Chapter 7
Liberta!"
"M-mornig ."
"Un! Morning !!"
Perhaps because I couldn't keep my promise with Nel yesterday, her visit this morning was unusually early.
Just after I had finished drawing water from the well, washing my face, brushing my teeth with a wooden stick that resembled a toothbrush in this world, and getting ready for the day.
Do girls get ready this quickly?
At the very least, she must have woken up earlier than me, possibly even before sunrise.
It's no wonder I stumbled over my words.
"Here! This!"
"What's this?"
"Breakfast!!"
And what came after the greeting was a familiar package.
It looked similar to the lunchbox Nel's mother had made, but unlike her mother's, the wrapping was a bit uneven.
Could it be...?
"Did you make this, Nel?"
"Uun, they said using a knife is still dangerous, so I just put it together."
"I see. Thank you."
"Ehehehe, you're welcome!"
It was the same hard bread sandwich as yesterday.
For someone like me who hasn't started earning yet, this is a precious meal, and I'm grateful for it.
"Then, let's eat together at lunchtime."
"Un!"
Judging by the size of the package, there's enough for two.
So, it seems I guessed correctly.
She seems to have gotten over her bad mood from yesterday, smiling brightly.
"Then, what should we do today?"
"Talk!!"
"Umm, then what should we talk about?"
Since I promised to spend the day with Nel today, I had already anticipated this.
I really wanted to take the bamboo spear I got yesterday and go for my first real battle, but as a guest, I want to do what I can.
But last time, I had that map-like thing, so I didn't have trouble with conversation. What should I talk about this time?
There were a few fairy tales from this world in the game, but the picture books were mostly player-made entertainment items.
Some even used VR technology to practice drawing, so there were some pretty high-quality ones.
I remember impulsively buying one because the art was beautiful.
Maybe I should talk about that.
"How to adventure!!"
"Eh, adventure?"
"Un! I'm going to be a merchant in the future!! So first, I'll become a peddler and travel all over the world! That's why I want to know how to adventure!!"
I thought that was the case, but are girls in this world this active?
It's a topic far removed from what you'd expect from a girl, but with her hands clenched at her chest and looking up at me expectantly, changing the topic isn't an option.
"Hmm, then, should we talk about levels and classes?"
"I know about that!!"
In this world, physical combat ability is quite important when traveling.
Even for production jobs, having a high level alone increases combat ability.
"I see, then a question!! What is a level?"
"Easy! It's a blessing from the gods that increases when you defeat monsters or make things!! The first time your level increases, you receive a blessing called status!!"
"Correct!"
"Fufun!! That's obvious!!"
The image of a merchant I have and the one Nel has are probably quite different, but the fundamentals are the same.
Levels. A familiar system in games where increasing them grants BP (Build Points) to enhance two status attributes.
As Nel said, in this world, levels are a reward from the gods for defeating monsters or creating items, granting experience points as a reward for overcoming trials.
And when the protagonist's level increases, they can use the status blessing system to allocate BP to two status attributes.
"Then, the next question is a bit harder. When you level up, what can you allocate the BP you receive from the gods to?"
"That's easy too!! For status, it's Stamina and Magic Power!! You can also increase skill levels!!"
"Correct. Stamina and Magic Power aside, you even know about skill levels."
"Fufun!! I'm amazing, right?"
"Yeah, amazing."
Perhaps because the quiz format is fun, Nel is thoroughly enjoying herself.
When she gets an answer right, she arches her small body proudly with a triumphant face.
Maybe it's because she's a child, or because she's well-behaved, but watching her doesn't irritate me, probably because there's still a bit of innocence left in my heart.
It's reassuring to know that the FBO status system applies in this world.
The fact that even children know about it means the system is well-established.
Knowing that BP can also be used for skill leveling is a big deal, making future actions much easier.
"Then, next question! What are the alternate names for the Stamina and Magic Power status attributes?"
"Eh, umm..."
Thinking it would be good to confirm one more thing, I threw in another question, but her momentum from earlier slowed down drastically.
Since she knew about status attributes, I thought she'd know this too, but maybe it's not as well-known?
She's desperately trying to remember, crossing her arms, tilting her head, closing her eyes, and going through all the motions to recall the answer.
"Uu, I don't know. What's the answer?"
Finally, she gives up, her ears drooping in disappointment.
"The correct answer is Basic Status. The only two status attributes you can allocate BP to are these, and no matter what skills you take in the future, they will be influenced by one of these two status attributes."
"! Then I know!! Stamina affects skills like swordsmanship that involve physical movement, and Magic Power affects skills like magic and alchemy that use magic!!"
"Correct! You understand well."
"I studied!!"
We FBO players referred to the Stamina and Magic Power status attributes collectively as Basic Status.
This is because, as Nel realized, they have the effects I just explained.
Increasing Stamina raises the Stamina status, which in turn enhances the effects of physical skills.
Specifically, increasing Stamina boosts HP (Hit Points), strength, toughness, agility, dexterity, and other physical attributes.
Conversely, increasing Magic Power enhances magic-based skills and skills that use magic.
Magic Power affects SP (Skill Points), magic attack, magic defense, skill activation time, skill cooldown reduction, and more.
For example, there's a sword skill called Slash that consumes SP to temporarily increase attack power.
Even if the skill level doubles the effect, a character with 10 Stamina and 1 Magic Power would deal 20 damage, while a character with 1 Stamina and 10 Magic Power would only deal 2 damage.
For magic-based skills, the opposite is true.
This system creates a difference in effectiveness, making status allocation crucial depending on whether you're focusing on physical or magical combat.
"If you're going to be a merchant in the future, Nel, you might lean more towards Stamina."
"Un! My dad said that too! He said being a merchant is all about stamina!!"
"Then, to become a proper merchant, you'll have to work hard to reach Class 3."
"Un!"
And just as important as levels are classes.
I casually touched on the class and job systems, but it seems even children know about them to some extent.
"Then, here's a question!"
"Bring it on!!"
"Such energy. Then, what is a class?"
"That's easy! A class is... umm, umm..."
"Don't know?"
"I do! It's just a bit hard to explain!!"
It doesn't seem like she's pretending to know.
She's hesitating, choosing her words carefully, so I wait patiently for her explanation.
"A class is what you get after your level is maxed out, and you defeat stronger enemies or make amazing things to become even stronger!!"
"Close! But almost correct."
"Eh! What's wrong?"
The explanation she came up with was good enough for a circle mark, but not quite a star.
Not being a perfect answer seems to have upset her, as her brows furrow and her cheeks puff out.
"It's not so much wrong as incomplete. For class advancement, you don't actually need to max out your level. If you reach 90% of the level cap for your current class, you can advance by defeating monsters or creating items above your class level."
"Ehh, that seems like a waste."
"Yeah, but some people do it. Once you reach the last 10% of the level cap for any class, leveling up becomes much harder."
"Muu, that's such a waste."
"If you think so, then you should work hard to max it out."
"I'll definitely do that!! It's more rewarding that way!!"
"That's a merchant-like way of thinking."
"Of course! I'm going to be a merchant!!"
The class system.
Each class has a level cap, and by following the steps I just explained, you can advance to the next stage.
When you first defeat a monster or create an item, your level increases, and you enter Class 1.
Your status is displayed as Class 1 - Level 1/50.
When you class up, it becomes Class 2 - Level 1/100, allowing you to grow even stronger.
What Nel means by "waste" is that if you're in Class 1, you can class up by defeating a Class 2 enemy at level 45.
This can also be done in party battles, where multiple people defeat a strong enemy to class up.
But if you move to the next class, you lose the five levels you didn't gain.
Since BP is limited, you can't become as strong as you could have.
That's why she says it's a waste.
At first, I didn't understand why they had such a segmented system, but later I found out some elements that made it feel like a poorly designed game, and while I understood, I couldn't hide my frustration.
"Then, what can you do by reaching Class 3?"
That anger is irrelevant now, and I know how to deal with it, so it's fine.
So, let's smoothly move on to the next topic.
Already enjoying the roles of questioner and answerer, Nel energetically raises her hand and says, "High!"
"Receive a trial from the gods, and upon completing it, you'll be granted a job!"
"Correct!"
"Yatta!!"
Perhaps because it's a topic she's been looking forward to, she naturally gets the answer right and celebrates with a cheerful "banzai," making me feel warm inside.
"Then, which god's trial do you need to take to become a merchant?"
Wanting to see her happy expression a bit longer, I ask another question.
"The god of commerce, Goldos-sama!!"
"Correct!"
"Fufun!"
The god's name is one I know too.
This is getting serious.
The parts that are similar are definitely the same, even if the dissimilar parts are different.
"Nee! Next? Next!!"
"Wait a sec! I need to think!"
"Hurry up!!"
Today might have been more fruitful than I expected.
Not just the quest, but I've also confirmed the fundamental systems of this world.
Then that should be fine too.
Thinking about such unnecessary things, I hadn't prepared the next question and ended up being pressured to come up with one.
I was about to think of one in a panic, but then I heard a "kuu" sound from my stomach.
This familiar sound...
I glance at Nel, and she blushes, quickly turning her face away.
"Let's eat."
"Un."
For now, the quiz contest is on a break.
I bite into the hard sandwich Nel's mother prepared.
And then I quench my thirst with water from a canteen.
Talking non-stop has left my throat parched, and the slightly cold water is quickly absorbed.
"Nee."
"Hmm?"
"Why do you know so much, Liberta?"
"Hmm, I studied really hard in the past."
During this brief meal.
To Nel, it must be a simple question.
Even for a child who looks the same age, having this much knowledge is probably strange.
She even stopped eating to ask.
I can't exactly say I was reincarnated, so I give an answer that's not quite a lie.
I did study harder for FBO than I did for exams in my previous world.
"Sou nan da."
"Sou nan da yo."
"Then, teach me more tomorrow."
"Sorry, I really need to start earning tomorrow."
"Ehh."
"Sorry."
"Mu, when can you?"
"Hmm, maybe on my day off."
"Day off? When?"
"Depends on how tomorrow goes."
"When?"
"Uh, Nel-san, you're being really pushy..."
"When?"
"...Three days from now, please."
"Got it."
Whether it's for the knowledge or some other reason, I give in to the pressure of this greedy girl, even though I'm an adult inside a child's body.