After parting ways, I returned to the inn.
I took care of my equipment, ate dinner, and finished bathing.
"Since there wasn't a single moment to let my guard down in the dungeon, I didn't check the screen at all... Looks like I've accumulated quite a bit of EXP."
Entering my room, I sat down in a chair and checked the screen and my status.
◇
Monster defeated.
Obtained 1 EXP.
100/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Leveled up.
0/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Monster defeated.
Obtained 1 EXP.
14/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Swordsmanship].
Obtained 1 EXP.
100/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Leveled up.
0/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Swordsmanship].
Obtained 1 EXP.
6/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Physical Enhancement].
Obtained 1 EXP.
87/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Parallel Thinking].
Obtained 1 EXP.
100/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Leveled up.
0/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Parallel Thinking].
Obtained 1 EXP.
3/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Mana Control].
Obtained 1 EXP.
100/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Leveled up.
0/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Mana Control].
Obtained 1 EXP.
2/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Trained in [Earth Magic].
Obtained 1 EXP.
48/100 to next level.
◇
✤
Name: Erik
Age: 10
Level: 9
Strength: 19
Mana: 20
Stamina: 18
Agility: 18
Dexterity: 18
Skills:
[Swordsmanship: 4] [Physical Enhancement: 3] [Cleaning: 8]
[Earth Magic: 2] [Parallel Thinking: 5] [Mana Control: 4]
[Appraisal: 2]
Special Skill:
[Fixed EXP]
Blessing:
——
✤
My own level had increased by three.
My skills had risen considerably as well.
"Just when I thought my handling of the sword felt sharper halfway through, it turns out the skill level had gone up."
Seeing the increase in my [Swordsmanship] level brought a faint smile to my face.
As someone fighting on the front lines, [Swordsmanship] was more vital than magic right now.
Still, I had made a conscious effort to use magic so I could gain at least some EXP.
"At this rate, assuming I defeat around the same number of monsters tomorrow as today... honestly, it's downright terrifying."
Gaining three levels in a single day.
By simple arithmetic, that would mean 30 levels in ten days, 60 in twenty, and an astonishing 90 in thirty days.
"...Time for bed."
Having once again realized just how broken [Fixed EXP] truly was, I gave up thinking about it any further.
With that, I lay down on the bed and fell asleep.
The following morning, after finishing my usual routine and having breakfast, I changed clothes and left the inn.
Arriving at the Adventurer's Guild, I greeted Reina-san and headed toward the room.
"Erik-kun, I did it!"
"Whoa! W-What's wrong, Olivia-san?!"
The moment I stepped inside, Olivia-san lunged forward and wrapped me in a sudden embrace.
Startled by the ambush, I blurted out my question in a panic.
Olivia-san began to speak, practically buzzing with excitement.
"I came into this room this morning, you see. I was practicing by myself until you arrived, Erik-kun. And then, I acquired [Appraisal]!"
"O-Oh! Congratulations! Does that mean you've uncovered the method to learn [Appraisal] then?"
"That's right! A skill that even researchers abandoned as impossible—Erik-kun and I discovered it together!"
Completely overjoyed, Olivia-san hoisted me up and spun around in circles.
Even though Olivia-san was a mage, her level was overwhelmingly higher than mine.
Trapped by the sheer gap in our stats, I couldn't break free and was left entirely at the mercy of her spinning.
"...Phew."
"I'm sorry. I got carried away in the heat of the moment..."
"I understand you're thrilled, Olivia-san, but you're dealing with a ten-year-old child, you know. Consider the difference in your stats and think before you act."
"Yes... I'm sorry."
Having been spun around endlessly, I had ended up crying out in distress.
Hearing my scream, Reina-san had rushed over from her duties at the reception desk.
Even after Reina-san showed up, Olivia-san had kept on spinning, leaving Reina-san no choice but to stop her by force.
Now, I was lying sprawled across the sofa.
Beside me, an odd scene played out: Olivia-san was being thoroughly scolded by Reina-san.
"So, why on earth were you doing that in the first place, Olivia-san?"
"Um, Reina-chan, you know about Erik-kun's special skill, right?"
"I do. It's the one where he gains a fixed amount of EXP, right?"
"Yup. So, Erik-kun and I talked about trying to figure out a training method for the [Appraisal] skill. We found a promising approach, and after I worked hard at it these past few days, I finally unlocked it just a moment ago!"
Olivia-san explained cheerfully.
Upon hearing the story, Reina-san froze, her eyes wide with shock.
"...By [Appraisal], you mean that [Appraisal]?"
"Yes, the [Appraisal] skill used to inspect items and information."
After confirming it with Olivia-san, Reina-san took a deep, steadying breath.
"Olivia-san, Erik-kun... you've made an outrageous discovery, haven't you?"
"Ehehe, right?! That's why I was so happy! Do you see now?"
"Yes, I understand that much. However, that doesn't excuse you actually swinging Erik-kun around like a ragdoll."
Just as Reina-san delivered her rebuke, Ryan-san, having caught wind of the commotion, stepped into the room.
"Reina, what's going on? I could hear you lecturing Olivia-san all the way from my office."
Ryan-san spoke as he entered.
Then, seeing Olivia-san made to sit on the floor while Reina-san stood imposingly over her with hands on her hips, he tilted his head in confusion.
"...Seriously, what happened here?"
Utterly baffled, Ryan-san looked to Reina-san for answers.