The Adventurers' Guild remained bustling even at night, adventurers streaming in and out to accept or submit quests.

Anjerite stood alone at the guild entrance, staring blankly at the familiar scene inside.

—So, it’s finally back to just me again?

Ever since that bastard Rogied succeeded in his class change and left the Village of Egramote, this young knight had resumed her lonely routine: taking quests, grinding monsters, turning in tasks, and drinking at the tavern.

Lv16—she’d met the class change requirement and longed to leave the village immediately.

Yet, a lingering fear held her back. What if… Rogied hadn’t actually gone? What if he was still waiting in the northern forest for her to rescue him?

He’s so weak. He can’t survive without me, right?

But.

No matter how hard she denied being alone again, reality was cruel. Everyone kept telling her:

“Hey, isn’t that our little cutie Anjerite? What, did your partner already leave the starter village?”

Not just adventurers—even the old priest at the Sanctuary showed her the departure list.

Rogied Diflute’s name stood out clearly.

He really left. Without a word.

“Damn bastard. If I catch you flirting with other women out there, I’ll slice your little thing into a hundred and fifty pieces and feed it to slimes!”

The young knight muttered under her breath, uttering her vilest curse.

She lifted her head, took one last look at the Adventurers' Guild that had been her home for years, and turned toward the neighboring tavern.

“Hey, little Anjerite, good evening.”

“Evening, Uncle.”

Anjerite knew the tavern owner well; after every quest, she’d come here for her favorite barley wine.

“Still ten mugs of barley wine?” he asked.

Anjerite shook her head.

“Peach juice… peach-flavored.”

“Heh.” The owner’s lips curled up as he leaned in conspiratorially. “Missing little Rogied?”

“N-no! Hmph!”

Her hands waved frantically in denial.

But under his knowing gaze—*I see right through you, no hiding*—Anjerite blushed, lowered her head, and clasped her hands tightly together.

“I… I might like him… just a tiny bit…”

“Only a tiny bit?” The owner grinned brightly. Anjerite’s face flushed crimson.

He slid over a glass of translucent pink peach juice, topping it with a damp lemon slice.

“Try it. It’s the taste of love.”

“…Okay.”

The knight took it, sipped gently through the straw.

Sweet. Smooth. Delicious… and a hint of sourness.

“How is it?”

“Good… I’m starting to like this flavor.”

“Then come back for more.”

But Anjerite’s expression darkened suddenly.

“What’s wrong? Feeling down?”

“…I might not come back anymore.”

The owner watched the flustered young knight bow her head, then sighed.

“Aw, no need to be sad. Class changing?”

“Yes. I’ve decided… I want to find Rogied. I miss him.”

She looked up, eyes firm and sincere.

“Becoming a Temple Knight… it was our shared dream. He encouraged me. I have to do this.”

“If you’re set on it, give it your all… Leaving’s fine. Next time you return, you’ll be a Hero.”

He said it casually, as if unaffected.

Who knew? About sadness or not.

Once, two people always sat at the counter—a boy and a girl—bickering, teasing, yet cheering each other on.

Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man, chuckling as he watched the pair.

A perfect, beautiful scene.

But now?

One left. The other was about to.

“This…” Anjerite opened her mouth. “I finally understand why no one wants to class change and leave Egramote…”

“Yeah,” the owner replied.

“Because everyone clings so hard to the present… even if it means abandoning the future.”

“Maybe ideals are only for the young, untouched by experience. ‘Experience’ itself is the biggest barrier to dreams.”

His voice was gentle, steady.

Anjerite kept her head down, lips pressed to the lemon, voice hoarse.

“Uncle… when I return, I’ll bring Rogied with me. We’ll probably settle here…”

“I’ll look forward to that, my little Hero.” He patted her head warmly.

Anjerite burst into tears, sobbing into the table.

But after a moment, she wiped her eyes fiercely, forcing a smile through her sniffles.

“Wait for me. I’ll come back.”

I will.

Late at night, Anjerite fell asleep in the tavern after ordering many mugs of barley wine.

The owner didn’t wake her. He draped a thin blanket over her and closed up shop.

By dawn, she was still asleep, a sweet smile on her face.

Muttering in her dreams:

“Rogied…”

“Forever…”

“Marriage…”

“Hehehe…”

Happy. Silly.

The owner rubbed his chin with a wry smile.

—Wasn’t I like that when I married? Ah… though I’m still happy now, with my wife.

Morning came. Anjerite stretched, checked the time, and scrambled to pay a gold coin before rushing off.

“No change?”

“Keep it. Consider it an investment in the future.”

At the door, silhouetted by the rising sun, she turned with a smile.

A smile full of hope for what lay ahead.

After a night of dreaming, she’d chosen the unpredictable future.

A stable present or an unknown tomorrow?

She chose the latter without hesitation. That was her knight’s code:

Brave. Forward. Upward. Unyielding.

She sprinted alone to the Sanctuary entrance, stepped inside, and saw the old priest deep in prayer.

“I’m here to class change.”

The priest stopped praying and turned.

“Very well… May fortune favor you.”

The class change quest: slay a Lv20 black bear demon.

Lv16 versus Lv20. A level gap battle.

In this world, crossing levels was nearly impossible except in rare cases.

Especially in a starter village—no fine weapons, no potent healing potions, no advanced skills.

Only unyielding willpower remained.

Worthless. Not a copper coin’s value.

Yet, that willpower—unsellable for even a single copper—let Anjerite rise again and again after the demon knocked her down.

Over and over. Until, on the brink of death, she unleashed strength she’d never known.

Her Temple Knight Sword, blazing with holy light, pierced the demon’s mouth and erupted from the back of its skull.

Anjerite’s body slumped limply over the beast.

Her armor shattered. One eye blinded. Her body torn—left arm broken, a chunk of flesh ripped from her right side…

Near death. A hair’s breadth from oblivion.

But Anjerite smiled.

A bright, joyful smile.

“Finally… done.”

This was her first step as an adventurer. Her first offering of faith to the goddess. And… her first step toward seeing him again.

She collapsed unconscious on the demon, head and arms dangling lifelessly.

Had the old priest not arrived in time, the world might have lost Anjerite forever.

When she opened her eyes again, only milky-white holy light filled her vision.

A crisp, sacred voice spoke:

“Anjerite, do you pledge to become a glorious Temple Knight?”

“Yes!”

“Then, the pact is sealed. Beyond this place, you are a Temple Knight—not merely a knight.”

“Thank you!”

“Regarding your second faith choice…”

The voice paused.

“I grant you a new path to choose.”

“Huh?”

“…That’s all.”

The goddess’s tone was playful—different from Anjerite’s expectations, yet warm and endearing.

As the holy light faded from her mind, a whisper brushed her ear like a mirage:

“May you… have luck.”

A blessing from the goddess?

Anjerite rolled excitedly on the altar, making the healing priest chuckle helplessly.

“Little Anjerite, stop squirming. You’re still gravely wounded.”

“A-ah, okay.” She stilled instantly, but joy bubbled uncontrollably inside.

She gazed at the sunlight streaming through stained glass and told the priest:

“I heard the goddess’s voice!”

“Those who hold fast to their ideals receive Her blessing.”

“She knew my name!”

“The goddess knows all Her children’s names.”

“She offered me a new faith path!”

“The goddess is ever merciful.”

“…” Anjerite glared at the priest, who always dampened her excitement. She fell silent.

Ugh! The goddess is all-knowing and all-powerful, but can’t you just say “Wow, congrats!” even once?

Boring.

She lay on the altar, continuing her treatment.

When healed, it was time to leave.

“I’m going.”

She glanced back at the Village of Egramote, eyes heavy with reluctance.

But she closed them, steeling her resolve.

Turning to the old priest, already preparing the teleportation spell, she said:

“Please, Grandpa… send me away.”