I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 46

 

On the way out of the party venue and back to my room.

 

“Do you like Noah Roheim?”

 

At the sudden question, I stopped walking and looked at Callix Crowbell.

 

He stopped as well and turned only his head to look at me.

 

“When I said I’d escort you back, you looked disappointed, so I wondered if you liked him.”

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

I hated being misunderstood for no reason, so I answered firmly.

 

“Why? Noah Roheim is handsome enough.”

 

His face looked somehow amused as he asked with a smirk.

 

“He is handsome. But he’s not my type.”

 

“Despite your looks, you have high standards.”

 

Isn’t this an insult?

 

“Well, you’ve seen someone as handsome as me, so that’s understandable.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

What did I just hear?

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Do I look like someone who would make petty jokes about such things?”

 

The fact that he doesn’t look like that seems to be the bigger problem…

 

“Aren’t you embarrassed to say such things?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

When I asked out of genuine curiosity, he answered without the slightest hesitation.

 

“I’m just stating a fact, so why should I be embarrassed?”

 

As annoying as it was, this was also true. His appearance was so handsome that it would draw admiration even if viewed upside down.

 

‘But normally people don’t say such things about themselves.’

 

Being able to be this shameless was a skill in itself, if it could be called that.

 

Just as I clicked my tongue inwardly and was about to follow Callix Crowbell again.

 

[Surprise Quest Generated!]

 

A translucent system window appeared before my eyes.

 

[Q. Get Callix Crowbell to say you’re pretty.]

 

[Reward: 50,000p]

 

…There’s another crazy one here too.

 

Oh right, the system was never sane to begin with.

 

I had heard that I was pretty many times today, and even from my perspective, I looked quite decent.

 

So looking at just the quest, it didn’t seem too difficult, but the problem was that the person I needed to hear it from was ‘Callix Crowbell’.

 

‘Why does it have to be that man of all people.’

 

A silent scream erupted within me.

 

If it were a sub-quest, I would have given up even with a good reward, but this was a surprise quest with penalties.

 

If I gave up, I would not only lose the reward but also lose life points, so I couldn’t do that.

 

‘This is driving me crazy.’

 

How am I supposed to do this?

 

“What are you doing standing there instead of following?”

 

While I was holding my head and worrying, Callix Crowbell, who had already gone quite far, asked.

 

“Um, my lord.”

 

I awkwardly closed the distance and carefully spoke up.

 

“Do you perhaps have anything to say to me?”

 

“What would I have to say?”

 

“Well, I mean… about my condition. Don’t you have anything to say about how I look?”

 

I was as shameless as Callix, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask if I looked pretty today.

 

“No.”

 

I thought he was quick-witted enough to understand this much, but apparently not.

 

“If you want something from me, say it straight. You’re good at that.”

 

I want to say it too, but what can I do when my mouth won’t open?

 

A sigh bubbled up from deep within. I was gathering what little courage I had to speak again when he spoke first.

 

“Do you want to hear that you’re pretty?”

 

Instead of answering, I opened my eyes wide.

 

Taking that as confirmation, Callix Crowbell chuckled and looked me up and down.

 

“You’re far from good enough to hear such words. Well, the dress is pretty. Marquise Smith has good taste.”

 

[Surprise Quest Success!]

 

[You will receive 50,000 points as a reward.]

 

As soon as he finished speaking, a completion window appeared.

 

‘So getting a compliment about the dress counted as success.’

 

Come to think of it, it only said I needed to hear the word “pretty,” without specifying the subject.

 

Embarrassed that I had worried about how to do it without knowing this, my cheeks turned slightly red.

 

“Right? I couldn’t take my eyes off the dress when I first saw it too. I must thank the Marquise for lending me such a pretty dress.”

 

Relieved that I had successfully completed the surprise quest, I was about to start walking again when.

 

“You’re pretty too.”

 

At the sudden words, I stopped again before I could even take a step.

 

Callix Crowbell, bathed in moonlight streaming through the wide window, smiled faintly and added.

 

“You’re really pretty today.”

 

* * *

 

The morning of our return to Belheim.

 

I left my room carrying a much heavier bag, filled with various gifts of gratitude from Marquise Smith and several other people.

 

“Please give it to me. I’ll carry it.”

 

When Noah Roheim, who was waiting outside, tried to take the bag, I shook my head.

 

“It’s okay. I can carry it.”

 

“It looks heavy, are you sure you’ll be alright?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Just then, Callix Crowbell appeared with Smith Viscount.

 

Seeing him reminded me of what I heard last night.

 

“You’re really pretty today.”

 

I had heard it from countless people, but strangely, only his voice wouldn’t fade from my mind.

 

Perhaps because I thought I would never hear such words from that man.

 

I had been staring intently at Callix Crowbell, but when our eyes met, I hastily turned my head away.

 

“It’s truly regrettable that you’re leaving already.”

 

Smith Viscount patted my shoulder as he spoke.

 

“When the reservoir and sluice construction is finished, you must visit Nuviar again. We’ll have to throw a celebration party.”

 

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

 

I had no intention of attending the party, but I did want to see the completed reservoir and sluice with my own eyes.

 

While greeting the other Nuviar Managers, I saw a familiar face.

 

It was Conrad Marlo, who had come all the way to Belheim to take me away.

 

The magic portal consumed mana every time it transported something. Especially with living beings, the consumption increased exponentially.

 

That’s why Conrad Marlo had said he would take the train instead of using the portal.

 

Since he hadn’t arrived in Nuviar long ago, his face was full of fatigue.

 

“It’s been a while, Count Conrad Marlo.”

 

When I greeted him, he flinched and glanced nervously at Callix Crowbell standing behind me.

 

“…It has been a while. Well, I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”

 

Then he moved to a less conspicuous spot. It seemed like he ran away because he was afraid of Callix Crowbell.

 

‘How much must he have tormented people to act like that, tsk tsk.’

 

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

 

“Come to think of it, I don’t see Smith Junior Viscount anywhere.”

 

Callix Crowbell looked around widely and spoke as if talking to himself, but in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

 

At this, not only I but also Smith Viscount flinched.

 

“He enjoyed yesterday’s party too enthusiastically and came down with a fever.”

 

Smith Viscount smiled awkwardly while making excuses.

 

“This is quite embarrassing, Duke.”

 

“Indeed. It seems you need to educate your son properly, Smith Viscount.”

 

His words were full of sharp thorns.

 

Smith Viscount must have felt it too, as he broke out in cold sweat and repeatedly said he would educate his son well and that he was truly sorry.

 

“Then I’ll activate the magic portal.”

 

Following Smith Viscount’s instructions, a man inserted a large Arcana stone into the magic portal gate to activate it.

 

Seeing the gate rippling like waves, anxiety suddenly washed over me.

 

‘Will I be able to pass through properly this time?’

 

Last time, I had failed several times before barely managing to cross over at the end.

 

Even then, it wasn’t clear whether it was because of the strange voice I suddenly heard, some unknown touch, or because of Callix Crowbell.

 

‘Come to think of it, what was that voice?’

 

I became curious belatedly, but the question didn’t last long.

 

“Then I’ll go first.”

 

Just like before, Noah Roheim entered the portal first.

 

Seeing him safely cross through the portal made my heart pound even more.

 

Please let me cross safely too.

 

“Wait.”

 

As I was about to enter the portal with earnest hope, Callix Crowbell called out to stop me.

 

“Hold my arm.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“You were able to cross safely last time when you held onto me. So hold on.”

 

I couldn’t say for certain that was the case, but since it was possible, I obediently grabbed his arm.

 

“Let’s go then.”

 

I stepped boldly into the portal together with Callix Crowbell.

 

Then warm light swallowed us, and I felt as if I had entered deep water.

 

Soon the blindingly bright light disappeared, and I slowly opened my tightly shut eyes.

 

Then I saw the familiar interior of the castle tower. It was the West Tower of the Belheim Nobleman’s Castle.

 

‘I succeeded.’

 

I had been worried about being left alone in Nuviar, but fortunately that didn’t happen.

 

“As expected, I need to be here.”

 

As I was stroking my chest in relief, Callix Crowbell spoke with an extremely proud expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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