After returning to the city after procuring "Earthcraft," "Shield of Dawn" visited the "Arsenal of Spirits" first thing in the morning.


    Leon immediately shared information with Roland about what had happened in the dungeon.


    The "Dragon''s Fires" attacked?


    Yeah, we interrogated the guys who attacked us, and that''s what they said.


    "...... I see."


    (The "Dragon''s Fires" attacked the "Shield of Dawn" ....... The aim is to hit the "Arsenal of Spirits" (ours) in all likelihood. Does this mean that they are finally starting to feel threatened by us?　But then the response seems half-hearted?)


    ''Roland, what are you going to do?　Shouldn''t we do something about it?"


    I''ll be fine. No matter how good the alchemists of "Dragon''s Fireside" are, the adventurers who attack them are B or C class at best. Aina''s "coating" and Monica''s "hawk eye" are no match for them. There is no need to change our plans."


    So we''re still going to collect ''Earthcraft'' as before?"


    Yeah, that''s no problem. Just let me know if you catch any more movement on "Dragon''s Fires.


    Okay.


    Mr. Roland. May I?"


    When I finished conferring with Leon, Aina came running up to me.


    Aina," he said. What''s wrong?"


    I asked Monica about the usability of the ''Red Arrow,'' and she said it was compatible with the ''Silver Iron Breaking Bow.


    Hm. It is true that the "Red Arrow" is a weapon developed for the "Ryusenkyu". It is not compatible with the ''Silver Iron Breaking Bow''?


    Roland thinks for a moment, then turns to Aina.


    Aina. Do you want to make a new piece of equipment for Monica?


    What?　Me?"


    I thought it was time for you to take on the task of manufacturing Class A equipment.


    Class A. ......


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do that. From now on, I think I''ll be putting more emphasis on appraising adventurers, so I''ll have to leave the management of the workshop to someone else. I''m going to put you in charge of that.


    Me?


    If you can make Class A equipment from scratch, I have no doubt you can handle it. How about it?　Wanna give it a try?"


    Yes, sir. I will do it. Let me do it!


    (Okay. Let''s go for it.)


    Aina got fired up in her mind.


    Roland is pleased to hear her reply.


    (It looks like Aina will be fine for now. Monica''s participation was unplanned, but it''s a great opportunity for Aina to gain experience with A-class equipment.)


    Well," he said, "I''ll see you later. I''ll have to rush to replenish my new staff."


    (In addition to retail sales of "Exterior Enhancement (Coating)", the production of A-class equipment. It is obvious that Aina''s workload will increase. We need to hire new staff to prepare for this.)


    Roland was already arranging interviews.


    It was almost time for the prospective interviewees to arrive.


    (The "dragon''s fiery fire" attacked. For now, Aina''s "Coating" and Monica''s "Hawk-Eye" have been able to keep them at bay, but that will be in jeopardy if the enemy starts to use their mages. We also need to hurry up and find an alchemist who can make equipment for mages (......).


    Roland appraises the skills of the young man who applied.


    [Wayne''s unique skills].


    Cutting": E to A


    (Found. The owner of the unique skill "Magic Stone Cutting (Cutting)"!　You can make equipment for mages. (And ......)


    Wayne''s Skills]


    Metal Forming": B to A


    ("Metal Forming" is also already class B. Class A qualities in the future. This would help Aina with her work)


    My name is Wayne Merza. Before I came here, I worked at Dragon''s Fires."


    How. At the Dragon''s Fireside. That''s great. Why did you quit?"


    When Roland asked this, Wayne jerked and moved his eyebrows grimly.


    ''I''ve been having a bit of ...... trouble,'' he said.


    Wayne said this with a bitter look on his face.


    ?"　I see. For now, what we''d like you to do for us is ''metal forming'' and ......, and later on, we''d like you to be in charge of equipment for mages."


    Yeah, sure. I''ll make you a sword, a staff, anything you want. After all, I am an alchemist who used to work in "Dragon''s Fires. I think I can make something better than your alchemist.


    （What?　(You''re a very confident man.)


    I understand. Then, I will hire you. As soon as possible, can you come tomorrow?"


    We can start today, not tomorrow.


    Is that so?　Then, let''s have you join our workshop (atelier) today. However, since we are nearing the end of our business today, the most we will do is a face to face meeting and a meeting for tomorrow. ......


    Yeah, that''s fine. There''s nothing better than getting those things done quickly.


    Aina was molding an iron bow, remembering the new assignment from Roland.


    ''Improving your skills......?''


    The "Metal Forming" B and "Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)" C are not enough to make A-class equipment. At the very least, one of them needs to be class A."


    I see.


    But what we''re going to do is the same as before. Make equipment and aim to improve your status. Just be aware of the specs for Class A equipment as you work.


    Yes."


    You''re really into this, Aina.


    As Aina was making a bow and arrow, Roddy approached her.


    ''Yes, Roland has put me in charge of the A-class equipment. I have to work harder than ever.


    Aina, Roddy. Good night."


    Roland comes into the workshop (atelier) saying so.


    Ah, Mr. Roland, good evening.


    Aina noticed a strange young man next to Roland as she greeted him.


    She asked, "Mr. Roland, who is he?"


    Let me introduce you. He is Wayne Merza. He is the newest alchemist to join the ''Arsenal of Spirits.


    Oh, you mean the new employee I was telling you about?


    Yeah, I finally found the right person.


    Heh. I''m glad to hear that.


    I''m Aina. Nice to meet you.


    Aina smilingly extends her hand to Wayne for a handshake.


    Wayne does not respond, but looks around the workshop (atelier).


    (Oh, what is that?　Didn''t you hear me?)


    Aina put her hand back in puzzlement.


    My workbench, is it over there?"


    No, that''s Aina''s workbench. Yours is over here."


    What is it? The crude one?"


    Wayne turned to Roddy.


    I''m Roddy," Wayne said. Nice to meet you.


    Oh, hi.


    I''m in charge of ''product design. If you have any questions, just ask.


    Heh, okay. I can do product design myself.


    What?　Is that so?"


    Yes. I''m from Dragon''s Fires.


    "Oh, really? You come from the Dragon''s Fiery Fire?


    Aina bites.


    That''s great. Speaking of ''Dragon''s Fires,'' isn''t that the biggest company on the island?


    Roddy said.


    I guess I have more to teach you all than I do.


    Now, guys, enough chit-chat. Now that Wayne has joined us, let''s have a meeting about tomorrow.


    Roland said.


    Tomorrow we are going to make about 20 pieces of ''armor C'' with ''coating''. Aina, you''ll be in charge of the project.


    Yes, sir."


    Wayne frowns when he hears this.


    （What is this workshop (atelier)?　(What the hell is a woman in charge?)


    ''Well then, Wayne. She''ll explain it to you as soon as possible: ......"


    I''m not kidding. I''m not going to follow a woman''s lead.


    What do you mean?


    The point is to make 10 pieces of armor C, right? I''ll do it on my own. Well, then, that''s that.


    I don''t like what you just said, Wayne.


    Roland said.


    ''Yes?"


    Take it back. Take it back.


    When Roland said this, Wayne''s expression was hostile.


    Roland, too, looks severely defeated.


    The workshop became quiet as if water had been poured over it.


    Didn''t you hear me?　Take back what you just said."


    Heh, I don''t understand what you mean. What''s wrong with what I said?"


    I see. Then you don''t have to come to this studio anymore.


    What?


    Aina is our ace. We can''t have her getting off track by someone who ignores orders because of her gender or some other incomprehensible reason.


    ......"


    Wayne, you are an alchemist too. There will be times when you will want to ego-boost. But only after you meet our minimum requirements. We don''t want anyone in our guild who only disturbs harmony and can''t contribute to the team.


    Roland pointed to the exit.


    If you can''t respect her, then your contract is terminated," Roland said. Get out of this guild immediately.


    Wayne and Roland glanced at each other for a moment.


    Silence reigned.


    Tch. All right," Wayne said. Just ask.


    Wayne reluctantly turns to Aina''s desk.


    Aina was having a meeting with him, but inwardly she was feeling unconvinced.


    （What the hell is this guy? He''s so rude. It''s okay. If you want to be friends with me, I don''t want to be friends with you either.)


    Roddy sensitively read her feelings from Aina''s complexion.


    (Ahhhh.... The team is already falling apart. I wonder if it''s okay. Is it okay like this? Roland is Roland, too. We were in a good mood. I don''t know why we bothered to hire this guy. ......)


    The day ended with a meeting for tomorrow.


    The next day, Wayne was headed for the "Spirit Arsenal," mumbling and complaining.


    （d*mn, that''s depressing. (d*mn, it''s depressing to think that I, a B-class armorer at the "Dragon''s Fires," have to work for a guild like this, and for a woman like that.)


    When Wayne passed through the entrance of the workshop (atelier), he saw Roland sitting in a chair at the end of the hallway.


    (Is that Roland?　What are you doing?)


    Roland was single-mindedly staring at the sword.


    He didn''t even notice that Wayne had entered the room.


    Wayne noticed Roland''s eyes glowing dimly.


    (That''s an appraisal skill. Is this guy an appraiser ......?)


    Tsk."


    (The guild leader is an appraiser and the person in charge is a woman. (A reckless guild.)


    Wayne opened and closed the door roughly and entered the workshop.


    When he entered the workshop, Aina and Roddy were already there.


    Aina was cleaning her hammer, wiping it with a cloth.


    When she saw Wayne, she turned away with a pout.


    Wayne, being Wayne, did not say a word.


    (I knew it. Neither of them spoke a word.)


    Roddy was uncomfortable between the two of them.


    (Huh. The atmosphere is so bad. I''m going to lose my temper like this.)


    Are we all here?"


    Ah, Mr. Loran. ......


    Roland looked around the workshop (atelier) and immediately noticed that the atmosphere had changed drastically from yesterday.


    （It''s tense. It''s a good atmosphere. (Maybe something good or bad will happen today.)


    He said, "All right. Then, as I said yesterday, Aina and Wayne will make 10 pieces of armor C each with ''metal molding. Aina will then do ''exterior reinforcement (coating). Roddy will support them. You both have the blueprints."


    Roland looks at Aina and Wayne and sees the blueprints on their desks.


    Roland looks at Aina and Wayne. Then start."


    (Armor C, huh? (Tsk. Shoddy work, isn''t it?)


    Wayne raises the hammer languidly and slams it down on the block of steel.


    The mass of iron is crushed as it heats up.


    （But we''ve got to stay here for now. I''m going to get revenge on Edgar. To do that, I have to gather up my strength first. I''m going to look back at those people from "Dragon''s Fires" who kicked me out. This is no time to be stumbling around here!


    Wayne crushed the iron one after another and put them together into one piece.


    (The point is to make a better weapon than that woman, right?　Then Roland will have to admit that I''m a good guy.)


    The iron was solidifying into one solid piece on Wayne''s workbench.


    (Good. (Good. It''s looking good. This should meet the requirements of the blueprint. What about that woman ......, eh?)


    Aina hammered away with tremendous speed, and the armor was already taking shape.


    (Is, fast!　(And the quality seems pretty good ......)


    Roland appraised Aina''s status.


    Aina''s status.


    Arm strength (power): 50 (up 10) - 60 (up 10)


    Endurance (toughness): 40-50


    Agility: 70 (up 10)-80 (up 10)


    Physical strength (stamina): 60-70


    (Endurance (toughness) has stabilized, and arm strength (power) and agility (agility) have increased. You''ve been slack lately, but the addition of Wayne has awakened you with a renewed sense of urgency. (On the other hand, ......)


    [Wayne''s status].


    Arm strength (power): 40-70


    Endurance (toughness): 40-70


    Agility: 20-50


    Physical strength (stamina): 40-70


    (Wayne''s status. Quicksilver''s highest values are generally high, but too uneven. Terrible status. Wasn''t there any good guidance on status adjustment in "Dragon''s Fireside"?　(You can''t even get half of your strength out of this thing.)


    Roland-san, the first piece of armor C is ready!


    Aina said.


    (What? It''s already done?)


    Wayne looked up at Aina in surprise.


    On her desk rested the armor that she had finished molding.


    Aina also looked at the top of Wayne''s workbench.


    There was only a piece of armor that was still in the process of being made.


    Not even half of the process had been completed.


    (Phew, even for an alchemist who worked for "Dragon''s Fires," it''s not like this.)


    Yes," he said. Perfect."


    Roland, who had appraised Aina''s armor, said.


    Keep it up.


    Yes, sir."


    (d*mn, that''s bad. If I don''t do something, my rating will go up to ....... I have to hurry.)


    Wayne tries to pick up the pace.


    However, the more he rushed, the more he was spinning his wheels.


    The faster he tried to swing the hammer, the harder he tried, and the harder he tried, the less accurate he could hit.


    The gap between Wayne and Aina was widening, and his exhaustion was only getting worse.


    （I''ve got to do something.)


    Wayne tries to run and get the ore.


    He said, "Oh, hey, you''re going to ......."


    Roddy tried to stop him.


    Move it!"


    Wayne pushes Roddy away and reaches for the shelf.


    The shelf almost fell over.


    Wayne tried to get the shelf back up, but he couldn''t muster the strength.


    (Oh no, I can''t get it up.)


    The ore and armaments in the shelves are about to fall on Wayne.


    Look out!"


    Just as the shelf is about to tip over, Roland holds it up in the nick of time.


    Wayne was only hit in the hand by a small piece of ore.


    Are you okay?"


    Ouch."


    [Wayne''s status.


    Arm strength (power): 10 (↘?30) - 70


    I''m losing power. You can''t even hit iron properly with that kind of status. Go rest for a while.


    "d*mn, I know."


    Hey, you''re hurt.


    Roddy looked at Wayne''s bleeding hand and said.


    ''Are you okay?　Do you know where the medicine chest is?"


    Let go of me!"　I''m not a kid. I can find that much on my own!"


    Wayne leaves the workshop (atelier) and heads for the break room.


    Mr. Roland, are you all right?"


    Aina ran up to me.


    ''Oh, I''m fine. I''m fine. You looked good today.


    What?　Oh, no, I don''t think so.


    Yeah, at this rate, I''m sure your skills will be right up there."


    Really?


    I''m looking forward to seeing you in Class A equipment.


    Yes!　I''ll do my best."


    Mr. Roland, what are you going to do after this?"


    Roddy asked as he put away the armor Wayne was about to make.


    Aina will use ''exterior reinforcement (coating)'' as planned. Roddy, please support Aina.


    I understand.


    (Aina and Roddy are fine with this, but the problem is Wayne. He''s a little tricky. He''s a bit of a handful.)