The entire training hall was silent.

  A silence heavier than any before.

  The other kids shuffled awkwardly, some gripping their wooden weapons, others looking at the ground, unsure what to say.

  No one had ever seen Sis Hazel like this before.

  Her sobs filled the room, raw and unrestrained.

  Sis Esta held her close, rubbing her back gently. “It’s okay, Hazel. Let it out.”

  Finally, Sis Esta looked up at us. Her voice was calm but firm. “Sorry, kids. Can you leave us two for some time? Training today is over.”

  Without a word, the children nodded, throwing worried glances at Hazel before shuffling out of the hall.

  I followed, but as I reached the door, Sis Esta called out.

  “Oh, right. Freed. I almost forgot. Could you please tell the guildmaster about him? Last month he was able to kill three Red Wolves by himself. So it’s weird if he died in the forest. His death is unnatural.”

  She was right.

  Even if he was trash, Matias had been strong.

  The northern forest teemed with F-Rank to C-Rank monsters—foes he should have been able to handle.

  Even with his recklessness, escaping from a dire situation should have been well within his capabilities.

  Something was wrong.

  “Understood” I gave her a firm nod.

  As I stepped out of the training hall, Hazel’s voice—thick with grief—echoed behind me.

  I paused for a moment.

  But there was no answer.

  There never would be.

  I soon found myself standing inside the guildmaster’s office, recounting what I knew. Sis Esta believed Matias’ death was unnatural, and the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

  The guildmaster, Karin, sat behind her desk, arms crossed, deep in thought. “I see. That’s indeed peculiar.”

  The vice guildmaster, Krein, was also present. He was a human man, probably around twenty-five, with short, thick brown hair that stubbornly stood at an angle. Despite his youth, he was competent enough to be second-in-command.

  Brother Krein frowned. “Guildmaster, I think we should investigate it.”

  Sis Karin nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. If a C-Rank adventurer died, that means there could be a B-Rank monster in the forest.”

  Then she paused.

  “No… wait.”

  She leaned forward, tapping her fingers against the desk. “Even if it was a B-Rank monster, Matias should have been able to run away.”

  The room grew quiet.

  “Does that mean… an A-Rank monster?” I asked.

  She exhaled sharply. “I hope that’s not the case. But we should prepare for the worst.”

  She turned to Brother Krein. “Are there currently any B-Rank or above adventurers in town?”

  Brother Krein shook his head. “No. We haven’t had any in years. But we have had a surge of C-Rank adventurers in these past few months.”

  These past few months?

  Isn’t it the first time Sis Esta and Sis Hazel work here? Are they genuinely motivated to free them?

  Sis Karin made a decision. “Krein, post an investigation request. Gather a team of at least three C-Rank adventurers. No, make it five.”

  Brother Krein raised an eyebrow. “Five? Isn’t that excessive for an investigation?”

  She tapped the desk again, her face unreadable. “I have a bad feeling about this. If it really is an A-Rank monster, we’ll need reinforcements from the lord. We need to be careful.”

  “Understood. I’ll inform the receptionist.”

  Sis Karin added, “When they return, tell them to report directly to me. Until we know the truth, we’re keeping this information contained.”

  “Got it.”

  Finally, she looked at me. “Freed, you may leave as well. Thank you for bringing this to us. We’ll handle it from here.”

  I nodded. “Un.”

  Though it should be training time, Hazel was in no condition to train.

  With nothing else I could do, I left the guildmaster's office. But even as I returned to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far worse.

  Matias’ unnatural death.

  Sis Hazel’s tears.

  The looming threat in the forest.

  <“Aza, what do you think?”>

  【That’s not your concern for now, Master. There’s something more important.】

  That’s true… There’s nothing I can do anyway. So I will just leave it to them, hoping it doesn’t escalate.

  <”So, can you tell me what happened?”>

  【Master obtained the Light element.】

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  <”... How?”>

  That wasn’t what I had expected. My first element was supposed to be water. I was planning to obtain them on the weekend.

  【I’ve analyzed it. The requirement to obtain Light is to save one or more people’s lives.】

  <”... What?”>

  How on earth did I manage to save someone when my focus was solely on training here?

  【Either directly or indirectly.】

  My brow furrowed.

  <”I was just training here, so it must not be directly. Is it indirectly? But who? And how? I don’t think I did anything special.”>

  【It’s likely connected to that elf and cat.】

  <”Huh? Them?”>

  Sis Esta and Sis Hazel?

  【Yes. If Master hadn’t suggested that they work here, they would likely have died alongside that red-haired adventurer today. Master’s action has changed their fate.】

  <“That long ago? My actions from months ago still counted?”>

  【Correct. As long as Master’s actions saved lives within a one-year period, the Light element is granted.】

  Aza added,

  【For others, they need to save one hundred thousand people within a week to obtain the Light element.】

  …Alright, let’s forget about others.

  <“So, if Matias had died next year instead of today, I wouldn’t have gained it?”>

  【Correct.】

  I exhaled. That was… unexpected.

  What a peculiar requirement.

  Well, I initially thought my first element would be water. But it doesn’t matter now. I haven’t found any people who use the Light element, so it’s good that I can obtain it unintentionally.

  Huh…?

  I changed their fate?

  <“Wait… if Esta and Hazel are B-Rank, how could they have died?”>

  【That’s the real question.】

  A shiver crawled down my spine.

  <“If even they weren’t safe… what the hell is in that forest?”>

  【Unknown. It could be a high-rank monster, multiple monsters, or an individual far stronger than them.】

  I frowned. That meant there were more possibilities than just a monster.

  A new unease settled in my chest.

  But for now, there was nothing I could do except leave it to Sis Karin.

  Sissy still took requests inside the town, but Sis Celes had started taking requests to collect herbs outside the town since she was promoted to F-Rank.

  I made a mental note to warn Sis Celes about taking requests outside town. Until we knew what we were dealing with, it wasn’t safe.

  I had time before evening work, so I focused on my new element.

  <“Aza, teach me about Light.”>

  【Light is one of the balanced elements, alongside Dark. It has the ability to heal, buff, purify, attack, and defend. However, unlike other elements, it has a unique effect—the only living beings unaffected by the positive aspects of light are the demon race, instead, it inflicts harm upon them.】

  That was like something straight out of a fantasy novel.

  <“So Dark is also balanced?”>

  【Yes. Its positive aspects have a weaker effect on normal races but are much stronger on demons. It can also weaken and curse enemies, making it highly versatile.】

  <”... Isn’t that more overpowered than light?”>

  【Not exactly. Light is stronger when used for healing and buffs, while Dark excels in debuffs and curses especially for non-demons.】

  I nodded.

  In conclusion, Light’s healing and buffs are stronger than any other element for non-demons. However, it harms demons.

  On the other hand, Dark’s debuffs and curses have stronger effects on non-demons. Meanwhile, Dark’s healings and buffs are stronger for demons. Although it does not damage non-demons, it has weaker effects for them.

  【Let’s start with Light aura. Focus on what ‘light’ means to you while releasing your aura.】

  <”Even if you say that… the only thing that comes to mind when I think of light is brightness. As bright as the stars.”>

  【You truly retain a childlike wonder despite carrying a 32-year-old mind.】

  <”Shut up!”>

  What's wrong with stars?

  I loved the stars. In my past life, I always admired how they shone in the darkness, tiny yet unwavering.

  I closed my eyes, picturing the brightest thing I could think of.

  I attempted to visualize a radiant white star while letting my aura flow toward my right hand.

  As I focused, something warm wrapped around my right hand. When I opened my eyes, a soft white glow surrounded it.

  <“This is…?”>

  【Correct. That is Light Aura.】

  【At present, this aura's functionality is merely illumination, as you envisioned it to be bright. However, if Master envisions specific characteristics, the Light aura could adopt those traits as well.】

  Its hue resembles raw aura, but the Light aura possesses a more radiant luminosity.

  <”Wait, is it acceptable for me to learn about this now? Ray and Kenya acquired it when they were a bit older than me.”>

  【It doesn't matter. Master already exhibits better control over aura and mana than them.】

  <”Really?”>

  【Yes. The aura you enveloped your body in yesterday was already stable, much like the mana control you demonstrated just an hour ago, despite it being your first attempt.】

  <”So.. Do you mean.. I am a genius?”>

  【No.】

  She refuted it once again!

  【That fiery girl could also manipulate the element at the age of 7. Therefore, what Master accomplished is not particularly extraordinary.】

  Ah, she is referring to Rei.

  She had already mastered magic last year, even before I began my work here.

  However, being told that what I did isn't special annoyed me a bit.

  Now, I attempt to release mana with the element of light. After a few minutes, a star-shaped light hovers above my palm.

  <”Is this light mana?”>

  【... Half-correct, it’s light magic.】

  Her voice carried a hint of surprise.

  <”... Huh?”>

  【You didn’t use your mana to wrap your hand as you did with the aura before, so that light is a magic.】

  <”I see. So this is magic.. My first magic… But why did you sound surprised?”>

  【... Most people wouldn’t be able to use magic before successfully enveloping their body with mana imbued with element.】

  【Moreover, that magic should be ball-shaped, not a star. Even that fiery girl would only be able to change the shape of her magic after training for over 2 years.”>

  <”So, am I a genius?”>

  【No. Master just has more experience in imagining things.】

  <”But it has nothing to do with being able to use light magic before light mana.”>

  【Ugh.】

  Yes! Finally, I scored a win against her! She even conceded that I’m a genius!

  I then continued training.

  She suggested using light mana as well, to differentiate the sensations between using light mana and light magic.

  So, I gave it a try.

  Of course, it was a success.

  <”I really am a genius.”>

  【No. You are not.】

  <”Shut up!”>