Chapter 31

After helping with cleaning and other tasks at the church, I was having a meal at home when my master came over to teach me not alchemy, but woodworking, specifically the creation of the shaft of an arrow. With the arrowhead and fletching from last time, I can now create a complete arrow. However, it seems I still need to practice to make an arrow that flies straight... I can't tell if it's warped or if there's something else wrong with it...

Since I've made some spare arrows for practicing archery, it's good. Even if they're a bit bent, they should still be usable for practice... right? Anyway, I'll separate the good ones from the bad ones.

"Hmm... The young siblings are quite dexterous. With a bit more practice, they should be able to sell their work without any problems. Naga, you need to practice. Don't rush; you'll get better with time."

My master has also prepared some alchemy recipes, but they're basic and easy, so I can do them without looking at the samples. He says it's more efficient to continue practicing with the Magic Pills and Skill Pills for alchemy. I plan to make a large batch later since I'll need them for training. It's convenient that the main ingredient is Hundred Grass, which can be picked fresh in the morning, so I won't run out of materials.

My master's lessons now include woodworking with the older boys... it's quite fun. I can tell Naga is trying his best, but he's quite clumsy and struggling. However, he's good at tasks that require strength, like processing arrowheads and fletching, so I think he'll get better with practice.

"Are you not bothered by doing things other than alchemy?"

"Well... I think you have your reasons... and as an adventurer, these skills are necessary. If I can make shafts and such, I can create a wooden sword or something in a worst-case scenario where my weapon breaks."

"... Normally, you should think about carrying spare weapons. Remember that. With crafting and woodworking, you can do simple repairs, but don't try to make everything from scratch."

"Yes, sir."

It's not just about leveling up; it's about learning skills. Indeed, once I start defeating monsters outside the immediate area, my level will rise faster than a regular pharmacist. My master seems to have considered this.

"Hey, Master. Is it bad to level up?"

"Not at all. Normally, you raise your level to increase your stats. What we're doing now is giving you various experiences to improve your production efficiency. While individual aptitudes differ, learning more abilities is never a waste."

So, Master also thinks acquiring abilities is good... Wait, did he say that?

He's doing the same thing we're doing in training...

"You look puzzled. Is there something you want to ask?"

"Well... just a little. Since we're going to be adventurers, we need to be strong... and we're trying to learn various abilities."

"I see... That's a good attitude. However, while you can learn production abilities through practice, it's not clear how combat abilities work. But production abilities increase your DEX. It's not a waste."

"DEX?"

Huh? I don't think there's such a stat.

The older boys also look confused.

I check my stats, but there's no such value. What is he talking about?

"It seems you didn't know about hidden stats. Well, adventurers don't need to know, but pharmacists should. DEX stands for dexterity. It's a hidden stat that you can't check yourself."

Dexterity. I see... I didn't know this value was part of the stats. However, you can't see it... So, how did you know it was there?

Moreover, if it's a hidden stat, there must be others.

"Hey, how did you confirm it if you can't see it?"

"There's an artifact that can display it. I haven't used it, but dexterity is DEX, luck is LUK, and charm is CUL. These three are considered hidden stats. DEX is important for production jobs. Do you understand why?"

"... Well, the success rate when creating items. As my level increases, it's because my DEX value has increased, right?"

"Exactly. So, for production jobs, this value needs to be increased. But it's not just for production. It's also beneficial for other jobs."

The Magic Pills became easier to make as my level increased.

Is this why Master had me do crafting and woodworking? I was praised for being dexterous, but I didn't pay much attention to it. I thought only the visible stats mattered.

However... it has meaning outside of production... right?

"Hmm... It has meaning for us too. I can't think of a reason, but..."

"The proficiency for learning abilities is said to be easier for dexterous people... among nobles."

"... It sounds plausible. The fact that it's not known among commoners is a clue. But, Master, you know a lot."

"Long ago... it's the wisdom of age. I only heard about it... but it's useful information for you. Well, listen to the old man."

DEX... Knowing that production stats increase DEX is motivating. If I increase my DEX, I can make more things.

"Thank you, Master. I'll do my best."

"But... from the looks of it, I thought you wanted Crane to learn alchemy quickly. Is it okay to take your time?"

"I'm old... I want the young ones to become proficient in a year, which usually takes ten years. To achieve this, I have to push them a bit. In return, I need to plan carefully to ensure they become proficient."

"Huh? A year?"

A year?

A pharmacist becoming proficient in a year? If it takes ten years, I was prepared to work hard for ten years. I thought it would take longer because you're teaching me at a pace that fits with being an adventurer.

"Yes. I don't have much time left... I can't spend years with you. We're not taking it easy; we're raising your DEX value to make intermediate and advanced medicines quickly. Additionally, having production abilities like crafting, woodworking, and stonework will make you less noticeable, even with alchemy and enchanting."

"Ah... I see."

Master's expectations are heavy.

How can I become proficient in a year when it usually takes ten? I'm not doubting it, but it seems challenging.

"... Is it okay?"

"Hmm? What's wrong, Naga?"

"... In a short time... you'll push us too hard."

"Yes. Your level will increase with alchemy, but making simple items won't raise it much. Making difficult items will be expensive. To reach level 30, it's said to take ten years with just alchemy. But as an adventurer, you can easily reach level 30 in a year."

Indeed... I'm already at level 10.

I noticed that making intermediate-level Magic Pills is necessary to raise my level. I practice a lot with Hundred Grass, which is abundant, but expensive materials would bankrupt me... I need other materials too, but the main ingredient is Hundred Grass, thanks to Master.

"I see. But if I raise my level as an adventurer, my DEX value for alchemy might not be enough?"

"You're smart. I don't want you to push too hard. I'll balance it and not overwork you, Naga."

"... I see."

It seems everyone thinks I'll push myself too hard, but I don't want to. I just need to do what's necessary, even if it means taking some risks. When I'm anxious, I tend to focus on my work.

Becoming an adventurer and a pharmacist are my choices, so I'm not doing it reluctantly. In fact, I'm enjoying it, so it's not a burden.

I don't understand why everyone is so worried...

It apparently takes over a year to learn to make Magic Pills... because the DEX value isn't high enough. I was surprised to hear that it usually takes 2-3 years... I wondered why you gave me the recipe if it's not something I can make immediately.

Not just for being an adventurer... but to motivate me by making things I can't yet create? When I told you I was getting better at making them, you laughed happily, so I thought it was a good thing.

"But... I understand that DEX is useful, but what about the other two?"

"Well... CUL is said to be high among nobles and merchants. A high CUL means people like you more or get drawn into your stories. If dexterity is essential for production jobs, charm is a necessary talent for merchants."

"Hmm... Charisma? Is it necessary for adventurers?"

"Yes... S-rank adventurers are said to have high CUL. It's said to help with promotions and make it easier to become a knight, but I don't know the details."

Hmm... It doesn't seem necessary for adventurers...

But it's a useful stat.

"LUK is a highly individual stat, not fully understood. But it's said that those who can't learn abilities have bad luck. Conversely, good luck makes it easier to learn... like you, Naga."

"Huh?"

"Regardless of your awareness. Normally, reaching Alchemy LV2 at level 10 is the best you can do. You reaching level 4 means you have good luck. If you don't focus on raising your level, it would take you to level 20 to reach LV2."

... So, as planned?

The wish to have good luck is working. Taking Intuition was a good choice!

"LUK is also said to affect the success rate of alchemy and other tasks. And... I don't know if it's true, but LUK is said to affect the entire party."

"Huh? Master, what do you mean?"

"Well, it's simple. If someone with good luck is in the party, the rarity of treasure chests increases, or they might have better luck with draws. Since it's a hidden stat, it's hard to confirm. We don't know for sure."

"I see. There are many factors... Crane definitely has good luck."

"... Yes."

Well... it's because I wished for good luck.

It's nice to have high DEX and LUK. It's good to learn abilities easily, and if it affects alchemy success rates, I'm suited to be a pharmacist.

Anyway, hidden stats seem important. I couldn't grasp the details of CUL from Master's explanation, but it doesn't seem relevant to me... However, I have a feeling that the older boys and Naga might have high CUL.