The Rising of the Shield Hero

Student Naofumi opens a strange book in the library and magically reawakens in another world as the Shield Hero, alongside three other heroes.

To break out of his rut, Naofumi buys Raphtalia, a half-raccoon girl, as a slave. He trains her to fight but her traumatic past causes friction.

With time until the next Wave, the duo make preparations. Later, Raphtalia notices that the other heroes look down on Naofumi but doesn't know why.

At a state dinner, Motoyasu challenges Naofumi to a duel for Raphtalia's freedom. It starts off well, but an old friend has a nasty surprise in store.

Despite Naofumi's success in the Wave, the King Consort refuses to reward him. After fulfilling a request of Raphtalia's, Naofumi meets a new friend.

Naofumi wants to buy clothes for Filo's new form, but he learns he'll need a hard-to-find magic gemstone first. Later, Filo's abilities come in handy.

While delivering herbicide, Naofumi finds that its destination has been overrun by a giant plant that sprouted from a seed he's heard of before.

Naofumi learns that a terrible illness is ravaging a village where Ren left a dead dragon to rot and agrees to settle the matter, but not for cheap.

On the way to obtain holy water for Raphtalia, Naofumi comes across a girl named Melty, who Filo seems to really like. The party soon splits up.

In preparation for the next Wave, Naofumi conditionally accepts help from a Lute Village group. A royal edict stymies his companions' upgrades.