Chapter 1

This is a translation of the provided text:

---

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

In the wind, cherry blossoms danced as Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

This is a translation of the provided text:

---

The girl stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from her mother.

---

However, the following is a more detailed translation of the provided text:

---

This is the first time I've tried writing in third person.

"You have no talent. Therefore, you are expelled from the party."

Ardys, the leader of the party, told the girl. The girl, with a serious expression, accepted Ardys' words.

It had been half a year since she became a disciple of the hero Ardys, whom she admired. She endured laundry, cooking, carrying luggage, verbal abuse, and physical violence. No matter how faultless she was, if Ardys was in a bad mood, she would be hit. She would be spat at.

Her light pink hair, which should have been beautiful, was now thoroughly dirty.

She was not even given a weapon for self-defense and had to pull the cart with her small body.

Her meals were the leftovers, and sometimes there was nothing left at all. She was always hungry and had very little sleep.

During camping, she was assigned the most watch duty. There were times when she couldn't sleep at all.

Still, the girl endured. She thought, "I'm just an apprentice, so this is only natural." She believed that her master Ardys was testing her in such a situation.

The girl never showed any displeasure and was always smiling. Even when kicked from behind, she interpreted it as being in the wrong place. "I'll be more careful next time," she thought. The girl was incredibly positive.

"Are you dissatisfied? But it's the truth."

"N-no..."

The party "Yggdrasia," led by the hero Ardys, who conquered the uncharted land "The Bottom of the World." Ardys, when in the front line, could sweep away a thousand monsters, and when in the rear, he wouldn't leave a single scratch on anyone.

He was the only "Arknite" in the world, the highest-class job. He was dexterous, a genius, a hero, and a brave soul. People praised him without hesitation.

"Finally, huh."

Dorand, a half-human, half-beast, could shake a dragon with just his fists. Many believed that in a fight without magic, he would outperform Ardys.

There was no job that surpassed "World Grappler" in pushing the limits of the human body. His ki blasts, launched without magic, were known as a foul technique that could make even a magician pale.

"Well, well, this girl has tried her best, hasn't she? Right?"

Zul, who took a neutral stance, rendered multiple traps meaningless.

Even the most fortified monsters, encased in scales, were no threat to his poisons. Sometimes, setting just one trap meant he didn't need to fight a horde of monsters.

His job, "Shadow Ranger," was a complete upper-level version that integrated the thief's stealing skills and dexterity, the ranger's terrain awareness and traps, and the assassin's assassination techniques.

"Didn't she help relieve stress?"

Clarine, the party's healer, known by the dishonorable nickname "Depressed Angel," was rough and had a bad mouth. However, her timing for support and healing magic was almost divine.

"High Bishop" surpassed the highest-class holy job, "Bishop." Generally, it was believed that healing magic couldn't cure diseases, but a High Bishop could reach that level.

"By combining fire and wind, that magic will be completed..."

Vandela, the magician known as "Disaster Fire," was so engrossed in reading that she didn't even look at the girl. Her only curiosity was magic.

"Seer" was an upper-level job for sorcerers, and there were only a few in the world, including her. Her nickname also added to her reputation, as a single spell from her could make any creature lose its life or will to fight.

Dorand and Ardys, standing side by side, looked down at the girl. Even when faced with the large man, the girl quietly looked up at him.

"Our next goal is 'The Ceiling of the World.' You have no practical experience, no skills, and no titles. Those who can do it have been doing it since they were kids. You would be better off going back to your village and doing farm work."

The reason the girl was allowed to accompany "Yggdrasia" when they stopped at a village was solely due to Ardys' whim.

Perhaps because of his high talent, he was prone to mischief. Maybe he just wanted to bully the weak.

The parents, who sent their daughter off with high hopes to the world-renowned heroes, could never imagine this scene.

The girl's village was a remote area deep in the mountains. The only income was from the meager crops they grew. The only entertainment was the tales of the occasional travelers. The girl loved these stories.

The world has a corridor that extends endlessly underground.

The world has a garden that reaches the sky.

The world has a wall sealed in darkness.

The story of a hero riding a dragon to save the world.

The story of a girl with the ability to manipulate objects at will.

These stories are not necessarily true. The more she heard, the more her desire to see the outside world grew. But her parents opposed it. They would never allow their only daughter to become an adventurer.

Even when she secretly swung a wooden stick to mimic a swordsman, she would be scolded if caught. The oppressive environment suppressed her, but it did not stop her.

She didn't want to be the protagonist of a story. Even a supporting role, or just watching from a distance, would be enough.

She just wanted to see, hear, and experience it. Her imagination kept her awake at night.

If Ardys and his party hadn't appeared, the girl might have spent her life in the village, or perhaps she would have eventually run away.

If Ardys hadn't found her swinging a wooden stick as usual, and if he hadn't said, "You have potential, I'll take you as my disciple."

"Please watch my sword skills! If it's not good enough, I'll give up!"

"Ah, that's right. I understand your frustration. Okay, the kind Ardys will give you one last chance."

"Really?! Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me yet. You'll have to spend a week in the 'Forest of Demons.' If you survive, you won't be expelled."

"Forest of Demons?"

Only the girl didn't understand the true meaning behind Ardys' smug smile. Even Dorand, who had just criticized the girl, frowned at Ardys.

Clarine muttered something in agreement, and Vandela paused her reading. Everyone understood.

"What will you do?"

"I'll do it!"

"Good, let's go then. It's close from here."

"Ah... Really, he's so mean."

Clarine, who spoke frankly about Ardys, didn't see any disappointment on the girl's face. While the girl's heart was filled with hope, the thoughts of the party members were varied.

* * *

During the few hours to the Forest of Demons, the girl tried her best to impress them. Her cooking skills had improved, and she had gained strength from carrying the cart.

She could prepare camp and take watch accurately. When monsters approached, she would shout to alert the others. Getting hit and scolded for being too loud was a common occurrence.

After the meal at the campsite near the Forest of Demons, the party members relaxed. The girl, however, was desperately trying to scrape the bottom of the pot to satisfy her hunger.

"Hey, it's strange for someone without talent to work hard. Effort is only for those who can see results. For the incompetent, it's just a waste of time."

"Then, Ardys, have you ever worked hard?"

"I don't even need to. Dorand, what about you?"

"I maintain my strength, but since 'The Bottom of the World,' there's no challenge..."

Ardys was a genius. Born a commoner, he showed talent in swordsmanship from a young age, overwhelming adults by the age of seven. The next year, he defeated a low-level monster on his own.

By the age of thirteen, he had gained the attention of the king and was recommended to the prestigious royal academy, where he graduated in just two years, silencing all critics.

By the time he was halfway through his first year, even the teachers couldn't keep up with him.

He was praised without effort, and women were drawn to him. Ardys, who had no empathy for the weak, became increasingly arrogant. He bullied the girl whenever he had the chance.

"Hey, kid, do you really want to be an adventurer?"

"Yes! In the village—"

"No, I didn't ask about the village. Don't make me repeat myself."

"I'm sorry..."

"Then, you should be able to survive the 'Forest of Demons' on your own, right? Hehehe!"

Ardys was lying. The "Forest of Demons" was a place where at least fourth-level adventurers, recognized by the adventurer guild, faced dangerous monsters.

Even a group of such adventurers could face fatalities. It was not a place where a girl with no practical experience could survive.

"Tomorrow, we'll finally reach the Forest of Demons. We'll part ways there. I'll tell you the meeting point later."

"Yes!"

After reaching the Forest of Demons, everything else was a lie. Ardys was setting the girl up for a hopeless situation, justifying it as kindness in his mind.

Meeting Ardys was undoubtedly a misfortune for the girl.

* * *

"Then, we'll part ways here. I'll wait for you at the entrance in a week."

"Um, what about a weapon?"

Ardys showed a nasty smile and answered the girl. Then he delivered the final blow with his words.

"Huh? In a place like this, you don't need a weapon. If you can't survive here unarmed, what kind of adventurer are you?"

"Is that so?"

"Besides, I said you just need to survive. That means you can find a way without fighting. Can't you even think of that, you fool?"

"I'll try my best..."

Even the girl's heart, which had always been resilient, felt a wave of despair. At that moment, the sounds of unknown monsters could be heard from multiple directions.

She was afraid and wanted to run, but she didn't think it would be easy to achieve her dream.

"Then, I'll go! I'll see you in a week!"

"Okay, good luck."

The girl turned and walked into the depths of the forest. Immediately after, Ardys burst out laughing, Dorand chuckled, and Clarine sighed, running her fingers through her bangs.

Only Vandela glanced at Ardys.

If you found this "interesting" or "want to know what happens next," please bookmark it and rate it with the stars below the ad!