Levi's Story

Mmmph... Urgh... Ack!

Oh no, what?! My papers! My theses!

Who the heck was that?!

Oh, Master? No, that's not how you do it! Don't mix them up!

Oh, please give that here. That one goes over there. No, no, I mean the yellow folder.

These are my theses. Whoops, please pass that one here. No, no, the one in your right hand.

Huh? What? Why?

It's because I'm still an intern... I'm not a certified witch, so I have to get my theses approved...

Oh, give me that document.

Sorry? I'm a witch, just not a certified one. You have to get your thesis approved to become a certified witch...

I'm nothing more than an intern right now...

You think I'd get any of that...? I'm just an intern... Ask if I'm even paid minimum wage...

Such is the life of an intern...

Labor laws... Well, there are labor laws, but...

Those only apply to certified witches... so they don't apply to intern witches like me...

Yes! Once you become a certified witch, you get issued a Certified Witch Certificate and are automatically enrolled in the Witch Pension Plan! Awesome, right?!

Of course, I'd like to quit, but...

What about everything I've poured into this...? All that effort...?

I've already come too far... I can't go back now...!

Yes. Once I become a certified witch.

Once that happens, I'll get issued a certificate and be automatically enrolled in the Witch Pension Plan.

That's why I have to become... a certified witch...!

You know what's even more amazing? I won't have to pull my hair out writing my theses anymore!

Yes! There's got to be one in there that the High Witches like! Surely they won't reject all of them, right?!

Please... Please publish a thesis of mine in the journal, please!

Hehe, indeed! This is Posher's Special Reinvigorating Potion!

This works quite well, you know. Hehehe... Where did you hear about this, Master?

It hasn't been long since I started here.

I actually used to work elsewhere, and I would often sneak out to come and buy some reinvigorating potions here.

Back then...

Oh, back again? The reinvigorating potion works nicely, huh?

You're a regular, so I'll throw in a 10% discount!

*Gasp* You're the best!

And would you like to try this new potion? Hehe, I'll throw in this cookie, too! I call it the Vitality Cookie...

F-For free? Are you sure...?!

Since it's come to this... Why don't you work for me part-time at the shop? I'll give you as many reinvigorating potions as you want. What do you say?

You are so nice and kind...

Oh. Oops. *Slurp*

What? No, I've already quit the other place.

Really? Hmm, you're right.

Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit fatigued...

...Ugh. Those theses are exactly why I stay up all night...

It's okay. That's why we have reinvigorating potions!

Ahhh. You can feel your fatigue melting away the moment you drink this. That hits the spot!

Hmmm? No way. I'm wide awake and energetic.

Hey now, are you doubting the effects of my boss's Special Reinvigorating Potion?

This reinvigorating potion has no side effects, so you can have as much of it as you want!

I did not! I, uh, I was just thinking about something!

No, I'm not! My boss's reinvigorating potions are so good that you can even replace them for meals!

No way. Of course not.

Wait, have I? Come to think of it... I think this is the only thing I've been having lately.

But it works so well that it helps me a lot when I'm writing my theses.

I have so much energy even without sleep, and I can work all day without feeling hungry at all.

Even today, I've come after pulling several all-nighters working on my theses.

My boss's potion has all the right nutrients.

I should also eat solids to promote peristalsis, but when you're really tired, it's better to just take liquids to give your digestive tract a rest.

Oh, your digestive tract doesn't engage in peristalsis with a liquid-only diet, weakening your system. But eating solids while your digestive tract is tired will also put strain—

Sorry? But I haven't finished explaining yet...

Ah... I see. It's good knowledge to have, but if you say so, Master...

Anyway, thanks to the boss's potion, I could stay up all night to write my theses. Wonderful, huh? I'm going to get approved for sure this time...!

I'll become a certified witch no matter what-!

Welcome to Underground Fried Carrots!

Oh? Master! May I take your order?

You must be imagining things. What can I get you?

.........

But this is UFC...? Underground Fried CARROTS!

But this isn't Earth, you know.

This isn't Earth.

Of course not. This is UFC. It isn't called Underground Fried Carrots for nothing.

It is indeed an ominous name... The grade between F and C is definitely very ominous...

It's fiiiiine... I'm used to iiiit...

*Sniff...* Would you like to put in your order?

In that case, I recommend something with carrots in it, Master.

It's all carrots, yes, but they're all different carrots.

Fried carrots are good for your mental health, while raw carrots are good for your physical health.

And you said your vision has dimmed, didn't you?

A vitamin A deficiency causes disorders such as night blindness, dry eyes, and keratomalacia. Carrots contain a lot of vitamin A. Oh, and since vitamin A is fat-soluble, I recommend carrot sticks.

Then maybe you're deficient in other vitamins?

Don't be angry. Here, I'll get you the most popular item on our menu.

As I said, vitamin A is fat-soluble, so fried carrots are nutritionally better for you. Also, both have the same amount.

Heh... Just how many carrots do you think I've fried here...?

I can now tell how many carrot sticks there are simply by looking at them...

These carrot sticks should be about 118.2 grams.

The ones I gave you are about 118.9 grams, so I'd say that one has more.

Let's weigh them then, shall we...?

...Because too many lose—I mean, customers—have complained. I've weighed them so often that I can even guess their weight accurately now...

These days, I can tell exactly how many sticks each carrot will yield from just looking at carrots sold at street markets...

Hehe, I guess you should appear strong when you are strong.

With greater power comes greater responsibility. That's how society works. I prefer a life with little power!

There's definitely an evil conspiracy behind the fried carrots.

Well, I haven't slept yet, but that's not the issue.

It's this carrot stick. That's the problem.

Us witches say fried carrots are healthy...

But generally, that much cholesterol in your body can't be good for you, right?

There's no way fried carrots fried in oil could be good for you.

Maybe they're good for your mental health. But if we're actually thinking about health, shouldn't we be eating raw carrots instead?

Err, Oh... yeah. But you should still eat carrot sticks in moderation.

Too much of anything is never a good thing. Look at this carrot stick. It's drenched in oil. Do you really think it's good to eat these almost every day?

Hehe...

Hehehe... Things get done half-heartedly when you're feeling guilty.

I may not be working my best, but that part-time pay keeps coming in on the reg, amirite?

Earning money while chilling is da bomb.

Pfft. You got me!!

In our witch society, there are those who are opposed to fried carrots. They have created the Eat Raw Carrots Association.

Hehe, that's right! I'm a double agent for the Eat Raw Carrots Association and UFC!

I spy for both and get paid from both!

Awesome, right?

Sorry? What did you just say?

Tsk, tsk. You're getting excited over just that one carrot?

Even though I'm a part-timer, I have the privilege of taking home all the leftover carrots that didn't sell that day!

Hehe, feel free to get even more jealous.

Hmm... I get Reinvigorating Potions for free... and also...

Oh! At the bookstore, I get the books with misprints or no value for free. This is why I do part-time jobs

Hmm... I'm not sure... Now that I think about it... Is there something I don't do? I can't think of anything in particular.

Is there anyone at the counter?

Yes, I'm here. That'll be 200 gold, please.

How much is this ore?

Are you asking about that one? Just a moment please.

Who ordered the Glowing Ore Set A?

The Potion Crafting Set B you just ordered is ready!

Master! Have you been waiting long?

Huh? What's so entertaining about that?

Hehe, the fact that you noticed that... You've got a good eye, Master.

Oh please. It's not that bad.

Don't say stuff like that!

Don't you know that words can become reality?! If you say stuff like that, something new is bound to come up!!

That's why when you say that... Huh?! Master, I'm so sorry!

Huh...?

Tch. You caught me.

I've become so accustomed to the work that even if I zone out a bit, I can still get things done.

Now I can think about what to write for my next thesis while my hands automatically work...

Huh? There shouldn't be.

If I show my true strength, I bet I'll end up with more work, so I'm drinking the "Strength of the Bear" potion...

It's the latest creation from Posher. It's a potion that adjusts your stats to exactly the mean.

Huh? Of course it won't do that. It's a potion that lowers your stats.

Because with great strength comes great responsibility...

No can do. If I do too well, I won't be able to slack off!

When you work is rote, but good enough, you don't have to put much thought into it. The faster I do this work, the more responsibility I'll end up with!

Part-time jobs are meant to be just good enough!

Huh? What did you say?

Free baked goodies are freakin' sweet.

But, did you say this one was mint chocolate? Not a fan of that one.

Uhhh... What?! Why are you suddenly acting like this?!

...Ohhh.

Teehee★

Well... Back then, I had so many part-time jobs... It was just too much...

In the morning, I was doing deliveries. When that was done, I was working the market stall and handling payments, and...

It's true... It was really exhausting...

Yes, that's right... I thought you were coming to see me with a new part-time job offer. When it comes to strangers, I've gotten into the habit of being wary of them...

Even so, I've cut down on the part-time jobs I have these days... It's such a relief. I even have time to hang out with you, Master...

But it's okay now... I have the right amount of part-time jobs... and I don't meet with other witches as much anymore...

With the before-sunrise deliveries, and then cashier work at the market stall later in the mornings... as well as UFC in the evenings, I guess I really do meet tons of new witches every day...

Seeing new faces every day, and always having to react to them in a fresh way, can be so tiring...

But now that I've quit the before-sunrise deliveries, I feel like I can finally catch my breath...

At Posher's shop, it's always the same regulars who come by...

Yeah, for sure... You never know when they'll give me another part-time job offer...

Of course. You're always welcome, Master.

You're neither an employee nor a fellow worker, so I feel comfortable around you...

Exactly. On top of that, you're not even a witch, are you? Maybe that's why I feel so much at ease.

Of course!

Scraps.