“Zack, we think you should train for a Scout role.”

  Zack Adder thought quickly.

  Who was ‘we,’ and why had ‘they’ decided that without his input?

  Was being a Scout a good idea?

  And, deep down…

  Was that something he wanted to do?

  What did Zack Adder really want?

  He had no idea.

  It didn’t sound particularly exciting, at the moment.

  “On what basis?” he asked.

  “Well…” Rosimund hemmed and hawed for a moment.

  “Ultimately,” he said, “the vision is for you to take a utility role within the party, picking up whatever skills are needed as they come up. In the meantime, your [Potential] doesn’t line up with a frontline fighter role, and you lack the crucial skills to be a Mage, so…”

  “So Scout, by process of elimination?”

  “That’s right,” Rosimund admitted. He went on to explain more about what would be expected of Zack as a Scout.

  Travel planning. Supply management. Research into threats they could expect to encounter. Trap discovery and disarming. Wilderness foraging. Hunting. Cooking. Rearguard defense. Tracking.

  It was quite a lot.

  “It’s quite a lot,” Rosimund said, out loud. “Originally, our plans were to hire local Scouts as we went along, but that’s inherently risky, given that they would need to know at least some of our plans, and the risk of the [Demon King]’s agents…”

  “Oh man, yeah…” Bradley shivered. “We’d be screwed if we hired a secret agent, and they betrayed us.”

  “Indeed,” the (former) (current?) secret agent agreed.

  Rosimund also nodded.

  “I’ve taken the liberty of requesting the Hunters’ Guild’s best [Scout] to come provide training as soon as possible.”

  Bradley nodded. “Good call, Rosimund.”

  Zack pressed his lips together just the slightest amount.

  Still…

  It wasn’t a bad decision, per se, but they hadn’t consulted him at all.

  He thought he would prefer to spend the time studying magic, if he could.

  Last night, Maria had come into this room unarmed, but wielding magic. Or miracles. Whatever.

  A power that couldn’t be taken from him.

  He wanted that.

  But maybe he could compromise, at least for now. For the good of the party.

  “Barclay!” Rosimund called over the knight. “Any word from the Hunters’ Guild?”

  “Not yet, captain.”

  Rosimund noted the sun’s position in the sky.

  “Well, it’s only been a few hours. Follow up with them if we don’t hear back by this evening.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “In the meantime, Zack. Barclay here will help you pick up some common, foundational skills while we train the [Hero] in [Heavy Armor].”

  Zack nodded, then said “If I may.”

  Rosimund raised his bushy eyebrows and gestured for him to continue.

  “Brad,” Zack spoke directly to the [Hero], “defense is going to be key for you: you’re the linchpin of our entire team.”

  He used the word ‘team’ to hearken back to the young man’s experience in sports.

  “If you go down, we lose.”

  Bradley nodded, listening intently.

  “So don’t just stop with [Heavy Armor], alright? Mobility is important, too, and you can’t wear armor twenty-four seven.”

  “Twenty-four seven?” Maria repeated.

  “All the time,” Zack explained. “Sir Rosimund, are there other kinds of armor skills?”

  “Hmm… You raise a good point, Zack,” he agreed. “There’s also [Light Armor] and even [Unarmored]…”

  “Then I think you should practice those, as well,” Zack urged Bradley.

  “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Like, what if we find some really good light armor? I’d want to be able to use it.” Bradley nodded.

  “We have some knights with those skills,” Barclay chimed in helpfully.

  Rosimund rubbed his chin and his bushy mustache twitched back and forth. “Well, we can work it into the training schedule, provided it doesn’t take too long.”

  “Alright!” Bradley exclaimed. “Let’s do it!”

  Excited to train, he got up from the table and several knights sprang into action, helping him back into the heavy armor set he had been wearing before the spars. Maria hurried after him.

  Zack Adder took a deep breath, and let it out. At least he knew where he stood within the [Hero’s Party].

  Bottom rung.

  He stood, and smiled at Barclay. “So, what kind of training are we doing?”

  “[Running], but, first of all, to clarify:” Barclay said, “you really don’t have the [Running] skill?”

  “No…” Zack said trepidatiously.

  Memories of Army boot camp crossed his mind.

  Being woken early by shouting, being yelled at while running in the early morning chill, shin splints, running in muggy afternoon heat, running, running, running…

  “Well, then, you’ll definitely need that! Moving around is foundational to being a [Scout], after all.” Barclay grinned innocently.

  “Barclay, if you don’t mind me asking,” Zack said, “what exactly is the benefit of the [Running] skill, exactly?”

  “Hmm, lots of benefits, really. Did they have Scouts in your world?”

  Zack recalled the Army Rangers.

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, here Scouts are basically always running, and the skill helps them save energy and move faster doing it. Also reduces the risk of injuries from running, twisted ankles, that kind of thing.”

  Zack perked up to hear that. Barclay continued.

  “Scouts explore around where the party is, and move ahead of the party on the roads looking for monsters and bandits and, when you get near the wall, Demon patrols. And if you encounter something more than you can handle while doing that, you want to be able to run back to the party as fast as possible.

  “Running really is a foundational skill,” he concluded. “The [Hero] already has [Fleet Foot]; if he didn’t, he’d be [Running], too.”

  Zack nodded.

  It sounded like a skill worth getting.

  He eyed the training courtyard.

  Grey-robed priests lurking in the shadows, obviously watching.

  Knights in training tunics milling about.

  Maids with wandering eyes as they prepared water and snacks and carried towels for the trainees.

  Barclay smiled.

  “First, we’ll do warm up exercises.”

  Barclay led him through several familiar exercises: jumping jacks, bodyweight squats, and lunges. As they did them together, he explained that most children naturally picked up the [Running] skill just by playing around at a young age.

  Finally, push-ups.

  “Push-ups? I’m not planning to run on my hands,” Zack joked.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  But Barclay frowned at him seriously.

  “Yeah, push-ups. You’re not just running on your legs. You’re going to be pumping your arms, too. Running is a full body movement. It’s not something you do with just your legs while your arms dangle behind you; that’d be ridiculous.”

  “Uh, right. Sure.”

  Zack quickly completed his push-ups and got back to his feet.

  “Alright, now, watch me, and try to copy how I run.”

  Barclay took off, and he moved. He quickly did a lap around the outer edge of the training courtyard.

  “Alright, go!”

  Zack took off, and immediately—

  “No, no! Stop!” Barclay halted him, and Zack turned.

  As he did…

  “I got it! I just got the [Heavy Armor] skill!”

  “Ooh!” several knights cheered and applauded the [Hero].

  “Let’s do [Light Armor], now!”

  At least the [Hero]’s training was going well.

  Barclay, on the other hand, was furrowing his brow. “Were you even watching me before? You’re doing it all wrong. If you try to run like that for long, you’re just going to injure yourself.”

  Zack furrowed his brow.

  “Look, if you land on your heel like that, you’re probably going to break your foot eventually, especially on bad terrain. For now, take those shoes off and run barefoot: you’ll want to start building up callouses anyway.” Then he slowly, very slowly, showed Zack Adder the proper way to run.

  “First, lean forward, keeping your body straight except for your ankles. More. More… To the point you almost feel like you’re going to fall over. Good. It should be almost like you’re falling forward and catching yourself with each step. Try to land on your mid-foot. Yeah. Your foot should land directly underneath your body. There you go. Absorb the impact of each step with your muscles, not your bones. Okay… Shorter steps. A little shorter. Perfect! Okay, keep going!”

  Zack was now running around the edge of the courtyard while Barclay effortlessly kept pace, talking and providing more advice.

  “Maintain posture! Upper body firm! Tighten your core! Keep your head up, looking forward! Okay, bend your elbows a bit. Loosen your fingers, you’re just wasting energy clenching your fists…”

  To his credit, Barclay was a good [Trainer]. Certainly better than the boot camp instructors.

  Come to think of it, Zack had never been given any of this advice on running, before. Not even at more advanced training facilities.

  Was that why there were so many injuries when he’d gone through boot camp?

  Although Zack Adder wasn’t a big fan of running, he still had decent cardio. He found his rhythm, and focused on keeping in mind the dozens of instructions Barclay was giving him, and after several laps, he noticed he was using a lot less energy to run than when he had started.

  *ding!* The skill [Running] has been acquired.

  This time, still actively running, Zack could tell that the skill made a big difference.

  It was night and day.

  His body started automatically doing all the little things Barclay had been pointing out repeatedly, as though all the good habits had already formed.

  “There you go! Keep it up! Upper body!”

  And without that mental load, the running grew all the easier. They continued for some time, as the sun rose higher in the sky, and Barclay continued to give pointers all the while.

  The skill didn’t completely handle everything at level one.

  But Zack’s mind had room to wander.

  [The Learn].

  He still felt it was mainly the Goddess’ laziness that got him the skill, but…

  It did suit him.

  He’d been learning things quickly his entire life.

  He’d had to.

  And the unique skill was clearly helping him pick up other skills quickly.

  This raised a new problem.

  Once he got the skills, what then?

  Tell the [Trainer] and have him shout it out for all to hear?

  Who knew who he reported to, and who was listening.

  Whether it was who he was, or the result of long habit, Zack couldn’t be sure. But by now he was a private person, at heart.

  He didn’t want knowledge of his skills spread around recklessly.

  “Alright, let’s take a break,” Barclay said. “You haven’t got the skill yet?”

  Zack shrugged.

  Hadn’t enough of his personal information been spread around already?

  “Well, don’t worry about it. You’ve already improved a lot! [Running] is a pretty easy skill to pick up, so if you just keep in mind the training, you’ll be able to get it on your own, with practice.”

  “Alright. So, Barclay.” Zack pitched his voice low and spoke softly, aware via [Private Conversation] that none should be able to overhear him at this volume. “How exactly is this training going to work?”

  “Excuse me?” Barclay stopped walking towards the rest area, and turned to the [Otherworlder].

  “My skills.”

  “What about them?”

  “When I get a skill, what then? Who is going to be informed? Is that information going to be recorded somewhere?”

  Barclay frowned. “What’s all this about?”

  “I’d prefer as few people as possible know what skills I have.”

  “Listen, Sir Zack, we can’t provide the training you need unless we know your skills. As for who’s informed…” Barclay glanced over at Rosimund, who was watching over the Bradley training in light armor. “Those who need to know will be informed, of course, and records will be kept, of course.”

  Zack frowned. “I don’t think I’m comfortable with that.”

  Barclay sighed with exasperation. “It’s just your skills, Sir Zack! It’s not that big a deal! Not knowing when you pick up a skill is going to make it really hard for me to help you!”

  “...Even so.”

  “Urgh…” Barclay groaned. “Now I need a break.” He stalked over to the rest area.

  This seemed to be a red line for the [Trainer] knight.

  There was a table with a large basin of water, tended by a maid, who handed them both metal cups of water.

  Barclay drank from his immediately, but Zack eyed the dull-grey metal more closely.

  “Barclay, what’s this cup made out of?”

  “Er, metal?” He looked at the [Otherworlder] questioningly.

  “Not lead, is it?”

  “What? No, it’s tin, I believe.”

  He looked at the maid, who dipped her head.

  “Yes, milords. It’s tin. Would you prefer I fetch glasses…?”

  Zack shook his head.

  “No, that’s alright,” he answered with a smile.

  This maid was younger than the one from earlier, perhaps in her late teens. She had striking green eyes and dirty blonde hair. The color, that is. She was, of course, clean and well groomed as all the castle’s maids were.

  “And might I have the pleasure of your name?” he asked.

  “It’s Samantha, milord.”

  “Please, call me Zack.”

  Samantha looked down and away. “I couldn’t possibly, milord. Not a member of the [Hero’s Party]…”

  “Well, I won’t force you,” Zack shrugged. “But I don’t really stand on ceremony.”

  Samantha looked over at Barclay for confirmation, and he sighed. “No, he really doesn’t. He’s an oddball...”

  “As, as you wish, s-sir Zack…” the maid said, tentatively.

  “Excellent!” Zack smiled, and…

  “I got it! [Light Armor] get!”

  The [Hero]’s training was going very well.

  Zack and Barclay joined in the applause with the other knights.

  “See, normally, people just announce their skill acquisitions. It’s something to celebrate, not hide,” Barclay chided.

  “Now, [Unarmored]!”

  “Sir Bradley,” Rosimund cut in. “It’s nearly time for lunch, perhaps after.”

  “Ah, okay. But definitely after lunch! I’m on a roll, I can tell!” Bradley was all smiles.

  Rosimund turned to Zack and Barclay. “And you?” he asked.

  Barclay glanced at Zack. “Not yet,” Barclay belatedly answered. “But he’s improving.”

  Rosimund furrowed his brow. “Hmm…”

  “Zack, come on! Lunchtime!” Bradley invited Zack along, to Maria’s visible displeasure.

  And to her further displeasure, the lunchtime conversation mainly revolved around Earth.

  “So, Zack,” Bradley asked between bites of something suspiciously similar to lasagna, “did you have any, uh, unfinished business back on Earth? Before, you know.”

  Zack swallowed and took a sip of water, from a glass this time. They were eating in a finely decorated parlor, in a much nicer wing of the castle than where his own room was.

  “Not too much,” he chose to say. “I had a job interview scheduled at a vet’s office, but I’m sure they can find someone else. What about you?” He turned the question back on the asker.

  “Other than finalizing my college acceptance, no. I’d already said most of my goodbyes…” he trailed, visibly reluctant.

  “What is it?” Zack pressed.

  “Well, I guess I feel bad about my little brother and sister. I wanted to be a good role model for them, you know?” Zack smiled, and some of his pain showed around his eyes. “They’re twins, actually, just turned thirteen. Tiffany’s gonna be alright, she’s got lots of friends, but Charles, he’s really into nerd stuff, and has a hard time making friends…” He paused, and looked embarrassed at what he’d said. “Er, not that there’s anything wrong with nerd stuff.” He looked at Zack.

  “Hey, computers are big now. Lots of opportunities.”

  “Yeah, but it’s like, video games and cartoons mainly. He wasn’t doing his homework unless I made him, and he was going on about wanting to be a streamer…”

  Zack winced. “Oof.”

  Maria looked confused. “Video games? Streamer?”

  Bradley explained while Zack ate some more.

  “Can your parents not give him proper direction?” Rosimund asked in a kind tone.

  “Maybe. Yeah, maybe. I hate to say it, but sometimes I think I sucked up all the oxygen in the room, and Charles and Tiffany were kind of ignored.”

  “The what?” Maria asked.

  “He means he absorbed all his parent’s attention,” Zack explained.

  Bradley nodded. “Maybe, now that I’m gone, Charles will get the attention he needs.”

  “Sir Northcourt.”

  Rosimund faced Bradley directly, with a serious expression on his face.

  “I understand that you may have regrets about your previous life in another world, but you should know that here, in Forti, we are all immensely grateful for your help.”

  “So is the Goddess!” Maria added.

  “Indeed,” Rosimund nodded. “Without your help, the [Demon King] would lay waste to our kingdom and slaughter the people. You are definitely needed and appreciated here.”

  “Focus on what you can do,” Zack advised. “And try not to dwell on the things you can’t.”

  Bradley sniffed. “Right, thanks, guys.” He rubbed his nose on his sleeve.

  “Ew, Bradley, use a napkin!” Maria pressed a cloth napkin into his hand, and he laughed.

  “Haha, sorry. Okay!” He shoveled the rest of his food into his mouth, chewed, and washed it down with the rest of his glass of water. “Let’s get back to training! We’ve got a kingdom to save!”

  Zack finished his own food as well.

  Having eaten a proper meal for the first time since his summoning, and having taken some time to let his thoughts on the matter settle, he had set aside his misgivings and decided to tell his [Trainer] Barclay about his skills.

  But there would be limitations.

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