The Chair (Unfortunately) Meets the Adventuring Party Amstec

I internally panicked as the three party members stared directly at me. Each of them concerned me for one reason or another.

The closest to me was the stalker: Rufus. I met him five years ago back when he first started his adventuring career. It was hard to forget him, especially since he pinned me to the wall, frantically asking questions about my weapon. He acted like the alpha of a pack of wolves – his reddish-black hair braided into locks standing out against his brown skin. I managed to shake him off back then, but that forty-year-old man still occasionally observed me from a distance which, no matter how you put it, was creepy. This disguise was already managing to pull its weight!

Next to him was a doll…wait boy…wait girl(?)... Someone in their twenties. They had rather androgynous features when I walked in, but it quickly morphed into those of a male. Their clothes were the same rags I wore, hiding their red-tinted pale skin while accentuating their black hair. I hoped this starfish wasn’t going to be another No. 4 – they were already shivering, probably in annoyance. Going to have to confirm that.

The last one was the most troublesome. With her face flat against the table, a well-endowed fifteen-year-old loli keenly observed me. Well, I said fifteen, but she was definitely around sixty with how deftly she manipulated those ivy vines branching from her body. Honestly, with their lazy dispositions, I didn’t expect to find an ivy as an adventurer, even if she was rather strange. Her fair skin, unblemished by sunlight, along with her light green hair made her erotic witch cosplay stand out way too much. She was definitely reading my thoughts too – her hostile gaze wanted to strangle me while also somehow worrying about my well-being.

‘Crap’ aptly summed up how I felt.

Kumari, purposely oblivious, began our introductions. “This is Jack, your proctor for the exam. He will determine whether you pass based on your abilities to retrieve the stolen goods at Dragon’s Sigh. Likewise, this is the party Amstec. One of their members, Emma Martin, is currently absent, so Jack can introduce himself to her later. Are there any questions?”

I immediately raised my hand, causing Kumari to rub her temples. “Yes?”

“What do I refer to you as? Male? Female? Nothing?” I pointed at the doll-like person.

“...” Their already masculine features began to look more threatening, but I ignored them. Finding out whether they were a No. 4 was more important. Plus, I was a proctor! Being respectful to my examinees was common courtesy! Yep, that was a good ex–reason.

Eventually, their features reverted to an androgynous form, skewing slightly female. It was hard to tell with that rag in the way.

“Female.” Wow, even their – sorry, ‘her’ – voice sounded like an emotionless doll, but at least I had my answer.

Kumari sighed. “Any other questions, preferably those related to the exam?” How did I make her mad again?!? I didn’t do anything wrong! No way would I say that out loud though.

Surprisingly, the ivy girl raised one of her vines. “Yes, Ai?” Guess that meant the doll girl was Aster.

“This guy is a human, right?” Her voice dripped with hostility but without a hint of malicious intent.

“He is, why?”

“How do you expect a weak-ass human to act like a proctor? They can’t even use mana without help! Not to mention, their physical abilities are weak! He’ll just be a burden.”

Harsh, but Ai had a point. Ironically, although all people looked human, the human race was the only ones who couldn’t use their mana without a mana tool. Take away my chair, and I was just your average human, only slightly stronger than an elephant.

Of course, that didn’t mean there weren’t any absurdly strong humans. I could think of at least three, though I had no idea where they were at the moment. They tended to pop into existence at their own convenience, which was absurdly aggravating.

Still, humans were much more innovative because of those limitations. They had been in a bit of a dry spell since the moon shattered, which was a good thing, no matter what anyone said. Nevertheless, the reduction in ambient mana prevented most of their mana tools from working, causing a massive loss of power. Coupled with rights being guaranteed for people, regardless of mutation, humans were a ripe target for discrimination.

On the other hand, while it seemed like Ai was being discriminatory, it felt more like worry rather than a racist comment. Kumari picked up on that as well.

“Well, if you are that worried about my choice, why not have a mock battle? All you have to do is land one hit to win.” Excuse me. When did I agree to this?

“You believe he’s that much stronger than me?” Ai growled.

“I wouldn’t have picked him otherwise.”

“Don’t I get–” I tried to inter–

“Fine then, bring it on!”

“Wait a–”

“Follow me then.”

And…they left, ignoring my complaints.

Looks like I didn’t have a choice once again.