“That’s only three people out of ten, you nonce,” a woman said. Jason didn’t know her at all, but she immediately made a favourable impression.

“It’s still the largest,” Thadwick said. “And, of course, you all know who my family is.”

Some of the people looked awkward, others disdainful. Jason chuckled quietly to himself, wondering if Thadwick should be the basis of a drinking game. One of the Thadwick’s offsiders put a hand over his own face while the other winced, looking at his feet.

“Contrary to what you may think,” Vincent said, “Young Master Mercer is quite right.”

That drew everyone’s attention back to Vincent.

“There may be minimal risk on the outward leg of your trip, but there is always a chance something goes wrong. If you encounter a bronze-rank monster, then you will need to make a coordinated response. A leader can direct you to fight as a team, instead of as individuals.”

“Which means doing what I say,” Thadwick said with smug satisfaction.

Jason snorted a laugh at Thadwick setting the self-destruct on his own dignity.

“Actually,” Vincent said, “that means doing what Young Mistress Geller says.”

He put a hand on the shoulder of the woman Humphrey had been talking to that Jason didn't recognise.

“For those who haven’t met her, this is Phoebe Geller. She will be the group leader until you reach the spirit coin farm.”

“Why her?” Thadwick asked.

“Because she has done this before,” Vincent said, “because she actually knows the way to the spirit coin farm, and finally, because she’s the only two-star adventurer here. Which puts her a star and a half over you, Thadwick.”

Confusion crossed Thadwick’s face.

“A star and a half?” Thadwick said. “You can’t get half stars.”

Jason burst out laughing, drawing Thadwick’s ire.

“You find something funny?” Thadwick asked him.

Jason looked at Thadwick’s face and cracked up all the harder.

“He saying,” Jason chuckled, “that you’re a half-star because you’re not a legitimate adventurer.”

Thadwick’s face was a mix of anger and pride fuelled by a nagging sense of inadequacy.

“Do you know who my uncle is?” Thadwick asked.

“And drink,” Jason said, sipping at his fruit beverage.

“What?” Thadwick asked.

“Of course I know who your uncle is,” Jason said. “Everyone knows who your uncle is. That's the whole point. Thadwick Mercer never passed the Adventure Society assessment. The Duke of Greenstone's nephew did. I hate to break it to you, Thadwick Mercer, but the only part of your name anyone respects is the last part. You can't be the leader because no one trusts you to do anything. At all. The guys on your team? They have to carry you so hard that it's training. They're really good because they're compensating for your outlandish lack of competence.”

He gestured at the gathered adventurers.