The next morning, I woke before the morning bell rang.
I had returned exhausted the previous evening, but thanks to properly stretching and loosening up before bed, not a trace of fatigue lingered in my body.
After finishing the laundry, I decided to do some [Swordsmanship] training today as well.
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You trained in [Swordsmanship].
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 to the next level.
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Level increased.
0/100 to the next level.
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"Alright."
I had been earning EXP yesterday while the four of us were exploring the forest, too.
Thanks to that, it had reached almost 80, and my morning practice was enough to push my [Swordsmanship] skill level up.
Amanda-san hadn't come out to the backyard yet.
I ran through a few drills with my newly leveled [Swordsmanship].
"...Incredible. My movements are even smoother."
With the increased skill level, [Swordsmanship] granted my body a noticeably higher degree of refinement.
I kept practicing until Amanda-san came outside.
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You trained in [Swordsmanship].
Gained 1 EXP.
19/100 to the next level.
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When I took one final look at the screen, that was how much EXP had accumulated.
After eating breakfast and changing into fresh clothes, I left the inn and headed for the Adventurer's Guild.
"Olivia-san, regarding [Fixed EXP], I think I might have figured out something else."
"Something else? What would that be?"
Upon arriving at the Adventurer's Guild, I greeted Reina-san and made my way to the training room just like yesterday.
Olivia-san was already waiting, so I broached the topic right after greeting her.
"It's something I've had a hunch about for a while, but as a skill level rises, it seems to become easier to gain EXP."
"...Now that really is something."
"To be honest, I was skeptical myself at first, but... as a skill goes up, your proficiency with it improves, right? [Swordsmanship] is a clear example—the system's corrective assistance grows stronger as the skill level rises. Because of that, your form improves, and you naturally execute the 'correct movements' without even having to think about it."
I laid out my realization about [Fixed EXP] to Olivia-san.
"That really does make [Fixed EXP] extraordinary."
"Still, in the end, the very beginning is always the hardest hurdle. Acquiring a new skill in the first place still takes hard work."
"Well, even regarding that, being able to see your EXP is an immense advantage, isn't it, Erik-kun? No one else has the luxury of tracking such convenient numbers while striving to learn a skill."
"...That's true. I really am quite fortunate."
After that conversation, I decided to try another new training method for [Appraisal].
Today's approach involved cloaking an object in mana to discern its nature.
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You trained in [Parallel Thinking].
Gained 1 EXP.
29/100 to the next level.
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You trained in [Mana Control].
Gained 1 EXP.
48/100 to the next level.
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You trained mana.
Gained 1 EXP.
61/100 to stat increase.
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You trained in [Appraisal].
Gained 1 EXP.
59/100 to the next level.
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While it was a better method than yesterday's, the technique I had used at the very beginning was still yielding EXP much faster.
"Olivia-san, what should we do? Do you want to keep looking for a different approach?"
"Honestly, seeing how things turned out with this method, I'm starting to think focusing mana into the eyes was the right answer all along. Though that would mean the research paper was useless..."
"I don't know how your acquaintance conducted their research, Olivia-san, but wouldn't it be worth giving it a try anyway? If it helps you acquire [Appraisal], that's a win on its own."
"...You have a point. In that case, starting tomorrow, I'll see if I can acquire [Appraisal] myself. Would you be willing to help me, Erik-kun?"
When Olivia-san asked, I nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"Of course! You've helped me so much, Olivia-san. I'll do everything in my power to help you get [Appraisal]!"
"Hehe, with such a dependable apprentice by my side, I might actually manage it."
Olivia-san smiled, and with our training concluded for the day, I said my goodbyes and left the room.
I stopped by the counter to let Reina-san know that practice was over.
Stepping outside the guild, I spotted Philia and Leticia-san waiting.
"Philia, Leticia-san, good morning."
"Morning, Erik-kun~"
"Good morning, Erik-kun."
As I greeted the two of them, Alan came jogging up to us.
"Sorry! Am I late?"
"No, you're pretty much right on time, so don't worry about it. More importantly, where should we go for lunch?"
"Hmm, I'm in the mood for bread today. Why don't we head to Sara-san's cafe?"
We all agreed with Philia's suggestion and set off together for Sara-san's shop.