Chapter 2: Rapid Growth│Read translated stories and daily updates at: Awebstories.com

“…Extreme Flame Explosion —Flare Burst!”

As soon as the spell was chanted from Alfred’s mouth, a huge flame appeared and flew towards the monster.

The monster was gigantic, more than ten meters tall.

Most of the time, it would take a group of B-class adventurers to defeat this kind of powerful monster, but Alfred’s magic was strong enough to allow him and I to defeat it on our own.

In fact, the giant that was hit by the spell fell slowly, its body charred black.

The explosion produced a roaring sound in the forest, and a gust of wind blew in, knocking down the trees.

” Al! You did it!”

“Haha! I did it, Oldman! “

Al and I confirmed that the giant was indeed dead, and we high-fived each other in joy.

It’s been three months since Al was expelled from Guise’s party.

I’ve given Al all the skills that I have.

I’m still a B-class adventurer, and I’m pretty sure I’m pretty good at swordplay and magic.

That’s why I thought it would take a few years for him to fully master them, but he far exceeded my expectations and mastered them in just three months.

Today’s battle with the giant was part of Al’s final test.

I figured that if he could show me that he was strong enough to defeat it, then there was nothing more I could teach him anymore.

And Al lived up to that expectation.

“…Now you’ve surpassed me. Oh, man, I thought it would take longer… What kind of person are you? “

He mumbles to himself as he cuts open the giant’s body and picks up the magical stone and bones.

“That’s because the Oldman taught me well. At least I didn’t expect to be this strong. I always thought I was a weak person…”

“In your old party, you had so many things to do that you didn’t have time to train, right? That’s the reason. “

Al had been doing all the chores in addition to assisting in fighting.

Cooking, doing laundry, carrying stuff, selling materials, calculating expenses…

I wonder how versatile he is.

Well, you could say that he’s been doing that stuff for the last three years.

Normally, such a party would collapse within three days.

“Well, it’s all the past…”

Anyways…

“Al. I’ll take care of all the reports for today. Why don’t you go back to town and get ready for tomorrow? You need to prepare well for your trip, haven’t you? “

“Ah… So this is goodbye to the Oldman. It’s not that I doubt you, but are you sure about this? I can’t believe the S-class adventurer of the Royal Capital and the Oldman knew each other…”

About a week before I thought I had nothing more to teach Al, I wrote a letter to a friend in the Royal Capital.

She’s an S-level adventurer, a friend of mine.

She used to be a member of my party and in the same class as me when we went on adventures together, but she’s slowly slipping away, and before you know it, she’s gone.

In the past, I had been ashamed to contact her, but this time, for Al’s sake, I contacted her for the first time in a long time.

Despite the short notice, she was happy to answer me.

She was also willing to accommodate my request to take Al on as an apprentice.

In return, she set some conditions…

—One of these days, we will have a drink together.

I wondered how good of a person she was.

That’s why I entrust Al to her.

“A old friend that I haven’t heard from in a long time… So go ahead, don’t worry about it.”

“Yes! Thank you so much for everything… Thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I would…”

“Hahaha, let’s do that tomorrow before you leave.”

“Right… I’ll be back. I’ll see you later.”

“Right.”

—○█○—

“Isn’t this the Forest Giant’s magic stone! Mr. Reg, you’ve been reckless…”

When I submitted the materials to the Adventurer’s Guild receptionist for validity, the staff immediately told me so.

Well, I understand the feeling.

It’s not something a B-class can hunt on their own.

But…

” I wasn’t doing anything crazy. I was with Al.”

“Eh? Al… Is that Alfred who recently joined our party? But I believe he’s still in E class…”

“Oh, that’s right. Anyway, how much would that be?”

“Well, let’s see…”

After the staff had calculated the gold and put it in the magic box, I turned to leave the Adventurers Guild.

But then I hear the sound of a brawl.

“… Hey! Where’s Alfred? He’s a member of our party!”

“”That’s right!””

I know that voice from somewhere.

And then the staff replied.

“No, he’s already at another party… I can’t give you his personal information.”

“But… That’s right! I achieved a C-class yesterday! So I should have access to the personal data of everyone below that class, right!?”

“I’m afraid you can’t use that authority either… Please leave.”

“Why…”

That’s because…

I’m in B-class, and Al’s party is my party.

I’m tempted to say that, but it wouldn’t make sense.

I expected them to make a scene, but it was sooner than I thought.

I’m really glad I decided to Al to head out early tomorrow morning.

I left the Adventurer’s Guild and made my way to Al.

I wanted to tell him that it was best not to go out for the day.

It would be a problem if he bumped into Guise and the others in town.

—○█○—

“Okay, Bye, Al. Take care.”

The next morning, we are at the carriage stop.

“Oh. Oldman as well. I’ll surely write you a letter.”

“Right, I’ll wait. And… Say hello to Kirie for me.”

“Okay… Isn’t that a woman’s name? I mean, I thought…”

“Ah?”

“… N-No, it’s nothing. Well, I’d better be going. I don’t like too much humidity, and I’m sure I’ll come see you soon.”

“You’re welcome anytime. Oh, and here’s a parting gift.”

I say, handing him a long, thin box.

“This is…?”

“A sword. It’s not that much. I had a dwarf smith make it for you, and you’ll still be able to use it when you reach S-class.”

“… Isn’t this very expensive? Are you sure?”

“Yes, half of it was commissions we earned together. But the other half is my savings, so take care of it, okay?”

“Hahaha. Okay… I’ll take good care of it. See you, Oldman. Take care.”

Al then waves and gets into the carriage.

The carriage drives off and is soon out of sight.

“… Now you don’t have to worry about anything.”

I think maybe he was just a guy who didn’t need my help in the first place.

But that’s what fate is all about, isn’t it?

I’m sure he’ll become a great adventurer in the future, and he’s the one who connected me and Kirie.

I’m looking forward to that day. Meanwhile, I’m going to spend my time as a B-class adventurer in this town.

That’s what I thought.

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