Is There a Quest That Can Capture You?

Chapter 2: Rookie Loner Witch

The duty of the adventurers is to periodically exterminate monsters, conquer dungeons, hunt down the appearing ferocious monsters and etc.

They mainly deal with monsters that the order of magic knights managed by the kingdom can’t handle just by themselves.

The quest I accepted was the subjugation of the D-rank monster, Red Lizard, seen in the nearby village.

I’m the natural enemy of the creatures that spit out fireballs created inside their bodies, because I specialize in water and wind magic.

Since its rank was also lower than mine, I quickly returned to the guild to report the completion of the quest after hunting it down easily.

 “Miss Alisa, your knight has returned.”

“Knight…? Don’t you mean a pervert?”

“Haha~ it’s nice to be called a pervert by Miss Alisa. It might be opening up a new door for me.”

“Is that so? Then, in order to keep calling you that name, I will change your registered name from Reiji Bulgunk to the Pervert.”

“This is the part of Red Lizard as an evidence! Please confirm it!”

“Yes, I have received it. Well then, please take this check and wait for a bit.”

Overwhelmed by her cold smile, my shoulders deflate and I leave the place.

If she says that she’ll do it, Miss Alisa will definitely keep her word.

I hung around her the whole time even when she was working on rebuilding my village.

I’ve been involved with her everyday after becoming an adventurer and I can understand her a little bit.

 “Phew… guess I’ll look for another shop to invite her to.”

I wanted to invite her to a dinner like last time, but she seems to hate persistent men so I’ll restrain myself.

It wouldn’t be funny if she really started to hate me.

She already hates me, you say?

Like I’ve said many times… it’s, y’know, her cold phase now. Someday I’ll see her lovey-dovey side too. Someday…yeah.
As I’m trying to convince myself, I’m stopped by a cute voice unsuited for the guild.

“U-umm! Excuse me!”

As I turn back, I see a witch girl wearing a white hat.

She’s holding a staff, so there’s no doubt about it.

Her pure white robe is impeccably clean, so she’s probably a fresh fledging.

“Do you need me for something?”

 “Y-yes! Are you Mister Reiji?!”

 “If Reiji Bulgunk is who you’re looking for, that would indeed be me.”

After I officially introduce myself, the girl’s face lights up with joy.

And, after bowing deeply enough to drop her hat, she hands me a piece of paper.

 “I admire you! Please form a party with me!”

“Wha-“

 ‘Huuuuuuuuh?!’

… Looks like I’ll have to have a word with the guild staff who seems more surprised than me.

But still, a party?

She said that she admired me. In other words, she should have some prior knowledge about me,

Since she still invited me, it means that she sees value in teaming up with me even after considering all that.

It’s a standard practice for rookies to team with senior adventurers, but… I should wait and see first.

“Got it. But before that, let’s discuss things with the receptionists in charge of me and you. Who’s in charge of you?”

“A-ah, umm, it’s the pretty elf lady!”

 “You have a great sensibility. Let’s team up.”

“Pie-“

“Why are you leading the conversation on your own?”

“Ngff?!”

Miss Alisa’s chop clashes into my forehead. Her strength hasn’t weakened even after retiring.

The pain running through my whole body… this is the whip of love… !

“Leaving Mister pervert aside… Miss Fina, I’m sure I told you to wait for a bit.”

“I-I’m sorry. When I saw him in the person, my body moved on its own…”

“… It can’t be helped. Well then, please follow me, both of you.”

The girl and I look at each other, intoxicated by Miss Alisa’s love.

We follow Miss Alisa and are led to the private consultation room on the guild’s second floor.

I’m facing the girl across the table.

… For some reason, Miss Alisa is sitting on the other side.

 “In conclusion, I wouldn’t recommend teaming up with Mister Reiji.”

Fueh?! Why?!”

“Yeah, yeah! Even I can train newcomers!”

“Shut up.”

“Yes. I will be quiet.”

I’m a yes-man to Miss Alisa only.

If she says that goblins are white, then they are white.

Seeing me like that, Miss Alisa clearly lets out a sigh and speaks as if admonishing the girl.

“Do you know that he’s being called the ‘Mad Magic Swordsman’? He’s a dangerous party member for a newcomer like Miss Fina.”

“I-I know! I’m Mister Reiji’s fan!”

“Huh?”

Miss Alisa frowns.

I’m saddened by her reaction, but the girl named Fina continues.

“I’ve always admired Mister Reiji because he has always worked alone ever since his debut!”

“…”

“I’ve heard that normally it takes many years to reach C-rank! But Mister Reiji reached it in a year and I thought that it was amazing!”

… That makes me happy.

I feel an unintentional thrill in my heart, that there are people watching me.

 “That’s why, I thought that it could only be Mister Reiji!”

Her passionate speech loosens my tear ducts.

Huh…? Was I always this prone to crying?

“In order for me, who was a loner in Magic Academy, to become stronger, I have no choice but to study under Mister Reiji, who’s also a pro at being a loner!”

 “That’s it. I’m not forming a party with you anymore.”

“Ehhh?!”

The way she’s wholeheartedly confused is pissing me off.

Give me back my emotions, my tears.

I’d never imagined that she admired me in that way.

She tries to make excuses to somehow mend the situation, but Miss Alisa stops her with her hand.

The worried staff member continues persuading her without giving up.

 “Putting Miss Fina’s circumstances aside, his magic is a bit peculiar. You may end up not gaining anything.”

“I’m aware of that! Besides, I still have a lot to learn from him, like how to be prepared when you’re alone and lonely!”

Sadly, Fina’s determination is firm.

I’m also not happy at all.

 “… He is a pervert. I cannot let him pair up with someone as pure as you.”

“In that case, you can rest assured. I’m only interested in Miss Alisa.”

I only see Miss Alisa.

It’s been more than 10 years since I was enchanted by her on that day. Those are the unchanged feelings that have been refined and accumulated ever since then. I can assure you that this will never change.

Anyway, I love Miss Alisa.

I just wanted to relay that, but I ended up unintentionally interrupting.

I wait for more harsh words to fly at me, but no sharp response comes.

I timidly check on Miss Alisa and see her with widened eyes.

“… You are really…”

“Miss Alisa?”

“It’s nothing. … I understand. If you are going that far, I will not make it a problem.”

“Then,,,!”

“Yes. As the Guild employee and the person in charge of you two, I approve this party.”

“Yay!”

Fina lifts her hand, expressing her happiness with her whole body.

Seeing her like that, Miss Alisa sends her a gentle look.

If Miss Alisa has already decided, I won’t oppose this late in the stage.

“I will finish the paperwork, so you two can do the rest. Please talk to me again before leaving.”

“Thank you very much, Miss Alisa!”

Saying so, Miss Alisa hurriedly leaves the room.

After Fina, who’s immersed in afterglow, thanks Miss Alisa, she turns back towards me.

She adjusts her hat and places guild card on the table.

“Fina Lilino! 15 years old, I’m a witch! I’m just a novice, but I’m looking forward to working with you, master!”

Unexpectedly, I’ve gained my first party member, or rather, an apprentice.

——-
Notes:
見てる人は見てくれている – this is a weird sentence to make sense of, but he’s basically saying that he’s happy somebody’s watching him.

I’m not 100% sold on this novel so it’ll be in teaser category for a few more chapters.