"Look—that's the Crimson Flower of Justice, isn't it? I can't believe we're seeing her here… we're so lucky…"
"Yeah. And she's got a kid with her. Is that one of the children who got abducted earlier? Thank the gods they managed to bring him back."
"Do you think I can go ask for an autograph?"
The voices around them were hushed, but still clear enough to catch. Hearing it, Xien couldn't help feeling a flicker of pride.
But beside him, Captain Alise didn't react at all. Wearing her usual gentle smile, she simply held Xien's hand and walked straight ahead.
People instinctively moved aside, making a path for them—not out of fear, but out of sincere respect.
That, in turn, let those at the crowded counter finally notice them.
A young woman with short hair, still in her twenties, saw that familiar figure and reflexively reached for a "Missing Persons Registration Form," ready to do what she always did whenever Alise showed up.
What she didn't expect was that this time… Alise wasn't here for that.
"Yo. Long time no see, Nasha."
Alise greeted the gray-haired human woman warmly. The woman was both her Guild advisor and a close friend.
"Yeah, Alise. So—this time it's this kid? Your Astraea Familia really is diligent. Honestly, thank you. You've done so much for Orario."
"Haha, it's what we should do. But you've got one thing wrong."
Alise tapped the form in Nasha's hand, proudly announcing:
"I'm not here to register a rescued victim. I'm here to register a new member."
Nasha froze.
"…Huh?"
The entire Guild froze.
"…Huh?!"
Because everyone in the room was thinking the same thing:
Wait—Astraea Familia doesn't recruit men, do they?!
The next moment, the Guild exploded.
A short while later, inside a private consultation room.
A capable, neatly dressed "big-sister" Guild staffer sat there with a pained expression, briskly filling in Xien's basic information and entering it into the records—while periodically shooting Alise a look that was basically pure complaint.
"Sorry, sorry! I just got too excited!" Alise finally gave in under that stare, smiling as she clasped her hands together and bowed her head in apology.
Nasha sighed helplessly.
"Fine. I can't even blame you entirely. It's your Astraea Familia that's the weird one."
That announcement had instantly detonated the whole building. It took real effort to calm things down, and even now there were people outside maintaining order.
Astraea Familia was a moral yardstick in Orario. Some feared them, some hated them—but no one could deny this:
They represented "justice," right here and now.
And because their recruitment standards were so harsh, they were practically the white moonlight of countless adventurers—the dream familia people admired from afar.
Now imagine telling those gossip-addicted adventurers: Astraea Familia has a new member.
And not only that—it's a boy.
Of course the Guild would lose its mind.
Nasha couldn't help studying the quiet boy across the table with open curiosity. He sat calmly, not rowdy at all—nothing like most boys his age.
Why would Lady Astraea choose him?
"Alright," Nasha said, tapping her pen. "Xien, right? Your basic registration is done. Next is choosing your Guild advisor."
She slid a stack of lists across the table.
"Here's the roster—photos and basic specialties. Pick a few you think suit you, and we'll arrange meetings."
New adventurer registration itself was simple—name and familia, mostly. Anything beyond that fell under personal privacy.
Xien thanked her out of habit, glanced at Alise—who seemed perfectly neutral—and started flipping through the roster.
Each page had a portrait and basic work profile: strengths, approach, what they specialized in.
Two pages in, he found Nasha's profile.
Meticulous. Responsible. Extremely detail-oriented.
And beneath that: the number of adventurers she supported.
Several hundred.
That was an absurd figure.
Most others topped out at a few dozen—and Nasha was also Alise's advisor.
So she was clearly the Guild's ace.
Xien decided: If I don't see anything better by the end, I'll choose her.
You couldn't fake a reputation like this. If hundreds of adventurers trusted her with something that could decide whether they lived or died, she had to be the real deal.
Adventurers lived on a knife's edge. If an advisor wasn't competent, who would entrust them with information that could determine their survival?
Page by page, he continued… until he saw someone completely out of place.
A figure that looked about eleven or twelve.
Slightly pointed ears—but not the clean, unmistakable kind an elf had. Not quite that pale, either. Brown hair with a hint of green—thin enough to show her elven blood was diluted.
A half-elf.
Then he read the name:
Eina Tulle.
So she was already working at the Guild at this point…
He looked up. "Ms. Nasha, this one…"
He pulled Eina's page out and placed it on the table so both Alise and Nasha could see it.
"Oh, her," Nasha said. "I'll admit—you really know how to pick."
"She's a half-elf. Graduated from the Education District last year—top student. She's already capable of handling Guild work smoothly."
"Don't let her age fool you. I supervised her for a while. She's extremely serious, and everything she does is orderly. She's never made a mistake on duty."
"That's why the Guild Master agreed to let her become an advisor early."
Then Nasha's tone turned carefully impartial.
"But as you can see—she's too young, and she has zero independent advisor experience. So, so far, no adventurer has chosen her."
Nasha didn't push the recommendation, even if she personally believed in Eina. Advisor selection mattered too much for her to interfere.
"Understood. Thank you."
Xien kept reading, like he was doing a recruitment screening—getting a strange little thrill out of playing HR in another world.
By the time he reached the end, nothing else stood out.
He paused a few seconds, made his decision, and looked up.
"Ms. Nasha—could you ask Ms. Tulle to come over? I'd like to meet her. If it doesn't work out… then I'll trouble you."
Nasha blinked.
"…You're not going to reconsider? She's completely new."
"No need," Xien said calmly. "I just have a feeling she fits. I don't think I'm wrong."
Alise and Nasha exchanged a glance—then both smiled.
This kid was interesting.
And his eye was good: he'd picked a "double gold guarantee."
"Alright," Nasha said. "Wait here. I'll bring her."
After they nodded, she left the soundproof room.
The moment the door shut, Alise leaned in slightly.
"Tell me, why did you choose her?"
To be honest, Alise was curious. Was it just because she looked cute?
But that's a child.
"Of course, Captain."
Xien explained his reasoning.
"First, her profile is good. And Ms. Nasha, you praised her."
"Second… she has zero clients."
Alise looked surprised.
Xien continued.
"Everyone else treats that as a flaw—lack of experience. But to me, it's an advantage."
"She has time. She can respond quickly when I ask questions. And Ms. Nasha said she guided her before, which means their relationship is likely good."
"So if Eina runs into something difficult, she'll probably consult you."
He smiled.
"That means I'm effectively hiring two advisors."
Alise's eyes lit up.
She clearly hadn't expected him to think that far.
"But it's still not perfectly safe," Xien added. "So I want to meet her first. If it doesn't match expectations, then I'll choose Ms. Nasha—just like you did."
"Double insurance."
Alise laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Not bad. You're small, but you've got plenty of tricks. That's a surprisingly solid plan."
As an adventurer, brains mattered.
What Alise didn't know was that Xien had another reason.
In the story he remembered, Eina was a core early influence—someone who shaped Bell's path as he grew. Even if she looked green now, the fact she would become that person later proved her talent.
And if he was the first to choose her?
She'd pour her heart into doing this right.
Because he understood the feeling—being a newcomer desperate to prove yourself.
Xien's lips curved slightly at the thought.
A few minutes later, Nasha returned—bringing a very cute half-elf girl into the room.
At first glance, Xien saw it clearly:
Nervousness.
And excitement.
"Hello. I'm Eina Tulle. It's a pleasure to meet you both…"
A few minutes earlier…
Eina had been doing paperwork in silence, repeating the same document-sorting routine. It was boring—but vital. Adventurers depended on accurate information, so she checked everything with relentless care.
Still… there was a small regret.
She had prepared for so long. She'd earned the Guild Master's approval and her seniors' praise. She had become a qualified advisor.
But because of her age, no new adventurer was willing to choose her.
Her senior had told her: Give it a few years. Once you're older, someone will pick you. And once you have that first step—from zero to one—people will recognize your ability.
Eina agreed. She believed it.
But her current work had become too easy—no challenge left.
So the regret lingered.
I really want to know… what kind of person my first adventurer will be.
Nearby, her friend was sprawled over the desk, exhausted from the earlier chaos. Eina watched her and felt a helpless fondness.
Maybe that was the happiness of being… simple? Not thinking too much, satisfied with the moment.
Is that what they mean by "fools have fool's luck"?
Then the thought came again:
That new Astraea Familia member who caused the uproar… who would he choose?
Probably Nasha, she decided—Nasha was outstanding, and she was also Captain Alise's advisor.
Right as Eina was drifting through those thoughts, she didn't realize that the very senior she admired had already arrived at the room's doorway.
"Eina Tulle. Come with me. Advisor meeting."
Eina froze.
"…Huh?"
Back in the consultation room.
"Hello, Ms. Tulle. My name is Xien. I'm here to hire a Guild advisor. Could you introduce yourself?"
He's older than me…
"Yes."
Eina straightened and delivered a crisp, formal introduction.
"I am Eina Tulle. As you can see, I'm a half-elf. I completed the Education District curriculum one year ago. I am currently a formal Guild employee with one year of assistant-advisor experience."
"A few months ago, I achieved first place in the Guild's internal advisor examination. I have both the qualifications and the determination to serve as the advisor for any new adventurer."
Oh no… was that too formal? Did I scare him?
But Xien remained calm and continued.
"Alright. Then if you were my advisor right now—what advice would you give me?"
"Please call me Eina. And if that's the case, then first—may I ask you a few questions…?"
Half an hour later, the two adults watched the two "kids" shake hands, both smiling.
At the Guild entrance, Eina bowed and handed Xien a slip of paper with both hands.
"Of course. If you run into any trouble, please contact me at any time. This is my private magic communication beacon—please accept it."
Xien took it with a slightly blank expression, following Alise's subtle cue.
This feels… wrong. Why does it feel so familiar?
Isn't this basically a confession scene?
Am I secretly some destined conqueror-type?
"Uh… okay. Thank you…"
He tucked the note carefully into his pocket and waved goodbye.
"Safe travels," Eina said.
Nasha smiled at her junior.
"Congratulations. You finally earned recognition through your own effort. Want to celebrate after work?"
Eina exhaled long and steady—gratitude all over her face.
"Absolutely. My treat—consider it thanks for everything you've done for me."
To be honest, that sustained half-hour of questions would've been rough if her knowledge base weren't solid—and if her ability to react under pressure weren't sharp.
But she'd held the line.
And she'd finally crossed that step from zero to one.
-------
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