Ackster's gaze didn't sharpen because of the texts themselves but because of where Wilma had taken them out from. The table wasn't anything special. It was a flat wooden slab perched on four legs. There was no room for storage underneath. If there were, Ackster would see it unless magic veiled it.
But, rather than magic, there was another explanation that further confirmed that it had been a wise choice not to try and force Wilma into spilling the details when she had revealed the Guild's special forces to him. Her Nomi had an inventory.
Having an inventory didn't mean she was a combatant, but one of the most straightforward ways to get an inventory was to be strong. A-rank at the minimum. Combined with what she had said about his newbie movements, Ackster could confirm that Wilma was more than a beautiful bespectacled receptionist.
But, Ackster wasn't frightened or worried after confirming Wilma's status once again. He already knew she wasn't to be trifled with. He was just a little envious since he wanted an inventory of his own. Unfortunately, he wasn't strong enough to go looking for the materials yet. It would also be a lot easier to do after getting started on his mana.
'That's the next stop, then.'
Ackster decided on his next destination after the Sea God Temple. An inventory would make a lot of things more convenient. And if he was going to continue getting skills he wasn't sure about, he might as well go all out and continue upgrading and expanding his Nomi as much as possible. But that was a later matter.
What was right in front of him at the moment was more important since it was what would take him to that point. Hopefully.
"Information on how to get skills?"
Ackster reached for the stack of papers, scrolls, and pamphlet-like books. There weren't that many, but if each one was a different skill, he was looking at five new skills at least. However, before Ackster could grab them, Wilma put her hand on them and pinched them to the table so that he couldn't take them. Ackster raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a questioning glance.
She had said the Guild would provide him with all the support he needed until he was strong enough to repay it. Ackster knew that Wilma knew what she had said, so he didn't even bother voicing his doubts. Wilma would explain why it looked like she was going back on her word.
"Not so fast. I pulled some strings and got you a couple of good ones. I need some assurance that you'll be worth it."
Ackster frowned.
"Why?"
"Why do I need some assurance?"
Ackster gave Wilma a sharp look. It wasn't razor-sharp since he wasn't going to display such clear hostility. It was more like the sharpness of a butter knife. But it was enough to convey Ackster's displeasure.
"You went and did something on your own, pulling strings and what-not. Don't get me wrong, the better the skills I get, the happier I am. But I only asked for skills and how to get them. Shouldn't you take responsibility for your own actions?"
Since Wilma had gone out of her way, or so she claimed, to get Ackster even better skills than what he would have gotten otherwise, Ackster would have been grateful. But getting asked to do something or provide something unnecessary because Wilma had done something on her own didn't sit right with Ackster.
It wasn't about doing favors for each other or owing something to Wilma. It was because Wilma was forcing him to play her game. She was trying to dig her claws deeper into Ackster for whatever reason, and he didn't like it.
"Tch. Guess your pretty face isn't an empty shell."
Ackster frowned. He felt like he was being tested. But he didn't say anything and just waited for Wilma to continue.
"Alright, fine. I would appreciate a show of gratitude, even if it's just that, a show. But it's not necessary."
Wilma sighed and slid the stack across the table to Ackster.
"There are a few different ones, but I mostly focused on strengthening and fortification, as you asked. Fortify, Guardian, Iron Wall, Block. I tried to look for more Iron-related skills, but I couldn't find anything concrete."
"Thanks."
Ackster grabbed the texts and began flipping through them to see what the contents were or if he could even understand them, which he could, thankfully.
"Um…."
"Yes…?"
Wilma began saying something, but since she hesitated so much, Ackster had to urge her to continue. He knew that if Wilma wanted to say it, she would, and if she didn't, she wouldn't. But he didn't have the patience to wait her out, not when he had keys to increasing his strength in his hand.
"There is one more…."
"But…?"
"I'm not sure I should tell you about it."
"Since you've already made up your mind, just do it. Stop wasting time."
Wilma pouted at Ackster's brusque attitude.
"You're no fun."
"You're not any better. This charade is getting long-winded. What happened to the cool beauty type?"
"Anyways."
Wilma ignored Ackster pointing out her change in character.
"I won't beat around the bush. This last skill isn't a regular skill like those in your hand, and it might do you more harm than good."
"You're beating around the bush a whole lot for someone who said they wouldn't do that."
"I'm not. I'm giving you some essential information."
Wilma gave Ackster a stern look as he slumped back in his chair and looked around the room, feigning disinterest.
"Okay?"
"Man, you were a lot cuter before."
"I could say the same. I can also tell you that I'm leaving if you don't get to the point."
"Ugh, fine. I'm serious about it doing you more harm than good, you know!"
"Okay."
"It's something called Nold's Secret Skeleton Refinement Technique."
"Sounds interesting."
Ackster leaned forward and rested his elbows against the table as he no longer looked like he was in detention.
"That's… One way to put it. The only reason I'm even mentioning it is because you clearly have a pretty decent recovery rate. And if you manage to get your hands on some good materials…."
Wilma winked.
'Knew it. Jim's in on it.'
"...Or a self-regeneration skill, this secret technique might actually be beneficial to you. But you should know that out of everyone who's tried to learn and put it to practice, no one has come very far. It's despairingly difficult to do it right and mindbreakingly painful when doing it right."
"But you're saying that it's worth it, despite the difficulty and pain?"
"If you succeed and get far enough, yes. If the madman who made it is to be believed, the strength boost is proportional to the pain. And, since it's painful enough to literally make someone go crazy, it should be worth it as long as you don't lose your mind."
Wilma had a serious face as she locked eyes with Ackster, who didn't look like he was taking things as seriously as she wanted him to.
"Great. I'll take it."