When I came back to Nornil Heights, a lady in the janitor's office called out to me.

'Atobe-san, Atobe-san,' she said, 'it's very lively today. It's very lively today," she said, "and there were a lot of girls here just now. It's nice to be young.
I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Three of my companions will be home in a few minutes.
Oh, yeah?　The people in my close party, after we're done exploring... hey?

　The aunt says with a slight reddening of her plump cheeks. I wonder if there's some kind of custom that's customary after the search is over.

''I'm still a newbie who just reincarnated, so there's a lot I don't know. Is there anything that's like a standard thing to do after your quest is over?
Oh my God, I can't believe you're a newbie... how old are you, Mr. Atobe?
Well, I'm 29 and I'm...

　After the reincarnation, my physical body has been refreshed in some way, or rather, initialized, and the parts of me that were rattled when I was a company employee have been healed. I'm not saying I'm young again, but I feel like I've regained the sharpness I had in high school or something.

The Japanese people look younger than their age, though. Atoobe, you know, you look like a proper adult. If it's just the beginning, I'll support him, and we'll have a party with the children of our employees.
'Eh ... ah, yes. I'm busy every day at the moment, but I'd like to talk to a lot of people. But I might be moving to a new quarters tomorrow.
'Well it's amazing that you came to our room on the first day. I'll let everyone know that you have a lot of potential. And then, you know, it's nothing to be ashamed of, even if you're a beginner.
"...?　Well, well, you know, it would be helpful if you didn't spread the word too loudly. Just think of it as something new that's working hard.
'Yes, I'm very aware of that. I've been running an inn for many years myself.

　They seem to listen to those requests, but will they get through to the employees somewhat? It would be rare for a newcomer to move into the royal suite after two days of reincarnation, and it's not unreasonable to want to talk about it.

　You can't put words in people's mouths, but if you want to gain fame, you want to do it only when you absolutely have to - it doesn't seem to be far away when you leave the Eighth Ward, so it won't be that much of a problem if it's rumored here.

　You can confirm your rank in the pecking order with your license, but as for the others, you'd have to meet them in person or ask an informant to find out about them. In other words, the name is not automatically known to the license holder when the pecking order is raised, so it's easy to feel comfortable there.

　◆◇◆

　I was about to walk up the stairs to the third floor when Theresa fluttered to a stop on the stairwell.

'What's up?'
..........

　She doesn't say anything. She looks at the top of the stairs and then looks at me again.

'You mean there's something up ahead that makes it hard to get to?

　I wondered if that meant there were other guests in the house - and then I thought about it. I had thought I was hearing a cat or something, but then I realized it was an extraordinary voice.



　Then I realized what my aunt was trying to say in a roundabout way now.

　If it was a party of a man and a woman, and the members were in a relationship with each other. Or if they were a married couple, or if they were in the mood for a night out after a successful search - well, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happened.

　It's not surprising, but this awkwardness is not half as bad as it could be. Theresia won't say anything, but I should be the one responsible for breaking this atmosphere here.

'Hey, it looks like you're taking in something. You're making a lot of noise with the door open?　If so, you'll have to give me a word of warning.
..........

　I went first and went out into the upstairs hallway. Then I see the door to the back room is slightly ajar.

(No, it's someone else's private and I'm not the one closing it but I hope you guys didn't hear this.)

..........
'I'm sorry. I know you're probably surprised I brought you here at this point, but it's basically quiet.

　Theresia nodded at me and went up first, leaving me behind this time. When I went up to the third floor, the floor was thicker, but fortunately, I didn't hear much of a voice anymore.

　And what I found out was that the skull mask could still turn slightly red, as if it was one with the subhumanization until it was released. I've never seen a lizard that was ashamed of itself, but since Theresia's equipment didn't cover her entire body, her skin was also red.

　She's subtly opening up the distance between her and me compared to earlier. And since she frequently peeps at me until she arrives at the room, this is not the time to say that this is awkward, I should properly reassure her.

''Theresa, you can get another room from tomorrow, too. Just because I brought you to my room doesn't mean you, you know, have to do anything or anything.

　Theresia looks at me. Her mouth, peeking out of the lizard mask, is still pulled straight together. But it wasn't just the lizard mask, the mask of the lizard was also red from the neck to the mouth.

''.........''
'It's okay, like I said. I only went through the formalities to get Theresa on board, I didn't buy Theresa with a ticket or anything.

　When I said that much, she nodded her head after a short pause. But the redness doesn't diminish at all - well, I guess it's largely due to the influence of alcohol.

''I'm sorry to be talking about something so important, but... can I give you a word of advice?''
'Wow, I'm surprised. Elitia, and Suzuna... where have you been?
'I was catching a bit of a night breeze over there. It sounded like a cat somewhere, but...
'Well, well, yeah, it's like having a purring cat.

　They were apparently out on the third floor balcony. They seemed to hear the voices upstairs when they went outside, but I'm glad they didn't seem to realize what they were actually saying.

　I didn't think I'd have to worry about soundproofing my room after my reincarnation. It would be nice if the next room you move into used high-grade building materials and showed the depth of construction technology in other worlds.

''So Elitia, what's your advice?''
'The rooms rented out to a single party are limited based on the number of 'occupants'. How high up in the pecking order have you risen in this district?
''We're up to seventh place and we're going to preview the Royal Suite tomorrow, but...''
The Royal Suite has a capacity of six people, so the total number of occupants is six. The number of people in one party is limited to eight, so the total number of people who can live in a room is limited to eight. Me and Suzuna's room is for two people, but........
'Ellie originally rented a room in Ward 5, so the room in Ward 8 is temporary. We've been talking about renting a new suite when I can move up in the pecking order.

　That way, we'll have two rooms for Elitia and Suzna, and a royal suite for six, and we won't be able to rent a new room for the rest of us.

'I think it would be better to consult with them and live with them if possible, as the facilities would be worse if we chose a smaller room. And a bad bed will delay your recovery from fatigue.

　He was told that the stable would only restore a small amount of strength and magic. Considering that it was uncomfortable to sleep in and couldn't get tired, it was no surprise.

　However, I thought on my own that this was the end of my cohabitation. Thinking that it might continue depending on the case, I felt embarrassed when I met with Igarashi-san.

''Then........let's have them look at the room and decide. If we move up to the seventh district, we'll have to start over again with the smaller quarters, right?
'You can rent the same room for a week for quarters, so you can use the Royal Suite as a base for your exploration in the beginning. If you want to live in one place permanently, you'll have to buy a property, but it's very expensive, and you have to be a 3-star explorer before you can become a homeowner.

　I just got two stars, but three doesn't seem that far off. In case you're wondering, let me ask you what the requirements are.

'How do I get up to three stars?'
''First, you must go to the Seventh District. Once you reach 10,000 contributions in the guild there, you'll be presented with a few challenges, and if you complete them, you'll be recognized with three stars.
'All right, I'll remember that. Are you two leaving already?

　When I ask that, Elitia and Suzuna look at each other and chuckle.

''Misaki-chan, I had to borrow your bed.......can I wait for a little while until she wakes up?''

　When Suzuna said that, the door to the room opened. The ones who came out were Louisa-san and Igarashi-san.

''Atobe-sama, welcome back. We've interrupted you first.''
I'm going to take a bath, so stay here. Misaki is asleep in your bed, so leave her alone until she wakes up.
Okay, I get it. He's not allowed in bed with...
''........Ah. Suzuna, if we go back to our quarters now, we won't be able to make it back to the bathrooms in time.
''We shouldn't go in any other time......What should we do? I'm sweating, and I'm not going to explore tomorrow with Aricht-san and the others as it is....

　-- A big trend is coming. No, I suppose it's just a big fancy.

Well, why don't we all go in together? There's a charge, but you can borrow a change of clothes.
'Ha, yes it's an emergency measure, so I don't blame you. Is Suzuna okay?
You said you wanted to take a bath, Ellie. I'll be fine with you.
Then it's settled. Master Atobe, I'll see you later then.

　Louisa wrapped up her story and headed downstairs with everyone else to the bathroom on the first floor. I walked into the room with Theresia and sat down on the sofa in the living room.

'Oh, I'm tired of everything Theresa, sit anywhere and make yourself comfortable.
..........
Hmm?　Oh, oh ... do you want to take a bath, by any chance?

　I was wondering if he wouldn't take a bath since it's a skull equipment, but if it's integrated, maybe he'll take a bath with his equipment on. Would it be okay if I washed it properly?

　Theresia tries to say something, but she still remains silent and slowly checks the room. Then she comes to the back of my couch.

'.............'
'Well, well, you can sit down any time you want. I'm a little concerned about it.

　When I turn around, Theresia also tilts her head slightly to look at me. The skull-head that was so powerful at first seems to be charming now.

''Yes, my level was raised today. Can I check my new skills?''
..........

　Theresia understood that skills were the lifeblood of an explorer, so she sat down on the couch instead of behind me. I didn't mind being watched, but I wanted her to be comfortable, so that's good.

(Well ... can I learn my new skills?)

　Skills Acquired

　Supportive Defense 1: Reduces the blows struck by the companion in front of you by 10 points.
　Supportive Attack 1: Deals 10 points of blows in addition to the blows struck by the companion in front of you.
　Support Recovery 1: Regain 5 points of health from the companion in front of you every 30 seconds.

　Skills you can acquire

　Support Uplift 1: Increases the morale of your companions in front by 10 points.
　Rear Front: Spends 5 points of magic to increase your vision to the rear for a certain amount of time.
　Eagle's Eye: Improves your situational awareness when you are in the back row.
　Backstands: Stands behind the target and locks you in place.
　Backdraft: If attacked from behind, the target will automatically counterattack.

　Remaining Skill Points: 3

(Whoa ... four new skills!　(I should have made sure I was on the right track when I got to level 2).

　The skill points you get per level 1 are apparently 2 each. I shouldn't waste my precious points, but just looking at the description of the skills makes me excited.

　Among them, there is a skill that seems to be able to cover the risk of me, the rear guard, being attacked directly to some extent, which was my biggest concern. 'Backdraft', semantically speaking, when a flame is burning in an enclosed space, if you open the door, oxygen is supplied at once and an explosion occurs.

　If you can only fight back against attacks from behind, you're still vulnerable to side attacks, but it's not like you can't be completely defended at level 3, or maybe that's a problem the 'rear guard' will always face. It's a powerful position, but I can see how it's not perfect.

　The other skills are also interesting. I'm not sure if I should take the "support" skill, since it is always activated and does not seem to consume magic power. I'm not sure if there are any penalties for 'support' that I just don't know about, though.

　As I'm thinking about which skills I should take, Theresia is looking at me. I want to go over her skills again, and I want to hear about everyone else - I'm looking forward to tonight or tomorrow or when we have a meeting.