When Ash first entered the 8th year, he had applied to become an adventurer. Now, he had already become a D-rank adventurer. The ranks were from F-rank to S-rank, with F being the lowest, and S the highest.
Now, after he had graduated, he decided to use his time to fully concentrate on raising his rank and gaining more experience.
A month later, Ash returned to the Adventurers' Guild after completing another mission.
As soon as he stepped inside, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Ash! I heard you completed your first C-ranked mission by yourself!"
The speaker was a young man in his twenties named Rowan, a C-rank adventurer. The two had met shortly after Ash first registered as an adventurer two years ago. Back then, Rowan had been surprised to see a nine-year-old entering the guild and had even offered to mentor him. Needless to say, after learning of Ash's achievements, he quickly abandoned the idea. Since then, the two had simply become friends.
"That's right," Ash replied. "Just four more missions before I can apply for promotion to C-rank."
Rowan clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"I remember when you were just an F-rank rookie. Now you're already about to catch up to me."
For most adventurers, reaching C-rank in only two years would have been considered an astonishing accomplishment.
For Ash, however, it was merely another milestone.
After all, he had already graduated from Elwing Academy as an eleven-year-old Fourth Circle mage, becoming the youngest graduate in the academy's history. His achievement had spread throughout the kingdom, with even influential figures from neighboring nations taking notice.
Rowan shook his head helplessly.
"At this rate, you'll probably surpass me before you're even fifteen."
Ash only smiled faintly.
"I plan to join the army once I'm old enough."
"The army?" Rowan raised an eyebrow. "You've still got four years before you're eligible."
"That was the plan."
Rowan laughed.
"You know, you probably don't have to wait."
Ash looked at him.
"With your reputation? I'm sure the higher-ups have already heard your name. If they knew you wanted to enlist, they'd probably make an exception and recruit you early."
Ash gave it a moment's thought before shaking his head.
"I'd rather wait."
He still had things he wanted to accomplish as an adventurer before entering the army.
Besides, there was no reason to rush.
The next day, Ash returned to the Adventurers' Guild to look for another mission.
His eyes soon landed on one posted on the mission board.
'Rank: C
Mission: Capture a Fourth Circle mage criminal. Further details can be obtained from the guild administration.
Reward: 2.500 Gold'
Ash raised an eyebrow, "2.500 gold? That's a generous reward."
For reference, an ordinary house cost around 100.000 gold, while 2.500 gold alone was enough to support a family of four for over two months. Such a reward was unusually high for a C-ranked mission, suggesting that the target was far from an ordinary criminal.
Although Ash was already considered wealthy for his age, he was nowhere near truly rich. Between converting the academy points he had accumulated over the years and the rewards from countless missions, his total assets amounted to roughly 50.000 gold. It was a respectable fortune, but it still wasn't enough to purchase a good house in one of the kingdom's major cities.
After thinking for a moment, Ash took the mission slip and headed toward the guild administration to learn more about his target.
Ash handed the mission slip to the receptionist, "I'd like the details for this mission."
The receptionist glanced at the paper before nodding, "Please wait a moment."
She disappeared into the back room and returned shortly afterward with a sealed file, "This information is only to be disclosed to adventurers who have accepted the mission."
Ash opened the file and began reading.
'Target: Victor Hale
Cultivation: Fourth Circle Mage
Threat Level: High
Description: Former royal alchemist.
Several years ago, Victor Hale conducted forbidden experiments involving highly toxic magical substances. During one of those experiments, he accidentally poisoned himself with a unique toxin of his own creation.
The poison continuously devours the victim's life force while adapting to ordinary purification and healing magic. Once infected, the victim is given only a few years to live.
Current research indicates that the only known cure is a leaf from the World Tree.
Believing he had nothing left to lose, Victor abandoned all restraint. Over the past two years, he has robbed noble families, kidnapped healers and alchemists, and murdered anyone who stood in his way while searching for a way to reach the World Tree.
Several C-rank adventurers and two D-rank parties have failed to capture him.
Mission Objective: Capture Victor Hale alive if possible. If capture is impossible due to resistance, lethal force is authorized.'
Ash closed the file. 'A poison that can only be cured by the World Tree...'
The World Tree was said to be the sacred treasure of the elves. It was heavily guarded, and outsiders were never allowed near it.
If the report was accurate, Victor had little hope of obtaining a cure through ordinary means. That desperation explained why he had resorted to such extreme measures.
Ash returned the file to the receptionist. "Do you know where he was last seen?"
The receptionist nodded, "A village near the eastern border reported sightings three days ago. A tracking team confirmed traces of his mana, but they lost him in the nearby mountains."
Ash accepted the map she handed him, "Understood."
With that, he left the guild and headed toward the eastern border, unaware that this seemingly ordinary mission would soon lead him far closer to the World Tree than he had ever expected.