Chapter 34: The Past 2
After hearing my story, Amanda struggled to decide what she should say.
“…It’s remarkable that you grew into such a good boy in a home like that.”
After thinking for a while, that was what she told me.
“Perhaps I’m like this precisely because I grew up in that environment. If it had been an ordinary home, I probably would’ve grown up ordinarily too.”
“Perhaps you’re right. Erik, I’m truly glad you survived.”
“Thank you. Every day is enjoyable now, and I want to experience many different things, so I’ll continue living.”
Amanda smiled when I said that.
After we finished the morning’s work and I ate breakfast, I equipped myself as usual and left the inn.
“Erik, come over here for a moment.”
When I arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild, I was about to go to the counter.
However, Reina wasn’t there. Instead, she appeared from another direction.
“When I told the Master about it, he asked me to bring you to the training grounds as soon as you arrived.”
“I see. Understood.”
I followed Reina to the training grounds.
“Boy, Reina told me you acquired the skill. Is that true?”
Ryan was already waiting when we arrived.
In response, I activated [Body Enhancement] on the spot.
“Could you confirm it?”
“…Ha ha! This is incredible! I’ve never seen or heard of anyone acquiring a skill in only two days!”
“Erik, you’re truly amazing.”
That was what they told me after seeing me use the skill.
“Still, you acquired it much faster than [Swordsmanship]. Was there some difference?”
“I don’t completely understand my special skill yet. However, I think intention and knowledge are both important.”
“Intention and knowledge? You mean the desire to acquire a skill and knowledge about that skill?”
“Exactly. This time, you recommended [Body Enhancement] and I decided to learn it. That satisfied the intention part from the beginning. For knowledge, you taught me thoroughly, so that requirement was satisfied too.”
I explained the two important elements.
“What happened with [Swordsmanship]? Did things change after you gained knowledge?”
“There was a tremendous difference. When I trained by myself, acquiring each point of EXP took a very long time. But after you taught me, I gained EXP far more easily.”
“I see. Knowledge does seem extremely important…”
Once the report and demonstration were complete, we discussed what would happen next.
“For now, just as I promised, I’ll introduce a magic teacher to Erik. However, even if I contact that person, I don’t think they’ll be able to come immediately, so you’ll probably need to wait for a while.”
“Understood. I’ll continue living normally in the meantime.”
“Yes. Alternatively, if there are other skills you’d like to learn, I’ll help you.”
“What? Are you sure? Aren’t you busy, Ryan…?”
When I asked, Ryan grinned.
“Someone this interesting doesn’t appear often! I want to watch from nearby and see how you develop!”
“Master, that’s good for Erik, but don’t neglect your work. Headquarters will scold you again.”
“I’ll do my work properly! I’d hate giving that person the satisfaction of scolding me again!”
It was decided that Ryan would continue training me whenever he had time.
For the moment, however, I would give up on acquiring another new skill.
Since Ryan was willing to teach me, I decided to spend the time raising the levels of [Swordsmanship] and [Body Enhancement].
“Skill levels are certainly important.”
“Are you sure, though? Is there no other skill you want right now?”
“…If I had to choose, [Appraisal]. I once managed to gain one EXP toward it, but the exhaustion was severe, so I’ve set it aside.”
“A-Appraisal?! Your skill may even allow you to acquire [Appraisal]?!”
Ryan shouted in surprise when I mentioned it.
Beside him, Reina froze with an equally astonished expression.
“…It truly is that surprising?”
“Of course! Merely possessing [Appraisal] is enough to ensure you’ll never lack work. It’s one of the most useful skills! And you may be able to acquire even that…”
However, acquiring [Appraisal] would truly take a great deal of time.
It was also extremely difficult to gain its EXP.
“The problem is your magic. You could raise your level, or train to increase the attribute, but attribute training takes an enormous amount of… Hmm?”
“…Erik, could the effect of your EXP apply to attributes too?”
Ryan noticed the matter of attributes, and Reina followed by asking.
“EXP appeared for my attributes too, so I should be able to raise them through training.”
“…Seriously?”
“…That truly is an incredible special skill.”
Ryan looked dumbfounded. Reina had already been surprised by so many things that she’d stopped reacting.