After the uncomfortable long carriage ride back to Lago, the short walk to the farm was refreshing. As we enter the forecourt a smiling Rin meets us. She must be missing our company. Surely she didn't stay on the farm the whole time we were away? She agreed to look after the place, but I didn't intend for her to be trapped here. "Was it lonely without us?" I overhear Lynne's question and strain my ears to hear the response. "Carna came by once, but otherwise I was all alone. I didn't want to leave the place since I said I would look after it." Feeling a ton of guilt I interrupt their chat. "Sorry, I didn't mean for you stay here all the time." Rin smiles and tells me it is ok. She is smiling a lot more at least.

The next morning I head into town to check in with the guild. As I enter the gate I am wondering how long it has been since I first came to this town. It feels like forever, but it can't have been much more than a month. Never was good at keeping track of time. It is further confused by the different definitions of months and weeks in this world. There are still 12 months in the year, and 4 seasons, even though there is limited difference between the 4 seasons. I guess that is why they call them quarters rather than seasons. The most confusing thing of the definitions is that a week is 5 days and all months are 30 days. One year is a full circle of 360 days. I mathematician must have made this calendar. No way for me to know if it is accurate.

At the reception one of the receptionists seems happy to see me. "Perfect timing. I was just reviewing your file and adding the latest updates." Without any hesitation she continues with her briefing. "After your performance at the tournament, and in light of your excellent track record both your guild rank and trust rank has gone up. You are now a C rank hunter with a level 4 trustworthy ranking." Very good news indeed. I did not expect the tournament to count so much in my favor, but I guess it is a good way of measuring strength in a public and accountable environment.

"Also, considering your performance at the archery and spear tournaments, your skill levels have been adjusted." That makes sense. The only reason I didn't get a level 5 Master skill ranking in archery was due to Karil not being able to sign one off. Expert level 4 for spearmanship is a much better reflection of my actual skill as well. With more experience I should be able to justify a Master level on spears as well. I have realized that my Master Boost skill is rather unnatural, and the skills that are boosted are almost fake until I gain experience. Bit like having a magic skill without knowing how to make magic.

Actually, to get a skill you need at least a basic level of knowledge and experience. Skill are not overpowered like in a game, but rather a reflection of someone's learned skill. The main difference seems to be that the skill fueled by the life force give the natural ability an unnatural boost relative to the ability of the individual, though my speculations seems to have hit a wall. There is still a lot I don't understand about this world.

My level is still quite low for a C rank. Both Lak and Teckar are level 18, and Nadi is level 17. All are the same rank as I have just become and I am only a level 12. I am running low on money as well after the expensive holiday to the city. That old mage drank a lot more than I thought possible, but considering the knowledge I got it was a bargain. Even though I would love to just sit around the farm experimenting with magic, I badly need to make some money and raise my level. There does appear to be an expectation that hunters take on regular work of some form. Better prepare a hunting trip to the wilderness.

Just for reference I ask the receptionist. "I have been spending a lot of time training and learning lately rather than hunting or taking on jobs through the guild. Is there a minimum requirement of work that a hunter needs to undertake?" The girl smiles friendly and give a lengthy answer.

"You should not need to worry. Though it is frowned upon if an hunter does not undertake any form of work, particularly if they live off other hunters, most can't afford to stay inactive for long. The only ones who earn enough to spend long periods away from any form of work are higher ranked hunters, but higher ranked hunters are the backbone of the guild, and command respect regardless of them actively hunting or not. There isn't a fixed minimum, but if a hunter does not undertake any form of work, even commercial work, it usually means something else is wrong."

Not sure how I am to interpret that. At first she tells me not to worry, then she tells me something else might be wrong without elaborating. Should I ask her what she means or just brush if off and leave. I end up choosing the second option. Why worry! I got enough friends in the guild to vouch for me if need be.