“Miss Merc. Here it says that you are 14 years old. Is this correct?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s right. Is there a problem with that?”

“No. As long as they are an adult anyone can take the exam. It’s just that, how should I say it, you have a certain presence about you.”

“Fufu, you mean that I look older? I often get that.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Nano spoke out timidly, while Merc only smiled at her.

True, Merc was fairly old when her mental age was taken into account. It was only natural that she exuded a sense of familiarity with the place. In contrast to other 14-year-olds, Merc was unfazed by anything and instead acted conceitedly.

She could easily pass even if she pretended to be Elea or Luka’s age because her height wasn’t that much different from a normal adult’s. In fact, she would probably even seem older than the baby-faced and petite Luka.

When it came to the elves, however, as long as they reached adulthood at the age of 16, their aging would mostly stop. Their appearance would not change significantly if ten, twenty, or even fifty years passed.

I haven’t told her because there wasn’t a race column, but should I tell her I’m an elf?

The question suddenly appeared in Merc’s mind.

Humans would reach adulthood at the age of 14, while elves would have to wait until they were 16. Which meant that Merc wasn’t technically an adult.

However, because I completed the Accolade, I am now considered an adult. But, rather than causing needless trouble, I suppose it’s best not to say anything.

If she were to reveal herself, Merc would have to explain the Accolade to the humans, something she questioned they would comprehend. In the worst case scenario, she wouldn’t be accepted as an adult and wouldn’t be allowed to take the exam.

Which is why, in the end, Merc decided to keep quiet. After all, as long as she kept quiet she would avoid unnecessary questions.

“There are no problems with the documents. In that case, I’d like to request that you pay the one-silver coin examination fee. Do you accept the condition that this silver coin will not be returned to you no matter the outcome of the exam?”

“I do.”

Merc said, handing over a silver coin to Nano. Nano handed Merc a piece of paper after receiving the coin, just like she had done to the boy previously.

“I’m giving back your recommendation, as well as this admission ticket. Please bring both in three days’ time, and do so before 8 o’clock.”

“Thank you… Is this all?”

“Yes. Oh, just one more thing.”

Nano said with a serious look.

“It is probably unnecessary to tell you this because Mr. Jonahim recommended you, but nonetheless… As you may know, the City of Ende is reasonably safe. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in robberies recently. Be sure to keep out of dangerous places.”

“Robberies? Is that so…”

Even in a city that had long been thought to be safe, Merc was not surprised to learn that there were a number of crooks. So she didn’t pay much attention to Nano’s warning, but there was something that piqued her interest.

She said recently didn’t she?

“Could these robberies be connected with the exam?”

“That is correct.”

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Nano admitted. Hearing her response, Merc turned around and confirmed that there were only a few people in line. She then turned back and decided to ask Nano a bit more.

“What is usually stolen?”

“Its recommendations. A recommendation is considered legitimate as long as it has the recommender’s magical signature, making it simple to cheat. There are a number of cases of recommendations being stolen or re-sold.”

“Doesn’t the Guild try to regulate that?”

“The Guild considers that anyone deserving of a Grade 4 Adventurer’s recommendation should possess a certain level of competence. If your recommendation is stolen, it simply shows you’re not cut out to be an adventurer.”

“That’s quite harsh.”

“If I’m being completely honest, I believe that preserving one’s recommendation is also a part of the exam. If this were not the case, your recommendation would be taken when registering.”

Hearing Nano say that, Merc remembered the section of the registration paper that specified the exam starts the moment you register. This implied that if one wanted to become an adventurer they would always have to be on guard.

Becoming an adventurer has gotten quite complicated.

Elea’s warning not to underestimate adventurers, back in the elf village’s mountain, finally made sense to Merc. Being an adventurer was something to be proud of in this age. As a result, Merc had likely harmed Elea’s pride at the time by looking down on adventurers.

However, Merc, who had a deep-seated belief that adventurers were disliked, was unable to keep up with their present reputation.

“Do you have any other questions?”

Nano inquired of Merc, who had become entirely absorbed in her thoughts.

“What? Oh, no, that’s all.”

“In that case, I’ll see you when you come again. Next, please.”

Merc walked away from the counter after hearing Nano’s words. After stepping aside, Merc raised her hand to the Blazing Impact members who were still in line.

“I’m finished, so I’ll be going to look around town.”

“I see. Isn’t this your first time here? Do you want me to show you around? It’s not like we need the three of us here.”　

From within the line, Jonahim said with a pleasant smile. However, before he could do anything Elea quickly grabbed his hand.

“W-Wait! Y-You’re our leader so you should be here!”

“Really? Although this may be true, Merc doesn’t know anything about the city. She needs someone to show her around.”

“Urgh… T-Then Luka, you do it!”

Elea said, turning around to look at Luka while still holding onto Jonahim. Instead of Jonahim, she seems to be planning on having Luka show Merc around.

After thinking about it for a bit Luka extended her hand to Elea.

“W-What is it?”

“One silver coin.”

“HUH! Don’t people normally do this for free?!”

“I don’t.”

“Y-You money-grubber! Okay fine!”

Elea yelled and slid her hand into the pocket. It was at this point that Merc interrupted and stopped her.

“Don’t worry. Exploring the city without somebody to show me around is still fun.”

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In truth, she still remembered touring this city as Estert, so Merc didn’t need anybody to show her around. However, if she hadn’t, she would have most likely accepted their offer.

“You’re going alone? I don’t think you’ll come across anything dangerous, but nonetheless, be careful.”

“I will.”

“Don’t cause us trouble1 by getting lost, you hear?”

“I won’t.”

“Yea…”

“? Okay…”

Merc left the Guild after saying her goodbyes. She could feel a number of gazes behind her back as she did so2.

What is this about, I wonder…

She thought, anticipating what would happen next.

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