"Yo, Rei."
After heading downstairs, Kanzaki Rei found Iz already in the inn's lobby.
Kumironi waved at him with a smile. "How did you sleep last night?"
Rei returned the smile. "Really well."
"Good," Kumironi replied warmly. "We're about to head out on a subjugation mission. We probably won't be back until tonight."
Akagi grinned. "Heh. Too bad you can't come with us. Otherwise, you'd get to witness my heroic battle form firsthand."
Rei caught something in that statement. "The three of you are going?"
Yesterday, Iz had said he would take him into a dungeon.
If that was the case, their four-person party would be short one member.
Kumironi nodded. "Yes. Just me, Akagi, and Obadis."
"Iz is taking you to get familiar with dungeon exploration today."
Rei hesitated. "If Iz isn't with you… you won't run into trouble, right?"
You're a four-person team…
Losing a mage feels dangerous.
A faint sense of unease crept into him. It felt suspiciously like they were raising a death flag.
Such a kind team—if they were wiped out because Iz chose to guide him instead, he would never forgive himself.
Seeing the worry in Rei's eyes, Akagi burst out laughing.
"It's fine, it's fine! Even without him, we'll secure a beautiful victory."
He turned to Iz. "You should take him to grab the quest first."
"If you're late and someone else accepts it, that'd be troublesome."
Iz nodded lightly. "Mm."
Then to Rei: "Let's go. I'll take you to the Adventurers' Guild."
Rei glanced at Akagi one more time, still uneasy.
…Sigh.
Well. If they were this confident, it would be strange for him to protest based on nothing more than a vague premonition.
Iz led the way. Before long, they arrived at a grand, spacious building.
Massive double doors.
Inside, wooden tables filled the hall. Adventurers sat shoulder to shoulder, drinking, boasting loudly.
It perfectly matched Rei's stereotypical image of an adventurers' guild.
"Yo, Iz!"
"Back for another big contract?"
"Iz! Want to spar later?"
"Iz, I developed a new spell—want to test it out?"
Iz was extremely popular here as well.
He responded to each greeting with an easy smile.
"Just browsing today."
"We can spar after I return."
"Oh? A new spell? Then I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Every enthusiastic call was answered warmly.
—
Finally, they reached the counter.
A brown-haired woman stood behind it.
"There are no S-rank commissions available right now," she said, "but we do have A-rank—"
Iz smiled. "Today, I'm looking for a commission related to exploring a Tier 2 dungeon."
The receptionist tilted her head, mildly puzzled. "Tier 2? That's rare."
"Let me check."
Iz added, "By the way, Sherry, please register this little one here as an adventurer."
"He's a Level 1 Mage."
Sherry blinked. "A child?"
"So young, and already classed?"
Iz replied calmly, "The class advancement ceremony was officiated by Kumironi."
Sherry's expression shifted. "If it was her… then I suppose something unconventional like this makes sense."
She handed over a form.
Iz passed it to Rei.
Rei glanced at the header.
[Adventurer Registration Application Form]
He raised a brow.
Even here, paperwork?
That's… unexpectedly official.
Iz explained, "You only need to fill in your name, age, and class. You can leave everything else blank."
…Alright. I retract my earlier thought.
The form was densely packed—address, occupation, assets owned, learned skills, even talents.
Rei had assumed he needed to fill everything in.
Apparently not.
However, due to his height, he had to carry the form to a lower side table to write.
At eight years old, he barely reached Iz Parult's waist.
There was no way he could write at the main counter.
Fortunately, if he could read, he could write.
And for some reason, he could naturally write in this world's script.
After finishing, he handed the form back to Iz.
"Sherry, add him to my party."
Sherry looked surprised. "Him?"
That single sentence drew several curious glances from nearby adventurers.
Many eyes settled on Rei.
It felt… strange.
Iz simply nodded in response to Sherry's unspoken question.
She didn't press further.
Before long, she returned with a badge and a nameplate.
The outer rim of the badge shimmered with prismatic light. The inner circle, however, was plain black iron.
"Mr. Rei, you are now registered as a Beginner Adventurer."
"You have also joined Mr. Iz's party. We look forward to your performance."
Rei examined the nameplate.
It was made of black iron, engraved with his name.
This must be the adventurer identification tag.
"Iz, there are three Tier 2 dungeon commissions available. Would you like to take a look?"
Sherry slid three sheets forward.
Rei wasn't tall enough to see what was written.
Iz picked one up, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"So aside from Darkwood Forest, there's also a new commission for Shadow Cavern?"
"I was worried the only Tier 2 dungeon commission had already been taken… but it seems more dungeons have appeared nearby."
Sherry nodded. "Yes. Recently, the frequency of dungeon appearances has increased. Adventurers have been more motivated as well."
Iz pondered briefly, then nodded.
"We'll take this one."
Sherry glanced at the sheet. "Shadow Cavern?"
"Mm."
"The commission has been confirmed."
"You have accepted the quest: Purge the Shadow Cavern."
"May your adventure be victorious."
She stamped the commission, rolled it up again, and returned it to Iz.
"Of course," Iz replied.
He then lightly patted Rei's back. "Let's go."
"Oh. Right."
—
After leaving the guild, Iz lifted Rei onto a Dragon Rhinox mount.
On the way out of town, Rei spotted Akagi helping an elderly woman carry a massive load into her house.
No wonder he's so popular…
Rei thought silently.
—
As they passed, Iz casually greeted Akagi.
The object Akagi carried was nearly as tall as a single-story building. Yet he bore it on one shoulder and still had a free hand to wave.
Iz spoke as they rode.
"Before heading out on adventures in the future, check the guild for related commissions first."
"That way, you can pursue your own objectives while completing contracts along the way and earning a respectable sum."
"Understood, Master Iz."
"Casting spells within town risks harming civilians. Once we're outside, you're free to practice."
"But be careful—don't throw Fireballs into dense forest areas. Causing a wildfire would be… inconvenient."
—
They left town quickly.
With no buildings obstructing the view, the landscape opened wide.
"Now you can."
Rei nodded lightly. Sitting in front of Iz, he raised his right hand and condensed frost.
Almost the instant the ice spear formed around him, a rapid chain of detonations erupted—
Bang!
Bang bang bang bang!
Five Ice Spears fired in unison, converging on a distant tree trunk and exploding simultaneously!
The projectile speed was so fast that the naked eye could barely track it.
With the explosive impact, the trunk split and collapsed.
Iz nodded, eyes filled with approval.
Then he instructed calmly:
"Try resonating with the rhythm of mana as the spear forms."
"A rotating ice spear will have greater penetration than one fired directly."
"The nature of ice is not merely solidification—but the conduction of temperature."
"Even after the spear detonates, you still retain control. Try guiding the cold to spread farther."
Rei had only cast once—and Iz had already identified flaws.
「Ice Spear Proficiency EXP +1,000,000」「Ice Spear (LV: 82)」
…Wait.
He only said two sentences.
And that gave one million proficiency EXP?
Is that even remotely reasonable?