When Minori left the workshop, he had another 100 gold coins on him. Counting what he had before, his total was back to 700 gold coins.
The herbs he had collected from the depths of the Tob Forest were far more valuable than expected.
This discovery made Minori more determined to take control of the Tob Forest. Just because the people of this world couldn't do it didn't mean he couldn't. All he needed was a way to deal with the forest's three major rulers.
On the other side—
Grandmother Lizzie stared blankly at the two bottles of alchemical potions placed on the counter.
She had long known that geniuses existed beyond ordinary comprehension. Take Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra, for example—the daughter of a high noble from the Re-Estize Kingdom. By the age of ten, she had already mastered second-tier magic. At twelve, she founded the adventurer team "Blue Rose" and began her journey.
Even the president of the Royal Capital's Magician's Guild personally stated she had the potential to step into the realm of heroes before she turned twenty.
Unimaginable by normal standards.
For the average person, being able to use third-tier magic was already extraordinary.
Now, Grandmother Lizzie finally understood how the guild president must have felt. She had witnessed with her own eyes another kind of genius—one beyond understanding, even if only in alchemy.
"Grandma, did Minori already leave?" Nfirea's disappointed voice snapped her back to reality.
"Forget what I told you before."
Grandmother Lizzie's expression became serious as she turned to Nfirea.
"Huh?" Nfirea looked confused.
Exhaling softly, Lizzie's eyes suddenly brightened. "With your talent, you might one day understand how that boy did it. Want to become my disciple? Actually, never mind—just learn everything I can teach you first."
Nfirea stood there, stunned, as his grandmother rambled to herself.
. . . . . .
At the Adventurer's Guild.
"Hello. Are you registering as a solo adventurer?" the receptionist greeted with a smile.
"And Kuro," Minori replied, pointing to the little evil dog at his feet.
"Um..." The receptionist hesitated slightly.
"There aren't any rules saying monsters can't be party members, right?" Minori asked with a calm smile.
"Well... no, there aren't," the receptionist admitted.
"Great. Please help me with the paperwork." Minori handed over a gold coin.
He had decided to register as an adventurer after confirming some details with Lizzie. There was one thing he had previously overlooked.
The Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire were in a constant state of low-intensity warfare. Each autumn harvest season, the Empire launched military campaigns to grind down the Kingdom's strength and centralize its own authority under the Blood Emperor.
With the Empire already mobilizing, E-Rantel's atmosphere had become tense.
Why was war happening earlier this year?
Minori suspected it was due to the "Warrior Captain" Gazef's unexpected promotion—an act that may have signaled shifting power within the Kingdom, alarming the Blood Emperor.
"Alright." The receptionist perked up after receiving the coin and began quickly filling out the form. Adventurers often couldn't read or write, so ghostwriting was common—and profitable.
"What's your team name?"
"Free Will."
The receptionist froze for a moment. Most adventurer team names were nonsense—this one sounded oddly sophisticated.
"Free Will. Got it. Minori, correct?"
"Yes."
Not long after, the receptionist returned with a copper nameplate.
"This is your adventurer identification. You're starting at bronze rank. It's valid across all nations where the Guild operates."
Minori took the tag, eyes narrowing slightly.
This wasn't just a nameplate—it was his cover.
With war looming and no formal identity in this world, traveling into the Baharuth Empire could be problematic. But as a registered adventurer, he could bypass many issues.
Of course, such convenience came with trade-offs—adventurers were often treated with suspicion by governments.
"We've lingered too long," Minori thought, clipping the tag to his belt. "Time to move."
A pity the Eight Fingers had yet to act. Minori found their silence after losing two key members suspicious. No way an organization like that would stay idle.
Year 4 of the New Calendar. Fire Month, July 18th.
Minori left E-Rantel once again.
. . .
The Baharuth Empire.
Located in the central-western human region, bordered by sea to the north and ringed by mountains elsewhere, the Empire lacked the natural wealth of Re-Estize.
Yet, after Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix—known as the Blood Emperor—rose to power, he purged the corrupt nobility and centralized control.
Rather than collapse into chaos, the Empire thrived, ushering in a new golden era under the watchful eyes of its imperial guardian, Fluder Paradyne.
The Imperial Capital, Arwintar.
Unlike the cramped, timeworn streets of Re-Estize's royal capital, Arwintar was immaculate and bustling with prosperity.
Half a month ago, a new alchemical potion began circulating in the city.
Where a standard healing potion cost one silver coin and was riddled with impurities, this new one was stronger, cleaner—and cost only eight copper coins.
Within days, it caused a sensation throughout the entire capital.