Prologue

When I opened my eyes I saw an endless blue expanse spread out before me. An empty, pale blue that stared back at me like a mirror. There wasn’t a single cloud to add any contrast to that twilight sky. It was the only time of day where neither the sun nor the moon was visible. Only after a few minutes would the orange hue of the sun disrupt the tranquil monotony of the early morning.

To the farming village of Greenhorn, the sun was everything. Work couldn’t be done under the watchful eye of the moon, and so the villagers all arose during the twilight hour to prepare for a day of earnest work. I wasn’t a farmer, but I was from Greenhorn, so being awake this early was only natural for me.

“Well then, now would be as good a time as any.”

I stood up from the cool, wet grass and drew my blade. A gentle wind swept across the rolling hills, bringing me the scent of distant flowers from faraway fields. I longed for the day that I could traverse those fields myself, and wander with the wind to places that existed beyond the horizon. Until then, I needed to train myself.

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“Hoy! Early as ever, Eran.” A voice from behind interrupted my sword training. One of my classmates from the adventurer’s academy climbed the hill I was on and drew his weapon, a simple iron hatchet.

“Ah, Mark. I noticed you took my advice yesterday.”

The burly man laughed out loud and made a few quick swings with his hatchet. “Sure did! Baited that damn Dimitri with a shallow cut and hooked his sword when he committed to the counter. Where’d you figure a trick like that?”

“Just something I’ve read about in a book. Your way of fighting is too honest, so I thought adding a more calculated move might help you out.”

“Hah! That’s our honor student for ya!” Mark guffawed as he clapped me on the back. He stepped aside to create some distance between us before raising his weapon, a fired up expression on his face. "Let's get some early sparring in today!"

Exchanges like this were common throughout my time enrolled in the academy. When it came to theoretical and practical knowledge, I was widely considered as one of the better students. The academy offered courses that covered the most common weapons an adventurer would use, and I was competent with all of them. Greenhorn Academy also offered courses in spellcasting, but those cost money separate from the tuition fee, which had already drained most of my life savings earned from doing odd jobs around the village. On paper, I was the bright minded honor student, however…

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“It is my victory once more.”

Those words were almost as familiar to me as the taste of dirt. Early mornings were for training, followed by lectures, and ended with sparring in the afternoon. I wiped the dirt off of my face as I glared up at Dimitri, who had soundly beaten me in a fight. Not once had I bested him. It was entirely possible to count my victories on a single hand against any of the other students. I knew all the methods to snag a win out of each of my fellow classmates, but my body held me back. I couldn’t keep up with the moves I needed to perform, and so I was helpless against those who put in more dedication to their weapon of choice.

The blonde young man swept his hair back and sheathed his blade with a flourish. “Foolish. Had you spent less time messing around, you could have become something.”

“You’ll probably regret all those fancy moves one day, if your bout against Mark was any lesson.” I flashed a cocky grin at Dimitri. It felt good to see him click his tongue in anger and storm away, but I did mean what I had said. His reliance on form over function was easy to overpower by any crafty opponent that wasn’t me.

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In the evenings, I would browse the academy’s library and read through any book I didn’t recognize. The collection of books was small compared to what I had read about proper libraries, but it was a step up from the singular bookshelf that could be found within the village’s town hall. Growing up, I had read through those books enough times to recite a few passages by heart. The fantasy novels written about adventurers were my favorite, and what inspired the young me to pursue a life as one. Fiction novels were sparse within the academy’s collection, but there were enough of them to sate my burgeoning wanderlust.

“I’d like to go on an adventure like that…” I spoke softly to myself as I turned the page of my current read. An artist’s depiction of the hero’s lamia companion became illuminated by candlelight. It was a long standing dream of mine to meet all kinds of different monster girls and befriend them much like the protagonists in my favorite books. The most common stories were those of monster girl tamers: heroes who possessed the ability to bind the creatures to their will and summon them whenever needed.

“A life like that is only for heroes, though.”

More than anyone else in the academy, I knew that I was no hero. I had no doubt that I could win a fight against a common brigand or a novice adventurer with no training, but I would never be as capable as the other students. The instructors told me that the year’s batch of students had been a phenomenal one, but those words did not stop me from considering myself extremely lucky to be counted amongst them. Though I was recognized as one of the best, I was still the worst of them.

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Before long, graduation day came. The entire village was invited to spectate the quarter-yearly tournament, in which I had clawed a victory in the first round. Naturally, I lost to Mark in the second round, but I was glad to have been able to make my classmates count my victories on two hands instead of just one before we all dispersed.

I spent my afternoon leaning against the palisade wall that surrounded the sparring field. The sound of children laughing filled the air as they dashed from various stalls and played festival games. Once upon a time, I had been one of those children with dreams of becoming an adventurer. A bag full of gold coins and a year of hard work was all it took to make it a reality. I looked up at the academy itself: a group of large wooden buildings that served as both a dormitory and a place to house lecture halls. It was nothing like the fancy magic colleges with marble hallways and five story libraries that teemed with knowledge, at least that was how some fiction novels described them. Greenhorn Academy felt more like how bootcamps for knight training were written about in books, but that was probably the better approach when it came to bringing up the next generation of adventurers.

“There you are, honor student. Taking one last look at the place, are ya?” Mark leaned against the wall next to me and gave my shoulder a quick jab.

“It’s been a full year, but it almost feels like it’s been longer than that.”

“Does it? Eh, can’t say the same. Maybe it’s ‘cause you’ve spent your whole life here. Sure you ain’t becoming homesick at the thought of leaving?”

I glanced toward the village in the distance. Greenhorn was a nice place, but it was all I knew. The people there were nothing but kind to me, but I was never able to shake off the feeling that I was an outsider. “Not like I’m leaving anything behind. I don’t have any family or a place to call home.”

Mark let out a gruff sigh. “Guess not.” He pushed himself off of the wall, scratching his head as he walked off. “Oh yeah. I came to tell you the seer is here. You still haven’t decided on a class, right?”

“There’s a line, isn’t there? I think I’ll wait. Supposedly the reading is more accurate during the dusk hour.”

Giving only a wave in response, Mark walked off into the crowd and began to mingle with some of his warrior friends. In this world, adventurers adhered to the concept of “classes” in order to achieve a more focused mastery in their skillset. It allowed groups to recruit the right person for the right job, and gave them the ability to have certain expectations. Warriors excelled in martial combat and tasks that often required having big muscles, while rangers were known for their marksmanship and survival skills. In order to join the adventurer’s guild, it’s required to either take a class assessment or graduate from an adventuring academy. It’s entirely possible for an academy graduate to sign on without a chosen class, but that was highly frowned upon. Brand new adventurers who were indecisive or curious about their potential were encouraged to purchase a seer’s divination service. Even those who were set in their chosen path bought the service in order to receive the equipment bundle that came packaged with it.

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Once the sky became a dark enough shade of purple for the stars to make their appearance I made my way to the seer’s tent. Most of the villagers had gone home to their beds, with the rest staying behind to help deconstruct the remaining stalls. The crowded sparring field was returning to its empty self, and the line to meet with the seer had considerably dwindled down to only a small handful of people.

“Enter.”

Before long, I was the last person called to meet with her. I had an expectation of an old crone in baggy robes wearing a hat with an impossibly wide brim, but the voice that beckoned me carried enough youthfulness to shatter that image. I stepped into the interior of the tent and glanced around to take in the mystical atmosphere. Blue and purple hues dominated the room, with satin curtains hung in a way that was too precise to be considered haphazard yet too chaotic to be called orthodox.

“Have a seat.” The seer sat on the floor with her legs tucked neatly beneath her. She was a middle aged woman wearing elegant grey robes that conformed to her body. A deft hand shuffled a stack of cards and slammed them onto the table. One at a time, she drew a card from the deck and placed it face down.

“Uhm… Aren’t you supposed to ask me questions?” I asked as I sat down on the floor as well. Heroes receiving a divination from a wizened seer during their journey was a common trope, often paired with mystical language and vague metaphors used to describe future events.

“Hrm.” Instead, I received a curt huff of annoyance. With each card drawn from the deck and laid out onto the table, the wrinkles that denoted old age became more and more prominent. Had they not been there, she could have passed for someone at least a decade younger.

“Ugh, finally.” The woman slammed the final card onto the table. She removed her glasses to allow herself to rub her tired eyes, a groan of exasperation escaping her lips. “You were a difficult person to read. Comparable to attempting to catch a leaf caught within a zephyr.” Of the many cards that laid facedown on the table, she pushed one forward.

I flipped the proffered card over after being burned by her insistent glare. It depicted a man with a staff, and he was surrounded by various monster girls. The image was embellished with a border of chains, and there was text inscribed at the bottom of the drawing.

“Monster Girl Tamer”

My brow furrowed as I glanced up and down between the card and the seer. “This can’t be right, I don’t even know any magic. Hell, I’ve never even seen a monster girl before!”

A vein appeared on the seer’s forehead, and the wrinkles that had begun to fade away returned in full force. “Do you truly dare to doubt the legitimacy of my services? I take such actions seriously and personally, I will have you know.”

The death glare I received was more than enough to make me shrink back and think about my next words carefully. “S-Sorry! I’m just confused.” I glanced down at the card once more. Even while facing it head on, the future that had been divined for me had yet to settle in.

“Oh do wipe that glum look off of your face, Eran. One would expect a young man like yourself to be jumping for joy upon learning that he possesses an affinity for such a prestigious class. In truth, your aptitude for the other classes were all… middling, at best. It would be unwise for you to become anything other than a tamer.”

“... How do you know my name?”

With a scoff, the seer pressed a hand against her growing migraine and shook her head. “That’s what you choose to reply to? I am a seer. Any knowledge that the heavens are willing to share is knowledge that I possess. Also, you signed your name when you purchased my service.”

I handed the card back to the woman at her insistence. She began to swiftly pack her belongings and tear down the tent. I wanted to ask her more questions, but I was terrified of igniting her anger yet again.

“You shall receive a kit worthy of a newly christened monster girl tamer by the end of the week at no extra charge,” The seer said. She stood tall and arched her back forward, cracking several bones in the process. She let out an exhausted huff, and her cranky frown slowly faded into a relaxed smile. “Your aptitude was incredibly high, so I shall be expecting to hear great things about you, tamer. And before you think less of my words, no, I don’t say that to all of my customers.”

As I left the tent I heard the seer clap her hands twice. A gust of wind rushed past me, and when I turned around I saw the tent become swept away by the intense gale. It swirled into the air and spiraled inwardly, as if being sucked into the box the seer kept by her foot. In the blink of an eye, the tent was gone and all that remained was the woman and the box she now carried. She gave me a wink as she walked past me, making her way towards the horse-drawn coach that waited for her just outside the sparring grounds.

“Was that wind magic? I had no idea it could be used in that way.” I scratched my cheek as I watched the seer’s coach ride off into the distance. All of the magic I knew about from watching the mage initiates and from reading was strictly combat related. The thought of using it for more practical purposes hadn’t crossed my mind.

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A few days later, the time came for all of us graduates to leave Greenhorn Academy. Several coaches lined up outside the dormitory, and we split ourselves evenly amongst them. They were bound for Oakwood, the nearest town with a guild house. As I began to plan out the first few days of my brand new life, a few of my classmates came on board and took their seats. Dimitri and one of his friends sat on the opposite side of the coach, while Mark took the empty space next to me

“Yo, Eran! I’m glad I happened to catch you before we all went our separate ways. I’ve been itchin’ to know what class the seer said you’re good for.” Mark said.

“Please. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the seer told him his abilities were middling at best.” Dimitri scoffed as he crossed his arms. His gaze lowered to the unopened kit I had received, skepticism pooling in his eyes.

The woman wearing stereotypical mage robes next to him, Wendy, tugged on his coat. “Aw, don’t be such a bully ‘Mitri. Honor student just hadn’t found his true calling and needed a little help!” She pumped both of her fists and nodded at me with a fired up grin. “That being said, tell us the good news! You’re gonna become a ranger, right?”

“No way, Eran is totally a duelist!” Mark and Wendy went back and forth, even going so far as to bet lunch over it.

“Relax guys… I’m neither. Actually…” I looked down at the kit hesitantly. It remained unopened because I was afraid that seeing what was inside would confirm the seer’s words. If I didn’t peek, I could pretend that the reading had been a mistake somehow.

“What? Was I right? Did the seer cobble together a consolation gift for the classless adventurer?” Dimitri seemed annoyed by my hesitation, but he managed to flip his mood into an amused one as he spat out those harsh words.

Wendy began to lightly hammer her fists into his arm. She opened her mouth to chastise her friend, but was cut short by my words.

“I’m a tamer.” Though I said those words, I felt as though I had heard someone else say them. The coach went quiet, and everyone was looking at me with various expressions of shock on their faces.

Dimitri shivered from a chill that suddenly clung to his spine. “Truly a tasteless joke. What did the seer actually tell you?”

Wendy looked back and forth between Dimitri and myself, an awkward smile stuck on her face. “Eh? Wait, was it a joke? Eran looks serious...”

“I don’t really believe it either, but that’s what the seer said. She even went out of her way to tell me that I had a high aptitude for it as well.” I reached down and opened up the kit she had sent me. Inside was an official looking envelope, a shortsword, a shortbow, a bola, and a small tome. Flipping through its pages, I noticed that it was filled with various spells and descriptions on their uses.

“Woah… so these are tamer spells…” The mage woman pushed Mark aside and sat herself right up against me. She nearly rested her head on my shoulder as she leaned in to get a better look at the book’s contents. “Hmm… I really don’t understand any of this. It’s completely different from what I learned in class.”

“Oi… Maybe I wanted to take a look at the fancy spells too.” Mark groaned as he craned his head to try and get a peek at the book as well.

Wendy scoffed and playfully shoved Mark. “Oh, as if a brute like you could understand the intricacies of magic!”

“Ya just said you don’t get it either!” Mark said.

As the two began to bicker with one another yet again I studied the arcane sigils drawn within the book. My fingers traced along the ink, following the curves that felt natural, almost instinctive to me. There was a flow to the lines that made sense in my mind. “I understand them…”

“That’s absurd! Mages require months of dedication toward learning how to tap into the energy within themselves. It’s impossible for you to say you understand a spell just by looking at its sigil!” Dimitri snorted as his eyebrows furrowed.

“No, that’s not necessarily true…” Wendy’s face lit up with realization. She grabbed her chin and hugged her arm as she began to contemplate her sudden theory. “Magic is an innate talent that requires training, but there does exist another type called latent spellcasting. Instead of using the mana within, it relies on manipulating the mana that exists in the atmosphere.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that.” I said.

“Well, it isn’t common. I hear it’s a lot more fickle than innate spellcasting and requires lots of sigil memorization.” Wendy said.

“So tamer spells are pretty unique, huh? That’s awesome!” Mark flashed me a big grin and held out his fist toward me. “Cool to know that I got the chance to meet a hero before he began his grand journey!”

I met his fist with my own and attempted to laugh him off. “I’m hardly a hero. Becoming an adventurer is already a dream come true for me, so I don’t want to get too excited.”

An agonized groan came from Dimitri as he held a hand over his face. “That lack of ambition and dedication vexes me. I find graduating alongside you to be an embarrassment.

“Aw let up, Dimitri. Just watch, the next time you meet Eran he’ll have an army of strong monster girls at his disposal!” Mark challenged Dimitri with a cocky grin.

“Should that happen, I will personally treat him and his army to a fine meal.” In response, Dimitri shrugged his shoulders and turned his focus towards the path ahead. The road stretched far into the horizon with no end in sight, and each one of us gazed down it hoping for something different at the trail's end.

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The town of Oakwood was fifteen miles away from Greenhorn Village. A farmer from the village could walk there, do business, and come back just in time to tuck in for the night. Despite the close proximity I had never traveled to the city. I told myself it was because I wanted to leave Greenhorn for the first time as an adventurer, but money was another major factor. Any day I did not find freelance work was another day I needed to wait to make my adventuring dreams come true. Reasons aside, I was glad to have waited. After a few hours, the majestic town walls crested over the hills and came into view. Horizontally stacked timber made up the wall’s exterior, each section connected by a wooden tower that gave a vantage point over the surrounding plains and forests. Though it was a bit smaller than Greenhorn, the buildings within were packed much closer together and were at least two or three stories tall. Even from a distance, I could sense just how much more impressive the town was.

Mark was all too eager to give a lecture on Oakwood as we traveled along the final stretch of road. Being born and raised there, he was keen on its history as a logging town. Supposedly there was a longstanding agreement between the mayor and the Trentmoor family, who owned the rights to Trent Forest. So long as the Trentmoors were satisfied, they would lease logging rights to Oakwood. While the townsfolk predominately focused on the logging and lumber industry, there was plenty of room for adventurers to pick up odd jobs and help cull the forest of monsters. It was widely considered a haven for adventurers beginning their journey considering how relatively peaceful the surrounding area was.

“Well then, this is where we shall be parting ways.” Dimitri was the first to step off of the coach. He offered a helping hand to Wendy, however the mage jumped down and blew right past him.

“Aww, surely we can stick around and join for a job or two? The next coach headed for Adorlain shouldn’t be leaving until tomorrow morning,” Wendy said.

“You guys are returning to your hometown?” Mark was next to dismount from the coach. He looked over at Dimitri and scratched at his head. “That homesick, are ya?”

The blonde swordsman slicked his hair back as he gruffly sighed. “Wendy and I have ambitions to serve the royal court. We do not have the time to be prancing about in such a novice town, unlike others.” Dimitri shot a cold glance back toward me as I descended from the coach.

“Oi! I won’t let you get away with talking about my home like that!” Mark hammered a fist into his palm and stared down Dimitri with a confident grin. “Wendy’s right, why don’t we take on a monster right now? The four of us.”

“Oooh! I want to try blowing something up that isn’t a straw dummy!” The mage woman hugged her staff and bumped shoulders with her friend. “Come on ‘Mitri, let’s do a little warm up and test out our new skills before we return to the kingdom.”

With a shake of his head, Dimitri shrugged his shoulders and resigned himself to the majority vote. “Fine, but I will be the one to find us a job worth our time. Mark, where is the guild house?”

“Not far from here. Follow me.”

As the group began to move, Wendy walked alongside me and tapped my shoulder. “Everything okay, honor student? It’s hard to tell sometimes, what with how quiet you usually are.”

“I’m okay. Sorry, I was thinking about how I should spend my time this coming week. I need money, but I also need to study up on how to become a successful tamer.”

“Let’s go earn some coin and get you some practical experience then! If we’re lucky we’ll run into a wild monster girl!” Wendy took my hand and dragged me along to the guild house with everyone else.

Using our letters to prove that we were graduates of an academy, we skipped the assessment process and each received our very own guild cards. I was thankful that Mark and Wendy were quick to pull me away from the commotion that started to brew after word got out that I was a tamer.

We waited outside until Dimitri came with a sheet of paper in his hands. He held it up for all of us to see, an eager smile on his face.

Salamander Sighting

Dangerous monster spotted near future logging site.

Adventurers needed to kill the creature before it causes a fire.

Payment will be 2 gold upon proof of kill.

Time limit: until the logging site is compromised.

 - Oakwood Logging Company

There was a look of confidence in Dimitri’s eyes as he gave us all a nod. “Shall we go hunting, then?”