"Are you really fine with that?"
Mary asked for the umpteenth time. Ever since we left the merchant's guild, she had been asking the same question over and over.
"I told you that it's fine right?"
"But…"
She really didn't look convinced no matter how I told her.
"In the first place, I can't just leave you all alone without even repaying your kindness. There's no way that I would accept such an offer."
There. I now put it in a very sublime way. How about that?
"If we're the only thing holding you back, you can just go you know? We don't mind having lent you our help in the first place…"
… It still didn't work.
"Why are you pushing me to work under that pig? Do you hate me that much that you want to get rid of me as soon as possible?"
I said in a sulking tone of voice. Mary seem to be disturbed after hearing my words.
"T-There's no such thing! In fact, I–!!"
"You… What?"
"… N… Nothing…"
She said while blushing wildly up to her ears. Woah, it's been a long time since she got embarrassed to this degree. What was that she was trying to say?
"In the first place, why are you forcing me to become a magic engineer? Is it really that great of a job?"
Seeing that it will take some time for Mary to recover, I asked Blaire. She just shrugged her shoulders.
"You can say that being a magic engineer is the dream of anyone walking the path of a magic artificer. The me from before probably had the same dream."
"And now it has changed?"
"Y-Yeah…"
And now… Blaire too blushed up to her ears. Did I ask something that can make her feel embarrassed?
"Well, I basically get what a magic engineer is. Correct me if I'm wrong though."
I murmured alone as it looks like the two of them won't be answering for a while.
"First, a magic engineer uses the applications of the magic circles under the two systems."
"Second, a magic engineer produces a new type of magic by mixing the two prominent systems, creating a brand new system of magic."
"Last, possibly, the magic engineer applies concepts of science– I mean the concept of the laws of the world and the universe in creating magic circles. Enabling them to make magic that can captivate the competitive heart of scholars around the world."
"The last one was half-correct but half-wrong too."
Blaire was the first one to recover and replied to me.
"Yes, they get attention. However, what draws other people wasn't how complicated the magic circles they made. What draws them is the ability of the said magic to eliminate ranks of demons in a single strike."
If I recall the output of the prototype gauntlet that I made, it only fell inferior to the chanted spells. And based on Mary's words, normal fireball was enough to kill a demon in one hit. You can imagine the comparison.
"… Who was the last Magic Engineer?"
"Honestly, I don't know. However, if you're asking for the last successful magic engineer, that would be Salfias. He was the magic engineer that invented the paper manufacturing method that made paper available to the public. At the same time, he also made a sword that can slay thousands of demons without even getting chipped or scratched. He was the last magic engineer in history that managed to create a masterpiece."
"Paper manufacturing method… So about 300 years ago? There's no successful Magic Engineer after him?"
"None…"
She bitterly answered. Then, her eyes rose and met with mine. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Actually, there is one…"
"Who?!"
"I'm looking at him now."
"..."
SO it was that scarce. I thought it was a normal job but rather, it looks more like an advanced job after ranking up several times. That is if I compare it using game terms.
"Still, I'm a man who hates working under some unreasonable guy. If I really have the skills to be a magic engineer then I'll use that talent for myself and those around me."
I said indignantly. The three of them stared at me with amazement on their faces. Was it really that hard to believe?
"… Looks like we've arrived."
Our carriage stopped and we all came down. What greeted us was a building not inferior to the Merchant's Guild. They have almost the same design.
Many individuals are coming and going inside the building. Most of them had strong looking weapons hanging on their waist or back.
"… So this is the Adventurer's guild…"
The Adventurer's Guild. A guild that offers countless jobs for any individual that wishes to take a look. After asking Mary about where to get a job, she immediately recommended this place.
Despite its name, the adventurer's guild offers various jobs such as alchemist, herb gatherer, border protector, monster subjugator up to acting as caravan guards. All common jobs that you can think of was being offered there.
I quickly entered inside. A large hall with lots of tables and chairs, full to the brim with people. I almost felt that I went inside a bar on a weekend as the scent of alcohol was drifting around despite it only being slightly past noon.
I ignored the activities around and headed towards the counter where a beautiful woman of around 30 years of age was standing. If she was a bit taller, she may have entered my strike zone.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a job…"
"May I ask what sort of job are you preferring?"
The woman answered with a smile.
"I don't have any particular interests so just give me a list of available jobs."
"… If that is so, then I recommend this…"
She said while pointing at an orb floating on one corner of the counter.
"This is a Job Assignment Orb. Based on the abilities of the person touching it, it will assign a perfect job for him. What do you think?"
What an interesting device. Is it similar to the orb I found on the girls' house?
"Then that one please."
"Okay. Then please place your right hand above the orb."
As instructed, I placed my hand atop the orb. I was surprised when I felt the cold orb. I thought it would be a little bit warmer.
The orb, previously black, now released a bright yellow light. I squinted my eyes a little so as to protect my eyes from it. I can feel mana being drained from me. Then, after about 10 seconds, the light faded.
"Congratulations. The process is done. You may now remove your hands from the orb."
Is that it? I thought it would be a bit grander.
"The result will be appearing soon so please wait patiently."
As she said that, I noticed that a small yellow light had remained on the middle of the orb. It seems like it's still active. After waiting for about 2 minutes, the orb released a flash.
I reflexively closed my eyes. When I opened it once again, a string of letters appeared above the sphere, rotating on an axis vertical to the sphere's center.
"… What's that?"
The letters used are a bit different from what I know. I can't read it. Ignoring my dilemma, the woman on the counter took a small bundle of papers and started scanning it.
Her finger suddenly stopped and she almost fell on her back. She repeatedly checked the words on the orb, the words on the paper and my face. After repeating that for numerous times, she finally spoke.
"U-Umm… T-The job that was given… Was… D-Demon Hunter…"
Why is she stuttering? Don't tell me that a demon hunter is another rare job?! Don't mess with me! Fate!
"Demon hunter…"
I murmured loud enough for her to hear. I am currently watching her reactions to determine the significance of the job.
"I-If you would like, I can just assign another job for you! T-There's no need to force yourself…"
Hmmm… Based on her reaction, this job wasn't that rare. However, as she looks like she was about to cry, maybe this job has low acceptance rate? Like, nobody want to accept it? Well, no matter what, since the orb determined that this job is the best for me, I'll just stay with it.
"No, it's fine. Thanks for the help."
"A-Are you sure?!"
Woah! That surprised me.
"Y-Yeah. So, the requests for my job is posted on the information board right?"
I asked for confirmation.
"..."
The woman stared at me like looking at a rare creature. Then, with caution in her tone, she slowly spoke.
"There's no requests for Demon Hunters… Demon Hunters earn their keep by hunting high ranking demons…"
… High ranking demons? What the hell? Were the ones that attacked the border last time low ranking ones?
Looks like I ended up with a troublesome job…