Chapter 11

“Is this the town?”

After five days on the road, they had finally arrived. It was a town located in the mountains, built around an enormous castle. Or at least, that was what it looked like.

“... Tettorokata Academy? This is a school?” John murmured. He had expected to be dealing with nobles, but if he needed to face students instead, things should be a lot easier.

They tidied up their clothing, intending to look at least somewhat proper, and walked in. The guard by the gates stopped them, asking them for their intentions.

“We’re looking for the headmaster,” Leyla said, catching John by surprise. He knew they would need some kind of excuse, but he didn’t expect Leyla to get straight to the point like this.

Also, why the headmaster? Maybe because they're the equivalent of the manager?

“What business do you have?”

As expected, the guards wouldn’t let them in so easily.

“We’re looking for a chair.”

“... A chair?” The guards stared at Leyla, dumbfounded.

“I see.”

Everyone looked to the source of the voice. It came from an old woman. Her hair had gone white, her face wrinkled. She wore a purple robe, a staff in her right hand, and paper bags on her left.

“He- Headmaster!?”

“La- Lady Menela!?”’

“Are you trying to sneak in sweets again? They’re not good for someone your age-”

“I am not!” she yelled.

The old woman called Menela then motioned John and Leyla to follow her. Upon entering, they were greeted by a large courtyard brimming with students. They all wore robes, and some of them had pointed hats. It looked similar to a famous story back on Earth.

“Just like-”

“Copyright,” Leyla warned him before he could say any more. The people of this world shouldn’t know a thing about Earth, though. Mentioning it should be fine. Even if he said something about it, no one would believe him.

After passing the courtyard, John witnessed the castle standing proudly. The massive stone structure looked clean and well-kept. Statues of various monsters were lined up on the fence, separating it from the courtyard. The academy’s banner swayed in the wind, proudly displaying its crest. It really does look like a proper magical academy.

The woman brought them to a storage room, where many of the academy’s equipment were stored. Broomsticks, magic wands, and even extra robes. There was also a row of books, although they didn’t look like the ones people could find in a library.

Near the rear end were some chairs and tables. One stood out from the rest. A pure gray chair, covered with dust. It looked just like the chair in the restaurant and the beach hut.

“These are the chairs and tables that were mixed up during shipping. Please take them back and send us the replacements.”

“... Replacements?”

His question made the woman look confused as well. “Are you not the ones sent to take care of the returns?”

John shook his head. Just in case, he tapped the key with his chest. It floated, pointing straight at the gray chair, confirming it.

“No, sorry, we’re here just for the gray chair.”

John pointed at the chair mentioned. Since it was put in the storage room, collecting dust like this, it shouldn’t be an important item.

“Now hold on. If you’re not from the furnishing company, then who are you?”

“It’s hard to explain, but I believe our chair is mixed up with yours.”

“I see… But I paid for this chair.”

“We’re willing to pay you back, or alternatively, if there’s any work we can do for it.”

John hoped he could repeat the scenario with the yellow chair. It was exhausting work, yes, but they could regenerate their energy with a good night's sleep. So far, John hadn’t seen any way to get money. He didn’t have a job, and the allowance Kei gave them wouldn’t last forever. They already paid quite a bit to be on the carriage here.

“Work… Well, there is some work available…”

“We’ll do it,” John said. Leyla groaned. It was clear she wanted to just pay and leave.

“Be patient,” he whispered. Leyla clicked her tongue and looked away.

“One of our professors had fallen ill recently, and we need someone to check the midterm exam results.”

It was the perfect job. Since they most likely already have the answers, all John needed to do was compare the test paper with the answer sheet. It wasn’t something they needed to have a certification in to do.

“We’ll do it, then,” Leyla said, ready to go.

“I’ll need to see your qualifications.”

“H- huh?” John realized things may not be so easy.

“We don’t have any,” Leyla answered.

“IDs? Guild membership cards? Nothing?”

They both shook their heads.

“I need to know who you are before I can give you a job.”

He wasn’t sure if this town had different rules, but he couldn’t do things like how he did at the restaurant. He couldn’t just waltz in and get the job.

“Will you let us have it if we get a guild membership?”

“Sure, I’ll allow it.”

“Alright, we’ll be back.”

“Well, you'd better be quick, or the chair will be returned.”

The two of them rushed back to town.

“Where’s the adventurers’ guild?” John asked.

“As if I know!”

They need to be quick. The chair had gotten into the academy by some mishap. It wouldn’t be staying there. Although it did gather some dust. Just how long had it been in that room? John couldn’t believe such a powerful chair was just sitting there.

“...”

“...”

The two stared at each other in an intersection leading into town. Everywhere in this place had stunning views of the lands below, but they couldn't enjoy it. If they didn't get the chair now, who knows how long before they found it again?

John decided to approach a passerby and ask for directions.

“Excuse me, do you know where the adventurers’ guild is?”

“Which guild?”

“The adventurers' guild?”

“... There's no adventurers’ guild here?”

“... What guilds are there?”

The man began listing all the guilds available. Unfortunately, the availability of guilds depends on the region. Based on his explanation, a united, all-serving adventurers' guild only existed in a neighboring country. In this country, the guilds were still separated based on what they did.

“The treasure hunters’ guild seemed like a good place to start,” John said, glancing at Leyla. Leyla nodded.

“The treasure hunters’ guild is that way.” The man pointed to a spot at the end of the street.

“Thank you very much.”

The two walked toward their destination while looking around.

“Why the treasure hunters?” Leyla asked.

“I thought you agreed?”

“It doesn't matter to me which guild we join.”

“Well… I thought, since we're looking for chairs, maybe something there will be useful?”

There were other options. Arguably, the hunters' guild would be closer to an adventurers' guild compared to the treasure hunters, but they weren't here to hunt. Not to hunt monsters, at least. They didn't even have a weapon in the first place.

“Is this it?” Leyla asked. They arrived in front of a small, stone building with a treasure chest symbol in front of it.

“I think so,” John said. He reached out for the handle and pushed open the door.