Ch.1616. Graduation (3)

Several months after passing my graduation exam and returning with pride, it was spring.

The warm spring breeze was scattering the remnants of winter, and the warmth of spring was slowly heating up the cold world in this season when life begins—

‘Hmm… am I forgetting anything?’

Having finally accumulated enough training to be recognized as a full-fledged druid and allowed to leave the forest, I was packing my belongings, carefully preparing for the long adventure ahead whose duration remained uncertain.

A druid is a caretaker of nature and guardian of the mysteries of the great wilderness. It’s a position one can only assume after properly assimilating with nature’s mysteries and reaching at least the intermediate level.

So until I reached the intermediate level last year, I was merely a druid apprentice and could never call myself a druid.

Meanwhile, my journey had three main purposes.

First, to visit the Druid Gathering near the capital of the Frankish Kingdom, where this Aleinos Forest is located.

I needed to register my advancement to intermediate level and formal recognition as a druid, and to be officially acknowledged as a successor.

This would not only grant me recognition as a proper druid but also provide me with identification from the Druid Gathering, offering various advantages in many areas.

This is because a formal druid certification serves as an internationally recognized identification, allowing one to be treated as at least a quasi-nobleman in neighboring kingdoms.

Having briefly lived as a serf once, I know well. Basically, there’s almost nothing to lose from having higher status in a class-based society.

“Could there be something strange about this Druid Gathering? Like, if they try to monopolize privileges among themselves… nature’s mysteries wouldn’t allow that, would they?”

“Yes, that’s right. Nature doesn’t lend its power to selfish beings.”

Recalling from my previous life how various organizations fought disgracefully over privileges, I realized something. Druids are guardians and caretakers of nature. Given the source of their power, those unworthy can never use it.

From my experience, druid training is structured so that those who seek power or act with excessive greed can never reach the intermediate level.

Moreover, according to my master, the Druid Gathering is closer to a relaxed social club.

In short, it’s an organization that inevitably has school and regional connections (though druid talents aren’t hereditary), and while lacking such connections would be disadvantageous, being part of it is tremendously beneficial.

Given the nature of the druid profession, which can only be passed down through apprenticeship, it’s actually natural that druid organizations take the form of social gatherings.

The second reason for my journey is to find animals or magical beasts to form animal companion contracts, as a druid with aptitude and talent for wild magic.

“Gregory. The total number of animal companions you can contract with is twelve. Of those twelve, you currently have two contracts. So…”

“That means I can contract with exactly 10 more animal companions.”

Typically, even druids talented in wild magic are limited to 3-4 animal companions at most, but I can form contracts with as many as 12.

Now that it’s known I can form contracts and help animal companions grow, I could simply contract with animals or magical beasts living in the Aleinos Forest, but…

“Gregory, you might think this is unnecessary meddling, but let me give you some advice. Try to contract with as diverse a range of animals and magical beasts as possible. That will make you even stronger.”

“Thank you for the good advice, Master.”

Master Dalia says that forming diverse animal friendships will benefit me more.

Considering how I’ve gained growth in various special abilities and spell-casting through my current contracts, it would be better to develop as a versatile mage with multiple capabilities rather than focusing on a single path.

And the third and final reason—my last reason for deciding to embark on an adventure was… truly the simplest one.

“Master… I want to go on an adventure…”

“…Very well, pursue your desires freely. I will always be on your side.”

As it happens, I have business to attend to outside, and I possess enough strength to protect myself.

Added to this is my desire to travel this fantasy world… With these factors combined, I decided to use this opportunity to explore the world.

My belief that a druid should gain diverse experiences to be effective also greatly contributed to my decision to embark on what would likely be a lengthy journey.

Anyway, having made up my mind to journey, I was now packing the necessary items for long-distance travel.

Since most everyday items could be replaced with magic, the contents of my luggage weren’t particularly impressive.

At most, spare clothes and shoes, a few miscellaneous utensils, a bundle of silver coins as emergency funds, and some druidic arcane emergency rations—this bundle was sufficient for a druid setting out on a journey.

In truth, I would have liked to wear some armor for protection just in case… But as a magic user—a druid—I cannot wear metal armor that interferes with spellcasting.

Metal has properties that conflict with nature’s mysteries. While simply possessing metal objects might not cause problems, wearing metal armor seriously impedes the use of nature’s powers.

So, having reluctantly given up on metal equipment… I followed my master’s advice and processed the fur and skin from a bear I had hunted previously into a cloak.

I decided to enchant this cloak with beast magic to enhance its durability and defensive capabilities.

More precisely, it would enhance the wearer’s defense, effectively providing a constant protective spell over the entire body.

※ ※ ※

After packing everything, I finally resolved to depart and gazed at the room I wouldn’t see for some time.

My room, where I had stayed for over 9 years. Though I had tidied it, traces of my life remained clearly visible, and as I looked at it… I forcibly shook off an inexplicable heaviness in my heart and opened the door.

I passed through the hallway and living room, opened the front door, and stepped outside. There I saw my two familiar animal companions and… my master, seeing me off with an expression mixing joy and regret.

“Gregory, are you leaving now?”

“Yes… Master.”

Perhaps my master had grown attached to me over our years together.

With regret and lingering affection clearly visible on her face, after hearing my answer, she handed me the staff she was holding.

“M-Master?! This is…”

“It’s the staff I used in my younger days. And now it’s yours.”

A staff made of dark brown wood reinforced with a golden material that had a metallic luster. About 150cm long, this staff curved like a question mark at the top, with a green jewel embedded in the middle of the curved section.

Though my master didn’t use it frequently, she often carried it—a treasure that inherently assisted in casting nature magic.

As my master handed it to me, I couldn’t refuse and awkwardly accepted the staff with careful hands.

And the moment I grasped it, I physically felt and trembled at the staff’s true value.

“…!!”

This was something so magnificent it made my temporary staff seem like a mere trinket.

Magic power flowed into it without the slightest resistance, and it could store the infused magic power as an external reservoir. It even had built-in effects that assisted in casting nature magic and enhanced its power.

“Thank you, Master! I’ll return safely!”

“…Yes, Gregory.”

Truly moved by this gift reflecting my master’s care and love for me, I tucked the staff beside my bundle and was about to mount Astra, who wore a saddle my master had made for me, when…

“…M-Master… No, Mother! Thank you for these 9 years!”

“…Yes, my son, Gregory! Travel safely!”

Overcoming my embarrassment and anxiety, I summoned the courage to call out, and at that moment, my master… no, my second mother in this life, called me her son and gave her final words of caution.

[…Are you happy, Gregory?]

[Astra’s right. Master, you look truly happy.]

And for a moment, I couldn’t control my rising smile.

With my two chattering animal companions beside me, I mounted Astra and entered the path leading out of the forest.

My destination was the Druid Gathering, located near the capital of the Frankish Kingdom.