Decision

Rain had just gained a new ability—an active spell, no less. He looked around the room, searching for something to test it on.

He did not go outside because he did not want a neighbor to catch him casting a spell.

"This iron pot will do." His gaze settled on an old pot in the kitchen. It was broken, but he had yet to throw it away.

Iron was hard. That went without saying.

To Rain, it seemed the perfect target for testing his new spell, Freezing Ray.

He stepped forward, picked up the pot, and hung it on the doorframe.

Then he backed up three or four steps and stopped.

He did not want to go too far. He had learned the spell, but he had no idea how accurate he would be with it.

Closer was safer.

He raised his hand and aimed at the pot, just as the Mutant Goblin had aimed at Thor.

At a thought, Rain found himself making a gesture. A blue-white beam, slightly thicker than his thumb, burst from his right hand.

Even as he marveled at it, his eyes followed the beam, and his heart sank.

"Oh no!"

Despite the short distance, his aim had been slightly off. It was his first time casting the spell.

Bang!

White frost spread across the kitchen door, quickly covering an area about a meter across.

He had missed the pot and struck the door behind it.

But any disappointment at missing was swept away by the spell's power. Delighted, Rain hurried over and gingerly touched the frost, which was several centimeters thick.

A piercing chill shot through his fingertip.

"That's cold!"

He snatched his finger back.

"It's not like ordinary ice. It's much colder."

"So powerful." Delight flashed in Rain's eyes.

"But from what Nia said today, this is only a Zero-Ring Spell."

After a moment's thought, Rain backed away a few steps again. This time, he aimed carefully at the pot.

Bang!

Another blue-white beam burst from his right hand.

This one struck the pot dead on, coating it in white frost.

But before Rain could step forward to inspect it, dizziness washed over him. A dull ache swelled at both his temples.

Did that use too much mental energy?

I can only cast it twice?

If I remember right, that Mutant Goblin cast it once. Even counting the attempt Nia interrupted, that was only twice.

Well, if it cost nothing—or almost nothing—I could fire Freezing Ray like a machine gun.

Who could fight against that?

Exhausted but excited, Rain lay in bed, unable to sleep.

He folded his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, thinking.

That Goblin mutation tonight...

After considering it carefully, Rain concluded that meeting a cold-enhanced Goblin had taken luck. But Goblins were also extremely numerous and prone to crossbreeding.

Perhaps that made mutations a little more common among them?

But however much they mutated, they were still Goblins, weren't they?

For now, I can become an Adventurer and gradually grow stronger. Then I can seek out slightly stronger monsters. If I manage to kill them, I can gain their bloodline talents and Spell-Like Abilities.

I can also use the Adventurers' Association's information to learn about this world's monsters—at least the ones a beginner can handle. Then I can choose the best order to hunt them and make the most of my combat strength.

Of course, that was only his current plan.

He would have to reach Mill Town and become an Adventurer before deciding what came next.

He could adjust the plan at any time.

I should also keep an eye out for mutated creatures.

Could I find three more cold-enhanced Goblins?

An Adventurer...

The special power Rain had gained had settled his decision. He would go to Mill Town and become an Adventurer.

Only then would he have the chance to make full use of his power and grow stronger.

And only then could he survive safely in a world full of monsters.

"And there's this." Remembering something, Rain touched the pendant at his chest.

His memories had already merged with those of the body's original owner. The old Rain's deepest wish—to find his parents—had naturally become his own.

According to what Old Henry had told him before he died, many years ago, as he was returning to Oak Village from Mill Town, a burst of light had suddenly appeared beside the road. When it faded, a basket was there.

It was as if someone had opened a door out of thin air and deliberately set the basket down.

Stunned, Old Henry had discovered a swaddled baby inside.

He had waited nearly half a day. When no one came looking for the baby, he took him home.

That baby was Rain.

This pendant clearly means something. I—or any ordinary person—just can't tell what.

But if it does mean something, it wouldn't be safe to ask a stranger about it.

If I ask anyone, it has to be someone I can trust.

There's no rush. Once I'm stronger, I might meet a knowledgeable mage who can tell me what the pendant means.

Only when the horizon began to brighten did Rain, his mind still full of possibilities, finally fall fast asleep.

Morning came.

Sunlight spread across the land, driving away the thin mist around Oak Village.

"Village chief, I've decided to become an Adventurer." Rain found Kyle and told him his plan.

"Rain, have you really thought this through? You..." Kyle's eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to discourage him, but then he remembered Rain's remarkable courage the day before.

Perhaps it was time to let the young man venture out into the world.

Kyle still hesitated. Rain had never received proper combat training, after all.

"All right, son. But wait a little and say goodbye to everyone first." After a moment's thought, Kyle nodded.

A young eagle would never fly if no one let it go.

"All right, village chief."

Within ten minutes, most of the villagers had come to see him off. Even Gates, whose injuries had yet to heal, arrived on crutches.

"Rain, buy yourself a sword. An Adventurer can't go around carrying a pitchfork." Smiling, Gates pressed a bag of coins into Rain's hand.

The heavy purse carried the weight of his goodwill.

Rain had worked the fields himself. He knew that even a hardworking farmer could not earn two silver coins in a month.

And Gates had a large family to support.

"Uncle Gates, I can't—"

"Rain, you saved my life. This is nothing. Oh, and I'll tend your fields for you. If you don't come back, though, I'm keeping the harvest."

"Of course. Thank you, Uncle Gates."

"Rain, here's an old leather vest of mine. You can wear it for now." Jefferson, the militia captain, came over with a smile and handed him a dusty gray sleeveless vest.

The armor had clearly seen years of use. Its layers of cowhide had darkened to a polished brown.

Yet it had been well cared for, with no rough patches or mildew. The moment Rain took it, he felt the supple texture of the leather.

Jefferson must have treasured it, oiling and airing it regularly.

"Captain Jefferson... thank you."

Having accepted Gates's gift, Rain could hardly refuse Jefferson's. All he could do was thank him.

"Rain, are you going to be an Adventurer? Grandpa says this can be a rivet for your armor!" Several children crowded around him. Lisa, the youngest, held up a copper button that still bore her teeth marks.

"Rain, take mine too!"

"Rain, everyone chipped in. It isn't much—just seven silver coins and thirty-two copper coins—but it should be enough for a helmet." Kyle approached with a purse in his hand.

"Remember, don't be like that boy Adams. He risked his life for nobles just for a little money, and ended up dying in the Northern Snowfield."

As he spoke, Kyle tied the purse to Rain's belt, taking care to secure it with a firm double knot. It would not come loose, no matter how rough the road grew.

"Oh, and the Oak Inn in Mill Town belongs to my sister Rona. If you need somewhere to stay, go see her."

"Tell her you're from Oak Village!"

By the time Rain walked down the path out of the village, three heavy purses hung from his belt. One was his own; the villagers had given him the other two.

He had planned to sell his fields to afford basic equipment, but there was no need now.

The two purses held more than the fields would have fetched.

The morning sun stretched his shadow along the path.

His thoughts stretched further still.

Heavy as the purses were, Rain felt the hopes and expectations of everyone in Oak Village weighed far more.