NOVEL WEB Chapter 4 - Volume 1
「You are Axel Grantz-san, correct? 」
On the other side of the door was a young man dressed in a habit.
However, on his back, he was carrying a familiar backpack.
「《Carrier》?」
「I’m Jean, a《Carrier》belonging to the temple of job change.」
It’s the person whose status I was shown during my job change. Speaking with an accent, he took an envelope from his bag and handed it to me.
「That is?」
「Delivery from the shrine maiden. It’s called『Corrected Status Sheet』and since it’s so important it’s being sealed with magic. Granz-san, you should open it yourself.」
「Yeah, thank you.」
Looking at the envelope I realized that it was sealed with a magical talisman.
It even had a warning written on it『Careful, will turn to ashes if anyone other than the person himself were to open it』.
「Then I’ll be going. Ah, and also there was a message from the shrine maiden.『Exceptions that accompanied this status sheet were too numerous, therefore I will formally come with a visit tomorrow bringing apology and explanation.』is what she said.」
「Hm? Oh, Okay.」
「Also, it’s already getting late, and with the outbreak of goblins and orcs in the vicinity of the city going back to the temple through the grasslands right now would be too dangerous, so I’m planning to stay at the inn near the city entrance. So if there are any problems with the package, please notify me at the inn.」
「Got it. Thank you for everything, Jean.」
「No, no, this is also a job of a carrier for the temple. Well then——」
And after finishing with parting words Jean walked away from my house.
…He does a pretty thorough job.
While thinking that as a fellow《Carrier》I should learn from his work attitude I returned indoors—
「Axel-san, that was a person from the temple of job change, right? And he also was saying something about correction, could it be that it’s a notice for another job that you can take——」
Fang jumped on the topic.
「No, that’s not the case. The status table was simply dirty and I could not read it, so they delivered a new one. Or rather, Fang, ain’t you too concerned about me getting the job of《Carrier》?」
「Of course I will be concerned! Rather, it’s impossible not to be. I’ve already said it many times, but, if an ordinary person went for a job change and became a carrier that would be one thing, but for top-tier《Dragon Knight》to become beginner-tier is that much of a big deal!」
Though Fang says so while tightly clenching his fist, but I don’t feel the seriousness of it at all.
Well, I guess it can’t be helped, though I had a top-tier job in the past, I don’t really understand the general sense for a job change.
…Well, putting that aside, for now, let’s check the status.
And so, I removed the sealing talisman attached to the envelope.
Inside was a thing that the same as the skill sheet, despite appearing like a sheet of paper, gave off a feel of metal coldness, taking it out I take a look at the contents.
「Hmm?」
As I tilt my head, Berzelia rose up from the dining table and came to my side.
「Huh, Master, what happened? Have you leveled up again?」
「No, that’s not the thing. …Ability scores appear to be somewhat high.」
「Eh?」
Fang was the first one to react to my words.
「Ah, ehm, Axel-san? Do you mind if I take a look at your status sheet? No, I do understand that it is a breach of etiquette, but.」
「Yeah, I don’t really mind. It’s only my initial status anyway, even if it’s revealed it will change a lot anyway.」
Generally, there is no problem with showing the status to party members, such were my thoughts when I showed the status sheet to Fang. Then—
「Huh?」
Looking at it once Fang rubbed his eyes, and then muttered that after looking at it for the second time. And then—
「Why, why are they so high?!」
And while looking at for the third time exclaimed in astonishment.
「Who knows?」
「Who knows… You say… Those are impossible values for a carrier?! What with all those S. And luck is even EX, and there is『Graduation』, this word I’ve seen for the first time!」
「What’s the matter? What happened with Master’s status?」
From the side of panicking Fang, Berzelia peeks at the status. And—
「Wah, it’s similar to Master’s status when he was a dragon knight. However, the speed was SSS and the luck didn’t reach EX, so there are some small differences, but it’s pretty close.」
「Eh? So it’s almost the same as when he was a dragon knight?! Just what is the meaning of this?!」
「Well, as I said, no idea— And, there is something else in the envelope. This is…?」
As I was dealing with flustering Fang, a letter came out of the envelope.
An explanatory note from the shrine maiden was written there—
「『I relayed revelation from God of New Jobs as it is, but as the exceptions accompanying this case were too numerous, please allow me to pay you a visit tomorrow night. I will report to you the result of bombarding God of New Jobs with questions.』…Is what it says.」
In other words, a more detailed version of the message that I received from the carrier a short while ago.
For the time being, it would be good to have the situation explained by the shrine maiden tomorrow.
「Well, as expected from Master. It’s amazing that your luck reached EX without anyone realizing.」
「Yes, I’ve got quite lucky, this is rather welcome. Starting tomorrow we will be able to move more freely.」
It’s tough to come up with what I should ask the shrine maiden tomorrow, but having high ability scores really helps. Excited for what is happening, smiling together with Berzelia we return to the dining table where food was awaiting us.
●
After seeing that status sheet, Fang was shocked to see Axel trying to return to the dining table as if nothing has happened.
…No, got lucky you say, that’s not the problem here…
Yes. Good luck, high status, there was something more important than that. That is…
「P-please, wait a moment, Axel-san. …Since the status just came, it means that you were just leveling up as normal without knowing about your ability scores?」
「Yes, is there a problem?」
He just answers casually.
Which means that after getting a beginner-tier job he had no proof that he will be able to get strong.
On the contrary, he had nothing but guarantees that he won’t be able to get stronger.
…And without receiving any shock you just kept leveling up, Axel-san…?
What a person, Fang thought.
Probably, even with low ability scores, this person would have continued to raise his level.
Even after being told to start over after having all of his power stripped away.
Losing it and yet sparing no time on despair, he moves forward.
…Would I be able to do the same if I were in his position?
I never got conceited from being a hero. I have memories of training a great deal chasing after Axel.
But if I were to lose all of it, would I be able to cope this well? When I thought so—
「Haha.」
My lips naturally shifted into a smile.
Even I myself do understand that I’m showing a silly smile.
「Hm? Fang, is there anything funny?」
「No, I’m sorry. I just thought that you are still the person that never stands still… And… Yes, Axel-san. I realized once again that you are the person who I respect…!」
「? I don’t understand which part of me deserves respect, but for now, I guess I can take it as a compliment?」
「Yes! Of course! I admire you. I will give it my all and will keep chasing after you!」
「I-I see. Well, don’t overdo it….For now, there is the liquor that you brought and my cooking is also about to get cold, so let’s stop with a talk and start eating already. 」
「Yes, Axel-san, I shall partake of your hospitality.」
「Yaay, finally we can get to the food. Itadakimasu!」
And so, Fang sat at the table together with Axel, whom The hero of the holy sword admired so much, and the happy Berzelia.
…Is that the so called fortitude? Axel-san is so cool. I too… I too want to become like that. 1
With that in mind, Fang was staring at Axel on his first day after the job change with eyes of yearning and aspiration.
●
Having finished dinner, I took a break while drinking after meal tea.
And while I was trying to come up with a plan on what to do tomorrow—
「Axel-san. May we discuss a certain topic?」
Fang, who was also drinking tea, uttered such words.
That was a very polite and serious tone.
「A certain topic… Is it about another reason while you came to the city?」
And when I replied so, Fang showed a bit of a surprised look and then calmly continued.
「…So you were aware of it?」
「Didn’t you wear a hood when we first met? And you also have it equipped now, since it is intended for privacy protection, I thought that you might be doing something secretly.」
「Haha… I can’t keep secrets from Axel-san.」
With a wry smile, Fang shakes his head. It was a wild guess based on a lot of assumptions but it seems that he really had reasons.
「Well, I can at least hear you out. What happened?」
「Yes. Actually, I came today not only for celebration but also for advice on the further course of actions. Regardless of a job change, Axel-san is a reliable person. …And If I were to say even more, in a sense it might be perfect timing, since you are now《Carrier》with such high abilities.」
Saying that Fang turned very formal, straightened his back and looked right into my eyes. And then—
「What I want to discuss is none other than a request to《Carrier》Axel-san for transportation of the fourth princess of our country——《Princess》. Time is tonight. I request as a general and a hero, will you accept it?」
He said in a polite tone.
It seems that my first job as《Carrier》unexpectedly came from the hero who also was an old friend of mine.