Vol. 9 - Chapter 444 - Inspecting Production Room With Maria!

“Zephyr-san! I would like to check out the production room today, but what do you think!?”

Today’s morning started with a request from Maria.

The production room was where the production job holders usually performed their alchemy, forging etc. Each ‹Eden› and ‹Arc-Arcadia› had their respective production room. Well, there’s only two members including both guilds as of now with production jobs—‹Alchemist› Hannah and ‹Tri-Element Dwarf› Alulu.

They both performed their respective alchemy and forging in that room. Though personally, I have never seen them working from up-close. Ah, right. It’s probably a good chance to take a glance. With that thought, I decided to bring Maria along with me to the said room.

“Alright. Let’s start with ‹Eden› alchemy atelier first. —Are you here, Hannah?”

I moved immediately and knocked on one of the four small rooms our guild had. Typically, it should have been called a production room, but we all just started referring to it as ‘Hannah’s Alchemy Atelier’ reflexively. Even I don’t remember much how it did come to. A mystery. And speaking of mystery, after Hannah’s, err, well a little runway incident with the sli-po marathon, it has become an unspoken rule to knock first.

On the door, a cute door sign—with ‘Please Knock - Hannah’s Alchemy Attelier’ written on it—was hanging on it.

She had been recently diving into the dungeon along with Lulu and other members to gather some materials and all. But I did hear her saying she now had a heap of them and would be staying inside her atelier to focus on alchemy. I thought she would be here…but it seems like not. No reply came in return even after knocking, and I wasn’t sensing anyone’s presence behind the door either.

“Uh-huh, it seems like she isn’t here. Hmm, where might she have gone? Her range of activity is probably much bigger than any of us...…”

If I have to put it in one word, she was quite like a swallow, fluttering from place to place. This has been especially more since she cleared that said relief quest from the academy by herself while we were absorbed in dungeon exploration.

I heard after that precedent, she had been receiving calls from all over, others often sought her for advice or requesting help when they’re in a pinch. Apparently, even one-of-the-third-biggest-guild ‹Student Council› has been regularly seeking advice from her.

It was possible to hold concurrent positions in two guilds if one of them was the academy’s directed guild—‹Public Morale Committee›, ‹Relief Committee› and ‹Student Council›. Maybe she might be a member of ‹Student Council› already.

Well, the decision was still on her good shoulder. The best I would do in case of consolation was listen to it, while rest was her will.

Anyway, we couldn’t inspect the room if she wasn’t here. So onward to our next destination then.

“This is what it is. Let’s visit Alulu’s room then.”

“Yes! Please!”

Maria, as usual, replied back in a taut voice as she adjusted her glasses. Smoke, she really does come out as a badass character when she does that. Hmm-mm, should I also try one to bring out an intellectual Zephyr persona? No, I am serious for real.

Ahem. Maria and I walked the way to ‹Arc-Arcadia› guild room where Alulu typically does her work while sharing some ideas.

“Excuse me.”

“Oh! If it’s not Zephyr-kun! What brought you here!? Is there any task to handle today!?”

We had just entered when the harmonic trio took notice of us and immediately greeted us with a lit expression.

“Hey, Zephyr-kun. Welcome to our humble abode~.”

“Ah, could it be an invitation for a dungeon? I am available anytime!”

“Nice spirit, but we’re here for another matter, however. Let’s do a dungeon round another time.”

It seemed like they were having some idle chattering in the guild. Even Noel and Lacritta were there when I took a look inside after greeting the harmonic trio. I waved back my hand in response to their greeting,

Apparently, they frequently hangout in the guild room of ‹Arc-Arcadia›. Well, it makes sense considering they initially were its members and they also get along well with harmonic trio.

As I was greeting them, they finally took notice of Maria behind me. Oh, right. This was probably their first face-to-face meeting. They all were busy having fun in the dungeon yesterday so they missed the introduction time.

I slightly stepped sideways to open up the space for her to introduce herself.

“Let me introduce to you guys our ‹Helper›. She’s Marianne who is in charge of handling items and also a sub-helper in management of guild. She’s a talent shining as brightly as her impeccable appearance suggests.”

“A touch of exaggeration, Zephyr-san, but it’s my honor if you think so. I guess this does warrant re-introduction. Once again, I am Marianne, who will be managing ‹Eden› and ‹Arc-Arcadia› from here onwards. I hope to have your cooperation.”

“So you’re the ‹Helper› I heard about. Hmm, yeah, re-introduction huh. I’m Noel, my job is ‹Songstress Princess›. Looking forward to working together.”

“A-Ack, I am Lacritta! And I, umm, my job is ‹Racc-Shell›. Nice to meet you!”

“By the way, these two are members of ‹Eden›. And we three belonged to here, ‹Arc-Arcadia›. We already know each other, but again, I’m ‹Magic Swordsman› Sachi. We’re more than just class buddies now!”

“Likewise, ‹Magic Ally› Emi. Feel free to ask anything!”

“I’m ‹Magic Archer› Yuuka. We would be in your care.”

“Likewise, I hope to learn from you all. And if you don’t mind, please call me Maria.”

Maria finishes her introduction with that. Was it just me, or did they know each other already?

“Are you all acquaintances?”

“Of course, we’re fellow classmates of Zephyr-sensei’s lecture. We already know the name and face of everyone attending it~.” (Sachi)

“Haha, even Maria-san has joined at last. It’s like we’re all a part of the same book opening slowly.” (Emi)

“Isn’t it because everyone is putting their all into it? I feel like we might soon be seeing others as well.” (Yuuka)

The harmonic trio replied in response to my doubt. Oh, that explains the whole story. I mean, the 50 students that had been attending my lectures since day 1 were all quite friendly with each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tells me they’re actually friends outside of lecture as well.

Either way, it was all welcome instances. Maria should have no trouble in her work with so many acquaintances already here.

“By the way, I came for Alulu. Is she not here?”

I suddenly recalled my reason to visit here and asked.

“Alulu-chan? She’s smithing like usual~.” (Sachi)

“She’s in the usual back room. Take care~.” (Emi)

“She looked quite pumped about manufacturing something. Hannah also went inside a while ago. Both of them seem to be tackling tough tasks.” (Yuuka)

Harmonic trio replied. Huh, so Hannah was here? Great, it saved the time to look for her. Hmm, but Yuuka’s words intrigued me. I wonder what kind of thing they’re coming up with? From her tone, it seemed like it was quite a challenging task.

I don;t want to disturb them but we initially just came for inspection, so taking a peak wouldn’t hurt I guess. After chatting with the harmonic trio, we arrived outside the door of the room Alulu uses and lightly knocked on it.

Hmm, I could hear successive clanking sound coming from inside. It shouldn’t have been audible generally with the soundproofing. Heh, they really are cooking something in that case. But it seemed like that clanking had chugged along the sound of knocking as well.

I know it wasn’t a good idea, but curiosity got over me and I quietly opened the gate. Maria also leaned from behind to take a glance. I shifted my gaze, and there—

“Hiyaaa! Eiyaaaa! Eiyaaa! It’s uuuup! Yer the best, Hannah!”

“Goo! Goooo! Fu, it’s so tiring, Gooo!”

“Fufufu, so ya say but yer hand still goin’ on hard. I knew I wasn’t mistaken. Ya really have ‘he talent for Hammer—Eiyaaa!”

A dull sound of metal clashing against each other echoed each time Alulu uttered ‘eiyaaa’ or Hannah shouted ‘Gooo.’ Both of them were hammering down a red lump of metal ‘in turn,’ holding a hammer in their hand.