The Journey

The three-month training period was over, and the King ordered Chief Knight Kaiser, Grand Mage Olivia, and High-Priest Sebastian, to accompany the twenty-four heroes to the dungeon in Scavian Province. The warriors were dressed in basic, but high-quality leather armor, and armed with basic steel weapons of their choice, as the mages were given a mage's uniform and wands.

The traveling group rode on horseback rented from a local merchant association. For fourteen hours and finally arrived at the flourishing town of Paytun, the second largest city after the capital of Earlshide. Staying true to its reputation, the streets were bustling with people, local business flourishing, and the monster population around kept incredibly low for the safety of the people.

“Finally, we arrived!” celebrated Akiko. “May god bless our stay here!”

“Ara~” joined Shigeko. “I agree may we have a magnificent stay.”

Masashi stared at them, “What's up with them?” he questioned whoever heard him, pointing at the ridiculous sight he just witnessed.

“Must have been the Priestess training,” Yaso answered him, quivering at the thought. “I heard it was pretty hardcore.”

"We've all changed in three months." Akiro watched from a distance, feeling put off by their change, however, he couldn't blame them. They were well-built, and muscular after Kaiser's constant daily training regiment, which they all called torture behind his back.

Kaiser shaped them into perhaps Olympic-level athletes. Back on Earth, that would normally be impossible without shady methods, but this world has something Earth does not. It had magic and potions to help with the process, shortening it and amplifying the results without any heinous side effects.

The mages too changed in some way, they were better-looking and overall carried a confident air around themselves, with Takumi losing weight. Overall, the instructors did a fine job in training discipline into all of them, mage or warrior-- some more than others.

“Here we are,” Sebastian called from the front of the group. The aged man turned to his side, looking at Kaiser, comparing him to a younger version of himself from his memories. “So many memories. It's been 9 years since I've been here.”
"Yes, it really has been

“You two were adventurers?” Tsukiko gasped and her eyes beamed with curiosity, after three months, they had not once been outside the castle grounds.

“Yes, I was,” Kaiser nodded, a nostalgic smile appearing, “I was twelve years old then. Fresh out of the countryside to make a decent living. Never have I thought I would become a knight.”

Tsukiko turned to the magic instructor “How about you, Miss Olivia?”

She just shrugged, scoffing at an unpleasant memory “No, I wasn't. My family didn't allow me, no matter how hard I begged.”

"Oh, I see."

The group entered the enormous Guild Hall in town, their horses being collected by the merchant association as agreed. On foot, the group traveled towards the group approached the busiest establishment yet, the guild. Kaiser walked at the front of the group, which was predominantly ignored until a familiar group spotted him at the corner of her eye.

"Welcome to the Paytun City Adventurer's Guild. How may I be of service--" The beautiful desk clerk parroted, before she beamed, a bright, knowing smile painted over her face-- even a small tear forming from happiness. “Kaiser!!” her eyes widened.

The staff that was bustling around the guild stopped, freezing even at the sound of that famous name, and some rugged old-timers stopped to look. The busy atmosphere dissipated, a merry one replacing it.

“I guess… I’m back.” Kaiser sheepishly shrugged, making the guild erupt into cheers and hearty welcomes. Drinks were passed around and people gathered around the Chief Knight. But after Kaiser drank his glass, somewhat forgetting the confused company he brought along with him.

“Ahh, Kaiser, approached the clerk, “It's been a while. How may I help you?” she winked.

The voluptuous and beautiful desk clerk was enthusiastic after seeing her old comrade-in-arms. This enthusiasm caused deadly jealous stares from Olivia.

“Mary, it has been a while,” Kaiser said kindly.

“Yes, I think it has been nine years.” Mary shot back, drinking her mug.

Kaiser put the empty mug down on the table “Yeah, I’ve been quite busy. Sorry, I couldn’t visit.”

"Of course, you've been busy, Chief. Knight." Mary giggled, the words rolling sweetly off her tongue, making Olivia's blood boil. “It’s fine, but you've become a wonderful knight! Do you have–”

“Excuse me,” Kaiser politely interrupted, flashing her the royal seal. “may I speak to the guild master? It's quite important.”

Mary stared at the item, her mood turning serious in an instant. “Ah, uh, yes. I shall bring him,” she left with much reluctance because of the reunion, however, business comes first. Especially if it is a royal one.

Olivia, being the jealous woman that she was, started to pester Kaiser about this woman as he left. “Kaiser–oi, Kaiser! Who is this woman? How does she know you so well? Explain yourself!” She pestered.

"That? That was Mary, she used to be our party's rogue." Kaiser replied, oblivious to his fiance's bubbling jealousy.

Before Olivia could reply to that information, a large man dressed in formal clothes approached, a towel over his arm. “It's hard to be a ladies’ man isn't that right, Kaiser?” a bartender came by, another mug of beer in his hand.

Kaiser turned to the cheeky, middle-aged man. “Oh, if it isn't Brandon! What’s up with the suit?”

“I have retired. An old man like me couldn’t last any longer.” he sighed as he reminisced about the nostalgic past. “You were just a gutsy boy, but you have grown into a splendid young man!”

“That’s thanks to your guidance, old geezer.”

“Hey! I may be sixty-five, but I'm not old… yet… Anyway, take this drink for your miss.”

“Kaiser,” Olivia nudged, “who are these people, and most importantly, what is your relationship with that woman?!”

“They're members of my old party—- Brandon the Great Sword, Mary the Swift Thief, Sebastian the Immortal Priest, then me.”

Brandon hummed appreciatively as he wiped a glass. He clicked his tongue in a joking manner “He earned a title when he was still an adventurer yet he doesn't use it. What a waste! Tsk, Tsk…”

Ayama poked his head through the circle and raised his hand, his curiosity finally breaking his silence, wanting answers for the entire class. “What was your title, Kaiser-sensei?” he first asked.

Kaiser downed his large drink in one go. “Wyvern Slayer” he replied, almost in a whisper.

To Brandon’s amusement, the students that looked up to his old comrade gaped in awe. He smirked, “And as a matter of fact, our party was the fastest to reach [A Rank].”

Mary returned and confirmed his remark, he moves quietly but fast. “Yup, we were one reckless bunch.”

Sebastian, who was sitting right beside Kaiser, murmured. “Why do you young’uns still treat me like I'm air?”

They looked at him with an amused expressions, “You're too quiet!”

the priest gasped, feeling somewhat hurt at their bluntness. “Urk, that’s true.”

"Anyway." Mary smiled, but she tapped Kaiser's shoulder. “The guild master will see you now,”

“Olivia, may you lead the- young nobles to the guild master and explain the situation. I'll stay here and have a drink with my old comrades,” said Kaiser. "I have other matters to discuss with them as well."

Olivia had reservations about the woman named Mary, who seemed to be way too close to Kaiser, but she digressed, putting duty first ahead of her own dilemma. She turned to the group of twenty-four,

“As a priest, I won't join you.”

“C’mon, you’re not getting away~” Mary teased.

“Fine, maybe a glass is fine.”

She could hear them in the background, laughing merrily, the jealousy growing even more. Olivia just bit her lip and continued forward. It didn't help that the students were noticing, some even poking at her unintentionally.

“Kaiser-sensei sure is popular,” Ayama remarked.

“Too popular if u ask me, hmph!” Olivia pouted.

“You’re just jealous of Mary, sensei,” commented Kenji.

“What was that, brat!?”

“N–Nothing!”

At her piercing gaze, any growing jokes were crushed, nipped at the bud to prevent them from sprouting. “Okay, children, wait here while discussing with the guild master. During that, form into groups.” Olivia explained, stopping them at a large waiting room just in front of the guild master's office. At their obedient nods, She entered the room, leaving them to discuss among themselves.

Olivia then entered the guild master's room and pulled out a letter signed with the king's signature. This letter caught the eye of the guild master. He set his pen and cast a spell.

“May the winds contain the sound around me, [Perimeter of Silence]," chanted a man clad in a white robe. “Hello, I’m Paytun City's Guildmaster, Gilbert Vanstrong. I see that you have come a long way to give me such an important letter. May I read it?”

“Of course, the letter was addressed to you.”

After the guild master Gilbert read the letter, he pulled out an [Orb of Honesty]. An orb related to the one Priest Sebastian used on the heroes, the orb was one of the highest ranks. "I see, the rumors are indeed true." he hummed, calling for all twenty-four Heroes and using his [Craftsmanship] to make the adventurer's ID out of some steel with tracking magic imbued into it.

“Madame Olivia,” Gilbert stated, “I have done what was requested of me. It is now your turn to hold up your end of the bargain.”

“Of course. Here, hold this.” Olivia pulled a plate out of her [Spatial Storage] and handed it to the Guildmaster.

"Whoa! She took it out of mid-air!" Ayama gasped.

The plate she handed was a certificate with the king’s signature; if exchanged, it will be equal to one and a half million gold. “Alright, you bra– kids, have you formed your groups yet?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The Heroes grouped themselves almost exactly like their class groups" Masahsi's Group, Haruto's friend group, The Irregular group, and Akiro and Ayama's group.

Takumi was in the mean group being dragged by Masashi, who deemed his otaku-knowledge beneficial, and Ayama instantly joined Akiro's group despite the class officers asking him to join them. With the class president missing, the class officers joined in with the irregular group.

Olivia watched as they filed into their respective group. “Now, we shall do quests. We will have a point system for quests: E rank would be equal to 3 points, F rank will equal to 2 points, and G rank will be equal to 1 point." She explained, "This way, healthy competition would grow."

"By the end of our two-week stay, whoever gets the most points will get better privileges during our trip to the next town.” She stared at them, "You are no longer children from this moment forth, you are now Heroes. It is about time you learned to act like one. Dismissed!"

At Olivia's dismissal, the students immediately flocked to the outside of the guild hall to experience the city for themselves, exploring and enjoying the unique scenery, except Akiro and Ayama who headed to the quest board. Despite their hearty welcome, some were naturally disgruntled at the sight of 'noble-adventurer-wannabes.'

“Wow, look at these two greenhorns. They are so weak! Noble children that just want to be super strong.”

“Hahaha, you tell ‘em!”

Ayama looked at Akiro with a raised eyebrow, a slight turn of his shoulder motioning towards the mocking drunkards, but the raven-haired boy just rolled his eyes after he caught a glance at them. "Pay him no mind, he is not intelligent enough to waste energy on."

Ayama hummed in begrudging agreement, "Fine, what was his stat's like?"

"With an intelligence of 12, you might as well not bother." Akiro reached for a goblin-clearing quest hidden underneath others, the paper's corner being the only thing exposed from the busy board.

Ayama just smiled, "Blockhead." he said, examining the paper. "Is that our first quest? Goblins, huh? quite fitting."

The paper in Akiro's hands was exactly how one would envision it. The edges were tattered, roughly cut by a knife stroke instead of scissors, and nailed onto a board of hardwood with reused nails, whose previous marks pepper the display. The quest board was littered with quests, hunting foraging, information gathering-- everything all comprising of things foreign to earth outside of fantasy works of literature.

Akiro smiled, his heart beating with a sense of excitement and adventure, "That's right," He turned to Ayama, jabbing him lightly on the shoulder, "This is going to be our first quest."

As the boys turned towards Mary, the desk clerk, was still busy chatting away with Kaiser despite her colleagues calling after her desperately to return to her post. However, before they could take another step forward, a light tap on their shoulder made them stop.

Turning around, Akiro and Ayama were met with two individuals dressed in cloaks spanning from their shoulders to their feet, with the hoods over their heads to their noses. They were about a few inches shorter, their frames small and somewhat petite-- they were probably women. Akiro's mental guard immediately shot up, his body fluid but ready to strike.

"You two are too strong for that job, may we barter our quest for yours?" the one on the right said, her voice soft and irresistibly charming-- an evident dainty and cute feeling coming from her. If Akiro weren't wary, he would've accepted right away.

He instead raised an eyebrow, immune from the girl's soft charm, "I will have to decline," he refused resolutely.

"Is there a reason for your refusal?" Her companion asked, her voice authoritative and strong despite the low volume, a stark contrast to the first's charm.

"W-Well, for starters we do not know who you are, or your quest." Ayama chimed in, recovering from the first woman's charm. "Second, we wouldn't really be interested in trading our very first hand-picked quest. Frankly, you're strangers to us."

The two figures exchanged a nod before removing the hood of their cloaks. The stricter one introduced herself first, “The name’s Sume Uesugi. I am a Samurai.” she said, her short brown hair in a short bob-cut.

“And I'm Otome Uesugi!" The first girl smiled, "I am a priestess." Otome said, reaching forward to Ayama for a handshake.

Ayama smiled as he reached out to receive the handshake, “Likewise. I’m Ayama Nobu, a Knight."

Sume did the same as his sister, offering a handshake to Akiro, who did return it but only a short one. “Thief, Akiro Hiroto.” he summarized, eyeing them still with suspicion, already using [Appraisal].

[ Name: Sume Uesugi / Job: Samurai / Sub Job: Archer ]

[ ATK: 87 / STR: 57 / DEX: 94 / SPD: 92 / DEF: 12 / INT: 70 / MANA: 5 ]

"Samurai, the primary weapon of this class is the katana, a single-edge weapon specialized for cutting, and Archer, a ranged class that uses a bow." Akiro recited, his thoughts returning to the large records of Jobs, which Kaiser made him memorize."Personality-wise, She is kind and rational. She isn't swayed by emotions and always chooses the best option with the most negligible drawbacks. She is a pretty honest girl, but can easily be blinded by logic."

[ Name: Otome Uesugi / Job: Priestess / Sub Job: Pharmacist ]

[ ATK: 72 / STR: 16 / DEX: 52 / SPD: 85 / DEF: 93 / INT: 97 / MANA: 110 ]

"Priestess, a class that can heal wounds, bestow enhancements, and lifts curses; and Pharmacist, a class that can make potions and medicine."

Sume pushed her cloak to the side, letting it hang from her shoulders, allowing her arms freedom of unrestricted movement. Her armor was exactly like that of a samurai from Japanese history books, with only the shoulder and skirt pads being smaller to fit her frame.

“Quite the powerhouse yourself” Akiro commented, as Sume's right hand rested limply on the katana sheathed on her left hip. "Are you sure your quest is equal to ours?"

"You have an appraisal skill, don't you?" Otome squinted at Akiro, defensively hostile.

In that instant, the samurai's hand gripped the sword for a draw, her feet firmly planted on the ground and ready to defend her sister; and Akiro responded in kind, the pair of long daggers already drawn.

“Wait, calm down,” Ayama jumped in, putting his arm between Akiro and Sume. "He's naturally a very cautious person! Sorry if that offended you in some way!"

“W–what did you see?” Sume asked, more accepting of reason than before, but she was still hiding something.

Akiro sheathed the two daggers behind him"Nothing much, just that your introduction and status all align." he said, "I'm now more willing to negotiate about our quest trade."

Taking an empty table inside the guild hall, the four settled on four stools, the quest papers on the table, and the weapons put on it-- a parlay of sorts or a sign of neutrality. The two pairs exchanged quest papers, with the goblin subjugation in the sisters' hands and their quest in the boys' possession.

Otome referred to the quest paper, “It says here that we are to travel to the West Forest of Paytun and kill at least thirty goblins to thin out the population so as not to damage the forest's ecosystem. We should also collect their belongings and cut their ears as proof of subjugation.”

"Interesting, normally monsters would be pests to be exterminated, but to thin out their population?-- for the benefit of the forest, no less? Monsters aren't just monsters in this world, they're organisms, perhaps even closer animals." Akiro hypothesized, looking at the quest paper they exchanged, "But considering the threat to actual humans, they might as well be monsters."

"It says here on this quest is for us to investigate the recent monster activity in the Northern hills, to confirm the rumors and possibly gather evidence of new monsters." Ayama read, looking at them, "This is Ranked F, ours is Ranked E, why would you want to trade for a harder quest?"

"We are traveling to the Country of Scavia through the West, instead of going through the South and then to the West using Oasis City." Sume answered, "Using West-related quests will allow us to plan our route while we gather funds for supplies-- which we will also calculate using the quest's experiences."

"Yes!" Otome smiled, "Since we overhead that you two were interested in having a memorable first quest, wouldn't it be easy to decide on an investigation quest over a subjugation quest?"

"That would be true, however, the group of our company is to gather combat experience for the next two weeks before moving south." Akiro rebutted, "Our funds are not an issue, but we have a system of merits in place, therefore we cannot exchange our quest. I am sorry."

Ayama looked at how both groups were unyielding, but since they held the quest in hand, they were at an advantage. Normally he would love triumphing in any victory he would get, but seeing how the girl named Otome looked sad seemed to unnerve him-- so his brain thought of a solution.

"I just realized," Ayama spoke to break the minute-long silence, the realization making him face-palm, "We have been overthinking this. What you two need is reconnaissance and funds while we need battle experience, why don't we party up together to fulfill each of our needs?"

Sume and Otome looked at each other and then at Akiro, who just shrugged, "I have no qualms with that, how about you two?" he asked, the two girls immediately shaking their heads.

"I don't!" Otome smiled.
"It is reasonable, therefore, I accept your proposition."

Akiro nodded, getting up from the table, with the goblin quest in hand, "Alright then. I assume we depart as soon as possible?"

"Of course," Ayama agreed.