The class ended while I was experimenting in my mind. If not for Fina calling me to move multiple times, I might've just stayed at the shooting range.
"Solace, I just can't keep my eyes off you." [Fina]
Dragged around by Fina, I followed her back to the dorms.
("Is school over for her already?") [Solace]
I watched her sit by the desk next to her bed. I guess it was time to do homework.
"First… Homeroom." [Fina]
Taking out the textbook from the first class I attended with her, she began to write on an empty sheet of paper.
"What could each section mean?" [Fina]
("Oh, she's doing homework on |Appraisal|.") [Solace]
I materialized myself behind her, peeking over her shoulder without FIna noticing.
("Let's take a look.") [Solace]
I attempted to read the textbook, but the language was too complicated. After attempting to read it multiple times, the Spirit Guide spoke.
"|Mystic Tongue| has leveled up." [Spirit Guide]
As soon as I heard those words, the writing in the textbook started to become clearer.
("Formula of Appraisal?") [Solace]
After reading it slowly, I came to an understanding of how it works.
"You have acquired |Appraisal|." [Spirit Guide]
("Huh?") [Solace]
I was left confused. I thought to myself that I've never seen |Appraisal| being activated, but I soon realized it must've been the clear rectangular plate Fina summoned before.
("...So how do I use it?") [Solace]
Thinking deeply, I simply did the first thing that came to mind.
"Uh… |Appraisal|!" [Solace]
"Target invalid." [Spirit Guide]
("Target invalid?") [Solace]
The Spirit Guide's response was a bit surprising, but I somewhat had a feeling it would speak.
("...So I need to select a target.") [Solace]
Thinking about how |Appraisal| works, I tried to recall back to the first class.
("Things to take note of. One, it makes the target uncomfortable. I remember that much. Two, it makes a clear plate appear.") [Solace]
I tried thinking of other things to take note of, but nothing else came to mind.
("If it makes the target uncomfortable, then I guess I won't be using it on Fina. I think I'll just use it on myself.") [Solace]
I focused on myself, thinking it would set me as the target. After focusing for an amount I found satisfactory, I attempted to cast the spell.
"|Appraisal|" [Solace]
"|Appraisal| has been activated." [Spirit Guide]
A clear screen appeared before me, somehow barely out of Fina's view.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name: Solace
Race: Lesser Spirit
Gender: ???
Age: ???
Level: 2
Health: 100/100
Mana: 50/50
Strength: 14
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 6
Willpower: 10
Status: Stable
Skills: |Mystic Tongue Lv. 2| |Appraisal Lv. 1| |Appraisal Resistance Lv. 1| |Liquid Bullet Lv. 1| |Ashen Arrow Lv. 1| |Flame Cannon Lv. 1| |Wind Edge Lv. 1|
Unique Skill: N/A
Titles: |Contracted Spirit Of The Unfortunate Summoner|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
("Woah!") [Solace]
It had numbers and words placed all over. Unlike before, I was able to see what was on it.
("Is this what Fina saw back in class?") [Solace]
I read through all the information displayed before me, leaving me confused as to what was going on.
("Why are my age and gender question marks? ...And what is this title?") [Solace]
I floated in the air for a moment, processing the information I just received.
("Actually, what should I call this clear plate?") [Solace]
After brainstorming a bit, I tossed aside my creativity and stole a name from a few inspirations back from earth.
("Let's call it a "status plate".") [Solace]
After naming the status plate, I started to panic after a realization.
("...How do I put it away?") [Solace]
I became worried that Fina would turn around any moment, but it still seemed like she was stuck in her own world.
("Calm down… Fina is still in study mode. Let's just try a few things.") [Solace]
I used whatever came in mind. Saying |Appraisal| didn't work, and saying "Go away" was a waste of effort. The last thing I could do was ask the Spirit Guide.
("Spirit Guide, how do I make |Appraisal| disappear?") [Solace]
"You have chosen to delete |Appraisal| from the skill list. Do you wish to proceed?" [Spirit Guide]
("What?! No! Cancel!") [Solace]
"Deletion of |Appraisal| has been canceled." [Spirit Guide]
Though I wasn't really sure whether or not I still had a heart, it was definitely racing.
("That was close…") [Solace]
The attempt failed. I had to think of another way to approach the problem.
("Spirit Guide, turn off |Appraisal|.") [Solace]
"You have chosen to seal the skill |Appraisal|. This action cannot be undone. Do you wish to proceed?" [Spirit Guide]
("N-No! Cancel!") [Solace]
I failed again. The play on words was killing me, in a spiritual sense that is.
("How can I fix this…?") [Solace]
As I failed over and over, Fina began to move.
"Finally done!" [Fina]
She stood up, and started to turn around.
("C-Crap! She's going to see it!") [Solace]
Gears churned in my head, sparing no effort to think up a solution in time. In the split second that Fina was going to see me, an idea came to me.
("Cancel |Appraisal|!") [Solace]
Fina turned around the moment I screamed that within my mind, and the plate vanished just in time.
"Hm?" [Fina]
Fina looked at me in surprise, striking me with fear and a single question.
("...Did she see it?") [Solace]
After a moment of silence, Fina spoke.
"You…" [Fina]
("...") [Solace]
"Came out without my permission again. How many times have I told you not to do that?" [Fina]
I breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't look like she saw me using |Appraisal|.
"Next time, at least appear in front of me." [Fina]
Fina began to lecture me as if I was a child, which basically all went in one ear and out the other.
"-Got that?" [Fina]
Bobbing up and down, I pretended to understand.
"Good." [Fina]
Stretching after lecturing me, she grabbed her bag and dragged me to the front door.
("Where are we going now?") [Solace]
Unable to speak words, I was left there to be pulled around.
("I need to learn a spell to speak...") [Solace]