Author's Feru’s note:

Feru here~

Author-san is still busy tending the store.

Meanwhile Nero is…procrastinating…

I thought I should fill in for them since they busy…

I might make some mistakes but please take care of me!

This message again:

I'm just a newbie author writing for fun~

Help me by pointing out mistakes you see in the chapter as it will help me improve~

Thank you and enjoy the chapter~ I made this for you guys~ I needed the practice anyway~

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Volume 1 Chapter 11: Several days later

~Nero’s PoV~

I hang my head as I release a sigh, creating a small fog with my breath.

I’m currently sitting outside of the Sylvitus household.

I woke up extra early for I have special plans for today.

As for tomorrow, Feru and I will have to attend the council’s meeting with the royalties.

It seems that they have already arrived; I guess they’re taking a rest from their long journey.

Maybe I should take a rest too? Honestly, I feel tired…

It has been several days since I stayed here.

Remembering the time I’ve spent here, it was quite troublesome also quite fun though.

After giving everyone some more “Chocolate Bread”, they become addicted to it… A little too much if I may add.

The maids and butlers kept saying “This is heaven!” or “I can die happy!” and such…It was getting scary, especially if I were to look them in the eyes…

I immediately found the culprit of the whole incident! It was my profession named Chef.

Unlike that of a normal skill, profession is like a class. It gives various benefits and different skills under it.

Namely Addictive Taste… I don’t know how to explain it though, since there are no description or any explanation for it. But I believe that this causes some kind of addiction to the food I make. I doesn’t affect me. so I can’t explain it very well…

And it didn’t end with that!

I also became their instructor of some sort as they started calling me “Master”. Please… not this nickname again.

All of this started when a group of maids confronted me and said “Please teach us!” while burying their heads on the floor… Seeing that display, I can’t really refuse and I also thought that if I taught them, they would hopefully stop looking at me like some prey.

Thanks to the Chef’s [Culinary Intuition], I was able to teach them about cooking properly.

Although I only taught them simple dishes from earth, or anything that like of earth’s, they seemed to be satisfied.

My students, who are the group of maids, multiplied.

All of the butlers and maids, and also Feru and Lina, joined in on the lessons.

If cooking lessons wasn’t enough, I’ve also taught them combat, in both magical spells and weapons.

I wasn't really planning anything when I came to observe them during their combat practice, other than planning to learn more skills from them. But, as time passes, some of them came towards me and asked me for some pointers and such…

Well, thanks to Weapon Mastery and Mind Mastery, I was able to point out some mistakes…

Suddenly, everyone came to me and asked me to teach them…

Well~ Thanks to that, I've learned plenty of skill and even leveled some without the use of skill points~

Also, there was that time when I was curious about being a butler and began imitating them.

They already know that I am a vassal for the goddess, but I also portrayed myself as a servant. Which means I was able get close to everyone without any social barriers in between us. Of course the information about the Feru and I was to be kept a secret from the public, but is it really fine for the servants to know?

Due to my actions, I acquire the profession Servant. The skills under it were obviously connected to its name.

Like… Cleaning, it allows me to clean surfaces with efficiency and…Wait, is a profession like this really necessary?

The servants began looking up to me even more when I obtained this profession…

No… It's not really like that anymore? They began treating me so greatly that it's kinda scary in it's own right!

They act really friendly with almost to no formality, like a child. I'm fine with that as I don't like someone being formal with me.

I can already Imagine it when they finally find out that my real identity…

Going from door to door saying "Do you wish to hear our lord and savior?"

Haaah ~ I just hope a cult won’t happen…

That aside, the kingdom’s atmosphere is improving by the day as everyone seems to be going back to their daily routine.

Although security seems to be getting a little more tight than usual, I can see some smiles when I walk in the streets.

I wanted to learn more about this world. But sadly, the library was closed very time I went out to check.

So I went ahead with a different alternative, which is to join the adventurer’s guild!

When I went in the adventurer's guild, there were fewer adventurers than I had imagined.

Everyone looked surprised when I asked the receptionist how to register as an adventurer.

I'm guessing that I'm too young? Well, everyone will treat you as an adult if you are 17, it's understandable.

Fortunately, there were no age restriction when joining one, but it was rare for someone my age to register as an adventurer.

Since they thought I was a kid, I thought asking for some explanation was alright.

Although the receptionist gave me a strange look for a moment, she happily explained some things to me.

She explained things about guild, and also the Ranks and Levels when I asked for it.

First of all, I would gain various benefits when joining the guild, such as services only available to adventurers.

Those services includes: a price discount, job opportunity, currency exchange, rewards, etc…

Second, I am allowed to withdraw from the guild anytime if I ask. But I am allowed to register again after some time.

Sometimes, if one were to break any rules/law, as punishment, one could be demoted or be removed from the guild.

Third, I will be given a Status Card to serve as my identification.

It will automatically show my name, level, race, rank, class, current quest. It's allowed/possible to tamper it to some degree.

Fourth, the receptionist explained to me the rules inside the guild. Though I didn't listen, so I can't remember any…

Well, there was something about "Only allowed to take quest on or below your rank" but that's about all I can remember.

Ranks are used for Items, Equipment, Skill, People, Monsters, etc…

It was used to judge the overall strength. Be it a living being, inanimate object, or a disaster.

F > E > D > C > B > A > S > SS > SSS > SSS+

When one where to register, they would usually end up with rank F, E, or D

Which what you call the "Beginner" or "Amateur" rank.

Sometimes, although rarely, there are some that skip those rank and land on C or B.

Which could be considered as a "Veteran" rank.

Then, they would work up to achieve the higher ranks.

At rank A, one could be called an "Expert" in its own rights

Well, it kinda changes from here.

Rank S, SS, and SSS are said almost impossible to achieve but it is still achievable. Meanwhile rank SSS+ is downright impossible.

Rank S, SS, and SSS.

Generally, people would refer to them as "People from another realm". Meaning that their strength is not from this world.

Well, there are some truth in those word though. The receptionist told me something about the other kingdoms summoning a Hero from another world. I wonder… is it earth?

Rank SSS+

This rank is only use to label some disasters, such as weathers, and monsters.

No person or item has ever achieved this rank. So it was rarely used.

Levels. Although they are similar to ranks, they're only used for skills.

Although, people have the same level system, they don't have limits it seems.

Rank F = Level 1

Rank E = Level 2

…

Rank SSS = Level 9

Rank SSS+ = Level 10

Something like these I guess?

Levels are said to be much harder to increase than ranks.

Ranks are used to judge person's overall strength.

Obviously, increasing the person's level, stats, and skill level will result in a rank up.

Meanwhile in skill levels.

Increasing it would need: some understanding on the specific skill, using it plenty of times, etc.

Well, it also explained some things for me.

Some of my skills improve quite a bit when they leveled.

For example, my passive skill Vigor.

At level 1. This skill increase the regeneration rate of Health and Mana. After checking it again at level 10, it changes it description and effects... Now, it increased regeneration of Health and Mana by a percentage, depending on my lost Health and Mana…

It's like… my skills are evolving…

After listening to the receptionist’s explanation, I registered myself as instructed.

Everything went smoothly… I guess?

After dropping some blood on the Status Card, it showed the fakes stats that I've set.

Although there was a slight problem, my current rank is S.

The receptionist was the only person that saw my Status Card… which is why she had her mouth open from shock…

I didn't know how to react or what to do. So~ what I did was…

Give an innocent smile and move my hand to my mouth, telling her to stay quiet.

Did it work? I don't know! The receptionist became pale and slightly nodded… I think I saw some tears forming…

Ignoring it, I immediately went towards the board where the quests are posted and took some of the quests.

The quest that I took are all pertaining to Gathering, Repairing, Construction, Requests and Cleaning, which was the majority of the ones posted and were rank C and below. That should be normal right? This place is still trying to stand up after the incident.

I still have to register them at the counter for me to do them but…

When I went back to the pale receptionist, No… she began shaking when she saw me… Am I really that scary?

I guess it was because I took 20 quests? Or is just my rank? Maybe both? I don't know~

I still have that habit that I got from games. Finishing all the quests in one fell swoop~

But I regret doing it… likely because of what the receptionist said.

"Pl-Please remember that you have to pay 50% of the base reward if you fail…" [Receptionist]

I only nodded…

It only took me 3 days to finish them all though~

But it seems like I already made a name for myself though?

The people inside the guild and people from the quest began calling me "Odd Rookie" or just "Odd"… A new nickname!?

I think it was because I only accepted odd jobs and I never really accepted subjugation quests…

There are some friendly adventurers that invited me for a subjugation quest, but I turned them down.

There was a reason for that though. I would like to avoid killing.

I don't really know… I would just like to avoid it if possible.

It's not like I'm afraid or anything, I could still kill some monsters but…

Similarly to this, I've also avoid using [Libra].

But I still use the Zodiac though? Especially [Cancer], which is a knife and [Pisces], which is a headphone.

Well~ I only used [Cancer] for cooking purposes and [Pisces] for listening music, it doesn't really need anything to play music~

But [Libra]… I feel something whenever I use it… it is quite complex… I think.

That feeling is also present with the recurring nightmare every time I sleep.

I can't remember anything from the nightmare, except I know two things!

1.) There is a girl in my nightmares. I remember her vaguely though.

2.) I feel multiple things whenever I had that nightmare which is kinda vague too, except for one thing: Fear.

Though, normally, the dream would end for some time, and I would just feel strangely calm all of a sudden.

As if everything is alright in the world… Nothing will harm me… and I feel at peace.

It was the same feeling whenever I hug Feru…

Speaking of which, Feru seems a bit too clingy towards me~

Generally, she would act like "A girl in love" like in those anime clichés whenever we are alone.

Which led me to believe that Feru might like me… well… uh…? Let's not get ahead of ourselves… especially in this case.

Though, I would usually hug here when we are alone… but still… I would like to know what that girl is thinking…

Once again, I release another sigh, thus creating another small fog with my breath.

Those events were fun but also troublesome… I blame my luck for this.

But today, I can finally rest now~ no doubt about that~

“So-sorry! I made you wait” [Feru]

“Nah~ It wasn’t that long~” [Nero]

Yup~ Today I have a date with Feru~ Well… I might be the only one calling it that…

Jokes aside, this is supposed to be Feru’s reward for all her hard work.

Feru is usually like "A princess locked up inside a castle", as she rarely goes out. Since every time she went out, people would generally be attracted to her, it might be because of her looks or her skill Charm Aura.

Then Lina was talking to Feru about a place that is like a Zoo. Feru said she wanted to go see it.

I only overheard it thanks to Acute Sense, but I appeared behind them and asked Feru if she wanted to go tomorrow.

Lina wanted to come with us, but her friend invited her at a later date.

"Let's go!" [Nero]

●●●●●

After some time now~

I can honestly say that this feels like a date~

That aside, strange…

Honestly speaking here… what the heck are those? What is that?

Animals here… No maybe monsters are more fitting? Well, there are those that are cute and docile, but there are also those that are cute and deadly… There are even those that looked like a normal animal from earth… There are those that looked a poke-mon… and there are also some that even I can't describe.

Sometimes I would say "What am I looking at?"

Well~ Both Feru and I had fun, so I have nothing to complain~

After we finished looking at the "weird animals", we stopped to eat at the nearby inn, which was also a restaurant.

It was the inn that I came by the last time, I've also work here because of the quest they took up.

While ignoring the stares, we took out seats.

Waiting a little bit, a human girl with brown hair approached us.

"Odd! When will you come back as our cook!?" [Clara]

"Please don't use that nickname! Oh! And let's see, maybe if I have some free time?" [Nero]

This girl, Clara, she's the daughter of the owners here. I worked here for 2 days as one of my quest.

I became both the waiter and the cook. Being a cook wasn't intentional though?

Their chef got sick that day and one of my colleagues knows that I know how to cook… I also wanted more pay.

When they heard my answer, it caused a commotion.

"Awww~ when will that be?" [Clara]

"Yeah! Everyone is already dying to eat more of your food!"

"I even bragged about it to my friends!"

"Please~ pretty please!"

I should have chosen another place…

I shifted my gaze back to Feru but…

"Nero's food…" [Feru]

"You too!?" [Nero]

Not good… Feru is drooling somewhat…

"Alright… I give up… but this is only for tonight! You got that" [Nero]

"""""YAY!!!""""" [Everyone]

Ugh… my ears…

Looking at everyone's smiling faces, it's not that bad.

But I got to say… The Chef profession is too OP!

"By the way… Nero" [Clara]

Clara taps my shoulder to grab my attention…

What's with that look? Clara has a red face…

"Wh-Who's that?" [Clara]

When Clara said that, everyone around us suddenly became quiet and listens… really now… you guys!

And Clara… did you only notice her now?

"That's my friend, Feru" [Nero]

Feru snapped out of her food trance and waves…

I also heard numerous sighs of relief… really now… you guys!

Even Clara looks relieve… does she like me or something? Or does she swing that way? Oh well! I'm not one to judge a person.

I've spent some time in the kitchen, but not that long though.

Of course, our food was done last, I've also asked Clara to hang the close sign… or else, we can't eat.

I order for customer, and after I leave the kitchen, I won't be accepting anymore orders.

"Hmm~ I don't know, is my food really that good?" [Nero]

"It's great!" [Feru]

"It's amazing"

With Feru in front of me, I asked that question. I always ask that question.

The food that I created doesn't seem that good to me though…

And Feru answered her usual response of "It's great!"

And the people around me also answered… I'm not asking you guys…

But, whilst I was looking around, I saw a familiar face.

No, it was not one of my new buddies here on Veran. It was one of my best friends from earth…