The great gates of Aramode stood open, allowing a steady flow of merchants, travelers, and adventurers to pass beneath their towering stone archway.
Tolu slowed his pace for a moment.
Beyond the walls stretched a world he had only ever heard about in stories.
Rolling green fields swayed gently beneath the morning breeze, broken only by winding dirt roads, scattered groves of trees, and distant hills fading into the horizon.
"It looks... different," he said quietly.
Ore smiled.
"You’ve never left the city before, have you?"
"Not that I can remember."
She laughed softly.
"Try not to stare too much. You’ll look like a tourist."
"I probably am."
The group continued down the road, passing farmers tending their fields and wagons carrying fresh produce toward the city. Several travelers stepped aside upon seeing the guild emblem embroidered on Instructor Fadeyi’s robe.
Nearly an hour later, the instructor raised a hand.
"We’re here."
The group stopped.
The hunting ground looked almost peaceful.
Tall grass stretched in every direction, interrupted by scattered boulders and clusters of trees. A narrow stream flowed quietly nearby, its clear water reflecting the afternoon sun.
There was no sign of danger.
Which made several novices relax.
Instructor Fadeyi noticed immediately.
"The first mistake."
The smiles disappeared.
"You’ve mistaken peace for safety."
He slowly turned toward the group.
"Many beginners believe monsters only live in frightening places."
"They don’t."
"They live wherever they can survive."
He pointed toward the grass.
"A slime can hide there."
He pointed toward the stream.
"Another beneath the bank."
Finally, he pointed toward a rocky outcrop.
"And another in the shade."
His gaze swept across the ten novices.
"Never assume an area is safe simply because it’s quiet."
He planted the end of his staff firmly into the ground.
"Now..."
"The rules."
"You will remain within sight of your assigned partner at all times."
"If you cannot see them..."
"You are already too far apart."
He raised one finger.
"If you encounter any monster other than a slime..."
"You retreat immediately and report it."
A second finger.
"If you hear three whistle blasts..."
"...you abandon whatever you are doing and regroup here."
A third finger.
"You are not to chase fleeing monsters into unfamiliar terrain."
"Many young adventurers have disappeared doing exactly that."
His expression remained calm.
"Today’s objective is simple."
"Each pair will retrieve slime cores."
"Nothing more."
"Do not collect herbs."
"Do not explore caves."
"Do not hunt additional monsters."
"You are here to learn."
Several novices nodded.
One raised a hand.
"Instructor, what if the slime attacks first?"
A faint smile crossed Fadeyi’s face.
"Then..."
"...you remember why you’re carrying those swords."
A few nervous chuckles spread through the group.
Fadeyi walked toward a patch of unusually thick grass.
Without warning, he thrust the tip of his staff into it.
A wet squeal echoed across the field.
The grass shook violently.
Moments later, a translucent creature the size of a large barrel bounced into view.
Its jelly-like body rippled with every movement, and at its center floated a pale blue crystal no larger than a walnut.
Several novices instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons.
"So..."
Fadeyi said calmly.
"This..."
"...is a slime."
The creature lunged.
With a single step to the side, the instructor avoided it effortlessly.
His staff flashed once.
Thwack!
The slime burst apart, collapsing into a puddle of clear gelatin.
Only the glowing blue crystal remained.
Fadeyi crouched, picked it up between two fingers, and held it where everyone could see.
"The slime core."
"The only thing you’re here to collect."
He dropped it into a small leather pouch.
Then he looked at the ten young adventurers standing before him.
His eyes lingered on each of them in turn.
"Pair up."
"The lesson is over."
"The hunt..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"...begins now."
"Choose your partners."
No sooner had Instructor Fadeyi spoken than the novices began looking around.
Tolu smiled.
"I don’t think we need to discuss this."
Ore folded her arms.
"Were you expecting me to let someone else slow me down?"
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"That hurts."
"It was supposed to."
The two shared a laugh before moving together.
Across the field, several glances drifted toward Ademola.
One young man stepped forward.
"Want to team up?"
Before Ademola could answer, a girl with neatly braided hair spoke.
"I was going to ask him first."
A few other novices hesitated, clearly interested but unwilling to interrupt.
Ademola looked between them before giving a small shrug.
"I’ll go with you."
He nodded toward the braided-haired girl.
"My name’s Kemi."
"Ademola."
There was no pride in his voice.
No arrogance.
Just quiet confidence.
The remaining novices quickly formed pairs of their own.
Instructor Fadeyi waited until everyone stood beside a partner.
"Good."
He pointed toward different sections of the hunting grounds.
"Each pair will search a separate area."
"Remain within hearing distance."
"If you encounter trouble..."
"...blow the whistle the guild issued you."
He looked around once more.
"Move out."
One by one, the five pairs disappeared into the tall grass.
The breeze gently rustled the field as Tolu and Ore walked side by side.
Neither spoke for a while.
Both scanned the grass carefully, just as they’d been taught.
Ore suddenly raised a hand.
"There."
About twenty paces away, a pale blue slime bounced lazily beneath the shade of a tree.
Tolu lowered his voice.
"I’ll circle left."
"I’ll keep its attention."
He nodded.
Moments later...
The slime noticed Ore and sprang toward her.
She sidestepped neatly.
"Tolu!"
"I’m here."
His training sword came down with a clean strike.
The slime burst apart with a soft splash.
Ore crouched first.
"There it is."
She carefully picked the glowing blue core from the remains before rinsing it in a nearby puddle.
"One."
She dropped it into the small guild pouch hanging from her belt.
"Only nine more if we want a decent reward."
Tolu smiled.
"We’re practically rich already."
She laughed.
"If this makes you feel rich..."
"...your standards are very low."
They continued walking.
Another slime.
Another careful attack.
Another glowing core.
Soon three faintly glowing crystals rested inside their pouch.
The work became almost relaxing.
Walk.
Search.
Strike.
Collect.
After a while, Tolu broke the silence.
"Have you ever thought about what you’ll do if adventuring doesn’t work out?"
Ore looked at him curiously.
"That’s a strange question."
"I know."
She thought for a moment.
"I suppose..."
"...I’d like somewhere people could gather."
"What do you mean?"
"A tavern."
Tolu blinked.
"A tavern?"
She nodded.
"My parents always used to say adventurers carry the best stories."
She smiled to herself.
"I think it’d be nice to own a place where they could eat, rest, and tell those stories."
"You’ve thought about this."
"A little."
She looked at him.
"What about you?"
Tolu shrugged.
"I don’t know."
"I’ve only ever wanted one thing."
"What’s that?"
"To make sure Uncle Aremu never has to worry about money again."
Ore’s expression softened.
"So that’s why you’re always taking every guild lesson so seriously."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I guess."
"If adventuring works..."
"I’ll build him a bigger shop."
"If it doesn’t..."
He smiled.
"Maybe I’ll help you run that tavern."
Ore laughed.
"You?"
"What’s wrong with me?"
"You’d probably give away free food to anyone who looked hungry."
"...I might."
"I knew it."
Their laughter drifted through the quiet field as they continued their search, completely unaware that fate had already begun steering them toward a future far greater than either of them could imagine.