SWNOVELXO Chapter 61.2
Gemstones, Ingots, All Lined Up!
They forcefully steer the conversation back on track and return to the game. No, correction. It only looks like a game—it’s actually studying. It’s studying. Though it seems like they’re just playing, they’re genuinely learning. Instead of staring alone at a reference book, somehow it sticks better when everyone’s chattering, moving their mouths and bodies. Some people learn that way.
As they repeated the same routine a few times, Camille suddenly voiced a question. By that time, their correct answer rate had improved quite a bit compared to the beginning. Or rather, through trial and error, they had eliminated the wrong choices, so of course, they were bound to get it right eventually. After all, they were all working on the same problem together.
“By the way, Yuuri, do you remember all of this?”
“I don’t remember, nor do I plan to.”
“”You don’t?!”””
“Because even if I don’t remember, I can just check it.”
“”That’s so unfair!!””
Probably, 80% of adventurers out there would think the same thing, and the apprentices shouted it out. Magg’s content was slightly different, but his reaction was the same, so his feelings were likely the same. Even if the circumstances are different, when someone who has a constant cheat sheet is in front of you, while you’re desperately trying to memorize something, it’s only natural to want to shout, “That’s unfair!” It can’t be helped. But skill abilities vary from person to person, so please give up on that.
By the way, just because you take the same actions doesn’t mean everyone will acquire the same skills. Due to factors like race, gender, innate abilities, and aptitudes, sometimes the skill won’t manifest. So, even though the apprentices are undergoing the same training, they won’t necessarily grow the same way. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
“Even if you call it unfair, I’m not aiming to be a treasure hunter in the first place, right?”
“That’s true! That’s true, but…!”
“Also, because I have the appraisal skill, we can play this game, right?”
“That’s true, but still!”
“And whether I remember or not, it doesn’t change the fact that everyone else has to remember, right?”
“Could you stop hitting us with logic?!”
Tilting his head, Yuuri honestly shared what he was thinking. Because it was all true, it hit the apprentices like a punch. They knew that their complaints were just misplaced frustration. Even knowing that, they still felt a little frustrated, or thought it was unfair. After all, they’re human.
Yuuri smiled wryly at the apprentices, who, looking frustrated, began punching and kicking the ground. He laughed and, as if to say there was no helping it, opened his mouth.
“For now, when we finish all this, shall we have an early snack?”
His words were incredibly motherly, and it seemed more like he was bribing them with food. What kind of toddlers are they, falling for that? But the four of them looked up immediately. They stared silently at Yuuri, their faces somehow filled with expectation.
“Well, it’s just some delicious fruit I got today, so we’ll just eat it as it is.”
“Yuuri, what did you buy?!”
“That’s a surprise for later.”
“If I tell you the reward now, it won’t be fun,” Yuuri said with a cheerful laugh. Yakk, who grew up in a farming village, shouted in agreement. He was more familiar with fruit than baked goods, so it was natural for him to be a little happier with something familiar. Urgus and Camille didn’t react as strongly, but for some reason, Magg was incredibly motivated.
The reason was simple. Fruits provide both nutrition and hydration, and they’re sweet—a truly wonderful food. For Magg, who grew up in the slums, it was more than welcome. …Just to clarify, meals are properly provided at the base of the Scarlet Lynx. Rewards are also fairly given when individuals complete simple tasks. Please don’t misunderstand.
“Oh, Magg seems motivated.”
“I fell behind with the herbs and poisons last time, but when it comes to ingots, the conditions are equal, so I won’t lose this time!”
“Yeah, yeah. No adding an extra item just because Magg wins again—rejected!”
“…I will win.”
““We won’t lose!””
“…Wow, everyone’s really motivated. Okay, let’s start the next round.”
For some reason, the four apprentices were getting pumped up on their own. “Hurry up and choose,” Yuuri said in a laid-back tone, and with even more concentration than before, they engaged in an intense battle. …Yuuri thought they should’ve been this serious from the start, but he kept quiet.
In the end, perhaps thanks to his experience, Urgus won by a narrow margin and claimed a slightly bigger piece of fruit than the others.