A full week passed after I returned to Trest.
School was as demanding as ever, but manageable. Between classes, assignments, and everything else, I still made time to train. Morning jogs, gym sessions—three times this week alone. It wasn't anything extreme, but it was consistent.
And that mattered.
Now, it was the sixth day of the week.
Which meant I was going back.
"I should spend more time in Eiras this round," I muttered while organizing my things. "Focus on learning… and earning."
"You have prepared accordingly," Travy replied.
"Yeah," I said, glancing at the packed meals on my table. "Two weeks' worth of food, extra clothes, and my notes. I'm not going back unprepared this time."
"Your efficiency continues to improve."
I smirked. "I'll take that as praise."
With everything ready, I stepped into my room and opened Travy's interface. The familiar screen appeared, and without hesitation, I selected my destination.
Eiras.
"Initiating World Jump… Location: Eiras."
A magic circle formed beneath my feet, glowing brighter until it filled my vision.
Then—
I was back.
The inn room greeted me exactly as I had left it.
Same position. Same time.
I glanced around, then checked the system clock just to be sure.
"Still synchronized…" I murmured.
"Yes," Travy confirmed. "No time has passed in this world during your absence."
"That still feels broken," I said with a quiet laugh.
"It is efficient."
"Right. Efficiently unfair."
I stretched lightly before heading out.
"Alright," I said. "Let's get back to work."
The Adventurer's Guild was already active when I arrived.
As soon as I stepped inside, a familiar voice greeted me.
"Good morning, Sir Artorius."
"Sistina," I nodded. "Morning."
"Are you taking requests today?"
"Yeah," I said, walking toward the board. "I've got a few in mind."
I scanned through the listings quickly. Most of them were familiar now.
"Let's see… Vinewhip Thorn, Gel Moss, and Forest Slime cores," I murmured. "I've already dealt with these before."
"Familiarity reduces risk," Travy noted.
"Exactly."
I took the requests and handed them to Sistina.
"These three."
"Understood," she said with a smile, stamping each document. "Please take care."
"I will."
The walk to the forest felt easier this time.
Lighter.
More controlled.
When I reached the edge, I paused for a moment and stretched my shoulders.
"…I'm barely tired," I muttered.
"That is a result of your recent training," Travy said. "Your stamina has improved."
"Yeah… feels like it," I replied.
I rolled my shoulder once, then nodded to myself.
"Alright. Let's begin."
The Mission tab appeared.
Mission Updated:
F-rank: Gather Forest Slime Cores (0/5)
Repeat Limit Today: 0/5
Reward: 12 copper coins, 10 Adventurer Experience, 3 Guild Points
F-rank: Gather Vinewhip Thorns (0/4)
Repeat Limit Today: 0/5
Reward: 10 copper coins, 10 Adventurer Experience, 3 Guild Points
F-rank: Gather Gel Moss (0/5)
Repeat Limit Today: 0/5
Reward: 3 copper coins, 10 Adventurer Experience, 3 Guild Points
I stared at the rewards for a second.
"…Didn't I sell these for less before?"
"That was the standard market price," Travy explained. "The additional compensation is for labor."
"Labor fees…" I nodded slowly. "So this is basically bonus pay for the risk."
"Yes."
"Then why didn't G-rank have it?"
"Because the risk was negligible."
"…That makes sense."
I grinned slightly. "Alright. Let's make this efficient."
I activated Mana Detection.
A pulse spread outward like a ripple.
Then another.
And another.
I moved steadily through the forest, tracking targets, gathering materials, and eliminating monsters with practiced precision.
Slimes fell quickly.
Vines were cut cleanly.
Gel Moss was easy enough to collect.
Five hours passed before I even realized it.
When I finally stopped, I let out a slow breath.
"Done," I said.
I checked my inventory.
"…And then some."
Fourteen Ironthorn Weeds.
Twelve Forest Bloom Flowers.
Two Horned Deer.
Four Dire Rabbits.
"Not bad at all," I muttered.
"No E-rank threats were encountered," Travy added.
"Yeah… let's keep it that way."
I was about to leave when something caught my eye.
A cluster of mushrooms.
"…Wait."
I approached slowly and used Appraisal.
"Glowshrooms," I said, a small smile forming.
"Rare ingredient," Travy confirmed.
"Yeah. Mid-grade potion base."
There were four of them.
Perfect condition.
I carefully harvested each one, making sure not to damage them.
"This alone might be worth a lot," I murmured.
"Correct."
I stored them and finally stepped away.
"Alright," I said. "Now we're done."
I rested briefly at the plains outside the forest.
Pulling out a prepared meal from my inventory, I sat down and ate at a relaxed pace.
"…This never gets old," I said.
"Eating after exertion increases satisfaction," Travy replied.
"That's your version of saying it tastes better, right?"
"Yes."
I laughed.
By the time I returned to Roste, the sun was already lowering.
I headed straight back to the guild.
This time, I checked the request board again.
"…Might as well cash in everything."
I picked up additional matching requests and went to Sistina.
"I brought extra materials."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"That's quite efficient of you, Sir Artorius."
"I try."
She processed everything carefully.
Five minutes later, she looked up.
"The total is 168 copper coins."
She handed me the payment.
One silver coin.
Sixty-eight copper coins.
I paused slightly.
"…My first silver coin."
"A milestone," Travy said.
"Yeah," I smiled faintly. "Feels nice."
After leaving the guild, I slowed my pace.
"…What now?"
"You have free time," Travy said.
"…Right."
Then something clicked.
"The Mage's Guild."
Rian greeted me as soon as I entered.
"Welcome back, Sir Artorius."
"Hi," I said. "I wanted to ask about specializations."
Her expression brightened slightly.
"Of course. One moment."
She handed me a list.
Support magic. Attack magic. Runic mastery. Magic tools. Monster studies. Alchemy.
My eyes stopped.
Alchemy.
"…This one," I said quietly.
"You have made a selection?" Rian asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "Alchemy."
"May I ask your reason?"
"I plan to work solo most of the time," I said. "Having potions and understanding materials… that's a huge advantage."
Rian smiled.
"That is a practical choice."
The explanation was straightforward.
Fifty copper for tools and materials.
Ten copper per session.
"…Expensive," I muttered.
"But valuable," Travy added.
"…Yeah."
I nodded.
"I'll do it."
Rian checked the schedule.
"You will be assigned to an adept-level alchemist. Her name is Nadia."
"Tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yes. Two hours after noon."
I smiled slightly.
"I'll be here."
After paying the fee, I left the guild.
"…Alchemy," I murmured.
"A new path," Travy said.
"Yeah."
I looked at my hand for a moment.
Then clenched it lightly.
"This is going to be interesting."
Back at the inn, I extended my stay.
Three more days.
Simple.
By the time I returned to my room, night had already fallen.
I was about to pull out a book—
Then a notification appeared.
"Would you like to install Digital Book Function?"
"…Oh?"
I read through it.
Then grinned.
"Yeah. Definitely installing that."
A holographic interface appeared in front of me.
Clear.
Responsive.
Detailed.
"…This is amazing."
"You are satisfied," Travy said.
"Very."
I spent the next hour reading.
Quietly.
Comfortably.
Efficiently.
By the time I finished, I leaned back and yawned.
"…Tomorrow," I murmured.
"Yes," Travy replied.
"Alchemy."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"Your growth will accelerate further."
I smiled faintly.
"…Let's see about that."
With that thought, I lay down, closed my eyes, and let the day end.
Tomorrow—
I would begin learning how to create power with my own hands.