Chapter 32: A New Skill 4

The next morning, I finished my laundry and trained with [Swordsmanship].

I could’ve trained [Body Enhancement], but that skill required plenty of open space.

You channeled magic through your body and moved.

At first, I’d practiced while sitting or standing still.

However, the time it took to gain EXP that way varied anywhere from one to five minutes.

Ryan then told me that moving at the same time would make the practice more effective.

When I actually tried it, I reliably gained EXP within three minutes.

“The only drawback with [Body Enhancement] is that it consumes magic, so I can’t train for very long.”

[Appraisal] had the same problem.

Yesterday, I’d taken breaks whenever it felt as though I’d used approximately half of my magic.

Even during those breaks, I’d used the time effectively by learning more about [Body Enhancement].

Thanks to that knowledge, I gained EXP even more frequently during the latter half of the lesson.

I still didn’t completely understand [Fixed EXP].

At the very least, however, I felt that two things were important: intention and knowledge.

“If I don’t consciously intend to acquire a skill, I won’t gain EXP toward it in the first place. My life as an adventurer until now proves that.”

[Cooking] was widely known as an ordinary skill.

As its name implied, it provided assistance while cooking.

At higher skill levels, it affected a dish’s flavor and quality.

If merely spending time on an activity were enough to acquire a skill, I should’ve already gained [Cooking] EXP.

However, I’d done all my work until now without ever consciously thinking about acquiring it.

“…If another request comes from Harold’s shop or a restaurant, perhaps I’ll try working with the skill in mind. I don’t need it immediately, but there’s no harm in having it.”

A little later, Amanda entered the backyard, and I helped her with the laundry.

Breakfast was delicious again that morning, and I felt happy that I could eat until I was full.

I changed into my equipment in my room, left the inn, and went to the Adventurers’ Guild.

After greeting Reina, I asked to see the city requests.

“…”

“…Hee hee.”

When she showed them to me, I saw a familiar client’s name on the very top request.

The details were the same as usual, and I was accustomed to working for her, so I accepted it.

“I’m sorry for making a mess after you clean it so beautifully every time.”

“I benefit because I can build up achievements, but are you sure you’re all right, Marina? You pay money every time you submit one of these.”

From my perspective as the adventurer accepting them, I appreciated the achievements and rewards.

Working for someone I knew was also easier than working for a stranger because I already understood what I mustn’t touch.

That was especially true at Marina’s house, which I’d already visited several times.

“Don’t worry! I may not look it, but my income is steady!”

When I expressed concern about her money, Marina answered with complete confidence.

I began working immediately.

This time, she’d asked me to clean the entire house, and the reward was correspondingly better.

“Marina, have you acquired more clothes?”

“They’re gifts. Most of them are from Hanna. She said that now my appearance had improved, I should wear nicer clothes too… But I rarely leave the house, so I don’t really need them, and they’ve been sitting there.”

“I see. What do you do when you go out briefly? You still need to buy food and other necessities, don’t you?”

“Yes. I wear my usual robe when I do.”

At her answer, I thought she might as well wear the clothes on occasions like that.

I continued working as we talked.

Because so little time had passed since the previous cleaning, the dirt came away easily.

Marina had also followed my advice to at least rinse her dishes with water.

Thanks to that, washing them went incomparably faster, and I finished cleaning Marina’s entire house in two hours.

“When you come, Erik, it’s like the whole inside of my house is completely reset. You’re such a help.”

“You’re paying me well for it. Once I accept something as a request, I make sure to complete it properly.”

Marina signed my report.

“And this is—”

“Marina, I don’t need an additional reward.”

“But I prepared this especially to give you…”

Marina tried to offer me another additional reward.

I stopped her before she could hand it over.

“I’ve received far too much from you in particular. Even the money you gave me last time was truly excessive. I’ve been wondering how I could ever repay you.”

“You don’t need to think of it as a debt. I gave those things because I was grateful that you accepted my work.”

“I’m already receiving the proper reward for that.”

“Oh, enough! A perfect little good boy like you needs to stop talking and accept it!”

I firmly continued to refuse.

In response, Marina shoved a bag toward me.

I instinctively caught it against myself so it wouldn’t fall.

“You accepted it, so you can’t return it. It belongs to you now.”

“…You give me too much.”

“Erik, you’re a better boy than other adventurers. Your work is careful, and you never slack off. I watched the way you worked and decided I wanted to give you something extra. Please accept it without holding back.”

Marina suddenly wore a serious expression as she said that, leaving me unable to answer.

“Besides, if our additional rewards help you grow into a greater adventurer, we’ll be able to ask you to do more things. It’s good for both of us.”

“…You’re right. I understand. When I become a successful adventurer, I’ll repay you on an enormous scale, so look forward to it.”

“Hee hee. I’ll be looking forward to that.”

After Marina signed the report, I returned to the Adventurers’ Guild.

I completed the procedure and received the reward.

Then I trained in the training grounds again that day to acquire [Body Enhancement].

◇

[Body Enhancement] training completed.

1 EXP acquired.

EXP until skill acquisition: 100/100.

◇

◇

[Body Enhancement] acquired.

EXP until next level: 0/100.

◇

Ryan couldn’t come today, so I trained silently by myself.

I worked earnestly while recalling everything he’d taught me yesterday.

I also took proper breaks. Shortly before it was time to return to the inn, I acquired [Body Enhancement].