Warm sunlight illuminated the edge of the forest on the outskirts of Antrows City. A gentle breeze carried the scent of damp earth and the fragrance of wild plants. There, Party Noiver was busy with their very first mission as Rank G adventurers.
Even though this mission was merely to collect medicinal herbs, a task often looked down upon by other adventurers, Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia carried it out with overflowing enthusiasm.
"Big Brother Key, Big Brother Novan, have you found all the herbs yet?" Novalia shouted from behind a lush thicket. She seemed busy matching the leaves she had picked with the illustrations in her guidebook.
Keyzier and Donovan popped up from different directions. "Done!" they answered in unison, raising their hands while holding the medicinal plants.
Keyzier walked closer, staring intently at Novalia. He remembered something that had been on his mind since yesterday. "By the way, Nova! From now on, just call us by our names. Don't include 'Big Brother' in front of us. After all, our ages only differ by two years, right?"
Novalia was stunned for a moment. In the noble environment where she was raised, etiquette was everything. Calling older men without a title of respect felt very foreign to her.
"Yes, big brother... uh, I mean Key. I'll get used to calling you by your names." she answered awkwardly.
Keyzier narrowed his eyes, putting on a mischievous face that was actually just a playful bluff. "If you call us 'Big Brother' again, we won't answer you, Nova! We'll just pretend you're not there."
Novalia flinched, her face turning slightly pale. She had to get used to it quickly.
Novalia, who had harbored a deep crush on Keyzier from the beginning, was left feeling helpless. To her, Keyzier was a savior who brought light into her dark life. She was terrified that her awkwardness would make the person she liked hate her or distance himself.
However, behind his serious face, Keyzier actually just wanted to tease her. He enjoyed seeing Novalia's panicked expression, which he found cute.
Donovan, who had been friends with Keyzier since childhood, understood his best friend's temperament perfectly. He just stood there quietly, holding back laughter, watching how "wickedly" Keyzier played with a young girl's pure feelings.
Key, without realizing it, you've made everything easy. Donovan muttered to himself. Nova, who clearly has feelings for you, will definitely feel closer to you now because you've removed the barrier of formality between you. I just hope you don't do anything stupid that ruins the mood in the future! Hahaha!
Unconsciously, Donovan's usually suppressed laughter burst out of his mouth.
"What are you laughing at, Novan? Is something funny?" Keyzier asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh... nothing. I just remembered a funny moment from the past when we were still in the village." Donovan quickly made an excuse, still trying to stifle his laughter.
.....
After all the herbs were collected in the requested amount, the three of them immediately returned to the adventurer guild building.
Upon arrival, they promptly handed over the herbs at the reception desk. An aura of pure happiness radiated so strongly from these three teenagers that they became the center of attention for other adventurers in the hall.
Hana, the receptionist, smiled sincerely at them. She could feel that genuine joy. For her, it was rare to see adventurers feeling so sincerely happy just for a herb-gathering mission.
"First mission completed perfectly. Here is your reward, 20 Bronzes." Hana said kindly.
In the Altoria Kingdom, the currency system is divided into three levels: Gold is the highest, followed by Silver, and the smallest is Bronze. Although 20 bronzes was a very small amount compared to the 1,200 Golds Keyzier had previously taken from the bandit base, this money felt more precious because it was earned from their first hard work as official adventurers.
With all business concluded, they returned to the Rising Stardust inn.
Thanks to the treasure they possessed, Party Noiver didn't have to worry about living expenses. They set a fairly unique schedule: four days a week to carry out missions, and the remaining three days were used to train intensively outside the city or inside their inn rooms.
The primary focus of their training was Novalia, who had realized that her role as a support mage was the backbone of the team. During their days off, she met with Keyzier to study magic theory.
Beyond their expectations, Novalia turned out to be incredibly intelligent. In just three days since buying it, she had finished the magic manual they bought at the library. She didn't just master basic buff and debuff spells, but also intermediate techniques.
Novalia was now able to cast Blind to momentarily obscure an opponent's vision, as well as Paralyze which could lock an enemy's movements in an instant. She's only shortcoming was her lack of talent for healing magic. Even though Keyzier had tried to teach her many times, Novalia's body seemed to reject that specific magic element.
"I'm sorry, Key. I can't use healing magic like you can." Novalia said, looking down dejectedly one evening in the garden behind the inn.
Keyzier tapped Novalia's shoulder gently. "Don't think about it. Being a supporter who can lock down the enemy's movement is already a huge help to us. That way, Novan and I can finish them off before they even get a chance to hurt us."
Keyzier then looked at the twilight sky, then back at Novalia seriously. "Nova, when we arrive in the capital later, we will look for more ancient magic books for you. I want you to be the strongest support mage in the world!"
Novalia smiled faintly, touched by Keyzier's attention but feeling it was impossible to achieve. "What did you just say, Key? I don't need to be the strongest. Just being someone who can stand beside you and protect the two of you is enough for me."
Upon hearing that answer, Keyzier's expression suddenly changed. Instead of being happy, he looked annoyed. He leaned his face closer to Novalia, making the girl step back slightly in surprise.
"Hey Nova, listen to this carefully! Novan and I have already intended to become the strongest in this world! Of course, you must become the strongest along with us! Y-O-U M-U-S-T!" Keyzier insisted, with emphasis on every word.
Novalia stared blankly, unable to believe that Keyzier could get so annoyed just because she didn't have the ambition to be number one. On the other hand, Donovan, who was leaning against a tree, could only laugh hysterically seeing Keyzier's stubborn behavior.
"Why do you look so annoyed at me?" Novalia asked, confused.
"Of course I'm annoyed! If you only intend to 'protect us', that won't be enough if you aren't a strong mage yourself! But, if you become a great and unrivaled mage, you can not only protect us but also everyone else who needs your protection!" Keyzier crossed his arms, still wearing a sour expression.
Novalia fell silent. Keyzier's words hit her right in the heart. She realized that her mindset so far had been too narrow. She wanted to be free from her father's pursuit, she wanted to protect her friends, but she forgot that strength is the foundation of all those desires.
She looked at her World Tree magic staff, then back at Keyzier with a new sparkle in her eyes, a sparkle full of ambition. "You're right, Key. I'm sorry. I've decided... I will become the strongest support mage in the future!"
Hearing that, Keyzier finally smiled with satisfaction. "Now, that's what I call a member of Noiver!"