#1275 Junior’s Adventure – Survival Induction Course 

A-rank Adventurer Shaldot. 

The wooden sword he carries is nothing like a normal one. The blade is long and thick, practically a greatsword.  
And judging from how he holds it, he must use a weapon of that size even in real combat. 

But despite being just wood, he wields it with full control. Completely unlike Hibina, who was clearly getting dragged around by her weapon. 

It’s obvious at a glance. 
The difference between a promising rookie still in training and a seasoned veteran who’s already reached completion. 

“Well then, time to start the training, rookie.” 

Shaldot says it with a joking tone. 

I flinch all over. 
Dad once told me: 

—“Any place that puts weird expectations on newcomers is a black company. Watch out!” 

He called me a rookie with potential... Does that mean the Adventurer’s Guild is actually a black company?! 

“Oh? Why’re you getting stiff all of a sudden? Sure, training’s almost like the real thing, so it’s good to be on guard, but...” 

Shaldot grins without breaking his stance. 
Meanwhile, Hibina the C-rank adventurer just stands there, looking lost. 

“Let’s start with the basics. Rookie, a question for you: what’s the most important thing for an adventurer?” 
“Staying alive, I’d say?” 

He raises his eyebrows at my quick answer... 

“Well, damn. Right on the first try. You’re supposed to spout some nonsense so I can yell at you. Don’t tell me you actually studied up beforehand?” 
“Sorry...!” 
“No, no, there’s no industry where reviewing too much is a bad thing. Still, where’d you learn that? I’ve never heard of an adventurer academy.” 
“Some adventurers visited my family’s farm a few times. I just listened to them talk.” 
“Hah... there’s always one guy who can’t shut up about himself. Trouble is, those types love exaggerating. You sure they didn’t feed you lies?” 

Well... who knows? 
Most of the ones who visited were S-rank anyway, so it’s not like there’s much higher to exaggerate from. 
The ones who talked the most were the former Silver Wolf and Golden Bat.  
Whether or not they were liars, you’ll have to check for yourself. 

“Well, whether you were lied to or not, we’ll find out soon enough. My strikes don’t contain any lies.” 

Power gathers in the hand gripping his sword. 
That’s the sign of a real strike coming. 

“Okay, next question. If survival is the most important thing, why is that?” 
“Because the purpose of an adventurer isn’t to win fights.” 

Their job is to step into the unknown and bring back something from it. 
If you don’t make it back, nothing gets accomplished. That’s why survival is a requirement. 

“Correct. An adventurer’s duty is to return alive. You die, you bring back nothing. That’s why survival methods have been passed down through generations of adventurers.” 
“And you’re about to teach me those methods?” 
“Of course. This is training. what else would I do?” 

Fair enough... 

“First, as a warm-up, here’s a little trick that can save your life in the strangest situations. Behold!” 

He pulls out a tiny box that fits in his palm. Just cardboard. 
A matchbox? 

“Exactly! Matches are a must-have for adventuring, since fire’s easy with them. But there’s another use, one so important it could mean life or death!” 
“You throw them into caves, right?” 

I know this one. 
Sometimes caves are filled with toxic gas; breathing it even once can knock you out cold. Step inside unaware, and that’s the end. 

So, before going in, you toss a lit match inside. 

If it snuffs out right away, you’re in trouble.  
That means there’s no oxygen. 

“O-Oh... you do know your stuff.” 

Judging by his face, I got it right.  
Shaldot looks almost disappointed. 

“Fine then, here’s something a bit more advanced. Do you know what this flower is?!” 
“That’s canary grass, right?” 

It changes color when exposed to poison or hazardous mana.  
It’s essential for detecting invisible threats. 

“...Y-You know this, too? You learned all this from those adventurers who visited your place?” 
“Yes.” 

Especially Silver Wolf, who sometimes held little adventurer lectures. I learned a lot from him. 

“Damn it, whoever that guy is... blurting out trade secrets so casually! He calls himself an adventurer?!” 

Well...  
He was S-rank at the time, so I think he had some credibility. 

“Whoa... Junior, you’re amazing! You’ve got both skill and knowledge...!” 

Hibina sparkles at me for some reason. 
Why though? 

...Oh right.  
Dad taught me the perfect phrase for moments like this. 

Did I just... do something amazing??!?!! 

“Heh. It looks like you’re the kind of student who learns better by doing. Less work for me, I guess.” 

Shaldot forces a crooked smile.... 

“Next question. What’s the single most important thing for survival?” 
“...Fear.” 
“Man, you keep getting everything right. At this point, do I even need to teach you?” 

No, please do...  
I don’t want to waste your effort... 

“Fear is the instinct to avoid death. Danger brings death, fear drives you away from danger.” 

As long as you follow fear, you avoid death. 

“Matches and canary grass are just tools. What really keeps you alive is your own fear.” 

There’s a saying: the one who survives isn’t the brave hero or the wise sage, it’s the coward. 

“The problem is, wannabe adventurers always think fear makes you spineless. And those are the ones who die first. ...Hibina.” 
“Y-Yes?!” 

She jolts as he calls her name. 

“Since you’re here, let’s do a quick review. Say the next line. Forget it, and you’re running thirty laps around the training field.” 
“Whaaaat?! Um, uh... Courage and recklessness are different things. If you can’t tell them apart, you’ll never make it as an adventurer... right?” 
“Correct. Nice memory.” 
“You’re the one who asked!!!” 

So this is hazing in action, huh...? 
But if it’s repeated that often, it must be important. 

“Keep following fear, and you’ll never die. But you’ll never gain anything either. To gain something, you’ve gotta take risks. That’s why adventurers face their fear and step forward. Follow it, but also control it. That’s lesson one.” 
“Yes, sir!” 
“As an adventurer, you’ll face fear over and over. Every time, you’ll have to decide: go forward or run. Make the wrong choice, and you’ll get nothing or you’ll die. Only those who make the right call come away with anything.” 

And then... 

“You’re gonna fight me.” 

...Huh?! 

“A real fight with an A-rank adventurer. Make no mistake. It’s nothing like fighting a one-star monster. You’ll feel true mortal fear. But that fear will etch itself into you and guide your actions for the rest of your adventuring life.” 

I see. 
So this is how they stop rookies from acting reckless. They make sure the fear of death is drilled into them first. 

But honestly, I’ve already faced some terrifying close calls in my life... 

—“Junior, did you finish your homework?” 

...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! 
The fear shoots through me, goosebumps racing over my skin. 

“Oh? Shaking already? Good reaction. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you off. This is the guild’s rite of passage.” 

At last, I understand the reason for that heavy wooden sword in his hands. 

“This training is about making you taste the strength of an A-rank adventurer down to your bones. You need to feel the power you’re aiming for!”