Who Says I'm Not a Proper Adventurer?

The atmosphere on the way back was noticeably more congenial than when they had set out.

It was no longer just Lance doing all the talking; Cecilia had also shed her initial, prim demeanor.

However, watching the girl stagger under the weight of several heavy Petrified Crab Shells, Lance couldn’t help but make a quiet assessment.

’This young lady’s Power and Constitution Attributes probably don’t even reach the standard five points of an ordinary adult.’

To prevent his newest team member from collapsing from exhaustion halfway, Lance hailed a caravan wagon offering rides back to town once they reached Stump Camp.

It only cost them ten Copper Coins for the two of them.

Sitting on the swaying, hay-strewn floorboards of the wagon, Lance didn’t immediately review the day’s mistakes.

Instead, he struck up a conversation about life in Gray Rock Town.

In the relaxed atmosphere, Cecilia slowly began to open up.

She spoke of amusing stories from her academy, the burdens of being her family’s heir, and her new friend, Yuna, whom she had just met in the hall that day.

Although Yuna was very warm, Cecilia was frustrated because she didn’t know how to reciprocate that warmth, always feeling she was too tongue-tied.

Watching the girl’s lively expressions, Lance leaned against the side of the wagon, a faint smile playing on his lips.

At that moment, she had shed her veneer of noble propriety. Wearing a cloak with her face smudged with a bit of dirt, she finally looked like the vibrant young woman she was meant to be.

The main hall of the Adventurer’s Guild was still bustling when they returned.

Lance expertly led Cecilia to the counter and dumped the jumble of spoils from his backpack all at once.

After the clerk tallied and calculated everything,

the fully processed crab claws and carapaces alone fetched a price of 2 Silver Coins and 40 Copper Coins.

Adding the bounties from the three quests and the special 20% bonus approved by the Guild President,

the total earnings for the trip came to 7 Silver Coins and 74 Copper Coins.

Lance looked at the small pile of Silver Coins and did a quick mental calculation.

The amount was roughly the same as the net profit he’d make from being cooped up in his attic for over four hours, concocting hemostatic ointment.

But the intangible value of this expedition was far greater.

A full 20 points of Knowledge Experience, 110 points of Skill Experience, and the Skill Proficiency that automatically increased through actual combat.

These were gains that money couldn’t buy.

The clerk handed over the pouch containing their payment.

Lance took the pouch and turned to Cecilia behind him.

The young woman was on her tiptoes, watching the clerk. She was trying her best to remain composed, but the excitement in her eyes was impossible to hide.

This was the first time in her life she’d been part of a quest payout.

Lance untied the money pouch and deftly counted out 3 Silver Coins and 87 Copper Coins, placing them in his own waist pouch.

Then, he gently placed the pouch, still half-full, in front of Cecilia.

"This is your share."

"Huh?"

Cecilia froze, not immediately reaching out to take it.

Her red eyes went wide with disbelief.

"I... I get a share?"

She had heard that when upperclassmen from her academy did off-campus internships, not only did they not get paid, they sometimes even had to pay their mentors out of pocket for the "tuition."

At the academy, just being able to learn something as an intern was considered the greatest gift of all.

Seeing the girl’s dumbfounded expression, Lance chuckled, took her hand, and firmly pressed the pouch into her palm.

"The founder of the Adventurer’s Guild once said,"

Lance said in a serious tone.

"The gods give you life, and the Guild’s bounty proves your worth for the day."

"Take it. You’ve earned it."

Lance paused, then helped her close her fingers around the money pouch.

"You did a great job today with both gathering and processing the materials. You’re starting to look like a real Adventurer."

In truth, Lance could have pocketed all the money himself.

According to the unwritten rules of the trade, it would have been perfectly justified for him to take all the earnings. Neither Cecilia nor anyone else would have seen anything wrong with it.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

’If I did that, what would be the difference between me and those unscrupulous bosses from my past life who tricked college kids into unpaid internships under the guise of "training new talent"?’

That kind of money would burn his hands.

More importantly, Lance was someone who valued long-term gains.

He could already see Cecilia’s potential.

Perhaps in just a few days, this young Mage would become an effective combatant and be able to participate in fights.

When that happened, it would mean double the clearing efficiency and, more importantly, skyrocketing experience points.

Compared to that, what were a few Silver Coins?

Besides, these few Silver Coins were probably the first money this young lady had ever earned with her own two hands.

Their significance went far beyond their monetary value.

If he were to shortchange her on this, of all things, he’d be less than human.

Cecilia cradled the money pouch tightly in both hands, as if it were some kind of Sacred Relic.

After several seconds, she suddenly took a step back and gave Lance a deep bow.

The bow was so deep it startled the unprepared Lance, causing him to jump to the side.

"Thank you, Senior!"

The young woman’s voice was so clear and loud that it caused the surrounding Adventurers to turn and look.

"All right, all right, there’s no need to be so formal."

Lance waved his hand in embarrassment, gesturing for her to straighten up.

"We’re friends, more or less. You don’t need to do all this."

Cecilia straightened up, mulling over the word "friend." Then she nodded vigorously and let out a crisp "Mhm."

After leaving the Guild, Lance didn’t immediately send her on her way.

He remembered that in the wagon on the way back, Cecilia had been worried about how to reciprocate her roommate Yuna’s warmth.

So he led her into a dessert shop in town that was still open.

"You can buy some to take back and share with your roommate."

"Sharing food is the easiest and most effective way to build a friendship. Nobody says no to sweets."

He spent a few dozen Copper Coins to pick out some local specialties—berry pastries and honey soft cakes—and had the shopkeeper pack them up for Cecilia.

Lance glanced at the streetlamps that were beginning to light up; it was indeed getting late.

"All right, let’s call it a day."

Lance said goodbye to her.

He still had a lot to take care of tonight.

Not only did he have to sort through the day’s haul, but he also needed to find the Guild President first thing and have him make good on his promise to give him the Breathing Combat Technique manual.

That was the real key to improving his strength.

"Go get some rest, and don’t forget to write up your observation report for today."

Before leaving, Lance couldn’t help but add another instruction.

"We’ll meet at the usual spot tomorrow morning. Remember to bring it with you."

"Yes, Senior!"

Clutching the money pouch and the box of sweets, Cecilia stood under a streetlamp and watched Lance leave. Only after his figure disappeared around a corner did she turn and head toward White Oak Manor with light, cheerful steps.