The capital of the Kingdom of Banseim — Central.
Being a national capital, it was a sprawling metropolis teeming with people.
They say all the people and goods in the country converge here, and once you see the sheer scale compared to other cities, you have no choice but to accept it.
Central was a city where elegant main streets coexisted with dark, aging alleyways.
And in that city, I — Lyle Walt, called "the idiot son" and "Darion" — was visiting alongside my ex-fiancée, Novem Foxes, and Aria Lockward, whom I'd taken under my wing as a fellow Darion companion after she became a novice adventurer.
Having gone from noble son to adventurer, I was now in Central making preparations for my next home base.
Central may have been the heart of the kingdom, but it was not an adventurer-friendly city.
That was because you could earn work there without becoming an adventurer.
Safety was maintained by knights and soldiers, leaving adventurers with extremely few opportunities.
Even when work did come up, it was mostly established adventurers taking on commissions from nobles and merchants.
Everything else really did feel like it belonged to the dregs living day to day.
A place like Central simply couldn't serve as a base for adventurer activities.
However, Central saw a great deal of foot traffic, and its roads were well maintained.
It was a convenient place to stop by when traveling elsewhere.
Novem, whose long, light-brown hair was pulled into a side ponytail, was sipping post-meal black tea at a light-food shop she had ducked into for lunch.
Her fair skin and violet eyes were almost hypnotic.
If there was anything I could pride myself on, it would be this exceptional ex-fiancée of mine, Novem.
And yet, she was perhaps a little too exceptional — she had taken my harem plan, which I'd blurted out as a lie, completely seriously and was actually trying to put it into action.
She was perfect, but was there perhaps something missing underneath?
The one thinking this alongside Novem — and one other.
Aria, whose wavy red hair fell to around the middle of her back.
She was a companion we'd picked up during our fight against the bandits, one who had been tagging along with us ever since Darion joined the party.
The three of us were now sitting around a round table at a light-bites eatery.
We'd just finished eating, and it was time to start sharing what we'd each gathered.
I spoke first.
"I've been looking at weapons and armor around here these past few days, but I think heading to the free city of Baim might still be a bit premature. Every shop owner I talked to said the same thing — that we should build up our strength somewhere before going there."
Baim was a city run by merchants, and for adventurers it offered a comfortable lifestyle with plenty of work to be found.
At the same time, though, the neighborhoods outside the merchant districts had a reputation for poor security.
They said that without real skill to back us up, a pair of young adventurers like us could easily be picked off as easy prey.
I was confident we could hold our own in a fight, but causing trouble wasn't exactly wise.
Novem agreed.
"I was thinking the same thing. I was out shopping with Aria, and she told me Baim would be rough. She also mentioned that our small numbers were a problem."
As adventurers, a three-person party was on the smaller side.
Numbers meant power, and the sheer size of a group alone could make others think twice before picking a fight.
However, being short on members and being teenagers like us made us easy targets.
Aria had come to the same conclusion.
"The shopkeepers told me straight up that a young girl shouldn't head there as an adventurer. There are tons of mercenary companies stationed there too, and plenty of people you'd rather not cross paths with."
Baim was certainly a comfortable place for adventurers — that much was true. But the poor security was an equally real fact.
Still, for an adventurer, Baim was an indispensable place if you wanted to make a name for yourself. Many well-known adventurers had earned their reputations there.
Then again, my ultimate goal isn't to succeed as an adventurer.
—No, that's not quite right. I don't even have a goal.
I'm only adventuring to survive, so I'd be perfectly fine with earning just enough to get by.
But there are circumstances that won't let me take it that easy.
"If that's the case, then Baim is off the table. Even if we did go, it'd be better once we've got a full party. Ideally we'd find a party that already has a decent number of members."
When I said that, Novem looked displeased.
It wasn't uncommon for parties of two or three to team up for jobs. Plenty of adventurers would cooperate when there was work and otherwise keep to themselves.
But Novem seemed to be against the idea.
"I'm opposed. The leader of this party is Lyle. However, both he and I are fifteen, age-wise. If we team up with others, we'll definitely be treated as the youngest ones."
Then Aria mumbled something that had nothing to do with anything.
"...I'm sixteen, you know."
"Is that so? Let's keep getting along, then, Aria."
Novem refused to budge on my position as leader.
Back in the city of Darion, I'd been taught all sorts of things by instructors who had accumulated plenty of experience as adventurers.
For three months, I'd been building up foundational knowledge and experience.
But it was all just the basics.
"If teaming up with another party is out of the question... then I guess we really have no choice but to recruit. But how many adventurers are actually going to want to join a party like ours?"
We were all basically young.
If anything, we were still in our growing phase rather than our prime working years.
If someone saw our potential, we might gain new members — but in most cases, it was larger parties that recruited promising newcomers as next-generation fighters.
A party started with only young people doesn't tend to go so smoothly.
"If you think about it that way, why not consider the scholarly city? I've heard Aramsass has a large library, along with plenty of private academies and dojos. There's also a school for learning, and it seems to welcome a wide range of young people."
Hearing that, it almost sounded like they were telling me to go enroll in a school.
But just like me, Novem was born into a noble family.
We had received an education, starting with reading and writing.
Aria had no issues with reading, writing, or arithmetic either. She had at least a basic understanding of etiquette and manners as well.
"You want to learn something specialized? Finding the time and money for that won't be easy. Besides, I don't intend to spend years attending a school."
When I said that, Novem shook her head.
"We don't need to enroll in the school ourselves. We should reach out to people who have already graduated from a school, or those aiming to become adventurers in the scholarly city."
Aria nodded repeatedly, apparently convinced.
"Come to think of it, the second and third sons and daughters of the noble families in Central attend school too. I often hear about the younger sons who can't inherit the family, or the second and third daughters picking up skills to go into government service. Of course, I also hear plenty of stories about them quickly failing and becoming adventurers or mercenaries."
Novem continued from where Aria's explanation left off.
"If there are young people who already have a certain level of knowledge, experience, and skills, why not recruit them in Aramsass? There's no rush — we could study on our own while also taking on Guild work."
Hearing this, Aria chimed in with something she had just remembered.
"Aramsass is a scholarly city, so I heard ages ago that there are a lot of strange requests. Besides, there seem to be plenty of adventurers like us there too. Lots of people probably stay there looking for companions or trying to form parties."
And so, having heard both of their opinions, I deliberated on whether we should head to Aramsass.
That was when a voice came from the blue Jewel hanging around my neck.
The Jewel — a jewel that records and conveys the single Skill a person manifests.
A jewel
that has recorded eight Skills.
A tool that possesses the means to convey the stages of Skills and methods of use that cannot be fully communicated through a jewel alone.
The blue Jewel I possessed had the characteristic of generating support-type Skills.
The red jewel that Aria wore around her neck [recorded] front-line type Skills.
And the yellow jewel went on to record rear-guard type Skills.
Such were the jewels, but once they became Jewels, a certain great change occurred.
"A library, is it... In my era, there was no academic city, was there? Was it perhaps called the [City of Sages]? I heard it was a gathering of stubborn old men."
The voice I heard was the Third Generation's—
The voice of the Third Generation head of House Walt, the provincial noble family that was my birthplace—Slei Wolt—reached my ears.
That's right.
The memories, the hearts... recorded within Skills—those are what teach you how to use a Skill.
Of course, that wasn't always a good thing.
His golden hair, which didn't even reach his shoulders, was silky smooth.
House Walt had become a count's family, but during the Third Generation's time, it was a baronetcy—
One rank above the lowest rank of Knight Baron.
He was someone whose name was preserved in history for protecting the king's retreat during a large-scale battle... but this man didn't look like that kind of noble commander at all.
He was a smart, always-smiling, golden-haired, blue-eyed nice young man.
That was the kind of person he was.
Following the Third Generation's voice, the Fourth Generation's voice could be heard.
"You really do love books, don't you? If only you'd shown that much enthusiasm for domestic governance while you were alive."
The Third Generation laughed in response to the Fourth Generation's rather backhanded remark.
"There's no such thing as moderation more than anything. Besides, even if I hadn't done it myself, I had subordinates back then, and I could have just handled things according to the Second Generation's plans."
The Third Generation, who had carved the Walt family name into the history of the Kingdom of Banseim as its first local noble, was by nature a laid-back person who didn't seem to care much about anything.
He had little interest in domestic affairs or warfare, in particular.
(How on earth is this man supposed to be a righteous general…?)
While I was thinking that, Novem spoke to me with concern. It seemed my expression had grown somber.
"Is something the matter, Lord Lyle? Are you feeling unwell?"
To Novem, who was worried about me, Aria spoke coldly.
"I-It's because you stay up so late! Y-You say things like that…"
I retorted at Aria, whose face had turned red.
"Things like that? Rather, I went to bed early yesterday. The only time I stayed up late was the first day I came to Central. And besides, you were the one who looked sleepy."
I pushed back, but Aria reacted with unusual defiance.
"Wh-Whose fault is that! Whose!"
Incidentally—
The voices from this Jewel could not be heard by anyone around me.
And to add to that, each successive head—who possessed Skills equal in number—spoke to me from within the Jewel.
The number was seven—no, it had been seven.
Now it was six of my ancestors who spoke to me like this. But since those around me couldn't hear them, it caused all sorts of problems.
The Second Generation, who favored a hunter style, spoke up.
Incidentally, from the Second Generation through the Fourth Generation, they doted on Novem quite a bit.
But Aria was different.
"What a nagging woman."
The Sixth Generation agreed with that.
"Quite right."
And finally... my grandfather, the Seventh Generation, summed things up.
"Either way, if Baim is out of the question, wouldn't Aramsass work? The Third Generation probably wants to read books too, so we could assemble our party there before heading to Baim. Besides, when it comes to knowledge and technology, the academic city is well-known not just around Banseim, but throughout the entire region."
Sometimes pestering.
Sometimes making so much noise they drained my mana until I collapsed.
Sometimes offering advice — these ancestors of mine.
I took their opinions into account and reached a conclusion.
"Alright. It's safer than going to Baim, and it sounds like it'll be worthwhile."
No, to be precise, it was simply that the personalities of the Successive Heads resided within the recorded Skills.
Just that — and yet... the Jewel had recorded even their hearts.
Six figures who were truly a handful, yet such a blessing...
"Anyway, let's prepare to head to Aramsass as soon as we're ready. Lord Lyle, we need to get tickets for the linked carriages."
Novem held Aria back and urged me to purchase the tickets.
Linked carriages were, quite literally, carriages linked together. The name said it all, but the system allowed them to transport large numbers of people and supplies.
This was made possible through the use of Mana Tools, which reduced the horses' fatigue while boosting their power.
They were one of the primary means of transportation connecting large cities and towns.
"Got it. If we leave from here... should we try to depart tomorrow, if we can get the tickets?"
When I confirmed with the two of them, both Novem and Aria nodded.
Novem smiled.
Aria blushed and averted her gaze.
(Did I really do something?)
While I was wondering whether I had done something wrong to Aria, the Fourth Generation—who was always careful about how he handled women—let out a sigh.
"You really don't notice, do you...? Lyle, you should study up on a few things."
I thought.
(That's exactly why I'm going to the academic city...)
We boarded a connected carriage from Central and headed toward Aramsass.
Since the highway was well-maintained, we stayed at inns in towns along the way and arrived in just under five days.
If it had been a regular carriage or on foot, it would have taken much longer.
Once we crossed the wall surrounding the city and entered, we were surprised by its construction, which was unlike any town or city we had seen before.
"Incredible."
As I muttered that, Novem, who had just stepped down from the connected carriage, agreed.
"I've heard there are all sorts of research facilities here, so it really is different from other cities."
Aria agreed as well.
She had only heard about it, so she was probably still surprised since it was her first time here.
"That central building looks even taller than the royal palace in Central, doesn't it? Still, I have to say..."
Before Aria could finish, I spoke up.
"This is insane."
The city, which had completely disregarded any notion of aesthetics, was filled with tall buildings crammed together everywhere. At the same time, there were even buildings with bizarre designs.
Rows of chimneys puffed out billowing smoke, and right next to them stood buildings that looked as though they'd been carved out of enormous plants.
It felt even more haphazard than Central.
"How should I put it... it feels like everything's been forced into a box," Novem said.
Aria nodded in agreement.
"Now that you mention it, it is kind of like a little boy's toy box. Not neatly arranged at all—just tossed right in."
Hearing the words "toy box," I found myself dredging up old memories.
This was from back when I still hadn't been abandoned by my parents.
My father, coming home with new toys.
My mother, getting angry because I never put them away.
A very nostalgic memory.
Still, those warm memories came to an end when I was ten.
The reason was my little sister, Ceres.
A sister who was stronger than me, smarter than me, and loved by everyone.
According to the First Generation—who now teaches me everything and has acknowledged me—
"A monster."
The First Generation, whom I can no longer meet because he acknowledged me and fulfilled his role as the Jewel.
The one the First Generation warned me about with such caution was my own sister, Ceres.
(Will I be able to surpass Ceres if I train here?)
Beaten black and blue by my sister and thrown out of the house after losing to her, I had come to see her as nothing more than an object of terror.
(…I should try not to think about it for now. But someday, someday...)
With that decided in my heart, I picked up Novem and Aria's luggage and moved out from there.
"Alright, let's find an inn and relax. You must be tired from all that traveling."
When I said that, Aria talked back.
"You're the one who's tired, Lyle. Don't go collapsing on us again like you always do."
...Since the Jewel had drained my mana and I'd collapsed countless times, I had no comeback.
Then Novem chimed in to back me up. Or rather, she tried to...
"You've already had your 'growth' experience, Lord Lyle, so you'll be fine. Right, Lord Lyle?"
Growth... In this world, there are times when you feel as though you've broken through a wall, and yet also been reborn all at once.
It is, without a doubt, an event that surpasses who you were before.
But at the same time, it's also when your head tends to get too big.
Aria, who had been watching me, pressed her hand over her mouth, struggling to hold back her laughter.
Novem was looking at me with a warm, enveloping smile.
"...Stop. Please stop."
Just remembering it is enough to make my face turn red.
Normally, people experience growth much earlier, but I was fifteen before I first felt it.
I'd experienced it, and then gotten carried away with the thrill of being reborn.
Now it's a memory I'd rather never think about again.
Aria spoke up.
"Lyle... that time was really amusing, you know."
I shot back.
"I told you to stop! Besides, Aria, you were saying stuff like 'I wasn't like that back then!' too, weren't you? That means something happened between you two! It definitely did!"
"Th-there was no such thing!"
Then a voice came from the Jewel.
It was the Fourth Generation.
*Such an attitude toward a girl... I'll give you a lecture later, okay?*
Sometimes, only my consciousness gets sucked into the Jewel.
That way, I can meet with my ancestors.
The fact that there'd be a lecture later meant I'd surely be summoned.
Then the driest of them all, the Fifth Generation, spoke up.
*Ignore that fool who's been whipped by the woman over there and go find an inn. Stop making a scene and drawing attention.*
Among all the Successive Heads, the Fifth Generation had kept the most concubines, and in House Walt he was said to be the greatest womanizer of them all.
But in truth, that wasn't the case.
He had hardly any interest in romance.
Instead, he had a peculiar soft spot for adorable animals.
"...Damn, there's no point in causing a scene here. Let's go."
"...Fine."
I averted my gaze from Aria's glare and started looking around for an inn.
I was thinking that if I saw a signboard, I'd go inside and ask if they had any vacancies.
That's when Novem looked at me and Aria and giggled.
"What's so funny?"
When she heard that, Novem answered with a smile.
"No, I was just happy to see that the two of you have gotten closer than before. Now then, shall we go?"
When Novem said that, I didn't know how to respond.
The one I truly love is Novem, and I've even confessed to her.
But Novem's answer was, "No settling until you've built a harem!"
Wondering where I had gone wrong, I walked along the streets of the academic city Aramsass with my shoulders slumped.