Kazuki sat at the guild's main desk, staring at the guild ledger like it had personally betrayed him.
Tala stood behind him, arms crossed. "You spent how much on mana-forged chew toys?"
"They're teething," Kazuki replied defensively. "Do you want Hikari gnawing on the guild foundation again?"
The baby dragon was currently curled under the table, hiccuping lightning and happily chomping on a glowing rock.
Each crunch cost 300 guild credits.
"Don't even get me started on the fireproof pillows," Tala muttered, flipping through the expenses. "And this receipt says 'one emergency slime containment dome.'"
"That was for Smile," Kazuki said. "He got stuck in a blender. Don't ask."
Tala rubbed her temples. "The guild is broke, Kazuki. As in can't-afford-bread broke."
A lightning bolt struck the wall behind them. A scorch mark appeared next to last week's scorch mark.
"Okay. Fine," Kazuki groaned. "I'll get a part-time job."
✦
Montage of Job Failures
Kazuki's first attempt: Carrot Merchant.
He tried selling carrots at the morning market, dressed in an apron and floppy hat.
"Fresh carrots! Grown in mana-rich soil!"
A little old lady picked one up. "These are actually just orange mana crystals."
Hikari had eaten the real carrots.
Second attempt: Librarian.
He was assigned to the magical archives.
Kazuki tried organizing spellbooks. Unfortunately, several books were alive.
One bit him. Another exploded.
"Why does this one scream every hour?" he cried.
"It's a cursed poetry collection," the librarian said. "Shelve it alphabetically."
Third attempt: Delivery Service.
He tried flying with Hikari to deliver potions. The dragon zigzagged like a drunk hummingbird.
He crashed into a statue.
Twice.
He ended up stuck in a mana chimney and had to be fished out by Aurelis, who didn't even laugh—just looked disappointed.
"Why do you make gravity your enemy?" Aurelis muttered.
"I was born this way," Kazuki wheezed.
✦
Meanwhile, at the Guild
Tala gathered the companions in a council meeting.
Wolf was asleep, tail twitching. King Cobra coiled lazily around a lamp post. The majestic Philippine Eagle, Kurohane, stood on the rafters like a grumpy war general.
Smile bounced in with tea.
"The guild is bleeding mana credits," Tala said.
"Blame the child dragon," King Cobra hissed.
"He's adorable," said the eagle.
"He exploded the outhouse," Tala growled.
Smile sipped tea. "What you need is sponsorship."
The others stared.
"Some eccentric noble, business tycoon, or interdimensional food chain to cover our expenses," Smile continued. "In exchange for… entertaining services."
"You mean a job?" asked Cobra.
"I mean… a hero-themed idol contest."
✦
Back to Kazuki
He limped into the guild after his latest job rejection.
He found Smile waiting with a sash and glitter cannon.
"Welcome back, Kazuki! You've been chosen as our lead performer for—"
"No," Kazuki said immediately.
"—the Hero Idol Championship Extravaganza!"
"Nope."
"Top prize: 10,000 mana credits, a year of dragon food, and a custom enchanted cape."
Kazuki blinked.
"A cape?"
"With a hood."
"…Dang it."
✦
Training Begins
The next morning, the companions formed a ridiculous training committee.
King Cobra handled choreography.
Kurohane worked on posture and stage presence.
Wolf… mainly napped.
Smile made flashcards with glitter glue.
Tala tried to quit six times.
Kazuki stood center stage, holding a microphone-staff hybrid and wearing sparkly boots he didn't remember buying.
"This is the stupidest idea ever," he muttered.
Then Hikari wobbled in, wearing a matching outfit and wagging his tail.
Kazuki stared.
"…Fine. Let's give 'em a show."
✦
Meanwhile: Aurelis
Aurelis watched all this from a rooftop.
Ignis was asleep on his shoulder.
"I refuse to participate," he muttered.
Smile's voice drifted from somewhere unseen. "Winner gets full access to ancient sword manuals and VIP spa passes."
Aurelis paused.
"…How sparkly are the boots?"