Specialty Change: Wanda

Ahh, so this is where the adventurers of Duselnorc flock!

Although, this place doesn't look too special to me. I wonder if I can find a good company here.

...But it would also be difficult to look for the legendary treasure all by myself.

I guess looking for it with more people would make it less dangerous, even if they're not helpful.

Hmm, now then, who will be lucky enough to become my new partner?

What? You have less than half a year of experience? Hahaha! And you call yourself a treasure hunter.

Don't say that to anyone else, you're going to embarrass yourself!

You were a student in Reingar, a nun in Ezera, and a mercenary in Savara... You're not very committed, are you?

Hunting treasure is no joke. We're looking for a skillful, experienced person.

...This can't be real.

No one needs me...?

Hmph. Alright, then. Let them make fun of me as much as they want. I'll find the treasure on my own and knock them all off their feet.

Hey, you! Stop, wait!

I've been watching you. You're looking for the legendary treasure, right?

Seems like you're looking for a company, but I saw you get rejected by almost everyone.

Unfortunately. All my experience is short term and in different fields, so apparently I'm "lacking in expertise..."

Hmm, I guess they're not completely wrong. I kind of understand why they feel that way.

...Who are you? Did you just come over here to pick a fight with me?

Oh, no, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I just...

Stop bugging me, just go away!

I don't want anything to do with someone who judges others without actually knowing anything about them!

Oh, no. Please let me finish...

I thought you were going to hire this woman. Why are you arguing with her?

What? Hire me...?

So you've been looking for a treasure hunter with a wide range of skills...

Correct. Too many cooks spoil the broth, you know. So we prefer for our company to take on only the best.

Sven here is the leader of the Strongman Company. He and I will handle the fighting.

Isn't that...basically everything? What do you need me for?

Well, mostly to navigate, but we also need you to take care of pretty much everything other than actual combat.

I think you can handle it since you have experience in such diverse fields.

So, what do you say? Will you join us?

Hmm, the Strongman Company... I've never heard of it before. Well, it's a little sketchy, but I guess it's better than working alone...

Alright, I'll join you. I think it'll be fun finally working with people who actually recognize my ability.

I'm not quite happy with the pay...but as promised, we'll split the treasure amongst ourselves instead, right?

Of course. The Strongman Company values credibility more than anything.

Now, take this. It's a treasure map. We struggled a lot to find this.

It doesn't look fake... How impressive, they really have an actual treasure map.

Anyway, Sven, why were you trying to pick a fight with me before?

Oh, about that...

It seems that our awkward leader has stumbled over his words once again. I apologize on his behalf.

...If it was an accident, then it's fine. Anyway, let's get going.

There are other people looking for the treasure too, after all!

Phew, thankfully we managed to bring her on without going over our budget.

Yes, I'm very relieved. That map would have been nothing but a piece of paper to us since neither of us know how to read it.

Anyway, are you sure about this? Are we really giving her all the money we have?

If we fail to find the treasure...

What are you guys doing? Hurry up or I'll leave you behind!

Alright, we're coming.

Don't worry, Hurado. My intuition has never failed me. We will find this treasure.

And after we sell the treasure...I'll use the money to expand our mercenary company.

How odd... According to this map, there should be a path right here. Why can't I find it?

I remember this place. It appears that we've been walking in circles.

But I swear this is the place marked on the map!

Those ice pillars might all look the same, but do you see that unique-looking one?

Now, look at this. The exact same thing is drawn on this map. There should be a path right next to it.

Does that mean the path is hidden?

Yes, that's why I've been looking so closely at the area around that pillar. And I noticed something else too.

That pattern carved into the pillar... Doesn't it look exactly like the one on the map?

I'm not sure they're identical, but they certainly do look similar.

In my experience, something like that is usually related to a hidden door.

Wait here a second, I'll go check!

Hmm, I don't see anything out of the ordinary...

It's weak, but I sense mana flowing inside the ice pillar. You should be careful...

Alright! I'll have to destroy this. Then we should be able to find the hidden path.

Huh...?! Are you sure?

Do you have a better idea? You'll obviously get frostbite if you touch the pattern with bare hands, and it's not like you can just use this pillar like a doorknob.

Also, if this pillar is infused with mana like you said...that means someone made it on purpose.

And this is an empty ice cave. So there must be a reason why something like this is here.

Oh... Now that you explain it...it makes sense. You're very observant, Wanda.

Okay. Here we go!

Hyaaaaap!

*rumbling*

Hmm... It doesn't seem like anything really changed?

*rumbling*

W-What? Why is the cave shaking?

Ahhhh...!

The ground is collapsing! Wanda, watch out!

W-Why is it collapsing...?! Did I trigger a trap instead of opening the door?

Was I wrong...?

*rumbling*

Phew... Thanks, Hurado. Your magic really saved us.

I just did what I had to. Anyway, what a mysterious place this is.

But...everything looks so different from the map.

...I'm so sorry. My miscalculation put everyone in danger.

I should have seen this coming, but I got too excited that I might have found a clue...

If I had more experience as a treasure hunter, I think I would have been more careful.

...Even though I have a lot of different kinds of experience...I feel like I'm not actually good at anything.

...That's not true. Those experiences are what made you who you are today.

And it's thanks to those experiences that we were able to make it this far.

If it wasn't for your knowledge about healing magic and herbs...

We wouldn't have survived those fevers we had a few days ago.

And thanks to your knowledge about astronomy, we were able to find our way to the ice cave without getting lost.

But anyone can do that.

Not many can excel at one particular thing. But you can do so many things better than other people.

You're a talented person. So...don't talk about yourself like that.

Thanks, Hurado. You're sweeter than I thought.

Hmmm... What kind of person did you take me for...?

Oh, what are we doing? There's no time for this. We have to find Sven!

He should be somewhere around here...

Over here! Come take a look at this, you guys. I think I found something!

I see a rainbow crystal ball over there.

How did something like that end up here?

I know, right? Weird. Maybe...that's the treasure we've been looking for.

Wait, there are too many wild animals surrounding it.

*growling*...

It appears they're protecting the crystal ball.

And they seem very aggressive.

There are a lot of them, but...this is nothing for us, right?

Of course. Trust me, I'm the leader of Strongman Company!

Huh...? I didn't know Testudos had such hard shells. My sword doesn't make a scratch.

My dark magic doesn't seem to be effective either. These may not be ordinary wild animals.

And their numbers are growing rapidly. This is dangerous.

Fighting is useless. We need to find some other way to neutralize them.

Huh? What are you doing in the library? I wasn't expecting to see you here.

And you're even reading a book!?

Well, my class was extremely boring, so I came here to take a breather.

Although...reading isn't much better.

*sighing* ...Isn't there anything interesting for me to do...?

Huh? You're supposed to put it back where you found it before you go! Wanda!

Phew... What was she reading anyway?

"Wild Beasts of Duselnorc..." Why was she reading this?

Oh, right! I remember reading that book...

It said animals that live in snowy fields stop moving for a while when they're exposed to a sudden, bright light. So maybe...!

Hurado, Sven! Close your eyes, now!

Krrrrrr...!

Huh?! They stopped moving!

Great... Who would have thought I could actually use something I learned from Lots at a time like this?

There's no time to hesitate. Run!

Huh? Why are you just standing there? Take the crystal ball already!

B-But... Look.

Oh, it's surrounded by baby animals...

I think it's probably because of the heat coming from the ball. So they were actually trying to protect their babies, not the ball...

Look, there's something carved into the crystal ball.

"In hopes of helping the snowy field's little creatures survive the brutal winter..."

There's also some kind of magic seal.

Wait, I recognize this design. This is the signature of a sorcerer who devoted his entire life to studying wild creatures.

Is this the legendary treasure?

I believe our map was not actually a treasure map.

Krrraang!

They've started moving again. It's not the treasure we were looking for, but...are you going to take this crystal ball?

Should I...? Sure, if we don't take this, the Strongman Company will go bankrupt...

Are you out of your mind?! They're going to freeze to death without it!

...You're right. I shouldn't. I guess we'll just leave it here.

Then all that's left is to find an exit.

...I feel a slight draft coming from over there.

Maybe we can find a way out. Let's go!

Phew! We made it back to town without anyone getting hurt. Although...in the end, we weren't able to find the real treasure.

But it was quite the adventure. And I know that experience will help us grow.

Now that we're done, where will you go, Wanda?

Well... I haven't really decided anything yet.

Then...

Why don't you join the Strongman Company?

Me? Your company...?

Ahem, yes. It's only me and Hurado right now, but... I'm sure we'll become the biggest company in Wetheric Moor, no, in Ritania one day...

Thanks for the offer, but I refuse.

W-Wait! If you join right now, we'll accept you unconditionally, and you'll even be able to receive full benefits along with one-on-one training sessions...

May I ask you why?

I'm sure I would have fun if I joined you guys. But I already have experience as a mercenary...

And remember how my past experience allowed us to escape from the cave when we ran into danger?

That...was pretty fun, actually. So I thought of something. What I want to do next.

But before I can do that, I have to prepare. So... I'm sorry...

Well, if you say so...then I won't push it any further. Can you at least share what it is you want to do?

That's a secret. But...if everything goes well, we'll definitely run into each other again soon.

I'm sure you'll be just fine. Because you're a special person.

Hehe, thanks. I'll get going now.

Take care!

She left... Huh?! Wait, we forgot to pay her!

I tried to give her the money we promised, but she refused and said we can pay her later when we can afford it.

I see... What a shame. She would have been the perfect mercenary for our company.

...Is that true, Hurado?

Yes. I'm sorry to say so, but as much as we've cut down on spending, we're out of money.

It's only been a few weeks... Were there any new applicants while I was gone?

Not a one, sir.

I don't understand. What's the problem? Why is there no one who wants to join our company?!

Sir, I think it's because our requirements are too strict.

What do you mean? I'm pretty sure I asked for the bare minimum.

There are twenty basic requirements. Fifty, if you include the detailed requirements.

If we stick to these requirements, I don't think we'll ever get a new member.

...Ugh, we're in trouble. I just received a request that requires quite a few people.

I think I have a solution.

You sure there's someone called the All-Rounder here?

According to the rumor I heard, yes. Apparently this person accepts and completes any request regardless of pay, as long as they're interested.

That's interesting... But are we almost there?

We just passed the boulder, so I believe we'll reach their cabin in no time.

I have my doubts, but since we already came this far, I'll meet them...

You're still no good with words, huh? If you're that skeptical, why don't you just turn back?

That voice...

H-Haha... F-Forget what I said.

Anyway, are you the All-Rounder? We've got a request for you. So let's talk...

Wait! Don't come any closer. Do not step on that!

Huh? Ack...!

Hahaha! Look at you hanging upside down. I didn't realize the leader of the Strongman Company was such a mess!

Sven, Hurado. Long time no see.

Wanda?

All-Rounder... It's perfect for you and your many talents.

Haha, I know, right? Alright then, my dear, old friends...

I hope you brought me something fun.