Chapter 9

The next day, after starting life in the mansion, I was thinking about raising my adventurer rank from D. I could exchange monster materials for money, but it would be better to take a quest that matches my appropriate rank for a better reward.

Considering my future, it’s important to raise my rank.

“I want to eat a hamburger!”

“Sure. Since I’ve been relying on Fels lately, let’s have a hamburger.”

“Thank you so much!”

Fels, who until recently never voiced her opinions, was gradually starting to express herself.

She was originally a bright and cheerful child, and this change was for the better. I couldn’t help but feel happy inside.

We entered a restaurant and took our seats. Looking around the restaurant, I noticed a particularly quiet spot.

Why was there no one around that area?

There, a red-haired girl and a large man were present.

“Stay away! How can I adventure with someone with tainted blood like you!”

A roar of anger echoed. Turning to see what was happening, I saw the red-haired girl kneeling and being hit.

She had a strong-willed face with slightly slanted red eyes.

Most notably, her red hair was different from everyone else’s.

The commotion caught the attention of other adventurers.

“Hey, don’t look at a Nino person.”

“Filthy blood... How can you eat around someone like that?”

“Where did this maggot come from?”

Insults were hurled at her.

Nino person. It was a term I wasn’t familiar with.

I originally wasn’t from the capital, so it might be even more unfamiliar to me.

“A Nino person who can only use Fireball? You have no talent, so quit being a mage!”

“B-But my Fireball is the strongest!”

“Hahaha! Are you an idiot? A mage is competent because they can use multiple elements! If you can’t, just pretend to be a prostitute!”

The girl was being bullied, not allowed to stand up, and even had things thrown at her.

...This is terrible.

She didn’t seem to be doing anything wrong, and the term “Nino person” was intriguing.

“Fels, do you know what a Nino person is?”

“Yes. Nino people have red eyes and hair, and according to legend, they eat human flesh and bathe in blood. Furthermore, they are said to have low intelligence and no magical talent, and are considered to have tainted blood.”

I see. It’s like racial discrimination.

Fels didn’t seem to have much of that kind of awareness and was looking at the Nino girl with pity.

Honestly, I don’t find discrimination pleasant to watch.

Fels finally spoke up about wanting to eat a hamburger.

We can’t enjoy our meal in this atmosphere.

“Stop it already.”

“Hey, aren’t you the incompetent one who was kicked out of the S-rank party?”

I gripped the man’s arm tightly.

“You! Let go—Ow, ow, ow!”

“Heal.”

“My arm is broken... Wait, what?”

“I just healed it.”

“I’ll sue you!”

“Go ahead. There’s no evidence. If you say so...”

I applied more force, and the man’s face contorted.

“Stop... I’m sorry!”

The man said this and fled the scene.

“Why did you help me?”

“I wanted to. Can you stand?”

She huffed and stood up, brushing off my hand.

It seems I’m being seen the same way as the others.

If she’s been discriminated against all her life, it’s understandable.

“That man hit me really hard and I was never going to forgive him... Wait, what?”

“I healed you.”

“Who are you?”

Though she looked at me suspiciously, she realized I wasn’t an enemy because of the healing.

“Whatever. If you associate with someone like me, you’ll be disliked too.”

“I’m already disliked. It can’t get any worse.”

“...What do you mean?”

“Have you heard of the incompetent one who was kicked out of the S-rank party?”

I realized that saying this was more well-known than my name.

No need for an explanation.

“Oh, you have a sad past too.”

Looking closely, this girl is actually quite cute. I couldn’t tell because she was hiding under a robe, but she has a clear and refined face.

She’s a cute type.

“I have one too! I’ve been burdened with a red fate since birth and have lived a blood-soaked life... This is a curse!”

“Are you cursed?”

“No, not at all. I’ve never been sick since birth.”

Ah... This is the type of person who doesn’t understand the conversation.

She doesn’t seem to be a bad person, but it’s one-sided.

Well, as long as she’s cheerful, it’s fine.

I decided to appraise her on a whim.

【Race】Nino Person

Arisa Scarlett, 17 years old, Status: Cautious

Magic: High

Swordsman: D / D

Mage: S / SS

Dexterity: D / D

Loyalty: 0

【Primal Fireball User】

Fated to only use Fireball.

What the...!?

What is this status!?

Well, Magic SS is on par with Fels’s Swordsman aptitude!

But... all other stats are dead.

Still, potential Magic SS. Even S is above Fels.

The last part, 【Primal Fireball User】, is intriguing. Is it a curse? No, it’s different. I’ve never seen this notation before.

It’s probably a skill.

I have Fels as a Swordsman, but no Mage. And an SS Magic aptitude is rare.

I definitely want her to join my party...

“Are you looking for a party?”

“So what? If you have ulterior motives, stop it. You’ll regret it.”

“No, that’s not it. You have a talent for magic.”

I believe it’s better to be honest about such things.

It’s better to say what I think rather than trying to deceive.

“Eh... You can tell my talent!?”

“Sorry. I appraised you without permission.”

“Hehe, fine. I’ll show you my talent!”

We took on a quest together and headed to the forest.