I arrived at the Adventurer's Guild.
There were even more adventurers today than yesterday. More people had likely arrived from other regions.
A line had formed at Reina-san's reception counter as well, so I gave her a polite nod before heading toward the training grounds.
Up until now, I had always been able to use this area without issue around this time of day. But today, adventurers were milling about here too.
"They did say the crowd was growing..."
It wasn't a space reserved just for me. Understanding that, I moved off to a relatively quiet spot and began training my Swordsmanship.
After a while, the crowd thinned out somewhat, though a few people still remained. When Olivia-san arrived, I brought my practice to a halt.
◇
You have trained your Swordsmanship.
Gained 1 EXP.
49/100 until next level.
◇
With other people around, I hadn't been able to concentrate as well as usual. Today's session made me realize just how favorable my training environment had been up to this point.
"There are quite a lot of people today, aren't there?"
"Yeah. There were even more before you arrived, Olivia-san. I suppose it's because of the dungeon?"
"Most likely. The adventurers who only recently caught wind of the dungeon are starting to pour in."
Olivia-san glanced around the area.
"Hold on a moment. I'll go ask Reina-chan if we can use a private room. Practicing Earth Magic out in the open was one thing, but with what you're doing now..."
"Ah, good point."
Right now, I was training Appraisal. If I did that out in plain view, people would almost certainly give me strange looks.
Olivia-san left the training grounds and returned a few minutes later. She had successfully secured a room, so we relocated to train there for the rest of the session.
◇
You have trained your Parallel Thinking.
Gained 1 EXP.
61/100 until next level.
◇
◇
You have trained your Mana Control.
Gained 1 EXP.
87/100 until next level.
◇
◇
You have trained your mana.
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 until stat increase.
◇
◇
"Mana" has increased by 1.
0/100 until stat increase.
◇
◇
You have trained your mana.
Gained 1 EXP.
12/100 until stat increase.
◇
◇
You have trained your Appraisal.
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 until skill acquisition.
◇
◇
You have acquired the skill Appraisal.
0/100 until next level.
◇
There was still some time left before lunch, and I had finally unlocked the Appraisal skill I had been aiming for.
During this session, I had also made a conscious effort to train aspects beyond just Appraisal. As a result, the EXP for both Parallel Thinking and Mana Control had accumulated significantly. My mana stat, which had already been on the verge of increasing last time, leveled up and began accumulating further EXP.
With so many changes having taken place, I let Olivia-san know and brought up my status.
✤
Name: Erik
Age: 10
Level: 4
Strength: 14
Mana: 14
Stamina: 13
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 13
Skills:
Swordsmanship: 2 | Physical Enhancement: 2 | Cleaning: 7
Earth Magic: 2 | Parallel Thinking: 2 | Mana Control: 1
Appraisal: 1
Special Skills:
Fixed EXP
Divine Protections:
——
✤
A lot had improved, but what made me happiest was undoubtedly Appraisal.
"It's officially in my skill list."
"Well then, why don't you try using Appraisal on this?"
"Understood."
I activated the skill on the blade of grass Olivia-san pointed out.
◇
Name: Weed
Information: Just an ordinary weed. There is a medicinal herb that resembles it.
◇
"It says it's just a weed."
"Oh, it identified it properly! There's a medicinal herb that looks almost identical, so people mistake them all the time."
"Is that so? Ah, that exact detail is mentioned in the information from Appraisal."
After using the skill, a display similar to the window showing my Fixed EXP values appeared before me.
"They say Appraisal's accuracy increases as its skill level rises. In your case, Erik-kun, you'll gain EXP simply by using it, so you'll probably become an exceptional appraiser in no time."
"If that happens, please let me know whenever there's something you want appraised, Olivia-san. I'd be happy to do it!"
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm actually planning to give it a try myself based on what we learned today. Who knows, maybe I'll manage to acquire Appraisal as well."
"That would be wonderful. Please let me help if there's anything I can do."
After discussing the training method further with Olivia-san, I continued practicing until lunchtime. Once we wrapped up, I thanked her and stepped out of the room.
I headed over to the front desk to let Reina-san know that our session was finished.
When I stepped outside the building, Philia was waiting for me.
"Philia. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Erik-kun, good morning! Where are we going for lunch?"
At her question, I decided to take her to the diner Reina-san had recommended to me.