The test the king told me to do

 
 Jay presented a condition. To make iron in the magic reverberatory furnace. He also wants me to get the iron ore for that by myself.
 
 ”Well, can you do it?” (Jay)
 ”Got it. I’m a magic architect, after all. An architect can’t be without metals. That’s something I’m confident you’ll judge as good.” (Wirk)
 ”Humph.” (Jay)
 
 Jay snorted at me. He looks at me like I’m cheeky.
 
 ”So, it’s fine if I just look for iron ore in the mountains around here?” (Wirk)
 ”No way. We can’t just let humans do as they please in the mines around here.” (Jay)
 
 I asked that just to make sure, but to my surprise, Jay didn’t approve of mining in these mountains. Oi oi, you mean I need to find iron ore from scratch?
 
 Of course I can’t do that. Or rather, the investigation is already over to some extent. What I found out is that the mines are concentrated in this area, which is under the dwarves’ jurisdiction.
 That’s why it’s rather harsh to tell me I can’t mine within the dwarves’ jurisdiction. But Jay knows that well, doesn’t he?
 He’s a dwarf who’s been striking iron ever since he moved to the island. He’d know a lot about the mines on this island.
 
 ”Papa! That’s not fair! This coward! You said you were going to test the performance of the magic reverberatory furnace, but you won’t let us enter the mine!” (Eph)
 ”Go-!”
 ”Kyupi~!”
 ”Uni-!”
 ”””””Mogu-! Mogu~!”””””
 ”Umu! It is as Eph says-noja! This is dishonest-noja!” (Bamboo Princess)
 ”Koo~!”
 
 Everyone let forth a torrent of criticism.
 
 ”Oi, is boss serious about that condition?”
 ”I don’t feel like helping a human.” (Jay)
 ”You said you were going to test them, but you won’t let them prepare materials…”
 
 It seems my friends aren’t the only ones questioning this. It’s probably not praiseworthy even from the dwarves’ point of view.
 However, Jay is looking at me with a serious face. It somehow seems that this isn’t the end of the story.
 
 ”Hmph. Who said we won’t let them prepare anything? What I’m saying is that I don’t want a human wandering around our mines damaging stuff. That’s why you’re only allowed to search the mines I’ve allowed.” (Jay)
 ”I see. So that’s how it is. Then I understand what you’re saying. So, where exactly should I go mine?” (Wirk)
 ”… I’ll only allow you to go west of here, to the fourth mine. I’ll let you mine there.” (Jay)
 ”Eh? Is boss serious?”
 ”No way, don’t tell me he’s sending them there…”
 ”But over there is…”
 
 The dwarves started murmuring when they heard Jay speak. But Jay silenced them with a glare.
 
 ”Wait, that mine’s supposed to be closed. So you won’t get any ore there!” (Eph)
 
 Eph objected. Closed?
 
 ”You’re wrong. The mine’s closed, but there’s still iron ore. And if your skill is the real deal, you should see various things. Of course, if you don’t like it, we won’t force you, but then we won’t give you another chance.” (Jay)
 ”That’s seriously one-sided!” (Eph)
 
 Eph raised her eyebrows and snapped at Jay. The conditions were laid out without any room for negotiation.
 It’s one-sided, certainly, but—
 
 ”He told me just now that he’s always willing to take on a challenge. If he gives up at this point despite that, then he’s just a man of that level. You expect me to trust a man that can’t even stop his mouth running?” (Jay)
 
 Yeah, that’s where he got me after all. I thought that might be the case. It’s true that I told him I’m always ready for a challenge. I can’t bend on that.
 
 ”Humph! Wirk. You’re not going to back down after he said all that, are you?” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Seething, the Bamboo Princess said that while sending a testing glance my way. The Bamboo Princess was quiet up till now. [TL: No, she spoke at the beginning of the chapter…]
 
 ”Of course I’ll accept. I’ll find some first-class iron ore in that mine, and I’ll make such iron with the magic reverberatory furnace that you’ll be surprised.” (Wirk)
 ”Umu! That’s the spirit-noja!” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 The Bamboo Princess cheered.
 
 ”Wirk… right, I got it! Then I’ll help too!” (Eph)
 ”That’s no good. You stay behind.” (Jay)
 ”Eh? Wh-, why!” (Eph)
 ”This is a test for the human Wirk. The only one that’ll be allowed in the mine is Wirk. You alone.” (Jay)
 ”Mogu-!?”
 ”Mogu mogu~!”
 ”Mogyu!”
 ”Mogu mogu!”
 ”Mo~gu~!”
 ”Go-!”
 ”Koo~!”
 ”Kyupi~!”
 ”Umu. I don’t accept that-noja!” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Apparently, he won’t approve unless I go alone. Everyone began protesting to that, but I’ve made up my mind.
 
 ”Got it. I’ll go alone. So you guys just wait for me.” (Wirk)
 ”Eh? You serious, Wirk?” (Eph)
 ”Yeah. This is like a clash of prides between a man and a dwarf. I won’t pull out after all he’s said.” (Wirk)
 ”””””Mogu~… Mogugu~”””””
 ”Go-!”
 ”Kyupi~…”
 ”Uni~…”
 ”Koo~!”
 ”Wirk, will you be alright?” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Everyone looked at me worriedly. However, I’ve got my intuition and experience which I’ve cultivated over a long time as a magic architect.
 
 ”I’ll be fine. Have faith in me. Now then, let me head out right away…” (Wirk)

 [TL: There was something that caught my eye that might’ve been foreshadowing, but I’m not sure. It was formatted rather strangely. I’ll check again later, and if I change anything, I’ll let you know in the comments below and the beginning of the next chapter.]