Alto Reiss is 14 years old. He graduated from the Adventurer's Academy with top honors and became a national civil servant as an Adventurer's Guild employee. The headmaster urged him to become an adventurer, even preparing a recommendation letter for a famous guild, predicting he could reach A-class or even S-class one day.
Alto politely declined because of his mother back home. She raised him alone after his father died from an epidemic shortly after his birth. He had no memories of his father, but he remembered his mother's endless hard work to fund his academy tuition.
Adventuring offered quick riches but constant danger and instability. Guild staff jobs provided a stable salary, solid benefits, and security as national civil servants. Alto chose this path to ease his mother's hardships after years of struggle.
In his first year, he was assigned to the local C-class guild "Noble's Garden." It seemed convenient since it was near his hometown, but it turned out to be the worst placement. The guild leader, Desmond Taylor, was an elitist noble who believed only those of proud bloodlines deserved to serve as civil servants.
Desmond saw Alto, the only farmer-born employee, as an enemy and bullied him relentlessly in weekly power-harassment meetings. He mocked Alto's lack of education, dismissed his efficient ideas, and insulted his competence and meals. No matter Alto's achievements, Desmond never acknowledged them and berated him publicly in staff meetings.
Alto endured the unreasonable harassment in silence. Transfer requests were normally accepted yearly, but his were mysteriously rejected due to Desmond's central government connections. With only two weeks left until the standard reassignment, Alto clung to patience.
That afternoon, Desmond suddenly fired him. Alto was stunned and demanded a reason. Desmond coldly stated it was because Alto was born to farmers and had only summoning magic skills, claiming he should be grateful for lasting a year among nobles.
Desmond laughed at Alto's ruined transfer hopes and impending homelessness. Alto clenched his fists in rage and disappointment but held back to avoid troubling his mother. He bowed slightly in humiliated thanks and left the guild.
Wandering the town aimlessly after the firing, Alto worried about disappointing his mother. He planned to visit the job center the next morning for any work. A gust of wind slapped a newspaper against his face, featuring his old academy friends as rising stars.
Stella Grocia, the "Sword Princess of Demon Flame," had reached B-class fastest as a solo adventurer. Rex Gardner, the "All-Purpose Dragon Knight," belonged to the B-class guild "Dragon's Treasure." Rune Farmi, the "Two-Faced Witch," was in the B-class guild "Jade Morning Star."
Alto marveled at their fame compared to his wasted, fruitless year. He laughed dryly at his own misery and wondered if things would have differed had he chosen adventuring with them. Shaking off regrets, he headed home to his waiting mother.
Upon opening the old wooden door, party crackers popped. His mother beamed happily, joined by Stella, Rex, and Rune shouting birthday congratulations. They had planned a surprise party for his forgotten birthday.
Stella, with long flaxen hair and warm azure eyes, smiled radiantly. Rex, with neat navy hair and balanced muscles, grinned proudly. Rune, with shoulder-length silver hair and gentle features, bowed politely.
His mother joyfully welcomed his friends' visit. They gave gifts: Stella a rare "Princess Shrine Maiden's Crystal" necklace said to ensure safe returns. Rex offered an eight-colored adamantite greatsword, and Rune a hand-knitted robe woven with anti-magic.
Everyone's kindness soothed Alto's battered heart from the year's abuse. They enjoyed his mother's feast and reminisced about academy days filled with laughter. Conversations naturally turned to adventures, making the unknown world shine brightly to Alto.
When asked about his guild job, Alto admitted he had been fired. He lied that it was due to budget cuts and staff reductions to hide the humiliation. His friends indignantly criticized the foolish guild leader for failing to see Alto's value.
Their support lightened Alto's heart and made him feel truly valued. Thanks to them, he felt ready to face tomorrow. Suddenly, all three invited him to join their parties at once.