After taking about a ten-minute break, we resumed our training.
"How is it looking? How much EXP have you gained with your ability, Erik-kun?"
"Um, please give me a moment."
About an hour had passed since our break when Olivia-san asked, so I pulled up my status screen to check.
◇
Trained in [Earth Magic].
Gained 1 EXP.
14/100 until skill acquisition.
◇
"It's at 14/100. Thanks to your precise advice, Olivia-san, the rate of EXP gain has been remarkably steady."
"Once that reaches 100, will you be able to use the skill, Erik-kun?"
"Yes."
"In that case, if you push yourself, it seems like you could acquire it before the day is out. Are you sure you don't need to take care of any commissions, though?" Olivia-san asked.
I usually took on requests around the city in the morning.
I had already told Olivia-san as much.
That was likely why she was asking now.
"I have some savings set aside. Besides, I already let Reina-san know that I'd be spending the morning on training today."
"Just the morning? Do you have other plans for the afternoon?"
"I formed a party with someone not long ago, so we're scheduled to head outside the city later today."
"Ah, a prior engagement. In that case, it can't be helped."
With that settled, Olivia-san had me focus on my training until noon.
A few hours later, the noon bell rang, bringing our session to an end.
◇
Trained in [Earth Magic].
Gained 1 EXP.
63/100 until skill acquisition.
◇
Partway through, the EXP had started rolling in much faster.
Listening closely to her advice throughout the session had clearly deepened my understanding.
To be honest, part of me wanted to see it through to the end today.
However, I had no intention of breaking my promise, so I decided to call it a day here.
"Olivia-san, when will we be able to do our next session?"
"I'd like to check on your progress as soon as possible. How about we meet at the guild tomorrow at the same time? If that's inconvenient for you, another time works just as well."
"No, that time works perfectly. Thank you very much for teaching me so much today. I look forward to working with you again tomorrow."
I bowed my head respectfully as I spoke.
Afterward, since Olivia-san was also planning on lunch, we decided to eat together.
She mentioned wanting to dine with Reina-san as well, so we headed to an eatery that served rice.
There, she continued to share her insights on magic, further broadening my knowledge of the subject.
"Good morning, Erik-kun! It didn't look like you took any commissions today—were you busy with something?"
"Good morning, Philia. I had some business to take care of. Someone was teaching me magic."
"Huh, magic?! You can use magic, Erik-kun?!"
Philia reacted with utter shock when she heard I was receiving magic lessons.
Generally speaking, only those who could already cast spells received instruction in magic.
Naturally, that led Philia to assume I was already capable of using it.
"No, I can't use it just yet. It's just that my special skill is a bit peculiar."
"You have a special skill, Erik-kun...?"
I hadn't told Philia about [Fixed EXP].
Understandably, finding out I possessed a special skill caught her completely off guard.
I decided to explain to Philia what kind of special skill [Fixed EXP] actually was.
However, the guild hall was far too crowded to discuss it openly.
After letting Reina-san know we were heading out, the two of us made our way beyond the city walls.
Once we found a secluded spot with no one around, I explained the nature of my special skill.
"Isn't that incredible?! I mean, doesn't that mean you can learn literally any skill in existence, Erik-kun?!"
"Given how the effect sounds, I can see why you'd think that. But acquiring a skill still requires comprehension. Simply knowing a skill exists isn't enough—it's difficult to learn without an established method of training."
"Huh, is that so? Ah, so that's why you were having someone teach you magic today!"
"Exactly. I should probably have it learned by tomorrow, so I'll show you then."
At my words, Philia broke into a bright smile.
"I can't wait! Ah, but wait... If you learn how to use magic, Erik-kun, doesn't that make you a backliner too...?"
"We can keep our formation just the way it's always been. You're far better suited as a mage than I am, Philia. As long as our current setup works, I plan on sticking with it."
"Phew, that's a relief. For a second, I was worried you might kick me out."
"I'm not that cold-hearted, you know. Besides, I thought we were friends..."
I let a touch of sorrow slip into my voice.
Seeing that, Philia became visibly flustered.
"Ah, um, I mean! I-I think of you as an important friend too, Erik-kun! So let's keep doing our best as partners!"
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
In that moment, it felt as though the distance between us had closed just a little bit more.
From there, we ventured through the forest, hunting slimes and horn rabbits along the way.
When the evening bell rang, we returned to the royal capital, cashed in our spoils, collected our reward, and split the earnings evenly.
"Well then, see you tomorrow, Erik-kun!"
"See you tomorrow."
With that, Philia and I parted ways in front of the guild.
Magic training in the morning.
Hunting monsters outside the city in the afternoon.
After being on the move all day, my stamina was pushed to its absolute limit.
"All that's left is to head back and collapse..."
Dragging my exhausted body forward, I made my way back to the inn.
Between dinner and a hot bath, what little energy I had left was completely drained.
Returning to my room, I finished maintaining my gear, collapsed onto the bed, and drifted off to sleep in an instant.