Chapter 66

"Is there some kind of rule about the experience points being less than I expected?"

"Yes, there is."

When I asked Ramules, he explained.

"Experience points are adjusted when fighting monsters that are higher level than you. However, the maximum adjustment is about 1.5 times."

"Is that so?"

So, the reason I thought I could catch up to Taniizumi and the others faster was thanks to this adjustment.

It seems we've been fighting higher-level monsters continuously thanks to our equipment.

Still, it feels like a rule from an online game.

I guess it's a bit late to realize this.

"There's also the influence of abilities. Those classified as combat-oriented generally require more experience points."

"Is teleportation considered combat-oriented?"

"More like it's classified as something that benefits people's lives... I'm sorry."

"It's hard to categorize... It's like a position between production and combat."

Ramules nodded at my response.

It's a common type in games too.

Like merchants, alchemists, and blacksmiths.

They can do a bit of combat as well.

"Don't overdo it, or even multiple lives won't be enough. Mr. Hanebashi, you're someone who everyone else wants to be treated carefully."

My classmates who were with us also nodded at Ramules' words.

"...Yeah."

I do feel anxious, but for now, I can only steadily improve my strength.

That day's hunt raised my level to 19.

I had already reached level 18 to get through the forest, so it's a bit of a mixed bag.

One of my classmates, who was at level 12, reached level 16, which is pretty good.

They were a support ability user, so their level was relatively low.

I guess I ended up in a group that boosts the lower-level people.

If this helps my classmates survive, that's good.

At night... we decided to camp with Ramules and the others taking turns on watch.

I used teleportation to gather supplies from a food store in the town and delivered them to everyone.

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"No, it's fine."

"By the way, there's something I've been wondering about..."

I petted Kumako and asked Ramules.

"What is it?"

"Earlier, I heard that your ability is Rieks' spear technique. How is that different from the abilities of people from other worlds?"

I heard that the residents of this world can learn lower-quality abilities.

I didn't quite understand the difference, so I asked.

"Well... to put it simply, the difference might be in the range. For example, between spear technique and Rieks' spear technique."

"Range... so the spear technique covers more styles?"

Ramules nodded at my question.

"That's what I've heard."

"I see."

"From what I understand, the ability of the Punching Bear you control is that of a boxer. If it's a combat technique ability, it's fully developed."

"Growl."

"Wow..."

I see.

So, it's a powerful ability that covers even different styles... that's why it's welcomed as a high-level ability.

"So, you can't use magic without an ability?"

When I muttered this, Ramules shook her head.

"No, you can learn magic with effort."

"Really?"

"Yes. However, if you combine it with an ability, it's not limited to that."

"So, if I work hard, I can learn it?"

"I think so."

Wow... it feels like a path to becoming stronger has opened up.

I don't know how I can use it, but it can't hurt to learn.

"So, is there a difference between the fire ability and magic?"

"That's a tricky question. Magic abilities don't require you to learn spells and are easy to apply. However, magic requires not only incantations but also detailed settings, making it more difficult."

I recalled the ability Taniizumi used.

He could manipulate fire freely, just as he wished.

Compared to that, magic seems harder to use.

"For something simple, I recommend the healing magic called Aid. It's not dramatic, but it's practical and useful."

"True, recovery is important."

Even outside of combat, it's good to have, and if the situation calls for it during combat, it's better to consider retreating.

If Shii's base recovery were available, it would be great, but Shii's ability is more effective in a safe place.

In fact, Shii works at the church.

"Next time, I'll introduce you to a good magic user. I think it would be good for everyone from other worlds to learn it."

"Okay."

"Growl."

As we were talking, Kumako, perhaps wanting to be one step ahead in emergency treatment, started licking me to assert herself.

Indeed, with Kumako around, a different magic might be better than healing.

"Oh, right, you can do healing, can't you?"

"Growl!"

Ramules smiled at this scene, finding it endearing.

"You two have a good relationship."

"I tamed her... we have to work together."

It seems everyone wants me to take care of Kumako.

Like a guardian?

Anyway, we went hunting for about three days.

Thanks to that, my level reached 21.

I feel a bit behind, but since I'm fighting lower-level monsters, it takes a bit of time.

The next time we go hunting, it seems we'll be fighting higher-level monsters.

And when I reached level 20...

"Hmm... Magic Transfer?"

"Growl?"

I checked my expanded ability and read it out.

What kind of ability is this?

I tried using it to see how much magic power it would consume.

Next, I tried it on Kumako, who had healed me by licking my wounds.

There was an incantation time, about 30 seconds.

"Growl."

Kumako's magic power recovered, and mine decreased.

Of course, this was after accounting for the magic power needed for the transfer.

"It seems to be an expanded ability that allows you to share magic power with others."

"A transfer-type ability... I think it's quite useful."

"Thanks. Still, I'm not sure how often I'll have the chance to use it."

"I think there are many applications. After all, you're from another world."

Indeed, based on past trends, it should be versatile.

Thinking this, I tried specifying Ramules for the magic transfer.

"Oh? I have an option to accept it... so there is something?"

"Yeah, I thought I'd try it."

Next, I specified another classmate.

"Hmm... the option to specify the amount of magic power to transfer has changed."

"It seems it's not just me."

"Wow, this is quite useful. Being able to share magic power can be very helpful in emergencies. It allows for long incantations of large-scale magic."

"Interesting..."

It's useful in emergencies.

Shii's base recovery takes time, so this could be convenient.

There are other ways to recover magic power, but this is handy.

So, we were about to return when we stopped at a nearby village.

There were a lot of carts waiting in the village.

I remember the path ahead was mountainous... are they about to set out?

"Ah... we're in trouble."

We encountered the villagers and a merchant-like person discussing something.

What are they troubled about?

We're about to return using the return crystal.

"Please wait a moment."

Ramules approached the merchant to listen to the conversation.

As a knight of the country, she was concerned about what was troubling them.

A knight who cares for the people.

She's a model knight.

After talking with the merchant for a while, Ramules came back to me.

"It seems the mountain path ahead has been blocked by a landslide, and they are stranded."

"Hmm... if they need to transport goods to the town, can't they use the return crystal?"

"That's a rare item, and once used, it can't be used again for a while. Moreover, using a similar ability to transport the goods would consume a lot of points and magic power."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Besides, return and transportation abilities are rare, and the environment for regular use is not available."

Come to think of it, among my classmates, only I and Meguru had such abilities.

I see, even among people from other worlds, such abilities are rare.

"The landslide is expected to be cleared in two or three days, and people from the country have already been dispatched."

In that case...

"If you pay me, I can use teleportation to deliver the goods to the town."

I was repeatedly warned not to do free work.

Apparently, it's a problem if people from other worlds are mistaken for handy helpers.

There were issues in the past because of this.