A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 12: Gift Appraisal

Episode 12: Gift Appraisal

After the gift unboxing stream ended, each member of the White Orchid Magic Corps took the gifts they had received and returned to their rooms in the dormitory.

Only five people remained in the cafeteria where the stream had been held: two staff members cleaning up, and three corps members—Captain Paola, Vice-Captain Curry, and the newcomer, Ellel.

Ellel was holding the glowing blue vial in her hands. She was staring intently at it. She seemed to be captivated by its beauty.

“Hey, Paola. What do you think this glowing stone is?”

Curry pointed to the glowing stone in Ellel’s hand.

“I’ve only read about it in books, but… could it be a Spirit Stone?”

At the word “Spirit Stone”, one of the veteran staff members turned around in surprise. Their hands, busy cleaning, completely froze.

“What’s a Spirit Stone?”

On the other hand, Ellel didn’t seem to understand and tilted her head. She asked Paola for an explanation.

“It’s said to be a stone that contains the power of a Spirit. Whoever possesses it can borrow the power of that Spirit.”

“The power of a Spirit…”

Ellel looked at the Spirit Stone. In response, it glowed even more brightly in blue—as if it had a will of its own.

“Well, there’s compatibility involved. So not just anyone can borrow that power, apparently.”

Paola added.

“In any case, we need to appraise it. We also have to properly check what’s in the liquid inside.”

At Curry’s words, Paola nodded.

“Where do we go to get an [Appraisal]?”

“The most reliable place is the Adventurer’s Guild. There should be staff there with the [Appraisal] skill. Want to go together tomorrow?”

“Is that okay?”

Ellel looked up at Paola happily.

“Yes. New places can be scary, right? It’s best to go together at first. Let’s also get that white, glowing comb you received last time appraised while we’re at it.”

“Yes!” 

Ellel replied cheerfully.

“Come to think of it, the one who sent that gift to Ellel was also an adventurer, wasn’t it?”

“The ‘passing-by adventurer’ person?”

“Yeah.”

Curry crossed her arms and asked Paola with a serious expression.

“If this really is a Spirit Stone, what kind of person do you think would casually give away such a legendary item?”

“Hm… at the very least, an A-rank, maybe even higher…”

“S-rank? There are only two in the kingdom right now…”

Listening to their exchange, Ellel’s eyes widened.

“The passing adventurer… was S-rank…”

“That’s *if* he really was an adventurer. It’s also possible he was a merchant or a noble.”

“Either way, Ellel has a powerful patron. Lucky you.”

Curry nudged Ellel’s shoulder.

“In any case, let’s get it [Appraised] tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

Ellel responded with a smile. She was gazing lovingly at the glowing blue vial.

#

Between morning and noon, around the time when early birds began preparing lunch.

Two women in white robes appeared at the Adventurers’ Guild.

The adventurers inside the guild turned curious glances toward them.

“Who’s that…?”

“That’s the Captain of the White Orchid Magic Corps…”

“And the small one next to her?”

“Never seen her before. Probably a rookie?”

The adventurers whispered rumors about the White Orchid Magic Corps. Paola and Ellel were looking somewhat uncomfortable. They made their way to the purchase counter and lined up.

“C-Captain… they’re really staring at us…”

“Just ignore them. Don’t make eye contact.”

Paola deliberately spoke in a cold voice to intimidate the surrounding adventurers. The persistent ones kept muttering vulgar things, even after hearing her.

“? What can I help you with today?”

A brown-haired woman sitting at the purchase counter addressed Paola and Ellel. She seemed suspicious of the two. They were clearly different in appearance from the usual adventurers.

“There’s something we’d like [Appraised]. As I recall, non-adventurers can also request [Appraisals], right?”

“Yes. There’s a fee, but it’s possible. I apologize, but may I ask for your affiliation and names?”

The woman asked nervously.

“I’m Paola, Captain of the White Orchid Magic Corps. This girl here is Ellel.”

Upon hearing Paola’s name, murmurs of “I knew it” spread among the adventurers.

“So it really is Captain Paola. I’ve heard much about your accomplishments. It must be uncomfortable here. So let’s head to the second floor. I’ll guide you to the reception room.”

“Thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”

The staff woman stepped out from behind the counter and began leading them. They ascended the stairs at the back of the first-floor hall and opened a heavy door. Inside was a calm, quiet room with facing leather sofas and a low table between them.

“Please, have a seat.”

Prompted by the staff woman, Paola and Ellel sat down. Ellel gave a surprised, cheerful cry. “Wow, it’s so soft.”

“I’m the appraiser, Corina. I apologize for the discomfort downstairs. It’s rare for members of a magic corps to visit the Adventurers’ Guild…”

“It’s fine. I knew what to expect from adventurers.”

Paola added with a soft smile. It was as if to say it was nothing.

“So, you mentioned you’d like an item [Appraised]?”

“Yes. We’d like you to [Appraise] the gifts this girl received.”

“Gifts…?”

Corina looked puzzled. It was surprising that something needing [Appraisal] had been sent as a gift.

“Yes. We’d like these two items [Appraised].”

Ellel opened her pink purse and pulled something out. She placed it on the table: a white-glowing comb and a blue-glowing vial. Corina’s eyes widened.

She clearly sensed these were no ordinary items.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me…”

Corina first reached for the vial. She lightly touched the glowing blue stone and closed her eyes to focus.

“Eh…!?”

A sound of surprise escaped her lips.

“What was it?”

Paola asked carefully.

“…This is a Water Spirit Stone…”

She murmured and glanced at Ellel.

“Um… do you know what the liquid inside the vial is?”

“Allow me to check.”

Corina let a single drop of the liquid fall onto the table and gently touched it with her finger.

“…? A lotion made from a Water Elemental Slime…?”

“Water Elemental Slime?”

“Yes… that’s the result of the [Appraisal].”

As she answered, Corina began to look thoughtful. Paola noticed and questioned her.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“…Yes. Actually, we recently received reports that Water Elemental Slimes had appeared around Star Lake. And a subjugation request was issued.”

Paola’s eyes sharpened.

“Was it defeated?”

“Yes…”

“By whom…?”

Corina swallowed hard, stalling. Paola stared intently.

“…By a B-rank adventurer named Tomage.”

“A B-rank adventurer… What kind of person?”

“An eighteen-year-old youth.”

“Eighteen and already B-rank… Seems like quite a capable adventurer.”

Paola narrowed her eyes. Ellel blushed for some reason.

“I’ll [Appraise] this one next.”

Corina reached for the glowing white comb, lightly touched it, and once again closed her eyes.

“…No way… this has to be a lie…”

Corina opened her eyes. Her hand trembled as she held the comb.

“What is it?”

Paola asked. Corina didn’t respond to her, but turned to Ellel instead.

“Was this also a gift?”

“Yes. From the same person who gave me the Spirit Stone.”

“…I see…”

“What material is the comb made from?”

Paola urged her on.

“This is… a comb made from the claw of a White Dragon.”

“White Dragon…!?”

This time, Paola nearly fell over in shock.

“White Dragon?” 

Ellel asked, clearly confused. Paola began to explain gently.

“Actually, we recently received reports that a White Dragon had appeared in the mountainous border between the Kingdom and the Empire. But due to political tension, no proper investigation was conducted. Also, the White Dragon is so dangerous that no one wants to get close.”

“Is a White Dragon that strong?”

Paola responded with a tone of disbelief.

“The White Dragon is a Dragon with light-element attributes. It’s said to project powerful barriers and breathe an attack that returns all to nothing. If there’s anyone who could defeat it alone, it would have to be an S-rank adventurer.”

Ellel fell silent.

“If it turns out that this Tomage guy who gave Ellel both gifts is really the one, then he might be someone who could become S-rank in the future.”

“Yes… The Adventurers’ Guild will definitely be keeping a closer eye on him from now on.”

Paola and Corina nodded to each other.

Ellel silently stared at the glowing white comb and the glowing blue vial on the table.