Vol 1 Chapter 6 (1/2)

“Then, is this character somewhat complete?”

“Yes, I think it’s all right. However, you really learned quickly.”

I looked at the ground.

Many phonetic shapes written down there.

Those are replaced with 【A】,【B】, etc. on the pop-up display if I looked at it through the Appraisal Skill.

I was learning the alphabet.

Knowing the alphabet was essential to live in this world.

Learning the alphabet wasn’t difficult at all.

While walking around the oasis district, I was observing and stealing glances at the words written on the contracts. I was able to stock up on character vocabulary with this method.

I was also taught by the slaves.

After checking it with Appraisal Skill, I wrote it down and reviewed my work.

Actually, it was thanks to the Appraisal Skill that my learning was steadily progressing.

I was able to instantly understand what this character or that character meant.

It was due to it that I had reached a point where I was able to read and write simple characters.

As long as it was just reading, I was able to manage more difficult content with the Appraisal Skill.

Even though I only started studying three months ago, I was able to roughly memorize all the characters.

Now I just had to learn more words through the power of repet.i.tion.

“However, Mina knows these characters, just like I thought.”

“No, it’s really not that exceptional.”

Mina was being bashful as she smiling sarcastically.

It was still true that I thought it was amazing.

Although this was just an opinion, I felt fairly certain that the literacy rate of this world was pretty low.

『Fantasy Tale』 was based on the Middle Ages, and if I remember right, the literacy rate during those times was around 20%.

In other words, Mina was part of that 20%.

She was an upper-cla.s.s beastman after all.

It made me realize just how great the position of a Shrine Maiden actually was.

“There is no one else in this tent that knows these characters. You are definitely very knowledgeable, Mina.”

“I am honored to receive your praise.”

See? Normally someone wouldn’t respond with such a respectful phrase like “I am honored to receive your praise”.

Maybe it’s just me with my knowledge of modern society in j.a.pan, but usually such speech is indicative of one’s upbringing.

I can’t imagine it’s not the same for this world.

I’ve been told that even if they wanted to learn more eloquent speech, people of low social status rarely got the chance.

That’s why there were so many people incapable of using such fancy speech.

Mina’s speech could be called a refined work of art.

Not only was her tone very clear but her use of honorific language, and even her ability to use humble language, was firmly disciplined.

A solid upbringing that couldn’t possibly be fake.

My evaluation of Mina was thoroughly raised.

It wasn’t a waste of time learning the alphabet.

I had to, in order to master writing all the words in the contracts.

It was possible to write the name on the contract if I used the Appraisal Skill (using Advance Search on my name, I will know what to write by checking the displayed phonetic notation), however, it was not possible to write down all the difficult phrases that might need to be added to the contract details if I didn’t know the words or characters.

Even if I was able to depose Mark, it wouldn’t work out if I couldn’t even write the characters.

The business of a slave merchant only exists because of the contracts; if I couldn’t write up the contracts myself, my business would get crushed immediately.

Therefore, it was best to oust Mark after I was proficient enough with the language to be able to handle the business on my own.

The plan to take over Mark’s business was steadily progressing.

At this rate, it didn’t seem like there’d be anything to worry about once I accomplished my goal.

Deep in my delusions, I smiled in antic.i.p.ation for the days ahead.

“Hey kid, choose appropriate clothes. Don’t you understand how important Mina is?”

One day Mark put me in charge of buying the clothes, hence the command.

Clothes.

It was very unusual to buy clothes for a slave.

Low-level slaves in the tent weren’t given clothes in the first place.