The Appraising-Eye Slave Trader ~ A Blind Boy Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Dominates with the Power to 'See True Talent' ~ - Episode 3: From Maid to Adventurer

Episode 3: From Maid to Adventurer

 

“—Kariya! You did it again!?”

 

The sound of a dish breaking echoed through the dining hall in the morning. It was then followed with a shout.

 

“Hya… I-I’m sorry!”

 

In the middle of the shattered porcelain scattered on the floor, shrinking down, was the usual clumsy maid Kariya.

 

It seemed she had spilled a tray of soup. All the dishes were ruined. Worse, the soup had splashed onto the carpet.

 

“Do you even realize how many dishes you’ve broken just this month!? Enough is enough!”

 

The one scolding her was the head maid, Maribel.

 

Strict, but a hard worker and respected… but when she gets angry, she’s seriously scary.

 

“I-I’m sorry… I was being careful… but my foot got caught…”

 

“No ‘buts’! You always say that, and you always make the same mistakes!”

 

*Slam!* went the sound of a hand slapping the table.

 

“I’ve had it! You just don’t have any talent for being a maid!”

 

That one sentence drained the color from Kariya’s face.

 

“…A-Am I… being fired…?”

 

Her voice sounded like she was holding back tears.

 

Her shoulders drooped, and she looked down. It made her look pitiful.

 

I was sitting at the dining table but stood up quietly.

 

“Let’s stop there, Maribel-san.”

 

“…Ouji-sama?”

 

“I understand how you feel. But if yelling and scolding were going to bring out talent, she’d be blooming by now.”

 

“But… at this rate, she can’t do her job.”

 

“She can’t do the job because it’s not a good fit for her.”

 

I walked up to Kariya and spoke gently.

 

“Kariya. You’re not being fired. In fact, it’s a promotion.”

 

“Huh…?”

 

“Starting today, you’re changing jobs to become an ‘Adventurer’. You’ll be my exclusive partner.”

 

“……Huhhh!?!!?!?!?”

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

On the way to the Job Change Temple, swaying in the carriage.

 

Kariya still had a confused expression.

 

“U-Um, Ouji-sama… being an adventurer… that means, um, fighting… right…?”

 

“That’s right. Fighting monsters, taking requests, exploring dungeons. It’s the complete opposite of being a maid.”

 

“W-Why me…!? I can’t even carry dishes properly…!”

 

“That’s why.”

 

I answered calmly.

 

“As a maid, your talent is—sorry, but F-rank. But as an adventurer… your talent is SSS-rank.”

 

“Eh, S-S-S? That’s the highest…?”

 

“Yeah. I can see your talent with my ‘Eye’.”

 

That’s right—what I saw with my appraising eye was unmistakably:

 

〈Adventurer: SSS〉.

 

She’s completely hopeless as a maid, but she has hidden talent.

 

“This kind of thing is determined at birth. Rather than suffer in a job that doesn’t suit you, it’s better to shine in a place that does.”

 

“…But I’ve never fought before. And I’ve never even held a weapon…”

 

“It’s fine. You’ve got the talent for it. Just try it. It’ll definitely be easier than what you’re doing now.”

 

Kariya was silent for a while, head down.

 

But eventually, she took a small breath and nodded.

 

“…Okay. I’ll try it. But… will you get mad if I mess up?”

 

“Of course not. In fact, the real challenge begins after you mess up.”

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

At the Job Change Temple, the priest performed the usual ritual.

 

Kariya placed her hand on the pedestal. And the light gently danced around.

 

“You have now officially changed jobs to ‘Adventurer’. Please complete the registration at the Adventurers’ Guild.”

 

The priest informed us plainly and mechanically.

 

That’s right—only I can see her talent. Not the priest. Not anyone.

 

But to my “Eye”, it was clear.

 

Kariya looked at me with a little more confidence than before.

 

Above her head, it said:

 

Name: Kariya

Age: 17

Occupation: Adventurer

 

—Talent—

Adventurer: SSS (Hidden Skill: Shadow Step)

 

Combat Reaction: A

Evasion Specialty: A+

 

(Knew it… this girl can fight.)

 

And I was sure of it.

 

She’s going to be one of the “pieces” that change the world.

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

The Adventurers’ Guild building was a fine two-story structure facing the main street of the royal capital.

 

A black iron sign with a crossed-swords emblem. Inside, it had the atmosphere of a rowdy tavern.

 

Rugged men, lightly dressed female adventurers, and rookie-looking youths were chatting everywhere.

 

Kariya was totally hunched over.

 

No wonder. Just yesterday, she was polishing dishes. Now, she’s suddenly on the “battlefield.”

 

“U-Uuuu… I don’t think I can do this…”

 

“It’s fine. I’m here with you. We’re just doing registration today. It’ll be over soon.”

 

“O-Okay…”

 

I approached the counter and spoke to the receptionist.

 

“It’s a first-time registration. I’ve brought a new adventurer. Please get the paperwork.”

 

“Yes, right away—ah…!? S-Sir, that emblem…!”

 

The moment the receptionist saw the brooch on my left chest—the crest of the Grandfalm family—she stood upright.

 

“A noble!? M-My apologies! I’ll assist you right away!”

 

“No need to be formal. I’m just a ‘Slave Trader’. I’m not the one registering.”

 

The receptionist seemed at a loss for words for a moment. She then smiled at Kariya.

 

“…I see. So, the new recruit is this young lady?”

 

“That’s right. Kariya. Go on, introduce yourself.”

 

“Y-Yes! I-I’m Kariya! …P-Please be nice to me…!”

 

She bowed her head so hard, her hair ornament nearly flew off.

 

The receptionist giggled and handed her the form.

 

“No need to be nervous. Please fill out this registration form. Everyone starts from F-rank.”

 

“Eh, F-rank…?”

 

“Yes. Adventurer ranks start at F. They then go up through D, C, B, and so on as you build achievements. At F-rank, you’ll get relatively safe jobs like ‘sewer rat extermination’.”

 

(Nice. Perfect for a practical test.)

 

“Then we’ll take that. You’ll have your first job today.”

 

“Ehh!? R-Right away!?”

 

“Everything starts with experience, Kariya.”

 

And with talent like hers, it would be a waste not to let it bloom through action.

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

—A few hours later.

 

We were standing in front of an old sewer in the lower part of the capital.

 

“Uuu… It’s smelly, damp, and so dark…!”

 

Kariya tugged on my sleeve with teary eyes.

 

By the way, Lilia had come along too, as support.

 

If anyone got hurt, she could heal them immediately with her magic.

 

“L-Let’s do our best, Kariya-san…! I’ll support you from the back with healing magic!”

 

“L-Lilia-san…!!”

 

Some mysterious girl-to-girl bond was forming. Kinda wholesome.

 

I nodded to them both and stepped into the dark corridor.

 

Before long, *rustle, rustle rustle…*—an eerie noise echoed.

 

“S-Something’s here…!”

 

“Calm down. It’s coming. Look, over there.”

 

From the end of the corridor, it appeared—

 

A rat… or so it seemed. But it was not a normal one.

 

It was as big as a person’s shoulders. Its fangs were like a dog’s, and its eyes were bloodshot.

 

Its fur was falling out, and its skin was red and rotten. It was an “Infected Type”.

 

“W-What is that!? Nobody told me about this!?!?”

 

“Probably a higher-class version than what the request listed. …Well, that happens a lot.”

 

(My appraisal eye already says it’s about a “C-rank equivalent”)

 

I subtly signaled Lilia.

 

“Be ready to channel magic anytime. Healing comes first.”

 

“Y-Yes!”

 

And then, I turned to Kariya.

 

“Kariya. This is your first battle.”

 

“M-me!? N-no no no no way—!”

 

“Calm down. Don’t be scared. There’s an amazing power inside you. …Let’s show them—you, as an ‘Adventurer’.”

 

“…!”

 

At my words, Kariya’s eyes opened wide.

 

And—at that very moment.

 

One of the rats leapt at Kariya.

 

But—her body passed through it, just like a “shadow”.

 

“—!? W-why!? I didn’t even move…!”

 

Yes, “Shadow Step”.

 

Kariya’s hidden skill had activated unconsciously.

 

And in the next moment, the knife in her hand cleanly sliced through the rat’s neck.

 

*Slash*, the sound rang out. And the infected rat collapsed.

 

—Silence.

 

Kariya herself looked the most surprised.

 

“Eh… I just… did that…?”

 

“You did. It was perfect.”

 

“A-amazing…! I… I beat it…!”

 

There were still several rats left. But there was no more fear on Kariya’s face.

 

“I-I’m going in! Please watch me, Ouji-sama!”

 

Her eyes were shining.

 

Seeing the girl was now filled with confidence, I smiled gently.

 

(See? My “Appraising Eye” wasn’t wrong.)

 

“Haaaaah!!”

 

Kariya’s knife took down the giant rats one after another as they came at her.

 

From the frozen fear of the first strike, she had completely turned into an “Adventurer”.

 

Her movements slid like a shadow—her skill 《Shadow Step》 was activated.

 

She dodged enemy attacks as if she could predict them, stepped in without hesitation, and precisely struck at their vital points.

 

“A-amazing…! Kariya-san, that’s amazing…!”

 

Lilia, though trembling, continued casting healing magic behind her.

 

The gentle light of healing further supported Kariya’s movements.

 

(Yeah, a perfect first battle.)

 

With arms crossed, I calmly watched the battle unfold from the back.

 

This girl who had only ever made clumsy mistakes as a maid—now unleashing her talent and moving with such vigor—

 

Indeed, finding your “true calling” really does change your life.

 

Eventually, the final rat fell to Kariya’s blade. And the noisy sewer regained its silence.

 

“…Huff, huff… I-it’s over…?”

 

“Confirmed. First mission complete. Good job, Kariya.”

 

“I-I actually… did it…!? I really did it!?!?”

 

“Yeah. A flawless, overwhelming victory.”

 

“I did iiiiittttt!!”

 

Kariya flopped down on the spot with a goofy smile.

 

That smile looked more joyful than any smile I’d seen before.

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

“Eh, the infected type? A rookie? Alone!?”

 

When we returned to the Adventurers’ Guild and reported the completion of the request—

 

The receptionist’s eyes went round like in a manga.

 

“U-um… somehow, while I was fighting, my body just moved on its own…”

 

Kariya still had a doubtful expression as she explained the situation.

 

Beside her, Lilia was passionately saying, “She was amazing!”

 

“Wow… It’s true that infected types are around C-rank danger level. Normally, this would be enough not just for D-rank promotion, but even a recommendation!”

 

“Recommendation?”

 

“Ah, that’s when upper-class jobs or guild executives recognize someone as ‘talented’ and issue a special rank promotion. Normally, you’d have to complete dozens of quests to rank up…”

 

“Well, unfortunately, we don’t have those kinds of connections…”

 

I shrugged. But the receptionist leaned forward eagerly and said, “But!”

 

“For achievements that greatly exceed expectations like this one, the guild should respond properly! I’ll submit a request for special promotion for Kariya-san!”

 

“E-ehhh!? Promotion… really!?”

 

“Yes! Because of this success, you’ll be promoted straight from F-rank to [C-rank]!”

 

“C-C…! That’s where all the strong people are… right…!?”

 

“They’re strong, yes. But Kariya-san, I’m sure you’ll be fine! You have the skill to handle it!”

 

“Eeeeeeehh~~!”

 

As Kariya spun between joy and confusion, Lilia and I watched with warm smiles.

 

(Heh… Another one has awakened their “true talent.”)

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

That night.

 

On the way back from the guild. In the carriage to the mansion, we relaxed for a bit.

 

Lilia leaned by the window. She was softly humming.

 

Kariya was wrapped in a blanket. She was gazing out the window with a dreamy look.

 

“…….…Ouji-sama.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Thank you. I… always thought I couldn’t do anything… But today, for the first time… I felt like ‘there’s something I can do.’”

 

“…I see. I’m glad to hear that.”

 

“From now on… I want to get even stronger. I want to be of use to you, Ouji-sama. …Is that… not allowed?”

 

Kariya’s eyes wavered faintly.

 

Holding both fear and hope, I quietly met her gaze.

 

“There’s no way it’s not allowed. Let’s get stronger and stronger. I’m sure the day will come when your power will be needed.”

 

“Yes!”

 

I can’t afford to be ruined by the protagonist.

 

That’s why—I need to gather strong allies.

 

And with the power of this appraising eye, I can do just that…

 

◆　　◆　　◆

 

Around the same time, at the spire of a church on a high hill in the royal capital—

 

A priest in silver robes let out a small breath in the prayer room.

 

“There it is again… that miraculous wave. And this time, there were ‘two’… at once?”

 

Beyond the darkness of the capital visible from the window.

 

Someone had begun to put their “extraordinary talent” to work.

 

“Send an investigation team. …Including the rumors of the ‘Appraising Eye’, we must confirm the truth.”

 

Quietly, the world began to shift.

 

And the name Ouji Grandfalm was slowly beginning to reach the ears of the “true elites”…