“Come on, ser Rogart! Let’s follow them!” My niece said cheerily, as she dragged me along. Begrudgingly.

I had hoped to quickly deliver her back home within the safety of its wall. But Allen Smith had some surprise that couldn’t wait.

Her childhood friend, Edward, and his bodyguard had bidden their goodnights and parted ways. A course of action I intended to follow myself. Instead, we were heading toward the usual inn.

“I want to apologize for having put you guys in harm’s way,” Allen said. “And also share a tradition from my… hometown.”

“What is it?” Grastel asked. “All this anticipation…”

“Surprise! Surprise!” The commoner child squealed.

At least it was relieving to see that Ellin had surrounded herself with trustworthy people. Even Allen.

After listening to my niece’s stories, I saw him in a better light. Slightly better, at least. He was still a dangerous existence.

But he had shown an ability to remain clear-headed during the most desperate of times. Thanks to that, Ellin was still alive. For that, I was grateful.

We arrived at the inn and climbed up the stairs.

“I’ll wait outside,” I told Ellin. I didn’t want to be an oppressing presence. I was afraid of losing her trust. Which was why I practiced the utmost secrecy while keeping an eye for her.

“Come in,” She whispered. “You always scowl and sniff when I talk to you about my friends. I want to show you they’re good people.”

I couldn’t refuse, so I let her drag me inside.

Perhaps it was fate that she would cross paths with someone involved in a prophecy. My little Ellin was destined to do great things.

I couldn’t be prouder. She was growing so fast… Soon she won’t need her uncle anymore, I thought sadly.

The first thing I saw upon entering the room was a tree placed in a corner, cut as tall as a person. A tree?

“A tree?” Namrick, the swordsman, echoed my question. I heard he was being taught by the former Royal Sword. My previous approval remained confirmed.

Allen snapped his fingers, and colored illusory lights sprang to life.

“Yes, an ExMas tree.” Allen said.

My blood froze inside my veins. Ex-what?! Was he displaying an idol dedicated to a dark god?! Which god was Mas? My fingers twitched. I turned on my mana sight to detect any sign of danger. Several potentially dangerous enchantments were arrayed under the tree. What is he planning?!

“Pretty!” The commoner child exclaimed. She ran toward the lethal idol of sin without hesitation.

Nothing happened. Yet.

“Why are you so tense?” Ellin whispered to me. I had inadvertently put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. I relaxed my hold.

“Is that a pine? Why did you bring the top of a pine in your room?” Grastel, the archer, asked. A legitimate question.

Grastel had been Ellin’s pet project. I couldn’t just disappear him after she had gone through all that trouble to redeem him from his thieving ways. He had proven himself competent, though. Reluctant approval.

“Are those mana lights?” Ellin asked. “It looks cozy.”

It did indeed look cozy and comforting, but so did all the most effective traps.

“Yes, they are mana lights, and yes, the tip of a pine tree because that’s the tradition,” Allen explained. “And of course….”

He lowered down to pull at something. I tensed, prepared to spring forward, and cast a shield to protect my lovely niece…

“Presents!” Allen exclaimed, waving a hand toward the cloth-wrapped gifts with a stupidly smiling expression.

I relaxed, glad I hadn’t given myself away for nothing. I retreated back near the entrance to give them space while observing from afar. Ellin shot me a smile, which soothed my spirit.

I had never heard of a tradition involving pine trees, but exchanging gifts during the Turning was common practice. It was custom to secretly place the gift near the sleeping person, or hidden in places where they’d usually look, during a random day before the Turning ended.

“Ho ho ho!” He said in a deep voice. “But first, can you find your presents?”

The guests approached the loot, inspecting the wrapped packages. The blob of lights I had seen through mana sight suggested magical equipment among them, which made sense since he was an enchanter.

“‘Little girl who can read’… this is mine!” Yelled the child. “And this is yours, Lala! Hehe~”

However, someone else seemed to struggle in picking up their presents.

“Ohhh, do I see someone having trouble reading?” Allen said with faked surprise and implied mockery.

Silence, as everyone turned to face him.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” He said dryly. “When did you think would be a good time to tell me you’re illiterates?”

No one replied.

“Namrick, you almost fooled me,” He continued. “Those times you were looking at the quest billboard, pretending to read…”

“There are pictures… and I memorized some words.” Namrick defended himself. “Adventurers don’t need t-”

Allen cut him off. “Oh no. No complaints,” He said. “Raise your hand those of you who can read and write.”

The child raised her hand and jumped with enthusiastic energy. “Me! Me!”

The dwarf, the restaurant owner, and Ellin also raised their hands.

Allen shot a disappointed look at the remaining people and shook his head dramatically.

“I can read some!” Grastel said in objection.

“Oh yeah?” Allen looked up in mocking surprise. “What does this say?” He conjured a floating illusory writing.

Heh. For the first time, I thought he was funny. I had to suppress a smirk.

“I-I a-a-am a d-du-duh-dum-” Grastel stammered his way into the trap.

“Dumb archer!” The child yelled and giggled, then pumped a fist in Ellin’s direction, who ruffled her hair in response. “Hehe~”

“Hey!” Grastel exclaimed and grinned. “Alright, I’m not so good.”

“Lena has taught me some reading, but I can’t write,” The woman admitted.

Namrick looked defeated.

“You’re all weaker than Lena,” Allen said, walking beside the child and giving her a head pat. “You should all be ashamed.”

“So you just called us here to mock us?” The swordsman asked. “Should we perhaps test your skills in combat?” He smiled in defiance, taking a combat pose.

“No, but I won’t accept illiteracy,” Allen said, face serious. “Not only you are unable to use my enchanted tools to the fullest. You could be tricked, misled, or miss an important note that could prove fatal. All because you can’t fakin read or write. It’s dumb, don’t you think?”

“Namrick, Grastel, Elaida,” He called out. “I sentence you all to attend Gregoris’ lessons, at my expense, until you are all capable of reading and writing. Not negotiable.”

I had to agree with him. Literacy was a powerful tool, and the commoners dismissing it as unnecessary were fools and deserved to remain at the bottom.

When I was young, I used to think all people were equal before the Gods, but the sad truth was that most were weak, stupid, and cowards. Those with motivation and ambition would always find a path.

I sometimes heard lowlifes cursing at nobility for their privileges, but they forget who bleeds for them in times of need. Like these.

A commoner, or even ten, is no match to any mage or technique user. I firmly believed anyone could acquire strength through effort and willpower. Weakness was a choice.

There were plenty of capable adventurers coming from commoner’s blood. I had experienced that life as well, in my younger days, and learned many important lessons.

“And now, let’s open the presents!” Allen announced with renewed vigor.

“Namrick, Grastel, and Ellin,” He said. “Armors enchanted by the finest military enchanters who owed me favors. Couldn’t get permission to enchant weapons for you, sorry.”

The two young men didn’t waste time and started putting on their armor pieces. Ellin covered her mouth, her eyes round. I walked closer, curious about her gift.

“It’s so light… is this orichalcum?” She said breathless, inspecting each orange-tinted piece. Orichalcum… that had to have been expensive.

“Yes, orichalcum weaved with mithril for extra enchantments,” Allen said proudly. “Good protection, lightweight, and designed not to impede mages. Don’t worry about the price… it was commissioned by the kingdom itself. I did some enchantments myself.”

“Thank you…” She said, full of emotion.

I was glad the kingdom had decided to repay Ellin’s effort with more than just words. You deserve it, Ellin!

“A gift worthy of you, my Lady,” I commented, staying in line with the image of Ser Rogart.

“We survived unscathed because of you,” Allen said. “This should be the minimum. I sincerely thank you.”

It was an excellent gift, I had to admit. It would go along well with the magic wand I had prepared for Ellin.

“Remember to send your thanks to the royal family,” He added hastily. “They might break my legs if they thought I shirked on my duty…”

“Next!” Allen continued. “Lena and Elaida…” He waited for them to finish unwrapping the cloth around their presents. “A mini magical golem for Lena, it charges on its own, and a recipe book for Elaida.”

“Woah!” Lena exclaimed, playing with the magical doll that squirmed in her grasp. It looked like a stylized version of Allen. Such bad taste.

“Well, at least it’s not a dead monster body part, this time,” Elaida said after having stared at the animated doll. “It’s safe, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Allen replied. “I even added several defensive measures, like dumping all the mana available on a Fear Projection against an attacker. Extra protection!”

Elaida stared blankly, then turned to the girl. “Give me the doll, Lena. It’s dangerous.”

“No! it’s mine!” The girl shied back, holding her mini golem doll tightly.

“Grohm assisted in its creation,” Allen assured. “And I tested it on myself!” His thumbs-up was anything but assuring.

The woman narrowed her eyes but eventually sighed, giving up. “Fine.”

“Yay!” Lena said, hugging the woman. Mother or aunt? I saw a resemblance.

“Next, Corgas!” Allen continued.

The bald man with a beard revealed a bunch of arcane contraptions. No doubt instruments of evil.

“A set of magical cooking utensils to make your life easier.,” Allen said. “Elaida can use them too. I had made them before all the mess with the demon. I’ll show you how to use them.”

“But Allen,” Elaida said. “I can’t use magic tools…”

Allen went unnaturally still, the smile frozen on his face.

“How so?” He asked at last.

“Normal people need training to use magical items. Don’t you know?”

“Nope,” He admitted, looking at nothing lost in thought. “Okay… No problem, I’ll make new ones with physical buttons and self-charging.”

“I can use them, don’t hesitate to ask,” Corgas said, smiling at the woman, who nodded in reply.

“Alright,” Allen said. “And last, on purpose for teasing him, Yusdrolir!”

The dwarf grunted and grinned. I narrowed my eyes. The drunken dwarf, I didn’t hear many good things about him while asking around posing as an adventurer. On probation.

“Almost thought ya’d forgotten about me! Haha!” The dwarf said, eagerly opening the small box he had revealed.

“A piece of paper?” He said, confused. He spent a few breaths reading it. “Wait, this… You…” His voice broke.

“Yeah,” Allen said. “A six months lease on a small smithy shop. An enchanter who owed me a favor had an acquaintance who was looking to rent it, so…”

“You’re a blacksmith?” Grastel asked with a surprised face. Everyone seemed surprised.

“I… uh,” the dwarf brushed a tear away. “I used to be. A long time ago.”

Having a blacksmith in her party could prove a valuable addition. Approved with reservations.

“Six months should be enough to polish the rust off your skills, right?” Allen said, giving a bump to the dwarf’s shoulder. “I expect free repa-”

The dwarf responded with a crushing embrace.

“Ugh! You’re breaking my bones!” The mage complained, uselessly trying to squirm away. The others traded grins and joined as well.

“Stop! You already hugged me!” A pleading hand reached out, trembling beneath the assault.

I see, I thought. Allen Smith is weak against hugs.

“Anyway,” He said, untangling himself. “Since we were talking about basic life skills. How many of you can swim?”

Another long silence ensued.

He cares for his friends and takes precautions.

Approved.