Chapter 5: A Fate Defied
On the eve of her tenth birthday, Hinata was a more of a shadow than a child with both her stealth skill and hide spell active. She slipped through the servants’ quarters of the manor like the very idea of rebellion made flesh, each footstep as silent and sure as a thief's promise. The great corridors, dark and yawning, watched her with ancient, wooden eyes. But this was her night, where failure was impossible despite her low luck attribute. She could feel it, and she would not be denied. The citizen card—their hidden ace, her stolen future—lay waiting for her discovery somewhere in her parents’ room. She moved with the nimbleness of someone born for precisely this kind of quiet heresy, every heartbeat a whisper of freedom.
Hinata crept like the air itself, deftly avoiding the floorboards' groans and the doors’ accusatory squeaks. Her parents might think her safely tucked away, but she was more than a child dreaming sweetly. Her senses were alive, attuned to the delicate art of slipping unseen through the spaces they believed her too young and naive to fill. The night carried her onward, her steps so light they seemed to float above the stone, a testament to the days, months, and years she had spent preparing for just this moment. A trail of resolve marked her path, a tangible thing that lingered even as she moved beyond it.
Magic danced on the edge of her awareness, its faint shimmer like a distant melody guiding her deeper into the manor’s heart. She paused in shadow, calling on her magic detection skill to illuminate the magical aura signature of her confiscated citizen card. Hinata could sense her own familiar aura as her magic clung to it, a reminder of the day they stole more than just a mere trinket from her hands. A flicker, a glimmer—there! Hidden behind thick walls and years of parental deception, her citizen card pulsed with the promise of liberation.
A painting, austere and grim in the darkened room, loomed before her like a sentinel. Behind it lay the small nook that held her fate, but it would not thwart her. Her hands moved with silent precision as she activated her phase shift spell, sliding through the canvas without disturbing the layers of dust that clung to its frame. The card was there, just as she had known it would be, waiting patiently for her inevitable claim. She grasped it with fingers both reverent and swift, pulling it into her spell and into her possession with a thrill that coursed from her fingertips to her heart.
She lingered only a moment, cradling the small glass-like card in her palm, feeling the weight of her own future. They would have seen her bound to their plans, a neat parcel of power and promise tied with the ribbon of obligation and enslaved to another’s will. But she would be no one's present. With one last glance down the shadowed hallway, she slipped the card into her item box, her ultimate safeguard against the yoke they wished to slip around her neck.
The air seemed to crackle around her as she turned to go, each step now brimming with the quiet triumph of her small, momentous rebellion. She moved swiftly, more shadow than girl, leaving nothing behind but the whispered ghost of a presence. The halls, still and unbreathing, could not contain her any more than their designs on her future could.
Her path wound back to her room with the same surety, every corner a familiar friend in this nocturnal adventure. She navigated the last leg with a meticulousness that spoke of both determination and care, wary even in her certainty that she had not been discovered. And then she was there, the quiet sanctuary of her room folding around her like an accomplice.
She fell onto her bed, the night still alive with the echo of her exploits. The card, safely nestled in her item box, felt like it was pulsing, a heartbeat that resonated with her own. A sense of readiness filled her, a knowledge that she had laid the groundwork of her freedom this night. Tomorrow would be hers, just as tonight had been. Her last thoughts, as sleep overtook her, were of the freedom she had grasped with small, determined hands. They could not have her. Not now, not ever.
***
After a few hours rest, Hinata awoke. The first threads of morning light wove through Hinata's room like the touch of an old friend, gently nudging her awake. She rose with purpose, a child born anew from the dreams of freedom that had cradled her through the night. Hinata dressed with a quick but silent hurry, racing against the morning sun. The manor was a silent beast, still slumbering and blissfully unaware of her impending escape. Hinata slipped from its doors with the soft confidence of one who had already won the battle, her feet finding the path they had always meant to follow. The day spread before her, bright and empty, and she met it with a heart unburdened by anything but hope.
I have made my escape, Hinata thought. Now I need to secure protection.
Hinata moved with the fluid ease of someone untethered, the quiet house shrinking behind her as she claimed the morning as her own. The sky, a canvas of soft pastels, stretched wide above her, mirroring the vast possibilities that unfurled at her feet. Each step away from the manor felt like the shedding of an old skin, the world outside its walls promising the freedom and agency she had long imagined. Her citizen card, safely hidden in her item box, pulsed with quiet assurance. It was a talisman of independence, a symbol that she had outmaneuvered those who would see her future penned by their hand. Her parents, once vibrant with warmth and affection, had grown cold and aloof the moment her skill set marked her as different. She felt the sting of their disappointment like a thorn, but it did not bleed her dry. Instead, it spurred her onward, kindling a fierce determination to live by her own design.
I should update my public-facing status, Hinata realized. Show status.
[Hinata Hikari [Lv. 1] (Human, Female, Age: 10)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 90/100; Stamina: 94/100;
Condition: Normal;
{C} Vitality: 100; {C} Strength: 100; {C} Agility: 100; {C} Intellect: 100; {C} Wisdom: 100; {C} Charisma: 33; {C} Luck: 11;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari, {C} Reincarnator;
Affinities: {C} Fire (Blue Flame [Lv. 3], Flare Lance [Lv. 2], Fire Arrow [Lv. MAX], Explosion [Lv. 5]), {C} Water (Aqua Cannon [Lv. 2], Water Wall [Lv. 6], Freeze [Lv. 9], Ice Arrow [Lv. MAX]), {C} Wind (Wind Blade [Lv. 6], Vortex Blast [Lv. 4], Lightning Arrow [Lv. MAX], Chain Lightning [Lv. 8]), {C} Earth (Abyss Fall [Lv. 2], Earthen Wall [Lv. 9], Earthen Spears [Lv. 6]), {C} Light (Light Orb [Lv. MAX], Laser [Lv. MAX], Purification [Lv. MAX], Judgement [Lv. 5]), {C} Shadow (Hide [Lv. MAX], Shadow Needle [Lv. 8], Phase Shift [Lv. 9], Curse [Lv. 5]), {C} Healing (Area Heal [Lv. 2], Area High Heal [Lv. 2], Area Cure [Lv. 3], Regeneration [Lv. 5]), {C} Null (Telekinesis [Lv. MAX], Advanced Barrier [Lv. 2], Physical Strengthening [Lv. MAX], Gravity Manipulation [Lv. 4]);
Skills: {C} Gods’ Eye [Lv. 2], {C} Item Box [Lv. 7], {C} Universal Language Comprehension [Lv. MAX], {C} Rapid Recovery [Lv. 7], {C} Alchemy [Lv. 3], {C} Stealth [Lv. 9], {C} Magic Control [Lv. 7], {C} Magic Detection [Lv. 8], {C} Pain Tolerance [Lv. 3], Advanced Swordsmanship [Lv. 3], Whips [Lv. 8], Daggers [Lv. 5], Duel Wielding [Lv. 4],Throwing [Lv.9], Etiquette [Lv. 5], Cooking [Lv. 4], Housekeeping [Lv. 8], Dancing [Lv. 5];
I have grown so much, Hinata considered. Okay, so I need to look like a qualified adventurer, so lets change what I am concealing and reveal some magic that I have been hiding. Show status.
[Hinata Hikari [Lv. 1] (Human, Female, Age: 10)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 90/100; Stamina: 94/100;
Condition: Normal;
{C} Vitality: 100; {C} Strength: 100; {C} Agility: 100; {C} Intellect: 100; {C} Wisdom: 100; {C} Charisma: 33; {C} Luck: 11;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari, {C} Reincarnator;
Affinities: {C} Fire (Blue Flame [Lv. 3], Flare Lance [Lv. 2], Fire Arrow [Lv. MAX], Explosion [Lv. 5]), {C} Water (Aqua Cannon [Lv. 2], Water Wall [Lv. 6], Freeze [Lv. 9], Ice Arrow [Lv. MAX]), {C} Wind (Wind Blade [Lv. 6], Vortex Blast [Lv. 4], Lightning Arrow [Lv. MAX], Chain Lightning [Lv. 8]), Earth ({C} Abyss Fall [Lv. 2], Earthen Wall [Lv. 9], Earthen Spears [Lv. 6]), {C} Light (Light Orb [Lv. MAX], Laser [Lv. MAX], Purification [Lv. MAX], Judgement [Lv. 5]), {C} Shadow (Hide [Lv. MAX], Shadow Needle [Lv. 8], Phase Shift [Lv. 9], Curse [Lv. 5]), Healing (Area Heal [Lv. 2], {C} Area High Heal [Lv. 2], {C} Area Cure [Lv. 3], {C} Regeneration [Lv. 5]), Null ({C} Telekinesis [Lv. MAX], {C} Advanced Barrier [Lv. 2], Physical Strengthening [Lv. MAX], {C} Gravity Manipulation [Lv. 4]);
Skills: {C} Gods’ Eye [Lv. 2], Item Box [Lv. 7], {C} Universal Language Comprehension [Lv. MAX], {C} Rapid Recovery [Lv. 7], {C} Alchemy [Lv. 3], {C} Stealth [Lv. 9], {C} Magic Control [Lv. 7], {C} Magic Detection [Lv. 8], Pain Tolerance [Lv. 3], Advanced Swordsmanship [Lv. 3], Whips [Lv. 8], Daggers [Lv. 5], Duel Wielding [Lv. 4],Throwing [Lv.9], Etiquette [Lv. 5], Cooking [Lv. 4], Housekeeping [Lv. 8], Dancing [Lv. 5];
So, how does my status look with earth, healing, and null magic visible? Hinata thought. Appraisal.
[Hinata Hikari [Lv. 1] (Human, Female, Age: 10)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 90/100; Stamina: 94/100;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari;
Affinities: Earth (Earthen Wall [Lv. 9], Earthen Spears [Lv. 6]), Healing (Area Heal [Lv. 2]), Null (Physical Strengthening [Lv. MAX]);
Skills: Item Box [Lv. 7], Pain Tolerance [Lv. 3], Advanced Swordsmanship [Lv. 3], Whips [Lv. 8], Daggers [Lv. 5], Duel Wielding [Lv. 4],Throwing [Lv.9], Etiquette [Lv. 5], Cooking [Lv. 4], Housekeeping [Lv. 8], Dancing [Lv. 5];
That should be more than sufficient to register, Hinata thought, her mind wandering to her parents. To them, she was an enigma—too self-possessed, too clever, too bold in her refusal to conform. Their betrayal lay in treating her more like a potential asset than the daughter they had once doted on. She recalled their glances, sharp with accusation and the bitterness of unsaid words. With each reminder of how they had locked away her card, their distance grew until it stretched into a chasm she could no longer bridge.
Hinata thought of Julia, whose attachment to her was a different kind of binding. Where her parents' coldness pushed her away, Julia's possessiveness pulled her in, insistent and unyielding. Hinata had been the young heiress's personal maid, and in Julia's eyes, something between a sister and a prized possession. The demands of service were taxing, but they kept Hinata close to her ambitions and out of her parents' full reach. It was a small comfort, but a comfort nonetheless. Hinata could easily deflect requests by claiming to be busy with the other party.
Training with Lord Cedric and her parents filled the spaces between her duties. The expectations they piled upon her only fueled her resolve to succeed on her own terms rather than as a servant in Julia’s story. Their impatience with what they saw as her shortcomings—her secretive nature, her refusal to play the prodigy—only steeled her resolve further. She learned everything she could, not to please them but to equip herself for the life she intended to claim.
The manor’s silhouette dwindled behind her, and Hinata felt the weight of their ambitions slide off her shoulders. Her path through Stormsong City to the Adventurers’ Guild lay open and inviting, the air fresh with morning and possibility. This was what freedom tasted like, and she relished every moment of it. No more stolen glances, no more secret schemes. Just her, her citizen card, and a future she could shape without their meddling hands.
She was ready. Ready to take the steps that would solidify her independence, to make her stand as more than just the talented daughter of disappointed parents. With determination in her stride and rebellion in her heart, Hinata set her course for the city, leaving behind the constraints that could not hold her and racing toward the life she would build from the ground up. This was her day, the dawn of everything she had hoped for, and she intended to greet it with open arms.
Entering the city, it felt like the buildings themselves rose to meet Hinata like the warm embrace of a long-lost friend, stone towers and enchanted lamps painting a landscape both familiar and thrillingly new. She was the spark in its kindling dawn, a small but vibrant ember among the morning rush. As the streets spun their stories around her, she wove herself into the city's very fabric, her presence a note of joyous rebellion in the urban symphony.
Each step took her further into the living heart of the city, a place that throbbed with possibility and promised escape. The air shimmered with the hum of magical energy and the lively din of merchants setting up their stalls. It was a world that buzzed with the excitement of a hundred beginnings, and Hinata moved through it with the lightness of one who had shaken off the last of her chains. Even though the city itself was medieval in function and styled as though it emerged from humanity’s middle ages, magic and magic tools bridged the gap caused by lack of scientific knowledge to create a city of convenience.
As her footsteps brought her closer to the guild and the freedom it represented, Hinata knew it was her research, meticulous and driven by the urgency of a new life in a strange world, had led her here. When she discovered in her readings that at ten years old she could legally be sold by her parents and enslaved to another, that knowledge loomed over her like a specter. She now knew the laws of Lumaria better than she understood the laws of her past life, and knew that children between ten and fifteen were at the mercy of those who called themselves guardians. Beneath that age, attempting to enslave a child was illegal and abusive; beyond it, they were free adults and bound only to their own consent. But in those liminal years, the weight of others' desires could bind them to a fate not of their choosing.
Hinata had planned for this moment, honed her skills and timed her escape with the precision of a tactician on the eve of battle. Her citizen card was her secret weapon, a shield against the plans they thought they had sealed. Her resolve to defy their expectations burned fiercely, a flame they would not extinguish. She would not wait to be cast as a pawn in their games of power and alliance. Her future was hers to script, and she would ink it in the bold strokes of autonomy and choice.
The city's vibrant embrace wrapped around her, every detail a testament to the world that lay beyond the confines of her upbringing. She soaked in the sights and sounds, the enchanted lights casting playful glimmers on cobblestone streets as alchemical scents mingled with the warmth of fresh bread. The noise of life filled her ears, a symphony of merchant calls and magical chimes, punctuated by the increasing clink of adventurers' gear as she neared the guild. It was a sensory chorus that played in stark contrast to the silence and restraint she had left behind.
With each moment, her excitement swelled, a buoyant tide carrying her towards the horizon of what could be. Her heart raced with anticipation, fueled by the knowledge that she had eluded their grasp. Her card, safely tucked away, was her talisman and her freedom. It sang to her from its hidden sanctuary, echoing the vibrant pulse of the city and her own restless spirit.
Hinata navigated the streets with a sense of purpose, the landscape opening wide before her as she headed towards the Adventurers' Guild. This was her new domain, her chosen path, and it lay invitingly at her feet. She felt the energy of the city beneath her, an electric charge that mirrored her own burgeoning confidence. The constraints of her past fell further behind with each step, dissolving into the vibrant tapestry of the life she was determined to claim. The guild loomed ahead, a beacon of opportunity and the promise of a future built on her own terms. She felt the thrill of it, the audacity and courage that had brought her this far. Nothing would stand in her way. The city spun around her, a dizzying dance of color and noise, and she welcomed it all. This was the beginning, the true beginning, and she was ready to make it hers.
The guild doors swung wide with a clang as Hinata stepped through, the promise of a new life brightening her eyes. The space inside felt vast and welcoming, a wellspring of untapped potential. It buzzed with the muted energy of early morning—adventurers lounging over breakfast, a low hum of anticipation building in the air as they awaited the arrival of new quest postings. A few looked up at her entrance, curiosity glancing off them like sparks from a newly struck flint. Undeterred, Hinata walked the gauntlet of casual interest, heading straight for the waiting receptionists.
The receptionist's desk loomed like a portal to a future she was determined to claim. Hinata approached it with the surety of someone who knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. Her heart raced with the thrill of impending freedom, each beat a reminder that this was the life she had chosen. She moved with quiet confidence, the ripple of her presence felt even in the relaxed atmosphere.
Helen, a senior receptionist, eyed Hinata with a sharp, discerning gaze that missed nothing. Helen was in her early-twenties, perfectly pressed in her guild uniform, she carried the air of someone who had seen it all but still enjoyed the occasional surprise. Her green eyes, keen as an appraiser’s, took stock of Hinata, amusement and curiosity mingling as she considered the small girl standing before her.
"You seem quite young to be here on business," Helen remarked, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Are you lost, or do you have some grand adventure in mind?"
Hinata's resolve was unwavering, her voice steady and clear as she met Helen’s gaze, the challenge in Helen’s eyes it deflected by Hinata’s calm assurance. "I want to register as an adventurer."
"I see," Helen said, tapping a finger thoughtfully on the desk as she leaned back, assessing the determined figure before her. "And you are aware of the registration fee?"
"One silver coin," Hinata replied, already reaching into her pouch.
The room seemed to pause in amusement, the adventurers half-listening as they sipped their morning brews. The exchange was small but significant, a transaction that spoke volumes to those with ears to hear. Lone ten year old adventurers were a rare sight, even in a city as large as Stormsong.
"Very well, let's see if you're ready for this," Helen accepted the coin, a hint of respect for Hinata’s bravado and determination creeping into her expression. Her fingers danced across the registration ledger with practiced ease. "Name?"
"Hinata Hikari," Hinata said.
Helen noted it down, the quill scratching with quiet efficiency. The last name sounded familiar, but were she had heard it eluded her. "Do you have your citizen card?"
Hinata nodded, retrieving the citizen card from her item box with a practiced flick of her wrist, making it seem as though the card had been hide up her sleeve the whole time. The citizen card gleamed and sparkled with the promise of newfound autonomy.
"Quite the display," Helen murmured, raising an eyebrow at Hinata’s antics. She took the card and placed it on the reader, her professional demeanor masking a growing intrigue.
"You are ten years old, at level one," Helen confirmed, glancing at the information that appeared before her, checking to ensure that the girl met the guild minimum requirements. "And you have got a few combat skills trained up."
Hinata's lips curved into a subtle smile. "I am ready to be a G-rank adventurer."
The reception area hummed with subdued energy, the morning's languor giving way to a sense of interest as Hinata's intent became clear. None of the adventurers were brash enough to interrupt or cause a scene, those types rarely showed up until midmorning and had managed to fight their way through the remnants of a drunken haze from the night before. Helen's initial skepticism softened into something like admiration, though her questions were not entirely finished.
"Many your age are still in training, not rushing to the guild on the morning of their birthdays," Helen said, returning the card. "What makes you different?"
Hinata's answer was simple, unflinching, and undeniably direct. "I want to live freely."
Helen frozen, but recovered and studied the little girl before her, the facade of aloof professionalism slipping just enough to reveal a hint of genuine warmth. Hinata’s explanation was enough for Helen to understand the grim circumstances that would drive someone to train hard and arrive immediately at the Adventurers’ Guild on their birthday to register.
"Then let us get you started," Helen said, entering the final details into the registry and handing Hinata her citizen card back. "All requirements are met, payment received, and your citizen card is now registered with the Adventurers’ Guild. Your adventurer card is now active. Welcome G-Rank adventurer Hinata!"
Hinata felt the weight of it in her hand, a tangible symbol of the path she had chosen. She listened carefully as Helen explained the ranks and the process for advancement, each word fueling her determination.
“At level one, you do not qualify for anything other than G-Rank, so that is what I registered you as, but if you take quests and level up as vigorously as you have trained your combat skills, you will quickly qualify for a rank advancement,” Helen explained. “F-Rank is easy to achieve, you just need to complete a few quests so that the guild feels confident that you can handle yourself. Very few adventurers remain G-Ranked for very long. Starting at level fifteen, if you have completed enough qualifying quests, you can be ranked up to E-Rank. Its not until you hit C-Rank that other adventurers start to respect you though. There are plenty of E-Ranked and D-Ranked townspeople since the level and questing requirements are easy enough to meet.”
“Thank you for explaining that,” Hinata said with a smile.
"And one more thing," Helen added, a playful and knowing glint in her eyes. "If you are an adventurer, it can be useful to have your citizen card configured in adventurer mode so that your guild affiliation and rank is clearly visible on the card. Here's how you switch it to adventurer mode."
Hinata eagerly followed the instructions, the card's surface shifting to reflect her new status. It felt real now, solid and unbreakable.
[Hinata Hikari [Lv. 1] (Adventurer, Rank-G)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 100/100; Stamina: 100/100;
Condition: Normal;
Role: Vanguard [Hybrid]
Unique Skills: Item Box [Lv. 7];
Magic Skills: Earthen Wall [Lv. 9], Earthen Spears [Lv. 6], Area Heal [Lv. 2], Physical Strengthening [Lv. MAX];
Combat Skills: Advanced Swordsmanship [Lv. 3], Whips [Lv. 8], Daggers [Lv. 5], Duel Wielding [Lv. 4],Throwing [Lv.9];
Passive Skills: Pain Tolerance [Lv. 3];
Hinata’s eyes widened with shock as adventurer mode rearranged the way her affinities and skills were displayed.
“Helen, what is a role?” Hinata asked.
“Ah, all adventurers in a party fulfil different roles, but you do not need to pay much attention to it while you are G-Ranked,” Helen explained. “Adventurers are typically assessed based on their skills into roles like Vanguard, Melee Damage, Ranged Damage, and Healer. You can also get rarer roles like scout, assassin, monk, and others. If there is no definitive role identified, the assessment will determine the closest fitting role and may indicate a role type as well, indicated in brackets.”
"So I am a vanguard role, type hybrid? Assuming I read my card correctly,” Hinata asked tentatively.
“Wait, seriously? Vanguard roles typically require shield and armor skills,” Helen exclaimed in shock. “Ah, I suppose that is why you have a hybrid type. Hybrid is a rare type to receive, you need to be able to hot swap between roles to be assessed with it. Your health pool is probably what caused the assessment to favor a vanguard role, but you are capable of both melee and ranged damage.”
“I can also cast the basic heal spell, so I can see how I would be considered a hot swappable hybrid with the ability to hold the frontline,” Hinata said. “At least for my level.”
“Wait, you can heal too?” Helen exclaimed.
“I thought you checked my abilities when you borrowed my card?” Hinata said in confusion.
“Ah, I just confirmed that you met the requirements for registration and did not really read the whole thing,” Helen laughed nonchalantly. “But as a healer, you would be in high demand as you are, even in a higher ranked party. Despite being level one and G-Ranked, a full party of C-Rank adventurers would want you just for the additional insurance.”
“That is nice, I guess,” Hinata smirked. “I am going to check out the quest board!”
The guild buzzed around her, the mutters of those who had watched the scene unfolding rising like a tide. But Hinata was undaunted, her focus set squarely on the road ahead. She had taken the first step, and it resonated through the room like the clear ring of a bell, calling her towards the freedom she had fought so hard to secure.
The newly registered adventurer left behind a wake of intrigued whispers, her final words hanging in the air like the fading echo of a distant bell. Helen's curiosity lingered, twisting itself into something that felt almost like concern. A child so sure, so insistent on freedom, often carried secrets deeper than the surface told. Helen could not help but wonder who Hinata was running from. The guildmaster approached, drawn by the girl's boldness and the lingering questions that followed in her wake.
"Well, that was interesting," Sebastian remarked, his voice tinged with both amusement and skepticism.
Helen nodded, her eyes still on Hinata as the girl read the quest notifications. "Something tells me we have only seen the beginning."
Sebastian's presence filled the space with an authority that softened under the weight of experience. His broad-shouldered figure bore the scars of a lifetime in the field, but it was his keen eye for talent that had made him a respected leader. He watched Hinata's eager form, a spark of recognition kindling in his gaze.
"She is determined, I will give her that," Sebastian said, turning to Helen. "Not every day you see a ten-year-old with that kind of firm resolve."
"It is the ones with a story that are worth watching," Helen replied, her professional veneer cracking just enough to reveal her genuine interest while her words carried the hint of an unspoken question.
"You think she is running from something?" Sebastian asked, his curiosity piqued by Helen's insight.
"Or running towards something," Helen mused. Her eyes flickered to the registration log, where Hinata's name stood out like a bold promise. "Either way, she is set on it. And that card of hers..."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Not your usual runaway ten year old, is she?"
"Certainly not," Helen replied, a note of admiration threading through her tone. "She came in ready, like she knew exactly what she needed to do. Did not even flinch when I asked for her silver or her citizen card."
Sebastian chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "You could scare off most of the kids just by looking at them."
"I could not!" Helen said indignantly, returning the guildmaster's smile with a knowing glance. "Besides, she is not like most kids. The girl was too prepared for this to be a whim. And her combat skills are not a joke, she trained hard leading up to this."
Sebastian crossed his arms, thoughtful as he weighed the implications. "With strong skills like hers, she will draw attention. She have any idea what she is getting into?"
"She is clever," Helen finally said. Helen leaned back, the light catching on her glasses as she considered the question. "And ambitious. If anyone is ready to handle a life of adventure, my bet is on her."
Their exchange settled into a companionable silence, both of them contemplating the young adventurer's path. Helen felt a twinge of protectiveness beneath her curiosity, a sense of responsibility that came with being the gatekeeper to dreams as bright and fragile as Hinata's.
Sebastian's gaze returned to the registration log, his mind already mapping the road ahead.
"We will keep an eye on her," Sebastian said, the decision carrying the weight of his commitment to the guild's youngest charge. Helen nodded, the words a silent agreement between them.
"I have a feeling she is just getting started," Helen said, watching as the guild resumed its morning rhythm.
The hum of adventurers settling into the day's routine wrapped around them, but the echo of Hinata's bold entrance into their lives lingered like a note that refused to fade. She was part of the guild now, her presence woven into its fabric, and both Helen and Sebastian knew that it was only the beginning. The journey she had embarked on would touch them all, and neither was entirely sure what the end would bring. But one thing was certain: it would be interesting to watch.
Even as Sebastian reviewed the new quests, the guildmaster studied Hinata as if she were a puzzle box waiting to be unlocked. The registration log of her adventurer card shimmered with unusual promise, hinting at depths far beyond her years. Sebastian had seen countless hopefuls, but few burned with the same fierce intensity. He decided to approached her, drawn by the challenge she presented, his seasoned eyes appraising every nuance of her stance.
"Why would a little girl like you want to become an adventurer?" Sebastian asked, his tone a mix of genuine curiosity and tempered authority. Seeing Hinata’s annoyed grimace, Sebastian clarified himself. “I am the guildmaster here, so I am professionally curious about the matter. Do not worry, I cannot take away your membership unless you have violated the guild rules in the few minutes since you joined.”
Hinata looked up and met his eyes, undaunted, and her reply rang with unyielding certainty. "I want to live freely. That is all and it is my everything."
The words cut through the space between them, a declaration so clear and assured that it left no room for doubt. Sebastian felt the weight of them, a conviction that seemed far too practiced for a girl of her age. He met her gaze, searching for signs of hesitation or uncertainty, but there were none. She was steady as a warrior on the brink of battle, sure of her own purpose and unflinching in her resolve.
"That is quite the ambition," Sebastian said, his voice thoughtful as he considered the implications of her statement. "You do realize it is not all excitement and glory?"
Hinata nodded, her expression as composed as her words.
"I know what I am getting into," Hinata replied, and the quiet confidence in her voice told Sebastian that she truly did. It was a rare thing, this kind of self-awareness, and it both intrigued and concerned him. “If I had to guess, I am more aware of what I am getting into that you are.”
The adventurer card in her hand seemed to pulse with potential, its values almost daring in their display. Health, mana, stamina—everything marked her as someone destined for greatness or trouble, possibly both. Noticing Sebastian’s eyes, Hinata placed her adventurer card into her item box, concealing the action as though it was simply being placed into her pocket.
Watching Hinata’s confident actions, Sebastian could not quite shake the feeling that he had seen this kind of determination before, but never so young, never so raw and refined at once.
"You are different from most of the recruits we get," Sebastian observed, trying to probe beneath the surface of her certainty. "What makes you so sure this is the life you want?"
"I will not be caged," Hinata said simply, and the fire in her eyes flickered with something both fierce and vulnerable. “And, as a member of the Adventurers’ Guild, my freedom will be protected.”
Sebastian realized it then, the thread that connected all the pieces. She was not just seeking the thrill of adventure; she was staking her claim on freedom, defying the chains others would have laid on her. Registered adventurers under the age of fifteen were under the jurisdiction and guardianship of the Adventurers’ Guild. Without the consent of all guardians, Hinata could not be enslaved.
The realization struck him like a blow, knocking the air from his chest and the skepticism from his mind. He recognized the determination of someone who was fighting against more than monsters or the wilderness. This was a struggle for autonomy, for a life lived by her own rules, and it dawned on him with startling clarity that he knew where she came from.
"You are from Lord Cedric's manor," Sebastian said, his voice tinged with newfound understanding.
Hinata's silence was confirmation enough, her gaze never wavering from his.
Sebastian exhaled, a slow breath that carried both resignation and resolve. Lord Cedric would definitely descend upon the guild in search for the girl.
"You have set quite the task for yourself and for me," Sebastian said, his respect for her growing with each moment. "The guild will have its hands full with you."
She accepted his words as if they were a challenge already met.
"I know what I can do," Hinata replied, her tone as unwavering as ever.
Sebastian could not help but smile, a mix of admiration and exasperation coloring his expression. Hinata was going to be trouble for him, but at least she was going to be extraordinarily entertaining while she was at it.
"We will be here to see it," Sebastian said, a promise wrapped in the certainty of his duty. “And the guild will respect the wishes of its adventurers. Let Helen know if you spot a quest you want to take on.”
The guildmaster glanced back at her as he walked back behind the reception desks, the echo of her determination ringing in his ears. Hinata was more than just a child with big dreams; she was a force of nature, and the path she had chosen was one that would touch all of them. He turned back to his work as guildmaster, the weight of responsibility settling comfortably on his shoulders. It was his job to protect and guide her now, and though he suspected it would be no small task, he knew it would be worth every moment.
The guildmaster's thoughts raced as he worked, trying to catch up with the stunning clarity of what Hinata had done. She was a runaway, yes, but one who had outmaneuvered the very people who thought they held her strings. By registering as an adventurer, she had forced the guild into the role of guardian, placing herself squarely under their protection. It was both brilliant and reckless, a move that spoke volumes of her cunning and her desperation.
He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture a blend of frustration and admiration. She had not only declared her independence, but she had also turned the guild into her unexpected allies, making them complicit in her daring escape. The weight of this new responsibility settled over him like a heavy cloak, and yet it was a burden he found himself strangely willing to bear.
“But why did they let her keep her citizen card?” Sebastian could not help but ponder. “If they had kept it, then she could never have registered at the guild.”
Sebastian looked around the guild, where whispers of Hinata's entrance still hung in the air. He caught Helen’s eye, and she raised a questioning brow, sensing the undercurrent of something unusual.
"Hinata is from Lord Cedric's household," Sebastian said, his voice carrying the gravity of the revelation. A ripple of surprise passed through the gathered staff, eyes widening as the full scope of Hinata's situation became clear.
"That changes nothing," Helen muttered, glancing at the door as if expecting it to burst open at any moment.
"You are right," Sebastian replied, the words heavy with the weight of obligation. "Since she is an adventurer now, she has made it our problem, whether we like it or not. And you are her heroine, the receptionist how handled her registration. You can be her advisor going forward."
Helen choked, stunned and appalled at the guildmaster’s audacity in dumping the girl on her. There was a pause amongst the other nearby staff, the kind that stretches taut with the tension of unsaid words. Sebastian knew what they were thinking: Lord Cedric would not take this lying down. They were in for more than just a typical registration; they were caught in the web of something far larger and more dangerous.
"We protect her," Sebastian said, the firmness in his voice quelling any rising doubts in the guild staff. "She is one of us now, an adventurer, and we do not abandon our own. Not in the wilds, not in the dungeon, not in dragonfire, and certainly not when a noble gets angry with them."
His declaration settled over the room, a shared vow that resonated with the core of what it meant to be part of the guild. There was a nodding of heads, the initial shock giving way to a collective resolve. Hinata's situation was precarious, but it was not hopeless. She had chosen her path, and they would walk it with her.
The atmosphere in the guild shifted, charged with the anticipation of the impending clash. Sebastian felt the pulse of it, a living thing that thrummed in time with the beating of his own heart. It was an unusual predicament, but one that he found invigorating in its complexity.
He watched as Hinata stood by, her posture radiating the quiet confidence of someone who had thought three steps ahead. She seemed unfazed by the whispers or the stares, her focus trained on the freedom she had claimed. Hinata was clearly waiting for her pursuers to discover her here, where there would be witnesses and those obliged to stand up for her.
"Get ready," Sebastian said to the staff, a grim smile playing on his lips. "This is going to get interesting."
He turned his attention back to Hinata, her calm demeanor both a challenge and a reassurance. She was a wild card, an unexpected factor that had thrown their routine into chaos. But she was also a reminder of why they existed: to support those who dared to dream beyond their limits.
As the guild braced for what was sure to be an explosive confrontation, Sebastian felt the thrill of the unknown. It was a new kind of adventure, one that tested their principles and their patience. And as he watched Hinata, the echoes of her determination ringing through the guild like the clear toll of a bell, he knew they were in it for the long haul. The clash with Lord Cedric was inevitable, but with the guild as her shield, Hinata had a fighting chance. It was more than enough for Sebastian, and it was just the beginning for the young adventurer.
Hinata slipped the adventurer card into and out of her item box repeatedly, the motion a subtle flourish of victory. Sebastian's eyes widened, the pieces falling into place with dizzying speed. The girl has an item box?!
A rare skill, hidden with the precision of a master strategist—she was more than just clever; she was extraordinary. There was no way that her parents or the lord would have kept the girl anywhere but a cell if they had known. The weight of his realization was almost tangible, pressing against the air just as the guild doors burst open. There stood Lord Cedric with Hinata’s parents, flanked by guards, their entrance as charged and unavoidable as a thunderstorm on the horizon.
The revelation hit Sebastian like a jolt of lightning, illuminating the intricate web Hinata had woven. She had masked her true abilities, keeping the most valuable cards hidden until the moment was ripe. He marveled at the audacity, at the sheer scope of her gambit. This was a child who had played them all with the skill of a seasoned tactician, and the implications left him both awed and breathless.
Lord Cedric swept into the guild with the force of a tempest with Akira and Naomi at his side, their determination a palpable force that crackled through the room. The guards at their heels moved with grim purpose, and the collective intent was clear: they had come to take Hinata back, by any means necessary.
The guild seemed to hold its breath, the charged atmosphere thickening as the confrontation took shape. Sebastian felt the tension rise like a wave, and he braced himself for the impact. This was the moment they had all anticipated, the clash of wills that would test the very core of their principles.
Hinata stood unfazed, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm that surrounded her. She met their entrance with the same unwavering certainty that had marked every step of her journey. There was no fear in her eyes, only the quiet confidence of someone who knew she had already won.
"That is her," Naomi's voice cut through the silence, a mixture of relief and urgency. "She is here!"
Hinata's lips curved into a knowing smile, her gaze steady and unyielding. Lord Cedric's eyes blazed with a fire that spoke of both anger and something else—an acknowledgment of her unexpected cunning.
"You think you can escape so easily?" Cedric said, his words laced with authority and incredulity. “You are an investment, girl.”
Sebastian stepped forward, his presence a wall between Hinata and those who would claim her.
"Greetings Lord Cedric," Sebastian said, his tone calm but firm. "I would ask you not to speak in that manner in the guild hall. For your awareness, that girl, Hinata, is a registered G-rank adventurer. She is under the protection of the Adventurers’ Guild."
The declaration hung in the air, a gauntlet thrown in the face of their pursuit.
"That is impossible," Akira retorted, his eyes narrowed, a calculating gleam within them. "She does not have her citizen card. How could she register?"
At that moment, Sebastian realized that Hinata’s parents had indeed taken her citizen card away from her. Hinata had used her skills to take it back. His world shook when he realized that Hinata had taken it back from a B-Ranked scout, something that should not have been possible.
The corners of Hinata's mouth lifted ever so slightly as she reached into her item box. She pulled out her adventurer card with deliberate ease, the small rectangle shimmering with the undeniable proof of her status.
"I am an adventurer," Hinata said, her voice clear and steady. "I am free, and I will live as I choose, thanks."
The room seemed to ripple with the impact of her words and shock at the clear demonstration of the highly coveted item box skill. Lord Cedric's face paled, then flushed with a mix of shock and anger. He had underestimated her, and the realization that she had slipped through his fingers left him momentarily speechless.
Hinata watched them with a confidence that bordered on defiance, her stance a declaration in itself. She had outplayed them at every turn, and now she stood beyond their reach, the guild her shield and her strength.
"We will not give up so easily," Lord Cedric said at last, the resolve in his voice matched by the determination in his eyes. He nodded to the guards, their intent clear as they moved forward. But Hinata did not waver, and neither did the guild staff. Sebastian felt the charged anticipation of the standoff, the room electrified by the clash of forces that was both inevitable and impossible to predict.
The tension snapped like a taut wire, sending ripples of motion and sound through the room. Weapons rasped from sheaths, voices rose in heated defiance, and the space between them seemed to contract with the urgency of the moment. The guild's stance was a unified front, an impenetrable barrier against the intrusion of outside power.
"Seize her!" Lord Cedric commanded, but his authority met a wall of steadfast opposition.
"Not in my guild, Lord Cedric," Sebastian said, the challenge crisp and unmistakable, his voice confident and unwavering.
Hinata just stood at the center of all the chaos, her defiant smirk a reflection of the strength and solidarity that surrounded her. The storm had arrived, but she was ready, and the determination in her eyes spoke louder than any words.
The guild erupted into a chorus of resolve, the clash of wills echoing off the walls. Adventurers rose in a single, synchronized movement, the metallic song of their weapons filling the air with a harmony of defiance. The guards hesitated, caught between orders and the undeniable show of force that opposed them.
Lord Cedric's face contorted with fury and disbelief, his carefully laid plans unravelling in the face of such unexpected resistance.
"I said seize her!" Cedric shouted, but the words were hollow against the solid wall of adventurers that barred his path.
Sebastian's laughter rang clear and bold, a note of authority that cut through the chaos as every adventurer and guild staff member stood armed and ready for a fight.
"Not in my guild, Lord Cedric," Sebastian repeated, the words like iron. "Hinata is free, and your claim holds no power here. The Adventurers’ Guild will never consent to your request."
The guards wavered, their resolve shaken by the unwavering stance of the guild. Each adventurer was a testament to the solidarity that bound them, a living shield that would not yield to outside demands. Even against the guildmaster alone they would have stood no chance, but against the entirety of the guild? It was an impossible ask.
Hinata watched with triumph sparking in her eyes, her presence the heart of the storm. She was the fulcrum on which the entire confrontation turned, and her calm confidence spoke volumes in the midst of the uproar.
The room pulsed with charged emotion, the clash of authority and rebellion weaving a tense, intricate tapestry. Naomi and Akira stood behind Lord Cedric, their expressions a mixture of shock and anger at the unfolding scene. They had not anticipated this, the sheer magnitude of the resistance, and it left them momentarily at a loss.
"How dare you," Naomi said, her voice quivering with disbelief. "We raised you, gave you everything—"
"And now she's taken everything back," Sebastian interjected, his words a sharp reminder of Hinata's newfound autonomy.
Akira's gaze flicked to the adventurer card in Hinata's hand, realization dawning with bitter clarity.
"You have betrayed us," Akira accused, but the accusation fell flat against the reality of her freedom.
Helen scoffed and laughed at the claim. “You might be her family, but as a registered adventurer, the guild is now one of her guardians. The only betrayer here are those who would try to deny an adventurer their freedom.”
The standoff continued, a battle of wills as much as strength. Lord Cedric's face burned with anger, but beneath it lay the cold acknowledgment that he had been outmaneuvered. Hinata's plan was a stroke of brilliance, and the guild's support was a fortress he could not breach.
"You will regret this," Cedric said, his voice a low, simmering threat. But the bravado was hollow, the words more desperate than dangerous.
"We will take our chances," Sebastian replied, his confidence unshaken by the threat. The guild stood firm, an unyielding testament to the young adventurer's choice and their commitment to protect her.
The confrontation drew to a close, the air still thick with the tension of the clash. Cedric's party turned to leave, their retreat a grudging acceptance of defeat. Hinata remained at the center, her defiant smirk a testament to her victory and the unity that had carried her through. As the doors swung shut behind them, the guild erupted in a cheer of solidarity and triumph. Hinata had claimed her freedom, and with it, the support of an entire community that would stand by her side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
The guild hall buzzed with the kind of energy that only follows a storm—the heady, electrifying aftermath of a confrontation survived and a challenge met. Laughter and triumph echoed through the space, the collective relief tangible in every voice and gesture. Weapons were sheathed with the finality of a confrontation resolved, but the excitement of new beginnings crackled in the air. The solidarity around Hinata was palpable, as the adventurers resolved to protect their own. She had risked everything, and as the dust settled, the victory was sweet and shared. Her eyes shone with the promise of the future, and those around her shared in its bright uncertainty. Adventurers were survivors of adversity, and they recognized her triumph.
And Hinata felt that triumph in every breath, the exultant chorus of support filling the guild with a sense of unity and purpose. Her gamble had paid off, and the thrill of it left her both energized and humbled. She was more than just the defiant (reincarnated) child who had walked into the guild that morning; she was now part of something larger, a community that embraced her with open arms.
Sebastian watched the scene unfold with a mixture of relief and satisfaction. The young adventurer had dropped a complex gift into their laps, and though the path was sure to be fraught with challenges, they were ready to face it together. Sebastian had high expectations of the newbie, given her talents. He caught Hinata's eye, offering her a nod that spoke of shared understanding and mutual respect.
"Welcome to the guild," Sebastian said, the words carrying the weight of acceptance and the promise of future adventures. “Go find a quest to accept, preferably before the mid-morning slackers arrive.”
Laughter echoed out as the more experienced adventurers rallied around her, their camaraderie as infectious as it was genuine. Hinata's presence was a spark that had ignited them all, and the victory felt like a collective achievement. She had dared to dream, to defy, and the result was a living testament to her courage and their commitment. Commentary and quest recommendations for a new G-Rank were tossed around as adventurers reminisced on their own pasts.
As the noise and motion swirled around her, Hinata took a moment to reflect on the enormity of what she had accomplished. She had turned the tables on those who thought they held her fate, orchestrated an escape that left them reeling and herself free. The sweet taste of success lingered on her tongue, and she savored every moment of it.
And she was not about to waste her time on a quest to clean the public toilets, no matter how highly the adventurers recommended it. Thanks, but no thanks, Hinata thought. Maybe another day, after all it is worth guild rank points and I want to move to F-Rank as soon as possible.
Sure, her gamble had been bold, but it was the only move that made sense. To wait would have been to risk everything she had worked for, and the thought of being trapped by their designs still filled her with dread. But now, with the guild as her shield and her ally, the world felt wide and full of promise. But, she was starting to realize, at lower ranks the quest board at the Adventurers’ Guild read more like job advertisements for an employment agency. In G-Rank, most of the requests were for one-off day labor or simple tasks that others found bothersome. These continued into F-Rank, where the requests shifted from one-offs to repeatable jobs.
Hinata glared at one of the quest requests for day labor.
[QUEST: Excavate rubble and assist in lot clearing]
Looking for assistance clearing rubble from demolished lots. Physical strength a must as you will be moving large stones, clumps of brick, wooden beams, and similar construction materials to a disposal wagon.
Reward: 5 silver per day plus bonus for high performance;
Ranks: G-Rank, F-Rank, E-Rank;
Requirements: Minimum strength attribute of 35;
I get reincarnated to another world, and the best paying quest for my rank is moving rubble in construction sites, Hinata thought bitterly. Trash removal, cleaning, lost pets, and small animal hunting are options as well, but for highest compensation, clearing rubble seems to be the way to go.
Hinata looked at the toilet cleaning quest her senior adventurers were recommending and grimaced.
[QUEST: Public Toilet Cleaning]
Reward: 2 copper per cleaned toilet;
Ranks: G-Rank, F-Rank;
Maybe it would not be too bad if I just used my purification magic spell? Hinata wondered. Ah, but I concealed that from showing in my status. I should have checked the quests before deciding what magic spells to conceal and which to reveal. Not that I had the opportunity.
The laughter and cheers wrapped around her like a warm, comforting embrace, taking the bitter edge off, as the adventurers continued their celebration of the path she had chosen. It was a beginning, the start of something new and exhilarating, and she relished the uncertainty and excitement of it all. Even if it meant she had to clean toilets.
"We have got your back," Elena Fairwind said, clapping Hinata on the shoulder with a grin. Elena was a B-Ranked Warrior, and her party was grinning nearby. "You do not need to worry about harassment from the Lord or his guards. We will keep an eye out on you."
Hinata smiled, the expression one of gratitude and fierce determination. She had allies now, support she had never dared hope for, and the weight of her journey felt lighter than it ever had before.
The dust of the confrontation settled, but the energy remained, crackling with the potential of the unknown. Hinata looked around at the faces that surrounded her, at the friends and fellow adventurers who would share in her quest for freedom and discovery.
She was ready for whatever came next, ready to meet the challenges and embrace the adventures that awaited. Even if she would prefer fighting goblins to cleaning toilets. The guild was her sanctuary and her springboard, and with each passing moment, her resolve grew stronger.
As the echoes of celebration filled the space, Hinata knew she had made the right choice. The future was bright and untamed, and she would greet it with the same bold spirit that had brought her this far. It was the beginning of everything she had ever dreamed of, and the thrill of it sent her heart soaring.
At least until Helen came over and asked a simple question. “So, where are you staying? I assume you are not going home.”
“Ah,” Hinata said. She had been so focused on registering as an adventurer that she had never considered what would happen next.
