— Freed’s POV —

  Six months.

  That’s how long I’ve been working part-time at the guild while training diligently.

  My progress was undeniable—my stats had surged past the three-digit mark, a feat that would be astonishing for any ordinary six-year-old.

  And yet, despite my growth, Sis Celes’ and Sissy’s status still towered over mine.

  Aza estimated that by the time I turned nine, I might surpass Sissy’s current status—if she remained stagnant. But that was unlikely.

  Unlike me, who had a structured routine of training, Sissy and Sis Celes underwent rigorous physical tasks every day while completing adventurer requests.

  Their bodies naturally strengthened through experience, whereas I was still catching up.

  I heard they also train by themselves even after they finish their adventurer requests.

  Still, with my Double Natural Growth Rate and Learning Acceleration, it was only a matter of time before I overtook them.

  Maybe by eleven years old, I’d finally be strong enough to stand beside my sisters as an equal.

  That wasn’t the only thing that had improved.

  My Appraisal skill has evolved twice. At level 2, I had gained the ability to discern a person’s elemental affinity.

  Then, just a few days ago, it leveled up to 3, granting me insight into their basic stats—Vitality, Strength, Agility, and Dexterity.

  With this, I could compare my physical abilities to those of others.

  Based on what I had observed, my stats now rivaled an average twelve-year-old who had been casually training. Not bad, but not nearly enough.

  I needed to keep pushing forward.

  The sun shone brightly as I arrived at Lavender Town, just like every other week.

  “Brother Zack, Hello!”

  “Oh Freed! Welcome back!”

  The familiar voice of Brother Zack, the gatekeeper, greeted me as I passed through the southern entrance.

  We saw each other twice a week—every Monday and Saturday—since those were the days he was stationed at this gate, coinciding with my trips between Aster Village and town.

  After exchanging brief pleasantries, I proceeded to my first stop: The Persian Store.

  “Welc- Oh, Freed! Hello!” A cheerful voice called out the moment I stepped inside.

  “Hello, Sister Fey!”

  She was a kind woman in her twenties with short black hair and dark black eyes. Always full of energy, she was one of the friendliest shopkeepers I knew.

  I took out a stack of neatly folded garments from my bag and placed them on the counter.

  “Here are this week’s clothes!”

  Mom is a seamstress, and her custom-designed outfits were delivered here based on orders made by customers.

  The Persian Store handled everything—orders, payments, and even providing the necessary materials.

  While Mom occasionally handles urgent deliveries herself, I often assist in the process.

  My job was just to drop off the finished products.

  Considering the store covers the transportation fee, it proves more efficient for me to handle deliveries during my routine guild visits.

  “Yup, everything’s here! Here’s the payment, Freed.”

  “Thanks! See you next week, Sister!”

  With that task complete, I made my way to Zenith Restaurant for lunch.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Welcome! Oh! Freed! Hello!”

  The moment I stepped into the restaurant, Sis Nina, a young waitress with wavy chestnut hair and brown eyes, greeted me warmly.

  “Hello, Sis Nina! I’ll have the stew as usual!”

  “Roger! By the way, your sisters just left a moment ago. Did you meet them outside?”

  I shook my head.

  “No, I must’ve just missed them. But it’s okay—we’ll meet later anyway.”

  “Alright, wait a moment. I’ll bring your food.”

  While I could eat for free at the guild’s bar, the menu was usually meat-heavy—which wasn’t bad, but sometimes I craved something different.

  Zenith offered more variety, especially with vegetables, so I made it a habit to eat here once a week.

  While my usual routine involves meeting my sisters for a shared meal, sometimes they dined early due to their busy schedule with requests, like today.

  After a few minutes, my meal arrived.

  “Here you go!”

  “Thanks! Time to dig in!”

  I ate alone, savoring every bite. If Sissy had been here, she would have complained that Sis Celes and I ate too slowly. But I didn’t care. Food was meant to be enjoyed, not rushed.

  Once finished, I left the restaurant and made my way to the guild, changed into my uniform, and relaxed for about two hours before starting my shift.

  Everything was normal. Just another day in my routine.

  Or so I thought.

  “Do you feel hungry? Haha! Too bad, there will be no food for you two today!”

  The voice was loud, boastful, and utterly despicable.

  I turned my gaze toward the counter, where a familiar red-haired man sat, arrogantly addressing his two slaves.

  The catgirl and the elf sat across from him.

  While I couldn’t see his face from my vantage point behind him, the expressions on his slaves' faces were unmistakable.

  Their faces were lowered, they are radiating an aura of sadness… or not.

  I could see their clenched fists beneath the table.

  Although others might only see the sadness in them, I saw something more.

  Anger.

  Frustration.

  Hopelessness.

  I had seen those emotions before. I had felt them before.

  It was the same turmoil I once had in my past life—bullied, powerless, and unable to fight back.

  “Do you comprehend your mistakes today? First, Hazel, you spotted the wolves ahead but failed to notice the ones from behind.”

  The man’s words dripped with mockery.

  “Master, but Hazel is currently sick! So—”

  “Is that my concern?”

  “T-That’s…”

  The elf tried to defend the catgirl, Hazel, but her voice faltered under his scorn.

  “You made a blunder too, Esta. Your attack on the wolves missed, causing them to scatter. Do you understand the consequences? It means I didn’t earn any money today because of you!”

  “It’s not her fault, Master! She was just trying to save me, nya.”

  “And that’s her mistake! A few scratches or bites from the wolves won’t kill you! She should prioritize killing the wolves instead of trying to save you!”

  The catgirl defended the elf, Esta, her face pallid, indicating genuine illness. Yet, as expected of the callous man, he showed no concern, unabashedly continuing his solitary meal.

  I don’t know the details, but I can roughly guest based on their conversation

  Hazel, who was clearly ill, should have never been taken on a hunt in the first place. Yet this bastard forced her along, knowing full well she wasn’t in any condition to fight.

  Then, when she inevitably failed, he blamed her.

  And when Esta tried to protect her, he blamed her too as her attack made the monsters run away.

  I don't know what kind of attack that could make the wolves run away, but it seems quite strong.

  Even as he ate his meal, he denied them food, treating them as less than human.

  I clenched my fists.

  This is wrong.

  Someone should stop him.

  I should stop him.

  But how?

  Before I could think of a solution, something unexpected happened.

  As the man finished his meal, his expression shifted as he frantically patted his pockets, his face twisting in panic.

  “Huh? W-Where is it?”

  He kept searching, then froze as if recalling something.

  “Argh, damn it! It must have been from that time! Why is luck so against me today!?”

  His face contorted in frustration before he turned his gaze toward us.

  “Oi! Come here.”

  Sister Sasa, who had been silently watching, furrowed her brows but maintained her professionalism.

  She approached him with a polite smile, though I knew she despised him.

  “Is there something I can help you with?”

  He scowled.

  “It seems a thief stole my money, leaving me unable to pay for the food.”

  A brief silence filled the bar.

  Then, everything changed.