Receptionist Leila: "Th-This is…!?"

Ryuujin: "?"

Ryuujin, determined to make a living on his own, had come to the Adventurer's Guild to register. He filled out the application form as instructed, but the receptionist looked a bit troubled.

Leila: "Do you have any special skills? Swordsmanship, archery… Please fill out the skill, job class, and blessing sections if you have any."

The registration form asked for name, age, contact information, and a list of skills, abilities, and blessings, but Ryuujin had left everything blank except for his name and address. Leila looked at Ryuujin with suspicion.

Ryuujin: "No, I don't have any."

Leila: "None at all…? I don't think it'll be easy to become an adventurer with that…?"

Ryuujin: "But anyone can become an adventurer if they wish, right?"

Leila: "Well, yes, but it's a dangerous profession. You seem small… Ah, are you strong in magic!?"

Ryuujin: "No, I don't have any magic either. I'm completely talentless when it comes to magic…"

Leila: "Let's test it then! It's not uncommon to hear stories of people being super rookies who hide their amazing talents by being too humble!"

Receptionist Leila brought a large crystal ball from the back of the room.

Leila: "Place your hand on this."

Ryuujin did as instructed, but the crystal ball didn't react at all.

Leila: "… ? Is it broken?"

Leila placed her hand on it, and a faint purple light emitted.

She asked Ryuujin to try again, but nothing happened.

Leila: "What is this…?"

Daniel: "That means he has no magic, zero."

An older man with gray hair appeared from behind.

Leila: "Is that even possible? Even I have a small reaction…"

Daniel: "It's rare, but not unheard of. Occasionally, there are people who are completely devoid of magic, zero."

Leila: "But without magic, they can't use magic, and even magic tools won't work, right?"

Daniel: "Well, most magic tools have magic stones attached so they can be used even by people with weak magic. They won't be completely unusable… But they won't be able to use magic tools that utilize the user's own magic."

Daniel took the application form from Leila and turned to Ryuujin.

Daniel: "Strength… you don't look strong. No magic… Do you have any special skills? Are you good with swords, bows…?"

Ryuujin: "I practiced swords and bows a bit…"

Daniel: "Let's see. Follow me."

Daniel didn't wait for Ryuujin to finish his sentence and walked away. Ryuujin hurriedly followed him to the training ground behind the guild.

Daniel, as it turned out, was the master of the guild (also known as the guildmaster).

Daniel: "There's usually no test for adventurer registration, but with your lack of skills…"

Daniel, even though he was retired, was a former B-ranked adventurer, and he told Ryuujin to go ahead and give it his best.

Ryuujin swung a wooden sword, striking out… but he didn't even graze Daniel. In the end, he was hit by Daniel and dropped the sword.

Daniel: "You're better off giving up on becoming an adventurer. Go home."

Ryuujin: "But isn't it true that anyone can register to become an adventurer if they want to…?"

Daniel: "That's the formality… but being an adventurer is dangerous work. A powerless person will only die. I can't let a kid like you die."

Ryuujin: "Please! If I can't become an adventurer here, I'll die out there anyway…"

Ryuujin pulled down his collar and showed his neck. There was a scar where a ring had been fitted. It was the mark of a slave's collar.

Daniel: "You were a slave? You're not wearing a collar now, so you've been freed…?"

Ryuujin nodded.

Daniel didn't ask any further questions.

Ryuujin's reason for wanting to become an adventurer was because of his slave background and young age. No matter where he went, he wouldn't be treated properly. He could either become a slave under a merchant and live a life worse than that of a slave, or he could try his hand at becoming an adventurer.

Daniel, perhaps sensing Ryuujin's circumstances or recognizing his determination, allowed him to register as an adventurer.

And so, Ryuujin's life as an adventurer began.

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—

Leila: "Are you sure? The appraisal results show his level is '1'. I've never seen anyone with a level of '1' in this guild…"

'Appraisal' is a magic that allows you to see the status of another person. They had called in a specialist to appraise Ryuujin to see if he had any useful abilities as an adventurer.

Appraisal shows the skills and classes a person possesses, as well as their general strength in a numerical form.

Normally, people's level increases gradually with growth, even through everyday life. A level in the double digits is commonplace for skilled adventurers. A single-digit level is not uncommon for ordinary people, but a '1' is unheard of unless the person is still a baby.

Daniel: "Hmph, what can you do? Anyone can register as an adventurer. He's still young, there's no telling if he might blossom later."

Leila: "I suppose…"

"Besides, there's always a use for a useless adventurer…"

Daniel muttered under his breath, but Leila didn't hear.