Sevens Gaiden - Chapter 2

Episode two [Let’s perform the preparation]

「How to become a Hunter, huh ? Well, those who have high affinity with magic tools are scouted……for the rest, I have heard that an examination is conducted.」As Leo had finished his meal, Monica was doing the dishes.

Due to it being evening, the ceiling light had been restricted to the middle layer of the colony as it began to turn dark.

As the time went comfortably by, Leo ambiguously answered Lyle’s questions via the blue jewel.

Lyle’s reaction was getting worse with every answer. In a low voice, he made his anger known to Leo.
『……So, you’re going to become a Hunter? 』

Leo panickedly tried to recall about the Hunter Examination. Thereupon, he recalled the information which he had acquired in the normal course from everyday conversations. He recalled what he had learnt from his father and answered Leo.

「The Rookie Hunter Examination will be held in spring! If I pass the examination, I can become a Hunter and receive the permission to step out of the colony.」
Having understood the rest after hearing that much, Lyle said to Leo in a “that’s enough” manner.

『So, you mean to say, “I want to be a Hunter even though I don’t have adequate information.” I’m sorry, but are you seriously intending to become a Hunter? 』

Leo downcast his eyes. Even though he wanted to be a Hunter, it was impossible to know the details of the examination. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to know any details unless you visited an upper layer guild. What’s more, the 13th colony guild was treated as no more than a branch.

The headquarters is in Redant――Formerly、at the place near to where the Redant fort once stood、the headquarters is placed in the middle of the newly built colony on it

「For a more detailed explanation……however、we would need money to go into the upper layer。Though a hunter would be able to go up and down as they pleased」

Lyle understood as to why Leo didn’t have much information. Because he had very few friends- actually, no. He didn’t have any for he was an object of contempt. Also, owing to his austere life, he didn’t spend money unnecessarily.
『Oh, I can understand your situation; however, what would you do without necessary information? Although you know that the examination is held in spring, do you know from when till when it’s held in spring? Does the examination span over a periodic? Or, is it conducted in one day? What’s the required procedure? Is the examination charged? Or, is it free? 』

「E-Erm……」

Upon Leo’s failure to answer, Lyle let out a sigh.
『It’s a necessary expense. Even if it’s tight, pay and go ask for the information. As for money――』

“How much do you have?” was what Lyle wanted to ask before he was interrupted. By Monica.
「Monica would be at service even if she weren’t called! Are you troubled for money? You’re troubled, aren’t you? If so, this Monica has prepared money for Leo-sama. Please accept it.」
In front of Leo’s eyes was a roll of bills which Monica had taken out of her apron and smacked on the small table with a “don” sound.
Upon seeing the bills, Lyle:
『Not gold coins, not silver coins but bills. I can feel the flow of time.』

As an Emperor, Lyle had thought of circulating paper money instead of gold and silver; however, concluding it was impossible at that time, he gave up on the idea.
Seeing a bundle of the highest valued bills, Leo went stiff.

「T-THIS――」

「Here’s 100,000 for now. If you still need more, should I arrange for it?」

「I-、it’s alrightよ！　Besides, I can’t use so much money like these！　O-、other than that、I can’t receive this money even if you helped me so much already」
Monica was shocked upon seeing Leo rejecting the money she presented.

「L-、Leo-sama and the chicks-sama are alike as expected。If there are no Useless chicks-sama like our ideals then――」
　Upon hearing Monica mutter, “How I wished he would receive the money, fool around and turn useless,” Leo was perplexed. He remained perplexed until he heard a voice from the blue jewel.
However, Lyle said.

『100,000? I have no idea as to how much it amounts to. Leo, can you tell me the earnings of an average household?』
In response to Lyle’s, who wasn’t knowledgeable in this regard, query, Leo explained in detail.

「My house wasn’t financially well off. When my mother was single, she used to earn about 1,000 a month……as for the average, it would be 3,000. However, the average of the lower middle layer would be……」

Hearing till that, Lyle said in a loud voice.

『Oh, I see. So, this is equivalent to 2-3 year income of an average household. Well, this would be enough to cover the initial expenses, I guess.』

Surprised, Leo cried out.

「E, eh……ehhhh!? Do you mean I should use this money? No way, this is Monica’s money! 」

Upon hearing that, Monica, who was aggrieved, got up blushed and excited. (TL Note : My Automation can’t be this cute ! )
「Ufufu, as expected of Chicken-guy.  The thought of not thinking of declining it, I love it. It’s regrettable, though, that you had to refuse prior investment……Leo-sama, fool around even more and turn into a useless being.」
If I stay with Monica, will I turn useless? Leo started pondering over it carefully.

「W-Well, the initial expenses, if 」

『N? That? The upper layer houses the rich, the middle layer comprises the average, and the lower layer – although it cannot be called slum – it’s a poor layer, isn’t it? That being the case, there’s no need to pay attention to the appearance. In the society, it’s no good to make fun of the appearance. Appearance counts for nothing more than the first impression.』

Then Monica claps her hands
Right then, Monica clapped her hands.

「Isn’t that right? Wearing worn-out clothes may arouse Leo-sama, but if you looked like a useless, it would be a disgrace for your maid. Should I arrange for fashionable clothes?」

『Go to the upper layer once you fix your appearance and collect information. Even if you gather information, you’ll only be relatively safer. Oh well. If you have money, make use of it!』

Although Leo wanted to argue over Lyle’s statement, it was impossible for the current Leo to refute the overly delighted Lyle and Monica.

『I want to go and look around the colony, too. It has piqued my interest. 』
「Please leave it to me. I’ll guide both Chicken-guy and Leo-sama to their satisfaction……Oh wait, I too have arrived in this colony only recently.」

The Joyful Monica and Lyle looked forward to sightseeing.

『With 100,000, you will somehow be able to manage. Leo, you should go sightseeing, too, since you have to get acquainted with the upper layer. Don’t you agree? 』

「Y-Yes……」

(Isn’t it be a bit shameless that I’m using Monica’s money? I really can’t understand these people)

The pillar which extends through the center of the colony acts also an elevator.

Via the elevator, using which costed money, Leo, who was donned in new clothes, was heading to the upper layer guild.
( TN Note: Leo’s POV [it changes from first person monologue to third person here and there  so please bear with me ] )
I fixed my appearance and paid money for the upper layer. There was a chair installed in the elevator which I sat down on. While waiting to reach the upper layer, I saw the landscape of the colony through the window. It really was a closed environment.

Lyle, who was present in the precious blue gem, was pleased to see it.

『It’s wonderful! It was said that it looked like a labyrinth; however, now that I have seen it, it does resemble a labyrinth. Complicatedly laid out buildings make it look just like a maze.』

From the middle layer, it continued to move up. The higher it moved, the more beautiful the buildings became. Also, the space used was extensive (TL Note: i think that the colony’s structure is  V shaped due to the reason of increase in space and height of the ceiling[ i  also might be wrong so let me know in the comments section] )

.

The lower you go down, the thicker the pillar becomes, the less the space gets, the narrower the ceiling appears.

Monica sat down next to Leo, taking care of him.

「Have some tea, Leo-Sama.」

「Thank you.」

Totally like a young master accompanied by their servant. Lyle told him to hold an easy bearing and remain attentive which Leo was nervously abiding by.

The middle layer was thus left behind. The ceiling here was twice as high as in the middle layer. The comfortably extending space of the upper layer could be seen.

『Oooh, I feel like I’ve become rich. Well, that’s how much difference there is between wealth and poverty.』

Upon hearing Lyle’s words, Leo understood that the place he had been living in was nothing compared to the upper layer stretching in front of his eyes.

With plants growing on the ground and blue sky overhead, the upper layer was incredibly beautiful.

「So, this is the upper layer, huh?」

The poor pass their entire lives without seeing it and die in vain. Considering that, wouldn’t the outside world be even vaster? Such a feeling was surging inside Leo.
(Wouldn’t there be an even vaster world outside……I would like to see it)
　Monica said to Leo.
「Leo-Sama, it’s about time for us to arrive. Shall we prepare to get off?」
The elevator, with the capacity of 60 people, had only about half the number of people because most of them dropped at the middle layer. A number of elevators, moving up and down through huge pillar, could be seen through the window.
For the first time, the tensed Leo stepped out of the middle layer.
「……Un」

Hunter Guild
The Guild is an organization which controls the colony. Even its building is located in the upper layer.

Although it’s said to be a branch now, before it fell under the control of Redant Colony, it was originally the headquarters. However, this story dates back before it started receiving the treatment of a branch.
For this reason, it was a magnificent building.
Upon entering the first floor of the Guild, there were many reception desks lined up in the lobby. On the ceiling was an electronic bulletin board displaying all kinds of information.
Looking at the troubled Leo, Monica suggested a counter.

「Leo-sama, let’s take that counter.」
「Okay!」
Tensed, his voice was high-pitched. Leo’s face was red while Monika looked glad. The two arrived at the counter where there was a woman in suits which was the guild staff uniform.
「Welcome to the Hunter’s Guild. What may I help you with today?」

He was trying to say something, but he didn’t know what to say. He was visibly shaking.
「W-Well, you see!」
Upon seeing the panicky boy, the receptionist lady gave a heartwarming smile. Monica put the query forward in Leo’s stead.
「I would like to know the details of the Hunter Examination.」
Looking at the state of Leo, the receptionist lady nodded as she had understood.
「Of Course. As a Hunter, the reward and remuneration will be guaranteed; however, there’s a risk to life associated with this occupation. Therefore, please decide whether you want to take the examination or not after you have understood this.」
Saying so, the female staff held a pamphlet out which had the schedule of the 13th colony examination written down.
「This pamphlet has the required documents listed down. Since you can mail the documents to the reception, it can be taken home. After you’ve confirmed your intention to take the examination, you’ll be assigned the seat number. Unless you do it at least two weeks prior, you won’t be able to sit in the annual examination.」
　After knowing the contents, which he didn’t know, Leo was relieved. The date of the examination was more than a month away, so he would be able to take the examination.

(….What a relief. Had I visited on the scheduled day, had I not been allowed to sit in the examination, what would I have done?)
The receptionist lady continued to explain.
「After you’ve been assigned a seat number, you are to appear at the Guild branch on the scheduled day. After everyone has gathered, you’ll be transferred to the examination venue. Magic tools are allowed. Although allowed, if you bring an excessively large magic tool, you must have an arrangement to carry it by yourself. Oh well. I don’t think anyone would bring such a huge magic tool.」
Listening to the explanation, Lyle was pondering deeply.
『Magic tool, huh? Broadly speaking, Monica is a magic tool, too.』(TL Note: Special type of Automation to be precise )
「The contents of the examination are announced on the scheduled day. The first half of the examination comprises a written and physical strength test. The second half, however, is difficult. It may also lead to your death. The contents of the test are different every time, so I’m unable to tell you now.」
After passing the second half of the examination, there will be another test.
One can seemingly become a Hunter if they clear the third test. Leo felt unease upon the mention of written and physical test.
「Uh, written and physical fitness test……..」
The female staff smiled.
「It’s alright. The physical test is basically a health exam to determine whether the candidate is healthy and eligible for the second half. Then, after filling the detailed information in the pamphlet, please bring it back.」
After the explanation, Monica glanced at Leo and then asked.
「May I have a form? 」

「Yes, no problem.」
While Monica was receiving the documents, Leo was taking a look at the brochure which he had received earlier.

After listening to the explanation, Leo and Monica left the Guild.
Thereafter, in order to sightsee, we sauntered around the upper layer.
The streets in the upper layer were neat and clean.
There were trees growing, the space wasn’t congested, and it wasn’t littered. As Leo was noticing the differences with the middle layer, Monica coughed.
Flustered, Leo turned his sights to the front. Lyle laughed heartily.
『Isn’t it interesting? The place where I used to work is where you’ll eventually become a Hunter.』
「If you can become one、that is」(MissereMeowTLN: As if a Walt would fail!)
　Lyle said to the worried Leo in a serious tone.

『And what if you failed ？　Just think about it when the time comes。You already know what you should prepare before the test。If you think about it、the chance of you passing this test has greatly risen than the time when you took it alone』  
I might have not been able to take the test if I didn’t know that。

If one would look at Leo who thought “I should just take the test first of all”、it made me embarrassed with the me that didn’t know everything about it。

「I wouldn’t be able to take the test if it was just me alone。I’m starting to think that I should examine things first from now on」
.

In order to break away from the middle or lower layer, one has to become a Hunter. However, not many manage to do it. With the information open to public being vague, kids like Leo tend to be not few.
From the Guild’s viewpoint, unprepared people are out of question. They don’t seem to have any intention of rescuing either. 
While walking with the slanting back Leo, Monica:

「With this, you can take the examination. Aside from the second half test, we have managed to acquire the details of the first half test, so be glad. Besides, there’s one month’s time to prepare for the second half test.」
『One month, huh? We’ll do basic training. Although the time is short, I can teach you how to fight. It takes some time to master more than one skills; however, I can drill it into you.』
Those two seemed happy discussing Leo’s Hunter Examination.
Having heard it, Leo realized that Lyle would be teaching him to fight.
(Right. Since I’ve already decided to become a Hunter, who fights with the demons, I must learn how to fight)
He had a vague idea that he would be taught how to fight as a Hunter. However, in Leo’s – who had low affinity with the magic tools – case, he had to become strong in his own way.  
(Right. Normal methods are useless to me, so I have to learn well from the ancestor)
Right when he made up his mind, he was hit with another word from Lyle.
『Well, for today, let’s sightsee and have a meal. When we return……in the night, we’ll go to sleep. Let’s do our best from tomorrow! 』
――From tomorrow, we’ll be doing our best.
Monica(　゜∀゜)o彡°「As expected of Chicken-guy. The attitude of splurging the money, offered by a woman, without a shred of guilt……I love it.」

Monica (* >ω<) 「If Chick-sama inherited the mind of this Chicken-guy, how good would it be. How good would it be! The Chick-sama who didn’t immediately snatch it from these hands, this Monica…..doesn’t want *pants* at all!」
Lyle Σ(´∀｀||;) 「Don’t say such a scandalous thing! I’ve only borrowed it for now. I’ll return it sometime!　……Leo」

Leo (；゜д゜) 「No, uh……I’ll return it, but. I’ll return it, but! It doesn’t have my consent!」