Published: July 3, 2025
Somehow, I wrote this SS to produce some content.
The location is the Gecko Trading Company's Royal Capital Temporary Branch.
It seems they remodeled a certain earl's mansion that was dismantled during the war of kingdom liberation.
"Mr. Gecko... as expected, quite the skilled businessman..."
Ryo murmured this as he passed through the gate.
He understood the layout of this kind of building and the position of the courtyard.
When he went around to the courtyard, as expected, mock battles were taking place.
The mock battles were using the ice wall and icicle lance.
Everyone had already become adept at using it as if they were breathing...
Honestly, when people engage seriously and earnestly, they can acquire skills astonishingly quickly.
Of course, the younger they are, the more pronounced this effect appears, but the trend does not change with age.
The more earnestly and straightforwardly one engages, the faster they learn.
Perhaps it’s because they don’t have a mental block...?
Or maybe it’s something more neuroscientific, like the characteristics of the hippocampus or amygdala? Or A10 nerves?
While not having a clear reason, Ryo recognizes that such phenomena exist as a fact...
While thinking about such seemingly complicated matters, Ryo watched the mock battles between mages of the water attribute unfold before him, nodding along.
“Oh, Ryo-sensei!”
One of the children participating in the mock battle noticed him.
“It's true!”
“Sensei, I've learned to shoot sixteen icicle lances!”
“I can now create an ice wall level 5!”
...It seems that when they engage seriously and earnestly, they can acquire skills much faster than they imagined.
“Everyone, that’s amazing!”
As Ryo praised them, he looked at each magic user in turn.
“Alright, everyone, it’s about time to wrap up the break.”
“Yes!”
Responding positively to Mr. Gecko’s words, Ryo’s disciples returned to their respective positions.
“Hello, Mr. Gecko.”
“Ryo-san, ah, I apologize, Your Grace Duke Rondo, thank you for coming.”
“No, please continue to call me Ryo as before.”
“Is that so? Then, Ryo-san.”
It’s still a bit unusual to be called "Duke Rondo" by someone he has known for a long time.
I wonder if I’ll ever get used to it... it’s quite doubtful.
“Actually, we’re about to have a tasting of a new cake, would you like to join us, Ryo-san?”
“Absolutely!”
Of course, Ryo had informed them in advance that he would be visiting today.
That’s why he was able to enter the courtyard so easily...
Which means, incorporating him into the tasting of this new cake was part of businessman Gecko’s calculations.
As expected, Gecko is quite the skilled merchant...
At the table they headed to, there was already someone seated.
“Oh, Corn, long time no see.”
“Hey, Ryo. Ah, sorry, Your Grace Duke Rondo...”
“No, please just call me Ryo as before...”
Ryo had just gone through a similar exchange moments ago.
He was beginning to find it bothersome to correct each time...
Corn was a former c-rank adventurer from the Duchy of Inberri.
When the Duchy of Inberri fell, he had flowed into the kingdom along with Gecko.
Although he is technically part of the Gecko Merchant Association...
“I’m thinking of checking out the northern part of the kingdom.”
Corn said after taking a bite of a fruit cake with figs.
Ryo took a bite as well.
The sweetness of the whipped cream and the slightly sour taste of the figs created a wonderful balance, enhancing each other.
“That’s nice!”
Ryo’s comment of “nice” could refer to either Corn's future actions or the fig cake...
Ryo watched Corn's actions intently as he spoke.
“You certainly give off the vibe of an adventurer, but your table manners and demeanor are very refined.”
Yes, Corn had stubble and was dressed rather informally...
“Yeah. Actually, I was properly trained in this sort of thing back in the day. I never felt ashamed in front of the nobility... I truly appreciate it.”
“I see.”
As Corn spoke with a distant look in his eyes, Ryo nodded in agreement.