Quest: Goblin Extermination


    Requirements: a party of four, minimum rank of Bronze.


    Objectives: clear the northeastern route leading to Nulwiz, report any anomalies.


    Reward: 850 gald.


    <div>


    Willow lowered the quest notice.


    If the Goddess was real, then she must have a particular sense of humor, because what were the odds that her party members were going to be these two?


    Sitting by the table, a familiar-looking man waved a greeting, a smirk barely parsing through that scruffy beard of his. He looked a lot more professional this time, dressed in a furry hunting vest and a short sword strapped to his back. His rough and gravelly voice spoke of a level of experience that no adventurer worth their mettle would dare dispute.


    "So you''re our fourth member? I remember you. Nose Fixer, right? Forgot ta thank ya for the heals last night. The missus back home would''ve been pissed if I returned with another scar on this handsome mug."


    Willow tried her hardest to ignore that ridiculous moniker of hers. Really tried. Relaxing her grip on her staff, she nodded. "Nothing still hurts, right?"


    "Yep!" A thumbs up. "Slept like a babe last night. The same can''t be said for her, though."


    The person on the other end of the table could easily be mistaken for an effeminate boy, what with her boy shorts and a pair of long socks, and a brown cloak that obscured her figure. But how could Willow forget? It was the same blue-haired wolf girl who threw up on her last night.


    She had her head down, cupping her wolf ears, groaning like the walking dead. From what Willow could see past her disheveled bangs, there were dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.


    "Can you keep it down...? This hangover is killing me..."


    "Heh. That''s what ya get for tryin'' ta drink more Salamander Wine than your own body weight, kid."


    "It was so good thouuugh..." With a low, pathetic whine, the wolf girl cradled her head in her arms and ran her wrists all over, as if trying to rub the headache away. Willow would''ve felt some sympathy for her...if not for the pint of beer pressed on her cheek like an ice bag.


    "...Beer for a hangover?" asked Willow.


    The wolf girl pointed a droopy finger toward the ceiling. "If it''s the drink that breaks me... then may it be the drink that fixes me..."


    "Amen, sister!" The man raised his tankard. "I drink to that."


    "Aye..." The wolf girl looked miserable and in pain as she, with a shaky hand, even dragging her face across the table, reached up to join her own tankard with his in a toast. But judging by the sordid grin on her face, there would be more questionable life choices from now on and into the future. She didn''t regret a damn thing.


    Willow skewered the man with a look.


    "No need ta look at me like that. Kid''s got [Poison Resistance]." Lifting his morning mead, he took a generous sip with a content sigh. "Saw her downing a big one before I sat down. Gotta say it''s nice ta have the guildhall to yourself." He gestured around, his voice having a little echo in the wide, empty room. "The other Dragon Tale branches are always packed like a house of chickens. You''d find boys fighting each other for jobs and the guild would do nothin'' about it. Here? Didn''t need ta wait a minute for my drink!"


    Most of the other parties were still resting or had already gone on another adventure. The few people present can be found bumming around, waiting for something interesting to happen. But on occasions, there''s always that one group who just needed an extra set of hands before they could get the guild''s approval.


    Like this sorry bunch of drunkards.


    Willow could only stand there with a palm to her face. It hadn''t been the start of the quest and her party members were already killing themselves with alcohol poisoning. Where''s Layla and her Gerald-taming fist when you needed her?


    She glanced toward the reception desks at one of the guild employees, asking with her eyes if these people were for real. The reception lady could only offer a weak smile.


    Resisting an insufferable sigh, she dragged her hand down to her collar and clutched it in quiet prayer. After a few deliberate breaths to calm herself, she looked between the two using one of her signature moves: [Resigned Retail Stare].


    Time to get to work.


    "We''re missing one more," Willow said. "Are they coming?"


    Willow prayed the fourth person stayed missing, if only so these walking disasters would return on a much more sober day. It''s not like she could leave. The guild assigned her this quest, and as part of the Support Corps, she''s required to help.


    "Don''t worry, he''s coming." The man lifted his fingers. "In three. Two. One..."


    Before Willow could wonder what he was doing, she heard the distant thuds of hurried footsteps, louder with each tick of the man''s count. Right when he would reach zero, the guildhall doors slammed open, reverberating throughout the building.


    Beer splashed all over the wolf girl''s face as she recoiled like she was slapped by the wind. An arm wrapped over her head, covering her ears, but the damage was done. She whimpered like she''s another foot in the grave.


    The last member of their party to-be was huffing, puffing, fresh from a long run.


    "I-I''m... I''m here!"


    The first thing Willow noticed was his boyish face juxtaposed with his stature. He was tall and well-built, as tall as the older man, she realized. The second thing she noticed was what he was carrying.


    The man grinned. "And there he is. Sit down, boy, we''re just about to introduce ourselves!"


    "Y-Yes! Of course! Sorry for being late. I just came back from gathering these." He placed down not one, not two, but three baskets of herbs and flowers, and some had almost fallen out from how much they piled up above the rim.


    Willow blinked. Blue Musky, Healing Bell Flowers, Thread Whistles... Some of the more common ingredients used by Alchemists. Did he spend all morning finding these? Most gatherers could only manage one full basket on a good day. How did...?


    When he sat down next to the older man, the entire table creaked. It was only then that Willow realized she''s the only one standing and so took her own seat beside the drunken wolf girl, using that moment to build a mental profile of the new arrival.


    A young man. Built like a farmhand. Dirty blonde hair seemed soft, as if freshly trimmed. Wore a hunting vest over shirt as well, but it seemed a little too small for him. Probably lived in a tight-knitted and carefree community near the countryside, closer toward the Holy Garden kingdom, judging by his soft, air-headed expression. It''s the kind of ''average'' background one would find anywhere.


    But all the way out here on the fringes? The way he came in also felt...


    "This here is Nikolas, our Shielder." The man slapped a hand over Nikolas''s shoulder, shaking it. "Kid may be a bit clumsy, dull as bronze, but trust me: he''s our lucky charm!"


    The words broke into Willow''s thoughts.


    Lucky charm?


    "Ya better believe it, ''cause he''s got a whoppin'' 38 luck in his Divine Glass!"


    Nikolas slouched in his seat, trying to appear small, as he let out an awkward laugh. Resigned, like he had heard this many times before.


    The wolf girl stopped mid-wipe of her sleeves, and a drop of alcohol dripped down her chin. "For real?"


    "For real. Brought ''im along as a favor, to show him the ropes. Don''t worry too much about him ''cause I taught ''im a few things while we were on the way here. And me?" He flicked a metal piece pinned on his vest. It sung the high-pitched jingle of gold. Anyone could tell that the sound demanded respect. "The name''s Markus. Gold-Ranked Swordsman. A pleasure."


    A mentor figure?


    "...Magni." There was an effort, but her face remain planted on the table. She gave a shaky peace sign. "Merchant."


    "Oho? Fancy one, I see. Ya shoot gald at goblins or somethin''?" Markus said playfully. "Why you hangin'' around with us poor, grimy folk?"


    "Eheh..." Magni giggled, sounding broken and, if Willow heard right, halfway toward breaking into a sob. "I wish I was half as rich as you think I am. Nope. This little wolf is in a spot of trouble."


    "Sounds rough, girl."


    "But one day!" Maybe it was the alcohol, but Magni raised her droopy finger again, as if struck by a Bard''s heart-pounding inspiration. "One day, I''ll be the fattest wolf of the streets around! Even the nobles will be eating out of my hand!" Said hand slowly slumped back into the table. "Just... Just need some starting capital... Ow, my head..."


    Willow felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and unease. Why were they suddenly talking about their dreams and aspirations?


    "What about you?" Magni mumbled. "Why''d you leave retirement, old geezer?"


    "I''m not that old. Nikolas, tell ''er."


    Nikolas furrowed his brows. "...Weren''t you complaining about your back on the way here?"


    "C''mon, I was jokin''!" Markus smacked the Shielder''s broad back, which almost made the guy jump from his seat. "The Goddess isn''t so cruel to take away all that I''ve made for myself, kid! Ahahaha!"


    Willow wanted to be wrong. Wanted this to just be your every day annoying party quest. Because in that moment, she felt that she knew exactly what his next words were going to be.


    The Swordsman calmed down enough to wet his whistle and then proved her fears true.


    "Basically, the missus and I will be having a little one soon. Figured I should dust off my gold badge and earn enough to help us move further toward the Havenside Coast. Maybe toward the capital. Or somewhere in Holy Garden territory." He chuckled. "Let me tell ya. She did NOT approve. Had to make a hundred promises to make it back whole and hearty by next season. Good thing I never told her exactly where we were headed, huh?"


    "Well, um, I don''t have a big reason like either of you." Nikolas rubbed the back of his head, but there was no mistaking the tender, well-meaning smile on his face that came with what he said next. "I just wanted to work hard to support my little sister. She has a talent for magic, and will be enrolling in one of the Northern Magic Towers soon."


    "When she comes back ta the village a big shot wizard, you can BET I would ask her ta turn the backyard pond into Honeyrose mead. Me and the boys would swim in there buck naked, mhm!"


    And just like that, after wondering for so long if she missed the plot, the plot came around with the protagonist and a few Death Flags, knocking right on her door.


    "...Hey, Nose Fixer? Why do ya look so disturbed? The joke can''t be that bad."


    "Uncle Markus, the imagery might''ve been a bit..."


    "Maybe she ate something bad?"


    "The hell, girl? Since when did ya get another pint?!"


    <hr>


    The guild approved their quest in short order. Surprisingly, it was Magni who took initiative and dragged the whole group to show them something by the stables.


    When she''s not suffering from alcohol poisoning, she''s actually full of pep and presentation, the kind of flair expected of a Merchant.


    "Tada~!"


    It was a bird the size of a horse, whose golden beak shined like the sun and whose white plumage rivaled the clouds themselves. With its thick, scaly legs, it looked like it could run and carry its rider into the sunset. Like a giant, handsome chicken.


    Hooked to the avian mount was a carriage wagon, full of history and mystique, grace and opulence. Every chip at the engravings and every scratch at the wheels served as proof that it had seen many a journey. It came in two parts: a room for seats and cushions, and a back where goods were stored. With a cool roof above and its wideness relative to its length, the comfort of the passengers won''t be found wanting.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Magni skipped along the hay and posed between them, sweeping her arms with sparkles practically in her eyes. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my wagon! We''ll be riding this along the road to Nulwiz, and if we''re lucky, we could finish this quest by today!"


    Willow, Markus, and Nikolas were in object awe—


    —until one of the wheels popped out.


    "Crap, crap, crap, crap—!" Magni tried to stop the carriage from tilting over, having to brace with her whole body before it was steady again. "I just had that fixed yesterday! H-hang on a sec..."


    Markus hurriedly stepped up. "Let me help with that!"


    "Sheesh, lady." Markus gave the carriage a quick once over and winced. "Ya live like this? My grandma''s older than this thing. Did ya mess with the debt collectors or somethin''?"


    Willow wondered the same thing. It was a common assumption to make. Here in the Rosarium Kingdom, debt collectors were the prime predators of all capitalistic interests. Under the authority and political might of the Halos Alliance, the kingdom had been forced to crack down on corruption and financial loop holes. Any merchant who used debt as an excuse to reduce their taxes and delayed paying it off was forced to pay the entire debt effective immediately for the good of mankind.


    Officially, at least.


    Unofficially, this only applied to independent merchants without connections with the upper nobility. As far as Willow heard, many suspect that the nobles at the capital city running the show saw it as a prime opportunity to wipe the competition off the board, using the impetus of the Halos Alliance as justification.


    It was such a big, ongoing incident that Bards made at least a dozen renditions of the story across an entire month, even out here in Risadel.


    If the hardworking man of Rosarium didn''t hate the nobility before, they certainly do now.


    The hairs of Magni''s tail went rigid. "It''s not my fault—my old man forgot to pay the monthly dues before he croaked!" While Nikolas held the carriage up, Magni circled around back and grabbed a hammer, before smacking the wheel into the axle. "And—hup! And nobody! Can access! His inheritance! Until at least! Another! Year!"


    One last swing, and the wheel''s back in place.


    "Phew!" Magni swiped the sweat off her brow and dropped the hammer without a care. "At least I kept his bird and the wagon..."


    It was a haphazard fix more than anything, but that wasn''t what Willow was worried about.


    She kept a few steps back, keeping a real close eye on the avian mount. There''s a light of intelligence in its eyes, and she rode enough caravans to know that trouble wasn''t far.


    "I''ve never seen a carriage bird like this one before. What''s its name?" Nikolas reached out to pet it...


    "Don''t touch him," Magni said. "Sven here is a Humblewing."


    ...and was instantly pulled away.


    Willow barely saw the movement. In a split second, Markus had grabbed Nikolas and leapt back at least three meters, dragging the young man''s feet. The whiplash was so sudden that Nikolas still had his hand outstretched before he let out a dumbfounded croak, not realizing what he had almost done.


    Despite the sudden move, the beast didn''t seem the slightest bit startled. It just snorted instead, looking down on them.


    The Swordsman''s face was taut, broken out in a cold sweat. "Humblewing... Did I hear that right?"


    Humblewing: as in, "down-to-earth", a roundabout way of saying it was THE flightless bird of flightless birds. But they''re anything but humble; they''re bastards, as proud as sin, and were notorious for holding grudges for life. There had been cautionary tales of a man who was chased to the ends of Crescelias for daring to spit upon a Humblewing''s beak, shared between Beast Tamers as a reminder to never, ever, underestimate them again.


    "Relaaax," Magni drawled. "They''re not as bad as the rumors make them out to be. They''re not stupid, either. As long as you show proper respect, he''ll behave. Especially with me around. Isn''t that right, Sven?"


    Magni stroke under the avian mount''s beak. But Sven looked more annoyed than pleased with the attention, rolling his eyes like she''s being a bother.


    "Okay..." Markus looked half ready for a fight for his life, pulling Nikolas behind him. "I don''t think he likes that."


    "Nah~! That''s just how he is." The girl was all smiles as she continued to pamper the beast. "Sven always likes the attention. My old man and I do this all the time."


    "If you say so...?" Markus was hardly convinced. It was only after about a minute of Magni''s pampering, with nothing happening, that he eventually sighed and relaxed. "I''ll never get you Merchants..."


    Willow relaxed, too, seeing the more experienced adventurer signal the okay. Still, it left one really important question, and she asked, "Are you sure you have him under control? It''ll be a long road."


    "Heh." Magni puffed up her chest. "Of course I''m sure. Sven and I are like two chicks in an egg, two goblins in a hole, two sailors on a boat, two—"


    Nom.


    Everyone stared at where Magni''s head disappeared to.


    "Sven. H-hey, Sven?" Her voice echoed under the bird''s beak. "We talked about this. You''re making me look uncool in front of our new friends. Sven?"


    Their ride won''t be ready for at least another while, it seemed.


    Willow sighed. Turning to Markus and Nikolas, she nodded out toward Risadel''s streets. "I''ll be out to buy a few things. If you need to suit up, now''s your chance."


    "Don''t mind if we do," Markus slurred, and he burped. "C''mon, Nikolas. The guild should have your new gear ready. Let Nose Fixer do her thing."


    "R-Right..."


    Willow didn''t go right away. She let her gaze linger on the retreating duo, particularly on the young man who was breaking out into the big, wide world. And frowned.


    While Magni was desperately struggling in the background, Willow calculated the expenses and plotted the contingencies. It would hurt her finances and could just be another fit of paranoia. But if she''s right? It''s a small price to pay.


    Because someone might die today.


    <hr>


    Today was his first real quest. It was almost surreal for Nikolas to think about.


    The wagon ride was surprisingly smooth and pleasant, despite the rough start. They kept the wheel from falling out thanks to an ''adhesive salve'' that the White Mage brought. Said it should last for the whole day.


    Magni was outside driving and Markus sat beside her as a lookout; a show of muscle, in case anyone thought of doing anything funny. In the back, it was just him and the White Mage.


    Just sitting there.


    In silence.


    Her eyes were on the road trailing behind them, where the walls of Risadel got shorter and the Dragon Tale guildhall on the hill got smaller. Nikolas, sensing she wanted to be left alone, was staring into a dusty corner of the wagon.


    But sometimes, he''d feel a sharp gaze stabbing his back.


    There was just that... narrowed focus in her eyes, like she''s ready to kill something.


    He gulped.


    The White Mage didn''t like him.


    Nikolas was almost certain of it.


    He had heard the Dragon Tale guild''s branches closest to the Evil Lake weren''t too kind toward Bronze-rank beginners. Adventuring in the front lines against mankind''s sworn enemy was a life that could kill lesser men, even on a good day. Unless you proved how tough and capable you were, you''re treated like dead weight.


    Nikolas wasn''t blind to the Silver badge pinned to her cloak. Nor was he ignorant of the fact that, as a White Mage of the Support Corps, she''s obligated to baby-sit and watch over weaker adventurers like himself so they didn''t get themselves killed. She probably saw him as a nuisance.


    As a long-time adventurer whose only experience was the smallest, safest jobs on the board, never allowed to take on anything dangerous because of his mother''s insistence, he would be the first to admit his own inadequacy.


    He''s clumsy. He''s unsure of himself. Favored by the Goddess or not, he accomplished nothing of worth on his own. He could never be so vain that a high luck stat meant he was anyone special. He knew that.


    But he couldn''t give up.


    He''s the only man left to help support his family right now.


    Nikolas tugged at his chest plate, fiddled with the buckler shield, each issued by the Halos Alliance. They felt too small on him, but he knew he won''t be getting anything better soon.


    Little Nicole needed money to pay for the Magic Tower''s tuition. Her future was on the line.


    And his mother... She''s sick, needed medicine to survive the coming winter. Markus''s wife, Kyaeris bless her, was taking care of her right now. Even with a baby coming along, Aunt Haydee still proved to be as strong as a Sailor of the Evil Lake.


    Everyone at the Dragon Tale guild branch from his hometown always complimented how he and her sister could easily find and gather herbs, know all the best spots, and when they would grow. They''d carry entire baskets each week, and when they''re not, they''d busy themselves either helping neighbors with farm work or counting the gald they earned, boasting about what toys and trinkets they would buy from the next traveling merchant.


    But those simpler times were gone. It''s just him now. Menial labor and gathering quests just weren''t enough.


    Markus understood his feelings and had helped convinced his mother to let him go on this journey. That''s when Nikolas opened the Divine Glass and finally chose his Class after almost a three-year delay since his eighteenth birthday, and became a Shielder. It was the only option given to him, like it was his destiny.


    He had fought a few small slimes under Uncle Markus''s guidance, but nothing as real and living as goblins. To mercilessly take the life of a living being... It''s scary. The girls might laugh at him, but the thought made him squeamish inside.


    Even now, he was still coming to terms with the newfound strength of his Class. But when the time came, could he really swallow the hardship? The humiliation?


    Nikolas was content with the silence. He needed to build up the nerve.


    But then...


    "This is too quiet." Magni broke the silence with all the subtlety of a war band of Barbarians. "Isn''t this the part where we share our adventure stories? To pass the time?"


    "Oh, what''s this?" Markus smirked. "Sounds like you''ve got a story you''re dying to tell. Care to share with the caravan?"


    "Uuum... M-Maybe another time."


    "Hah! Well, don''t worry about it. ''Cause I, Markus, esteemed Flying Sword of the Rosarium Wilds, will regale ya with the tale of how I felled a wandering pack of wyverns and saved the current Queen of Rosarium!"


    "Now you''re just full of it," Magni deadpanned. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."


    "Tch. Nobody want''s to hear that story..."


    Markus looked over his shoulder, and Nikolas felt his heart leap to his throat when the man addressed the White Mage at the back.


    "What about you, Nose Fixer? Bet ya seen many interesting things, fixin'' up so many guys after a bar fight."


    "...No comment."


    A cold response.


    The three waited for anything else, but no.


    That was all.


    "...Bah." If an old man could look pouty, then Markus pulled it off. "No fun, that one. Guess we have no choice. You''re up, Merchant."


    "Oh, come on! Why me?"


    Nikolas chuckled despite himself as the two squabbled, feeling the anxiety step off of him. Uncle Markus always joked around, and you could always count on him to cut the tension away with just a few words. The Merchant was so friendly and lively, breathing color into the caravan with her reactions alone. Maybe it''s a bit mean to say, but she always seemed to brighten the mood with her over-the-top pathetic-ness.


    "For what it''s worth," Nikolas said, "I don''t have anything to share either, so—"


    Markus snapped his head toward him so fast, he swore he heard bone crack.


    "Markus?! What—?!"


    "Don''t you ''what'' me! That ain''t true! You''re always going on and on about your little sister, bragging about how great she is!"


    "That''s because she is—! Ah." Nikolas saw the smug grin on Uncle Markus''s face and knew he had been had.


    "Oho~!" Magni had a hand over lips like she heard the most scandalous thing. Taking the opportunity for what it was, she made like a true wolf and capitalized on it. "She''s getting enrolled in the Northern Magic Towers, right? Tell us about her."


    "Yeah, ''Kolas. Tell us."


    In the corner of his eye, even Willow had tilted her head their way in interest.


    Nikolas rubbed the back of his neck. Feeling outnumbered, he couldn''t help but relent.


    "Little Nicole... Well, I guess she''s not so little anymore. She''s starting out as a Mage, chose her Class earlier than most. Even when we were little, she knew what she wanted be. Sometimes she would say things I wouldn''t understand, things that I never even heard of. But I guess that''s how she became the boss of us whenever we went out for herb gathering."


    Markus snorted. "What he didn''t mention was when he jumped into a bush of poisonous ivy one time," he said, ignoring the squawk of protest from Nikolas. "Stayed red and itchy for days. His mother decided that Little Nicole would be the responsible one from then on. Oh, how that brat held it over him, hehe..."


    Magni giggled. "Sounds like a real smarty pants."


    Despite his embarrassment, Nikolas couldn''t help the proud smile that spread across his lips.


    "Yes. She is. Back in our hometown, she''s the smartest girl we know, nose-deep in her books and showing off what she knew. We''ve always told her she can do anything if she put her mind to it. We knew she was special. But we never knew how special until, one day, a traveling mage visited our village and asked to see her Status."


    Nikolas still remembered that moment. The moment when they all learned about how amazing a mana stat of 21, at such a young age and without training, was actually supposed to be. A rare talent seen only in one in a million people. It was the most difficult stat to raise after luck, after all. Ordinary people averaged a mana of 10, and may only reach up to around 30-40 in a lifetime.


    "A potential Grand. Could you believe it?"


    "Wait, hold on, hold on. A Grand!?" Magni looked back at Markus, who nodded in affirmation.


    It was a title given only to the pinnacle of one''s class. They had the power to live in their own terms, contesting the power of entire kingdoms. The Grand Mages of old were also the founders and creators of the Magic Tower, which was how the Collegium of the north and the Unitezlan of the south gained independence as sovereign nations.


    They''re talking about someone who could make it to the history books! His little sister!


    "Yeah, a real prodigy," Nikolas continued. "Nicole had an affinity for water. The traveler got her in through a letter of recommendation. ''The second coming of Anel the Waterfall'', she said. And after that, well," his smile turned strained, "we kept in touch through letters ever since. Last I heard, she finished her placements exams and was going up the ranks even before getting officially enrolled. Something about a workshop? She''s in the top 250. I think she''s aiming for a spot in one of the, uh, Seats of Valor?"


    Magni perked up. "Seats of Valor?"


    "Even I know this one," Markus said. "Used to party with a mage who graduated from the Collegium. Anyone who sits on one of the 24 seats will have the love of the entire Collegium; get first pick of any lecture or class they want, and dibs on anything they''d need. Most end up in the same classes anyway, so they''re called the S-Class. Even if it''s only for a single semester, you would be set for life."


    "I think I remember now," Magni murmured. "My old man once said those guys didn''t have a lick of common sense. Complete monsters, he called them. At least they are where the money is at. But, wait..." Magni scratched a tuft of hair below her ear. "Aren''t all the spots taken? How could she get in?"


    "There is one."


    Everyone looked toward the back.


    For the first time since the ride, the White Mage had turned to face them, engaged with the conversation.


    "W-What do you mean?" Nikolas asked.


    "Every year, the Seats are initially given based on a student''s academic rank and contributions. But there''s a massive gulf between those in the top ten and those at eleven and below. The members between the 11th and 24th Seats are always shifting. Sometimes, someone would fail to keep up or be forced to graduate. It just so happens that the 21st Seat has been made vacant this year."


    "Huh. Convenient." Magni''s eyes were on the road, but her wolf ears swiveled about. "Are you enrolled?"


    "...I was."


    The White Mage turned quiet after that. Her near-permanent glare melted away, leaving behind a softness that made Nikolas realize how small she actually was.


    Nikolas caught himself staring and pretended to cough. The sudden quiet felt awkward, so he blurted out loud the first thing he thought. "Oh! Then Nicole would definitely make it to S-Class! If it''s her, she''ll—!"


    The other three were looking at him funny.


    Realizing how ridiculous he must sound, he felt heat rush up his neck as he laughed to himself and said, "right, what am I saying? I should be proud enough that she made it to—"


    "She will."


    "...Huh?"


    It didn''t come from Markus. Nor from Magni.


    "If she''s rising as fast as you say she is, she may receive the offer by the next yearly cycle. Even if she didn''t, there are still more chances if she''s aiming for a four-year Adept''s Accreditation or an eight-year Master''s. Besides," the White Mage looked him in the eye, "you''re the good luck charm, right? Since you believe she will, then she will."


    It was like there wasn''t a doubt in her mind.


    "Hah!" Markus barked. "She got ya there, kid!"


    The ride grew a lot noisier after that. The moment the White Mage spoke, it was like they got permission to goof off and became a whole different party.


    Making up stories.


    Sharing advice.


    Cracking jokes.


    Nikolas had completely forgotten that they''re on a goblin extermination quest, that lives were on the line. He found himself comforted by the thought that, as a child favored by the Goddess and so long as he believed in it, his family would be fine. He will be fine.


    ...Maybe the White Mage isn''t so bad, after all.