The following morning Robert headed down for breakfast. Elara was nowhere to be seen, so he decided to make a quick run to the General Store before tracking down the girls. He inquired about skill books, hoping for a wide selection. The shopkeeper informed him their stock was limited, but they could place an order with the next caravan – a process that would take several months. Scanning the available titles, Robert was surprised to find two he needed: "Basic Trap Setting for the Young Hunter" and "Feeding and Care for Animals." At 15 silver each, they were an immediate purchase. He also inquired about selling skill books, learning that the viability depended on the specific skill. Intrigued by the possibility of creating and selling skill books as a lucrative venture, he asked about acquiring the necessary materials. The shopkeeper explained that the specialized paper and ink were exclusively available to members of the Trainers Guild. Robert chuckled to himself, it seemed even in this fantastical world, bureaucratic hurdles were unavoidable.


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    Returning to the inn, Robert climbed the stairs to his room and eagerly delved into his new acquisitions. As he suspected, "Basic Trap Setting" was indeed a sub-skill of Hunting, while the other volume unlocked the secrets of Animal Husbandry. A short while later, a knock startled him from his studies. Elara stood in the doorway, a mischievous grin on her face. "Looks like someone needs to work on their morning wake-up call," Robert teased, a smile tugging at his lips. Elara responded with a playful poke of her tongue. "Is breakfast still being served?" "Breakfast? I think you mean lunch, sleepyhead!" Robert chuckled. "Come on, let''s get you fed and find Anya. We''ve got a busy day ahead of us, starting with a shopping trip for some starter gear." Downstairs, Elara eagerly ordered a hearty lunch. As she ate, Robert inquired about Anya, learning that she was at home and that her mother had requested a visit. After getting directions, he waited for Elara to finish her meal, and then they set off to find Anya and her family.


    The journey led them across town to a charming home with a neatly tended garden. Robert and Elara approached the front door and knocked, a ripple of anticipation running through them. A moment later, the door swung open to reveal Mary, her face breaking into a warm smile at the sight of them. "Welcome, welcome!" she greeted, ushering them inside. Mary led them into a cozy living room, where Anya sat beside a woman who Robert presumed to be her mother. Anya sprang to her feet, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The woman rose gracefully, her gaze settling on Robert with a gentle warmth. "You must be Robert," she began, her voice carrying a melodic lilt. "And this, I presume, is young Elara. Please, do come in and have a seat." She gestured towards a plush couch facing them. "I am Lyria, Anya''s mother. We have much to discuss." As Robert and Elara settled onto the couch, Lyria turned to Mary with a grateful smile. "Mary, would you be a dear and bring us some tea?"


    Robert took the opportunity to address Lyria directly while they awaited the tea. "I understand you have some questions, and I want to put your mind at ease," he began, his tone sincere. "Firstly, I want to assure you that I have no romantic interest in either of your daughters. I am happily married with children of my own, older than Anya and Elara." He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Secondly, I have no intention of extorting money from you or taking advantage of your inn. Training Anya alongside Elara is hardly any extra effort, so I see it as a mutually beneficial arrangement." Finally, Robert leaned forward, his gaze steady and reassuring. "Lastly, I would never force anyone to do anything against their will. However, if Anya commits to this path, I do expect her to see it through with dedication and perseverance."


    Lyria considered his words for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "That was refreshingly direct," she admitted, "and it does answer some of my initial concerns. However, it also raises further questions. For instance, you don''t appear old enough to have children older than mine, implying a remarkably high constitution and, consequently, a considerable level of power. Why, then, would someone of your stature take an interest in teaching my children? Surely, such expertise comes at a price." Robert smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Rest assured, Lyria. Your husband has already compensated me adequately. Nothing more is required." Lyria''s brow furrowed, a storm brewing in her gaze. "What exactly did my fool of a husband give up for this ''honor''?" she demanded, her voice laced with suspicion. Robert chuckled softly. "Just his right hand," he replied casually, "which I took in friendship." Confusion swept over Lyria''s face. "Wait," she stammered, "I don''t understand." Robert''s smile widened. "It''s a guy thing," he explained enigmatically. "Don''t worry, all I desired from your husband was friendship. He seems to think I''m getting the better end of the deal, though I''m not so sure."Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Lyria," Robert began, his voice earnest and sincere, "I want to assure you I have no ulterior motives. I''m new to this town, and Elara and I are going to be here for quite some time. It''s in our best interest to build positive relationships with the local community." He paused, meeting her gaze directly. "I genuinely enjoy your husband''s company. He''s straightforward and direct, qualities I greatly appreciate. Having someone to talk to, to confide in... it means a lot to a man far from home." Robert leaned forward, his tone softening. "So yes, in a way, you could say I charged your husband a fee for my training. But it wasn''t the kind of price you might imagine." He offered a warm, reassuring smile. "The currency of trust and companionship is far more valuable to me than any gold or silver."


    Lyria sat in contemplative silence for a moment, absorbing his words. Finally, she nodded slowly. "I see," she conceded. "I believe I understand. However," she added with a touch of firmness, "I think a longer conversation between myself, my husband, and you is in order later on." Her gaze settled on Robert, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "For now, I won''t stand in your way. You may train my daughters, but I expect to see tangible results." Robert smiled, a sense of purpose radiating from him. "Excellent!" he declared, rising to his feet. "Then let''s get started." He crossed the room and settled beside Anya, his demeanor shifting into that of a mentor. "Elara tells me this process can be quite draining," he explained gently, "so let''s begin with the more demanding skill: Nature Magic." Taking Anya''s hand in his, Robert initiated the transfer of knowledge, guiding the mystical energy into her being. Anya gasped, her eyes widening in astonishment as she felt the power surge within her. "Mama!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. "I have it! I have Nature Magic at Tier 2!"


    A wave of satisfaction washed over Robert as Anya successfully grasped Nature Magic. "Excellent!" he encouraged, his smile widening. And so began an afternoon of intensive learning. Over the next few hours, Robert meticulously imparted a vast array of skills to the eager young girl: Hunting, Trapping, Animal Husbandry, Tracking, Herbalism, Foraging, Ranged Weapons, Bladed Weapons, and Short Sword Mastery. By the time he finished, Anya could barely keep her eyes open, the sheer volume of knowledge leaving her pleasantly exhausted. Lyria, her face a mixture of awe and gratitude, helped her daughter up to her room to rest.


    Upon her return, Lyria turned to Robert, her gaze filled with sincerity. "Thank you," she said softly. "I know that in most places, such comprehensive training would be worth a king''s ransom." Robert simply waved her off dismissively. "Think nothing of it," he replied. "And we''re not quite done yet. Mary, come here please." Taking Mary''s hand in his, he attempted to impart Healing Magic. To his satisfaction, she readily absorbed the skill. However, he sensed that her capacity for magic was limited, a fact he accepted without concern. He then proceeded to bestow upon her the knowledge of First-Aid and Herbalism. Though Mary seemed less affected by the influx of information than Anya, Lyria nonetheless insisted she rest as well. "I''ll write out a basic healing spell for her to practice," Robert offered as Mary left the room. "She has the potential to become a skilled midwife."


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    Robert and Elara lingered a while longer, basking in the warmth of their newfound connection with Lyria, before finally taking their leave. Their next destination was the local blacksmith''s forge, where Robert carefully selected two finely crafted shortswords, one for each of the girls. From there, they made their way to the town''s sole armorer. After examining Elara, the armorer expertly measured her for a set of sturdy leather armor, promising a perfect fit. Robert inquired about Anya''s size, and the armorer assured him they had several pieces in stock that should be suitable. "If you bring her by in the morning," he suggested, "we can have something tailored to her in a matter of minutes." Thanking the armorer, Robert and Elara returned to the inn, their errands successfully completed. They enjoyed an early dinner, savoring the delicious food and the quiet companionship, before retiring for the night, ready to embrace the adventures that awaited them.