The protagonist, William, a highly accomplished graduate of the Wizards Academy, desires a life of freedom as an adventurer, rejecting the conventional paths of academia or court mage. This decision leads to his disownment by his parents, though they agree to support him until graduation. Despite graduating as valedictorian, William acknowledges that his academic achievements hold little weight in the practical world of adventuring.
He travels to the city of Atratia to register at the Adventurer's Guild. There, he meets a young female clerk who processes his registration, officially making him an F-rank adventurer. The guild ranks adventurers from F (novice) to S (legendary), with D-rank considered the first step to becoming a true professional.
William immediately seeks his first quest and finds an E-rank "Goblin Extermination" request. However, E-rank quests require a party of at least four F-rank adventurers. As he contemplates this, a small, cat-eared beastkin girl named Mii approaches him, seeking party members. Mii, a thief, reveals her party consists of herself, a fighter, and a cleric, all F-rank. William, finding this arrangement ideal due to the balanced party composition and avoidance of potential hierarchical issues, agrees to consider joining.
Mii leads William to a tavern within the guild to meet her companions. To his surprise, the other two party members are girls: Satsuki, a boisterous "samurai" from an eastern country, and Cyril, a serious and devout cleric. Despite his initial surprise at their gender, William recognizes their potential. He quickly accepts their invitation to join their party, impressed by their straightforwardness and Cyril's insightful nature.
The newly formed party, consisting of William (mage), Mii (thief), Satsuki (samurai), and Cyril (cleric), sets out on the goblin extermination quest. They arrive at Mitovillage and learn the goblins inhabit a nearby cave. Upon reaching the cave entrance, they observe two goblin sentries. William incapacitates them with a sleep spell, much to Satsuki's initial bewilderment and Cyril's surprise at the spell's effectiveness. Mii and Cyril then dispatch the sleeping goblins. Satsuki, however, refuses to strike defenseless foes, revealing a personal code of honor. William, understanding her stance, adapts his strategy accordingly.
Inside the cave, William uses his "Wizard Eye" magic to scout ahead, mapping the cave's layout and enemy positions. This allows him to accurately predict the number and location of goblins in subsequent chambers, much to Satsuki's disbelief and Cyril's growing curiosity about William's abilities. Cyril notes that William's sleep magic is far more potent than what she's heard of from less experienced mages.
In the second chamber, they encounter eight more goblins, all of whom William incapacitates with his sleep spell, again leaving Satsuki feeling her combat prowess is underutilized. Cyril questions the consistent success of William's magic, and Mii confirms it's beyond what she's heard from other mages. William explains his mastery of the sleep spell, attributing the consistent results to his advanced skill and a degree of luck. Cyril, impressed, probes his background, leading William to reveal he holds the title of "Wizard," a significant achievement indicating advanced magical proficiency. This revelation astonishes Cyril and Satsuki, who question why a Wizard would be an F-rank adventurer. William reiterates his freedom of choice and lack of experience as reasons for his current rank.
The party progresses to the third chamber, which, according to William's scouting, should be empty of goblins. Satsuki expresses her eagerness for a real fight, but Mii stops her, revealing a cleverly concealed pit trap. This discovery confirms the presence of intelligent goblins, and Cyril deduces that a Goblin Mage and a Goblin Lord are likely present deeper within the cave.
As they advance towards the final chamber, the party discusses the risks involved. William explains his decision to proceed despite the increased danger, emphasizing the difference between calculated risk-taking and outright cowardice, and the financial penalties for quest cancellation. Cyril's insightful comments about considering the quest-giver's perspective further impress William. He also observes Satsuki's impulsiveness and Mii's competent but unremarkable performance as a thief. The chapter ends as they approach the final chamber, where the Goblin Lord and Mage are expected to be.
