Mastore 47 - Dumpster

Magic Realm Convenience Store – Ch. 47

Convenience Store Worker Taking Written Test

Manager gave me a two-day leave.

“Um... Chan-ah. I'll register you right away, so for now go home and sleep, and don't come out at night tomorrow. Are you listening?"

"I'm listening. I'm listening, but this..."

The content I heard is just floating around in my head. Besides having to take a test with content I've never learned before in a place I've never been to, there was an even bigger problem.

"I don't have an ID, Manager. Don't I need to submit something to take a national test?"

"Don't worry about that at all; there are ways for everything—"

"What kind of ways? It's not like you have any connections in the government of this world..."

I blurted out thinking there's no way Manager could have such extensive connections, but Manager fell completely silent at that.

“.....”

"Manager?"

"Ah, anyway I'll take care of it so don't worry, the test starts at 9 AM, so rest well and come to the convenience store around 8 AM. Got it?"

She say. Even though the silence bothered me to no end, I set it aside… but seriously, this is...

"Manager. If I fail this, can I retake it...?"

"Yes, you can. So don't think about anything today, go home and rest."

After finishing the shift handover in a flash, like roasting beans over a lightning bolt, I left the convenience store, almost being pushed out by the manager, and went home... I was so sleepy at the convenience store, but once I lay down in bed, I couldn't fall asleep even as the day passed.

It was only around sunset that I somehow managed to fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes, it was exactly 7:40 AM. Just in case, I stuffed a computer marker pen lying around at home into my pocket and went to the convenience store, where Manager was sprawled at the counter with her chin propped up.

“Manager, I’m here....”

“Ah, Chan-ah.”

As soon as she saw me, she jumped up and hurried over to ask.

"Did you sleep well? How do you feel?"

"I slept fine, but I feel like being dragged to a slaughterhouse."

I turned my body to look outside the convenience store. Although it's been almost 10 days since I started working, my main range of activity was just thirty steps outside that front door. That’s all.

But now they're telling someone like me to take a bus and go take a test at the academy? Does this make sense? I don't even have a transportation card.

As I was looking out with a feeling of helplessness, Manager grasped my hand firmly and said.

“It’s okay, Chan-ah. I'll see you off."

“Manager?”

"Yes. But first, let's pull down the blinds..."

“Ah.”

It means we’re going to teleport. I hadn't thought of that.

After pulling down the blinds and locking the door, I closed my eyes with my back against the front door, as I always did. After the manager tapped my shoulder and I opened my eyes and looked back, an unexpected sight unfolded before me.

In the distance, there stood a castle, a really ridiculously huge castle at that.

That wasn't all. Around the largest castle with its towering spire, there were many buildings of various sizes encircling it, and the architectural styles of the buildings were all exotic. Some were modern, gray skyscrapers, while others had oriental-style roofs like pavilions.

There were also several buildings in what seemed to be either Rococo or Renaissance styles, like the ones you’d see in history books about the Middle Ages when you were a kid. I heard that the tests are held in the academy district, so this must be where the different species study....

“Manager, is this place a theme park or something?”

"Do kids in Chan’s world go to school or academies for fun?"

"There are a few who do that without getting their act together... but I mean it literally for now."

“Aha.”

After that, Manager explained that this place has the best facilities among educational institutions in this world.

The central, largest castle was said to have been built a very long time ago by various races working together. When a war broke out several decades ago, most buildings were completely destroyed, but because only that castle maintained almost its original form, it became something like a symbol of peace or so.

So they repaired it, and while debating whether to use it as a museum or memorial hall, someone suggested, "Instead of just leaving it for display, wouldn't it be great to educate children here?" This idea was adopted as is, and it became the first building of the academy district...

They have expanded and added onto it little by little over decades, leading to what it is today.

“For something that size, it must have almost every department."

"They have just about everything."

There are places that train hunters, places that educate magicians like the manager, technical high schools, engineering colleges, and so on. It seemed like there wouldn't be nearly enough time to ask what else they teach, so I changed the subject.

"Um... Where are we now?"

"Near the academy district station. I was planning to come here later, but somehow it turned out like this."

"Oh, you said you were going to do business here as well."

"Yes. Why?"

“No, it’s nothing.”

Looking out the window, I blurted out what came to mind.

“It’s cool.”

I thought if there was a place like this in my neighborhood, I would never be bored for life. If it weren't for the fact that I have to crawl into there from now on, I might have really felt that way.

"Which building among those is the test site, exactly?"

“Um... Looking at the map... I think it's that building over there on the right."

Manager leaned by the window and pointed to the right side of the castle. It was a modern-style building and fairly large. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost.

As I was about to leave, Manager handed me a few things. A computer marker pen, I brought this. Also, a canned ion drink, and some hard candy.

"They said the registration slip can be printed at the test site, so you can just go with just yourself."

"I understand."

After that, I was about to leave, but Manager gently grabbed my hand. Her face was full of worry.

"Will you really be okay, Chan-ah?”

“Is there really a need to go that far? You’ve got a store to run.”

“I’m worried, that’s why. It's Chan's first time going out..."

"I'll contact you after I finish the exam, so please come back then."

I was grateful enough that she spared me from having to take the bus. Just before I grabbed the front door handle and left, I casually said to Manager.

"I'll be back in a flash."

“Un.”

* * *

I had no idea that my monumental first outing into another world would be like this, nor did I think it would be to some academy district instead of an intersection, but anyway, I stepped outside.

The first thought that hit me after stepping out was that I now understood very well why it was so rare to see anyone younger than a high school student on the street. This place was a paradise for students.

Everywhere I looked, there were only students in school uniforms, and occasionally I saw little Kobolds and Vampires with just bags and indoor shoe bags without uniforms. All these guys, without exception, were busily moving towards the castle.

Moreover, I didn't feel particularly scared or uneasy as I thought I might. If I had to compare, it was like the feeling I had when I went on my first business trip to Jeju Island during my office days. Maybe I've built up immunity from dealing with convenience store troublemakers.

Curious about what the kids around here talked about, I eavesdropped a bit. The conversation went something like this:

“The game we’re playing, they say we can’t play it without adult verification. How are we gonna build our castle?”

"They say that's the adults' fault, so don't worry. I saw it on UTube.”

"Really?"

"Yeah. But it's not like only adults should play games, so why did they ban it?"

Good point.

Just then, I heard something fluttering in the sky, and when I looked up, I saw Harpies, winged different-species beings, flying while eating with toast in their mouths. I guess they were late.

Thanks to the clear flow of crowd, finding my way wasn't difficult. Crossing the crosswalk and entering what looked like the main entrance, a rocky path that seemed to stretch at least 20 meters appeared...

As I followed the path, I came upon a fountain, and beneath it, there was a large sign with bold letters. It read, 'Anti-magic License Test Site, 300m ↗'.

Walking about 5 more minutes in the direction the sign pointed, I arrived right in front of the modern-style building I had seen earlier. Above the main entrance, written in gold on the concrete was: 'Hunter Theory Lecture Hall'

I like that it doesn't have names like Phoenix Hall or Black Tortoise Hall that are difficult to understand. Seeing a beastman with sheep's head and horns sitting at what looked like a reception desk in front, I approached and spoke.

"Excuse me. Is this the anti-magic license test site?"

"Yes. Did you bring your registration slip?"

When I shook my head, they glanced at my face and asked.

“Are you human?”

No, isn't that a bit too much...?

"I'm sorry. I registered in a hurry..."

“No, it’s okay. We're used to it because there are a few people who don't bring their registration slips. Your species is human, correct?"

"Uh... Ah, yes."

I see they were asking my race. Let me answer. After I answered, he unfolded the list on the reception desk, flipped through a few pages, made a V-shaped checkmark, and then closed it.

“Your name is... Mr. Lee Chan. I’ve confirmed your identity. After facial recognition at the kiosk inside the lobby, please head up to the third floor."

"Thank you... Ah, um. May I ask one more thing?"

"Yes. What is it?"

"Are there any other human species applicants besides me?"

I asked because on the page they checked, there was only one line printed. The beastman immediately shook his head.

"No, none this year."

"Thank you."

If there were a human, I would have greeted them as if I were meeting an old friend from my hometown and asked them some expected questions. As soon as I entered the main entrance, I saw the kiosk, with a frame-like shape floating as if to scan a QR code.

When I put my face close, a message appeared saying I was verified as a registrant, and a sheet of paper was printed out below with a whirring sound.

Holding it, I walked up about two flights of stairs and arrived at a corridor where all the doors were closed except for one that was open. That seemed to be the test room.

Entering, there were easily about a hundred different species, each seated in their places. The test was supposed to start at 9 o'clock, I wonder why these guys are sitting here so early.

I found my seat according to the number on my registration slip and sat down; the seat to my left was a Minotaur, and the seat to my right was an Orc. When I sat down, I felt like I had turned into a hamburger patty.

Partly to avoid their gazes, I thought while resting my chin on my hand.

Noona seemed to think I would pass the exam without any problems, and Manager also didn't seem to worry much about whether I would pass or not. But, I need to know what the testquestions are to decide whether to feel at ease or not.

Wondering if he might be of help, I glanced at the Orc's side, and saw him intently looking at a book of past test questions. If they had the same personality as the Orcs I saw at the convenience store, they would have punched me the moment our eyes met, but this Orc is wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

He looked intellectual. Feeling that it might be okay, I spoke to him.

“Excuse me, Orc Hyung-nim.”

"…Ah, are you speaking to me?"

The tone of his reply was very polite. They must indeed be an educated Orc.

"Yes. Could I possibly look at your past test question book for a moment from the side?"

"Ah, yes. It's not like it'll wear out."

I stood up slightly and stared intently at it from where the Orc's gaze wouldn't reach. The first question that caught my eye was this:

[In the habitat of the A-class beast Aracne, during the breeding season, what would cause a humidity imbalance...]

Let’s skip this for now....







|Note