I wanted to test more, but with my low maximum mana, it was very precious. While it seemed to recover with rest, I also wanted to secure other means of replenishing it if possible.
For now, since I had managed to open the closet, I utilized the available space to continue tidying up—though it became enjoyable, I came across some perplexing items.
“…This is the first time I’ve seen an electric massager.”
The battery was dead, so it didn’t work, but someone in this dormitory must suffer from shoulder pain.
I categorized this as a small appliance and grouped all items of the same category together. This way, they would be easy to find if needed later.
Next, I found a flashlight, which had batteries and was ready to use. While smartphones have flashlight functions, having a separate flashlight can be handy.
“…Oh, a flowing somen noodle set.”
Finding items I wouldn’t normally buy myself was quite exciting. Of course, whether I would be allowed to use them was another matter.
I became completely absorbed in organizing. When I finally emerged from the room and went to the living room, I smelled what seemed to be dinner.
“Oh, you’re back. Sorry again for making you clean while you’re tired. If it’s too much, you can take it slow.”
“You must be tired too. The other new student…”
“Yeah, they were here until a little while ago. They went out again to check something. But since it’s within the dormitory grounds, it should be fine even if it’s dark.”
“Going out at this hour? That’s impressive.”
“Really, right? I’ll check on them later. By the way, have you been told about how meals work here?”
“Sorry, I might have been told before, but I’ve forgotten.”
My memories from the homeroom until I arrived were somewhat blurry. Akizuki-san didn’t seem suspicious and started writing something on the whiteboard in the living room with a marker.
“At this academy, outside money is exchanged for a special currency. These are the coins—Bronze, Silver, and Gold, increasing in value in that order. Each student gets a hundred Bronze coins per month, which can be used to pay for meals. You can carry the coins or charge them onto your smartphone to use.”
“I see… If there are a hundred Bronze coins, that leaves ten coins after a thirty-day month. What happens to those?”
“The coins can be used for other things, so ten left over might not be enough. Also, meals that can be bought with Bronze coins are ‘Standard Meal A,’ which is a pretty simple menu… like this.”
Akizuki-san wrote the meal contents on the whiteboard. ‘Standard Meal A’ consisted of rice, miso soup, and one side dish from natto, egg, or dried fish.
“With this, you can also take supplements or juice for nutritional balance, but everyone wants to eat meat sometimes. For that, you need Silver coins.”
“I see…”
“You can earn Silver or higher coins by completing ‘requests,’ doing ‘deliveries,’ and ‘submissions’ that are always available. This is part of the curriculum to train explorers… because the tasks are the same as those an explorer would do.”
“It sounds like part-time jobs are officially allowed.”
“Exactly. You can eat even if you don’t take the jobs, but it’s better to do them if you can. The things you can buy with the coins are almost the same as outside the academy.”
“Akizuki-san, are there any requests available right now?”
“Oh, do you want to upgrade your meal tonight? I think that’s great, growing boys should eat well. Let’s get you started.”
Akizuki-san drew a map on the whiteboard, depicting the area around Shizunami Dormitory.
“This is the dorm, and within these grounds, there are herbs growing here. You can sell one herb for 5 Bronze at the pharmacy, but I’ll buy them for 1 Silver each.”
A herb collection request—it felt nostalgic.
As a novice Baggage carrier, I built my reputation with such tasks.
“Alright, I’ll go and collect some.”
“Be careful. It’s getting dark, but there are some streetlights around the marked area.”
“I found a flashlight earlier, so I’ll use that too.”
I had a reason for wanting to go out at this hour—I hadn’t tested my other skill yet.
Knowing about both skills, not just ‘Fixation,’ might help in tomorrow’s practical training. Plus, if I could complete a request at the same time, it would be ideal.
