Maribel's Grievance

"...This is ridiculous."

I scowled. My brow furrowed slightly, and the corners of my eyes sharpened. It was a displeased expression. A deliberate one.

"Don't bother showing off. It's annoying."

I ruffled my hair with one hand and let out an irritated sigh.

"I'm tired."

With that, I turned and started walking away. A flustered voice called from behind.

"Um, wait..."

"I said you're not worth calling. Got it?"

"Pardon...?"

Estel let out a choked whimper. Stunned by my unexpected reaction, she stood there blankly for a moment. She didn't even think to chase after me.

Yeah. Just stay like that and leave.

Bards are done for me. Songs, evaluations, all that emotional crap... I'm sick of it.

I had no desire to mingle with bards for a while.

But then—

"I'm the one who's ridiculous!"

A clear, spirited voice rang out again, cutting through the night street. Gone was her dazed look; under the magical streetlamp's glow, flames flickered in Estel's eyes.

"You barely talked all day and looked so lonely, so I tried to be friendly, but this is too much! Fine, I'll be honest! I mess up the beat sometimes! My high notes are a bit risky too! But I put my heart into it!"

I kept ignoring her and walked on. She seemed kind-hearted—no harsh curses like "fuck" or "son of a bitch" even when grumbling behind me.

"No wonder you don't have any friends!"

I chuckled. I don't need friends to act like this.

What I needed now was someone who could be a source of money, not a friend. A penniless aspiring bard like her was beneath my notice.

I hoped she'd get pissed and leave. The party leader was Bolcas Bern; falling out with a powerless bard wouldn't hurt me much in the group. Her hating me would just be laughable.

Just go home, wash your feet, and sleep.

The quiet night street echoed only with my footsteps under the magical streetlamps. Dry mud crunched crisply underfoot on the stone path leading to the inn.

Suddenly, the sounds from behind stopped. Estel must have stormed off, hurt by my words.

Good.

I was feeling relieved when—

"Let's set off to find the sparkling treasure map hidden in sweet cookies~♪"

A bright song burst from behind me out of nowhere.

"One bite starts a thrilling adventure's scent! By the time the crunchy edge vanishes, the hidden gold coin gleams!"

It was Estel.

...She hadn't left?

I stopped and shook my head slowly. When I turned around, she abruptly cut off the song, acting like nothing happened.

"Don't sing."

"Okay~"

She beamed innocently. I ignored her and kept walking.

Then immediately—

"The world's tastiest secret is in my mouth~♪"

This girl...

I whipped around.

"I said don't sing! No, just go home already!"

"Okay~ I'll do as you say~"

She grinned brightly again.

"If you sing again...! Ugh, forget it."

As I started walking once more, Estel followed me with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Cross the fluffy marshmallow mountains, ford the jelly river! One step at a time, ahhh~ O great footsteps~♪"

"Stop it!"

Why was she doing this? A battle of wills?

This time, I turned with real resolve to chase her off. I sharpened my voice as much as possible and pointed at her with my finger. A scathing critique should wound her enough to leave.

"Don't force your high notes early! Your voice cracks on the next beat! Why can't you get that?"

"Pardon...?"

I pressed on toward her flustered face.

"And don't go full throttle from start to finish! Plan spots to breathe in sections!"

"Uh, like... this?"

She cleared her throat and sang the short ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠phrase again.

"One step at a time, ahhh~ O great footsteps~♪"

I stroked my chin and nodded.

"Yeah, better. Focus on the lyrics' rhythm now, not fancy sounds. Master the melody first, then add emotion."

"Whoa...! I've never gotten advice like this! Thank you!"

Estel clapped like a seal, her face beaming with pure joy, eyes sparkling. Utterly innocent.

...Huh?

The moment I saw her smile, I snapped to my senses. Why was I coaching her? My goal was to drive her away.

I didn't want to teach; I just wanted her gone before things got tangled.

This could drag me in again. Dangerous.

I really don't want to say something soul-crushing...

A brief hesitation. But if I didn't cut it now, no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chance later. Cold and firm.

"You're just someone who hypes the mood with your good looks. Barely any basics. Nothing more. In short, no talent."

"Y-you really mean that...?"

This time, she was properly shocked. Estel's face hardened. Her lips pressed tight, the sparkle in her eyes faded.

I didn't avert my gaze. Had to keep going. To keep her away for good.

"Know why people clapped earlier? Pity. They were embarrassed for you. Out of courtesy. Mistaking that for praise... as a bard, that's fatal ignorance. Try something else."

"W-was I really that bad...?"

Silence. Estel's eyes trembled faintly. Though furious, she bit her lip and said nothing. Just stared at me with a face on the verge of tears.

"...Go home quietly."

I walked away without looking back. As the distance grew—

Clatter.

A luxurious carriage appeared from the road ahead, passing me. Its silver body gleamed, emblazoned with a noble crest on the door.

It stopped before Estel, and a neatly dressed middle-aged gentleman stepped out.

"Miss, it's time to head back."

At those words—

I halted.

...Miss?

It felt like a blow to the head.

A noble's kid?

I spun around hurriedly. Estel, hurt by my words, nodded stiffly. She handed her lute case quietly to the gentleman and boarded with a familiar lift of her skirt.

I gaped, staring blankly. Flustered, shocked... and a strange ripple in my heart.

Not some no-name aspirant... a noble?

My mind raced. The money from today's grueling work? Just two silver coins. How long to get back on my feet with that?

But tutoring a noble's song? My eyes widened.

"O-one gold coin a day...?"

My lips curled up involuntarily. An unintended emotion. But clear: opportunity.

Estel was noble. A raw beginner bard, but with clear potential and talent. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And striking looks.

If I train her moderately and earn money...

No guarantees, but attaching to that family as a tutor meant no starving for a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠while. A lucky lifeline.

I smiled quietly, very slowly.

I have to do this.

Two days later, the party reformed with the same members. Leader Bolcas, archer Pardel, mage Lijel, priest Minerri.

And—

Estel.

Bolcas had gone to submit the hunt request at the Adventure Guild. The rest lounged in and around the guild's first-floor lobby.

Seizing the moment, I sought one person. My future prized disciple to nurture: Estel.

In my fantasies, she was already my lovable protégé. I approached with a friendly smile.

"Estel, what're you up to?"

She was fiddling with her lute, lips pursed... still looking pissed. Well, my words the other day were harsh.

But today's Han Seru was the apology-and-hope delivery man. I sat before her with my gentlest smile.

"Sleep well last night? No colds?"

Voice warm as could be, capped with a soft laugh.

Estel blinked wide, leaning back slightly.

"Wh-what? Why are you like this since morning? Eat something bad?"

"Nah, I was... too harsh that day, huh?"

"Not just harsh—way harsh. Couldn't sleep, and I'm drained this morning."

"Sorry to hear... I sincerely apologize."

She eyed me warily, squinting.

"Don't talk to me."

She looked away, sighing angrily. It must've really hurt.

So I pulled a small vial from my pocket, shook it, and smiled.

"Honey elixir for throat care. Essential for bards. Bought it for you, Estel."

"Why?"

She stared curiously, then pouted and looked away.

"Don't need it."

Her tone was stiff, but her eyes flicked back to the vial lingeringly.

I offered it gently.

"I'll manage you from now on. Everything about you, Estel."

Money was the goal, but the promise to train her was real. I never half-assed what I took on. Help her with my best, and let me meet your parents, Estel.

Sign that tutor contract quick.

Edelan Kingdom. Capital Noarbel.

That evening, Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara—finally arriving in the capital carefree—stamped their contracts with Partita Guild.

The guild's contract handler suddenly tried to split them up. Said they'd manage one at a time from now on.

"...What do you mean?"

Maribel's eyes widened as she asked back.

"Splitting us by rank? We can't go together anymore?"

"Yes."

The handler nodded kindly.

"Partita Guild uses tailored growth strategies, classifying singers by grade. Essential for external trust and brand value—stated in the contract. Regrettable if you're offended."

Maribel's face twisted.

"Never heard of this."

"You didn't read the contract carefully."

The handler smirked, opening the contract to point at fine print in gleaming gold letters.

"See here? Article 3, Clause 4: 'The guild may assign grades based on the singer's capabilities, and all guild activities shall operate under the grade system.'"

"Give it here!"

Maribel lunged for the contract, eyes bulging, but—

The handler swiftly pulled it back.

"Sorry, the original is guild property. Once signed, viewing or possession is beyond the party's rights. Understood."

Behind them, guild staff whispered among themselves.

"That Chameleon-grade one? We'll just shuttle her to backwater taverns nonstop."

"Yeah, heh. Pretty face makes it fun and fresh."

"Shh. Quiet, she'll hear."

But the mocking words had already reached Maribel's ears as she clutched the grade badge.

Her fingertips trembled.