Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I successfully passed Alfred’s qualification test.

Now, unless the head of the Yuzfel family overturns the test results, my attendance at the grand ball is almost 100% certain.

“Excuse me. I apologize again for interrupting your conversation. I’ll be on my way now.”

Alfred adjusted his monocle and bowed politely.

Looking back, I thought I might have made a hasty decision, but I felt relieved that things seemed to be going well.

Leesia spoke to Alfred as he was about to leave.

“Alfred, please talk to Father about this. I don’t want to have any more headaches about the partner issue. Do you understand?”

“Of course. I’ll speak to the head of the family myself, so don’t worry.”

Alfred dismissed her concerns and added,

“Finally, I’d like to ask you to be careful not to let your guard down just because the issue of attending the ball together has been resolved.”

“⋯.”

“It would be good to coordinate your opinions in advance and make sure there are no problems with the schedule on the day of the ball.”

After all, we didn’t even know the exact date of the ball, so we couldn’t just laugh and leave.

Furthermore, we needed to keep in mind the dress code and other notes for the ball⋯

“As I’ve said repeatedly, this will be the most important meeting of all.”

Alfred coughed, indicating that he had spoken too much, and Leesia sighed.

“Oh, I’ve said it repeatedly that I’m not interested in the social scene, and I don’t have any particular purpose for the ball.”

As she had said earlier, she seemed to have only one goal: to enjoy the ball.

Leesia shrugged her shoulders and continued,

“Anyway, my brother will inherit the family, so no matter how much you emphasize it to me, it’s meaningless. Go tell Father and my brother about the meeting of the ball.”

“Haha, Miss Leesia, you’re still very firm. I understand.”

“We’ll just enjoy ourselves and come out when it’s time, so don’t worry. Ahren, right?”

Of course, it’s obvious.

In fact, if I just behave myself⋯

It would be difficult for a mid-level adventurer to cause a disturbance at a ball where high-ranking and powerful people will gather.

“Of course. I’ll just stick by your side and quietly watch the ball, and then we’ll leave.”

Leesia smiled harmlessly at Alfred, as if to tell him not to worry.

“I still feel a bit overwhelmed that I’m attending such a grand event.”

“Hmm. Don’t underestimate yourself after passing the test so easily. Since things have turned out this way, I hope you’ll be a good partner for our Miss Leesia at the ball.”

Alfred smiled kindly.

“I can already see a fantastic pair of handsome man and beautiful woman entering the ball and attracting the attention of the social scene!”

“Ah, Alfred! Stop being silly and let’s go, Alfred!”

Leesia screamed in a high-pitched voice.

Alfred ignored her and smiled softly, then quietly left the bakery.

Ding.

The sound of the bell on the door rang out and then disappeared.

At that moment, I broke the silence with a whispered sound.

“Ugh.”

Suddenly, I felt a hot heat in my waist.

“Ahren, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

“Could it be because of the test just now⋯?”

What’s going on?

I didn’t need to carry my belongings because of the space bag on my waist, so I only had a small pouch with Eira in it, which I had received from Yeriel the other day.

Whoosh.

As soon as I opened the pouch, Eira’s body began to emit a hot heat.

‘Damn. After sleeping for more than a month, something must have gone wrong.’

I was worried, but within 10 seconds, Eira’s body temperature returned to normal.

Shh.

I was surprised to see Eira still sleeping peacefully, unaware of what was happening.

She had been consistent since the third floor, but what was going on?

At least Aira seemed fine, but I was worried that something might have happened to Scarlet, Eira ‘s owner.

‘I have to keep my promise with Veronica, so I can’t afford to be reckless. I’ll visit the Magic Tower in a few days.’

I was planning to visit the Magic Tower soon anyway, as I needed to get an entry pass and discuss the transaction.

I would be able to get an answer from Gardan, one of the elders in charge of Scarlet’s education.

Ah, of course, I need to calm down Leesia and Veronica first.

“Sorry. I think I was mistaken. It’s nothing serious, so Leesia, please relax.”

“Phew⋯ I was worried that you might be in pain because of Alfred’s test!”

“I was thinking of giving you a potion, but thankfully, it’s not necessary.”

Leesia slumped in her chair, and Veronica touched my armor, looking worried.

“The atmosphere suddenly became gloomy. Let’s enjoy some dessert and discuss!”

I said, opening my mouth to break the tense atmosphere.

Leesia insisted on treating us to other desserts, as she had made the cake with leftover ingredients and didn’t want to accept payment.

I couldn’t let her do that.

I ordered several types of high-quality desserts to express my gratitude, and I treated her to a generous meal, including the cost of the limited-edition cake.

The grand ball⋯ I wonder if I’ll be able to meet Gail there.

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“Please visit the bakery again in a week, on the 14th. Surely you won’t stand up this fragile girl?”

⋯Who’s fragile? That’s a joke.

[Chaos wonders if she’s misunderstanding the meaning of the word.]

“Haha, I can assure you that won’t happen. Don’t worry, and see you next week.”

After agreeing on the next schedule, Leesia and I said goodbye and left the bakery.

Ding.

“Not only was the cake delicious, but the other desserts were too. How do you like the first schedule?”

Veronica nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Yes! I was very satisfied. Thanks to your acquaintance, I was able to taste the cake I almost missed, and I really enjoyed it.”

“Hey, it’s not my acquaintance, it’s Leesia. You two introduced yourselves to each other earlier, so you can at least say you know each other, right?”

“That’s, that’s true⋯ but I still feel a bit awkward. I’ll try to improve over time.”

Well, we’ve broken the ice, so it’s up to them to build a closer relationship.

If I were to bother them or force them to do something, it would only hurt their feelings.

As I thought about the next topic of conversation, Veronica spoke first.

“After successfully purchasing the limited-edition cake at the bakery, I was planning to go to a tea house that I had already scouted to enjoy tea with the cake. But.”

“But?”

“Hmm⋯ I think I don’t need to go there anymore because I’ve already eaten and drunk at the bakery. Let’s skip the tea house and move on to the next destination.”

She had planned her itinerary carefully, and it seemed to be going smoothly. Where are we going next?

“The next place we’ll visit is⋯ the Integrated Exchange. The Integrated Exchange in Zone 4 would be good.”

Oh, the Integrated Exchange!

I had only heard about it, but this was my first time visiting it.

The reason I hadn’t been there before, even though I was staying in Zone 4, was simple.

‘After the last exploration, I had to repair my equipment and buy armor, and I only had 70 silver coins left as my entire fortune. Is that right?’

I didn’t have any money, so it’s no wonder I hadn’t been to the Integrated Exchange.

That’s why I felt a sense of nostalgia every time I looked at the bag full of gold coins I had now.

“I’ve been staying in Zone 4, but I’ve never had the opportunity to visit the Integrated Exchange because I didn’t have enough funds. I’m looking forward to it.”

“When I first visited the Integrated Exchange, I was surprised by the building’s exterior and the systematic procedures. It will be a good experience for you.”

I smiled at her, who was leading me to another enjoyable experience.

However, the high-quality desserts and bread didn’t seem to be enough. I needed to fill my stomach first.

They say that there’s a separate appetite for dessert and a separate appetite for food.

After riding the carriage for a few hours, I looked around because I thought I might get hungry in the middle.

“That place looks good.”

There were many restaurants near the bakery, so I entered a building that looked good and had a meal.

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I had a total budget of 27 gold coins and 20 silver coins.

If I were to calculate it precisely, it was a large amount that a low-level adventurer couldn’t afford even if they tried.

I didn’t know the exact prices of equipment and items, but based on the information I had gathered from the equipment shop in Hutton, I could make some estimates.

The average daily rate for a popular inn in Zone 4 was 20 silver coins, and a meal cost 5 silver coins.

The cost of repairing a magic stone at Rehagen’s was 2 gold coins, including a discount. The cost of making a light armor or a relatively simple steel plate armor was at least 10 gold coins, including the cost of the blueprint.

If you add a few more coins for labor costs, it’s still not enough.

In the end, even the cost of making high-quality light armor or relatively simple steel plate armor⋯ would be around 15 gold coins.

As I rode in the carriage, I thought about the items I had planned to buy before returning, such as shoes, cloaks, and magic tools.

“We’ve arrived!”

We arrived at a platform in Olarrium, Zone 4, after a two-hour carriage ride from Zone 5.

“It’s not far, so just follow me.”

Veronica, who had been to the platform near the Integrated Exchange several times, walked confidently.

Zone 4 is so vast that even if I had been walking or riding a carriage, I had only been to places like the Great Library, several guilds, equipment shops, and a few inns.

So, this area was completely new to me, and I tried to memorize the streets and buildings as I followed Veronica.

After about 30 minutes of casual conversation,

“We’re almost there. What do you think? The scale is impressive, isn’t it?”

In the distance, a magnificent stone building and a large crowd of people came into view.