"I'm here!"



　Galistel, the Imperial Capital.

　It is a huge walled city. Except for the noble quarter, there is almost no line to get in, as people can enter without identification.

　I headed straight for the gate guard.



"Stop!　Who are you?

"I am a traveler. I've been traveling around the continent, doing my training."

"Martial arts training ......?　On your own?"



　The two gatekeepers stare at me with mockery.

　I don't have enough tools to pose as a merchant, and I thought that would be the most common reason.

　I'm reminded that my body type is definitely not suited for that.



"Well, that's all right, but you'd better leave before ...... you get hurt, okay?"

"Thank you."



　Well, let's hope they get in safely anyway.



"Oh, yeah. You have a training facility in the capital, don't you?　I heard that the gatekeeper writes letters of recommendation."

"Hmm?　Oh, I see. But if you're going to train as a warrior, you're either an adventurer or a soldier. ......



　The gatekeeper with a look of obvious difficulty in recommending me.

　I don't know what to do: ....... I'm confident I can take out at least two gatekeepers at a glance, but it would be troublesome after that.

　While I was thinking that, a big guy came up from behind me and pushed me out of the way.



"Ha-ha. You get a letter of recommendation?　You don't say that until you have the strength to fight well like this!"



　A man in a bandit-like outfit and a man who is used to fighting said so.



"You think so too, don't you, gatekeeper?　See?"

"Oh, yeah. ...... that's right."

"So, please write me a letter of recommendation right away. I want you to write me a letter of recommendation so that I can get the best possible treatment.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. ......"



　Hmmm .......



"If I were stronger than that guy, would you give me a letter of recommendation too?"

"What?"



　The man reacted before the gatekeeper did.

　He was extremely intimidating.



"You think I can handle a little fish like you?"

"Calm down, boy. I'm not going to say anything bad about it, just ...... before you get hurt."

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I won't let you.



　The man drew his sword.



"Wait, wait, wait, wait."

"It's okay."



　He said this to the gatekeeper who stopped him, and walked toward the man who had drawn his sword.



"I forgive you now."

"No, I'm rather sorry. No, I'm rather sorry I used it for this.

"Huh?"



　In an instant, he comes to the man who has been knocked out and twirls his sword around him.



"What?　"Oide de de."



　I quickly took his hand and restrained him.

　A martial arts tournament held at the whim of the princess. She gets very grumpy when she doesn't win, so I tried my best to learn it, but I'm glad it helped.



"How about this?"

"That's great ......."



　The gatekeeper was open-mouthed in admiration.



"Duh!　Ouch!　I'm sorry for what I did, now let me go!"

"Oh, sorry."

"d*mn it, ......, I'm really a well-known bounty hunter out there, you know?　Where the hell have you been hiding, you wannabe messenger? ......"

"Haha ......"



　I decided to laugh it off.




　You can't tell me that he ran away from the palace of a neighboring kingdom.



"Well, both of you, I'll give you letters of recommendation. I'm sure you'll be fine, but the academy doesn't reject all comers, but only those who can get out. You'd better brace yourselves."

"Thank you."

Hey, you. What's your name?

Lilt.



　I changed my name a little bit. I don't know if they'll bother to follow me, but just in case.



"Okay, Lilt. I'm just gonna change my gear before I go to training school.

"What?"

"The idea is the same at the training school. First, looks, performance. If you want people to see your skills, you need to look the part.



　I see: .......



"If you don't have any money, I'll lend you some. I don't even charge interest."

"Why are you so ......"

"You don't know the ins and outs of a training school, do you?"

That's true, but...

That's what I can offer. And this is just a bonus. In return, you'll make good on me when you're done."



　So that's what you're saying.

　It's a good offer for me, since I have no information about the empire at all. Well, to be precise, of the information I have on the empire, only the level of knowledge required for each and every citizen of such a territory is missing. ...... but that's okay. Anyway, the offer was worth taking.



"What is your name?"



　Now it's your turn to ask back.



"I'm Awen."

"Awen. I don't have anything to pay you back, is that okay?"

If that happens, I'll just give up and pretend I wasn't paying attention!



　With a broad smile on his face, we headed for the armorers' shop first.