With a contained laugh, she leans back against her chair.

"With that get up, I'd be surprised if you make it that far. Besides, a little bit of Rose would rub off on you."

"Haha... Well, I really don't want to be making any enemies."

"A fine choice, though enemies are made regardless of your actions."

Looking to Rosebelle to see whether or not I should take the offer, she nods and tells me that making enemies with Luel would be a horrible idea. It's not that I planned to simply ditch her generous offer, but it seems that she's someone you don't want to anger.

As I accept her offer, she throws in a belt and pouch as a little bonus after stating that it's a good idea to have easy access to vials and potions. Though a little worn from use, it's probably something you wouldn't be able to sell unless its for those wanting something cheap.

Pulling the belt around my waist and attaching the pouch, I grab one of the vials as the content soon glows before a window pops up.

「Quick Curative Potion」

Potion made from fine crushed herbs. Drink to restore HP.

Effect occurs immediately after use.

"Hmm, a skill that increase the effectiveness of potions. Interesting."

"Ehh, what?"

"Oo, I didn't think you'd have such a skill already, Akira.~ It's a pretty good one too by the looks of it."

Further explaining the situation, in some circumstances, Hero Candidates are given skills upon rebirth. Other than that, they can be learnt through leveling and in rare cases, they can develop into unique skills. It all depends on the Candidate, and though most Candidates may share similar skills, the only difference may be the mastery of said skill.

"A skill that enhances potions... That's a good thing?"

"Of course it is!"

Rosebelle answers immediately like its the most obvious thing in the world.

"You don't know how much Candidates spend on potions on a daily basis, or the time and effort it takes to create them."

"Though it may be bad for business, it's a pretty rare skill if I must say."

Luel chimes in as she seems most intrigued.

"With that, it looks like you can immediately gain the effect of normal potions. They usually require time to digest to gain the benefits. Essentially, what you have now are lesser elixirs."

Feeling strangely proud of myself, it's like I've been rewarded for my efforts. The reason however still remains a mystery.

"I'd like to see what you could do with actual elixirs, but I'm afraid that would be too much for you right now."

"Y-Yeah..."

...

"Hehe, you know I didn't think you'd have a skill like that."

"Me neither."

After exiting the store, Rosebelle leads me towards the Adventurers Hub in hopes to find an easy quest for me to fulfill.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you? I wonder what else you'd show me out there in the fields."

"Sure hope I can meet your expectations. I think of myself as a rather average Joe."

"Oh don't say that.~ Luel might not have mentioned it, but you may have some aptitude towards being an herbalist. It'd be a pretty wise idea to try and befriend her. Who knows, she might even teach you a few things."

"Well... I wouldn't mind that."

"You shouldn't! Anyway, let's just see what jobs there are for you."

Making it to the Hub, we proceed inside and head towards the bulletin board.

"Hmm, let's see... I'd like a good hunting one, but gathering would be nice too. Since you're starting off, you're limited to two official requests. The more experience you have, the more requests you can pile up. They do have a time limit however, so it's a good idea to complete them early if possible and not have them sit around. It's bad taste to take request and not giving it your all to fulfill it."

"I see, well..."

Looking at my options, I try to interpret it all and understand the key elements; such as clearing certain areas that have been overran by monsters or help map out an uncharted ruin. They all do seem rather adventurous.

"Hunting quests basically entitles to slaying the monster that's requested and obtain their specified loot. Gathering is basically foraging for materials in the fields, like herbs, woods, metals, those sorts of things that don't specifically require any engagement with monsters. Though of course you could run into unexpected dangers, so it's a good idea to always keep your guard up."

"And... How about this one?"

I point towards the top sheet that has a large red mark stamped on the corner.

"That's an- Oh, a grand request?"

Focusing her gaze, they turn sharp as the air that surrounds her feels tense.

"A Griffon, out here? No... A nest has been sighted on a hill north of the docks..."

Taking the sheet from the board, she reads through it again before holding it at her side.

"Well, I didn't think this would happen. These sorts of requests don't occur too often, for good reason. It'd seem a griffon is scaring the local folk, though it may not be aggravated yet, no one can sleep well knowing that things right on their doorstep."

"I see..."

A far as Griffons go, I'm sure it's not something I'd like to face. To my knowledge, they're a large mythological creature that's part lion and eagle.

"Okay now, let's get you... Oh, here's a good one. Someone's looking for pora drops, you can get them by defeating poras. They're quite easy targets when starting out."

"Poras, hmm... That names rather cute if I must say.

"It's not just the same, they are cute! They're like little gelatinous blobs that move by bouncing. They're quite abundant too, you usually find them in groups."

"Gelatinous blobs..."

Now why does that seem familiar?

"Hehe, yup, they make good pudding. Or should I say the drops do. Anyways, let's be off."

"R-Right."

Heading outside the city, we enter the plains just on the outskirts as I'm hit by a gust of wind.

"Hahh... Sure makes you feel alive, doesn't it?"

Enjoying the breeze, Rosebelle stretches her arms up high.

"Yeah, there's nothing like a good breeze on a warm day."

"You got that right! Anywho, let's find us some poras. A bunch are usually down by the valley."