Rick Gladiatol became an adventurer at the age of thirty; after two years of training, he takes the test to advance to E-rank; as the exam begins, he wonders if he's done enough to measure up to all the young people testing alongside him.

As Rick awaits his initial exam results, Raster, an examiner for the upcoming section, appears; Rick stops him from hitting on Reanette and earns the examiner's hatred.

Rick begins his mock battle with the F-rank Crusher, Raster Diarmut; Raster thinks the gap in ability between him, a genius and Rick, a late-starting newbie, is all too clear; as the battle progresses, Rick's training begins to show through.

As Rick waits for his test results, memories flood his mind; as a boy, he dreams of being an adventurer, but the dream becomes distant; he sets it aside and begins work at a Guild; Rick meets a certain S-rank adventurer.

Laurotte asks Rick if he can meet Orichalcum Fist; Rick agrees, but under certain conditions; after warming to Laurotte, Broughston asks him to gather intel to help the party reach their goal; a tip sends Rick and the others to a northern town.

Rick and the others head to Heractopia to look for information on the Six Jewels; a parade for an upcoming tournament makes them realise that what they seek might be closer than they think.