"Ohh, looks like they're hard at work."

The three of us—Rio, Nir, and I—arrived at the training grounds behind the guild. We weren’t here to train, but simply to observe and appraise other adventurers. After securing a slightly open space, I took a sweeping glance around the area.

"How is it?"

Rio wasted no time in asking, but she’d have to wait a bit. I couldn’t immediately link appraisal results to an adventurer’s actual combat skill.

"Hmm... Overall, I don't see anyone with stats higher than that first guild staff member we met."

"Really?"

After finishing my appraisal of everyone present, I turned back to Rio. Among the adventurers training here, I also spotted the young boy who had approached us at the guild, so I pointed him out.

"That boy over there, the one lying on the ground? His stats are around 100."

"Oh? He said he was a twelve-year-old F-rank adventurer, right? If he's a total beginner, then his stats aren’t much different from an ordinary person’s, I suppose."

Just as Rio finished speaking, I suddenly felt something like a prickling sensation deep in my mind.

I glanced around, but there was no one openly doing anything to us. It didn’t feel like the sensation had come from my surroundings.

Feeling confused, I turned to the source of the sensation—and met Rio’s gaze. It had to be her. There was no other explanation.

"...What's wrong?"

She tilted her head and asked.

"No, it’s just..."

After I explained the strange discomfort, I felt the prickling sensation again—this time, undeniably from Rio. So she really was doing something to me?

"Ah, could it be that you're sensing when you're being appraised?"

"Huh?"

"I've been appraising you several times just now."

"Oh, so that’s what it was."

"Yep. I'll try appraising you again."

"Got it."

I braced myself, and sure enough, I felt another sharp prickling sensation.

"There it is."

"So it really is caused by appraisal... I think."

Still half-doubtful, I suddenly felt a repeated series of pricks.

"Wait, stop!"

"Ehehe, did I overdo it a bit?"

"Ahh, yeah, it's fine."

The discomfort from the continuous appraisal made me raise my voice without thinking. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but grin.

"I just got a new skill—something like 'Appraisal Detection,' right?"

"Ahaha."

Rio chuckled wryly at my excitement. It wasn't often that I could immediately tell when I had acquired a new skill. Since I couldn’t appraise my own skills, I could only confirm them when I actually experienced their effects firsthand. The last time this happened was when I was playing around with Nir and suddenly realized I could double-jump by kicking off the air. That was... yeah, actually, that was pretty recent.

"Still, it's clear that higher stats generally mean someone is stronger."

As I continued observing the adventurers, I couldn't help but feel that way.

"That does seem to be the case... But I wonder if there are any exceptions among them?"

"Oh, yeah. That spear-wielding guy over there, for example. His opponent has about 1.5 times his stats, but he’s still holding the advantage."

The spearman, a frontline fighter, had an average muscle, endurance, and agility stat of around 500. His opponent, a swordsman, had stats closer to 800. Despite the difference, the spearman was handling the fight with ease. He must have some kind of enhancement skill.

"Shall we head out?"

After watching the adventurers for a while, I called out to Rio.

"Are you done already?"

"Yeah. I have a feeling things might get troublesome, so I’d rather leave now."

One of the adventurers—a boy who had been receiving guidance from a senior—had finished his training and was now slowly making his way toward us.

"That makes sense."

Rio seemed to have noticed too, as she quickly turned on her heel and started leaving the training grounds. I heard someone calling out behind us, but I pretended not to notice.

After stepping out of the guild, we wandered aimlessly through the streets.

Even though I had just obtained this new skill, I didn’t feel any discomfort while walking around. According to my mentor, people with the 'Appraisal' skill weren’t particularly rare. That meant there weren’t many people who just went around appraising others at random.

That said... I planned to keep using my appraisal skill as much as possible. If I kept at it, maybe I’d eventually be able to see other people’s skills, too. Oh, and I should keep appraising Rio as well. Who knows—maybe she’d develop 'Appraisal Detection' just like I did.

"We should start looking for an inn."

We had spent more time at the training grounds than expected, and before I knew it, evening had arrived. We had already scouted out a few inns around the city, but just as we were about to pick one, I noticed a small, cozy-looking inn and decided to check it out.

"Welcome!"

Behind the counter stood a young girl holding a baby in a sling. At a glance, she looked about the same age as Rio.

"Uh, do you have a room for two?"

"Yes, we do!"

The baby, with adorably plump cheeks, stared at us with big, round eyes, switching its gaze between Rio and me.

"Wow... what a cute baby."

"Ahaha, thank you."

"Is she your little sister?"

Rio asked as she gently stroked the baby's head.

"Huh? Ah, um... no, she's my daughter."

"Wha—?!"

Both Rio and I froze in shock at the unexpected answer.