Chapter 15: Testing 3

I swung once, then twice.

No one had ever taught me swordsmanship. I’d learned housework from many villagers and someone had shown me how to move through a forest, but I’d received no instruction in weapons or combat.

I could only imitate what little I’d seen.

“…I expected as much.”

The extra panel floated at the edge of my vision.

While fighting the previous day, I’d wondered whether it updated constantly. Before battling a slime, I’d summoned it and left it displayed. A few seconds after I destroyed the slime’s core, the numbers changed.

That was why I kept it open during this morning’s training as well.

“Skills gain experience and increase in level too. I wondered if this ability might help me acquire one, but perhaps it won’t be that simple…”

Even as I thought, I continued swinging.

My body would learn how to use a sword even without the skill. Lacking a skill wasn’t an excuse to neglect training.

I kept at it until Amanda arrived.

“My, you’re working hard early today. Good morning, Erik.”

“Good morning, Amanda.”

I’d been swinging for about thirty minutes when Amanda entered the backyard with the laundry at her usual time.

After greeting her, I leaned the sword against the building and offered to help.

“You’re helping again today?”

“Yes. I’m after another delicious breakfast.”

“Hee hee. At least you’re honest. That’s fine—you work hard enough to earn it!”

We began washing the inn’s large pile of sheets and towels.

“…Oh.”

“Sorry, it looks like some of our personal laundry was mixed in with that pile.”

I had picked up something that wasn’t a sheet or towel: a pair of underpants decorated with a cute bear-like creature.

Judging by the size, they obviously belonged to neither Amanda nor Ted.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. Anna would turn bright red if she learned that Erik, whom she thinks of as a little brother, had seen and touched her childish underwear.”

“I-I’ll give it back! It would be improper for me to wash it.”

I hurriedly released it and placed it with Amanda’s laundry.

“It would be fine. This laundry was originally Anna’s job, you know. She has trouble waking in the morning, so the responsibility gradually disappeared.”

Amanda laughed and continued washing.

Once we finished, I carried the wooden sword inside and went to the dining hall. My breakfast was larger again as payment for helping, and I ate until I was full.

I returned to my room, equipped myself, and left for the guild.

“What will you do today? Begin with a city request?” Reina asked.

“Yes. If someone is in trouble, I’ll help them before going outside.”

“…You truly think about the people of this city.”

“My motives aren’t that noble. I still earn very little outside, so I use city requests to cover my living expenses.”

I’d just paid to extend my stay, reducing my savings. I wanted to remain at such a good inn, but doing so required steady income.

At present, I could earn only a small amount outside the city. The sensible choice was to supplement that with city work instead of taking dangerous risks in pursuit of more.

“The fact that you don’t recklessly try to earn everything outside is one of your strengths. I’ll show you the city requests first.”

As usual, Reina produced several sheets. One name caught my eye.

“Why is Marina’s request here?”

It was another domestic-help request from her.

“This time it isn’t at her house. A shelf collapsed in a warehouse, and she’s asking for help cleaning up. It’s urgent. She said she wanted you if possible, but your rank is too low for designated requests, so I couldn’t promise anything. I expected you today, however, and kept it aside.”

I wasn’t especially shy, but working for someone I already knew was easier than meeting a stranger. I accepted the request.

“Is this the building?”

The address led to a large structure near the commercial district bearing the name of a famous company: Stacia Trading Company.

Even traveling merchants from Stacia had visited my village, and I’d heard the name again quite recently.

“Erik! Thank you for coming!”

There was no bell, so I spoke to an employee near the entrance. Less than a minute later, Marina came running out in tears, with an exasperated Hanna following behind.

“We meet again after only a day, Erik. I’m glad you’re here,” Hanna said.

As expected, the company belonged to her husband.

I’d been shocked when I first learned that. I hadn’t imagined someone from such a wealthy household submitting a request to adventurers, but Reina explained that even nobles hired them.

That knowledge made me reconsider the importance of my manners.

After exchanging greetings outside, Marina and Hanna led me into the building.