Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter 20   Various changes

“We made it through another day.”

“Yes, indeed. I think we’ve improved quite a bit compared to our first time.”

As summer vacation neared its end, with only a few days remaining, we once again delved into the dungeon.

“Yeah… But summer vacation is almost over…”

“Kana, have you finished all the non-adventure assignments?”

“Don’t worry. I finished them before summer vacation started.”

“Before summer vacation…?”

As Asada spoke, Miyano showed a bewildered expression, and I couldn’t help but feel the same. I prioritized tasks that involved writing or time-consuming work during class hours. It may not be praiseworthy, but I think it’s better than not doing anything.

While discussing these matters, I checked my equipment during the post-dungeon reflection. To my surprise, some of my tools were running low.

Normally, if a tool runs out, you can simply buy a replacement. However, all the tools I use are self-made.

As a magic-user adventurer, I can create items imbued with magic. This is called alchemy, but it requires a specialized facility.

Usually, I would pay to rent such a facility, but since we have access to the school’s facilities, I might as well make use of them.

“Sorry, but can I take a day off tomorrow?”

“Hmm, I think it’s about time we can handle things on our own if we choose the right location…”

“What? Is there something going on?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that we should replenish our supplies soon.”

“Just buy them then.”

“Not possible. All of Koosuke’s tools are self-made.”

As Asada spoke, Abe replied… Wait, did she already know? I don’t remember ever mentioning that I make my own tools.

By the way, Koosuke is me. My name is Kosuke Igami, so it naturally became Koosuke. During this summer vacation, I was teaching them how to use magic, and they started using that name for me. The other members have also changed the way they address me and their attitudes towards me.

However, I haven’t changed my attitude. After all, it’s only three… I mean, two more months. Well, we’ll be apart after that, so it’s better not to get too close.

“Oh, really?”

“Well, yeah. The ones you can buy are of higher quality and power, but they’re expensive and slightly deviate from the effects I’m looking for.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, you have a lot of peculiar tools.”

“Though they may seem peculiar, they’re the most user-friendly for me. And if I rely on others to make them, already expensive magical items become even more costly due to the customization. So I have no choice but to make them myself.”

Even a slight modification can double the cost, you know? I’m not particularly skilled, nor can I make a living solely from this craft. But, well, I can at least make the ones I use.

“In any case, you can make magical tools?”

“Yeah, a friend taught me before. Well, technically, anyone who’s a magic user can do it.”

“Can Haruka-chan do it too?”

“Not possible.”

“But you just said?”

“Huh? No, she can, right?”

“…Being able to ‘perform alchemy’ and simply ‘being capable of doing it’ are different things. I can’t do it.”

“Oh, I see… Well, that’s quite a specialized skill, so it might be difficult for a magic user trained for combat.”

Alchemy is something that technically anyone who practices magic can do, but, well, there are differences in aptitude, of course.

Judging from the way she fights, Abe seems to have poured all her talent into magic.

“Oh, right. You guys are students, so you have the school’s facility reservation app, right?”

“Yes, we have it.”

“Could you check if the alchemy room has any reservations for tomorrow?”

“Um, please wait a moment.”

Miyano said that and took out her smartphone to check.

As students attending the Adventurer School, they have access to a dedicated app that allows them to make reservations for facilities within the school.

I was granted permission to use the facilities, but since I’m not a student, I don’t have the app. Therefore, I naturally rely on my team members when I need to use the facilities. It’s a bit inconvenient, but as long as I can use them, anything works.

“I can use it. It seems like nobody else does.”

“Nobody, huh? Still not popular, as usual.”

If this were the training grounds, even during summer vacation, it would be quite busy. But it seems nobody uses the alchemy room.

“Was it the same when you were here, Igami-san?”

“Yeah. Well, alchemy can only be done by magic users, and most people who specialize in it choose to pursue that path exclusively. Magic and alchemy. You can’t train both at the same level, and if you’re going to use it anyway, it’s more effective to rely on someone who specializes in alchemy.”

“Indeed, that’s what they say. They recommend relying on someone who specializes in alchemy.”

I nod at Asada’s words. As she said, there’s no reason to make things myself just because I can.

If it’s for practice, it’s fine to make them myself, but for practical use, it’s better to buy them. If we rely on students, we can get customized items at a lower cost.

“What about the campus store?”

“But, um, we don’t really use it much except for the first time, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. This guy here takes care of most things.”

“Oh, yeah. I gave you a list of essential items for dungeon exploration, but it might be a good idea to let you know about the stores you can use after becoming adventurers.”

Should I teach them some level of item evaluation? No, teaching them to evaluate items would take time, and it would be better to just let them know about familiar stores…

And as I pondered that, a question suddenly arose.

…Why am I pushing myself so hard?

Well, I don’t want them to die, and I’ve decided to lend a hand to some extent for that reason.

But it all started reluctantly, and joining the team felt almost forced. I never thought I would be pushing myself this far. In reality, I thought it would be enough to teach them casually and be done with it.

But…

“Oh, stores other than the campus store… Come to think of it, I’ve never actually been to any of them.”

“Yeah, they say you can be deceived if you don’t have some experience with those places, so it’s not recommended for first-year students.”

“But, well, those kinds of shops do have a certain allure, don’t they?”

“Mm, I’m definitely curious.”

…Well, it’s fine. It was bothersome at first, but now I don’t mind taking care of these guys, and it’s enjoyable to be a source of growth for them… Ah, I see.

Yes, that’s right. Maybe I wanted to be a source of growth for them.

Even as someone mediocre and unremarkable, crawling along at the bottom, if I could be of use to children who will likely become important figures in the future, then it would be a meaningful life.

“Well, that’s something for later. For now, tomorrow I’ll be working on creating tools, so you guys can go ahead and explore the dungeon or do whatever you like.”

“Okay.”

“Got it.”

“Understood.”

As Asada, Miyano, and Abe replied, there was one person, Kitahara, who seemed to hesitate and didn’t respond.

“…Um, um, is it possible for us to watch that process too?”

“Hmm? Well, I don’t mind, but it’s not exactly an exciting thing to watch, you know?”

“I-I don’t mind. It’s important for us to know how the tools we use every day are made and what they’re made of. Besides, it can be good practice for us in case we need to make our own.”

Well, Kitahara is also a magic user, so they can perform alchemy… Well, it wouldn’t hurt to let them try. It’s not like it would be harmful to me or anything.

“…Yes, you’re right. Even if we don’t have the opportunity to use it, there’s a difference between knowing and not knowing.”

But it seems that it’s not just Kitahara; the other three also want to come. As Miyano, who should be a frontliner, spoke, the other two nodded in agreement.

“Well, yeah, I suppose…”

“What’s the matter, Koosuke? Does it bother you if we watch?”

“It’s not that, but… it’s really boring, you know? Especially for you, Asada. I know you’ll get bored halfway through for sure.”

“Huh? Why am I the only one you’re singling out?”

“Well, I’ll be working in the alchemy room from around 9 in the morning tomorrow. If you want to come, feel free to come on your own.”

Besides, being together with these guys and taking action like this makes me feel rejuvenated and somewhat enjoyable.

However, it will all come to an end in about two more months. After that, I’ll leave the team and no longer have any involvement with them. Not because I’m leaving the team, but because it should be better for these guys.

…But until then, I can enjoy myself a little without any consequences.