Chapter 12 : Gannet the Magician

「… You want to buy an item?」

The receptionist asked me with a questioning look.

「Y-Yes. I’m about to run out of stock so I’m looking around for the items I need…」

I replied with a flustered voice.

Seeing my situation, Philia grasped my hand as if to cheer me up.

「Can you tell me the name of the magician you have an appointment with?」

「Eh, that’s…」

「… Uhm, you see. An outsider must be acquainted with one of our magician to be able to enter.」

The receptionist spoke like a mother scolding her naughty child, or rather, she was blatantly looking down on me.

I glared at Kevin.

「Moreover, are you going to bring that little girl into 《Mithril’s Cane》? We don’t have any regulations regarding bringing children but… in normal situations, you wouldn’t bring such a little girl in this kind of place. Please don’t do this again.」

The receptionist told me so while looking at Philia.

Philia’s shoulder twitched upon receiving such a gaze. She grabbed my robe and hid herself behind me, trying to make herself as small as possible.

「… Please wait outside, Philia.」

… Or rather, we really shouldn’t enter this place at all.

From the receptionist’s explanation, my guess about not being able to enter this place without any acquaintance on the inside was right.

Seeing that things had already come to this, I guess we have to leave this place after embarrassing ourselves like this and part ways with Kevin.

「In the first place, do you have the pass to enter this place? First, you have to apply for a pass, and then the committee will do a background check on you before approving your application for a pass.」

「Even if you pass the selection, can it be used in this place?」

Depending on the details of the investigation, I might be able to get a pass to enter 《Mithril’s Cane》.

One week is long but… it’s not like we’re in a hurry either.

「You see. Normally, you need a referral to apply for the pass… and must be a certified B-rank adventurer at minimum. Even after fulfilling those requirements, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the pass.」

Must be a B-rank adventurer or above, huh…

Both Pomera and I were still C-rank adventurers.

We need another rank up but… adventurer’s rank was all about achievement, not just strength.

Rather, the B-rank requirement was already quite harsh.

Maybe… we need to rack up a few years worth of achievements to reach that rank.

In addition, B-rank adventurer was the minimum requirement.

「What’s the matter? She didn’t let you pass? I thought you might be some sort of famous magician since you said that you wanted to enter 《Mithril’s Cane》, the most prestigious research division of this city but still… 」

Right at this moment, Kevin came and scolded me.

… I see, so he wanted to make fun of me huh.

This bastard, so that’s the reason why he willingly guided us to this place.

But then, I quickly grabbed Philia’s hand the moment I saw her raise her arm toward Kevin. Better safe than sorry.

Philia’s attack might accidentally demolish this building. In the first place, there’s no need to retaliate against a good-for-nothing like him. It’d just be a waste of time.

「… My apologies, we’re ignorant in the ways of the world. My deepest apologies for wasting your precious time.」

I bowed my head to the receptionist, apologizing to her.

「Oioi, I’ve already guided you so far, there’s no way thi– haah.」

Kevin seems to be enjoying this situation.

Philia raised her arm again but I quickly held her back.

「Well, this is why you’re a fake magician from hicks. I want you to at least bow your head like what you did to that receptionist but…」

At that moment, the entrance opened.

A brawny man in a robe entered the building.

He was around fifty years old.

Though his face has some deep wrinkles here and there due to his age, his eyes were filled with the vigour of a young man.

His white beard was sitting stiff right below his tall nose.

The decorations related to magic on his arms and head were really prominent.

Upon seeing that person, the receptionist twitched and straightened her back immediately.

「Welcome… Gannet-sama. May I ask for your business today?」

「Yes, a really troublesome business on top of that. There’s another matter I need to confirm. And that’s to be handled by my subordinates.」

It seems Gannet was one of the big shots of 《Mithril’s Cane》. He did have the aura and dignity befitting of those standing on the top.

Kevin, Pomera and I automatically opened a path for him to pass.

Philia was the only one standing still in place with a curious look on her face.

「Your beard, stiff.」

I quickly seized Philia’s shoulder and lifted her to the side.

「Worry not, it’s only because I’m not paying attention to it. I guess I’ve already accomplished my goal by coming to this place. I almost had a heart attack when I heard that you’re coming to 《Mithril’s Cane》 but, I guess I came at the right timing.」

Gannet walked quickly to our group.

He then turned his body after arriving in front of me, facing toward… Pomera.

Seeing that Pomera stepped back a little to the side while bowing to Gannet, only to see the latter standing still in front of her.

「U-Uhm… d-do you have a business with Pomera?」

After looking at Pomera, Gannet gave a brief nod.

「I heard about you from my subordinate who returned from Aarburgh, Saint Pomera-dono. The story about your bravery in protecting the entire city from the evil barrier of 《JinMaRyuu》 has spread to this city, I’m honoured to receive the visit of someone befitting of becoming a S-rank adventurer to this city.」

Gannet spoke to Pomera.

The receptionist and Kevin’s jaws opened so wide as if they were about to fall on the floor, looking at Pomera with disbelieving looks on their face.

Pomera was looking at me, the culprit behind her fame, asking for me to send a lifeboat for her.