Chapter 19
Trust Your Teammates.
The wolf hunt ended in a dashing victory for the team of 5. Just exactly as Arthur had planned.
Including Gerald, everyone was equally as shocked to hear the detailed plan of the white haired 10-year old that had become the newest part of their party.
He had anticipated the wolves falling into disarray. He even added the part where it would survive Rachel's attack and go for the person who injured it first, leading to its demise under Arthur's blade.
While everyone replyed the battle scene in their minds, the child in question was steadily cutting off the important parts of the Ash wolf he had slain a few moments ago.
"Come to think of it, I got a new skill after I killed that wolf." Arthur whispered. "I should check out..."
'Status open'
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[Mana Manipulation] (Active Skill)
Grants the user the ability to control surrounding mana.
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'Interesting... This is the same skill from back in the class change...' He thought as the the knowledge of how to use the skill was inserted into his very being... As If he'd known it for a long time.
"I can use mana bolt now too..."
'Not just that, but I can unlock more skills if I keep levelling it up" he thought.
Arthur's Mana Manipulation skill worked in series just like his Sword Arts skill. I.e, as their level increases, the user's proficiencies in the said skills also increase as well. And with each increase, the user also gets more abilities.
'A two in one package... Nice'
"But is it supposed to be this bloody?" Arthur asked himself as he finally noticed that his white attire was now completely stained in blood.
"It isn't." Rachel replied from the side. "I guess you don't have the Scavenge skill." She added.
"No, but skills can be acquired?" Arthur asked as the description of his comprehension skill made it seem like apart from levelling up a class, only A sage could learn other skills.
"Yeah, you didn't know? Oh that's right... I forgot you only got your class few days ago." She mused. "Skills can be learned, but..." She paused, putting a finger in between She and Arthur. "You can only learn skills that fall under your class jurisdiction or skills that don't meet the requirements to be classified based skills."
"So in general, what you're trying to say is that if I have a warrior class, I can learn melee based skills and stuff like that?" Arthur asked.
"Exactly right." She replied. "But if you did have a warrior class, then learning magic spells would be impossible..."
Arthur nodded his head.
"So back to Scavenge, It's a pretty easy but annoying skill to learn. You just have to this this a bunch of times."
Using one of her daggers, She began disecting the body of a Dire wolf nearby.
"This is how it's done..."
She started explaining each process to Arthur while disecting the wolf. Pointing out the important parts to Arthur—like its claws, the fangs, and it's pelt/skin. But many adventurers didn't bother with it's pelt as it wasted alot of time.
When she was done, she showed them to Arthur with a smile.
"See... I only got sprayed a little blood, but you on the other hand..." She added while giving Arthur a stare.
"I think you're gonna need new clothes."
"I second the idea!" Emilia shouted from afar where she was also scavenging for materials.
"I can manage-"
"Don't even think about rejecting it Arty!..."Doran cut in with a shout. "You're a bloody mess kid. And on top of that, your clothes are torn pretty badly... And if you're thinking of saying no because of the costs, then I'll kill you!" He added with a harrumph.
Arthur was a bit shocked to hear it from Doran—the one guy that didn't like him. But he barely showed his shock to the others.
"I didn't know you had a soft spot for kids Doran~~" Emilia teased with a giggle.
"Sh-shut up!" Doran retorted while his face went beet red from embarrassment.
"Thanks" Arthur replied after hearing his words, his lips curving into an adorable smile.
"You know you should smile more Arthur... You look so adorable" Rachel teased.
"..." Arthur replied with a low grunt while moving his gaze to the side as Rachel joined Emilia in the giggle.
'Maybe joining a party wasn't a bad idea.' Arthur thought sheepishly as a sharp vivid memory of his parents flashed before him telling him make friends.
"Friends huh..." He muttered aloud. "I guess"
"What was that?" Rachel asked.
"Oh nothing..." Arthur shrugged as he continued cutting up the Ash wolf. Then before him, a screen popped up to Arthur's surprise.
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[You have acquired a new skill...]
Scavenge (Passive skill)
Improves proficiencies when scavenging for materials.
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"Oh I finally the got the skill." Arthur blurted out.
"For real?!" Rachel exclaimed. "Didn't you only just start this?"
"Well there was the hunt yesterday too..." Arthur pondered.
"Even at that this is amazing!" Rachel added as the excitement in her gaze was clearly visible.
"O-kay?.."
Rising up to his feet, Gerald suggested as he noticed the sun was already going down. "Alright team... Looks like we're about done here... What do you say we head back to town?."
"I'd love that..." Emilia agreed.
"Yeah... With this haul, a night of pleasure awaits!" Doran declared with a perverted laugh.
"Shut it Doran!" Rachel snarled while throwing Doran a dagger which he barely dodged.
"Ahh!... You trying to kill me?" He asked in shock.
"Say and another word and you might find yourself six feet under." Emilia replied him with a death glare.
"Eek" Doran cringed as he felt a shiver run down his spine.
'I'm glad I joined this team.' Arthur smiled.