kscans

Chapter 71 - Do I Really Need a Cape After All?

Kaede-chan and I left the house and got into the taxi I had called. It was a luxury to take a taxi to work, but I hate trains, and I don't have my own car. I have the money to buy one, but I'm a paper driver, so I don't really have the confidence to get behind the wheel.

As we chattered away in the taxi, we arrived at the back entrance of the guild. Kaede-chan got out of the taxi, then bent down and peeked back inside.

"Well then, Senpai, see you later. My shift starts at eight thirty, so please come in after that."

The current time was eight ten.

"Got it. Well, do your best."

"I will. You too, Senpai."

As Kaede-chan headed towards the guild's back entrance, I asked the driver to take me to the front. Of course, it was just a short drive from the back to the front, so we arrived in no time.

I paid the taxi driver and got out. Then, I entered the guild.

As expected, there were no other adventurers in the guild lobby. Well, there's usually no one here during the day either, and few adventurers are active in the morning, so I had anticipated this, but it was still a worrying sight.

For now, I decided to go to the changing room and get changed. When I entered, it was naturally empty, and I had the place all to myself.

"For a place in Tokyo, this is pretty sketchy, isn't it..."

Really, is this place going to be okay?

I resolved to make this place popular through my own efforts as Okita-kun, not as Eleanor, and began to change. I took off my clothes and put on my inner suit and tracksuit, then looked in the mirror above the washbasin.

"A tracksuit, huh... If I become an A-rank in this, I'll probably be called the Tracksuit Swordsman..."

Not that I have any intention of wearing armor. It's heavy, looks hot, and there's no point in wearing it. That said, I should probably reconsider the tracksuit.

Should I just wear a dogi? But that brings back memories of my tough club activities, so I'd rather not...

"Oh well. I'll think about it later."

I'll ask Fashion Master Kaede-chan.

After I finished changing, I took out my smartphone and looked up information on Fluffy Grass. Surprisingly, quite a few sites came up.

Just as Kaede-chan had said, Fluffy Grass is a type of grass that grows in the Kunaar Ruins. It doesn't seem to be poisonous or dangerous, just a common weed. However, it looks exactly like foxtail grass.

"Hmm..."

As I was researching Fluffy Grass, it turned eight thirty, so I put my phone away and left the changing room. I saw Kaede-chan sitting at the reception desk and walked straight towards her. She was no longer in the cute outfit from before, but was now dressed in the guild uniform, her hair tied back in a single ponytail.

"Been a minute."

"Hi, it sure has."

When I went up to the reception desk and greeted her, Kaede-chan returned my greeting with a one hundred percent smile. As I thought, I prefer this Kaede-chan. I can't stand the distant formality when I'm Eleanor.

"Hey, what do you think of my outfit?"

"It's a tracksuit... is the only thought that comes to mind. I can't exactly praise it as being cool."

Well, even if she told me it was cool, I'd just think she was lying.

"Is it lame?"

"It looks beginner-ish, so isn't it fine?"

Well, I am a beginner.

"Is it okay if I keep going with this look? Won't I get called the Tracksuit Swordsman?"

"There are high-rankers who wear light armor too, you know. Armor is heavy, which makes it hard to escape, and it's simply tiring."

Come to think of it, Saegusa-san was lightly equipped too.

"Hmm."

"Well, how about switching to some more stylish training wear or sportswear?"

"Maybe I'll do that."

"Though I think the tracksuit is fine too."

Kaede-chan isn't interested in my fashion...

"Try to show a little more interest."

"You're going to the Frontier, right? I wouldn't want you wearing a tracksuit if we were going out together, but I don't care about fashion when you're adventuring in the Frontier. Please prioritize functionality over everything else. I'd hate for you to get into an accident because you were too concerned about fashion."

She has a point. That's what an idiot would do.

"Got it. I'll try not to think about it too much."

"Please do. I'm sure you're confident, Senpai, and you're probably strong, but the person waiting here is worried. Please don't worry about such things and just focus on coming back safely."

It's true that if I were in her shoes, I'd be worried. A girl who prioritizes fashion would be nothing but a source of anxiety.

Nanapon, I'm talking about you.

"Okay."

"Good. Here are your Status Card and sword."

Kaede-chan nodded and placed my Status Card and sword on the counter. I picked up the Status Card and looked at it.

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Name: Okita Hajime
Level: 7
Job: Swordsman
Skills:
≪Swordsmanship Lv6≫
≪Speechcraft Lv1≫
☆≪Alchemy≫
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So it really is linked... My level is 7, and I have the Speechcraft skill. Everything's the same except for the name.

"By the way, do Jobs change?"

"They can. For example, if Nanaka-chan, a mage, used a sword and learned the Swordsmanship skill, I think her Job would change."

Nanapon's Fire Magic skill is level 2, so if her Swordsmanship skill level becomes 2 or higher, will she become a Swordsman? Or maybe a Magic Swordsman?

"Does this even mean anything?"

"It's said to be an aptitude. Like, a Swordsman's Swordsmanship skill levels up faster or something... The details are still under investigation."

Well, I don't need to worry about this. I can only use a sword anyway, so Swordsman is fine for me.

"I see. Well then, I'm heading out."

I put the Status Card in my bag and picked up my sword.

"Take care."

With Kaede-chan seeing me off, I headed towards the Gate. I passed through it and made my way to the Kunaar Ruins for the first time in a while.