Chapter 274

While collecting the remains of the defeated monsters, Tatsuro turned around to see the six adventurers—three men and three women—whom he had just saved approaching him.

“Thank you so much for saving us from that dangerous situation!”

Despite clearly being younger than them, Tatsuro and his group were met with respectful bows from all six. In the world of adventurers, strength mattered more than age. However, Tatsuro felt uncomfortable with the formality and quickly asked them to raise their heads.

“No, don’t worry about it. More importantly, I have a question. That monster was stronger than the ones around here, right? Where did you find it?”

“Well, about that—”

Tatsuro, hoping to learn about a better hunting ground, was eager to know if there was a place nearby teeming with monsters of that level. However, it seemed no such place existed.

According to one of the men, the monster was recently spotted in a small bamboo forest deeper in the area. It was just an unusually strong individual, and the kind of hunting ground Tatsuro imagined didn’t exist nearby.

Apparently, these adventurers, excited about their newly acquired equipment, had challenged a stronger monster, only to find themselves outmatched and forced to flee.

“From now on, we’ll be more cautious when choosing our battles. Thank you again!”

Having answered Tatsuro’s questions, they expressed their gratitude once more and left.

“If monsters close to level 30 were roaming around near the town, that’d be dangerous”

“Yeah, gathering SP around here might just be a hassle”

“After all that time, we didn’t even hit a total of 100. Once Leah’s training is done, let’s look for a better spot.”

“That’d probably be more efficient.”

With that decided, they chose to ignore weaker monsters starting tomorrow and focus on completing random quests. As the sun began to set, they headed back to town.

Meanwhile, Leah and her companions, who were training in town to improve their skills…

In a workshop where Rudolf Thiele rarely allowed visitors, Leah and her tagalong, Nana, sat side by side listening intently. At their feet lay several swords, spears, and staves that Leah had crafted to demonstrate her abilities.

“Listen up. The Smithing Skills I saw from you earlier were certainly above a certain level.

I can guarantee you could open a shop anywhere with that skill level without studying under me.

But here’s the thing—it’s not exactly refined. You’re forcibly shaping things with a high level of Smithing Skills, but that doesn’t mean it’s skillful. You understand that, right?”

“Yes. And I know all too well that no matter how well I understand the materials, there’s a level I can’t reach with that alone.”

“Exactly. In the end, you’re only imagining the result. I don’t know how you can visualize a finished product so concretely while ignoring the process, but that approach inevitably leads to flaws. That’s how delicate Smithing Skills are.”

“Yes.”

Leah stared at her own work, which, despite using the same materials and shape as Rudolf’s, was merely an inferior version of his. Knowing this was the gap she hadn’t yet bridged made Rudolf’s words pierce her heart.

“But to achieve that at your age? You’re still growing. If you can fill in those gaps, you’ll be able to aim even higher. So, I’ll ask you again: Are you sure you want my techniques?”

To Rudolf, it was clear that by the time Leah reached his age, she would surpass his current skills. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d climb even higher by learning from someone more talented than him.

“Yes. I want your techniques,” Leah said firmly, looking directly into Rudolf’s eyes.

Rudolf’s skill was, in essence, a vastly inferior version of the [All-Seeing Eye]. However, when it came to low-grade materials, it was just as effective. That was precisely why Leah desired his techniques so earnestly.

Her unwavering, sincere gaze convinced Rudolf. He resolved to show her everything he had.

“Alright. Then steal every last bit of my techniques!”

“Yes!”

(Youthful passion, isn’t it?)

Nana, witnessing this intense exchange of emotions up close, thought this to herself while watching the two. She kept her eyes wide open, determined to study how she could assist Leah as well.

Thus began Rudolf’s lecture. He explained simply, demonstrating the way he conveyed imagery—honed over a lifetime—while incorporating detailed tips and tool selection, showing it all in action on the spot.

Leah, determined to absorb the techniques as quickly as possible, utilized her [All-Seeing Eye], [Thought Acceleration], and the title [Single-minded Focus] to observe intently.

Time passed, and as the town was dyed red by the setting sun…

“Alright, that’s enough for today. Come back tomorrow.”

“Yes. Thank you so much!”

“Thanks!”

“Yeah.”

After tidying up, Leah and Nana left Rudolf’s shop side by side. Watching their backs as they departed, Rudolf let out a sigh and sat down on the shop floor.

“Man, it’s exhausting. To think she’s picking up techniques I spent decades mastering after just one or two tries. At this rate, she’ll surpass me in no time.”

Leah was using her All-Seeing Eye to analyze everything, Single-minded Focus to catch every detail without missing a moment, and Thought Acceleration to process the flood of information.

Her astonishing absorption ability was evident, and Rudolf knew she was using some kind of trick. But using every tool at her disposal was only natural—it showed how seriously she craved his techniques.

That was fine by him. However, teaching her step-by-step only to find she’d mastered everything from start to finish in no time made him question what his life’s work had amounted to.

“But well, I said I’d teach her, and besides—”

During the lessons, Leah’s occasional questions—born from her experience with high-grade materials, which Rudolf had never worked with—gave him new perspectives on his Smithing Skills.

“This might help me grow too, not just her.”

He looked down at his calloused hands, hardened by years of smithing, and clenched them tightly.

“Alright! I’m fired up for tomorrow!”

Gone was the earlier melancholy, replaced by excitement for a future where he could still grow.

“Oh, almost time for a bath and my Hair Regrowth Potion. My luscious locks!”

With a low, comical voice, Rudolf patted his thinning hair, which had grown slightly more since yesterday, locked up the shop, and headed straight for the bath.

On their way back to the inn, Tatsuro and his group ran into Nana and Leah. Naturally, their conversation turned to what had happened during their time apart.

“How was it, Leah-chan?”

“It was incredibly helpful. I’m looking forward to tomorrow!”

“Don’t push yourself so hard you collapse.”

“Of course not! I don’t have time to collapse!”

“I get that you’re excited, but you should calm down a bit,” Nana advised.

Nana’s words cooled Leah’s fervor somewhat, though her anticipation for the next day didn’t fade. In the end, she couldn’t sleep that night until Nana cast Life Magic to help her rest.

Tatsuro and Ai spent their days gathering supplies at the department store and handling adventurer quests for the future, while Leah and Nana visited Rudolf’s shop daily. After a few days of this routine, their time came to an end.

“To think you absorbed everything in just a week…”

“It’s because you’re such a great teacher.”

“If you say so.”

As Leah rapidly absorbed each demonstration and lesson, she mastered everything in just twelve days. Even Rudolf, who had taught her, was stunned, comparing her to past apprentices and finding it hard to believe. But he knew it was true—there was nothing left for him to teach.

“Um… If I ever hit a wall again, could I come back to talk?”

“…Huh? Oh, of course. You were my apprentice for twelve days, after all. Come back anytime.”

“Thank you so much!”

“Still, you’ve earned your mastery. You probably don’t need it, but here’s something to mark the occasion.”

With that, Rudolf handed Leah a knife made of Scris, the highest quality among low-grade materials. In the tradition of blacksmiths, when a master deemed an apprentice ready to stand on their own, they would gift a meticulously crafted item. Leah, aware of this custom, accepted it with heartfelt gratitude, even though she could now craft something similar with higher-grade materials.

“It’s a beautiful knife,” Nana remarked.

“Yes, truly.”

As a weapon, it would break under Leah or Ai’s strength due to its low durability. However, for cutting ordinary objects, its sharpness far surpassed typical knives or swords, and it was adorned with floral motifs symbolizing the owner’s peace. Holding it carefully, Leah thanked Rudolf once more.

“Thank you so much for granting my bold request.”

“Bold? Nah, look at this!”

Rudolf pointed to his head, where the bald patch—once like a Kappa’s Dish—was gone, replaced by a full head of silver hair.

“With this, I might even find a wife in a few years! I should be the one thanking you.”

“Then I’m glad. Well—”

“Yeah. I don’t know what path you’ll take from here, but keep at it!”

“Yes!”

Thus ended their brief master-apprentice relationship. As Leah mentally compiled blueprints for a Magic Brain using all the techniques she’d gained, she and Nana returned to the inn together.