5 - 4 Skills are even more advanced!

Thank you very much.

The girl who bowed to me with a small bow was Tia, the girl who had given her mother a trip to the hot springs.

On my way back to Foothill Town after that, I ran into the town's neighborhood watch and politely explained the situation to them.

The mayor of the town thanked me profusely and agreed to pay for my stay.

After I had enjoyed the hot spring so much, I was thanked again by Tia and her family, who had also enjoyed the trip with their parents and were going back home today.

I was thanked again by Tia and her family, who had also enjoyed the trip with their parents and would be heading home today. Just take good care of your mother from now on.

Yes, of course!　Yes, of course!

I was so happy to see Tia smiling so much that I couldn't help but smile as well.

I am an only child, but if I had a younger sister, she would probably be like this.

I'm sure that if I had a sister, she would be just like this.

Ah ...... ehehe♪"

I smiled and patted her on the head, and she blushed shyly.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get a good deal on it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get a good deal on a new pair of shoes. I'm not sure what to do with it.

I'm not sure what to say.

The most important thing to remember is that you can't just take a look at the pictures and expect to be able to see them.

Ma, can I see you again ......?"

Of course, I nodded and said, "Yes!

Yes!　I'm looking forward to seeing you again too!

Wow! Oh, thank you so much!

The first time I saw her, her eyes were shining brightly, and she bowed her head vigorously.

I was so happy to see her.

After I left Tia and her family, I went back up the mountain.

I had felt the lack of power when I fought with Adamantia the other day.

It was a good thing that we managed to pull it off due to a series of coincidences, but miracles like that don't necessarily happen every time.

In fact, it would be more natural if such a miracle did not happen.

So we asked the mayor if there was some place where we could practice our skills, and he introduced us to a temple in the middle of a volcano.

The mayor told me that the temple was located in the middle of a volcano, and that adventurers often visit there to acquire the "fire resistance" sub-skill.

Sub-skills" are skills that are not as important as the main skill, but they are established as a part of one's abilities.

There are five ranks of sub-skills, from E to A. The initial rank of "E" is easy to learn, but not that effective.

But it's better than nothing. But it's better than nothing.

I thought to myself as I climbed the mountain path, and eventually I saw the entrance to the temple.

It appeared to be a cave.

I heard about it from the mayor. I have heard about you from the mayor.

Oh, thank you.

The woman at the entrance, dressed as a priestess, leads me into the temple.

It seemed to be a path that led to the inside of the volcano, and gradually the orange color of the surrounding scenery increased.

The more we proceeded, the hotter it became, and finally we could even see the lava flowing in a thick stream.

This way.

Yes. ......

To be honest, it was already too hot and I wanted to go home, but it would have been awkward to come this far.

The miko was looking cool, so as a boy, I had to put up with it, even if it was hard for me.

Well, the priestess probably has "fire resistance," but that's about it.

It is said that if you meditate at the altar over there, you may gain 《Fire Resistance》.

Wow, I understand. ......

With my head in a daze, I went up to the altar where the priestess told me to go.

The altar was shaped as if it was going to pop out into the crater, and if you made a wrong move, you would be thrown headfirst into the crater.

'Alright, I'll meditate~.......'

--I'm going to meditate.

Ahh ......."

And then, immediately--one wrong step .......

"Woah!　Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

"Iguza-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"

With the miko's panicked voice at my back, I went headlong into the crater.

I was so far back that I went headlong into the crater.

Strangely, it was not hot.

Rather, I slowly wake up in a slumber that even feels somewhat pleasant.

And then...

I heard someone's voice.

I heard someone's voice.

It was a strange voice that could be either male or female.

It was a voice that could be either a man or a woman. I salute you for your courage and diligence, and I will give you a part of my power.

At that moment, I knew something had changed inside me.

This feeling was the same as when my "substitution" skill changed to "invulnerability.

And I don't know why.

But I was sure that I could fly.

--I could fly now.

Go ahead, child of man. With my burning wings, I will fly to the end of the world.

!"

--Doban!

A moment later, my eyes widen, and I fly out of the lava as a bird clad in crimson flames.

What?

And when I landed on the altar again, I saw the priestess with swollen eyes, who had probably been crying, frozen with a look of surprise on her face.

Yes, I can hardly remember what happened to make it so, but it seems that my skill has evolved further again.

Skill -- 《phoenix》: Become a great fire angel, instantly heal wounds received, including death, and nullify fire-attribute attacks.

In other words, I guess that means I acquired a really great "Fire Resistance" skill.

I don't know, but I'm glad anyway.

I'm glad anyway. It seems I've caused her a lot of worry, so I have to report my survival to the miko for the time being.

I'm sorry, I'm back now.

"Oh, I'm back.

But the miko was still stunned, as if she hadn't quite grasped the situation.

I had to go to the miko's office and ask for her help.

So I tried to reassure her by saying in the gentlest possible tone of voice, "I'm fine as I am.

I'm fine as I am, so please don't worry.

Oh, no, no, no. ......

--I said in a gentle voice, trying to reassure her.

Look, you're not hurt anywhere, are you?　I'm fine."

Oh, no, that's not what I mean. ......

--Flick, flick, flick.

?"

The miko was somewhat brusque, but eventually she said, somewhat embarrassed, her cheeks tinted.

Oh, um, if you could wear a kimono if possible, ......

A kimono ......?　Oh, no, I'm completely naked!

Wait, I'm completely naked!

No, you said that first, didn't you?

I hastily covered my lower abdomen with my hands, and it was only then that I realized what the miko was glancing at.

I mean, why was she looking at me so many times?

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