"Do you want to spend 1 skill point to acquire the Second Profession Selection Skill? Yes or No?"
I hadn't known that was an option, but of course, I selected "Yes."
"You have spent 1 skill point to acquire the Second Profession Selection Skill. Remaining skill points: 72. You can now choose one additional profession from the following options:
0. Do not choose for now.
1. Martial Artist (Staff Techniques)
2. Transfer Mage
Please choose a number from 0 to 2."
I clicked on 2. Just like that, I now held two professions. I had truly advanced!
"Do you want to spend 20 skill points to learn Transfer Level 2? Yes or No?"
Transfer Level 2 sounded appealing; 20 points was a steep cost, but it must be worth it.
"You have spent 20 skill points to learn Transfer Level 2.
This allows the caster to transfer to any location they remember. Additionally, any targets within their perceptual range can also be transferred to a location the caster recalls. There are no distance limitations. Remaining skill points: 52."
The presence of Level 2 meant, as expected, there was more beyond.
"Would you like to spend 30 skill points to learn Transfer Art Level Max? Yes or No?"
Level 3 was the maximum. Thank goodness. Naturally, I selected "Yes."
"You have spent 30 skill points and learned Transfer Art Level Max.
With this, the user can transfer to any location they remember. Additionally, they can transfer any target within their perception range to a location stored in their memory. Transfer is not subject to any restrictions.
You now have 22 skill points left."
Upon analyzing my identity, I found:
Name: Zenjiro Iwanaga
Age: 27
Occupation: Alchemist, Transfer Artist
Skills: Alchemy: Level Max, Item Box: Level Max, Transfer Art Level Max, Staff Techniques: Level 3, Identity Analysis, Second Job Selection
I was down to only 22 skill points, but I felt no regret—at least, I'd like to think so. Setting that aside, what exactly could I do with Transfer Art Level Max?
It didn't seem drastically different from Level 2, but the crucial part was the final line: "Transfer is not subject to any restrictions."
What did that mean? Could it do anything? Surely not.
At the very least, I could transfer to places I remembered, so I decided to test it by transferring to the front of a general store to buy some cloth and rags. If someone was standing where I intended to transfer, it would certainly create a chaotic situation. However, I had faith in Transfer Level Max having no blind spots. Resolutely, I made my decision to transfer.
For a moment, I wondered if I should chant something like a spell, but quickly corrected myself—this was a skill, not magic, so there wouldn't be any incantation. I figured if I focused on it sincerely, it would activate on its own.
Recalling the store, I whispered "Transfer!" to initiate the process. The moment I got to the word "Trans," my surroundings shifted in an instant, and I found myself standing in front of the shop. Though there were people nearby, they seemed unaware of my sudden appearance, looking off in the wrong direction.
Transfer really does work wonders. I stepped inside the shop, loaded up on cloth suitable for dishcloths and cleaning rags, and then used Transfer to materialize in the kitchen.
Let me say it boldly: Transfer is fantastic!
I returned with cloth for dishcloths, cut them to a suitable size, and stored them in a drawer in the kitchen's cupboard. I then cut the rest into rags. Of course, I didn't have any scissors, so I used a knife. To my surprise, it was quite sharp, considering I bought it just a couple of days ago at the shop.
"Hey, I've prepared some rags, so you kids can go ahead and clean up the room," I called to the children, handing them the rags. I had already informed them that the broom and bucket were in the storage shed on the first floor, so they would likely fetch water from the well and get to work cleaning.
I had been thinking of hiring a cook to prepare meals, but since I found myself with plenty of free time, I started to feel like I could cook for myself. However, I had no ingredients on hand and wasn't sure what I could get, so I decided to wait for a while.
My item box contained skewered meat and bread, so I could have made do with that for lunch. Yet, I felt a sudden urge to try using Transfer, so I decided to take the children to a nearby diner instead.
Timing it right as I finished cleaning the children's room, I called out, "Hey, everyone, come downstairs!" I gathered the kids and prepared to Transfer to the first diner I had entered with them. The food hadn't been fantastic, but I would have to make do.
I wasn't entirely sure how to Transfer with the children, but with a max level, I figured there was no point in worrying too much about the details. Just holding hands would probably be sufficient.
To the gathered children, I said, "We're going to the diner now, and it'll be a quick jump. So don't be startled. Now, come closer and take my hand." The four kids might not have fully understood what I said, but they obediently reached for my hands.
"Here we go, Transfer!"
As my surroundings shifted, we found ourselves standing at the entrance of that diner.
The children looked around in wonder.
"Is this…? Can it be that we're in front of the diner, Master?"
"Exactly! Pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"It is! As expected of you, Master, I'm impressed."
"…."
"Now, once we go inside, order whatever you like."
"Yes!" the children chorused.
As we entered the diner, the lady behind the counter seemed to recognize us.
"Oh my, look at you all—what a transformation! It seems you've found a wonderful Master."
It was clear that she understood the children were slaves; anyone would notice their bare feet and simple attire.
After we finished ordering, one of the children asked, "Master, what was that magic you used earlier?"
"It's not magic, but something called Transfer. It lets me jump anywhere I've been before."
"Anywhere?"
"Yes, anywhere! Well, anywhere I know. If I've been there before, I can leap back any time."
Let's see… the places I've visited are mostly limited to this town, and I don't really know that many notable spots. However, before I was taken, I knew many places back in Japan.
"Wait, could it be? Is it possible I can return to Japan? I'm pretty sure there's no limit on Transfer magic at Level Max. Maybe I can actually make it happen. I can't test it now, but I'll have to try once I get the kids back to the mansion.
I suddenly fell silent with a serious expression, and the children looked down, becoming quiet.
"Sorry, sorry! I was just lost in thought. No need to worry," I reassured them.
"Yes!" they all replied eagerly. They're such good and honest kids.
As we were chatting, our food arrived, and we all said "Itadakimasu" together before diving into the meal. The other diners glanced over, curious about us, but quickly returned to their own conversations and meals.
Maybe one day, saying "Itadakimasu" will catch on in this world too. Although, I doubt such a custom will spread from just five of us.
I told the children to order whatever they liked, but they ended up choosing set meals, probably because I ordered a set first. They're still being polite, but perhaps that's just how they are. Still, I made sure to order some drinks on top of that.
When we finished the extra juice, I said, "Thanks for the meal!" and they echoed, "Thanks for the meal!"
"Well, let's head back. I'll use Transfer to get us back to the mansion after we leave the restaurant," I added.
"Yes!" they chimed in unison.
I left more than enough money on the table, just like last time, and we stepped out of the restaurant."
I quickly turned down a side street, waiting for the right moment when no one was around.
"Alright. Just like when we came here, take my hand," I instructed.
As the four of them grasped my hand, I recalled the entrance hall of the mansion and silently chanted 'Transfer' in my mind. In an instant, we had successfully transported ourselves to the mansion's entrance hall.
"I'm heading out now, so you all can do whatever you like until evening. But don't leave the mansion; it's dangerous." With that said, I decided to test if I could use Transfer to return to Japan.
Since my current clothes would draw too much attention if I succeeded, I went back to my room and changed into the outfit I had on when I was abducted to this world: a T-shirt and chinos. I also slipped on some sneakers. In the pockets of my chinos, I had my cash, apartment keys, and my smartphone.
All set. Now, to recall my apartment… here we go!
'Transfer!'
As I opened the door to my apartment, I found myself in a very cramped space that was barely more than a shoe removal area. I left my sandals lying around, so I had set the Transfer point just in front of the apartment door.
'Transfer!'
Before me stood the familiar door of my home. I hadn't been away for long, but it felt strangely nostalgic. Ironically, everything felt so normal that it was as if the experiences in that other world were merely a dream.
As I unlocked the door and stepped inside, a foul odor assaulted my senses. I suddenly remembered that I had left the kitchen garbage behind when I got whisked away to another world. The food waste sitting in the corner of the sink must have been rotting by now. I wouldn't have normally been cooking, but somehow I had discarded something destined to decay in that corner.
When I took off my shoes and glanced at the kitchen sink, I saw that the food waste was covered in green, white, and yellow mold, emitting a horrible stench. Most of it seemed almost dried out, so it had likely been much worse before. If the smell had stirred up a commotion, the police might have been called, but thankfully, the situation didn't escalate that far.
My home, a tiny six-tatami mat room combined with a dining area, felt cramped now, though I hadn't noticed it before. The addition of a makeshift unit bathroom made it feel even more confined.
In an effort to air out the musty scent, I pulled back the thin curtain in the six-tatami mat room and flung open the window. Afterward, I opened the small window in front of the kitchen, and a gust of wind rushed in, sweeping the foul odor out of the room.
I yanked off the bag covering the garbage in the corner and tossed it into the bin meant for burnable waste. Since I had lined the bin with a garbage bag, I removed it, tied it shut, and stashed it away in my item box for now.
I thought that if I just tossed things into the material box in the alchemy workshop, they might be used as some kind of resource, even if they were just trash. However, I dislike the idea of wasting them, so I need to make sure to put them out for collection on the designated trash day. Given that I probably would forget, it's natural that I added a note saying "if possible."
After taking out the garbage, I sprayed chlorine bleach in the triangular sink area and around it, then let it sit for a while before scrubbing the entire sink with a sponge coated in aluminum.
Next, I connected my nearly dead smartphone to the charger. Just as I finished that task, a sudden realization hit me. I had returned safely to Japan, but if my skills were limited to another world, I wouldn't have been able to come back. In that sense, I acted thoughtlessly without considering the children.