Ridiculous.

Completely ridiculous.

I was almost getting emotional — but this book is just outright ridiculous!

Editor's Notes

This work was written by the legendary Smuhr back in her adventuring days, when she was part of the grand Bug Big Bees.

This edition was curated and supervised by writers, mages, and Smuhr's students.

They treated her like a celebrity.

Well, she liked the attention, but she definitely hated flattery.

But honestly? The part she wrote herself was even more annoying than this editor’s note.

Introduction

This work was written by me, Amelye Smuhr (adventurer/mage/writer/student/historian/teacher/genius/architect/perfect/beautiful/gorgeous)...

Idiot! Why did you have to include so many titles? And those last ones — did they really need to be there?

...and finally, leader of the Bug Big Bees.

No. We never said you were the leader. That was only something you agreed with. And maybe Karu, when he wanted to tease you.

During that journey, I learned not only about magic but also about friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unity. And even if some of my companions were... problematic, each contributed uniquely to our victories.

This book is, above all, a record. Not of glory, but of attempts. We tried to be heroes. We tried to survive. We tried to understand. And we failed at almost all of it.

Well... that I have to admit was honest.

I hope readers — young mages, old scholars, or simple curious souls — find something within these pages. Even if it's just a reason to laugh.

Ah, laughter. Yes. I’m laughing a lot, Lye. Seriously. Crying with laughter.

But the next pages were even more striking.

The Bug Big Bees

Jardini was the first to answer the call, which offered a reward for taking care of the spoiled young prince of Uhermas. He arrived reciting a rhyme that made the world question if everything should just be canceled right then and there.

Yes. And they say he had the audacity to rhyme “courage” with “sausage.”

Thruo showed up shortly after. He didn’t trust Jardini but thought someone needed to “stop the guy from dying trying to rhyme with goblins.”

Not exactly a compliment, but it was the closest thing to affection he could show.

Sidraerth was the third. He said only one sentence: “I’m in, if he’s in.” And pointed at the guy on his side.

Me.

Obviously, me.

Bret. Apparently useless. Lazy. Stubborn. But Sid chose him. Why? I’ll never know.

Neither do I, Lye.

Neither do I.

They both hesitated. No one knew who he was. And honestly, he didn’t seem to know either.

Right again. I’m starting to feel offended by all this accuracy.

But when they finally invited Bret, he answered with a crooked smile and a sarcastic comment. Yeah, he was annoying. But… intriguing.

Intriguing? That word’s really trying hard here, Lye.

I, Amelye Smuhr, was the next. I was convinced by Bret — or maybe I was just tired of making fireworks for drunks.

“Convinced” is a strong word.

You wanted out of that life, and I… just pointed to the door.

Karu came after. Insisted we needed a cleric. And more sensuality in the group.

And, for some reason I never understood, everyone agreed with him.

Thus were born the Bug Big Bees. A mismatched, noisy, reckless, and completely unpredictable group. But… we were us.

...

We were.

I tried to get away from the group, looking for a quieter spot near the ruins of the castle Junka claimed was hers.

“Maybe it’s not a bad idea to sneak away with this old book...” I murmured.

The words drew a cynical smile from me, until a familiar voice cut through the silence.

“You really think you’re going to run away from me with that old book?” Junka appeared behind me, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

“I thought you’d give me a moment of peace,” I muttered, closing the book lightly.

“Peace? You look like you’re about to fall asleep in the middle of reading,” she laughed, stepping closer.

“I just wanted some quiet away from your gang.”

“Oh, really?” She sat beside me, grabbing the book. “If that’s your secret, you shouldn’t hide it like this. Where’s the courage of a mage?”

I rolled my eyes.

“You know I don’t like your teasing.”

“I know, I know... But you like the book, don’t you?” Junka smiled mischievously, her eyes shining under her golden braids.

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just used to crumbs,” I replied, leaving the book open in my lap.

She looked at me seriously for a moment before laughing again.

“Well, let’s see what else you can handle. The day’s just getting started, Hat.”

I knew running away wouldn’t help.

Junka was fire, and I was already halfway burned.