Chapter 1: The Reluctant Adventurer

Elliot’s eyes snapped open as a loud thud reverberated through his tiny attic room. He groaned, pulling the thin blanket over his head, but the noise didn’t stop. Instead, it grew louder—a rhythmic bang, bang, bang that could only mean one thing.

“Elliot! Get up! You’re going to be late!” a shrill voice called from below.

Elliot groaned again, louder this time. “Late for what? I don’t have a job, remember?”

“Late for your adventurer’s exam!” the voice shot back, now accompanied by the sound of footsteps stomping up the creaky wooden stairs. “You’ve been moaning about it for weeks, and now you’re going to sleep through it? Unbelievable!”

The door to his room flew open, and Elliot’s younger sister, Mira, stood in the doorway, hands on her hips and a look of pure exasperation on her face. She was still in her pajamas, her dark hair a tangled mess, but somehow she managed to look more put-together than Elliot ever did.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Adventurer’s exam?” Elliot mumbled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. “Oh. Right. That.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “Yes, that. You know, the thing you’ve been ‘training’ for all summer? The thing that’s supposed to get you out of this house and into the world? Ring any bells?”

Elliot flopped back onto his bed, staring at the cracked ceiling. “I don’t know, Mira. Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe I’m not cut out for this whole adventurer thing. I mean, look at me. I can barely get out of bed. How am I supposed to fight monsters or save the world or whatever?”

Mira marched over to his bed and yanked the blanket off him. “You’re going because you promised Mom you would. And because if you don’t, you’ll be stuck here forever, mooching off Dad and driving me insane. Now get up!”

Elliot sighed but reluctantly swung his legs over the side of the bed. He glanced at the pile of clothes on the floor—his “adventurer’s gear,” which consisted of a slightly too-big tunic, a pair of patched-up trousers, and a belt with a single, empty potion holder. He’d meant to buy more supplies, but, well… he’d gotten distracted.

“Fine,” he muttered, pulling on the tunic. “But if I die, it’s your fault.”

Mira smirked. “If you die, I’ll inherit your room. So really, it’s a win-win for me.”