"It just so happens that our Bellhaven Merchant's Guild has its own Assistant Association branch. Please take a look at the list of available assistants." Sini said as she was suddenly holding a thick book in her hands.
'Hey, aren't you a little bit too prepared for someone who suddenly remembered something?'
"If any assistant catches your eye or you have any particular preferences, do not hesitate to inform me right away. The Assistant Association will be more than happy to arrange any of the necessary accommodations. Of course, that is so long as the requests you make are within reason." Sini stated as she placed the book on the counter in front of Linkin.
Thud!
'It's thick... You'd think in a world of magic; they'd at least have an easier way of sorting through information like this.'
Linkin opened the book and started to skim through its contents.
'There must be hundreds of people in this book. But, based on the way Miss Sini spoke, this shouldn't be all the members of the Assistant Association. Does it only account for those who are locally available?'
"Like merchants, assistants of the Assistant Association are also separated into different categories known as grades. The lowest grade assistants are Grade 10 and the highest are Grade 1. This is based on one's experience and talents as an assistant. Grade 10 Assistants are usually those just starting out and have little to no experience as an assistant. As for Grade 1 Assistants—they hold a great deal of experience and skills. They can even perform advanced arithmetic." Sini explained.
She then continued, "Since you are a Class 5 Merchant, under normal circumstances, I would suggest that you look into hiring a Grade 5 Assistant who would be able to walk you through some of the more basic and complex issues of being a merchant. But, seeing as how you are short on funds, I recommend signing a contract with a Grade 10 assistant. Please, rest assured. The Assistant Association has quite strict requirements. So, even Grade 10 assistants must know not only how to read and write but they must also pass a written exam to be accepted. Ah, just so you know, I am a Grade 5 Assistant. This is the minimum requirement if one wishes to be employed by the Bellhaven Merchant's Guild."
As Linkin listened to Sini, he continued to go through the book of assistants.
Each page listed the assistant's grade, age, race, gender, skills, and yearly salary ask. There was also a headshot photo of the assistant located near the top of the page.
'Grade 8 Assistant Nila, Age 20, Human Female. Skills are basic reading and writing as well as beginner-level arithmetic. Yearly salary requested is 1.8 tousai... If we're going by a typical earth calendar, that's 1.5 reisai a month. I can see why they offer one-month contract options and a discount to newly formed Merchant Groups. If not, with these kinds of prices, most newly formed Merchant Groups wouldn't be able to afford it.'
Linkin continued to casually skim through the book of assistants and came across several potential prospects; however, there was still no one that managed to catch his eye.
'Oh? This one is from the same race as Lal'Kita. Grade 5 Assistant Rel'Zeta, Age 24, Kasgata Female... Kasgata? I see. So that's the name of that cat-like race. Ha... I suppose I never did get around to asking. Let's see, skills... intermediate reading and writing skills along with basic-level arithmetic. Yearly salary requested is... 4 tousai!'
When Linkin viewed the yearly salary ask, he almost had to look twice to make sure he wasn't just seeing things.
'4 tousai—wouldn't that make her automatically eligible to become a Class 4 Merchant?'
Linkin glanced up at Sini, who currently had a friendly smile on her face as she stood there patiently.
He then returned his gaze to the book and flipped to the page of a Grade 1 Assistant. However, Linkin's eyes were immediately drawn away from all other information on the page as they landed on the yearly salary listed at a staggering 10 meisai! And that was only the bare minimum!
Next to the 10 meisai yearly salary were the words "Highest Offer Prioritized".
To have something like that listed, Linkin knew that others must frequently bid against one another in order to employ the services of a Grade 1 Assistant.
'This—maybe I chose the wrong profession. Should I just switch to being an assistant? Wait, no, the processing fee isn't refundable. Plus, I'd still have to work my way up through the ranks since experience isn't something that can be rushed. Tch... I guess being a merchant is more profitable in the long run, after all.'
Linkin sighed as he flipped to the next page. The further he looked through the book of assistants, the more Linkin started to realize just how highly valued assistants with even beginner-level arithmetic skills were in the Assistant Association.
For example, even if assistants held the same rank, based on what level their arithmetic was at, their yearly salary ask would increase by a minimum of 50%.