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The Scorned Noble Lady Picks Up The Path of Alchemy in Her Second Life

The Alchemists Guild 1

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Having made my way to the Alchemists Guild, I walked with caution, timidly scanning my surroundings.

Although it was beginning to grow dark outside, the guild was crowded with alchemists making deliveries, forming a line at the reception. Unlike rowdy adventurers, everyone waited for their turn quietly.

If Lord Zeel were to pick a fight with me in a place like this, I would stand out more than necessary, and it could easily spiral into a major problem. According to Alice’s information, he’s been agitated lately, so I wanted to proceed with caution here.

I might come across as a suspicious person, but I decided to look around restlessly and heighten my vigilance. I needed to confirm whether Lord Zeel was here first to ensure my safety.

While I continued my vigilant watch, drawing suspicious glances from the surrounding alchemists, a woman approached me.

She was a mature woman with long, loose, wavy hair and a laid-back aura. It was Vanessa Wesley, famous for her elusive personality and her deep love for freedom.

She is a former A-Rank Alchemist currently serving as the Sub-Master of the Alchemists Guild, and she always wears a cute crescent moon-shaped necklace.

「Oh my~. Mia-chan, welcome.」

「Sorry to intrude, Vanessa-san. It’s my first time coming at this hour, but it looks quite busy.」

「That’s right. It’s busy enough as it is, but one of the receptionists suddenly quit. We're so busy we'd take help from a cat if we could get it.」

「Ah, that must be tough...」

Is there a labor shortage everywhere? That was undoubtedly the cause of the congestion at the reception.

However, Vanessa showed no sign of helping. She gazed leisurely at the reception desk, remarking, 「It looks busy~,」 acting as if it were someone else's problem.

It was slacking off... under the guise of freedom.

「That’s right. You quit the Adventurers Guild, didn't you, Mia-chan? In that case, why don't you work at the Alchemists Guild? That would solve our labor shortage.」

「Do my feelings on the matter not count?」

「No need to be modest. I’ll make sure the pay is very generous.」

「I know very well that you don't have that kind of authority.」

「It’s fine. Even without authority, I can raid the safe.」

「Please don't try to drag me into any strange incidents. I’m already working somewhere else, and I didn't come here today to find a job. I came to register as an alchemist.」

I held out the recommendation letter Lord Clein had written and the potion I had made myself.

Normally, registering with the Alchemists Guild requires taking a technical exam. However, with a recommendation from an Alchemist of Rank B or higher and an item created by the applicant, the exam can be waived.

So, if Vanessa appraised the potion, I could be registered as an alchemist right away, but...

The moment she saw Lord Clein's recommendation letter, Vanessa's expression shifted slightly.

「Hmm, so the rumors were true.」

「So the rumors have spread even here...」

「It’s fine, isn't it? You don't lose anything when good rumors spread.」

Apparently, she meant the rumor about me becoming the Court Alchemist's assistant, not the engagement annulment. Since I was nervous about running into Lord Zeel, I had assumed it was the latter.

Though if they spread within the Alchemists Guild, both rumors would only be a burden.

As I was hoping I wouldn't attract any unwanted attention, Vanessa held up the potion I made and narrowed her eyes.

She usually jokes around, but occasionally, she would show a serious expression like this.

「Just as I thought...」

「Just as you thought?」

「No, just talking to myself. I was just thinking how surprising it is that you’re aiming to be an alchemist, Mia-chan.」

Her expression changed so quickly that I might have imagined it.

「Well then, come over here so we can get you registered. As the Sub-Master, I’ll register you personally.」

Vanessa's offer was very grateful. Since the Alchemists Guild was crowded, having her handle the reception work would save a significant amount of time.

However, having known her for years, I didn't want to accept her kindness so readily.

That is how free-spirited she is, in both the good and bad sense.

She would arbitrarily change contract details, try to make trading partners pay a premium, or push requests onto people—she simply did whatever she wanted.

Whether things turned out well or poorly depended entirely on Vanessa's mood.

Moreover, even when she made unreasonable demands, mysteriously, things proceeded without causing trouble, which was terrifying in many ways.

Therefore, I wanted a normal receptionist to handle my request.

「I will respectfully decline being handled by you, Vanessa-san.」

「Oh my, I wonder why. I have absolutely no intention of doing anything stra~nge, ufufufu.」

Please don't say that with such a fearless smile. I can't trust you.

「Look, the reception is crowded, so please attend to the people in line first. If you prioritize me, you'll cause resentment.」

「Don't worry about it. Everyone here knows I'm the type who doesn't listen to other people's opinions.」

Since the alchemists in line were nodding in agreement, they likely didn't expect anything from Vanessa anymore. In fact, their expressions seemed to say they would rather avoid her too.

On the other hand, the receptionists were different. They were working with expressions that seemed to scream, "Please help us~!"

I worried that another receptionist might quit.

「Lock on~ to Mia-chan~♪」

Thus, having been designated as prey, I was captured and dragged toward the reception counter.

I hope I don't get dragged into some problem after this... I thought to myself.