We went inside and were shown to a table seat near the counter.
I asked Miss Erica to stop the butler from standing, and somehow managed to get him to take a seat.
I also sit opposite of her.
"Now then, let's start by talking about skills."
"...Yes, please."
"That being said, it's not that difficult. What's the most you've ever done in a mock battle against a specific opponent?"
"That's right... I don't think it will take more than 20 battles."
"So you used 'this' yourself?"
He takes out a transparent crystal ball that fits in the palm of his hand from the magic bag, a magical tool that looks like a pouch wrapped around his waist, and shows it to Miss Erika.
"Is that Doppel...?"
"You hit it."
"...You made a good purchase, didn't you?"
I don't know how many times I can laugh wryly at Miss Erika's words.
No, it was expensive. I never thought it would cost three gold coins.
10 copper coins get 1 silver coin, 10 silver coins get 1 large silver coin, 10 large silver coins get 1 gold coin, and 10 gold coins get 1 platinum coin.
The only coins that commoners commonly use are large silver coins.
Gold coins are used when buying houses or land, and platinum coins are only used by nobles or merchants, right?
Well, I bought Doppel at such a high price.
I desperately needed this.
The effect is to create an alter ego with the same strength as yourself and be able to fight.
However, perhaps due to the limitations of magical tools, there comes a point where Doppel stops being an example.
This means that you are unilaterally defeating your weaker self, and most people stop using it.
"May I touch it? I don't remember it at all."
I nod and hand over Doppel.
Amazingly, when you touch Doppel, the number of times you've fought is displayed.
That means it's a magic tool made for that purpose.
A magical tool for "acquiring one's own skills."
"99 times."
"You've been training quite a bit, haven't you? That means you don't have any skills... What do you think?"
"...I'm sorry to seem like I'm showing you my hand, but I don't have one."
"Then you should fight one more time."
"???"
I replied with a smile to Miss Erika, who looked dissatisfied.
This time she tilted her head and looked at my face curiously.
What a convenient number of times to train, if I may say so myself.
This way, there would be no need for long, tedious persuasion or explanations.
Miss Erika looked genuinely dissatisfied as she stood up and went outside with the butler.
I guess I'll help out at the store in the meantime.
As I was bringing alcohol and food to the adventurers, the door to the bar slammed open and Lady Erika came in.
Then, when she spots me with her eyes, she comes running up to me with her chest shaking.
"Instructor Reid? Why? How do you know?!"
"It looks like you've acquired the skill, congratulations."
"Thank you very much. But that's not true, why..."
"Why don't you sit down and talk slowly?"
Before I knew it, Nimi-san was standing next to me, smiling gently and gesturing to the table where we were sitting.
"You must be thirsty, so I'll bring you something to drink."
"...I'm sorry, I got carried away."
"No, please wait in your seat."
I follow behind Miss Erika, who looks embarrassed as she heads to her seat, with a light chuckle.
He has such expressive faces, it makes me like him even more.
As Miss Erika sat down, the butler quietly handed her a towel.
I take it and lightly wipe the sweat and dirt from my face, thinking as I watch the situation.
Are you really 16? You're too sexy.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, is fruit-based food okay?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
"...Reid-san, you take good care of your students, okay?"
"I mean, I treasure it, but..."
He smiled in a troubled manner and shifted his gaze from Nimi-san, who was returning to the kitchen, to Miss Erika.
What's wrong? Look at me with that shocked expression.
Miss Erika drinks the fruit water and looks surprised, then takes another sip.
Well, I'm sure I'll get some criticism for this, but let's move on.
Sorry, Miss Erica.
"Well, why is it cold?"
"You can acquire skills by fighting the same person 100 times."
"Um, my drink's cold..."
"The reason why many nobles have skills is because they possess Doppel. They obtain it by fighting themselves 100 times."
"...You can have a drink later. But why hasn't this been discovered yet? The kingdom's knights train every day, you know?"
"It has to be one-on-one with the same person, and you can only get one skill from one person."
"...From Instructor Reid's explanation, it sounds like you can have multiple skills?"
Miss Erica puts one hand to her forehead as if she has a headache.
Hmm, that's true.
I called out to one of the adventurers who was having fun at the table next to us.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What's going on, instructor? Are you drinking?"
"No, I'll stop for today. How many skills do you have?"
"...What about that girl?"
"She's my student, is that okay?"
"What's the matter, I don't mind if I'm your student! Two, thanks to you, you know?"
After saying that, he slapped me on the shoulder and returned to his friends, laughing happily.
He shifted his gaze to Miss Erika, who was stunned by the adventurer's words, and spoke to her with a light chuckle.
"This is it."
"...My head hurts."
"Well, I guess I'm being given preferential treatment, right?"
"You're being overly generous, but you owe me more than anything..."
"Well, it's a fifty-fifty chance, you know. I'd like you to help me out a little bit... No, maybe a lot?"
"...There are so many things going on, I want to clear my head for now."
"Then the school is closed tomorrow, so would you mind coming with me to do some shopping?"
"...I understand, I'll come tomorrow morning."
Miss Erica stood up and headed for the exit.
I went along to see them off and accompanied them to the entrance of the compound.
Suddenly, Miss Erika looks at me, bows beautifully, and says.
"I didn't say thank you."
"That's fine, but next time, bring something to wear over your clothes, okay? I know it's on purpose, but Miss Erika, you should be more mindful of the gazes of those around you."
"...I'll be careful."
Miss Erika replied to my words and started walking with the butler.
I tilt my head while looking back.
Her cheeks seemed to be slightly red.
No way, you didn't notice? That's too dangerous.
[profile]
*Instructor Reid
Height 180 cm, 29 years old, short brown hair
His face is sharp.
He has a muscular build. His muscles are in line with his height, so he doesn't give the impression of being bulky.
He has old war scars all over his body.
The old injury had healed completely and there were no after-effects, but the scars remained.
Personally I have no intention of deleting it.