The Unaware Atelier Meister (勘違いの工房主～英雄パーティの元雑用係が、実は戦闘以外がSSSランクだったというよくある話～)

This village is under siege by Fenrir,

an S-rank monster that could level a major city.

It's a problem not just anyone can solve.

So the villagers pooled nearly every coin they had

all to hire us, the Flaming Dragon Fang.

Bandana!

I'm on it.

Heal!

All yours, boss man!

The nimble Ranger Bandana,

the pious Priestess, Marlefiss

and finally, the burning Warrior, Golnova.

- -Together we defeated Fenrir,

and the Flaming Dragon Fang became a party of heroes.

My story is one not often told.

That of the guy who handles the heroes' chores

as they journey to save the world.

A powerless man in a powerful party,

doing what he can to better the lives

of those around him.

Gods, that's shitty.

Can't anyone in this village make a decent meal?

Hey, Kur,

make me something edible already.

Yes, sir! I'll whip something up for you real quick.

Kur, be sure to make some for everyone

since this is the last day we'll get to have your cooking.

Huh?

I don't understand.

What do you mean by "last day?"

What do you think it means? You're fired, you idiot.

But why? Did I do something wrong

or not how you wanted?

It's not what you did but what you didn't do.

We need someone who can fight more than just stains.

No more than four to a party.

The law of this world forbids it.

A party is only as strong as its weakest member.

We'll only be able to go so far without a powerful mage.

Nothing personal,

but you're just dead weight at this point.

I mean, let's face it.

You're less useful than those bags

we have you carry for us.

I am?

But I can do better, I swear!

Just let me stay in the party. P...

- - Shut up!

- -

Seems my story was one told all too often.

That of a powerless man

ejected from a party of powerful heroes.

An unwanted traveler with no place to go.

THE UNAWARE ATELIER MEISTER

1: THE COMMON TALE OF HOW THE GUY IN CHARGE

OF CHORES WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM TURNED

OUT TO ACTUALLY POSSESS INCREDIBLE SKILLS

So, this is Hello Work, huh?

Didn't think I'd be this nervous.

But still I gotta earn money, somehow.

- -Good afternoon?

Welcome, sir, to the Samaela Branch of Hello,

Hello Work Station!

Are you in the market for a job or looking for a hand to hire?

Uh, the first one.

I'm fine with any work I can get.

Good to know.

But before that, we'll need to do

a short interview and aptitude test.

All right, your name and age please,

if you'd be so kind.

Of course, I'm Kurt Rockhans

and I'm 15 years old.

And where are you from?

Kurt Rockhans?

From Hast Village.

All the way up in the Sheen Mountains.

I didn't realize there were villages that far out.

So what kind of work have you been doing till now?

This and that.

Housekeeping mostly,

for the Flaming Dragon Fang party.

Weren't they promoted to double S-rank recently?

Right after they fired me, yeah.

Uh.

Well, even so, working with them is still

-quite the feather in your cap! -Uh?

I had no idea

doing someone's chores could be at all prestigious.

The others must be even more incredible than I realized.

Now, then, let's move on to your aptitude test.

As I'm sure you know

aptitudes are talents granted to us by God.

Some are obvious

and some must be uncovered,

which makes these tests so exciting.

Ah!

Wow, I can't wait!

Aptitudes are ranked from G,

meaning no talent at all to triple S,

which is the best of the best.

It's like this.

Someone with a low aptitude for swordsmanship

can wield a sword

but someone with a high aptitude

can cut through solid steel.

High-rank skills are so cool.

I hope I have one.

Oh, my, they're all G-rank.

It seems you have no talent for combat,

which isn't ideal.

I'm sorry, but this will limit the work you can do.

Oh, no, that just means trade work.

And we can test your aptitude

for things like blacksmithing or alchemy.

Our technician is out at the moment.

They should be back in about a week, though.

A week?

I'm not sure I have enough money

to hold out till then.

Well, we can't have that.

Let's see.

Why don't you try lifting one of those sandbags?

Okay.

Huh? That's weird.

It felt like the sandbag drained a little of my mana.

What's in this?

Good, you can put it down.

You're stronger than you look, Kurt.

Strong enough to handle some construction work, surely.

There's a frontier town in the Margraviate of Taicone.

They need laborers to repair the town's walls.

Does that sound like something you can do?

Yeah!

Then I'll get started on

a letter of introduction for you.

Oh, thank goodness!

I won't have to starve!

You're the new temp worker, eh?

Hmm.

Hmm.

Well, we're too shorthanded to be picky.

All right, boy,

I'm only saying this once, so pay attention.

Yes, sir!

- First, make cement! - Right!

- Then fix the walls! - Got it!

Oh, wait.

Does "making cement" include strengthening it with mana

or does he want me to skip that step?

- Excuse me-- -I'll be back in three hours

to check on you.

I'll expect you to have gone through

at least half a barrel's worth by then.

Better work, better pay.

So keep that in mind.

Uh...

I guess using mana that way

is such common knowledge that it goes without saying.

Glad I didn't ask and embarrass myself.

I'm surprised half a barrel is good enough for him.

Well, I'm not about to let myself off that easy!

Huh?!

What...

the hell is this?

I'm so sorry I did as much as I could.

I had to stop when I ran out of cement.

No, ran out?

Don't tell me that he repaired

a whole third of the western wall by himself

and in three hours, no less.

How were you able to get cement

to the upper ramparts?

I don't see any scaffolds or ladders.

I just scooped up the cement and tossed it up there.

Then rolled it out with this.

You expect me to believe that worked?