That's an extra chapter today. Because I liked this chapter very much and because I don't want to leave you all on cliffhanger :).
Chapter Thirty: Achievement Reward 2
First and foremost, what concerned her was Julius’s reaction.
Even though Karen was the one who wanted this in the first place, what’s with this unwillingness to compromise? If even Karen felt that way, Julius must felt it even more strongly.
When Karen cautiously looked at Julius, his eyes were wide with surprise.
She knew all too well how painful it was to be rejected with the words "I don’t want to compromise.”
If Julius had been in love with Karen, this could have turned into a real tragedy. Fortunately, there’s no way Julius would fall in love with her.
Julius seemed surprised, but not hurt.
After confirming this obvious fact, Karen turned back to face Helfried.
“…For modesty, that’s quite an unconventional argument.”
Helfried still seemed to think that Karen was being modest about receiving Julius as a reward. To convince him, Karen must choose her words carefully.
“I’ve always wanted to study.”
In her previous life, she had really wanted to test her abilities through club activities like her older siblings. She didn’t want to unnecessarily worry about her parents and return home without joining any clubs, taking over household chores and cooking.
She had really wanted to go to university. Though she considered attending through scholarship programs, she hesitated and ended up just getting a job.
She had wanted to study, join a major company through her own efforts, and work there.
She never wanted to become someone who just supported another person’s success. Yet, she thought she could feel like she amounted to something by being supportive, simply because it was what she was used to. It wasn’t for her boyfriend’s sake that she was being supportive. It was all for herself. Maybe that’s why he said he didn’t want to compromise. Who would willingly settle in a life where they’re tied to someone who only thinks about themselves yet refuses to move their own life forward?
“When I was twelve, my father disappeared, my fiancé was between life and death, and I struggled with whether to quit the commoner’s school. Even so, I held on and attended until graduation. I’ve kept up with alchemy too, albeit modestly. It’s because I wanted to study. I wanted to work in my field of study and test my abilities in the real world.”
But she had completely forgotten those feelings amid her busy life. And somewhere in her heart, she had become scared and hesitant. Because if she tested her abilities in the real world, she might realize she was an insignificant person. Afraid of confronting her own insignificance, she had tried to compromise with being the fiancée of Lyos, who had become a knight.
Lyos probably wanted nothing to do with such a person.
Without the influence of alcohol, she probably would have hesitated to accept Sieg’s request too, saying she would do it after completing her research. And by then, it surely would have been too late.
“I was so happy that I could heal Sieg. To have my abilities and what I’d learned to be useful, to have my trial and error pay off, to receive everyone’s gratitude for it… I was so happy I cried.”
On that day when she bridged the gap between Sieg and Alise, Karen cried uncontrollably as everyone in the mansion thanked her. That moment will surely remain a treasure in Karen’s life forever.
“From now on, I want to work as an alchemist. I want to forge my own path in life, and advance forward through my own power.”
“Karen, what do you want?”
“Sieg.”
“Father. The reward is as she wishes, right? I think we should give Karen what she truly desires.”
Helfried didn’t argue with Sieg’s words.
It had clearly been conveyed that Karen had a different wish.
Gulping nervously at Sieg’s question, Karen answered:
“I want the appraisal mirror. With that, I could conduct many more kinds of research.”
She had wanted it since she first saw it.
When Sieg was nearly poisoned, she honestly thought about giving up on it—but poisons that don’t become ruined even when mixed with food weren’t potions, so they didn’t show up in appraisals anyway.
The appraisal mirror worked at the recent dinner party because the curry was originally a potion.
Sara had told her that they only appraised things because Karen, as an alchemist, had specifically mentioned her dishes were potions, and they didn’t usually appraise every dish.
That was why Sara always taste-tested before appraisals—if there was a poison that couldn’t be detected, she could more quickly spot it by tasting first.
So Karen wanting the appraisal mirror wouldn’t put Sieg in immediate danger. But is it really okay for Karen to wish for this? Would there be future dangers befalling Sieg and everyone else that could be prevented with the appraisal mirror?
“If it’s too difficult, another magical tool would—”
“I have no intention of going back on my word that ‘the reward is as you wish.’”
As Karen started to compromise, Helfried stated gravely.
“Very well, Karen. As your achievement reward, I shall grant you the appraisal mirror.”
“Thank you so much!”
Karen bowed energetically with a beaming smile.
Helfried exhaled and smiled.
“Alchemist Karen. We are truly grateful for your work. We pray that your future will be blessed with the goddess’s mercy and shine brightly.”
“Thank you, your grace!”
In response to Helfried’s words expressing gratitude for Karen’s work as an alchemist and celebrating her future, Karen’s face crumpled as she cried and smiled at the same time.
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