The manor's atmosphere had been tense ever since the Awakening Ceremony. Word of the shattered orb spread not only through the Valcrest estate, but across the entire capital. "The prodigy of the century," they whispered. Even the royal court sent inquiries.
At last, Father summoned me to his private chamber, flanked by Lucas and Cedric. His golden eyes bore into mine.
"Adrian… you have power beyond imagination. You will carry our house's name with honor, yes?"
I knew what he wanted. To make me the crown jewel of House Valcrest, bound to the duties of nobility. But in my heart, I had already chosen another path.
I bowed slightly, keeping my voice polite but firm.
"Father… with respect, I've decided to join the Adventurers Guild."
The room fell dead silent. Lucas's expression darkened in disbelief. Cedric nearly choked. My father's jaw tightened, while faint anger rippled through the air like heat rising off flames.
"…The Adventurers Guild? Are you jesting, Adrian?" Father's voice rumbled like thunder.
"I am not." I met his piercing gaze without flinching. "The guild offers the freedom to fight, explore, and grow stronger. Heroes who join the guild are admired by the people, sometimes even more than nobles. Some S-Rank adventurers are valued above dukes or generals—even kings rely on their strength. If I wish to reach my full potential, this is the best path."
Mother, who had been silent until now, pressed her hand to her lips… before chuckling softly. "Adrian, you surprise even me. But… perhaps he's not wrong, Reinhardt. The guild does hold immense prestige."
Father frowned deeply, torn between pride and frustration. Lucas sneered.
"You'd abandon your noble duty to run with mercenaries?"
"They're not mercenaries," I countered calmly. "They're heroes. And unlike nobles, they rise by their own merit, not by birthright."
Cedric muttered under his breath, "…Damn brat thinks he's above us already…"
Father exhaled heavily, retreating into thought. His pride as Duke clashed with the undeniable truth: the guild was not some backwater organization. Joining them part-time, while also attending the Royal Academy, would not diminish the Valcrest name—it might even elevate it.
Finally, his booming voice filled the chamber.
"Very well. If you insist on this path, you will first attend the Royal Academy, as is tradition for our sons. If you still wish to join the Adventurers Guild, you may do so part-time while enrolled. But hear this, Adrian—do not bring shame to our house."
I lowered my head respectfully, though my lips curved into a grin.
"Understood, Father."
Inwardly, my heart raced with excitement. The Royal Academy would sharpen my skills, while the Adventurers Guild would grant me real battles and freedom. With both, I'd outshine nobles, adventurers, and perhaps even kings themselves.
The path ahead was clear.
Adrian Valcrest, overpowered prodigy of House Valcrest… was destined to become a legend recognized not by birth, but by his own strength.
The streets of the royal capital bustled with life, wagons rattling along cobblestones as merchants shouted their wares. In the distance, the towering spires of the Royal Academy gleamed in the afternoon sun, but my destination was different.
The Royal Academy didn't open until next month. Until then, I had work to do.
With my parents' reluctant blessing, I made my way through the crowded avenues toward a grand stone building marked with a golden insignia: a sword and shield crossed over an open book. The banner fluttered proudly above the entrance.
The Adventurers Guild.
Unlike most noble children who clung to their tutors until the academy entrance exams, I was here to register as a guild adventurer. At seven—the minimum official age.
I pushed open the heavy oak doors and stepped inside. The guild hall was alive with chatter and clinking mugs. Warriors, mages, rangers, and rogues filled the room, their armor and cloaks showing battle-worn marks. To ordinary children, the sight would be terrifying. But to me, it was exhilarating.
At the counter, a woman with auburn hair tied neatly into a braid gave me a curious look.
"…A child?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "This isn't a playground, boy."
I smiled politely. "I'm here to register as an adventurer."
That drew a few chuckles from the nearby adventurers. One broad-shouldered man with a scar across his cheek barked, "Hah! You sure you didn't wander in here by accident, kid?"
Ignoring the laughter, I placed my hand on the registration crystal. Unlike the Awakening Orb, this crystal only measured basic potential and confirmed eligibility. Usually, it glowed faintly based on a child's strength. For me…
The instant my palm touched it, the crystal blazed brilliantly—then instantly dimmed, almost suppressing itself.
That was my doing. With my skill Heaven's Insight, I had learned to mask my true stats. Instead of displaying "999+" across the board, the crystal revealed just slightly higher-than-average numbers for my age. Talented, but not monstrous.
The receptionist blinked in mild surprise. "Oh… impressive for someone so young. You pass the requirement."
Gasps of recognition spread lightly, but most of the adventurers shrugged. Nothing that would draw suspicion.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. For now, you'll start at Rank F. Work hard, and you'll rise quickly. Do you have a party?"
"No," I said calmly. "I'll go solo for now."
Her brows knit slightly, but she nodded. "…Very well. Just remember, adventuring is dangerous. Don't take quests beyond your rank."
I accepted the freshly stamped bronze badge engraved with an F. It was mine—my first step toward freedom.
As I pinned it to my simple leather vest, the scarred adventurer from before smirked. "Heh… let's see how long the brat lasts before running home crying."
I met his gaze and smiled faintly. You'll see soon enough.
Stepping out of the guild hall, I looked toward the horizon, where the sun was beginning to dip. The Royal Academy awaited next month, but until then, the Adventurers Guild would be my playground—my testing ground.
And no one here knew the truth. No one here recognized the third son of House Valcrest, nor the power I concealed.
I clenched the guild badge tightly in my hand.
"This… is where my legend begins."
The next morning, I stood once again inside the bustling Adventurers Guild. The smell of ale, leather, and steel filled the air as adventurers sorted through job postings on the massive quest board that dominated the main hall.
I scanned the notices until one caught my eye.
-------------------------------------
Quest: Goblin Subjugation.
Location: Frostwood Forest (Outer Edge)
Reward: 5 silver coins per goblin defeated.
Rank Requirement: F
-------------------------------------
Perfect. Low-level, simple, and straightforward.
I pulled the notice free and brought it to the receptionist's counter. She glanced down at the paper, then back at me skeptically.
"A goblin hunt, your very first quest? Most kids your age start with gathering herbs."
I gave her my best polite smile. "I'll be careful."
She sighed, stamping the parchment. "Fine. But don't take unnecessary risks. Goblins may be weak, but they're vicious in groups."
I nodded and departed, guild badge clipped securely at my side.
Frostwood Forest
By midday, I arrived at Frostwood Forest. The trees loomed tall, their canopies letting only patches of sunlight drip down to the mossy ground. The forest hummed with the sounds of birds and insects—a deceptive peace that hid lurking danger.
It didn't take long to find them. A group of three goblins crouched around a crude fire pit, squabbling over dried meat. Their twisted green faces and beady eyes made them look grotesque but not particularly threatening. To an average F-rank, they would still be dangerous. To me, they were practice.
I crouched low, observing them carefully. No need to reveal my strength right away.
I picked up a loose rock, weighing it in my hand before flicking it with precise force. The makeshift projectile whistled through the air and struck one goblin square between the eyes. It collapsed instantly with a strangled cry.
The other two jumped up with shrieks, grabbing crude clubs. They charged at me.
I exhaled slowly and moved.
To the goblins, I might as well have vanished. My steps were light, faster than the eye could properly follow. I dodged their swings effortlessly, almost playfully, before striking their knees with precise kicks. Bones cracked; they fell screaming. A quick twist of the wrist, and my short sword ended their cries.
Three goblins, gone in less than half a minute.
I stood over their bodies, wiping my blade on a strip of moss. My strength had still been suppressed, every strike carefully measured so as not to draw suspicion. But even suppressed, the ease with which I dispatched them was staggering.
"Too easy," I murmured.
I dug through the goblins' filthy leather pouches, extracting crude trinkets and the proof of kill: their pointed ears. Unsavory, but the standard practice for subjugation confirmation.
As I walked back through the woods, I sensed movement nearby. More goblins—this time a pack of six. Perfect opportunity to test myself further.
Their guttural snarls echoed as they encircled me. I let a faint smile play across my lips.
"Six this time, hm? Fine—let's make it interesting."
Moments later, the forest fell silent again.
Back at the Guild
The receptionist nearly dropped the quill in her hand when I laid nine goblin ears on the counter that evening.
"Y–You defeated this many? Alone? On your first quest?"
The scarred adventurer from before—the one who mocked me—overheard and froze mid-drink, spitting out his ale. The room stirred with hushed whispers and curious stares.
I only shrugged casually, as though I had merely completed a routine errand instead of wiping out an entire goblin band.
"They weren't too tough."
I collected my silver coins, thanked the receptionist politely, and left the hall.
Behind me, the guild buzzed with growing curiosity. Who was this child? A noble's son, perhaps? Or just a freakish prodigy?
No one knew the truth. Not yet.
As the evening sun painted the sky crimson, I tightened my grip on the silver pouch at my hip. This was only the beginning. Soon, both the Academy and the Guild would bear witness to the name Adrian Valcrest.