LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 5: Beginning of the Tutorial 05
Han Se-ah gazed curiously at the automatically opening wooden doors.
As her semi-transparent drone busily flew around, capturing footage of the entrance and the lobby filled with various magical tools, I headed straight for the counter.
The lobby resembled the first floor of the Adventurer's Guild, despite being inside the magical tower.
There was a counter, a beautiful receptionist, and people sitting at tables who had come to work in the tower.
The only differences were the lack of cluttered papers on the request board and the quietness of the people seated at the tables.
"What brings you here?"
The receptionist at the counter was a beautiful blonde woman.
Whether adventurers and mages had a preference for blondes or the game company reused NPC models, I wasn't sure.
"We're here to learn about her potential as a mage."
"Is she person in question?"
"Yes. Please proceed with the registration."
The receptionist recognized my face and immediately looked at Han Se-ah.
Having been here many times due to requests, it was quite convenient.
As I quickly handed over a gold coin, she began to write something down.
Han Se-ah, having seen the gold coin and paperwork through the camera, hurried over.
"Uhm... is the test not free?"
"No, we need to cover the cost of the potion for the aptitude test and pay the mage who will assist with the test."
While the receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild, Ellis, was a gentle beauty, this one had a sharp gaze and an imposing aura.
She tersely answered the question and then tapped a trumpet-like device on the counter, muttering softly.
"One customer requires an aptitude test."
At the Adventurer's Guild, there were problems with country bumpkins misreading old parchments, but here at the magical tower, they used magical items that resembled microphones and speakers.
What a considerable gap.
Even Hanna noticed this difference and marveled at the magical tools behind the counter, despite the receptionist's cold demeanor.
"Please head up to the second floor using the stairs over there."
The receptionist spoke to Han Se-ah and pointed to the stairs behind the counter with a gentle hand gesture.
Han Se-ah, either feeling like she was being ushered away or driven by her desire to become a mage, nodded her head and hurried towards the stairs.
"Excuse me, Roland?"
"Yes?"
"Um, about the test fee..."
Han Se-ah, who had been leading the way up the stairs, slowed down and spoke to me.
Although the amount was a trifle to a high-level adventurer like myself, it was an unreachable fortune for a novice adventurer.
Even if she didn't know much about the game, a large gold coin would still seem expensive.
"Don't worry about paying me back."
"Can I really do that? Won't it be a bother...?"
Her expression darkened after starting the game only 30 minutes ago and feeling burdened by the debt.
I slightly smiled in the direction of the drone filming her and answered.
"There's no loss here. If Hanna has the qualities of a wizard, then the cost is recruiting talent. If she doesn't, she can become a senior adventurer like me and help out beginners later on."
"Thank you."
As I accepted her gratitude and ascended the stairs, the sight that greeted me was a tidy corridor with elegant wooden doors.
One door was open, and it was easy to figure out where to go.
When I entered the open door, I found a very simple room.
In the center of the completely empty room, there was only one desk and two chairs.
A mage with glasses sat behind the desk, a silver tray placed before him.
"Please go in. I'll wait outside."
"Alright!"
As there was only one chair in front of the desk, I stepped aside at the doorway, allowing Han Se-ah to enter the room.
She clenched her fists tightly, seemingly nervous about whether she could become a mage or not, before disappearing into the room.
The semi-transparent drone captured her determined pose with clenched fists, displaying her professional streaming skills, even if her gaming expertise was yet to be seen.
A caring senior encouraging a passionate newcomerwouldn't viewers find this a comforting sight regardless of their preferences?
Only someone who despises everything would attack kind and hardworking people.
'It would be great if she could become a mage.'
A front-line heavily armored knight, a rear mage. Considering the balance, an archer for exploration and a priest for healing should be added to the party.
It's also possible to increase the number of mages to boost firepower.
Alternatively, I can rely on my experience and provide support only when it's dangerous.
Countless combinations are possible, assuming that I join in the party.
"Woah, kyaaa!"
As I was planning out various combinations in my head, I suddenly heard a loud scream from behind me.
I knew nothing could possibly be happening inside the mage tower, but I couldn't help but be startled.
How could I not be alarmed when the clue to escaping this otherworld after ten years lets out such a scream?
Of course, nothing dangerous had actually happened.
In front of me, a mage with a cold, emotionless gaze was staring at Han Se-ah, who had raised her arms triumphantly before noticing me and becoming embarrassed.
"...What's going on?"
"Congratulations, Miss Hanna. It turns out you have exceptional potential as a mage."
"Ah, I see. Thank you."
"Yes, with this, the examination is complete. If you ever wish to walk the path of a mage instead of being an adventurer, please visit the mage tower anytime."
"Um, I'm sorry...?"
Han Se-ah finally understood the situation and apologized to the mage, who had maintained a business-like demeanor despite her dolphin-like scream.
"It's alright. I've dealt with so many tantrums from people who couldn't accept that they didn't have the aptitude to become mages. Your scream of joy is quite cute, actually."
She seemed to realize that she had become a nuisance like a disgruntled Karen in a grocery store, her cheeks flushed red.
Judging by her eyes darting to the side and her lips fidgeting, she seemed to be getting an earful from her viewers.
The notoriously grumpy tower mage only gave her a single glare, which seemed to be the end of it.
Perhaps it was all thanks to Han Se-ah's appearance.
Leaving behind the disappointed mage, a blushing Han Se-ah hurried down the stairs and even dashed out of the tower's branch office.
***
Raei Translations
***
"There are two paths for those with the potential to be a mage."
"Two?"
After catching up to her and matching my pace with hers, I began to kindly explain to her still-flushed face, making sure we were both caught by the camera drone.
"The first one is to enter the tower, as the tower mage mentioned. In that case, you'll undergo a more detailed examination to accurately determine your potential and join a mage suited to your aptitude as their apprentice. It's similar to the relationship between a knight's squire or a blacksmith's apprentice."
"Then the second one must be becoming an adventurer?"
"Correct. The other way is to become an adventurer. You'll hone your skills in the Tower of the Sky, not a laboratory, and purchase magical knowledge you don't know with the money earned from adventuring. The tower's stance is that it's good if you join them, and if you don't, they'll still gain a valuable customer."
People with exceptional mage potential inevitably become VIP customers due to their rapid growth, even if they don't join.
On the other hand, those with less potential will either become mere office slaves in the Mage Tower or adventurers with little purchasing power.
The reason the tower lets people with potential go so easily is for monetary gain.
The tower's approach seems more about pursuing profit to the bone rather than the pursuit of knowledge.
"So, Hanna, what will you do?"
"Me? Oh, of course, I'll be an adventurer. That's why I came to this city!"
She fanned her flushed cheeks and looked at me with a small smile.
It was a pointless question if I knew she was a streamer.
As she smiled at my obvious question, she spoke again.
"How about you let go of the formal speech? Since you're my senior!"
She held out her hand.
"Alright, I got it."
Was this an invitation for a handshake?
As our hands clasped, a message window appeared before me.
[Form a party with streamer 'Han Se-ah' 1/1 CLEAR]
[Reward: Access to Han Se-ah's forum]
Forum access... What is this?
***
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