Chapter 7
From the appearance alone, it was certain that the item was from over two hundred years ago, but beyond that, it was impossible to tell.
The reason was the difference in the magic and mana circulation currently in use.
“If only we could simply press it with exceptional magic power, but the only person capable of that is the guildmaster…”
And currently, that guildmaster… was using the excuse of “procuring interesting items” to wander around for a year.
“What exactly do you want me to do?!”
Bang!
It was the moment when Elise couldn’t withstand her anger and slammed the desk.
Just then, the footman who had opened Elise’s office door was startled and froze in place.
“Uh, um, Elise…? Should I come back later…?”
Elise struggled to compose herself.
“No. Go ahead, what is it?”
“Um… Did you happen to post a job opening for new appraisers?”
“What are you talking about?”
Seeing the annoyance on Elise’s face, the footman immediately shrunk his shoulders.
“Someone came saying they want to work as an appraiser…”
“Our recruitment period for new hires has already ended. Didn’t you know that?”
“I’m sorry! I’ll leave right away!”
I knew I couldn’t trust my instincts.
As the footman turned around with a crestfallen expression, Elise stopped him.
“Wait.”
Elise called him back and stood there lost in thought for a moment.
The current situation at Sophus Appraisal Office was that each magician was precious.
“Do you happen to know? If he can open that damn box.”
There was a saying that the guildmaster, who was currently absent, always used.
“You never know when fate will come knocking.”
“When it does, seize it.”
“Or you’ll regret it.”
“I’ll go down and see for myself. Show her in.”
* * *
Arriving on the first floor, Elise quickly spotted the woman mentioned by the footman.
First of all, it was clear from her shabby robe that she wasn’t an ordinary customer.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. Magicians are eccentric and unpredictable.”
Elise took out a necklace-shaped pendulum from her pocket and aimed it at the woman.
Made of rose-cut sapphire, this pendulum was an item personally crafted by the skilled guildmaster.
Its ability was to detect the opponent’s mana.
The stronger the opponent, the more the pendulum vibrated.
“….”
However, against the woman in front of her, the pendulum showed no reaction whatsoever.
“Tsk.”
It was a waste of time after all.
“Send her away. Nicely.”
“Yes.”
Feeling dejected for interfering with her superior, the footman approached the woman.
The woman was looking at the decorations displayed on the wall of the appraisal office without any sign of alertness.
“She won’t come back again.”
As Elise pushed her hair behind her ear and turned around, she heard the woman muttering.
“Fake. Fake. Fake… Wow, this one’s real? Is it for ceremonial use?”
The woman’s muttering echoed in Elise’s ears.
At that one word, Elise paused.
“What did you say?”
Quickly turning back to face the woman with an incredulous look, Elise found goosebumps forming on her arms.
“How did she know?”
On the first floor of Sophus Appraisal Office, decorative items were displayed under glass just like in a museum.
Naturally, nine out of ten were fakes. Visitors only glanced at the replicas.
But among them.
There was one real item.
The “Chalice of Deluge,” an artifact from ancient times.
Its value, which could summon a flood at will, was immeasurable, but outwardly, it looked like a simple, rough plate.
“But how did she recognize it? And to think it was for ceremonial use… That means she knows it’s the Chalice of Deluge!”
Elise recalled her conversation with the guildmaster.
“Guildmaster, why do you leave such valuable items in the lobby where people come and go? What if someone steals it? What will you do then?”
“You worry too much, Elise. If no one can recognize it, then it’s not a treasure until someone does.”
“So are you leaving it there to be stolen?”
“Well, who knows? If someone recognizes it, we’ll catch them and make them work their bones off.”
“….”
Back then, she just found his remarks wicked and distasteful, but now, it was different.
Elise quickly approached the visitor. The footman was trying to send the woman away as instructed.
“Please leave…”
“Wait!”
Elise called out to the woman again and looked at her with eyes full of disbelief.
Elise let out a scream-like sound to stop it.
Then, the woman in the robe noticed Elise and turned her head.
Elise was silently surprised.
“Younger than I thought?”
Although her face was not visible as she wore a loose hat, her slender jaw and pale rosy lips alone indicated she was exceptionally beautiful.
“Her mana… still absent.”
The pendulum remained silent.
Nevertheless, Elise spoke politely.
“Our schedule has changed. Do you want to work as an appraiser at our Sophus Appraisal Office?”
“….”
“Ma’am?”
“Oh. Yes.”
The woman replied as if it were amusing.
Being obscured by the robe made it impossible for Elise to gauge the woman’s gaze, which subtly pressured Elise.
But Elise nodded gracefully.
“Please follow me. I’ll treat you to some tea.”
* * *
The woman introduced herself as Elise Barrett, the assistant guildmaster of Sophus Appraisal Office.
She seated herself on the couch while promising to fetch tea and disappeared somewhere.
Shortly after, she returned with a tray.
Without thinking, Elise smiled faintly as she looked at the tray.
Three teapots were placed on the tray.
All three were decorated with flowers and birds in blue dye, with exactly the same design, flawlessly replicated.
“Please choose whichever you like.”
Elise smiled softly and said.
“How charming.”
Picker chuckled as she carefully examined the teapots. In the order her gaze fell upon them, descriptions popped into her mind.
[Teapot]
A teapot made by “Sadie’s” imitating the design of “Byzan.” Criticized for being too identical, it is no longer in production.
[Byzan’s Teapot]
A vintage teapot from “Byzan,” the royal supplier of tableware. It’s a product from about 90 years ago, but its preservation is excellent.
[Teapot]
A cheap teapot imitating the design of “Byzan.” The subtle patterns and flow of water are different.
Picker shrugged and spoke up.
“I’ll go with the one in the middle. Old-fashioned items seem prettier to me. Well, it’s not that old-fashioned if it’s from about 90 years ago.”
Elise’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement before it vanished. She smoothly accepted the request.
“Sure. Let me prepare that for you. Would you like Asshu leaves with it?”
She then presented a container of tea leaves.
[Asshu Tea Leaves: Lesser Grade]
Made from only partially unfolded Asshu leaves before summer arrives. It’s the lower grade of Asshu.
Picker grinned.
“Are you sure you didn’t bring the wrong container? This isn’t the Asshu I know.”
“Oh dear. My mistake.”
Elise went off again.
[Asshu Tea Leaves: Superior Grade]
Picked before the spring rain. It’s the highest grade with limited production.
“Let’s go with this one.”
Picker said as she glanced at the tea container.
Only then did Elise silently start to brew the tea.
For a while, the room was filled with silence and steam.
After drinking a sip of tea, Elise sharply asked.
“Are you a magician?”
“No.”
“Do you have a certification as an appraiser?”
“Do I need one to get a job?”
“Not necessarily. As long as you’re qualified.”
“I am.”
“….”
Elise’s eyebrow raised slightly. It seemed like she was questioning the woman’s confidence.
“But is she really?”
Even now, Picker could see it. Descriptions of all the items in the room.
People are no different.
[Elise Barrett]
Assistant guildmaster of Sophus Appraisal Office. She is greatly perplexed by the unexpectedly outstanding abilities of the sudden applicant.
Picker lowered her voice and spoke.
“Assistant guildmaster. I’m someone who dislikes going around in circles.”
