I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 92: Warlock【Modified】

So, did he come today to submit a commission?

Petra speculated inwardly.

Just as she was preparing to accept the commission item and identity badge that Gauss would hand over, Gauss, however, did not retrieve the item for a long time.

?

Her thoughts paused; she didn’t understand what was happening.

Still, she quickly entered work mode, wearing a professional smile.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I came today to inquire about the specific procedure to advance to a Bronze-rank Adventurer,"Gauss stated bluntly.

Actually, Petra had explained this to him once before.

Basically, after completing 10 Normal Commissions, one would gain access to Entry-level Missions. Upon completing 3 Entry-level Missions, one could apply to the Adventurer’s Guild to become a Bronze-rank Adventurer. After the guild verified the mission process, a Bronze-rank badge would be issued.

Though puzzled, Petra assumed Gauss was just preparing in advance and patiently explained the rules again.

"Then where do I pick up Entry-level Missions? I didn’t see any in the hall,"Gauss glanced around the hall. The cork mission board displayed only Normal Commissions aimed at Low-level Adventurers.

"You need to pick those up directly from us receptionists. But… have you completed enough Normal Commissions?"Petra winked at him, her tone slightly hesitant."According to regulations, I need to check your badge and verify your mission history."

Ten Normal Commissions—not too many, not too few.

Considering how recently Gauss had entered the field, it was quite possible he hadn’t met the requirement.

Her instinct turned out to be correct.

Gauss had indeed only completed 8 Normal Commissions originally.

The first was with Hailier’s team; the remaining seven were with Levin’s team.

He didn’t meet the prerequisite.

But back in Wormwood, he had "cheated" by accepting two Medicinal Herb Gathering missions, then purchased the required amount of materials at the herb shop run by Lawrence’s family to complete the submissions.

Just like that, he had quickly spent money to fulfill the remaining two Normal Commissions.

Strictly speaking, this did not violate the Adventurer’s Guild’s regulations. For gathering commissions, one only needed to submit the materials. Whether the materials were personally collected or purchased was irrelevant.

Moreover, for most adventurers, quickly rushing to complete 10 Normal Commissions had no real significance, so this wasn’t seen as exploiting a loophole.

"Mm."

Gauss placed his identity badge on the counter, waiting for Petra to examine it.

Petra took it and operated something under the counter.

Soon she raised an eyebrow.

He had really completed them.

Although the last two gathering missions were finished suspiciously fast, the first eight were genuine combat missions.

According to the guild’s unwritten rule, as long as combat commissions made up more than 60%, it met the basic requirement.

"Although you meet the qualifications to accept Entry-level Missions, I must remind you again: these missions are considered examinations and are solo assignments. Only the examinee is permitted to complete them alone. The mission process will be reviewed afterward."

"You can attempt up to five examination missions. Completing any three of them qualifies you for promotion. However, if all five fail, you will enter a one-year Cooldown Period."

"Are you clear on all this?"

"No problem."

Seeing Gauss still wearing a somewhat confused expression, Petra grew a little anxious.

In her eyes, Gauss was a complete rookie.

He had no idea how difficult advancing an adventurer rank could be. He mistakenly believed that meeting the base requirement of ten Normal Commissions meant he could simply take the test and rise to Bronze-rank Adventurer in one go.

In reality, the ten commissions weren’t significant. Many Low-level Adventurers cautiously completed twenty or even thirty or more commissions. But without enough strength, they still wouldn’t dare take the promotion test.

Entry-level Missions were extremely dangerous for ordinary people. Because they were solo missions, without assistance, even newly promoted Professionals hesitated to attempt them until they became more familiar with their class abilities.

"Gauss, what I mean is, Entry-level Missions can only be completed by adventurers who have already advanced into a Professional Class. Isn’t it a bit too early for you to take one now?"

Petra sighed, skipping the formal procedures, and after hesitating a bit, gently tried to dissuade him.

Low-level Adventurers who took on Entry-level Missions either ended up wasting time by eventually giving up after much hesitation, or courting death. Every year, many new adventurers died due to overconfidence.

In her eyes, Gauss was a promising talent.

As his "Invocation Guide", she didn’t want to see him die in vain.

But Gauss thought differently.

After his battle with the Mantis Hunter, he had gained a decent understanding of his own strength.

Even though he relied on Magical Tools, it still proved that during his apprenticeship, he could fight a Challenge Rating 1 elite monster—though perhaps at a disadvantage.

And after condensing his Class Rank, his strength had increased manyfold.

After thoroughly training various skills in Wormwood over the past few days, he was confident he was now ready for the test.

After all, if most newly promoted Professionals could pass it, there was no reason he couldn’t.

"It’ll be fine. Take me to get the mission."

But seeing Petra still wearing a worried expression, Gauss shook his head.

Petra looked conflicted.

Though she still had doubts about Gauss’s strength, the guild’s regulations were clear: if a fully informed Gauss insisted, she had to take him to select a mission.

"Garcia, cover the counter for me."She called someone from the lounge at the back of the hall to take over,

Then waved at Gauss, motioning for him to follow her.

As they walked toward the Mission Assignment Room,

Her steps felt heavy.

She couldn’t help recalling the other rookie adventurers she had once guided—just like Gauss, confident and convinced they could handle Entry-level Missions. But the reality was, they never came back.

As she thought this, a slight sense of guilt arose in Petra’s heart as she led Gauss along the quiet corridor on one side of the hall, all the way to the end.

On one side of the corridor was a room—very quiet, completely different from the bustling hall outside.

"Follow me in later, but don’t speak recklessly. The person inside is an important figure in our branch,"Petra turned her head and whispered to Gauss, then took a deep breath and knocked on the office door.

"Come in."

A mature woman’s voice came from inside.

Gauss followed Petra in.

Sitting behind the desk was a red-haired woman with delicate and beautiful features. Her jawline was sharp yet soft, and most striking were her amber-orange eyes, within which flames seemed to flicker and burn.

"Little Petra, what brings you here?"

"It’s like this, Lady Shirley. I have an adventurer here who wishes to undergo the promotion assessment to become a Bronze-rank Adventurer. I’d like to retrieve the Tier 1 Entry-level Commission documents for the test,"Petra appeared extremely respectful toward the woman in the office, and her tone grew noticeably formal.

"No need to go through all that trouble. Just go upstairs and get a Mission Crystal,"the red-haired woman put down the book in her hand, paused briefly on Gauss’s face, then said to Petra in puzzlement.

"Mission Crystal? Isn’t that something only Professionals can use?"Petra asked in a low voice.

The red-haired woman merely winked at her.

"But the one you brought is a Professional, isn’t he?"

"Huh?"Petra froze.

She turned to exchange a glance with Gauss beside her.

Gauss spread his hands helplessly.

"Little Petra, you really need to break your habit of judging people by appearances,"the red-haired woman chuckled lightly. After saying so, her gaze returned to Gauss.

"I’m Shirley, a Warlock. And you, newly promoted Professional?"

From this handsome young man, she sensed a familiar yet strange wave—very unusual. That was why she had looked at Gauss a few extra times.

"Gauss, Spellcaster,"Gauss replied cautiously.

"Haha, clever newcomer,"the woman named Shirley let out a hearty laugh."But that’s good. As Professionals, we must always be cautious of strangers."

She naturally understood the cleverness of Gauss’s vague reply.

Spellcaster was merely a general term for those capable of casting spells. It could refer to a Mage, a Warlock, a Wizard, or any of the many sub-classes, even some mysterious professions long forgotten.

She had initially been curious because she felt a unique magical wave from Gauss, so she tried to trick this rookie.

Unexpectedly, Gauss was so cautious and didn’t fall for it.

But she wasn’t upset.

On the contrary, she expressed appreciation for Gauss.

Caution was a virtue for adventurers. How many had perished due to carelessness?

"Then, Lady Shirley, I’ll go retrieve the mission and Record Crystal,"Petra’s gaze lingered between Shirley and Gauss for a moment. She felt the atmosphere was a little odd.

"Go ahead."

After Petra left.

Shirley gestured for Gauss to sit down.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you."

"Are you local? Do you have a mentor?"

"From elsewhere, completely self-taught."

"Then you’ve got decent talent,"Shirley shook her head, noncommittal about Gauss’s response.

After a brief conversation.

Petra soon returned with the Mission Crystal.

Perhaps sensing Gauss’s discomfort, Petra bowed, then led him out of the office.

"Then Lady Shirley, we won’t trouble you further. We’ll go to the lounge next door to handle the paperwork."

"Alright."

Left alone behind the closed office door, Shirley blinked. Was it necessary to be so cautious just because they had a short chat?

Assigned to such a remote little town, she finally encountered a somewhat interesting new Professional, and she had wanted to talk more.

Well, there would be chances in the future.

Shaking her head, she buried herself once more in the book in her hands.