Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Nicknameacquired

Translator: Mana

Im getting sleepy

Over my shoulder, Neme yawned. Seeing her so carefree reminded me of the days where she hated being carried by me, making me smile at the difference in her now.

The reason why Neme could be this relaxed was probably due to the progress in my training. I understood that much, even though I usually had low self-esteem.

Three months had passed since the Little Girl Abduction Suspicion Charge.

Though it was hard to say myself, I was probably making progress. The simultaneous activation of Enemy Search, Trap Detect, and Trap Dismantle that I struggled so much over in the beginning now came to me naturally.

In regards to Enemy Search, it was now standard for me to keep it activated during my daily life, and I was even able to detect the presence of harmless animals and humans now. Furthermore, I could roughly grasp the level of malice and strength behind the living things I detected with Enemy Search.

Doing so had shockingly changed my perception of the world, putting the information reflected on the map in my head a completely different league. While I used to be half doubtful of the compatibility of Enemy Search with mapping skills, I now completely accepted this from the bottom of my heart.

Recently, I tried to keep Trap Detect constantly activated like Enemy Search. Like before, I suffered at first, but once I got used to it it was a piece of cake. Now it was as natural as breathing to me.

Though there may have been no point to keeping Trap Detect constantly activated inside the town where there were no traps, the accuracy of my Trap Detect would increase, and I could feel the security systems and defence measures of the citizens across the town. For that, I kept my practice in the town up.

Though Ive progressed quite a bit in comparison to my old self, there were still one or two points I wasnt quite happy with at present

Yo! Sure workin hard, Girl Abductor!

Good morning, Mr. Girl Abductor!

To my utter dismay, my nickname as the Girl Abductor had spread. I really didnt like it

The nickname had gradually spread after my arrest on the suspicion of kidnapping a little girl. Because Force had started to skip the morning runs lately, I had to run in the town more, making the name propagate explosively.

I really wish they would stop Calling me a girl abductor

I muttered a complaint about the calls of the people in the town. Because of her shyness, every time someone called out to me Neme would panic over my shoulder.

Thats right! Neme is a proper adult lady!

Leaving aside whether Neme was an adult woman or not, our general opinion of wanting them to stop was the same. Since I had become used to running with Enemy Search and Trap Detect activated, with the seal of approval from Neme for carrying comfort, I decided to engage in some casual conversation to increase the difficulty.

Neme. You know that nickname? Is there any way to change that?

I dont think so. Originally, nicknames are naturally created when adventurers gather at a pubits not something someone decides, so its hard to make them stop

It was true that when I was in the pub at Broad, there was a lot of gossip about other adventurers I think I used to call adventurers by their nickname too. Rumours were hard to erase once they spread. This nickname probably wont be stopping anytime in the near future.

Even so, it wasnt like I could stop my training over something like a rumour.

Seems hard to change Come to think of it, do you have a nickname, Neme?

I took the chance to ask something I had always wondered. To be honest, it was a question based on my wish for the other members to have a weird nickname like me.

Neme is called Fairy!

A fairy, huh How come you get such a nice and cute nickname

Neme looked a little guilty at the cold glare of envy I shot her way.

Actually Im called Little Saint Neme took back her proud words in a sorry tone.

It was true that Neme was a saint, so the nickname of Little Saint seemed perfect too. But for Neme, who was bothered by her appearance, that nickname probably wasnt one she was happy with. She didnt talk about it in a particularly fond way either.

Well as those with unfortunate nicknames, lets get along! I patted her shoulder to cheer her up.

Meanwhile, Neme seemed rather disgruntled, even though I was sympathising with her. Rather, it seemed like she was disgruntled about my sympathy.

Its better than Girl Abductor! She said the taboo words. I started running while purposefully jolting my body up and down.

Im sorry! I was wrong! I wont say it again!

I was glad she understood. I calmly returned to my usual comfortable running.

Neme wanted a cool nickname too Theres a priestess like Neme in this town whos called Crusher or something, I want a cool nickname like that! Isnt it unfair?!

Crusher, huh For a healer role like a priestess? It was questionable as a nickname

Do Jin and the others have nicknames? This was a good opportunity to ask all the questions I had been wondering.

Neme touched her hand to her cheek and hummed in thought at my question.

I dont think there was anyone else amongst the members who had a weird nickname like us By the way, Jin is called Black Shadow

What how cool. Unfair

I also wanted to be called something like Black Shadow, not Girl Abductor

Right. Underfoot. Behind the boulder.

Focus. As fast as I possibly could.

Cancelling the magic circle with the magic gathered at my fingertips, I intercepted the activation of the physical traps with the knife at my waist and dispelled the enchantment from the magic circle with my empty left hand.

Whats with you! Geez! Erins irritated voice of discontent echoed throughout the narrow cave.

Umm why do you get angry when I succeed at using Trap Dismantle well?

As I questioned Erins illogical attitude I deftly moved my right foot to dismantle another trap I had located.

Erins just a bit shocked that Note is easily undoing all of her handmade traps Jin replied without missing a beat.

Its not that Im easily dismantling them, Im actually pushing my concentration to its limits to clear these traps I thought unhappily as I stood right in front of the last trap in this area and began cancelling the enchantment.

See even a complicated magic circle like this took as long as two seconds to cancel I still had a long way to go

When Erin saw that I cancelled the last trap, she growled in irritation. Meanwhile, Jin broke out in applause.

Congratulations! Youve fully mastered it! Theres nothing more you could learn from us about traps!

While I was honestly happy at Jins words of praise, I felt rather conflicted when seeing Erins continuously menacing glare. For now, I should refrain from getting ahead of myself.

No, I still have a long way to go Just because I can do it in practice doesnt mean I can use Trap Dismantle properly when we really go dungeon diving

No, with Notes level of ability I dont think youll have a problem with the dungeon traps.

I wonder if thats true Putting aside Jins traps, since hes an assassinbeing able to dismantle Erins traps doesnt mean much, since shes not even in a trap-making job

When I glanced at Erin, she glared at me with an amazing amount of hatred. It wasnt like I meant it in a bad way I meant in support of having her traps dismantled by someone as low as me

Jin shook his head from side to side as if denying my words.

Erins traps are top class. Shes got the Elemental Magic Aptitude All skill, so magical traps are her specialty I dont think youll find any enchantments more complicated than Erins in the dungeon

Was that so. Since I was acting confident about magical traps, she was mad at me for dispelling hers

Well, at any rateIf this is not Binbogami WordPress then it is stolen!

I felt a little happy about her illogical rage. Because it was different to her cold, indifferent anger of the past I could now assert that the relationship between Erin and I had gotten a lot better than three months ago, though not as close as when I first joined the Arrivers.

After the Little Girl Abduction Suspicion Case, she saw me unable to perform Trap Detect and Trap Dismantle, worsening our relationship. In the one month it took me to get back on my feet, we didnt talk to each other at all, only glaring at each other when we passed by in the corridor. To be honest, it was pretty tough

However, after I regained my pace and started improving my arts to the point that even I was surprised, the awkwardness between us slowly disappeared. Watching me seriously throw myself into practicing the arts made Erin realise that I was even more mad at myself than she was.

Even so, after taking such a cold attitude to each other, it was hard to suddenly become close again. Erins reluctance to apologise sounded like she was saying Im still mad! when she talked to me, but that anger felt a little unnatural, as if she was forcing it.

And well, wasnt it a bit infuriating for me to be the one to approach her first? So we maintained a delicate distance between each other.

Perhaps, if either one of us folded, we could return to before. No, maybe we could be even closer than before

Note still has a long way to go Dont let him get ahead of himself, Jin. Hes only finished the first stage of practice

Sorry. We cant get along after all

Suppressing my annoyance at Erin, I turned to Jin to remove her from my vision.

First stage? Does that mean theres a second stage?

Thats right, Jin started, then turned his gaze to Erin. Erin nodded, and as if Jin had been waiting for confirmation

From here on Note will enter the second stage of the arts practice, he said.