After that, I helped out around the inn and ate breakfast.
Returning to my room, I changed clothes, left the inn, and headed for the Adventurer's Guild.
Upon arriving, I greeted Reina-san and made my way to the room.
"So you're learning shield techniques this afternoon. But really, have you gone all this time without acquiring [Shield Technique]?"
"Ahaha, well, how should I put it... I haven't really had the chance. Even in battle, my mind is focused on other things rather than my shield, so I've never even earned EXP for it."
"...I'm starting to feel like I should be teaching you skills before techniques, Erik-kun. But then again, if you dabble in too many skills, you might lose track of which ones to develop."
"That's very true. In the end, acquiring skills and leveling them up takes time. Rather than spreading myself too thin, I'm thinking of picking up what I need one by one."
If I put my mind to it, I could obtain a wide variety of skills.
However, just because I became able to acquire them didn't mean I could actually master them in practice.
Case in point, even though I can use magic now, I haven't been using it all that much.
As far as my role in the party goes, I'm serving as a vanguard.
With two rearguards in the party, there's hardly any occasion for me to use magic.
"If I were operating solo, I'd probably want all kinds of skills, but for now, I want to stick to acquiring only the skills that suit me. That's what's best for the party, after all."
"Fufu, you're acting like a proper party leader, aren't you?"
With that praise from Olivia-san, I went through today's training as usual.
◇
You have trained in [Parallel Thinking].
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 until next level
◇
◇
Level has increased.
0/100 until next level
◇
◇
You have trained in [Parallel Thinking].
Gained 1 EXP.
2/100 until next level
◇
◇
You have trained in [Mana Control].
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 until next level
◇
◇
Level has increased.
0/100 until next level
◇
◇
You have trained in [Mana Control].
Gained 1 EXP.
5/100 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.
6/100 until stat increase.
◇
◇
You have trained in [Appraisal].
Gained 1 EXP.
100/100 until next level
◇
◇
Level has increased.
0/100 until next level
◇
◇
You have trained in [Appraisal].
Gained 1 EXP.
3/100 until next level
◇
✤
Name: Erik
Age: 10
Level: 11
Strength: 21
Mana: 23
Stamina: 20
Agility: 20
Dexterity: 20
Skills:
[Swordsmanship: 5] [Physical Enhancement: 4] [Cleaning: 8]
[Earth Magic: 2] [Parallel Thinking: 6] [Mana Control: 5]
[Appraisal: 3]
Special Skills:
[Fixed EXP]
Divine Blessings:
——
✤
Because the EXP had accumulated, all my skills and "Mana" went up today.
[Appraisal] had also gradually leveled up, already reaching Level 3.
Before leaving the room, I decided to test it out on a chair.
◇
Name: Adventurer's Guild Chair
Information: Furniture.
A chair set up in the Adventurer's Guild consultation room.
A mass-produced item, but crafted with considerable care.
◇
The description hadn't changed much, but I doubted there was much more to say about a simple chair anyway.
Wanting to check something else, I used [Appraisal] on the sword I had bought from Harold-san yesterday.
◇
Name: Iron Sword
Information: A sword crafted by the blacksmith Harold.
Features a simple design, but boasts superior durability.
Contains magic iron in its materials, making it easy to channel mana through.
◇
"...Magic iron? Is there an ore like that?"
"It's an ore that can be mined in dungeons or deep inside mines. Was it used in that sword, by any chance?"
"Yes. I found out when I used [Appraisal]."
"...While it's on the easier side to mine among special ores and isn't exceedingly valuable, the fact that you boys could afford it means he definitely sold it to you at a steep discount."
Hearing that from Olivia-san, I realized the equipment we bought was worth far more than what we had paid.
Leaving the room, I resolved to thank Harold-san properly the next time I saw him.
"So, since we made today a full day of training, we aren't planning to go to the dungeon."
"I see. Training in the morning and then training again in the afternoon—make sure you don't overdo it, Erik-kun, okay?"
"Of course, I know. Besides, Reina-san told me to make a habit of eating lunch properly, so I've been making sure to do that lately."
"Yes, I know. You've been going out to eat with everyone, right? I'm relieved to see you eating properly."
After that, I left the guild and headed to Sara-san's cafe.
Because today was dedicated to individual training, we had decided not to gather together and instead ate lunch on our own.
Then, after finishing my meal at Sara-san's cafe, I set off for House of Strict, where Roan-san was waiting.
"Is this the place...? Compared to House Fortis, it's slightly smaller, but it's still a massive mansion."
Arriving in front of House of Strict, I voiced my impressions as I took in the estate grounds.
Unlike House Fortis, there were no soldiers stationed at the entrance, and as I waited outside the gate, Alan came out to meet me.
"Erik. You made it."
"Am I on time?"
"Well, you're a bit early, but my big bro is waiting at the training grounds, so I'll show you the way."
Guided by Alan after his greeting, I stepped onto the estate grounds and headed toward the training field.