The day before the monster hunt, Hajime stood in his room with Kazuma, making final preparations.
"Hajime, remember—no silent casting," Kazuma said firmly.
"Yeah, yeah…" Hajime replied with an annoyed tone.
Kazuma's eyes narrowed. "I'm serious. No one should have a mana core until they're on their deathbed. If anyone finds out you can silent cast at your age, kingdoms will go to war over you."
"I know," Hajime said again, this time more sincerely.
He understood the weight of his abilities, but being reminded of them always struck a nerve.
Kazuma changed the subject. "I got you a sword and armor. Try it on before tomorrow."
He turned toward the doorway. "Bradly, bring in Hajime's gear."
Hajime raised an eyebrow. I wonder what kind of sword and armor he picked out.
Moments later, Bradly stepped through the door, holding a wooden crate with a sheathed sword resting on top. He walked over and gently set the crate down, the sound of metal clinking faintly inside.
"Here is your sword and armor, Young Master," Bradly said. Then he turned to Kazuma. "Do you need anything else?"
"No, that'll be all," Kazuma replied.
With a nod, Bradly exited the room. Hajime watched him go, then turned back to the crate with growing curiosity.
He reached for the sword first, one hand gripping the sheath, the other wrapping around the hilt. Kazuma watched him quietly.
As Hajime unsheathed it, the blade gleamed. It was an ordinary short sword—nothing flashy—but knowing it was his first sword gave it weight.
"This is a good sword," Hajime muttered, almost surprised by his own words.
He turned the blade slowly, admiring the polished metal. In the reflection, his blue eyes stared back at him. He tested the grip—simple, wrapped in what looked like animal hide—and then carefully sheathed it, placing it next to the crate.
Alright, time to see the armor. Probably nothing too fancy though.
He lifted the lid. Inside was a full set of armor, neatly packed. One by one, he removed the pieces and laid them out on the floor.
To his surprise, every piece was made of metal.
Even Father doesn't have full metal armor... just a chest plate.
The set was clearly designed for monster hunting—focused more on mobility than defense. It included a metal chest piece, a basic helm, and a pair of small metal gauntlets.
From across the room, Kazuma spoke. "Try it on, Hajime. Make sure it fits."
"Alright," Hajime replied, though he couldn't help but grumble inwardly. If it doesn't fit, it's not like we can just get another suit before tomorrow.
He began putting on the armor, adjusting each piece carefully. After moving around the room a bit, testing the fit, he nodded.
"I like it. Thanks, Father."
"You're welcome," Kazuma said with a soft smile. "I have to make sure my son stays safe."
"Yeah, I know."
Hajime took off the armor and placed it back in the crate, the sword returning to its place on top. Just as he finished, Kazuma gestured toward the bed.
"Sit down. We need to talk about the monsters you'll be facing."
Hajime nodded and sat down.
"First up, the most common: goblins."
"Goblins?" Hajime asked, his eyes widening.
"Yes. Little green creatures. Usually dumb, but occasionally you'll find one that's… different."
"What do you mean by different? Like, smart enough to talk or use swords?"
Kazuma laughed briefly before composing himself. "Not that smart. By intelligent, I mean some goblins can lead others. Instead of fighting among themselves, they organize and command groups."
"Oh, I get it now," Hajime said, letting his father continue.
"Sometimes they carry weapons—usually stolen from travelers or fallen adventurers."
"Can't they just make their own?" Hajime asked, tilting his head.
Kazuma paused. "I suppose they could, but if they did, the weapons would likely be crude—wooden or bone. Not much threat to someone wearing real armor."
Hajime nodded.
"Next, we have WhoreRams. Another common monster."
Hajime raised an eyebrow. "That's… not the most flattering name."
Kazuma chuckled. "True. But it fits the species."
"How so?"
Kazuma hesitated. "Well… their species reproduces incredibly fast. The females are always looking to mate, which is why adventurers run into them so often."
Hajime's expression twisted. "Wait—what?"
"And… sometimes," Kazuma continued reluctantly, "adventurers try to mate with them too."
Hajime's jaw dropped. His mind was immediately flooded with horrific images he desperately wished he could unsee. He looked visibly ill.
Please let that be a joke...
Kazuma, sensing his disgust, decided not to mention the worst parts—like the fact that WhoreRams have been known to assault the dead. That was knowledge Hajime didn't need.
"Well... I guess you weren't lying. That name does suit them," Hajime muttered, still shaken.
"Alright, let's get back on track," Kazuma said, clearing his throat. "WhoreRams usually charge headfirst, using their horns and thick skulls as weapons. They can also use Rank 1 Boost spells to increase speed and strength."
"That's cool—can other monsters use magic too?" Hajime asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, they can, but it depends," Kazuma replied. "Usually only intelligent species like Vampires, Pigkin, or Dragons are capable of casting magic. But..."
He paused for a moment. "That's what makes WhoreRams so confusing—they aren't an intelligent species, yet they can still use magic."
Kazuma let the silence hang to give Hajime time to absorb the information.
So most monsters can't use magic… except for Vampires, Pigkin—whatever they are—and Dragons...
Hajime's eyes widened, and he suddenly leapt off the bed. "Wait—did you say Dragons!?"
Startled by the outburst, Kazuma turned his head. "Yes. Dragons—though extremely rare—are considered a highly intelligent species. But no one's seen one in a very long time. They went into hiding after a century-long Dragon Hunt during the Sacrificial Era."
He glanced out the window. The sun had vanished behind the horizon, and the twin moons now bathed the world in soft light.
"Alright, you should get to bed. Tomorrow's a big day," Kazuma said, rising to his feet.
"Okay, Father. I'll make sure to rest well," Hajime replied, but the thought of dragons still existing gnawed at the back of his mind.
The door clicked shut behind Kazuma. Hajime stood in his room alone for only a moment—until Rin appeared in the doorway.
She wore her usual light dress, the fabric flowing gently around her. It hugged her figure, but Hajime barely noticed—because something felt off.
Why is she smiling like that...? That smile is... unsettling.
Rin's footsteps echoed ominously through the room, each one deliberate, long, and loud, until she stood towering above him.
Growing nervous, Hajime tried to make sense of her expression. "Hello, Mother… are you coming to give your son a goodnight hug?" he asked, forcing a smile.
But her eyes… they were unreadable. Empty. Almost like a void.
"No, not tonight," Rin replied, her voice honeyed but icy. "Because you, young man… are in big trouble."
Hajime blinked. "Huh? Why am I in trouble?"
Sweat prickled on his forehead.
"Don't play dumb." Her voice turned sharp, her smile still frozen in place. "I've heard about your little nighttime adventures around the city."
Hajime froze.
"Well… you see—"
Before he could finish his excuse, Rin delivered a mother's justice—a punishment swift and merciless. The kind that didn't end until Hajime couldn't feel pain anymore.
I knew this day would come...