Appraiser's Job Chapter 2: The Appraiser's Job

Translated by Callmemistress

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I work in a private workshop on the second floor of the guild. It's a small room with only  a box storing my magnifying gla.s.s and a chair for adventurers seeking to have their talent appraised. The table sitting in the center of the room had the items Mr. Hansel mentioned earlier placed on top, as usual. A sword that could have been from anywhere with a hilt inlaid with simple gemstones and a goldsmith's masterfully crafted necklace and ring, all rather orthodox items to be appraised.

Shall we have at it?

I sat in the chair and picked up the necklace, focusing my consciousness. "Alexandrite necklace….created in the year 508 SC. Enchanted with no magical effects. Or….." SC stood for the Star Crystal calendar that was widely used in this world to represent the current era. Incidentally, it was the year 618 SC. In other words, this necklace was approximately 100 years old.

This was not something that was sleeping in the warehouse of some Metalsmith's guild. Could this be the treasure taken from some dungeon expedition? I'll need to confirm this with the person who brought it here.

I took out the magnifying gla.s.s from its box and held it up to the jewels affixed to the top of the necklace. As I scanned with my appraisal magic, I visibly saw the necklace's status hovering around it.

I'm not a jeweler, so I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'm knowledgeable about gemstones and the like. Nevertheless, in less than 10 minutes I knew if and where any flaws were. If I wanted to go out and buy something like this, I would need to go to a professional to get this kind of quality.

"Flaws...none. No dullness either. Isn't this already the height of jewelry?" The teardrop shaped Alexandrite jewel, which was the focal point of the necklace, was enhanced by the delicate golden ivy and surrounding diamond decorations. The overall design wasn't antiquated at all. It seemed like something a n.o.ble young lady would choose to wear to a dinner party or something along those lines. Surely this was related to that kind of scene.

Having finished my appraisal, I could probably leave the rest to a metalworking guild.

I moved on to the ring, letting my magic flow over it. I learned that it was created in the year 421 SC, and was enchanted with a strengthening magic that empowered a weakened body multiple times over. This kind of thing was not just for decoration, but was popularly used by adventurers as a magic item for everyday missions. To an adventurer's guild, this item could be counted as a valuable commodity to be treated with care.

Something like this, Mr. Hensel is sure to be delighted.

The design was simple with only one small gemstone. The band...seemed to be platinum. Taking into account that this was something an adventurer would use, it didn't seem to be lacking in durability. Which was always a plus.

Lastly, I took the sword into my hands. Its dedicated sheath was also subject to appraisal. I took the blade out from its sheath and began to gather my appraisal magic once more. The results appeared one by one around the body of the sword. My brow furrowed in contemplation.

"Uh oh….so this sword is cursed." The sheath was truly a problem-free, ordinary item. The sword, on the other hand, had the worst sort of defect. It would seem the blade was charged with a  grudge that drove its user to kill pa.s.serbys. Shame, it was just fine as a sharp sword. But as you continuously use it, gradually you would become entranced by the power of the sword and indiscriminately attack those around you.

Such violent swords are called cursed swords. And typically you'd send them to a church to be cleansed, but I wonder what the person who brought in this sword for me to examine intends to do with the it.

Well, it's not my place to know.

For now, would it be okay if I just reported that it is dangerous to use as is?

Putting the sword back in its sheath, I unconsciously breath a sigh of relief.

Immediately after, I heard Mr. Hansel's voice come from downstairs. "Little Io, do you have a minute? It's buuuuuusiness —."

What is it now? Calling at such an early time. Is a novice adventurer looking for an appraisal of his abilities? I stretched lightly, leaving my chair, and headed downstairs.

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Credits: 

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Special thanks to 7STARDARK BLADE! The first ever patron of Catato Patch Translations.

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Footnotes:

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