Episode 36: A Single Flyer
Yuma closed the book with a thud. It would take considerable resolve for someone with absolutely no Mana to try and get a job with a Dungeon-related company.
He understood well that other job seekers had academic backgrounds and experience. To fight on the same playing field as them, with no advantages whatsoever, he would have to study incredibly hard.
Yuma reached for the remaining two Job-Hunting Books.
“Anyway, I have to come up with a plan and face the interviews… At worst, I could fail at every single company.”
He spent the rest of the day engrossed in his books until late at night.
◇◇◇
The next day, Yuma’s battle began.
Only four companies had accepted his Application Form and allowed him to proceed to the interview stage. He had to get accepted somewhere and get a job…
[Company 1]
“Well, we’re technically recruiting widely, saying anyone can apply… But if you have absolutely no experience, qualifications, or academic background… That’s a bit much, you know?”
[Company 2]
“Most high school students who apply have a certain level of Mana Index. You have a Mana Index of zero…? Legally, we can’t ask about Mana Index during the recruitment phase, but realistically, it’s going to be tough if you don’t have any.”
[Company 3]
“Even for Seekers, academic background and qualifications have become important these days. It wasn’t like that in the past. Regulations have become stricter, increasing the burden on companies, so every company wants someone who can be an immediate asset. So, sorry.”
[Company 4]
“Hahaha! Come back after you’ve graduated from university.”
It was a complete wipeout. Yuma sat on a park bench with a lifeless expression.
“Aah… What should I do…”
He had been too naive to think that he wouldn’t be considered useless.
The thought of begging his parents to let him go to university crossed his mind, but he quickly stopped himself.
He wasn’t finished yet. He had only applied to relatively high-paying companies in Tokyo. If he broadened his scope, there might be places that would hire him.
Yuma stood up unsteadily and headed for Hello Work.
◇◇◇
“Hmm, a Seeker position, you say?”
Yuma, who had come to the Hello Work for young people on the second floor of the Public Employment Security Office, was facing the employment support staff member in charge.
When he said he wanted to be a Seeker, the staff member frowned and furrowed their brow.
“Is it still difficult, as expected?”
“Well, it’s not impossible. But the companies that post job openings here are mostly small and micro-enterprises, so I don’t know if there will be anything that meets your requirements…”
“Um, I’m not asking for luxury, so could you introduce me to companies where I might be able to get an interview?”
He had no other options. He was thinking of applying to anything and everything.
“I see… You’re still young, so there are plenty of other companies with good conditions. How about broadening the range of occupations—”
“No, I’d like to apply for Seeker positions!”
“Haa… Understood.”
The staff member operated the computer and searched for job openings that matched his criteria. Perhaps they didn’t want to recommend a high-risk occupation, as they didn’t seem very enthusiastic.
They printed out several job postings. He looked through the listed work locations, employment types, and employment conditions, and said, “Thank you very much,” before leaving his seat.
As he was about to leave, he noticed flyers lined up on a rack in the corner of the room.
“Um, what are those?”
“Eh? Ah, those are job advertisements that companies have brought in. Companies leave them there to promote themselves. Some of them are from outside of Tokyo.”
“I see… Can I take some?”
“Yes, please take as many as you like.”
Yuma picked up a few flyers and left the room, looking at them.
Back home, he sat at his desk. He lined up the job postings and flyers he had received from Hello Work and stared at them intently.
“The working conditions in the job postings aren’t bad. The staff member chose them, after all. The job openings on the flyers seem to have slightly worse conditions.”
He had brought back five flyers. All of them were for Seeker positions, and they featured illustrations to promote the companies. He picked up one of them.
A scribbled character was enticing him to “Come work with us!”
Yuma was intrigued by its conspicuousness and checked the company’s overview.
“D-Minor, Inc., huh…”