The shady guy showed up at the same time of the day as yesterday. For starters Im going to extract some information out of him while keeping my caution up.

Oh came first n waited for me? Nice, nice.

No, Ive been here the whole time.

Recently Ive entered a cycle of going back to eat in the morning, then visiting the kitchen to talk with the cook about new dishes, and the progress and outcomes of her experiments, and lastly secluding myself on the mountain until dinner. Ive also been washing myself out here. So far no one ever came here, so its not like anyone got to see me naked either.

The man knitted his eyebrows.

The whole time? That okay with your job?

Look, Im training out here for the very sake of finding a job! Theres no way that a kid, who cant do anything, would be able to get a jobright?

At the end I phrased it like a question, tilting my head in doubt.

Maybe children can actually work in this world!? In such a case, it might be smart to speed up my schedule a bit.

For the time being, Im going to ask this shady guy whether theres any work I could do. Yep, lets do that.

Ahhguess callin it a job goes bit too far. Helpin out your parentswould be better?

Oh, I get it. Thats how he meant it. What a disappointment.

Nevermind it. I dont have any parents though. I loosely waved his reservations off.

In response, the man awkwardly scratched his head.

I see. Sorry for askin something inconsiderate.

Dont worry. Its not like its wrong to ask whether someone is fine in regards to helping out their parents. At least as far as my common sense goes.

I wonder how it might be in this world? Oh, it might actually be wrong to ask this in the other world as well.

The man smiled wryly, You a funny fellow. Alright, I like you, so Ill give you some trainin.

Please wait a moment. I have a few questions first. I held him back quickly and decisively. Right now Im seven years old, but can you usually find a job at such an age?

No, probably not.

Then dont get my hopes up! And dont deny it instantly as if its only natural!

How old do you need to be to get some decent work? Or to be precise, I want to know the minimum age and job types that would allow me to earn enough to be able to live normally by myself.

The man placed a hand on his jaw.

Sorry, but I dont know much bout jobs other than adventurer. You can basically become an adventurer whenever you want. Kids, who lost their parents like you, register as adventurers to get some cash or earn their livin by doin odd jobs.

Hmm

That means the adventurer job would be the quickest way to support myself. What was it again that adventurers do? Ah! The ones in fantasy stories kill goblins and dive into dungeons, dont they?

Sounds kinda interesting, so maybe I should try giving it a go?

You plan on becoming an adventurer? He asked while looking amused.

Ive added it to the candidates. Or rather, I dont know of any other jobs. Oh wait, cook is also an option.

Our cook has told me that my skills are already at the level of a professional. I think it was just flattery though

However, working as a cook is definitely impossible as a child.

Even if I were to extort some money from that man when leaving home, I basically cannot trust the people of this world. Human society is separated into classes. I dont know how much of a difference there is between nobility and commoners, but theres a clear distinction between adults and children. I cant believe that Id be taken seriously, so Id like to avoid any job where Id have business partners to deal with.

In the worst case, I can sustain myself with my skill set, but Id love to go sightseeing. I mean Ive already come to this world, so I want to make full use of that opportunity, and just staying in the mansion or on this mountain all the time is boring. If possible, Id like to live a bit longer this time around.

Wow, bringin that up means you can cook?

Yeah, more or lessI can cook up something edible, Id say.

Hes intrigued by that news. Well, at least cooking is something the otherworld me has done before, so yeah. Seeing how Ive done it for a good while now, its only natural that Im capable of it at my current age I mean I know that its normal in the other world.

I dont know any other places than the mountain forest around here and the house Im currently living in. Going by my common sense, its only natural to be able to do most of the things youre interested in, even at my current age, but I dont know whether that common sense applies to this world as well. Thats why being able to cook isnt anything overly special as far as I know I explained.

I see. Well, Id say its a bit unusual. But okay, for the time bein, if theres anythin you wanna know, Ill teach you. As long as its within the range of what I know or what I can find out from other people, that is. Sowhats it gonna be in regards to the trainin?

Of course I still want to do it. Just as youve guessed, Ive never fought against a live opponent. As Ive learned everything through self-study, I dont know whether my training is lacking in some parts. If possible, itd be a huge help if you could tell me whether I have the skills necessary to become an adventurer. Id like to adjust my training menu as early as possible.

The man laughed.

Oh, finally your shadiness vanished, you know?

What, your totally actin like an adult, or rather, like a cheeky lad, I spose. Indra, was it?

I nodded.

Gotcha, then come at me. The wooden sword tied to your waist is your weapon, right? Draw that and take your stance.

Is he going to look at my stance? HmmI dont really mind, I guess. But, the otherworld me was a fairly decent black belt holder, okay?

I smoothly drew my sword, and took my stance.

Hoh. Aint that a fairly decent stance for someone whos self-taught?

No need to bother with my form. I got the necessary knowledge.

Knowledge and actual experience are two different pairs of shoe, arent they?

Sure, but my stance and form are fine. I just havent experienced any real combat with this body.

The knowledge of what the other world me has experienced is recorded in my brain. No matter how much people say you got to experience things with your body, its the brain that moves the body. As long as I possess the knowledge how to move, the brain will move my body accordingly.

To be blunt, I dont get half o what your sayin, but Ive got it that your confident. If your talkin so big, come at me and Ill coach you properly.

Umm

Dont know how to fight?

No, thats not it. Im troubled about you not getting ready for combat. Or is there anyone else I should attack?

The common sense of this world is super hard to understand.

Just in case, I looked around me, but I dont really get it. Hmm, what should I do?

Nah, Im your opponent. Now listen, you think I need to take a proper combat stance for a pipsqueak like you?

I think so, yes. Let me tell you in advance, but Im not looking into becoming a murderer or bandit. You have to measure someones real strength before practicing with them without preparing in any way. For today Id like to normally practice fighting a hostile enemy.

As I was talking, admiration began to color the mans expression.

Your really cheeky, you know? Well, whatever. You convinced me. Just a sec

He walked around, and once he found what he was looking for, lopped off a branch and readied it as something similar to a long staff.

Ah! That stick! Its kinda like a wooden sword! Gimme! 1

That stick is really nice! Would you trade it for my sword?

Bah, stop sidetrackin and come at me, will you?

It looks like it was hopeless to hope for a weapon exchange. Shrugging my shoulders, I closed the distance and slashed at him.