Once upon a time, there was an age long ago when countless races lived in their own territories.

During that time, humans could freely wander wherever they pleased as long as the land was inhabited by friendly races.

But now, such times exist only in ancient texts.

For the past few hundred years, the land and the sacred artifacts that purified the worlds of countless races have been destroyed by the witches that emerged at some point.

Now, the human world is filled with malice and the monsters born from it. Outside of the barriers set in place to block this malice, there are no longer places where humans can roam freely.

Nevertheless, humans have developed magical tools to suppress and purify the malice in designated areas, taking risks to explore the dangerous regions beyond the barriers continuously.

For the sake of cultivating land to produce food for humanity.

To find resources necessary for a more comfortable life.

And the unit that has taken on the role of confronting the powerful monsters invading these external regions filled with malice is the squad known as “Astrape.”

As such, it is where Yoon Si-woo, who has just been newly appointed as a hero, will be entering—an elite unit that only the finest heroes are allowed to join for the most dangerous missions.

—

If you were to ask the people of this era who the strongest hero is, they would undoubtedly give various answers.

Some would say it is Leon Lionel, the hero known for his unparalleled speed, called “the one followed by sound.”

Others would argue that it is Martina Ivanova, the greatest elemental magician of the era, whose magical firepower is unmatched.

Some would claim that the Eloise couple, whose offense and defense are perfectly intertwined, must be the strongest heroes. It’s truly remarkable how they withstood attacks from high-level monsters for hours without taking a scratch.

And now, many of those regularly listed among the top five strongest heroes have gathered in a single place to discuss matters from the upper management.

Leon Lionel, the captain of Astrape’s 1st squad, furrowed his brows as he clutched the documents on the table.

“Yoon Si-woo. Just enrolled as a first-year student at the academy, graduated early, took down the monsters that manipulated people, and was made a hero for it; now he’s immediately joining Astrape…”

As one of the captains of Astrape, welcoming newly recruited members was always a joyous occasion, but this time it felt a bit different.

Even though he graduated early, he was still just a first-year student.

Moreover, there were even suspicions circulating that he had been chosen as a hero through special appointment to quell the citizens’ grievances.

The footage of his radiant sword play had indeed been impressive, but he would have a hard time judging whether it was mere showmanship without witnessing it firsthand.

Could this student really measure up to this unit?

With just a tinge of anxiety, he couldn’t help but grimace when reading the cautionary note inscribed in the document.

[Citizens are enthusiastic about him, so under no circumstances allow him to be put in danger.]

What nonsense was this? To insert someone into a unit where monsters could attack at any moment and expect them never to be in danger?

The heroes of Astrape always lived with death as a constant companion.

Just then, one participant at the round table scoffed.

“Ha, this is absolute nonsense.”

It was Martina Ivanova, the captain of Astrape’s 4th squad, reading the papers while reclining with her legs propped up on the table.

She had no choice but to curse in this situation.

Even without being busy, being summoned to a meeting was irritating enough, and now to be faced with such ludicrous demands? How could she not curse?

Martina flung the papers behind her and voiced her complaints.

“Those in charge have definitely lost their minds. Even if it’s propaganda, I don’t like the idea of shoving such a young kid into Astrape, and now they say—‘absolutely don’t let him be in danger’? Are they asking us to let our recruits die in his place? Hell no, I refuse to babysit an unproven kid!”

“Hmm, unproven, you say? So are you saying you don’t trust the eyes of Professor Eve who graduated him?”

At that moment, Natalia Eloise, the captain of the 3rd squad sitting across from Martina, spoke up in a calm, reprimanding tone.

Martina, who held Professor Eve in high regard from her school days, stiffened and shouted.

“No, it’s not that! It’s just that I feel uneasy taking on a kid like that! By the way, are you guys going to take him under your wing? If yes, then that works for me!”

With Martina hoping to pass off the burden, Natalia twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and responded leisurely.

“Hmm, I’d rather not. We don’t want to create unnecessary work for ourselves either.”

“What’s this about? I’m already fed up with everything; why stir up trouble?”

“I just wanted to tease you since it’s been a while.”

“Wow, seriously?”

Martina murmured in disbelief.

Natalia, with an amused look, continued.

“Speaking of which, the new recruit is the same age as my daughter. Time really does fly. And our dear Martina is still single.”

“… Enough already.”

“Oh, I’m only speaking the truth. Don’t get too worked up. If you stay angry like that, you’ll never find a partner.”

“… Fine. Today, I’ll make your husband a widower.”

The two had been rivals ever since their school days.

But one had married early and even had a child who had already entered the academy, while the other had yet to even have a proper date.

Martina, feeling provoked about the most sensitive subject, turned red with rage, and a deep orange magic burst around her.

Watching this unfold, Natalia conjured droplets tinted with a blue hue that floated in the air.

If the two renowned heroes faced off, it was evident that the surrounding area could end up in ruins at a moment’s notice.

Leon, observing the situation, sighed and murmered toward the two.

“… If you’re going to talk about marriage, please do it in my absence.”

Simply telling them to stop wouldn’t work; however, the moment Leon spoke, the tense atmosphere surrounding them dissipated like a refreshing breeze.

Natalia and Martina, with expressions of realization, lowered their heads, sensing they had overstepped.

Regardless of their boldness, they weren’t the types to provoke someone who had lost their wife a few years back by discussing such topics.

“… I’m sorry. I just got a bit excited seeing Martina again after so long…”

“… I apologize for touching on painful memories.”

Leon gestured for them to lift their heads as he accepted their apologies.

“… It’s fine. Anyway, it seems no one is eager to take on the new recruit, so let’s draw lots. Each squad is facing similar circumstances.”

“… Can’t we just dump him on the 2nd squad?”

“We can’t pile more burdens onto our old man. We told him to take it easy, but he’s back at cutting through monsters without taking a vacation. Let’s handle it among ourselves.”

At Leon’s words, the two quietly nodded.

After preparing the lots, they all drew their lots together, and the reactions of the three were a mix of joy and frustration.

“Ugh! I can’t take it anymore! With everything going on lately, why me!”

“Martina, just accept your fate calmly. Who is there that doesn’t have much to deal with these days?”

“Anyone but you, please just shut up…”

The one who drew the marked lot, be it a win or a loss, was Martina. Dejected that she was now stuck with Yoon Si-woo, she muttered in despair.

“Um… I was told to come here…”

The culprit of all their concerns, Yoon Si-woo, hesitantly opened the door and entered the conference room.

Martina asked the white-haired boy who had just stepped inside.

“… Are you Yoon Si-woo?”

“Yes. As of today, I’m joining Astrape.”

“… Well, you are pretty good-looking.”

He was, in fact, a bit—no, quite a lot—better-looking than in the videos and the documents.

However, apart from that, he didn’t strike Martina as particularly strong, which made her frown, as if he had been chosen solely for his looks.

Ugh, this is irritating.

As if to say not to let him be in danger was utter nonsense.

Astrape was no laughing matter. Maybe if she showed him how tough it could be, he would leave on his own.

Demolishing a conference room wouldn’t earn her too much scolding, right?

Thinking this, Martina prepared to cast a spell and yelled.

“Hey, newbie! It’s your entrance exam. If you can’t pass, just turn around and go home.”

With those words, glowing magic circles unfolded on the ceiling and walls of the conference room, and Natalia’s voice rang out, startled by Martina’s abrupt action.

“Hey, what if he gets hurt? Who will deal with the aftermath!”

“Ah, I couldn’t care less. I’ve adjusted the magic so he won’t die, he’ll just need a healing afterward. Besides, if he can’t endure even this, it just means he doesn’t meet our standards.”

Though she had claimed to adjust the magic to be non-lethal, he could very well end up severely injured. Perhaps if he lost a limb or two, she might consider it a success.

As Martina pondered this, watching the boy’s alarmed reaction to the multitude of magical spells pouring out from the magic circles,

“… Um, if I cut through all of these, do I pass?”

He asked, pulling a sword from thin air, and his demeanor shifted dramatically.

Martina, known as the fastest elemental mage, typically outpaced other mages.

But the boy’s sword was even faster.

In just a matter of seconds, he sliced through all the spells raining down from the magic circles, standing there nonchalantly as he picked up a document that had fallen to the floor.

And after reading the warning written on it, he said.

“Hm… It says here not to put me in danger, but you don’t really need to worry about that.”

With an air of casual confidence.

“I’m strong enough that it won’t be a problem.”

As Martina watched the boy, for some inexplicable reason, she felt her heart race and her cheeks heat up.

She thought,

His appearance was exceptionally good.

Moreover, for someone this age to possess such skills; give it just a few more years…

Having quickly put that thought together in her mind, Martina murmured with an unusually excited tone.

“… You pass.”

For the record, Martina, who had yet to experience even a single romance at her age, had a crush on:

A man stronger than her.