As Hayato worked on repairing the road with a shovel in hand, two girls stood nearby—the carriage driver and a cat-eared girl.
Though neither spoke, the cat-eared girl seemed curious about me, stealing glances my way. When I returned her gaze, she quickly averted her face, a reaction both amusing and slightly endearing.
「Hey.」
While I was amusing myself with the cat-eared girl's reactions, the driver girl spoke up.
「You came from the same place as Hayato, right?」
「Yeah, probably.」
「I see… So, what's that world like?」
「How to put it… Peaceful, I guess?」
「Right. That's how it is.」
I wondered what she was really trying to ask.
「Hayato said… if he accomplishes his goal, he'd want to go back if possible.」
Her eyes grew distant as she watched Hayato.
「Is that so?」
「If it's peaceful… then maybe that's for the best.」
She murmured under her breath, 「Hayato always pushes himself too hard.」
「Well, from what Hayato said, it was an accident that brought him here. He might not be able to return.」
「…True.」
Her expression turned lonely, but there was a hint of suppressed happiness—or perhaps self-mockery—in her faint smile.
「Well, that's a problem for later. Until then, you should let him spoil you.」
「Wha—! I-I don't want to be spoiled by him! If anything, he's the one who can't get by without me!」
Ah, the classic tsundere act!
Yep, definitely a tsundere. Noble girls with flashy hair colors always seem to fit the template.
Ah, but pink-haired ones are excluded—they're usually the promiscuous type.
「Listen, young lady. A word of advice from a well-experienced guy. If you're gonna keep adventuring, you should take every chance to get spoiled. Especially since you seem like the type who struggles with that.」
「I-It's not like that! He's just… like a troublesome little brother! But… you're right. There are plenty of dangers ahead. If he ever wants to gets spoiled by me… I guess it wouldn't hurt to let him… maybe.」
Yep. Textbook tsundere.
But honestly, this young lady looks way younger than him.
And Hayato gives off total "spineless protagonist" vibes.
「H-Hey, Emily? If you're watching, could you lend a hand? Or maybe ask the earth spirits for help?」
「No. You're the one who did it, so you fix it.」
「I know, but smoothing out dirt in full armor is tough…」
「Your fault.」
Yeah. Definitely a spineless protagonist.
「Hey, young lady.」
「...It's Letty. Letty Flameheart. I may be a noble, but if you're Hayato's acquaintance, just call me Letty. So don't call me "young lady".」
「Got it. Then you can just call me Itsuki, Lady Letty.」
「…Ugh. Fine, whatever.」
Letty sighed in resignation.
Seems like she's at that difficult age.
「Hi!」
Just then, I felt a light poke at my side from the opposite direction. Turning, I saw the cat-eared girl energetically raising her hand.
「Mii is Mii nano desu! Mii is the daughter of the Feris chief nano desu!」
Her twitching ears and the tail swaying from her lower back made it clear what kind of race the Feris were.
Catkin! Real cat ears and tail?!
「Oh, I see. So you're Mii. Lady Mii, got it. I'll remember that.」
「Yes! Nano desu!」
Mii was full of energy. Apparently, seeing me talk with Letty had put her at ease—she must have been hesitating on how to approach me.
「Oniisan isn't a bad person!」
Oniisan…
Once you've reached over 25, you're practically an uncle, and yet she calls me "oniisan"!
This kid's a good kid!
「Yeah! Oniisan's not a bad guy!」
「That's right nano desu! Hayato-sama wouldn't know any bad people nano desu!」
「True. Hayato's a good guy.」
「Nano desu!」
Her ears and tail flicked happily as she beamed.
After that, Mii trotted off toward Hayato.
「Ahh… Cat ears are the best.」
「…Hey.」
「Don't say it…」
「Right… Just don't get any weird ideas. I don't want to have to burn an acquaintance.」
「Relax. I'm not a lolicon. I just genuinely want to appreciate those ears and tail.」
Besides, a kid who looks at least ten years younger is completely off-limits.
「Aaah… I wonder if I can hire a cat-eared girl as an employee…」
「…if you bother them too much they'll start avoiding you so be careful.」
「Yeah, you're right. Cats are like that. Ahh, I wish there was a cat café or something…」
With Mii's help, Hayato finished his work in no time.
The elf girl, Emily, must have pitched in too—faint earth-colored lights flickered around her before fading away.
「Sorry to keep you waiting, Itsuki-san.」
「Nah, don't worry about it. I should've helped.」
「Not at all! I'd like you to get along with them too!」
Hayato smiled warmly—no sarcasm, just genuine kindness.
「Alright, let's get going. The trade city of Einzheil isn't far now.」
We all climbed back into the carriage, with Letty and Hayato taking the driver's seat this time.
That was fine, but for some reason, the elf girl kept staring at me intently.
「…ano, is there something you need?」
「…Not really.」
Yet she continues staring at me without blinking.
Meanwhile, Mii is busy chasing after fluttering butterflies, paying me no attention at all.
「Ah… right. I'm Itsuki, by the way.」
「I know. Hayato told me. I'm Emily. An elf.」
She states this plainly, never once looking away.
The awkward silence makes me consider changing the subject with Hayato when suddenly—
「Hey. Did you really just arrive in this world today?」
「Yeah, I think so.」
「I see…」
What's this about? Does she think we've met before?
Is this like some cheesy pickup line? "Haven't we met somewhere?"
Nah, impossible. Even in another world, that's pushing it.
「Never mind. Forget I asked.」
「O-oh.」
Yeah, must be my imagination.
Elves are so beautiful—can't help but feel my heart skip a beat.
「Itsuki-san, we can see it now!」
Following Hayato's pointing finger, I spot a massive wall and an equally imposing gate.
「That's the trade city of Einzheil. Few cities offer more entertainment and excitement—assuming you don't leave its walls.」
「Whoa! Sounds like the perfect city for me!」
「Fufufu. True. We visit often, so we'll probably see each other frequently.」
Being a trade hub, it must gather specialties from everywhere.
Meaning I might not even need to level up teleportation magic to visit other towns.
To think such fortune awaited after that traumatic disaster—every cloud has a silver lining indeed.
「That's reassuring. Meeting you, Hayato, was truly fortunate—especially when I know no one here.」
「Oh, it's nothing…」
His face reddens slightly—clearly embarrassed.
Stop that, pretty boy. You're setting up weird flags.
And don't glare, Lady Letty. I'm not interested in that!
As our carriage reaches the gate, everyone—starting with Hayato—presents some kind of card.
「Ah, he's my acquaintance—what you'd call a 'Drifter'. He'll register at a guild today to get his card.」
The guard gives me a brief glance before waving us through.
Apparently these cards serve as identification, and 'Drifters' refer to people like me—summoned from another world.
「Well then, we've arrived. What should we do next? You'll need to register at one of the guilds to get your identification card.」
「When you say guilds, do you mean like adventurers or mages?」
「There are others too – merchant, alchemist, and blacksmith guilds. Given your skills, the Alchemist Guild might be most suitable.」
「Then that'll do. Since you guys might need alchemy services from me eventually, it's probably good to get familiar with it.」
「That would certainly help us, but are you sure?」
「Doesn't really matter which one I join – my activities won't change either way.」
Honestly, anywhere is fine as long as it's not the Adventurers' Guild where they'd probably expect me to regularly hunt monsters. Emergency summons for "urgent quests"? No thanks. And the Mage Guild seems troublesome too – spatial magic appears to be a rare skill here.
「Then we'll head to the Alchemist Guild.」
「Sorry for making you handle everything.」
「Not at all. Besides, you'll need proper explanations when getting your card made.」
What's with this guy?
In modern Japan full of arrogant, unpleasant brats, to find such a decent young man… Back when I tried inviting a new employee out for drinks, I got:
『Is that work-related? Will we get overtime pay?』
Not that I was forcing anyone – I actually agree that compulsory drinking for work is outdated.
But I didn't expect such a response to a casual invitation.
I stopped asking that guy out after that, though what really made me lose it was when he played with his phone and called friends while I was driving for work. When I called him out, he just sulked. Damn HR incompetence… but enough about irrelevant past memories.
「We're here. This is the Alchemist Guild of Einzheil.」
As the carriage stops, Hayato exits first.
He even offers me a hand getting down – unnecessary between guys, so maybe he's taken a liking to me?
Definitely not standard male interaction.
The first thing I notice after disembarking is an eye-catching sign featuring suspicious-looking flasks and test tubes. Hayato casually pushes open the door and enters, with me following.
Inside is surprisingly tidy. Beyond the front counter, there appear to be numerous rooms.
The receptionist at the counter begins speaking with Hayato.
「P-please wait a moment. I'll summon the guild master.」
After a quick bow to us, the woman departs.
「My apologies. This might become slightly complicated.」
Apparently Hayato's adventurer rank and noble status on his card surprised them enough to call the guild master. Before long, the woman returns accompanied by a hunched elderly lady.
「Well well, if it isn't the little chick playing noble.」
「Reinrich-san, you're as sharp-tongued as ever.」
Apparently the two were old acquaintances.
「So you're here for a guild card application? If memory serves, you never showed talent for alchemy.」
「Not for me today – we're here to register him.」
「Hoh? Let's see… Raw but promising talent, I see. Very well. I'll make an exception and skip the exam since you're in a hurry, yes?」
「Well, that's…」
「Thought so. The registration fee is 5,000 Nohl.」
I hand over a silver coin before Hayato can offer.
Granny Reinrich gives me change before immediately settling behind the counter to craft the card.
「Sorry about this. You didn't have to accompany me if you're pressed for time.」
「No need – it's not that urgent.」
Though his slight tension suggests otherwise.
This inexplicable guilt must be a Japanese trait.
「Done. Hold out your arm, young man.」
As instructed, I extend my arm. She places a rolled parchment on my hand that suddenly ignites.
When I instinctively jerk, her surprisingly strong grip immobilizes my arm as three crimson lines brand themselves onto my skin.
「Finished. Now mentally recite 'Guild Card Open'.」
The moment I do, a translucent card materializes:
———————————–
Shinomiya Itsuki : Alchemist Lv1
HP15/15 MP250/250
STR:G
VIT:G
INT:F
MND:G
AGI:G
DEX:E
Active Skills:
Spatial Magic Lv1
Alchemy Lv1
Appraisal Lv1
Passive Skills:
Farming Lv1
Cooking Lv1
Active Auto-Skills:
Madness Lv1
??? Skills:
??? Lv1
———————————–
Looking at it the first time, I'm not really sure what it is.
Also, Unique skills apparently don't display.
「Hey, what's an 'Active Auto-Skill'?」
Active Skills are those you activate consciously.
Passive Skills seem to be always-active abilities.
「Active Auto-Skills continue functioning for a duration after initial activation.」
The elderly guild master explains as she snatches my card to scrutinize it.
「As expected, can't decipher the bottom entry. And for a Drifter, your base stats are pathetically low.」
Hayato peers at my card over her shoulder, his smile freezing slightly.
「This is…」
「For reference, what were your stats at Level 1, Hayato?」
「All attributes were at least D-rank…」
D…
So Hayato's exceptional even among heroes…
「Ah, but your MP is remarkably high! You could easily qualify as a mage with this!」
「Not planning to become one though.」
「Right…」
「At least your INT and DEX for alchemy aren't G-rank. Could use better MND, but it'll suffice.」
Reinrich returns my card with a flick of her wrist.
「Cards vanish after thirty seconds, so no worries about losing them.」
True to her words, the card dissolves into motes of light.
「Could you summon it again?」
Hayato requests.
I mentally recite the command once more.
After handing it over at Hayato's request, I watch him tap various parts of the glowing interface.
「There. Now we can communicate anytime.」
My returned card now displays Hayato's name in luminous white text – apparently a friend-list function.
Suddenly the card vibrates, his name flashing as his voice emerges:
『Testing, testing. The friend feature allows long-distance communication like this.』
Hayato grins, holding his own card like a phone.
『So it's like… not a cellphone, but an MMO friend chat?』
『Precisely. Though you can only register five contacts.』
『Wait, you're wasting a precious slot on me?』
『Of course. Looking forward to working together.』
This guy… Even his thoughtfulness toward other men reinforces his protagonist status.
—Character Notes—
Hayato Hayakawa: Protagonist-esque reincarnator. Black-haired, dark-eyed handsome guy.
Letty Flameheart: Noble girl. Tsundere with fiery red hair.
Chris: Former slave girl.
Emily Forside Logwell: Elf girl.
Mii: Daughter of the Feris chieftain. "Nano desu" user.