Gathering Preparations
Yesterday, we talked about the “Little Kids’ Gathering Experience” before going home. In the end, we ended up talking for about the same amount of time as I would’ve spent in the archives, so I got home around the same time anyway.
"Today was your exercise day, wasn't it, sugar? You'll feel right as rain if you work up a light sweat before your nap."
That was my dad’s suggestion after lunch. Even though I got cleaned up, I still felt sweaty, so I took a bath. I remember taking a nap afterward. Next thing I knew, it was morning.
I wanted to do my best for my dad’s present, so I’m frustrated with myself for falling asleep! And I’m sure my dad, who suggested the bath in the first place, knew I wouldn’t be able to wake up after napping. Darn it.
"Vio, you're right good at gatherin', and you earn three points at a time, don't ya? Exercise days can plumb tucker you out, so instead of pushin' yourself when you're already beat, it's better to work hard on a different day.
You need 50 points to hit bronze. At the pace you're goin', you'll level up in just over a month, won't ya? By the time you're halfway there, your stamina will have improved plenty too."
Dad gently reasoned with me as I sulked in frustration. He’s right—if I think about it logically, that makes sense. But what frustrates me more is that, even though I was supposedly an adult before, I can’t control my body the way I want to now.
Still, maybe I should use exercise days to study in the archives and build up more knowledge. On Holy Days, everyone has the day off, so I can gather all day and earn even more points.
“You’re right. Until I build up more stamina, I’ll study in the archives on exercise afternoons. If I look into things like monsters now, I won’t have trouble when it’s time to go into the dungeon.
Also, Dad, please help me figure out what kind of weapon would suit me, okay?”
Time is limited. When I think about the future, I have to save up points efficiently.
Right now, seven-year-old Lun is at the tin rank, Natch is at bronze, and eight-year-old Kathe is apparently close to bronze's copper tier. Lun is probably still tin because he has younger brothers to take care of and can’t accept requests very often.
Most village requests are just helping out, and while the payment varies, each job gives one point. So it’s pretty unusual that I earned three points from my first request.
Even if you deliver a lot of items, if the materials are in poor condition, the count is reduced. If they’re usable but not great, two items might count as one. If they’re wrinkled or wilted, they might count as zero.
I bundled mine in tens and delivered them in the basket Dad prepared for me, so I was able to turn in everything in great condition and got full credit. But apparently, most kids who take on their first request have over half their materials rejected.
I remember crushing the herbs when I was focusing too hard on using the knife during my first few tries too. That’s probably why Mr. Taki agreed to his son’s idea of letting kids try it out at a young age.
Actually, after I took my nap, Dad went back to the guild and shared the idea with the guild masters. They agreed, and now the guild will fund the production of small, rounded-tip scissors.
Village chief Harold also joined in, saying that if the kids’ gathering skills improve, the quality of the materials delivered will go up, which means better stock for his pharmacy. Thanks to that, he’s helping out with the scissor production too.
Looks like this has grown into a full-scale village project.
They originally planned to make three pairs of scissors, but now they’re going to make more so that future kids can also have the experience once they grow a bit. The guild plans to lend them out, and Mr. Harold even offered to help cover the cost. I’m really impressed by how well the village and guild are working together.
You know how it’s common in light novels for guilds and lords to not get along? Apparently, guilds here are also separate from the country, but in this village, most guild staff are locals, so it makes sense they get along.
I wonder what it’s like in other villages or countries. Maybe I’ll understand once I grow up and travel.
It’s still a long way off, but I already have so many things I want to do that it’s hard to make goals and plans!
What do you think about this chapter?
