“I’m sorry Mr. Kamao, but rules are rules.” The clerk shook her head, giving him a look of pity. Did they think he was lying for bragging rights?

“But I…” Kasla paused, thinking for a moment. Perhaps it was a blessing to be thought of as a braggart or else it could land Chrono in trouble, especially with how people were talking about the burst incident. He let out a heavy sigh. “I understand. Sorry, I just got overexcited.”

“No need to worry, you seem to have the Adventurer fire and spirit within you. With that, I am willing to bet that you’ll get a rank increase soon and the training needed to go monster hunting next.”  

“Ah… Thank you.”

An arm slipped around Kasla’s neck, surprising him and the clerk. “Congratulations, you’re now an official Adventurer, Kasla!” A familiar face smiled down at him, yellow eyes full of warmth.

“Mi-mi?!” Kasla was startled to see her so soon.

“Didn’t I say I’d see you at the Guild?” Mi-mi let out a chuckle at Kasla’s shock before turning her attention to the clerk. “Since he is done registering, I hope you don’t mind me taking him off of your hands.”

“But I have yet to orient him about the ranks and not to mention the rules of the Guild!” the clerk protested, eyes wide behind her glasses. “You know how strict the Guildmaster is!”

“Psh, he’s my junior. I’ll give him all the necessary information for him to get by in the Guild.” Mi-mi waved her hand dismissively, her other arm still around Kasla’s shoulders.

“But the Guildmaster…!”

“Tell the midget that I’m going to personally show the kid the ropes.” Mi-mi placed both hands on Kasla’s shoulders. “He’s going to assist me. I’ll be responsible if anything happens to him.”  

The clerk opened her mouth to protest, but Mi-mi quickly turned Kasla and guided him out of the Guild. The two of them stood on the steps of the Guild, Kasla blinking in the morning sun while Mi-mi looked amused. She kept walking and he followed automatically, speechless at what had just transpired.

“Sorry I drag you out of there. It was rude of me, but I did mean it that I’ll guide you. Besides, it would take the whole day for orientation to finish and that’s a waste of both our time.” She cast a look at Kasla to see his expression.

“Is this about your fetch quest, Mi-mi? Is it that important?” Kasla’s curiosity piqued at Mi-mi’s insistence and determination to take him under her wing. Maybe I was wrong that fetches are mundane tasks like picking up herbs and cleaning the gutters…

“Yes, it’s an important fetch quest and time is of the essence.” Mi-mi’s expression and tone were serious, the urgency explaining their hurry. Kasla gulped nervously, but a jolt of excitement ran through him in anticipation. “It's a rescue operation.”

“A rescue operation?!” exclaimed Kasla, unable to contain his excitement. That’s so cool! My first mission and it’s a rescue mission! “Is it like a secret mission? Are we going to rescue people?!”

Mi-mi smiled widely, turning to look at him. Kasla felt his heart thundering, the anticipation killing him. “We will be rescuing someone of great importance.” His eyes grew wider. “We’ll be rescuing a Noble girl’s pet slime.” Kasla stared at Mi-mi, taking a moment to process what she said. 

“Huh?”

⁜

Mi-mi led Kasla through the city, passing various traders and stores that looked familiar from the day before. However Kasla’s attention was on the scroll in his hands that she had given him.  

Quest Rank: E

Type: Fetch

Request: Missing pet slime “Nava”

Description: Pink slime with a green ribbon with a heart charm over left ear

Reward: 10,000 Small Gold coins

Last seen: Forest of Thome

Client: Noelle von Gown

Kasla stared wide-eyed at the quest, eyeing the handwriting of the requester. The handwriting is a little too formal and that amount of gold is way too much! It’s not nearly as much as the King’s reward, but still! I can’t imagine seeing, let alone have that much in my lifetime!

Mi-mi smiled at Kasla’s awe. “The Guildmaster personally gave me this quest to avoid other Adventurers just taking a random slime and dressing it up. With that amount of money other Adventurers will take advantage.”

Kasla swallowed, nodding. That makes sense… Since slimes look all the same, anyone could just dress up a random wild slime and turn it in to get the money… 

Yet here he was, teaming up with Mi-mi for this special mission—a complete stranger and newbie. 

“Then why me?”

“Hm, dunno.” Mi-mi shrugged with a smile, tapping her chin in thought. “Maybe a little birdie told me you were a good person.” If she noticed Kasla’s confusion she didn't acknowledge it. She kept moving as he handed her the scroll back.

“So, for your first lesson as an Adventurer: You need information in regards to your commission. It is vital to know the details and also the location of where the commission is based. For that we need a map.” She suddenly stopped, prompting Kasla to do the same as he realized they were in front of the small fountain where he had first encountered Chrono. 

Mi-mi raised her hand as she stepped forward, “Morning, Mapmaker!”

Kasla’s eyes widened. On the fountain’s edge, sitting, was none other than Chrono. He was happily eating rice with shredded chicken on top, apparently enjoying his breakfast outdoors. Next to him was his grim faced father who was busy writing in a journal, his bag noticeably filled with various scrolls.

At the greeting Chrono’s father lifted his head, spotting Mi-mi while Kasla ducked behind her. “Syssmi. Good morning.” The tired looking man greeted with a nod, somehow looking more exhausted than the day before, the dark circles under his eyes deeper.  

“I hope you have the map I need? Also, I hope you’re alright now, I heard what happened yesterday from the lil guy.” Mi-mi looked with concern at the man’s present state, glancing at Chrono who waved.

“I’m good, thank you for your concern.” Chrono’s father let out a sigh, closing his journal. “Right. The Forest of Thome?”

“Yep!” Mi-mi snapped her fingers, winking.

“Alright, it will take a few minutes to find.” He turned his attention to his bag. He began rummaging, scanning the scrolls’ labels and mumbling. “Please move so I can see.”

Mi-mi looked at Chrono who was focusing on his meal. She took a few steps towards him, smiling. He looked up and responded with a timid smile.

Kasla popped out from behind Mi-mi with a broad grin. “Heya!” Chrono stared at Kasla with wide eyes and an open mouth, some rice falling out. He hurriedly placed his food to the side and jumped down, rushing over.

“Happy to see you too, Rabbit,” Kasla smiled, a wave of happiness sweeping over him as the boy embraced him. At the nickname Chrono looked up, pouting. 

Kasla let out a laugh. “Haha, I’m just kidding. I’m glad to see you again, Chrono.” He gently patted Chrono’s head, ruffling his white hair. “By the way! I’m an official Adventurer! See?” He pulled out his ID tag, grinning proudly. “It’s all thanks to you having my back.”

Chrono brightened, jumping up and down. He pulled out his chalkboard and began writing fast. He showed it to Kasla with an eager expression. “So! Are you going to tell me what your wish is?” 

Kasla blinked in confusion, trying to think. As he thought Chrono wrote more, his expression becoming one of determination. “You said you would tell me your wish if we meet again.”

“Oh!” Kasla let out a chuckle as he remembered, giving an amused smile. “It’s a little too soon for that, don’t you think?” Chrono pouted, looking betrayed.

“What? I did say maybe I’d tell you in the future.” Kasla’s smile widened into a mischievous grin, amused. 

“A wish, hm?” Mi-mi leaned in, curious.

“Yeah, it’s a secret.” Kasla held a finger to his lips, winking. His attitude only frustrated Chrono more.

“You’re cheating, big brother Kasla!” Chrono wrote in haste, underlining for emphasis as his frown deepened.  

“Aha! I bet his wish is that he wants to be rich or have a harem like many Adventurers' dreams.” Mi-mi cast a critical glance at Kasla.

“What?! No!” Kasla exclaimed, feeling himself grow warm at the suggestion.

Mi-mi let out a dramatic gasp, looking horrified. “Is that a blush I see? So it’s true!” A playful tease entered her voice as she eyed Kasla.

“It’s not like that! It never crossed my mind, not one bit! Not ever!” Kasla insisted, shaking his head as he held up his hands. His whole face was red as he tried to shake the thought from his mind. 

It was the furthest wish, but he was not about to spill his true heart’s desire. Not until he found Time Zero.

“Adventurers want what?” Chrono gave the two a confused look while Mi-mi was entertained by Kasla’s flustered state.

“I’m just teasing your big brother here. Although—” Mi-mi was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. The trio’s attention went to Chrono’s father who certainly looked even more in need of a nap.  

“The map of the Forest of Thome as you requested.” He held out a scroll with a violet string around it. On the label was the forest’s name as well as what appeared to be another name, unreadable at a distance. “That will be twenty small gold coins, Syssmi.”

“Right, right.” Mi-mi retrieved the money from her pouch and handed it over in exchange for the map. “Anything to note in the area, Mapmaker?”

“The forest that you will be entering contains a variety of monsters that are Rank E to Rank C. I have put on the map where the Rank C monsters patrol. I advise you to avoid it at all costs.”

“Thanks, we will keep that in mind. We’ll be off now. Come on, Kasla.” Mi-mi grabbed Kasla by the arm, pulling him along with no time to waste.

Kasla hurried to keep up, twisting around to wave. “Bye, Chrono! Bye, Chrono’s dad! Wish us luck on this mission!”

Chrono’s father opened his mouth as if to say more, but the two were already gone. A tired sigh escaped him and he shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose as he fought an on-coming headache. “Kids…”

Chrono tugged on his sleeve, drawing his father’s attention to the chalkboard. “What’s a hair-um, Dad?”