World’s Cutest Alchemist

Though I don’t know how she did it, and especially so fast, I was extremely thankful for Mama’s gift. I never expected that I’d actually have an ID card I could actually use now. At least, not so quickly.

“Hold on just a second!” Luna grabbed the card before I could.

“What?” I asked with a confused tone.

“You should not be allowed on the road!”

“That’s rude!” I exclaimed, “I’m allowed to drive just like everyone else! I even have my license!”

“This is…!” I could tell she wanted to say ‘fake’, but, she couldn’t! So, she chose a different approach, “You’re not allowed to drive!”

“Why not!?” I pouted.

“Because…Because you’re my passenger princess! The passenger princess never drives themselves! Just leave it to me!”

“Oh. Hehehe!” I started to smile, completely dropping my whiny act.

I embraced her, “Okay! Drive me for life, okay?~”

“I w-will…” She embraced me back.

Though I knew it was just a way to make sure I never sat behind a wheel, I couldn’t help but be happy!

After separating, I picked up the letter and read it,

[Hi, my precious, little baby! Mama is so sad she couldn’t give you this in person (╯︵╰,) Marcel, that dummy-head is keeping me trapped here in Tampa! He keeps saying stupid, meaningless things like “We have a meeting to get to!” or “We need to train and prepare for the gate clear!” All just useless blabber to keep me from seeing my baby…

Anyways, Mama did a few things and got you an ID card as you wanted! This is a fully legal ID, separate from Miles’ ID. This ID is like a blank slate, so, you can use it for pretty much anything~ Registering at the association like you wanted will be no problem.

Of course, if you want, you can still use Miles’ ID if you’d like.

Remember, Mama loves you forever and ever, and always and always!

- Kisses and hugs, Mama.]

“Hehe!” I giggled, snatching the ID card from Luna’s hand while she was reading, “I’ve got an ID again!”

Luna smiled at me,

“So, are you planning on registering now that you have one?” Luna asked.

“Mm, yep, probably.” I nodded, “It’s not some corrupt, office politic-ridden place is it?” I asked.

“No, not at all,” Luna chuckled, “You read too much novels.”

Says you! I’ve seen you secretly reading romance novels before going to sleep! Who knows what kinds of fantasies you have in that mind of yours!

Though, I didn’t say anything and only rolled my eyes.

“Of course, no place is perfect, you can’t stop the bad parts of things completely.”

“Hm…” I nodded, tapping my cheek, “Makes sense.”

“But, I don’t think you’ll have to worry. It’s not like registering will actually change much for you.” Luna said, “Unless you’re planning on becoming a government-associated awakener like the dragon girl, you’ll be free to live as you are now.”

“Really?” I asked, “What does the association actually even do?”

“It’s basically just a place that gives you an ID but as an awakener. It also acts as an awakener hub; If you want to find a party or guild, they’re the safest and most reliable as they personally check everyone.

It’s also a place to submit and take requests for specific things, like materials, monsters, or items. There’s also the option to opt in to gate requests, where the association will ask for you to clear a gate for a monetary incentive. For production classes like you, at most they’ll ask for you to create potions that they can use instead.

Honestly, you can just think of it like a huge quality of life thing for awakeners.”

“Mm…So there’s really no any reason not to register, is there?”

“Unless you’re a criminal, not really?” Luna said, “The only other reason I can think of is if you want to hide your identity since you have to go to the building in person. I assume that’s why Anonymous doesn’t do it.”

“Here’s a theory,” I said, “Anonymous is actually a ghost who can’t register because no one can see him!”

“Pfft, sure.” Luna shook her head, “Let’s ignore the fact that the Sword Saint and Anonymous have fought one on one before.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Oh.” I said, “Well, maybe the Sword Saint has a skill that allows him to attack ghosts?”

Luna rolled her eyes and changed the topic,

“So, when do you want to go register?” Luna asked.

“Mm…I’m fine to go now, but, I want to have a bit more fun before that.”

“Fun? How?”

“Hehehe…” I giggled.

“Oh no, please don’t cause too much trouble…” Luna sighed.

[Raccoon: Association! Association! Are you there~?]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Hello, Ms. Raccoon, how can we help you?]

[Raccoon: You guys want me to register, right? Just so you can spy on me or something?]

[Awakener’s Association Official: No, we wish for you to register mainly to confirm you’re not a threat. Plus, in Florida, it is illegal for awakeners to be unregistered.]

[Raccoon: Pfft~ I was joking, joking! Don’t take it so seriously!]

[Raccoon: So, how does registering confirm that I’m not a threat? I don’t see the correlation.]

[Awakener’s Association Official: It shows that you’re at least willing to cooperate with the association at the bare minimum level. People who have something to hide or intentions to cause harm, avoid things that can expose or trap them.

We will admit that it doesn’t completely stop the possible threat—nothing is absolute. However, it will allow us to react and deal with the trouble faster if it comes down to it.]

[Raccoon: I see! I see!~]

[Awakener’s Association Official: So, Ms. Raccoon, are you thinking of registering? We can assure that your privacy stays completely intact; If needed, we can make sure no one knows when you come to take the test. We can assign awakeners with stealth abilities to take you to the building.

We can also assign you a personal agent to take care of any and all of your association needs.]

[Raccoon: Hm….]

[Raccoon: Registering…Is not impossible.]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Is there some other assurance you require?]

[Raccoon: I’ll register on one condition.]

[Awakener’s Association Official: What is it?]

[Raccoon: I want you to post that ‘Raccoon, the Little Bomber, is officially the cutest awakener to register with the association.’!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Ms. Raccoon, please understand that we’re an official government account. We cannot just simply post opinionated statements like that.]

[Raccoon: Come on!! Just one little post! I’m not asking to be on the front page of your website! Nor am I asking for something impossible! All I ask for, is for you to post that statement on your Tawer!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Ms. Raccoon, there are things we can and cannot do when publishing statements…]

[Raccoon: It’s just a teensy wittle post! What’s the big deal!? Plus, wouldn’t you want to announce officially that Raccoon, the Little Bomber, the cutest awakener out there has registered with the association!? I saw you do it with that dragon girl! Think of the good PR you’d get!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Ms. Raccoon, Ms. Hailey is an official government-affiliated awakener.]

[Raccoon: Why do you call her ‘Ms. Hailey’ and not ‘Ms. Emperor Dragon Queen’?]

[Awakener’s Association Official: …Ms. Raccoon, that is besides the point.]

[Raccoon: Pfft! I see through you! Don’t try and skirt around it! Hm! If you just make that little unproblematic announcement, I’ll drop this subject, register, and you get good PR, it’s a win-win!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Ms. Raccoon, is there any other way?]

[Raccoon: I’m not asking for much! Just that one little post, and I’ll register without any other requests!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: …I’ve received permission from the higher-ups. We will write the post on our Tawer once you officially register.]

[Raccoon: Yes! Thank you~! Okay! I’ll come register right now!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Which building will you be coming to?]

[Raccoon: xx! That big one across from SG~]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Very well, we’ll have someone waiting for you there. Do you wish for assistance from awakeners with stealth skills?]

[Raccoon: Nope~]

[Awakener’s Association Official: Understood. We can also have you enter through the side door if you’re interested.]

[Raccoon: I’ll just enter through the front~ Not like anyone knows who I am anyway!]

[Awakener’s Association Official: …Okay. Then, we will be waiting.]

“Hehehe!” I giggled cheerfully. Really, it’s just so fun messing with them.

“Haah…” Luna sighed. Throughout the whole time, she could see my screen I was negotiating with them.

“What’re you sighing for!? I see that smile!” I moved my face right in front of Luna’s.

“Poor association communications manager…” She mumbled, she didn’t back away and her cheeks slightly started to redden. As she spoke, she looked almost expectant.

“Mwah.” I kissed her, “Okay! Let’s go!” I said, backing away.

“Mm…” Luna nodded.

…

On the car ride there, I was looking through the exchange. But, I wasn’t looking for materials to buy or anything.

Instead, I was looking for a mask.

Not one of those masks that fully covered your face, but, a mask similar to the one I wore during the gauntlet event; A domino mask.

Even if it barely hides my identity and even if they already know what I look like, I absolutely need to wear it! This was all part of a bigger plan!

Hehe…I internally giggled.

Eventually, I found something decent enough.

[Purchase Successful]

A black domino mask appeared in my lap.

“What’s that?” Luna asked, instantly noticing it.

“My mask.” I said, holding it up in the sun, “Looks good.” I nodded, satisfied.

“…If you want a mask, shouldn’t you wear one that covers your face?”

“Hehe, nope!” I giggled, “This looks better!”

“Haah…You and aesthetics over functionality.” Luna sighed.

I grinned before reading the description of the mask. I had, of course, checked it in the exchange before I bought it, but, reading it in person is like confirmation.

[Black Domino Mask]

Grade B-

Creator: Masquerade Connoisseur

This sleek and simple domino mask is an exquisite choice for standard masquerades or masked parties. With a modern design that doesn’t stand out much, you can wear this anywhere without having to worry about the occasion.

* Snug - This modifier keeps the mask nice and snug when worn. This mask will not fall off no matter how hectic or sudden the movement.

* Encrypted - This modifier distorts your face in photo or video captured by electronics.

* Weightless - This modifier makes it so that you cannot feel the mask’s weight. This may cause you to unknowingly be wearing it.

* Self-Repair - Imbuing mana into the mask will slowly repair this item to its prime condition.

* Masked Mode - Imbuing mana into a specific part of this mask will activate ‘Mask Mode’ fully covering your face.

(For any questions or masquerade invites, contact Masquerade Connoisseur.)

It was exactly as described. Seeing the description again got me all excited!

Honestly, one of the reasons I purchased this mask instead of the others was because the person who made it was literally named ‘Masquerade Connoisseur’! It’s a name that makes you think, ‘this person definitely knows whats up with masks’.

I raised the mask to my face and it was like it clicked into place around my eyes. One second it was there, the next I couldn’t feel it at all.

No discomfort, no comfort, nothing. It just felt like normal.

“Wow…This is the real deal.”

Since we were at a red light, Luna took the time to look at me.

“Hm…I can still recognize you.”

“Well, obviously, dummy.” I giggled, “It’s like a masked superhero. If you watch them get into costume, of course you’ll know what they look like.”

“I know that,” Luna chuckled, “I meant it like, it really doesn’t hide much. I expected it to hide more, like at least your nose or something, but it really only covers around your eyes. You remind me of one of those cartoon thieves.”

“Hehe, or a raccoon~” I added.

“You could’ve gotten a raccoon mask instead.”

“Too bulky” I shrugged.

I drew mana from my core and imbued the mask with it. Activating masked mode was intuitive.

I didn’t feel any different. Is this thing defective or something?

“What the!?” Luna suddenly shouted.

“Eh? What?” I replied before realizing.

Is the weightless modifier this effective?

Pulling down the vanity mirror, I was shocked to see my face was fully covered with a faceless mask. Even where the eyes should be were covered, yet I could still see perfectly well.

Oh my…

Though weightless, I could still feel it physically when I touched it with my hands. But, it’s one of those things where if I don’t consciously remember it, then, it’s easy to forget I have it on. I can see why the creator added that tidbit of information in the description now.

“Now you’re definitely unrecognizable from the face alone.” Luna commented.

I nodded.

Luna parked then car, we had arrived. Just like the last time I came here, people were entering and exiting the association every couple seconds.

The last thing I did was check the encrypted modifier.

I snapped a quick selfie and…

Everything in the photo was normal apart from one thing.

The mask. It distorted my face with a glitch effect. It made me curious to know if someone could decode or unglitch it. Though, even if they did, they would still only see the mask if it’s in masked mode.

As expected from a B- grade item.

Reverting the mask back to normal mode, I stepped out of the car.

Well, let’s go see what the association is like.