Adventurers don't go adventuring.
That statement might seem wrong, but you could also say it's true.
In truth, when your life is on the line, minimizing danger is what matters.
Gambling everything on a roll of the dice is taboo for those who wager their lives for a living.
My start as an adventurer was about as rock-solid as they come.
So rock-solid, in fact, that even I was getting sick of it.
"Oh, I'm done."
One week. It had been one week since I became an adventurer and started receiving training from Zelphy.
And I was still doing odd jobs around the city of Darion.
Novem kept worrying whenever she watched me work and tried to help, so I'd asked Zelphy to assign her other tasks instead.
Things she could do as a woman—ghostwriting and the like.
Novem came from a baron's family. Perhaps because her upbringing had been strict, she had no trouble with reading or writing.
She could do arithmetic too, and was already accustomed to handling documents.
While I was out working, she'd take on ghostwriting commissions at the guild.
As for me today, I was repairing the wall that surrounded the city.
Specifically, hauling stone blocks around—without using magic.
Magic would have made it easy, but carrying the Jewel already put a cap on my mana consumption.
(And besides, they kept telling me I wasn't allowed to use magic for the work... though I understood their reasoning.)
My ancestors had unanimously banned using magic to speed up manual labor. There was a reason behind it that went beyond mere physical training.
Of course, the reason in question didn't really apply to me in my current situation.
"Hmm, not bad? You're sure to get a B or higher with this."
"Hah... hah... is that so?"
Over the past week, I'd been put through on-the-job training—working while exercising.
Zelphy's assessment of me remained low, partly because I'd burned out during the initial gutter-cleaning task.
Still, I felt like I'd learned something about what it meant to take on jobs within the city over this past week.
"It's a bit early, but let's take tomorrow off. The day after, we're heading outside to hunt some monsters."
"F-finally?"
I was exhausted, but hearing that brought me relief. If I kept doing this kind of work forever, who knew what the First Generation would say.
Besides, the complaints from the Sixth and Seventh Generations were piling up too.
"You've been preparing the way I taught you, right? If not, get your gear ready tomorrow and rest up. Also, keep your body loosened up."
"Understood."
"It's so much easier when you're cooperative. Lyle, your weapon was a saber, and Novem's was a staff, correct?"
I nodded in confirmation to Zelphy.
Zelphy stroked her chin in thought, then nodded several times.
"Lyle, bring a backup weapon. Another saber is fine, or a short sword, something like that. I'd prefer you switch to a different weapon entirely, but I can't force you."
The saber I used could both thrust and cut.
On the other hand, it had a thin blade, which meant it was prone to bending and snapping.
With a regular sword, even if the edge got chipped, you could still use it as a blunt weapon—and in fact, many people used them that way.
The reach was short too; as weapons went, spears and the like were far superior.
"A spear, you mean? I can use one, technically."
"More importantly, I'd like you to carry a shield. I'll step in if I judge things to be dangerous, but the idea is for the two of you to clear out the weaklings in the area."
The surroundings of a city were relatively safe, since adventurers were around. Soldiers were posted too, and they'd head out to slay any dangerous monsters.
Sometimes the knights' order would mobilize as well.
As a result, the areas around cities tended to have lots of weaklings and very few powerful monsters—though "very few" didn't mean "none."
"A shield, huh... I can use one, but I don't own one. Should I buy a cheap one?"
"You don't have any particular preferences? That's fine. Buying backup equipment is a good idea, but think carefully when the weapon type is different. There's no need to splurge on expensive gear, and depending on the situation, some weapons might be completely useless."
Many adventurers used multiple weapons and adapted their fighting style to the situation.
If anything, while it wasn't quite the mainstream approach, that was the trend that was preferred.
However, it was also said that narrowing your weapon selection and honing your techniques was the shortcut to becoming first-rate.
It all came down to the individual.
"...For now, I'll stick with the saber and carry a short sword and buckler as backup."
As I said that, a voice came from the Jewel.
It was the Second Generation.
*"Lyle, pick equipment suited to the situation."*
But the Third Generation objected.
*"Your backup should be another saber. That way, if you snap the first one, having a replacement is convenient."*
Finally, the First Generation spoke.
*"Those are just a bunch of weaklings around here—wouldn't your fists do?"*
*(Could you at least get your stories straight...?)*
I don't think anyone could blame me for thinking that.
"I'll leave the equipment to you. Since we're near the city, there's no need to be too particular. For your first time, it might be better to go with what you're used to."
After that, we got confirmation from the site supervisor who'd come to check on the work, received the paperwork with his evaluation, and headed back to the guild.
I was drenched in sweat from the work, but since I wasn't covered in blood, Zelphy said I didn't need to hit the bath first.
"Go pick up your girlfriend already."
"Ugh... yes, ma'am."
Zelphy and I headed to the second floor of the guild and handed the paperwork to Hawkins.
Hawkins's counter was empty as usual, so we were served right away.
Meanwhile, a huge line had formed at the beautiful receptionist's counter.
"Popular as ever, huh? Actually, isn't that its own problem, dear?"
Hawkins answered Zelphy's question while checking the documents.
He seemed to have his own thoughts on the matter, but there was apparently nothing to be done about it.
"I had her reassigned away from the front desk once, but so many adventurers specifically requested her that we had to put her back."
Sure enough, she was popular at the Darion Adventurers' Guild.
"Wasn't she put out front because she's no good at the actual work? I heard her parent is a senior guild official?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that."
Hawkins dodged Zelphy's question and handed me my reward.
The documents he presented contained my performance evaluation for this job and other details.
The site supervisor had given me a 'B'—the 'Satisfactory' rating—for my work performance. Just as Zelphy had said.
Of course, assigning an 'A' rating required the client to pay additional compensation, which meant A-ratings were rarely given out.
For errand-type commissions like this, 'B' was the ceiling.
"That brings your total completed commissions to twelve. They're all 'C' or 'B' ratings, so keep up the good work."
Hawkins said this with a smile, and I accepted my reward.
Eight large copper coins.
Not a lot for a day's earnings. If an ordinary person worked from morning till evening, they'd pull in at least ten.
"Thank you very much."
I took the money and tucked it into my wallet.
Zelphy was a trainer, so she didn't receive payment for this. She had, however, already collected four gold coins as an advance.
The four gold coins were paid upon successful completion, with an additional gold coin to follow depending on our progress. That extra gold coin was probably the guild's referral fee.
"It's about time we send you outside the city. I've taught you enough about the odd jobs—you'd be able to make a living even if things go wrong. Lyle can read, write, and do math without any issues, from what I can tell."
Zelphy said to Hawkins.
Hawkins looked a little disappointed to hear that.
"That's sooner than I expected."
"We're getting paid for this, after all. If I don't send them out soon, I won't get my money's worth. Was there something?"
"No, it's just that Novem is hardworking—fast and meticulous. She's been handling the ghostwriting requests that come in behind the scenes, and she's built quite a good reputation."
Novem's reputation was high, it seemed.
Her handwriting had always been beautiful, and Hawkins remembered that—which was why she'd been given the ghostwriting work in the first place.
She worked in a partitioned room designed so she wouldn't meet the clients face-to-face, writing letters and such to their specifications.
Even without being seen, she'd apparently earned a good reputation through her voice and demeanor.
"With your seal of approval, she could work as staff even without being an adventurer. If she ever gets hurt, she could always take a job at the guild."
"Ha ha ha, we'd be happy to have her, but I'd rather she not get hurt. Lyle, you take good care of yourself too."
"Ah, yes."
Once the paperwork was done, Hawkins went around back to call for Novem. After a short wait, she emerged from the staff entrance.
"Lord Lyle."
I raised my hand in a small wave back at Novem, who was smiling and waving gently at me.
*"Man, Novem-chan is just as cute today... Come on, Lyle, at least learn to give a compliment."*
*(Fourth Generation, shut up.)*
Zelphy told Novem, who had walked over, about the plans for tomorrow.
"Novem, rest up tomorrow. The day after, we're heading outside the city so you can experience monster hunting. You're prepared, right? Well, if you're not, I'll give you an earful and put you to work on odd jobs."
"Yes, Zelphy."
We confirmed the plan for the day after tomorrow, then Novem and I parted ways with Zelphy.
Zelphy, as a trainer, apparently had to submit daily reports to the guild. The trainer's job looked like it had its own share of hassles.
"Shall we head home?"
"Yes. Let's do some shopping on the way back."
"Oh, in that case—I've got today's earnings. I'll cover it."
"Is that so? How much did you make today?"
"Eight large copper coins! What about you, Novem?"
"...Six large copper coins."
That brief exchange took us from the room to the bottom of the stairs.
I didn't think anything of it. But my ancestors seemed to understand...
*"What a good girl... deliberately underselling herself to make her man look good. Meanwhile, Lyle can't even manage a single compliment."*
Sick of the Fourth Generation's prodding, I tried to praise Novem.
"Hawkins had good things to say about you. He said you're fast and thorough... so, uh, good job."
I thought I'd done my best, but my ancestors' ratings were harsh.
Starting from the First Generation:
*"Zero."*
*"Ten."*
*"Hmm, I'll give you a thirty for the fresh earnestness."*
*"Zero."*
*"Huh, me too? ...Fifteen."*
*"You're all so harsh. Ah—thirty."*
*"Sorry, Lyle... twenty."*
*(Stop scoring me! Even I knew it sounded half-baked while I was saying it!)*
Yet Novem seemed genuinely happy with my lukewarm attempt at praise.
She smiled, covered her mouth with her hand, and thanked me.
"Thank you. But you're the one out there working so hard, Lord Lyle—you must have it tougher."
"Ah, well... it's not that big a deal, really."
As I stood there flustered, another voice from the Jewel told me to "get it together."
The two of us headed to the public bathhouse next to the guild, washed off the sweat, then went shopping.
...Later, when I casually asked Hawkins how much Novem had earned that day, it turned out to be nine large copper coins.
A day off at last.
Since coming to Darion, it had been nothing but odd jobs and physical labor, with hardly any time to rest.
But we had something we needed to do on this day off.
Namely, visit the real estate agency.
"How about this one? It's a popular apartment among adventurers. Three rooms, and most importantly, it comes with a bath and toilet."
The young clerk at the real estate agency was showing us one of their available properties.
I wanted to just pick one right away, but Novem was cautious.
"How much is it?"
"Let's see... six silver coins for the deposit, then fifty large copper coins a month. That's a pretty good deal, I think?"
"...Could you show us the next property?"
*(We're still looking?)*
It was already the fourth place, but I went along with Novem to check out another apartment. Location-wise, it was close to the guild—very convenient.
However, apparently not many ordinary people wanted to live near the guild, so most of the properties in the area were geared toward adventurers.
The next apartment was smaller than the last one. But it was dirt cheap.
"This one's a real bargain. One silver coin deposit, and just thirty-five large copper coins a month!"
The clerk was pushing it hard, and it did seem like a good deal—affordable and just the right size. It was only the two of us, so small was fine.
But Novem didn't seem satisfied and was examining the room with a serious expression.
A voice came from the Jewel as well.
*"I'd pass on this one."*
It was the Third Generation's voice. Lately, it felt like the rules were starting to break down. I wished they'd think of me and stay out of it as much as possible, but even when I asked, everyone except the Fifth Generation chimed in anyway.
I asked in a low voice.
"Why?"
*"I've got a bad feeling about it, that's all. I'd rather go back to the previous one. Besides, didn't they replace the wallpaper in spots? ...That one section looks suspicious."*
The Third Generation's reasoning was, well, a gut feeling.
"Um, well... maybe this one isn't ideal?"
Trusting the Third Generation's instinct, I voiced my objection. Novem, it turned out, agreed.
"I think so too. Could you show us other properties?"
"...Of course. (Huh... so they really can tell, huh...?)"
I heard the clerk mutter something under his breath, and while I was curious about what he was hiding, I also felt it was better left unknown.
In the end, we decided not to move into any of the apartments.
After Novem had picked through them and the ancestors had weighed in, what we ended up choosing wasn't an apartment but a standalone house.
It was a rental, but a reasonably spacious one.
It needed some work, but with eight silver coins as the down payment and sixty-five large copper coins a month, it was roomy and had the potential to be even nicer with some improvements.
There weren't many houses nearby, and there was no sign of new ones going up anytime soon. In fact, I was told the number was declining.
"It's only for a limited time, but two years is long enough—we might move by then anyway, so this works out perfectly, Lord Lyle."
"Y-yeah... but the apartments were closer to the guild—I feel like those might've been better?"
We didn't have much in the way of belongings, so the move would be quick.
We could've hired someone to clean it, but Novem and I decided to do it ourselves—since it was our home.
It had been designated for redevelopment, scheduled for demolition in two years.
As a result, there weren't many houses around.
I couldn't say there were none at all, but for a city the size of Darion, the neighborhood felt a bit desolate. What would they build here after the redevelopment?
"The neighbors are adventurers too, it seems. I guess like minds really do think alike."
Right—and there were plenty of adventurers nearby.
It was cheap for what it was, specifically because of the time limit.
We'd gotten a spacious house with a bath and toilet. No complaints. But the reason my ancestors had chosen this place was a bit rough.
*"This way, no matter how loud we get, we won't bother the neighbors!"*
There it was.
In their minds, my marriage to Novem was already a done deal. In other words, they'd picked this place so we'd get on with married life posthaste.
*(How the hell am I supposed to do that with all of you watching?!)*