Chapter 73: The Frustrated Heroine

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[To S:

Thank you for the information you provided last time about Demon Swordsmanship and the Devil’s Spirit Jar. It’s strange—I couldn’t find any of this in the school library, probably because it’s a royal institution under strict control.

The information is fascinating, and it aligns with some of the materials I already have. However, it’s a lot to process, and just organizing it will take some time. I’ll reply with more details after I attend an upcoming social banquet.

Oh, and I recently heard some interesting ideas in my magic potion class, especially about how the type of firewood used can affect the potion’s outcome. I’d never considered how birchwood versus cedarwood could create different effects. The teacher also joked that roasted long-eared rabbit meat tastes best when cooked with Thunder Peanuts. We all laughed—how many peanuts would it take to cook a rabbit?

I’ve compiled some notes for you. Feel free to take a look if you’re interested.

W]

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[To S:

It’s been a while since I last wrote to you, and today I found several of your letters waiting for me. Thank you so much for the detailed information about the Demon Swordsmanship inheritors. I’ve only recently had the time to organize everything and reply with my findings. Based on their heroic deeds, I’ve managed to estimate some damage calculations. I’ve written the formulas and conclusions on some draft paper.

What intrigues me most, though, are the similarities between these Demon Swordsmanship inheritors! Thank you again for the information—it’s pointed me in a clear direction.

You might be curious about what I’ve been up to. I just prepared for and attended a noble banquet that was quite significant for my life. Honestly, I hate such events, but I managed to get through it. Aside from classes, I shouldn’t be too busy now and can help you calculate more data.

Also, regarding your curiosity about the firewood specifics in magic potion class—I followed up with the teacher after class, even chasing him to his office to ask more questions. The other teachers in the office complimented me, saying students as eager to learn as I am are rare. Your curiosity earned me some extra praise.

I’ve recorded the teacher’s explanations word-for-word and included them at the end.

W]

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“Ugh… hmm… ugh…”

Shuna sat on a chair, her booted legs swinging back and forth as she read. The more she read, the faster her legs swung.

The tips of her boots kept thudding against the adventurer guild’s front desk, causing it to shake slightly.

She flipped through one letter, then another, then back to the previous one, her speed increasing with each turn.

“Ugh…”

She let out a frustrated groan, pouting as she slumped against the guild’s front desk.

It was a rare quiet afternoon at the adventurer guild, and for once, Shuna was the only one there.

Sunlight glinted off the empty wine glass on the desk, a faint trace of purple wine still trickling down the inside. She glanced at the letters, then at the glass, before finally sitting upright.

Her current state…

Made Isaac, the guildmaster who had watched Shuna grow up—well, for the past three years—quite concerned.

Though it might be an exaggeration to say so, Shuna was mature and capable enough that Isaac didn’t worry about her being bullied or beaten.

But…

At forty-something years old, Isaac couldn’t help but see her as a daughter.

She reminded him of his own daughter back in his hometown—if she ever grew up, rebelled, and ran away, she might look just like Shuna.

“You’ve been looking downcast for a week now. You haven’t taken on any new tasks all week, just sitting there reading.”

This was unusual for Shuna.

Compared to the overzealous adventurers who took on every quest they could, Shuna wasn’t particularly competitive.

But even if there weren’t any quests she liked, she’d usually spend her weekends doing light solo runs in the first or second dungeon layers to stay active.

She often joked that someone once told her the slimes on the first two layers were world-ending threats. She didn’t see it, but she figured it was worth investigating.

Hearing Isaac’s comment, Shuna slapped the letters onto the desk.

“It’s all because of this guy asking me to research Demon Swordsmanship inheritors. Digging through ancient texts isn’t easy. A lot of them are banned books from the Entark Empire, and I had to scavenge them from secondhand stalls. But even though they’re banned, they’re surprisingly cheap. He’s always into these obscure things no one else cares about.”

Isaac paused mid-polish, his hand frozen on the glass.

Why did Shuna sound like a disgruntled housewife?

Weren’t these two just pen pals who had never met?

“Don’t overthink it. As one of the idolized freelance adventurers of our guild, everyone’s waiting for you to take on a new quest.”

Isaac tried to cheer her up, polishing the glass with renewed vigor.

“Especially after your last mission in the Snow Abyss. Without your idea to use explosives to break through the frozen walls, that team might not have made it out alive. A zero-casualty run on the 60th dungeon floor is nothing short of a miracle.”

“…Really? Then, boss, how about giving me some special treatment?”

Seeing Shuna’s mood improve slightly, Isaac agreed without hesitation:

“Sure, anything for our star adventurer.”

“Can I drink something stronger? This low-alcohol wine is basically grape juice.”

“Absolutely not!”

Isaac almost thought Shuna, who was usually so low-maintenance, would ask for something significant.

But no—it was about alcohol.

He looked at her youthful face. Three years ago, when she had torn down the guild’s toughest quest and declared she’d take it on, he had also said, “Absolutely not.”

Now, she was growing into a fine young woman. Three years ago, if you ignored her hair, her face could’ve been mistaken for a boy’s.

Now, even her face radiated the charm of a confident and beautiful young lady.

If only she’d wear a cute pink dress instead of prioritizing practicality with long boots, thigh-high socks, and a cropped top for dungeon runs—she’d have a legion of admirers.

“You’re not just pretending to be upset to trick me into giving you alcohol, are you?”

“No, definitely not. I don’t know why, but even though I’m not a heavy drinker, there’s something… oddly appealing about alcohol. It feels like it connects me to fate somehow…”

“The last drunkard who said that claimed he could see his dead wife after drinking, only to remember he’d been single for thirty years.”

“Hahaha, boss, if you won’t let me drink, that’s fine. How about this: every time I want to drink, you let me run a tab. When I’m of age, you can serve me everything I’ve owed, all at once.”

“Fine, I’ll let you drink until you’re sick of it…”

Isaac stopped mid-sentence, realizing something was off about her tone.

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘when I come back’?”

“Well…”

She scratched her head, looking uncharacteristically hesitant.

“After I take on one last quest as team leader next week—repaying a life debt—I plan to go back to school for a while. I want to graduate properly and register as an official adventurer before returning.”

“What?”

“I know it’s sudden… but after seeing his… seeing his school life, I feel… a little jealous. I wish I had more topics to talk about with him. Besides, I never officially dropped out. I just stopped attending classes, but I still take exams, so it’s not a big deal.”

“No, I mean…”

“Hmm?”

“Wait… Shuna, you’ve been to school?!”

“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean? I’ve always borrowed books from the library to read, haven’t I?”

Shuna glanced at the letters filled with vibrant descriptions of campus life.

She pouted.

“Do I really look like a dropout delinquent?”

“When you’re asking me for alcohol, absolutely.”

“Boss, don’t discourage me from drinking! I might take it seriously!”