NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 120.1
Why The Apprentice Group Is Here
For no particular reason, really. As always, it started with, “I was just curious,” and that was it. It was truly just a passing thought. So Yuuri, with an entirely normal tone, asked the apprentices studying in front of him, arguing back and forth.
“By the way, why are you all here?”
“”Huh?””
It seemed they didn’t understand the question. Even Magg, who usually reacted differently, joined the others in tilting their heads. Raising their heads from their textbook-like materials, they looked at Yuuri, who was leisurely embroidering a handkerchief. All four stared at him directly. Feeling puzzled, Yuuri asked again.
“I mean, why did you end up belonging here?”
“It’s not like we didn’t hear you.”
“We’re just surprised by the sudden question.”
“Oh, is that it?”
As Urgus and Camille commented, Yuuri chuckled nonchalantly. Meanwhile, his embroidery progressed swiftly, even though he wasn’t looking at his hands—an impressive feat borne of practice. Despite the suddenness of the question, since there was no reason to hide, they began answering in turn. The first was Yakk.
“I asked the leaders how to become an adventurer when they came to my village.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. My village is poor, so I thought becoming an adventurer could earn me some money. I want to grow up quickly and send money back to everyone.”
“…You’re such a good kid, Yakk.”
Yakk looked puzzled as Yuuri patted his head. Thinking not of himself but of his family, Yakk’s straightforwardness was touching. He chose to become an adventurer knowing his lack of education, as artisanal work often required personal connections to get an apprenticeship.
Yakk was a rare case—Ali recognized his sharpness and determination despite his lack of education and immediately allowed him into Scarlet Lynx. Usually, they wouldn’t accept a child who approached so boldly. Yakk proved himself worthy of Ali’s trust and effort, steadily developing into a dependable type who, though unlikely to transform dramatically, could persevere for the long term—a shared opinion among the trainers.
“What about you, Camille?”
“Me? I came to the royal capital from another town and registered as an adventurer at the guild. When I asked if there was a place to learn the basics, the guild master wrote me a recommendation letter.”
“Wow, so that happens?”
“Yeah. Actually, referrals from the guild master or acquaintances are the most common ways. Cases like Yakk’s, where you convince your way in, are pretty rare.”
“Is that so?”
Camille grinned, showing his foresight. Instead of registering as an adventurer in his hometown, he went to the royal capital, knowing it offered better opportunities. Typically, registering in one’s hometown means starting work there, but Camille had the insight to realize the capital’s advantages.
“By the way, Camille, why did you aim to become an adventurer? Your family runs a trading business, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re good at reading, writing, and arithmetic, right? So why?”
“My older sister and her husband run the business, so there’s no place for me. I figured becoming a treasure hunter and feeding information to the family would be more beneficial.”
“I see.”
Despite his light-hearted demeanor, Camille’s determination at age 14 reflected serious thought. The eldest son of a merchant family, with several older sisters, the eldest of whom managed the family business, Camille decided he’d be more of a hindrance staying home. He chose a path to support his family while living freely.
Camille had a knack for turning adversity to his advantage—a characteristic that defined him.
“Everyone has their reasons. What about you, Magg?”
“…?”
“Why did you come here, Magg?”
“…Uh…”
Yuuri’s question made Magg tilt his head, puzzled. Magg’s unusual reaction made Urgus groan and look distant, as though sensing something. Camille and Yakk, unaware of Magg’s backstory, watched their peculiar teammate with curiosity. Finally—
“Captured.”
“”Huh?””
“…Uh…”
Magg bluntly replied with a single word, leaving the others bewildered. Seeing their confusion, Urgus sighed and explained.
“Apparently, Brook-san took on a mission to clear out the slums in Magg’s town. That’s when he captured Magg and brought him here.”
“…Captured? What did you do, Magg?”
“Ambushed.”
“”What?””
Yuuri, still perplexed, asked further. Magg, as usual, replied succinctly, his tone and demeanor as nonchalant as ever. But his lack of explanation left the others looking at Urgus again, silently begging for details. With a resigned sigh, Urgus began to elaborate.