Chapter 2: Preparations That Can Be Done in the Village

First, I started seriously helping Mother with her work.

Cooking, laundry, cleaning… my goal was to master the skills needed to keep myself and my surroundings in order.

They would definitely be useful once I left for the city and became an adventurer.

I had helped out before too, but only by doing what I was told.

Once my attitude changed, the results changed as well.

I could feel myself improving, and it started becoming fun.

Even the twice-a-week school classes felt exciting when I thought of them as preparation for becoming an adventurer.

You have to accurately read request forms and write reports.

You can pay someone else to write them for you, but that costs money.

Math is necessary too.

You have to manage expenses, the inventory of gathered materials, the money earned from selling them, and figure out how much can be spent on equipment.

In geography class, we learned about monster habitats and the kinds of food that could be gathered locally.

Amazing!

It really feels like I’m getting closer to my dream.

Meanwhile, the kids who received combat-oriented skills started neglecting their studies.

“If we strike first, that’s enough.”

“If we can defeat them in one hit, who needs knowledge?”

That’s what they said.

Even Gald pushed me away, saying, “Are you really aiming to become an adventurer? You should give up.”

Even though we’d worked hard together all this time.

But during the children’s training sessions run by the village watch, the difference in skills started becoming obvious.

The rate of growth was clearly different.

Guys who used to be weaker than me began surpassing me in combat techniques.

“S-Sorry.”

During one-on-one training, my wooden sword got knocked flying.

“No, my bad too. It slipped because of the sweat.”

I pretended not to care.

But my back hunched over as I went to pick it up.

“He just got unlucky with his skill, so go easy on him.”

That kind of heckling reached my ears.

I became painfully aware of everyone’s gazes, and I could feel my face turning red.

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

Not long ago, it was the other way around.

It’s frustrating.

What even are skills?!

Does all the effort and training we’ve built up until now become meaningless that quickly?

Aaaah!

Why isn’t my skill suited for adventurers?!

I somehow finished training and returned home.

I showed Mother a smile and said, “Today’s training was useful too.”

I didn’t want her telling me, “It’s pointless, so quit.”

Even the warm soup couldn’t warm my chilled heart.

As I washed the dishes, I thought to myself.

…Then should I just give up on becoming an adventurer?

Should I go to the city and honestly become a kitchen helper at some diner instead?

No, even if I do give up, I’ll do it after trying first.

I won’t let other people decide for me.

I’ll keep going until I’m satisfied myself.

I’d read adventurer biographies over and over and already made up my mind about that.

For example, there’s always the childhood friend who regrets never taking on the challenge.

Then there’s the companion who realizes they’re too weak to keep up, but pushes themselves anyway and dies.

Those kinds of characters appear all the time.

Since I’m not the protagonist, I need to make sure I become neither of those.

That’s why I’ll challenge it.

And if I truly think it’s impossible, then I’ll give up at that point.

…This kind of thinking probably makes me seem like an old man.

Too cautious.

A coward.

People say children should be carefree and reckless… but that’s just not the type of person I am, and that makes things hard.

The line “Recklessness and courage are different things” saved me.

That’s why I’ll do it.

For now, I’ll challenge it.

Around the time I became capable of handling most things around me on my own, I told my parents that I wanted to leave for the city once I turned twelve.

A lot of children leave for the city around that age.

As a trial, they allowed me to start working at the village inn from age eleven.

On the condition that school and helping at home came first, and only when the inn was busy with guests.

But while earning pocket money, I could ask merchants about travel tips and listen to adventurers’ stories.

Day by day, my dream started feeling more and more realistic.

Those days spent preparing were incredibly enjoyable.