Chapter 175
The high-ranking light spirit appeared, promising to hold another concert, and amidst the busy days that followed, before I knew it, half a month had passed.
During that time, I mainly did three things.
First was preparing for the concert I promised the spirit. I commissioned a painting of Amina from an artist, prepared new outfits, arranged for merchandise production, and with Nel’s help, got ready with the crystal figurines as the main attraction.
Second was leveling up. Since Nel and the others had left me far behind in levels, I needed to max out my Class 3 stats as quickly as possible. After that, leveling for Class 4 awaited, so I spent nearly every day at the arena hunting Matango with Ingrid. In two weeks, I maxed out Class 3 and reached the threshold for Class 4.
Third was preparing to acquire new skills. By Class 4, I’d have two skill slots without leveling, plus three for each class from 1 to 4—totaling 14 slots. I didn’t need to fill them all before Class 5, but one of the conditions for securing EXBP at Class 5 was the number of skills and their total class value, so I wanted to prepare in advance.
"Hmm, still not enough in circulation, huh?"
There were limits to what I could get through the Duke’s connections or dungeons, so I made regular visits to the skill shop. Standing in front of the board, checking daily if any desired skills appeared.
Job skills would fill most slots, but I still needed non-job skills—most of which came from dungeon treasure chests.
The average level in this world was low, except for a select few. Even combat professionals prioritized safety, making class advancement a high-risk endeavor. As a result, the skill shop’s inventory was limited.
"The auctions aren’t much better either."
Even at the auction houses I accessed through Ingrid’s family, the Gryule House, there weren’t many good scrolls.
"In that case… should I just do it?"
My class level was borderline, but considering the target monster, this still felt safer. I wanted to gather some decent skills by Class 4, but right now, there was no way to get them. Maybe I had no choice but to do that.
Sigh.
I could ask the Duke to arrange passage to the central continent, but… I had a feeling the justification would lead to complications, so I hesitated.
Frustrated, I let out a sigh—only to hear an identical sigh beside me. Turning, I found someone else looking back at me at the same time.
"Couldn’t find the scroll you wanted?""Yeah, well… Wait, my apologies. Are you from the Dwarf race?"
Standing there was a rare sight in this continent—a member of the Scaled Tribe, a race gaining influence in the eastern continent. His defining traits were the scales on his neck and face. Though human-like in appearance, the blue scales and the sharp, crystalline horn on his left temple marked him as a high-ranking member of his kind.
His dark blue hair was tied back—maybe he found cutting it bothersome? His handsome features leaned more toward cool than cute, more intellectual than fiery. The kind of good looks that would make female players want to dress him in a butler outfit.
"Nah, just a human kid.""Is that so? An adventurer?""More like an apprentice. But I have my guardian’s permission to fight."
The magic book strapped to his waist suggested a mage build. My presence here as a kid seemed unusual, hence the initial assumption I was a Dwarf warrior. I corrected him and gestured to the spear on my back to explain why I was here.
"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Shin.""Liberta."
For a high-ranking Scaled Tribe member, he didn’t look down on me, a commoner. His polite demeanor carried a refined air, treating even a child with respect.
I didn’t recognize the name "Shin," so he likely wasn’t a named character. But given his horn’s size and placement, he wasn’t low-ranked either.
The Scaled Tribe of the eastern continent traced their lineage to ancient dragons, their scales a mark of that heritage. Even lizard-like races were considered people there, not monsters. The horns, however, were the true symbol of status—their number, size, and quality determining one’s standing.
Commoners usually lacked horns, while nobles possessed them. Shin’s single horn was well-formed, its color and length impressive. Combined with his attire, he was clearly nobility.
"Liberta, huh? A fine name.""Thanks."
Eastern nobles judged people by their horns, leading to strong discriminatory attitudes. I’d initially wondered if Lady Esmeralda’s engagement issues stemmed from her lack of horns, but then I questioned whether the saintess she clashed with had any. I quickly dropped that line of thought.
"Shin, were you looking for skill scrolls too?""Yes. I thought the southern continent might have scrolls not found in the east, but my target remains elusive."
Turns out, his reason for being here was similar but not identical to mine.
"For personal use?""No, for my master. A gift, of sorts.""A gift?""Yes, well."
Plenty of people collected scrolls, but as a gift?
"What kind of skill are you looking for?""Something like Holy Wall Protection, Regeneration Healing, or Anti-Poison.""Is the recipient a healer?"
Skill scrolls were valuable and often rare, yet consumable. Most people sought them to grow stronger, so going out of your way to gift one spoke of deep affection.
"Yes, someone with a unique job. My master wishes for their safety.""I see."
But as he listed the desired skills, a bad feeling crept in.
A rare Scaled Tribe noble in this continent. A master he served. A person they wanted to protect with rare scrolls…
…Was this related to that saintess?
Realizing this, I considered leaving.
"And? Found anything, little hero?""……No idea what you’re talking about~"
Shit.
I’d let my guard down.
I never expected a noble to force an encounter here—let alone someone tied to the ongoing conflict with the Edelgard Ducal House. My response was deliberately childish, playing dumb.
I could’ve played it up further, even screaming and fleeing to paint him as suspicious. Outside, my stats and Sneak skills would’ve ensured escape.
"Ah, don’t misunderstand. Meeting you was pure coincidence. I only recognized you from your exhibition match.""Then why ask if I was a Dwarf warrior earlier? Seems fishy.""My apologies for that. Rumor has it you avoid nobles, so I thought introducing myself as one would make you refuse conversation, given your ties to the Edelgard family.""It’s not too late to back off. You’re connected to that troublesome exchange student, aren’t you?""Indeed. My master is… quite the handful.""Just a handful?"
But he seemed aware, not pushing anything. His tone was casual, like making small talk.
With others around, he suggested moving to the wall for privacy. I agreed, staying wary but curious.
Discussing noble scandals here felt risky, but…
"‘Handful’ is an understatement. Personally, I’d drag them by the scruff to the Duke, force a kneel, then debate whether to let them live after seppuku.""You’d debate it?""Because this mess harms both houses. My lord, blind and irrational, still hopes to salvage relations as the heir… but it’s hopeless.""Hopeless?"
This guy was brutal. And utterly unapologetic.
I was technically aligned with the family his was feuding with, yet he spoke freely.
"Yes. My fool of a master doesn’t grasp that. They treat the engagement dismissively, scorn others for lacking horns—acting like they’re still back home.""…Is that acceptable for a noble?""For a diplomat? A failing grade. But as a student? Barely salvageable.""Then why send them abroad? Someone like that shouldn’t leave.""Precisely to gain experience. Staying home would’ve ossified their narrow views. My lord hoped exposure to other nations would help… hence my accompaniment.""But?"
He was very candid. Casually mentioning seppuku, sighing deeply—this guy had suffered.
"At first, it went fine. Back home, they were disciplined and studious. But their ingrained worldview… proved more stubborn than anticipated.""The Edelgard situation seems particularly mishandled.""For that, I can only apologize. They acted as if representing our nation, overcompensating with arrogance. Normally, that’d be manageable, but…""Then why antagonize the one person who could’ve been an ally? The engagement?""That’s the issue. My fool of a master becomes utterly incompetent in matters of love."
His sigh radiated exhaustion.
After all this…
"Have you considered quitting?""I would if not for family obligations."
One thing was clear: this man had suffered a lot.