The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Saaya asked to be hidden.

I shrugged at the girl's plea.

"Wait a moment, Saaya-san. I helped you on impulse, but I can't recklessly hide a child without knowing the circumstances. Despite appearances, I make my living as an adventurer, and I'd rather avoid getting involved in unnecessary trouble."

"T-That's... yeah, you're right..."

"If possible, please tell me. From the looks of it, you have a family name, right? Is it related to that?"

Having a family name in the Kingdom of Mataisa means being from a house recognized by the country - in other words, nobility.

Those who bear a family name gain many privileges, but also an equal amount of responsibilities and obligations. Becoming a lineage that's approved by and represents the country comes with just as many restrictions, including external factors like reputation and public opinion.

That's why I, as an illegitimate child, hide my family name.

Since I can't use magic, it's thought that I can't fulfill the greatest duty of nobility - the responsibility to fight for the country if conscripted in times of emergency.

Saaya, being pointed out as a noble, gripped her skirt tightly and nodded.

"That's right. I'm Saaya = Schreine. I've been ordered to be the heir of Viscount Schreine's house."

"Schreine...?"

It sounded familiar... and I quickly remembered.

That's right! It's the noble family I was almost sent to as an adopted son-in-law long ago!

So her family must be Viscount Schreine, who's rumored to prefer men. And she must be the young lady of the Schreine house who would have been my fiancée by now if I hadn't left home.

Wow. I've certainly met someone with an unexpected connection.

Anyway, since I'm not playing the role of a noble, I must behave like an ordinary adventurer.

"The heir? You, young lady Saaya?"

"Don't you know? My uncle has no children of his own. So I, his niece, am told it's my duty as the Schreine viscountcy to marry a man to become the heir. There was actually an engagement with a duke's family, but due to circumstances, it fell through... So, to attract a groom from as good a family as possible, they've become increasingly strict with me..."

Saaya gripped her skirt, creasing it in frustration.

The heir problem, huh. If Viscount Schreine prefers men, he won't have descendants... so naturally, they have to bring in an adopted son-in-law.

And because I left home, the engagement with the duke's family was cancelled.

This is feeling less and less like someone else's problem. I'm starting to feel a bit guilty...

"Um, did you run away because you don't want to be the heir, Saaya-san?"

"Of course I don't! Why should I marry a man I don't even like?! What's so great about being nobility or a viscount's family?! I have someone I've decided on in my heart! Plus, I have things I want to do, dreams I want to achieve!"

Oh, she snapped at me.

But this is rare. In this country, it's normal for nobles not to be able to choose their own marriage partners. It's unusual to see a child who hasn't been indoctrinated with that mindset trying to escape by force.

And to have someone she likes that much at this age. I'm envious.

...Yeah, that's right.

This must be some kind of fate. And a bit of atonement.

"I understand. I'll help you for a little while."

"R-Really?"

I'm also from the lower ranks of nobility, but I think love should be free after all.

I believe that in any world, stories of men and women who can't be together due to their positions should be supported.

Of course, within reasonable limits.

"Now, I'll disguise us again, so please hold my hand and follow me."

"O-Okay, I understand."

We made our way to the main street while fooling others' eyes, and then headed straight towards the center of town.

It will probably take a while before Roze and Elen join us. Since it would be tiring to maintain the disguise continuously, I'll go ahead and get us a room at an inn for now.

Of course, to avoid misunderstanding my intentions in taking her to an inn, I'll get Saaya's understanding first.

"So, I'm thinking of getting a room at an inn around here until I meet up with my companions. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, thank you, big brother."

"You can just call me Ruruk."

"Okay. Thank you, Ruruk."

Permission was granted easily.

Her sense of chastity still seems quite childlike. I mutter to myself with a mysterious protective gaze, "Grow up pure and untainted."

Since I'm taking a noble young lady, I chose a fairly nice inn.

Usually Roze decides arbitrarily, prioritizing location over service or security. We can handle security ourselves, but there's nothing we can do about the food.

Saaya's voice trembled in the inn's lobby.

"I-Is it okay for just children to stay at such a high-class inn? Do you have money?"

"Yes, I've saved up quite a bit."

Dungeon tycoons are amazing. Well, it's mostly thanks to Elen's overwhelming strength.

I rented a room with two beds, and we hid away in the room with Saaya.

Of course, we couldn't use disguises to stay at the inn, so I properly paid for two people's lodging. Even though we're children, being B-rank adventurers meant we weren't questioned, and I don't think high-class inn employees would leak guests' personal information.

Once in the room, Saaya's eyes sparkled as she jumped onto the bed.

"Amazing! The bed is so fluffy!"

"It really is. But doesn't Saaya-san's own room have good bedding too?"

"No way. We're just a modest viscount's family. Because my uncle keeps bringing home adopted sons, we've been living frugally for ages. We're what you'd call poor nobility."

"Even so, your clothes seem quite fine."

"Of course. I was planning to go to church, so I changed from my usual shabby everyday clothes."

And she ran away in the middle of that.

This child is quite intellectually mature for a 10-year-old.

She mentioned having a home tutor for mystic arts earlier, so the Schreine viscount's house must put effort into education. It doesn't feel like I'm talking to a child, which makes conversation very easy.

As I was impressed, Saaya tilted her head.

"What about you, Ruruk? For a 13-year-old, you're very calm and polite. Aren't you someone of good standing from some country?"

I'm just being polite because I'm putting on an act.

Well, it's best to keep quiet about things that don't need to be said. Men are proud creatures.

"Just between us, I'm actually a prince from a distant country. I'm gaining experience as an adventurer for my warrior's training."

"That's a lie. If that were true, you'd always have guards nearby. And while your words are polite and courteous, you don't act superior. At best, you're a noble... and since you can be an adventurer, you must be lower than a third son, right?"

"Haha, I'm impressed by your discernment. But really, I'm just an ordinary adventurer."

"Hmm. Well, I'll let you say that. So where did you learn mystic arts, Ruruk? Teach me that technique from earlier!"

"Hmm~ It's not so much where, but I'm traveling with my master. We just arrived in this town, after all."

"Really? Then let me meet that master! I want to become a disciple too!"

"I'm not sure about that. I don't think they're recruiting disciples who just show up..."

Well, it's rare for an ordinary child to be able to use mystic arts, so I don't think they'd easily dismiss you... No, that person would. If they're not interested, they'd reject you without mercy.

To avoid raising her hopes too much, I'll gently refuse.

"Our master is an unusual person, so if you don't want to have near-death experiences, it's better to give up."

"...Is it that strict?"

"Oh yes. We nearly die about once a week."

"Ugh... I don't like fighting..."

That's good.

Even though children in this world mature faster, I'd be put off if a 10-year-old girl was already a battle junkie.

"Isn't there any way to learn peacefully?"

"Not with our master. They first show an example once, then make you use it against enemies in actual combat. They're a total muscle-brain. It's endless hardship."

"How did you even survive..."

"Yes, before I knew it, I was a B-rank adventurer. I can't recommend it to Saaya-san."

"...I see. Yeah, maybe I should give up."

Phew, it seems she's reconsidered.

"But even if I can't be a disciple, I'd at least like to hear about it. They might know my teacher too."

"I'm not sure. My master isn't very sociable."

In fact, they're quite shy. Despite acting arrogant towards disciples.

"But aren't all mystic art users part of the 'Mystic Arts Research Society'? I heard they have proper connections between researchers. Since there aren't many, they're quite united. There are lots of gatherings and report meetings too."

"Eh, is that so?"

"You're not part of that?"

"No. In the four years I've been studying, aside from elves, I haven't met any mystic art users other than my master."

Of course, I only know the name of the Mystic Arts Research Society.

...Could it be we're being ostracized in the industry?

We've been active as mystic art users in Stoania for four years, but no one has approached us?

Or is it because Roze is the Mystic King, so people who know avoid approaching? Is it a case of 'the wise man stays away from danger' or 'let sleeping dogs lie'?

If that's the case, there's little hope for the future. It's a bit depressing.

As I was feeling down, Saaya changed the subject with a wry smile.

"Oh, that's right, Ruruk. You're an adventurer, aren't you? So if I put out a request to take me far away, would you accept it?"

The young lady leaned forward as she asked.

Hmm. Well, ordinary adventurers would probably accept escort missions, but...

"Unfortunately, we came to this town for my master's business. Apparently, there's someone they want to meet."

"T-Then after that's done?"

"I can't say it's absolutely impossible, but... do you know the going rate for escort missions?"

"Um... I don't know."

"Let's say it's a journey of about a month by carriage from here to the royal capital. For a month, the carriage fee including the driver would be about 15 gold coins, and the escort fee is about 20 gold coins per person. However, for long-distance escort requests through the guild, it's on a party basis, so you'd need to prepare for at least two people's worth of fees, making it 40 gold coins for escorts. Then, depending on negotiations, you'd also bear at least half the food and lodging costs for the journey. If you're making an individual request, it would probably come to about 60 gold coins to the royal capital."

"It costs that much!? That's three months' worth of income for the Schreine family!"

"Yes. That's why it's common to use methods like shared carriages for relatively inexpensive travel. Only successful merchants or heads of noble families typically travel with personal escorts."

She may not be completely ignorant of the world, but she certainly doesn't know much about travel. Of course, for noble heads' outings, if it's for official business, it becomes an expense and subsidies apply, so the actual burden is considerably reduced.

Thanks to the dungeon, I have plenty of money to spare, but I won't accept requests for less than the going rate. For the sake of other adventurers too, I make sure to conduct myself properly as a B-rank adventurer.

Being clearly refused, Saaya's shoulders drooped.

If she can't leave this town, it's only a matter of time before she's taken back.

As I was thinking this, Saaya suddenly jerked her shoulders.

She looked around restlessly.

"What's wrong?"

"I felt some strange magical power. It felt like someone's magical power passed by in waves at an incredible speed... It's probably a very large-scale magic. I've never felt anything like this before."

Oh?

Of course, I couldn't sense it due to my mana deficiency, but I've heard that not many magic users can sense fluctuations in mana or magical power. Apparently, mages who can detect others' magical power can even tell who used magic from a distance.

Is this child exceptionally skilled in magic at just 10 years old?

And she has talent in mystic arts too.

Moreover, she's intellectually gifted.

...Hm?

Isn't this level of multi-talented genius impossible under normal circumstances?

"Eh, could it be..."

I had a bad feeling.

As I was about to voice my doubts, suddenly, the door to the room was roughly opened.

Standing there was a familiar sheep girl.

Reflexively, Saaya jumped at me. She hid behind me, using me as a shield.

"W-Who are you!?"

"Please calm down, Saaya-san. She's my companion."

I try to calm the young lady clinging to my back.

It was Elen who glared at this.

"Mm! Cheating!"

"Elen, how did you know we were here?"

As I asked, I realized.

The magical power fluctuation Saaya mentioned must have been Elen's "Full Scan".

This forbidden technique, true to its name as all-purpose enemy search, can easily search several kilometers around with Elen's magic proficiency, so this entire town is within Elen's detection range.

She must have searched for me when I wasn't at the Adventurers' Guild, our meeting place.

Of course, the one who teleported here immediately after was—

"Taking an innocent young girl to a room, you're quite something."

"It's a misunderstanding, Master. There are some unavoidable circumstances."

"Hmm. You seem quite intimate for that."

Roze grinned.

But that smile turned towards the girl behind me in an instant.

"...Well done, Ruruk."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"That child is our target."

I thought it might be the case.

A 10-year-old with talent in magic, mystic arts, and probably reasoning arts too, as well as high intelligence.

I don't know the extent of her talents, but if she was born with all these abilities, she undoubtedly has the qualities to be called a genius.

That genius child widened her eyes at Roze's words and jumped back in an instant.

She's fast.

That movement is well-trained. Her agility stat must be close to 1000 - about half of mine. For a 10-year-old girl, that's godly physical ability.

Although she backed away once, realizing she couldn't escape through the small window, she immediately lunged at me.

In her hand was a mithril short dagger, which had appeared out of nowhere.

She must have drawn it when she backed away earlier.

What bad habits this child has.

"Ruruk!"

Elen quickly pulled my collar with the tip of her staff.

With a choked sound, I escaped Saaya's range and rolled ungracefully.

Elen raised her staff, confronting Saaya who held the dagger ready to protect me.

"You tricked me, Ruruk!"

"Mm! I'll protect Ruruk!"

A glaring match between two young girls.

I don't understand why Saaya is so enraged, but anyway.

"'Equipment Summoning'"

As I activated the formula, the short dagger disappeared from Saaya's hand and appeared in mine. Sorry, but you can't steal my possessions.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I've used this skill in actual combat.

"What!"

"Please calm down, Saaya-san. You too, Elen."

"Mm... but..."

"Thanks for worrying about me. I'm fine."

I pat Elen's head.

She looked quite dissatisfied, but at least she lowered her staff.

"Saaya-san, please don't glare like that. It's a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding! That person honestly... ...Wait, did you say master?"

"Is the lovers' quarrel over?"

Roze said teasingly as she took off her robe.

The beautiful black-haired, black-eyed girl smiled confidently - but for some reason, her gaze was sharper than I'd ever seen before as she said:

"I don't know your circumstances, but let me introduce myself first. I'm Roze... the master of Ruruk there, and the King of Mystic Arts. I came to this town to assess you."