Chapter 9

It was the season when the golden fields had been transformed into a world of white. This is Herman. I am now at the church square with my entire family. It's just before noon. The other families have also gathered at the church square. ...Adventurers? They are banished outside the village today. It can't be helped, after all, it's the New Year Festival.

The church square is packed with people, as if the village had so many residents. There must be around 300 people, adults and children combined. I'm not sure exactly, as they don't all fit in the square. But, why do we have to stand in such a crowded, chaotic state?

Well, I can understand the feeling. It's the New Year Festival, the day when the Star Allocation Ceremony is held to distribute talents to 6-year-old children. It's like a coming-of-age ceremony in my previous life. It feels a bit early, but that's why we are here with our family of nine. Our family is one of the main families, and my eldest son, Charlo, is about to undergo the Star Allocation Ceremony for farmers. ...Since I started going to church with me, I've begun praying to God. I wonder if the prayers have any effect. It's almost certain that the stars will be allocated to farming talents, but how many will be allocated?

When the sun was directly overhead, the Star Allocation Ceremony finally began. About 20 children were to receive the stars this time, and the stars should be allocated to the children in the church at this time. The church bell rings 10 times. The stars must have been allocated 10 times. ...This church bell is mysterious. No one is ringing it. It rings 10 times at this time of year. The clergy manage it, but there is no rope to ring the bell, and there is nothing inside the bell that can make a sound. ...It must be the will of God. It's amazing, clearly showing that God actually exists.

The closed doors of the church opened. Everyone returned to their parents with smiles. My eldest son, Charlo, also came back to us.

"I did it, Dad. I got five stars for farming."

"What?! Really? Five stars! Well done. You're my son, after all."

The news that my eldest son, Charlo, received five stars for farming spread throughout the village. Who got five stars? It's Atsio's son. What? Five stars. How many years has it been? Since 21 years ago when someone got six stars. That's amazing. Atsio's family is safe and sound.

The story of the five stars for farming spread quickly among everyone. Having many stars for farming is like a medal for farmers. It's good that my brother Charlo has a talent that is accepted by everyone. ...However, it's clear that farming talents are indeed inherited by the eldest son. I don't know if the number of stars was due to the prayers, but it's a fact that the prayers led to more stars. If my brother Edwin gets many stars for talents useful to adventurers, then there's a possibility for me to become an alchemist.

It seems that the eldest sons and daughters of other farming families also received stars for farming talents, but five stars were the highest this time. ...It's truly mysterious. The ceremony clearly showed that God is watching. I hope my prayers reached Him.

After the Star Allocation Ceremony, it's time for drinking. The men who have been brewing ale for this day are gulping it down. Of course, my father and grandfather are also gulping it down. I don't understand why they like drinking so much. In my previous life, I couldn't drink, so I don't understand why anyone would want to drink. Even my brother Charlo is being made to drink, so I guess all the children who have completed the Star Allocation Ceremony are being made to drink.

The drinking session during the day is mainly for men, and those who don't drink, like women and children, have already returned home. My mother, grandmother, and sisters have also returned home. What about me? Of course, I'm in the forest collecting materials. Today, I'm collecting with my brother Edwin. I usually study hard, so I brought him along to teach him what it means to be an adventurer.

Well, maybe it's better to say he followed me. I was accused of being selfish. But there's nothing particularly fun about it. Finding materials is fun, but I don't think it's the kind of exciting adventure Edwin imagines. This is a sacred site, so there are no cool adventurers like Saga who wield weapons and defeat powerful enemies. Collecting materials is the job of adventurers here.

"Okay, Edwin. You put 10 magic mushrooms into each preservation bottle. The magic mushrooms have blue caps with yellow star patterns, so you can find a lot of them in this forest."

"Right, I get it. So, I put these mushrooms into this bottle, right?"

"Exactly, Edwin. If you don't do it this way, you can't sell them for a high price. This is a method known only to capable adventurers. There are many other things to learn, but the Adventurer's Guild will tell you what to do. Following the guild's instructions is the best way to earn money."

"Right! If you don't put them in, you can't make money. I can use 'Extend Space' now. I got permission to collect in the forest after learning to read, write, and calculate from Mother. So, Herman, how do you get these bottles?"

"I bought them from an alchemist. They cost two copper coins each. ...These white, fluffy mushrooms. You put them in a preservation bottle with water and sell them. You can get five silver coins for each one."

"Five silver coins! The alchemist is generous! Herman, give me a few of these preservation bottles. I'll give you today's collection."

"Sure. I'll give you 50. Here you go."

"50?! That's great?! Won't you run out?"

"I have plenty. More importantly, Edwin, you mustn't tell other adventurers about this. Got it?"

"Of course. If other adventurers copy us, we'll earn less money. Then we won't be able to buy weapons. Our party aims for the demon realm. We're going to have a grand adventure that will be sung in Saga."

"Work hard to become a legend. You can't become a legend without effort."

"Leave it to me! I've also been running around the village to build stamina, as my father told me it's necessary. I'm doing it between learning to read, write, and calculate."

Edwin is diligent and listens to others. If he gets the right talents, he will become a great adventurer. Even if I'm biased, I hope he works hard to become a great adventurer. Since he listens to me and learns, he will become a good adventurer. We collected until evening, and it was time to go home.

"Edwin, it's time to go home."

"Already? It's hard to tell time in the forest because it's dark."

"It's just a matter of getting used to it. More importantly, do you remember the characteristics of the magic mushrooms?"

"Of course. Blue caps with yellow star patterns. It would be strange if you couldn't tell them apart. There was a similar one with a different star color, but that's a more expensive magic mushroom. There's nothing else similar, so I remember it perfectly."

"Good job. This way, you can become a great adventurer."

"Leave it to me. We're going to be adventurers that will be sung in Saga."

Edwin is really humble. Usually, when a younger brother teaches an older brother, the older brother's pride gets in the way. Maybe he's passed the first test to become a good adventurer. The guys who are still drunk at the church square are the ones whose pride got in the way.

When we got home, I gave the mushrooms to my mother, did my usual chores, and had dinner. My father, grandfather, and brother Charlo still hadn't returned. They must still be drinking. According to my mother, they should be back by tomorrow night. ...I doubt they'll be back tonight. Why don't drunkards know when to stop? They probably won't come back until the ale runs out. ...How was it last year? I don't remember much because I was living a gray life. They probably didn't come back. After dinner, I practiced extending 'Extend Space' in the air and went to bed.

In the morning, I drew water from the water bottle into a bucket, washed my face, and had breakfast. The three of them still hadn't returned. I did my usual chores and walked to the church. Today, I'm alone because it's the day after the New Year Festival.

"Wow..."

The church square was a mess. There were people who had collapsed near the well like zombies, some with their heads in barrels, and even some still drinking. The church square was filled with the smell of alcohol. I hope no one died. ...Let's go to the church and pray. ...Please give me stars for alchemy. ...Okay, let's go collecting. I ignored the church square and went into the forest.

The winter forest was even colder, but it was good that there was no snow to wet my feet. My straw shoes get cold when they get wet. I also have warm cloth, so the cold winter doesn't hinder my collecting. Yesterday, I couldn't use the warm cloth because Edwin was with me. I'm not that selfish. It was really cold yesterday.

I collected until evening without any particular highlights. I don't think there should be any highlights in collecting, but it was a normal day. Before going home, I stopped by the church. This is also a routine. ...It still smells a bit of alcohol, but it's cleaned up. There are also tents, so the adventurers must have returned. I wonder why so many adventurers are in trouble, but it's the policy of the Adventurer's Guild.

I prayed properly, went home, and did the waste disposal chores, then took off the warm cloth. Inside the house, my father, grandfather, and brother Charlo were lying on the table like they were dead. They must be suffering from a hangover. ...I don't know if they can eat dinner. They must have drunk a lot because of the five-star celebration. Well, it's not my problem. My mother is also ignoring them, so they can be treated roughly. So, the three of them only ate a little thin porridge and went to bed. We ate dried vegetables and mushroom soup, which made us warm and sleepy. I practiced 'Extend Space' in bed and fell asleep.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I don't mind.

I would appreciate it if you could include an evaluation.

If you could also provide feedback, I think I can reflect it in my writing.

...Probably.