Chapter 59 – Changing of the Guard
Chapter 59 – Changing of the Guard
“Sid’s decided to leave the Black Dragon.”
I’d just finished cleaning up after dinner and was brewing some tea when Gain suddenly dropped that bombshell.
Leave the Black Dragon? My master?
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Sid’s retiring as an adventurer and taking a full-time job as an instructor apprentice at the Adventurer Guild.”
Retiring to teach… Hmm.
I’d finally become an adventurer myself, and now my master was bowing out just as I joined. It was too bittersweet.
Still, no denying his teaching skills were top-notch.
Thanks to him, I’d gotten pretty good at handling magic with finesse.
“As his top disciple, I’d say he’s perfect for the role, and I want to cheer him on. But emotionally… it’s complicated.”
I passed out the tea, and everyone took theirs with a smiling “Thanks.”
Oh, so everyone else already knew.
“Aw, c’mon, don’t be like that. Swing by the guild’s training grounds anytime, and I’ll give you a lesson.”
“True enough. We’re still living together, after all…”
It was lonely, but unavoidable.
Time to wean myself off my master, not just my parents. Self-proclaimed disciple or not.
“Anyway. I’ve scouted a young talent to join us. Bringing him over tomorrow.”
A rookie? Scouted him himself?
Well, sure. It’s been ten years since we met.
Generational turnover made sense.
Gain was already 38, Sid was retiring at 52, Heart was 28, and Fernet was 25.
Wait, Fernet had been 15 back then?
The same age as me now, yet he’d seemed so grown-up… or maybe not really.
“Have you all met him already?”
They all exchanged glances and nodded.
Got it. I was the only one in the dark.
“Yeah, he’s strong.”
“Good guy. You can trust him.”
“We’ve been mentoring him as a group for a while now.”
Huh. If these discerning folks vouched for him, he had to be a real prospect.
And Gain trusted him too.
“Sounds reassuring. Looking forward to it.”
He’d use one of the spare rooms, apparently.
Adventurers seemed to live communally like this as a norm.
Unlike villagers, no one minded sharing space with strangers.
Grandfather had even gotten hooked on the cooking here. Lively and fun.
“Who’d have thought little Marie would end up as fellow adventurer party members.”
“Couldn’t even sit in a chair on her own back then.”
“Had to perch her on my lap or her face wouldn’t reach the table.”
“Feels like yesterday I was carrying her around.”
“Hey! Quit dredging up my black history! Wipe all those memories from your minds, please!”
“You were always such a riot, kiddo. Just thinking back… hahaha!”
“Wasn’t it, ‘Grandfather! I want a love marriage!’ or something?”
Fernet poked right at my old wound.
Stop! That’s the sorest spot!
“Hahahaha!”
Heehee. Their laughter felt so warm.
Even now, with my hard-won freedom, I still glanced at the clock as curfew neared.
I left the nostalgic bunch sipping tea and reminiscing, heading off for a bath and bed.
A newbie, huh. I’d have a junior at last.
Maybe teach her a thing or two as a senior.
Heehee. Can’t wait.
Oh right, got some nice scented oil. Better massage before sleep.
Hee hee.
Gain, who’d headed out early that morning, returned with a young man about Heart’s height.
Hm? Something familiar…
I tilted my head, lost in thought.
“Marie. The new member’s we talked about.”
“Nice to meet you… well, not really. We met ages ago. Remember me?”
He smiled, crouching slightly to offer his hand.
I took it on reflex for a shake.
“…The backyard. Chased by upperclassmen…?”
“Haha, yep. You chucked a broom to save me. Embarrassing, huh? Call me Ted. Seventeen.”
No way. The guy Gain scouted as our new member was broom guy.
Our first reunion since then—what a wild coincidence.
Two years older than me.
I’d been all pumped to mentor a junior.
“Just call me Marie. Freshly registered F-rank adventurer.”
Gain clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s eyes.
“Marie and Ted. You two pair up and handle quests daily. Me, Heart, and Fernet have other business—won’t be home for a bit. Hit up Sid if you’re stuck. That’s it. Dismissed.”
No Q&A allowed, apparently. We dispersed, and Ted and I shared an awkward eye contact and chuckle.
“I’m F-rank too, so we’re a good match.”
“Glad our ranks line up.”
I showed Ted to his room, then prepped tea in the living room.
Heart, geared up to leave, called out to hold up and listen.
“Sorry for the rush. Orders going forward: No magic in public. But if it’s an emergency or you’re in danger, use it without hesitation. Protect yourself and Ted by any means necessary. Alright, get along.”
He’d glanced at Gain sidelong, so that was the message.
Just say it yourself, I always think. Heehee, but the shy guy’s got his limits.
“Got it!”
Gain and the others barely said goodbyes before rushing out.
“By any means necessary,” huh. Makes me wonder what tricks to pull.
Not just guarding myself now—Ted’s protection was part of the gig too.
Bodyguard duty… Heehee.
Sounds super cool.
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thanks for the chapter