“Ah—!! It’s Sumire!”

  Among the twelve six-year-old children who had just been unched into the world as novice adventurers in Toltea, three from the same group finished listening to the guild’s briefing and approached me. All three wore familiar faces, their expressions a mix of relief and disappointment.

  “What’s this? Are you the leader?!”

  The boy who pointed energetically and shouted was Mars. Being the son of the local milkman, we’d met often. He was the typical mischievous kid—if the weather vane at so-and-so’s house got magically turned into a dragon, or the cactus in grandma’s flowerpot started ughing hysterically after being repnted, or if all the kids in town suddenly sported stubborn, month-long stains on their foreheads and cheeks, Mars was usually the culprit. His own excuse was simply, “I was just adventuring.”

  He always wore short sleeves, his pant legs rolled up, and the right suspender clip was broken. His trademark was the freckles dusted across his nose and the fiery red hair that bounced with every step.

  “Gd it’s you, Sumire! You know, there was this really scary-looking guy,”

  Beside him stood Liliana, clutching a plush of a Harukuma bear. Her blouse was adorned with abundant ce frills, and her embroidered dress had a slit showing flower-patterned pants underneath. Her light brown hair curled in soft waves, and her pale blue eyes made her look like a doll.

  Her family ran the finest clothing store in town. Being the youngest with two older brothers and three older sisters, she was thoroughly spoiled and a bit shy, but once friends, she showed a chatty, clingy side. Having been raised mostly around slender men, she found the muscur adventurers a little intimidating.

  The “scary-looking guy” she referred to was actually a fellow leader—Leonardo, a bit stern-faced but kind and good-natured.

  “…”

  “Hey, Leonardo! Quiet again?”

  The small boy nudged by Mars was Leonardo. He wore rge round bck-rimmed gsses and a crisp white shirt paired with brand-new, wrinkle-free soft leather pants. Slender, he was the son of renowned adventurer parents, especially his father, who was a legendary traveler and admired by many—including Mars, who often teased him. Leonardo was more of an indoor type, preferring books and friends over adventures, frequently borrowing books from the guild’s office. His deep green hair matched his calm demeanor.

  “Can Sumire really lead us? I wanted a stronger adventurer!”

  “I can do it! I’ve done lots of jobs, you know!”

  “Ehh—but you’re ‘Cocageryu,’ right?”

  Mars looked up at me with a dissatisfied pout.

  The guild had a “star rank” system—both adventurers and quests were ranked from zero to nine stars. The higher the stars, the tougher the missions. Adventurers could only accept jobs at or below their rank.

  Those with star ranks were sometimes nicknamed after famous dragon consteltions known for their bright stars.

  The highest rank, nine stars, was called the Emperor Dragon, formed by connecting nine stars. Nearby, the red single star represented the Hinaryu, corresponding to one star rank. I held the Cocageryu rank, which was two stars—named for a consteltion formed by connecting only two stars. Despite the name, Cocageryu was actually a rge lizard, not a dragon. According to legend, if a Cocageryu climbed to the top of a tall star-bearing tree, it would become a dragon—hence the ancient association.

  Beginners without stars were called “Eggs,” because zero equaled nothing.

  “I want to become ‘star-ranked’ soon!”

  Most trivial tasks, like small errands or part-time jobs, were starless or at most two-star level, meaning anyone could take them without traveling all the way to Toltea. Generally, reaching up to three stars required little training.

  To climb higher, adventurers had to complete “promotion quests” issued by the guild—challenging missions usually involving hunting or extermination, limited to specific areas. The first- and second-star promotion quests could only be accepted in the southeastern region where Toltea is located. As one traveled northwest, the creatures grew stronger, so adventurers typically journeyed in order, gaining power step by step.

  Though six-year-old novice adventurers wouldn’t set off northwest right away, traveling to Toltea was said to be a rite of passage for becoming a good adventurer. So, from today onward, many children would arrive one after another. The guild staff seemed weary of the busy season, but I was excited.

  “Listening carefully to the leader is also an important quality for adventurers.”

  “I am listening!”

  “Good, good. Now, I’m going to expin the job. Liliana, Leonardo, ready?”

  In the makeshift meeting room separated by partitions, I put on a serious face and held the quest documents while the three stood silently in a line.

  “This is also the test to join the Adventurer’s Guild. Listen closely and ask questions if you don’t understand. Do not act on your own.”

  As they nodded, an adult adventurer peeked through the partition gap with an amused smile, which was a bit distracting. I shooed them away and decided to leave the teary-eyed parents alone.

  The first quest was the same for everyone.

  It was a so-called “collection quest,” a basic type of work handled by the guild.

  ...

  Unified Regional Quest — Guild Approval Number: Type 00 Number 00001

  Managed by: Toltea Branch, Adventurer’s Guild

  Requester: Adventurer’s Guild Central Headquarters (Registration Number 1000-00000)

  Assigned to: One or more guild members ranked above two stars; one or more candidates who have just turned six on the Vernal Equinox

  Reward: Standard reward (Adventurer’s Guild Regution Article 1, Cuse 3)

  Task: Collect three intact dragon scales per person. Broken scales are not acceptable.

  No restriction on dragon species; the three scales may be from different dragons.

  Conditions: The quest must be completed as a group.

  Collection is limited to the forest’s first area.

  Return to the guild within three hours of starting.

  Leader must undergo prescribed training at the guild and receive the director’s approval. (Regution Article 5)

  Equipment Requirements: Basero Ink forehead mark; wear comfortable clothing; each person carries a protective charm candy.

  Use at least one protective incense.

  Leader and star-ranked adventurers must equip swords.

  Starless members may only carry knives.

  Reward: Upon completion, unregistered adventurers will be formally accepted into the guild.

  This quest is issued under the authority of the Adventurer’s Guild.

  ...

  After reading the document in full, I gnced at the puzzled and anxious “Eggs.”

  “In other words, you’re going into the forest to collect three dragon scales each. You all must act together and listen to me. Understood?”

  “Yes!!”

  “Yup!”

  “...Yes.”

  Good responses.

  “What’s the next step?”

  “Go to the forest!!”

  “Hmm, check the equipment?”

  “Nope! Leonardo, you know?”

  “Pray.”

  “Hey, I knew that much too!”

  Every adventurer’s guild had a small shrine tucked in a corner of the office. It held a shard of starstone and a branch of Saint Totu, along with various small offerings left by adventurers. Near the guild office stood the main starstone itself.

  The starstone was said to protect travelers. Many adventurers were devout, especially in Toltea, where the stone was believed to watch over both the town and the forest entrance.

  Before and after quests, adventurers offered prayers.

  Standing before the shrine, I performed two bows, two cps, and one bow. Mars made a curious noise.

  “That’s the guild’s prayer?”

  “Prayers can be any form. That’s how we do it where I’m from.”

  At first, I thought the shrine concept was somewhat simir to Japan’s.

  The guild’s prayers had no set form. Each adventurer prayed in their own way, offering whatever they liked.

  I’d helped my grandmother tend to a household shrine, so I brought water and fruit to offer, adding to the atmosphere, and it gradually became a habit. I even pced a small torii-like structure, making it feel more authentic.

  Liliana cpped her hands politely beside me. Mars pced his sword against his chest and knelt on one knee—a common style among adventurers. Leonardo stared at the shrine for a moment, then bowed politely.

  “So cute and earnest~ Okay, Basero Ink.”

  “Thank you, Kontos.”

  “May adventurers be blessed.”

  Kontos was the town’s only magician. A friendly, average-build man who always wore deep purple robes fitting a sorcerer, he handled everyday minor magic. One of his apprentices had just become a novice adventurer this year, and he was visibly excited. In the distance, the apprentice’s cheerful voice called out, “Master!!”

  “What’s that?”

  “This is a magically blessed ink. We paint it on your forehead, so line up.”

  “Magic is amazing! Sumire, draw a cool crest!”

  “Huh?”

  Basero Ink was a simple magic for beginners, requiring no complex spells or magic circles—anyone, even someone like me, could use it. Just one stroke on the forehead was enough. But the dreamy six-year-olds immediately pushed a difficult request.

  “Um… lift your bangs.”

  After pondering, I fetched a new brush, crouched down, dipped it in ink, and painted a star on Mars’s forehead, with the kanji for “protection” (護) in the center. The characters resembled alphabet letters, making the kanji seem mysterious.

  “It means protection.”

  “Mirror! Let me see! Ohhh! So cool!”

  “Sumire, me next! Make it cute!”

  “All right.”

  Still crouched, I shifted to stand in front of Liliana, who eagerly lifted her bangs. I drew a heart and the kanji for “love” (愛). Mars and she giggled while comparing reflections in a hand mirror.

  “Liliana’s means love.”

  “Yay!”

  “…”

  “Leonardo too.”

  I moved another step, and Leonardo shyly raised his bangs. I painted an open book with the kanji for “wisdom” (智) in the center. He looked at the mirror Liliana showed him, then gnced up at me.

  “This means knowledge. That’s a book symbol.”

  “...Thank you, Sumire.”

  The six-year-olds were incredibly cute. Leonardo, who’d been glum, finally smiled, and the other two proudly showed off their marks to idle adults and other groups.

  Though this was my first time leading and I’d practiced and received lots of advice, the start seemed to be going well, and I felt relieved.

  Still crouched, I turned my head to watch the three cheerfully.

  A gentle tap came on my shoulder.

  “Hm?”

  Turning around, something silver suddenly reached close.

  “...Hnn?”

  Before me, Fical sat quietly, folding his long limbs and patiently waiting his turn.

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