Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five episodes updated simultaneously.
This story is the third episode.
Three days later
Training starts today. Arriving at the Guild an hour before the designated meeting time, I found several eager young adventurers gathering, probably fellow trainees. I slipped past them and headed to the second floor.
“Excuse me.”
The moment I stepped into the designated conference room, eight pairs of eyes turned toward me. None of these faces were familiar, and some looked at me as if to say, “Who’s this guy?”
“Hey!”
Was I about to get into trouble!?
For a moment, I thought so, but then...
“You’re Ryoma, right!?”
“Uh? Yes, that’s me...”
A middle-aged man calling out to me approached with a carefree smile. He seemed genuinely friendly and even called me by my name.
Well, that makes sense. These should be the people in charge of instructing us, not some thugs. Still...
“Sorry, do we know each other from somewhere?”
“Haha, no wonder you don’t remember. I’m Roche. You might have forgotten, but I was saved by you once. You guys should come over here too!”
Beside the man who introduced himself as Roche stood two burly middle-aged men and two middle-aged women.
...I do feel like I’ve met them somewhere before. Their faces ring a bell somewhere in my memory. But where?
“Can’t recall?”
“That’s understandable. Back then, there were many people gathered besides just us.”
“It’s hard to remember every single one, right? And that was the only time we met.”
“...Sorry, I really can’t place it.”
“There was a goblin infestation in the Northern Abandoned Mine around spring, remember? The big hunt?”
“That was...!!”
I recalled it—the faces of Roche and his four companions.
“Are you the patient I treated back then?”
“You remembered! That really saved my life. Without you and your heal slime’s support, I might have died.”
“By the way, these two also got light injuries treated by you.”
“I’m Howard, and this is Lucas.”
The two burly men pointed to themselves. Looking closely, I realized the two women were the ones who tearfully thanked me back then. I felt truly sorry.
“No worries. By the way, since you’re here, does that mean you’re one of the instructors?”
“Yes. The guild master asked if I’d like to try.”
“Got it! Let me introduce myself properly—I’m Roche, the leader assigned for this mission. I’ll give you a brief rundown later, but if you have any questions, just ask.”
“Thank you. I’m experienced in camping, but I’ve hardly ever taught anyone before. I look forward to your guidance and support.”
It was good that we could start work without any issues. What a strange coincidence.
By the way, the two women are Lucy and Mimir, both mages.
“Alright, trainees! Attention!”
After confirming that all the instructors had gathered, we finished a quick meeting and moved on.
No sooner had we peeked into a corner of the Guild than Roche raised his voice in front of the group of students. His tone had shifted slightly, probably for teaching purposes.
From what I heard, he and his companions have half-retired from adventuring over the past few years and are now focusing on training young adventurers like us. They’re veterans in adventuring and, as Mr. Wogan mentioned, experienced instructors as well.
After the instructions and precautions were explained to the trainees, each instructor made a brief self-introduction.
Starting with the leader Roche’s party, I was the 15th and last to introduce myself.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m Ryoma Takebayashi. Before coming to this city, I spent about three years living off camping and hunting in a forest called ‘Gana.’ So my rank is E, but the guild master recognizes that I have sufficient skills in camping, securing food, and identifying medicinal and poisonous herbs. Some of you may look younger than me, but please rest assured about that.
My preferred weapons are bow and sword. I have basic magic skills and can use healing magic up to greater heal, so if anyone gets injured during the journey, feel free to ask me for help.