Chapter 5

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Maya had noticed the change in Iru’s attitude immediately. Having worked alongside him for so long, she was attuned to even the subtlest shifts in his demeanor.

 

While she could not pinpoint exactly what had triggered this transformation, something had clearly happened within Iru that fundamentally altered his approach. Previously, he would become irritated after each failed request, his frustration mounting with every setback. Now, however, he maintained a calm composure that seemed almost foreign to his usual temperament.

 

Even more surprising was his choice to take on requests one Floor below his recent attempts. Despite Maya’s countless attempts to convince him to approach challenges more methodically, he had always dismissed her advice. This sudden change in strategy represented a significant shift in his thinking.

 

Maya found herself curious about the catalyst for this transformation, but she continued with her daily responsibilities without interference. The change was positive, and she reasoned that it would be best not to probe too deeply into whatever had inspired it.

 

Several days later, Maya observed another notable development. Iru had begun visiting the reference room independently, seeking information and guidance without her usual encouragement. This was a dramatic shift from his previous stance that an adventurer’s natural ability was paramount to success.

 

Recognizing that something significant was influencing Iru’s behavior, Maya decided to investigate discreetly during her work duties. When she saw him enter the reference room one afternoon, she gathered some documents that needed filing and followed him inside, using her legitimate work responsibilities as cover.

 

Upon entering the room, Maya was surprised to discover Iru engaged in conversation not with a female adventurer, as she might have expected, but with a male colleague discussing practical adventuring strategies. The sight caught her off guard, and when Iru noticed her presence, he looked up questioningly.

 

“What brings you here, Maya? Taking a break from your duties?”

 

“Not at all,” Maya replied, maintaining her professional composure despite feeling slightly flustered. “I’m just delivering documents that belong in this room.”

 

She had been standing there only briefly, but her response carried a hint of defensiveness that reflected her usual tone during work hours. Fortunately, Iru seemed satisfied with her explanation, simply nodding and returning to his conversation with the other adventurer.

 

While the reference room typically maintained strict quiet policies, the absence of other visitors allowed for normal conversation. Maya proceeded to file her documents in their proper locations, listening discretely to their discussion as she worked.

 

The conversation centered on monster encounter strategies and other essential knowledge for adventurers. However, Maya noticed that Iru was primarily listening rather than dominating the discussion, absorbing information with an attentiveness she had rarely seen from him before.

 

The content was remarkably similar to advice Maya had offered him previously, yet Iru now appeared genuinely receptive to guidance. Recognizing that her presence might disrupt this valuable learning experience, Maya completed her filing and quietly departed.

 

Later, Maya learned that Iru had encountered an adventurer named Desiree during one of these reference room visits. Their chance meeting had developed into regular consultations, with Iru seeking Desiree’s expertise on various matters. When Desiree was unavailable, he had begun conducting independent research, a practice that would have been unthinkable weeks earlier.

 

Maya discovered that Iru’s relationship with Desiree had originated from advice she had provided during a previous reference room encounter. Understanding that Desiree was the driving force behind Iru’s positive transformation brought Maya considerable relief and satisfaction.

 

***

 

As Iru’s relationship with Desiree and her associates continued to develop, Maya began hearing rumors about the exploits of Wolf Fang, the guild which Desiree belonged. These stories included impressive achievements by various members, including Cory’s arena successes and the remarkable adventures of an adventurer named Kou, whom Iru had previously encountered.

 

Among these circulating stories, one rumor stood out as particularly significant. Wolf Fang was reportedly being absorbed into Crown, with their current base set to become an official Crown branch office.

 

Through her growing friendship with Iru, Maya had also developed cordial relationships with Desiree’s party members. During one of their regular reference room conversations, Maya casually inquired about the rumors and received a direct confirmation of their accuracy.

 

Wolf Fang’s base would indeed become a Crown branch, and observing Iru’s expression upon hearing this news, Maya understood that significant changes lay ahead.

 

Several weeks later, Maya found herself standing in the former Wolf Fang building, now officially designated as a Crown branch office. She had not come merely out of curiosity, but in response to a staff recruitment notice that had caught her attention.

 

While Iru’s early decision to join Crown had influenced her interest, Maya’s conversations with Desiree had genuinely sparked her curiosity about Crown’s operations and culture. The timing seemed providential, as such organizations typically required careful planning and networking to access their recruitment processes.

 

Maya waited in the examination room alongside other candidates when an incident occurred that would prove illuminating about Crown’s values and standards.

 

“Excuse me, are you the examiners for the recruitment?” A woman had risen from her seat, addressing two women who had entered with examination materials.

 

“Yes, that’s correct. Is there something you need?” The examiner responded with professional courtesy, though clearly puzzled by the interruption.

 

The candidate’s expression shifted to one of obvious displeasure. “I would like to request a different examiner.”

 

“May I ask why?”

 

“Because I refuse to be evaluated by someone of your… status,” the woman replied with barely concealed disdain, her tone making her meaning unmistakably clear.

 

Maya observed several candidates shifting uncomfortably at this display, recognizing the discriminatory nature of the complaint. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as everyone awaited the examiner’s response.

 

The examiner sighed calmly before addressing the woman directly. “That is not grounds for examiner replacement. If you find our standards unacceptable, you are welcome to withdraw from the examination and leave.”

 

She gestured toward the room’s entrance with unwavering composure.

 

The candidate’s face flushed with anger. “Do you understand who I am?”

 

Maya had suspected from the woman’s bold attitude that she held some position of social standing, and this outburst seemed to confirm her assessment. As the situation developed, Maya watched carefully to see how the examiner would handle this challenge to Crown’s authority.

 

Other candidates observed with similar interest, creating a palpable tension in the room. The examiner, whether aware of the attention or not, maintained complete professional composure.

 

“You are a candidate for Crown’s employee recruitment examination. If you cannot accept that role, please leave immediately.”

 

The examiner’s firm response, accompanied by a continued gesture toward the exit, left no room for negotiation.

 

Ultimately, the woman reluctantly returned to her seat, apparently choosing to proceed with the examination despite her objections.

 

Maya successfully passed the Crown employee recruitment examination, joining four other women who were selected from the candidate pool. Predictably, the woman who had created the disturbance was not among those chosen, nor were several others who had displayed similar attitudes during the incident.

 

This outcome was entirely logical, as the pre-examination materials had clearly outlined Crown’s policies regarding equality and non-discrimination. Candidates who had violated these fundamental principles during the examination process had effectively disqualified themselves.

 

While the selection process appeared highly competitive based on the acceptance rate, Maya wondered whether the actual difficulty lay more in Crown’s strict adherence to their organizational values than in technical qualifications alone.