Chapter 1

It's the serialized version!

"Is this place no good either...?"

I turn to look at the Adventurers' Guild that just turned me away.

A large but dilapidated old building.

I had heard it was the worst guild.

But I didn't expect to be sent away without even being heard out.

'Tamers who can't tame are not needed in my guild. Please leave.'

I recall the words of the guild master from just a moment ago.

All that escapes me is a sigh and words of worry for my future.

This was the last guild in the country.

Really, what am I going to do now?

As I'm pondering, the little girl perched on my shoulder spits at the guild.

'For real! Why is Kohaku turned away!? I'm so pissed off!'

"Easy, easy, it can't be helped."

'It can be helped!'

Even if you say that, it's already decided.

I smile wryly and stroke Claire's head.

'Mmm... I'm happy you're petting my head, but you should be more angry for yourself!'

"Claire is angry on my behalf, so I don't have to be. Thanks always."

'Grr...! Hmph!'

She crosses her arms and turns away.

But the corners of her mouth are slightly upturned, so she seems to be happy.

"Come on, let's go. We'll be in the way if we stay here."

'Ugh...!'

I lead the still unsatisfied Claire away from the guild.

◆

The profession given by the gods is called a vocation.

Among them is the profession of Tamer.

A profession that can tame monsters and use them as familiars.

That's a Tamer. My vocation.

There are various types of monsters:

Beast types like dog and cat monsters.

Insect types like bee and worm monsters.

Natural types like rock and plant monsters.

There are many other types, but I'll omit them here.

Taming these and fighting is what a Tamer does...

The problem lies in my ability as a Tamer.

I can't tame these normal monsters.

The reason is unknown.

There is only one type of monster I can tame.

A powerful but extremely rare and unseen type of monster.

The Phantom Beast type. That's the type of monster I can tame—

'Ugh, ugh...!'

The girl still fuming on my shoulder is that monster.

Phantom Beast type, Fire Spirit Claire.

One of the beings I have contracted with.

Not only are they hard to find, but they are invisible to ordinary humans.

Because of this, I was treated as incompetent, unable to contract with any monster.

Only the person themselves knows which monsters they can contract with.

So when I say, "I can only contract with Phantom Beasts," I'm treated as a liar.

It's not a lie, but the world is harsh.

As I hang my head, Claire flaps her small wings and flies in front of my face.

"So, what are you going to do now, Kohaku? There are no more guilds that will accept you!"

"...What can I do?"

'Ha... It's not "what can I do," it's "what are you going to do!"'

Ah, she's angry.

Claire, flying backward skillfully, places her hands on her hips and gets agitated.

'If you say you're a mage instead of a Tamer, you can join a guild! Why are you so stubborn about being a Tamer?'

"It's impossible. If I lie about my profession, I'll get caught."

'Ugh! You humans are too fixated on your vocations!'

Indeed, she's right.

In this country, no, in this world, vocation is supreme.

Good vocations get good treatment. Bad vocations are neglected.

It's clearly ranked.

But, I was born into such a world.

I have no choice but to follow the rules.

I lead Claire back to the cheap inn where I'm staying in this town.

It's old and wooden, creaking as you walk.

It's sad, but without money, I can't stay anywhere else.

My room is the corner room at the far end of the second floor. The rest are vacant.

There's no one else who would stay in such a place.

Sighing, I turn the key in the lock.

Then, everyone who noticed me greets me.

'Koh, welcome back!'

'Welcome home, Master.'

"Back, both of you. Were you good?"

Like Claire, there's one more humanoid Phantom Beast.

This one is human-sized.

And there's one wolf-type Phantom Beast larger than me.

Including Claire, these three are the companions I have tamed.

'Koh, how was it? How was it?'

The large wolf rubs against my body.

Its smooth, touchable fur shines a pale gold.

Phantom Beast type, Celestial Wolf Fenrir.

A childhood friend-like being who has been with me since before I became a Tamer.

For some reason, I could see Fenrir from a young age.

Ha. Back then, I was bullied for playing with an imaginary friend.

While recalling such memories, I stroke Fenrir's head.

"Sorry, Fen. It didn't work out again today."

'It's okay. I'm happy as long as I'm with Koh, wherever we go.'

"...Thank you."

Just hearing that is really reassuring.

'Master, may I take your robe?'

"Thank you, Sphaira."

The girl takes my robe and holds it carefully.

Her hair is as black as the night, and her skin is as white as porcelain.

Her figure is so perfect, it seems to be crafted by the gods.

If she were human, she would be a beauty that all the men in the country would propose to.

But her expression is always the same, like an inorganic doll.

Phantom Beast type, Mechanical Doll Sphaira.

'A little too much sniffing, Sphaira?'

'What do you mean?'

'But you buried your face in it.'

'That's not true. It's just that Claire often imagines such things, so it seems that way to her.'

'Huh!? I don't imagine such things!'

'Then are you imagining other things? Hehehe. You're a naughty fire spirit.'

'You!'

They're making a fuss.

You two are so energetic.

Well, no one else can hear them, so it's not a bother to the neighbors.

'Koh, what are you going to do now?'

"Hmm..."

I've been to all the guilds in the Tarkorize Kingdom, but none of them accepted me.

I guess this country is out of the question...

"Everyone, listen. If you're okay with it, I'm thinking of going to another country."

'Another country?'

"Yeah. I think there's still hope with a guild in another country."

The country adjacent to the Tarkorize Kingdom probably has rumors, so it won't work.

If that's the case, I'll go to a country a bit further away where no one knows me.

"I'm thinking of going to the Brumund Kingdom."

'The Brumund Kingdom? I think there's a guild specifically for Tamers there.'

"Right, right."

I stroke Claire's head, understanding my intention.

She gets angry, saying I'm treating her like a child, but it's cute that she doesn't seem to mind.

'I'm fine with wherever Koh goes!'

'I will accompany you.'

'I guess I'll go with you too!'

"...Thank you, everyone."

You're all such good kids, more than I deserve.

"Then, let's start preparing. We'll leave in the morning."

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