one of the Golds was none other than Chairwoman Minette.
Man, I’m being taught by a legend and I’m best friends with a super-legend’s granddaughter…
I glanced at Jessica; she was wearing the smugest expression I’d ever seen. The receptionist clearly knew who she was from the name on the form, but she kept her demeanor strictly professional.
”As for requests, please check the bulletin board over there. Select a request suited to your rank and bring the form to the counter. Do you have any other questions?”
”Are there penalties for failing a request?” I asked.
”In the event of failure, you are required to pay twenty percent of the listed success reward,” the receptionist answered.
”What about rank demotions? Like, if we don’t take any jobs for a while?”
”There are no demotions or removals from the registry for inactivity. However, criminal activity is grounds for immediate expulsion. Furthermore, as you are both students of the Academy Sorcery, you may only take requests within the city limits. For any requests outside the walls, you must be accompanied by a supervisor of at least Celadon or-preferably-Obsidian rank. Please keep this in mind,” the receptionist said.
Fair enough. Committing a crime would be a problem regardless of the Guild. And since we were Academy students, I guess they didn’t want us dying on their watch without someone to look after us.
If I want to take a job outside, maybe I’ll ask Professor Philneed to supervise us…
”Nothing else?”
”No, that covers it for now,” I said.
”Understood. Thank you for registering with us today,” the receptionist said.
The receptionist gave a polite bow-efficient and businesslike to the end. With people waiting behind us, we made our exit.
”So, do you want to take a job now~desuwa?” Jessica asked.
”Nah, I just wanted to get registered today. Besides, you said there was still a lot more you wanted to show me, right?”
”That is right! I have so many more places to guide you~desuwa! Come, Elder Sister!” Jessica said.
”Right, lead the way, Jessica.”
I spent the rest of the day being dragged all over the city by Jessica.
—
Author:
Receptionist’s Internal Monologue: (Oh my god, oh my god, that was Chairwoman Minette’s granddaughter! What do I do? I was so nervous I think my heart almost stopped!)
—
Summary:
Rieslett and Jessica spend their day off exploring the modernized city of Foxia. They visit the Guild Monster Hunter to register as official hunters, discovering Rieslett’s connections to legendary figures in the process. The day ends with a cozy, albeit physically exhausting, bonding moment.
—
Trivia:
- Foxia has automatic doors, implying high-level magical or ancient technology.
- The rank system is based on materials, with Platinum being the rarest (only 1 person).
- Students have strict restrictions on ‘outside’ guild requests.
- Jessica is the granddaughter of one of the 3 ‘Gold’ rank hunters on the continent
—
Character Insight:
Rieslett is beginning to accept her new life, moving from ‘shut-in’ habits to active training and socialization, while Jessica’s devotion is revealed to be deeply emotional rather than just formal duty.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses this chapter to pivot from academy life to the broader world-building of the ‘Monster Hunter’ system, using ‘yuri’ undertones to keep the character dynamics light during the info-dump.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Jessica – A girl with a refined speech style and an intense, obsessive devotion to her sister. She has pink-blonde hair styled into vertical ringlets, green eyes, and short stature. AA chest.
• Rieslett – A half-Japanese, half-Swedish girl with a youthful appearance. Often mistaken for her mother’s sister. A blonde or brunette girl. Currently wearing a black cloak over a white shirt, accented with a red ribbon tie. A navy-blue, knee-length pleated skirt, black knee-highs, and brown leather shoes.
• Ren – Height 169 cm, weight 50 kg. A cool-headed guy with glasses who aimed to be a lawyer. He viewed bullying as a minor issue and stood by while Natsumi was tormented.
• Philneed – Female Homeroom teacher at Greedia Academy of Sorcery. Appears to be the same age as Rieslett despite being over forty.
• Minette – Director of Sorcery Academy Greedia. Early sixties with chestnut hair mixed with white. Gentle aura and impeccable posture.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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