An Unemployed Mage's Guide to Self-Rescue

Astra is the youngest senior mage instructor on the continent of Libola, a rising star at Midsummer Academy. She never imagined that the magical academy where she'd spent half her life would blow up right before her eyes...

In a single night, she not only lost her job for no apparent reason, but was also sent to the most famous natural prison on the continent: Dragon's Nest Island.

Determined to figure out what she'd been charged with and why the academy had exploded, Astra began plotting her great escape the moment she set foot on the island.

An escape required helpers, and Dragon's Nest Island lived up to its reputation as a notorious place of exile. Its inmates were diverse to an alarming degree.

A month later, Astra had gathered three companions: a [Daring Mercenary], a [Thief Who Charms Everyone], and a [Thief King Who Robs the Rich to Give to the Poor].

The four of them worked together, rampaged around the island, took down the guards, and made a successful getaway with all the resources they'd plundered.

The only surprise came when they inventoried their spoils and found an exquisite golden chest sealed with magic. It looked extraordinary from every angle.

The three men were stumped. But Astra, who had spent over a month suffering under an anti-magic collar on the island, couldn't help laughing three times before she undid the seal with a flick of her finger.

As four pairs of eyes watched in excitement, a child climbed out of the chest.

In front of everyone, the child wrapped both arms around Astra's leg and called her "Mom."

Astra: …

No, she's not. She didn't!

Astra turned around. Her three companions were looking at her with a mixture of understanding, complicated feelings, and admiration.

The [Daring Mercenary] even applauded this touching "mother-daughter reunion."

Astra: "…"

Astra: "Clap for your dad. Clap again, and I'll twist your head off and kick it."

Note:

1. This time it's Western fantasy with dragons and magic, a slow-burn adventure about a short-tempered mom raising a daughter with three wild dads (?).

2. The main characters' manners and morals aren't particularly good, and the bystanders' morals are generally worse. Expect jokes and dark humor galore.

3. The plot comes first, with little romance. No love-triangle melodrama, just comrades who'd die for each other.

4. This blurb is provisional and may be revised later.

Theme: Be a good person