TBAGM Vol. 1 Chapter 1 Part 1
Chapter 1 – Water Princess
Three years later—
“Lloyd. You’re no longer needed.”
“…What?”
Kyros’s abrupt declaration left me stunned.
We were in his room at the Incarnation of the Sun adventurer guild, where he served as guildmaster.
A gilded clock on the wall, luxurious sofas, and a marble floor; the furnishings of the room were nothing short of opulent. Everything here was top-tier, far beyond what any common adventurer could afford.
“I’ve secured nearly all the key personnel I had my eye on.”
Kyros continued in a cold, detached tone.
Incarnation of the Sun had started with just the two of us: Kyros and myself.
Now, it had grown into what was widely recognized as the most powerful guild in the Kingdom of Fereia.
“Your skill, 【Appraisal】, is no longer necessary in this guild.”
His eyes were filled with scorn. “You’re no longer needed.”—in other words, he wanted me gone.
The guild’s rapid expansion had only been possible because he had leveraged my skills effectively.
My 【Appraisal】 skill allowed me to identify every stat and potential of a person.
.
|
[Name] |
Kyros (30) |
|
[Title] |
Incarnation of the Sun – Guildmaster |
|
[Stats] |
Vitality: D/B Magic: D/C Ambition: S/S Leadership: D/D Intelligence: A/A |
|
[Skills] |
Advanced Swordsmanship: B/B |
|
[Inherent Traits] |
None |
.
This was the appraisal result of the silver-haired man standing before me. The fraction beside each stat showed the current value over the maximum potential.
【Appraisal】 required no chanting or activation conditions, which made it an incredibly convenient skill for me.
However, since 【Appraisal】 offered no value in combat, it was often dismissed as an underappreciated skill.
I never resented its reputation—until now. But to be suddenly exiled? That was far too cruel.
“What about my position as an executive?”
I had quietly supported this guild behind the scenes, enabling its meteoric rise.
Per Kyros’s orders, I spent every day seeking out adventurers whose stats had the potential to exceed all B-ranks.
And now that I’ve completed recruiting every candidate, I’m no longer needed? What kind of joke is that?
“Allen. Come in.”
“Yes, sir! Pardon the interruption!”
Without a flicker of emotion, Kyros called a young man into the room.
He had neatly trimmed silver hair and a symmetrical face. Tall, lean, yet clearly muscular—what many would call conventionally handsome.
I discreetly activated 【Appraisal】 so they wouldn’t notice.
.
|
[Name] |
Allen (21) |
|
[Title] |
Incarnation of the Sun – B-Rank Adventurer; Promising New Recruit |
|
[Stats] |
Vitality: B/S Magic: B/S Ambition: B/A Leadership: B/A Intelligence: B/S |
|
[Skills] |
Hero’s Blade: B/S Hero’s Command: D/A |
|
[Inherent Traits] |
None |
.
Allen was an exceptional talent I had discovered about a year ago.
Though his initial stats were an unremarkable all-C, he demonstrated growth potential with maximum thresholds exceeding all A-rank levels.
Just as I had anticipated, he grew—both in strength and reputation—into one of the guild’s most recognizable adventurers. He now served in the Second Unit.
“Starting today, I’ll be assigning Allen to the executive position.”
“I’m deeply honored! I promise to keep striving and never grow complacent!”
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
The two of them began their discussion, acting as if I weren’t even there.
Deeply honored? The very man who discovered you is being cast out, and that’s all you have to say?
“If it weren’t for me, Allen wouldn’t even—”
“What do you mean, Mr. Lloyd? What are you trying to say?”
Allen tilted his head, seemingly unable to grasp the implication.
Kyros interjected, adding his explanation.
“He’s making excuses now that he doesn’t want to relinquish his position. Honestly, I wish he’d take a cue from us.”
“I’ve still got a long way to go, but Lord Kyros is truly extraordinary! He’s the one who discovered me when I was buried in obscurity!”
Allen expressed his gratitude from the depths of his heart.
The way he phrased it made it sound as if Kyros had been the one to discover this so-called ‘exceptional adventurer.’
“I sensed it from the moment I first laid eyes on you. You’ll grow even more in the future.”
“Truly? Hearing that from Lord Kyros fills me with confidence!”
“…What?”
I stood in stunned silence, utterly dumbfounded by their exchange.
What were they even talking about? Was I the one in the wrong here?
“If I were just another replaceable appraiser, I could understand being treated this way. But I’m an Advisor! The guild still needs me!”
I wasn’t a mere appraiser. I had worked in this guild as an Advisor.
The Advisor profession was my own invention; something that only existed because of a unique skill I possessed. I never revealed what that skill was, but even Kyros must have realized I held powers beyond just 【Appraisal】.
Even if we had finished recruiting new talent, there was still the need to guide and train them. That was my role.
I had helped countless adventurers realize their potential. I had nurtured their growth.
And yet, both of them feigned ignorance.
“Advisor? That’s an actual job?”
“No, it’s not. Just one of his delusions. Lloyd, being an executive doesn’t give you the right to say anything you please. Learn the difference.”
In that instant, I felt something inside me snap.
No matter how much effort I put in, no matter what results I produced, I was still non-combat staff. Expecting fair recognition had been naive.
Thinking back, all that panic earlier about being cast out now seemed almost laughable.
Kyros must have been savoring a sense of superiority as he looked at my now dimmed eyes. With a twisted smile, he held out a sheet of paper.
“As a favor between old friends, I can offer you a job doing odd tasks. Not glamorous, but you’ll be employed.”
In his world, “old friends” must mean something like “disposable rags.” If that’s the case, then perhaps I really did fit the definition.
I ignored Kyros and turned my back on the two of them.
“That’s enough. I’ll take my leave.”
I skimmed through the document. It was practically a slave contract.
In exchange for room and board, all compensation would go directly to him.
For a non-combatant like an Advisor, this might be considered generous.
Once banished from a guild, the record would follow you. Finding new employment would be difficult.
So most people would accept this kind of offer and stay.
Most people.
“What!? Lloyd! Do you even realize what kind of situation you’re in?”
As I moved to leave, Kyros’s calm demeanor faltered, a hint of panic creeping into his voice.
He had planned to strip me of my title and reduce me to a glorified servant—his personal thrall.
But I had no intention of falling for such a transparent trap.
I turned back toward the two of them.
“Thank you for everything.”
“What? Hey, wait a second—”
I bowed, offering hollow words devoid of any sincerity.
Then, without waiting for him to finish, I walked out of that rotten, decaying room.
What should I do next? What would be the right step to take?
Carrying that uncertainty in my heart, I left the guild—
No—I had been exiled.
†
