The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 14

“Yes, it seems you’ve covered everything. Next, could you please touch this?”

Pamela said, reaching under the reception desk and producing a crystal ball.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a crystal ball used to measure magical power. Please touch it and channel your magic into it.”

“Hmm…”

I placed my hand on the crystal ball and channeled my spiritual power into it.

“………………..”

“………………..”

“…..Hmm? Still nothing?”

Hmm?

“I’ve been channeling it since I touched it.”

“Hmm, that’s odd… Is it broken?”

Pamela touched the crystal ball herself, and it began to turn red.

“It’s not broken… Are you sure you’re channeling your magic? It says here that you’re skilled in magic.”

“Ah, Master, spiritual power and magical power are different, so it won’t be able to measure it.”

AI-chan, who had been working on the map, looked up and explained.

“Ah, I see… Pamela, I’m from another world, so what I use isn’t exactly magic, it’s called Onmyojutsu. And it’s not magical power that I use, but spiritual power. I don’t know the exact difference, but they seem to be distinct.”

“I see… So, what should we do about that?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well, we need to determine your rank, and one of the indicators for that is magical power.”

Rank?

“Do adventurers have ranks too?”

“Yes. In the past, there was no ranking system, but many inexperienced individuals would take on requests beyond their capabilities, so we introduced the rank system to ensure people are matched with appropriate jobs for their skill level.”

That’s reasonable. Failing a job would cause trouble for the guild as well.

“So, what happens to me if my magical power can’t be measured?”

“Umm, you’d be placed in the lowest rank, G-rank…”

Well, I guess that can’t be helped.

“What kind of work is there for G-rank?”

“Gathering medicinal herbs, cleaning waterways, hunting slimes or goblins…”

Ugh…

“I encountered goblins in the forest, but is that really profitable? They were so weak that even a kid from around here could probably beat them.”

“You get five copper coins per goblin.”

I don’t know the local prices, but that definitely seems cheap.

“Is that enough to stay at an inn?”

“Even a cheap inn would cost two silver coins, I think…”

That’s no good.

“Isn’t there another way? I’d at least like to reach a rank where I can earn a decent living.”

If things stayed like this, I’d literally end up as a vagrant eating snakes and rats under a bridge.

“Hmm, how about taking a promotion exam?”

“Can a G-rank become an A-rank?”

“Well, that might be a bit much…”

I supposed it was unrealistic to expect such a huge jump in rank.

“How far can I go, then?”

“Hmm, if you were to have a mock battle with an examiner and they acknowledge your strength, you might be able to reach D-rank.”

D-rank, huh.

“By the way, what about you two? What are your ranks?”

I turned to Natalia and Alice behind me.

“I’m C-rank.”

“…..Hehehe, B-rank!”

Natalia answered casually, while Alice proudly declared her rank with a confident smile.

“Master, how about having Alice take on a request and then you complete it in her stead?”

“Oh!”

“As expected of AI-chan, my brilliant brain! You’re so wise!”

“Ehehe.”

AI-chan giggled happily.

“Umm, please refrain from cheating.”

Pamela gave me a stern look.

“Isn’t that okay?”

“That kind of thing isn’t allowed. There are people who make a living doing that, but they’re subject to crackdowns.”

“Hmm…”

So, I would have been in trouble if I had accepted the reward for the bandit hunting request, huh.

“What will you do? Do you want to take the D-rank promotion exam?”

“It’s a mock battle, right? Hmm…”

I wonder if I can do it.

I’m not very good at holding back in combat against humans since I don’t have much experience with it.

“Master, I think it would be better to take the exam… It’s just a mock battle, and even if something happens, it can be passed off as an accident.”

“Well… But it’s not good to kill someone who’s innocent.”

I’m an onmyoji who banishes yokai and protects people.

Would it be right for someone like me to take the life of an innocent person?

“It’s an accident, just an accident. Now, let’s get some sleep. According to my health check, Master, you’re quite exhausted.”

That’s because my head feels a bit heavy.

Yeah, it’s mostly due to the language installation.

“I’ll do my best to hold back…”

“Hey now… We’ve got a pretty confident big guy here.”

I turned at the sound of the voice and saw a man who was taller and broader than me, standing there with a smile. His well-developed muscles were accentuated by his thin clothing, and the various scars on his body suggested he was a seasoned warrior.

“Oh, Jeffrey.”

Apparently, he was an acquaintance of Pamela’s.

“Pamela, who’s this?”

“He’s part of the staff.”

Staff?

I thought he was an adventurer or a mercenary.

Old man, aren’t you in the wrong field? You definitely look like you should be an adventurer or a mercenary.”

“I’m a former adventurer. After retiring, I decided to put my experience to use and took up this job.”

I see.

So, he’s like an instructor or something.

“Hmm.”

“Hey, not that I care, but who is this?”

The old man pointed at his feet, where AI-chan was happily patting his thick legs.

“Hey, stop that.”

I pulled AI-chan away and handed her to Natalia.

Natalia placed her hands on AI-chan’s shoulders and started watching over her.

“What’s that?”

“She’s my disciple. She’s probably just curious.”

“Well, she’s a child… No, wait, she’s not! Pamela, what’s going on here?”

The old man snapped out of his daze and turned to Pamela for an explanation.

“Ah, yes. This person is a reincarnate from another world, and they’re skilled in magic, but their techniques seem to be unique, so the crystal isn’t reacting.”

“Ah, well, that happens sometimes. Can’t be helped, so G-rank it is.”

“I told them that, but they didn’t seem convinced…”

“Haa… A claimer?”¹

Who’s a claimer?!

“I’m not going to hunt goblins!”

“Listen, everyone starts from the bottom.”

I know that!

“I don’t have a home or food, so I need to find a quick way to earn money. That’s why we were talking about taking the promotion exam.”

“Is that so?”

The old man turned to Pamela for confirmation.

“Yes, they’re a reincarnate with a Gift, so it might be fine to give them a test and place them at D-rank if they pass.”

“I see… Alright, I’ll acknowledge it.”

Oh! The old man understands.

“Okay, D-rank it is.”

“We did it, Master!”

AI-chan clenched her hands in front of her chest and rejoiced.

“Where’s this confidence coming from?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Hmm… I’ll be the examiner.”

So, the old man will be the examiner.

“Jeffrey? Are you sure that’s okay?”

“It’s the duty of the elderly to guide the youth.”

“He apparently passed away at the age of 99 yesterday.”

“….He’s an old man.”

No, I’m 20.

“It’s fine for the old man to be the examiner, but where will the exam take place?”

“There’s a practice area in the basement. Let’s go there.”

The old man pointed to a staircase leading underground.

“Hmm…”

“Let’s go.”

The old man started walking towards the stairs.

“Fuu, that old man is dead.”

AI-chan laughs nihilistically.

“Yuuma, don’t forget to hold back!”

“…..Bye-bye, Jeffrey. I’ll visit your grave.”

As Natalia and Alice said that, the old man walking ahead paused for a moment.

However, he continued down the stairs, so AI-chan and I followed.

Pamela, Natalia, and Alice also joined us, and we all descended the staircase together.

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