The next day, I was to accompany them on an adventure, and we had arranged to meet in front of the Adventurer’s Guild early in the morning.

We're about five minutes past the appointed time... Ah, here they come.

“Sorry for the wait!”

“My apologies. We’ve kept you waiting.”

Peeri and Luiyo, the grandparent-grandchild duo, arrived in their usual outfits. A little behind them, Semash and Sarpy followed sluggishly.

Their steps were heavy—not out of reluctance, but more likely due to discomfort. With their clothing and new abilities.

“Are we really going on an adventure in this flimsy clothing? There's no defense at all, this is hopeless.”

Semash, a warrior, pinched the hem of his thin robe and grimaced.

He swung the staff in his hand like a spear, but it clearly didn’t feel right.

“Hey, don’t treat my staff so roughly! Geez, have you even wiped that armor properly? It stinks of sweat. But with armor this sturdy, enemy attacks shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Sarpy, who is a mage, was now wearing armor—but it didn’t suit her at all. Since she's not much shorter than Semash, the size was okay, but it felt more like the armor was wearing her than the other way around.

Despite her slender frame, she didn’t seem bothered by the weight of the metal armor and walked with a light step, clearly excited. ...When really, she shouldn’t be able to move at all.

“You really are amazing, Collector. I'm sorry for doubting you yesterday.”

Sarpy bowed her head in apology, appearing like a completely different person compared to how she was when talking with Semash.

Apparently, they’re childhood friends from the same village. When they’re together, their language becomes more casual and rough, but normally she’s quite well-mannered.

“I still can’t believe skill exchange is even possible. It blows my mind.”

That’s the usual reaction from people who learn about my ability for the first time.

Yesterday, I had offered to exchange their skills.

I temporarily purchased both their skills, then transferred Semash’s to Sarpy and vice versa.

From Semash, I obtained: Spear Techniques, Superhuman Strength, Sturdiness, and Pain Resistance.

From Sarpy, I got: Mana Conversion, Fire Magic, Water Magic, and Magic Manipulation.

There are two types of skills: innate skills one is born with, and learned skills acquired later.

However, acquiring skills post-birth is extremely difficult. Everyone’s heard the tale of the master swordsman who swung his sword endlessly every day but never acquired the Swordsmanship skill in his lifetime.

Skills are inborn talents. They give an edge, but lacking them doesn’t mean one can’t make it. That swordsman had no talent but made up for it with sheer effort.

Still, some skills are easier to acquire after birth. Those are abilities that go beyond the laws of this world—magic.

Why only magic-related skills are easier to learn remains a mystery. Scholars and the Magic Association have differing opinions. Common belief says it's a divine blessing.

Even so, “easier” is relative. It still takes more than a bit of effort. Sarpy likely worked very hard to master two elements.

This time, since it was a trial run for a new business, I waived the usual fee for the exchange.

Large adventurer organizations often have internal issues, and even the Champion once came to me with a similar consultation.

If this goes well, I might start offering temporary skill exchange services in earnest.

Truth be told, I’d rather not let the skill trade spread too much. But among mid-level and higher adventurers in this city, the knowledge has already gotten around. Thanks to the Champion...

Even if you ask people not to talk, you can’t stop rumors. I did my best to convince them to keep it quiet, but they likely consider it just an uncertain rumor anyway.

“Your Superhuman Strength skill is really useful. I can’t believe I can wear such heavy armor so easily!”

“Your magic is amazing too. I was always kind of jealous—you can shoot fire and stuff, that’s awesome!”

Their attitudes were completely different from yesterday—they were now complimenting each other’s abilities.

They were clearly excited and having fun.

“So nice! I want to borrow some skills too later!”

“Don’t drool over it.”

Luiyo warned his granddaughter, who was staring longingly at the two.

At this rate, we’d never get going, so I urged them with a “Shall we get going now?” and our adventure finally began.

“Scary! What is this, it’s super scary!”

Before her stood a kobold, a well-known two-legged dog-type monster often considered weak, yet Sarpy screamed in fear.

She was holding a shield and spear, but her posture was completely hunched over—not fit for a frontliner at all.

“Idiot! With kobolds, all you need to do is keep them in check with your spear!”

“I know that! I know it in my head! But it’s terrifying to be staring an enemy in the face at this close range!”

“I know that too!”

Semash shouted in a voice that straddled the line between a scolding and a concerned remark.

The kobold's crude club struck the metal armor again and again, but it wasn’t enough to pierce the sturdy armor—no damage was getting through.

“Kyaah! Kyaah! I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!”

She was clearly suffering psychological damage. In a panic, she swung the spear wildly, making it dangerous for allies to approach her.

I continued to observe, but I’d step in if it got too bad.

“Calm down! Calm down! I said calm the hell down, you flat-chested brat!”

“Who are you calling flat-chested?! Wait—whoa!”

Oops, maybe the anger dulled her fear a bit. She actually dodged the attack properly for the first time.

Once she regained her composure, she seemed able to assess the situation. Though she was still a bit shaky, she was starting to respond properly.

“Heave-ho! And hey, don’t just stand there criticizing me—use some magic already!”

“Oh, right. Yeah... So, uh... how do I do that again?”

“Seriously…? Focus your mind, and feel the flow of mana inside your body.”

“O-Okay. It’s that wriggly thing, right?”

He closed his eyes and exhaled with a dramatic “haaah,” more like he was pumping himself up than concentrating.

“Then, thrust your staff at the target and activate the spell!”

“Hell yeah! O flames of crimson born from the abyss! Obey my will and turn the wicked to cinders!”

A ball of fire shot from the tip of the outstretched staff, engulfing two kobolds in flames.

Not bad at all for a first-time battle spell.

“What the heck was that embarrassing incantation?”

“I made it up yesterday. Pretty cool, huh? Wait, huh? What the... is this anemia or something?”

Semash, who had been proudly brandishing his staff, suddenly dropped to one knee, clutching his forehead.

Ah, I see.

“You used up too much mana. You’ve got to control and limit how much you pour into it.”

“W-What the hell, that sounds like a pain in the ass…”

Yeah, that's a beginner’s pitfall. I’ve got magic skills too, and when I was starting out, I made the same mistake from sheer excitement. Ah, memories.

We kept fighting after that, but—

“Ugh, stop running off into the distance! If I had magic, I could take them down!”

“Damn it, even just a graze hurts like hell! Die already, damn it!”

“Don’t hit them with my staff, pleaaase! It’s not made for that kind of use!”

What a noisy battle. The grandpa-granddaughter combo continued their hunting at their own pace.

Looks like these two were left in my care.

This feeling... it's nostalgic. I used to adventure with comrades like this, and even taught others the ropes before.

Now I make my living selling and trading skills like this.

While I was reminiscing, a kobold attacked. I jumped back a step and kicked it away. The kobold’s head vanished, and its body flew in an arc before crashing down far away.

“Hey, get down from there, you cowardly—no, cowardly monster!”

Sarpy was swinging her spear and yelling at a bird-like flying monster.

“I can’t hit it! Why is it so damn hard to land a shot—ahhff…”

Semash fired off several small fireballs and collapsed on his back.

He must’ve used up all his mana by spamming spells needlessly.

In the end, Peery's arrow struck the monster down, and today's adventure came to a close.

After safely returning to the inn, I restored both of their original skills.

I was invited to a drinking party under the pretense of a wrap-up and reflection session, so I decided to join.

The venue was the dining hall on the first floor of the inn where I was staying, which doubled as a tavern.

“Oh my, Mr. Collector! You’ve got lots of friends with you today, I see.”

The cheerful voice belonged to the proprietress who ran the inn.

She was the lady I once bought a “Monster Magnet” from, and we’d been on good terms ever since.

“Haha, yes. Could we get a recommended dish for everyone here?”

“Of course! Just wait a moment. I’ll bring out something delicious.”

This lady’s inn was famous for its cooking, thanks to her high “Cooking” skill—everything she made was exceptional.

We moved to a window-side table, which had basically become my regular spot, and soon enough the others showed up, just a bit behind me.

“Ah! There you are, Mr. Collector!”

Peery came running over, waving her hand, as full of energy as ever. Just being near her felt like getting a dose of sunshine.

Everyone took their seats, and once the food was on the table, Semash raised his beer mug high.

“Great job, everyone! First, let’s have a toast!”

We clinked mugs lightly and drank. Normally I’d just sip at my own pace, but today it felt right to chug it down in one go.

“Ahhh, that hits the spot. I’m beat today.”

“Me too, I’m soooo tired...”

The two of them collapsed onto the table, clearly worn out from all the unfamiliar work of having swapped skills.

They had started to get the hang of things toward the end, but were grumbling about never wanting to do it again.

“Who knew using magic would be so mentally exhausting? There’s no way I could pull that off mid-battle.”

“Wearing armor helps, but brawling with monsters at close range? That’s insane.”

As they grumbled, the two exchanged glances with the people sitting across from them. Even as they lay slumped on the table, their hands were clasped together.

Seems like they both came to understand how tough the other’s job is in just one day.

“It all went great! And it’s all thanks to you, Mr. Collector!”

“Once again, we’re in your debt.”

“Not at all. It was a valuable experience for me, too. I can apply it to my future business.”

I thanked Luiyo and Peery for their kind words.

Truth be told, I wasn’t thinking about business at all—I just enjoyed myself. But hey, this little whim of mine might’ve revealed that skill exchanges are more beneficial than I thought. Maybe there’s a way to make use of this in other areas.

“Oh, right! Mr. Collector, could I do a skill exchange too?”

“It’s possible, but…”

“Then let’s swap mine with Luiyo’s!”

“Pfffbbttt!!”

Luiyo, who had been quietly sipping his drink, spewed it everywhere in a glorious spray.

“Ugh, gross!”

“Cough, cough—haaah… Sorry.”

Guess that caught you off guard, wise old man.

It’s understandable, though. Exchanging skills could expose his identity.

Luiyo tried to calm the rowdy bunch of comrades eating and drinking.

Semash got dead drunk and passed out early.

Sarpy grumbled as she tended to her childhood friend anyway.

Peery kept pestering about a skill swap.

A noisy but joyful night with friends. I had long forgotten what that felt like. But maybe it’s not so bad to have nights like this once in a while.