As expected of a large city’s shopping district, a wide variety of stores lined the streets, packed closely together. The flow of people, the vibrant colors of the shops, and the drifting scents all blended together, making it feel as if this place was in a world of its own.
Though I had lived in Wigarlus for a long time, I couldn’t help but feel excited every time I came back.
We strolled leisurely through the open-air market together—though it didn’t take long before everyone tried to wander off to their favorite spots, which made it a bit of a struggle.
I was holding little Miti’s hand to make sure she didn’t get lost.
“Sniff, sniff.”
Suddenly, Miti twitched her nose. It was an adorable gesture to witness from the side.
“Teacher! There’s a mushroom! A mushroom!”
“Mushroom?”
“Over here!”
Led by her hand, I followed, and sure enough, there was a stall selling mushrooms.
“You really noticed that… Despite all the food stalls around here, the smells all blend together.”
“Miti has the best nose in the orphanage, Isto-sensei.”
It was Gloza, who had come up behind us.
He was holding a hemp bag in one hand, which seemed to be filled with ‘loot,’ probably accessories and trinkets.
Most likely, Sutei had shoved it onto him as a bag carrier. I couldn’t help but sympathize, as I might have done the same.
“Rough day, Gloza. Want me to carry it?”
“No, it’s fine. This is usual for me. Besides, if I let Sutei carry it, she’d drop it or bump into something and break it. I’ll hold onto it.”
He let out a small sigh and smiled slightly.
“If things get really out of hand, I’ll shove it back at him without hesitation. That kid may look reckless, but she’s smart enough to realize when he’s made a mistake and quiets down after that.”
“You’re quite the strategist.”
It seemed my gut feeling that Gloza was the group’s shadow leader was spot on.
Meanwhile, Miti was completely engrossed in the mushroom stall.
“Miti really loves mushrooms, doesn’t she?”
Gloza remarked as I took a closer look at the lineup of the stall. The stall not only had several types of mushrooms displayed, but they were also making a stew full of mushrooms right next to it. The smell was incredibly appetizing.
Even though I had eaten plenty at the branch manager’s place, I couldn’t help but stare at the pot.
“Hey there, little lady. If you like mushrooms that much, how about I make you a special soup with the ones you like?”
The woman running the stall smiled as she spoke, causing Miti’s face to light up.
“Really?”
“Sure! Which one do you want?”
“Then, this one!”
She pointed at a strange, thin, and twisted mushroom that I had never seen before.
Hey… is that okay, Miti?
Despite my concern, the mushroom vendor grinned even more.
“Oh my! Choosing the Nebumatake? You’ve got a discerning eye, little miss. I like you. I’ll put in plenty!”
“Yay!”
Miti cheered with one arm raised, while her other hand was still firmly holding mine.
The woman skillfully began preparing the mushroom.
Suddenly, Miti let out a sharp, “Ah!”
“Wait! That’s not a Nebumatake; that’s a Dazumatake!”
“Huh? What are you saying? All these here are Nebumatake.”
“I’m not lying! I can smell it!”
“Smell, huh.”
The vendor looked at me with a slightly troubled expression.
Miti also glanced up at me, her eyes pleading with the certainty that she wasn’t lying.
For a child as timid as her to insist this much…
I had an idea.
“Miti, hold still for a second. Ma’am, could you give me just a moment?”
With both of them looking puzzled, I reached out and touched Miti’s ear.
“Gifted Skill: Awakening Appraisal.”
I whispered, and light poured from my hand, enveloping Miti’s Fate Drop.
“Monitoring Lv.1 activated. Displaying the target’s skills. Mushroom Appraisal.”
I turned to the vendor.
“Sorry, but this kid isn’t lying. Could you please double-check?”
“Well, I mean, I’m a professional…”
At that moment, a man walked over from the back of the stall. He had a well-tanned, sturdy appearance.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, you. This customer is saying our Nebumatake is actually Dazumatake, and they won’t budge.”
“Huh?”
The tough-looking man glared at me and Miti. I gently patted Miti’s head as she flinched.
“It’s okay. I believe in you, Miti.”
“Teacher…”
Miti clung tightly to my arm with both hands.
“Hmm!?”
Suddenly, the man’s expression shifted.
“Well, I’ll be damned! You’re right! There’s definitely a Dazumatake mixed in here!”
“What!? But the cap has ridges. That’s a Nebumatake trait!”
“You fool. These were harvested a while ago. If it were Nebumatake, the ridges would have faded more by now.”
“Oh! That’s true. I nearly made a big mistake.”
“Hmm. Looks like there was just this one mixed in. Let me see.”
The man picked up the questionable mushroom, cautiously sniffed it, then placed a small piece on his tongue for a moment.
“Yep, no doubt. It’s a poisonous Dazumatake. My wife almost gave you something dangerous. Sorry about that.”
“Really, I’m so sorry!”
The couple bowed their heads.
“But still, little miss, you’re amazing. To tell mushrooms apart by smell alone, especially Nebumatake and Dazumatake, which are tough to distinguish.”
“Exactly. Hey, little lady, how about working for us? If you study hard, you could become a top-notch artisan.”
The man leaned in, causing Miti to fidget awkwardly.
I stepped forward to shield her.
“If there’s ever an opportunity, please teach her about mushrooms. But for today, our family is waiting, so we’ll take our leave.”
“That’s a shame. What’s your name, little lady?”
“…Miti.”
“Miti, huh? We’re usually around here, so come by anytime. I’ll teach you about rare mushrooms and gathering spots.”
“…Really?”
Miti looked up at me. I smiled and nodded.
“If you find something you love, I’ll be happy too.”
“…Okay, I got it!”
Miti turned back to the mushroom-selling couple.
“I’ll come again! Thank you!”
“Looking forward to it!”
“See you later, Miti!”
Ah.
This is how each person starts discovering what they want to do.
I nodded to myself, feeling like I had just learned the most important use for Awakening Appraisal.
