Prautia Herbia was the fourth daughter of a noble family.

  Though she hailed from a noble lineage, it was a branch of a branch, and her family was known more for its peculiarities than its wealth. Still, due to these unique traits, her family was occasionally summoned by the Senate for ceremonial duties, a testament to their long history.

  This peculiar trait was that every female born into the family was bestowed with pnt-based skills.

  Prautia’s sisters had each awakened to a different pnt-reted skill. There was [Growth Acceleration], [Flower Divination], [Tree Magic], and, in Prautia’s case, [Pnt Gathering].

  Her family was retively well-off. Several retives were involved in pnt-reted industries, so they were able to live comfortably by utilising their skills.

  While there was a strong reverence for their skills, the family had always followed a principle: as long as the work made use of their abilities, each individual was free to choose their own path.

  Prautia, trusting her instincts, decided to become an adventurer.

  ...

  Since becoming an adventurer, Prautia’s journey had never been straightforward. However, looking back, she now realised how fortunate she truly had been.

  Thanks to her father’s connections, she had been introduced to an adventurer skilled in reconnaissance, and with their guidance, she was able to undergo rigorous training.

  Having learned about pnts from an early age, all she needed to do was apply that knowledge to her skills.

  The [Pnt Gathering] skill had existed before, though it was rare, which made it easier for her to make a name for herself.

  Prautia was soon recognised and accepted into the Royal Adventurers Academy with excellent grades.

  Yet, despite her outward success, she had never been able to fully believe in her own abilities.

  ...

  It was commonly said that skills were granted to individuals according to their unique traits.

  However, in Prautia’s case, it felt as though her bloodline had a far greater influence on her abilities.

  Though she occasionally succeeded, it never felt as if it were because of her own effort—it always felt like she was merely benefitting from her good birth.

  She understood that she was fortunate, but a part of her couldn’t reconcile these feelings. A sense of dissatisfaction churned inside her, making it difficult to fully accept her circumstances.

  Her family called their pnt-based skills a “blessing,” and Prautia also felt this was likely true. But somewhere in the back of her mind, she questioned whether it was truly a blessing—or a curse.

  This inner turmoil had shaped who she was today.

  ...

  Three months had passed since Prautia entered the Royal Adventurers Academy.

  During this time, she had participated in a "weekend party" with Seneca, Maiol, and Gaia, which was initially an experimental phase. Last week, they officially decided to form a party.

  This meant that Prautia and Gaia had joined the existing party, Moonlight Vow, led by Seneca and Maiol, and the registration was completed at the guild.

  For these past three months, Prautia had been completely absorbed in her training. She spent her days practising, studying, and ughing with her companions.

  She had finally come to feel that she had truly become an adventurer.

  ...

  To put it bluntly, the three members of Moonlight Vow were strange.

  First and foremost, there was Seneca.

  Upon joining the party, Prautia and Gaia learned that Seneca was already at level 3.

  Even when they had been out in the forest near the capital, Prautia had been impressed by Seneca’s abilities, though it was clear Seneca had been holding back.

  Lately, Prautia had noticed Seneca and Maiol poking pins into the ground and discussing something with great intensity.

  “Is this the right spot?” Seneca asked.

  “No, it’s better a little further left,” Maiol replied.

  Prautia had no idea what they were doing.

  ...

  Next, there was Maiol, the party leader.

  Maiol was often referred to as the “voice of reason” among the eccentric S-css students.

  There were certainly moments when Prautia could see why, but Maiol was also a relentless trainer.

  While Seneca seemed to be absorbed in her own tasks, Maiol appeared to spend all her time pushing herself further, seeking out the toughest challenges.

  She had a harshness about her, intentionally pcing herself in difficult situations to improve.

  When not training, both Seneca and Maiol were lively and cheerful. The other S-css members likely had no idea just how hard the two pushed themselves every day.

  In fact, they probably appeared to be taking it easy, living carefree lives.

  But upon closer inspection, it was clear that wasn’t the case.

  ...

  Finally, there was Gaia.

  Everyone seemed to focus on Gaia’s extraordinarily powerful skill, which was indeed remarkable.

  However, when Prautia thought about it calmly, she realised that it was strange how far Gaia had come without ever demonstrating her skill openly.

  Even though Gaia excelled in academics, she had managed to stay in B-css, despite its emphasis on practical skills. She had done this without relying on her powerful abilities.

  Prautia, who had worked so hard to reach A-css using only her skills, knew just how unusual that was.

  It was true that Gaia didn’t excel in areas like gathering or leadership, like Seneca and Maiol did. But she had an uncanny knack for observation and adaptability.

  Her solitary experience living in the wilderness and her academic efforts had shaped her into someone who knew how to survive and think on her feet.

  Gaia was beginning to py a more strategic role in the party, much like a tactician. Recently, her magical training had progressed, and signs of leveling up were beginning to show.

  ...

  Prautia spent her days practising with a dagger.

  She ran, collected weeds from the school grounds, and honed her skills in between.

  At first, she had honestly wondered whether she should give up and stop joining the others, but now, she cherished every moment of it.

  The three of them were undeniably strange. Eccentric, even.

  Yet, no one ever called Prautia strange. No one ever criticised her.

  In fact, Prautia, who had once thought herself odd, now began to feel that she might actually be quite normal compared to the others.

  She found herself becoming surprisingly comfortable with them.

  She might have been infected by their oddness, she realised with a smile.

  Prautia didn’t desire to be a hero, nor did she wish to embark on grand adventures.

  But here, with them, she felt she could discover something worth pursuing.

  Perhaps the one who had cursed herself all along was actually her.

  With that thought in mind, Prautia swung her dagger once more.