Chapter 17
After reaffirming with MP my resolve to make it as an adventurer, it was finally time to purchase Skills.
Normally, Skills are granted by Gifts.
You can't choose them yourself.
And yet, I could choose them myself in exchange for mana. How could I not be excited?
"So, Master, what kind of adventurer would you like to become~? If you tell me, I can put together a recommended plan for you~."
"You'll do that much for me?"
"Of course! When it comes to mana management, leave every last detail, no matter how small, to me, MP, your Magical Planner~!"
MP confidently thumped their chest.
What a reliable ally.
A wave of affection for MP welled up, and I stroked MP's head.
"Ehehe~. Master's hand is so warm~."
MP's bashful smile warmed my heart, too.
"Then, here's what I'm looking for—"
If I could have my way, what kind of adventurer would I want to be?
For the past five years, I'd imagined it countless times.
So I had a clear picture of my ideal.
I explained that ideal to MP.
"Got it~. Then—"
I had MP decide which Skills I should acquire.
After thinking it over for a while, MP began adjusting my status.
"All done~. You haven't been able to purchase all of them yet, so I've set the rest to be purchased automatically as soon as you have enough mana~."
"I really do have more Skills now..."
My status now listed the Skills I'd just purchased.
I could hardly believe it.
"I can't wait for tomorrow~."
"Yeah, thank you so much."
My vision blurred with tears.
"A-are you all right, Master~?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just so happy, that's all!"
I wiped away the tears spilling down my face and smiled at the worried MP.
"Then let's go to bed early tonight."
"Yes!"
Tomorrow, I'd try out the Skills.
There was nothing more I could do today.
All that was left was to wait for my mana to build up.
Every time my mana built up, I'd get stronger.
Dreaming of a bright tomorrow, I turned in early—.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
――The next morning.
"Good morning~."
"O-oh, good morning."
When I woke up, MP was sitting beside my pillow, peering at me.
I still wasn't used to waking up with someone right beside me. But as I gazed at MP's innocent smile, happiness gradually filled my heart, and I began to feel at ease.
I'd thought I might be too excited to fall asleep last night, but perhaps because I was tired, I drifted off almost immediately and slept soundly.
Thanks to that, I felt great.
It was a perfect day for an adventure.
When I checked my status, I had two new Skills.
Just as MP had said, I'd gotten stronger.
And from here on, I'd keep getting stronger without end.
Today was the day of my fresh start—.
My heart pounded so hard I worried it might burst, and my steps felt light as feathers.
Even the morning preparations I'd repeated until I was sick of them felt like a sacred ritual.
After my simple, sacred breakfast, I set out from the inn with a confident stride—.