We returned to the mirrored chamber and the whole room began to shake.
Like usual, the tremor only happened for a few seconds before it completely stopped.
The number on the only shining mirror had changed once more.
[Climb the tower and save the world!]
[Main dungeon]
[Floor conquered - 4 -]
We had climbed up to the fourth floor now.
So far we had not encountered major challenges in the trials.
Our preparation in the lobby had always been sufficient for the enemies we had encountered up to the fourth floor.
It was even more reassuring when I had capable comrades to rely on.
"I got a new skill during the trial."
Jonah spoke up.
Judging how he was staring into thin air, he was checking his status window.
"What skill did you get?"
Trudy asked.
"'Spear-throwing.' I got it when I launched the finishing blow on the monsters earlier."
He told.
"You should work on improving that skill. You would definitely become more versatile in combat."
I said to the shepherd.
"But if I throw my spear around, I'll end up losing my weapon. I only did it earlier because I knew we would be finishing the trial if I killed them."
"Not a problem. We can have Gerrits make you smaller spears for you to throw around. A set of light ones you can carry on your back."
I proposed to him.
"Doesn't that mean I need to get used to switching between my main spear and the throwing spears?"
"Naturally. Why? You don't want to do it?"
Jonah quickly shook his head.
"N-no! I will do it! If you think it's important for me to learn spear-throwing, then I will work hard to master it!"
"If you master spear-throwing, it'll be harder for us to spar with you. You keep getting stronger every day, shepherd!"
Shanny spoke up.
"Indeed. But you're one to talk too, Shanny. It's hard to believe we began learning how to fight on the same day."
Trudy commented with a smile.
"Honestly, I've never seen anyone train as hard as you folks back in my village."
Cecily added in the end.
I watched my comrades complimented each other about their strengths and the amount of effort they put in training.
It was definitely a reassuring scene that I was in a good party.
If only I could turn back time and told them that all their effort and strength were nowhere near enough for our future trials…
After clearing the fourth floor, our party disbanded to the square.
Right at the same time, master was summoning another party to enter the trials.
Jonah and the others decided to resume their training like always. While I made my way back to the magic hall.
I spent the rest of my day researching and practicing my fire magic.
It was almost midnight when I was done with my activities.
I left the magic hall and returned to the lodging. Everyone had turned in for the night once I got there.
As I was making my way back to my room, I stumbled upon an opened door.
It was Trudy's room.
I took a glance inside and saw Trudy diligently writing something on a book.
"You're working hard."
I said to her as I knocked on the door.
"Serafina! W-well, ever since the magic hall was built, you've been putting training hours more than any of us, actually."
I ignored her compliment and turned to the book.
"What were you writing?"
"Ah, this? I was just making a list."
"A list?"
I examined the writing on the pages.
'Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Shield Technique, Basic Spearmanship, Basic Archery, Composure, Savage…Pain Resistance, Fire Resistance…Spear-throwing…'
The list went on. Even to cooking and blacksmithing and carpentry.
Not just that, there were even detailed descriptions on what each skill does.
"These are comprehensive writing of everyone's skills, Trudy."
"Yeah. I've been going around and writing them down. If you don't mind, I would like to list yours too."
"Why are you doing this?"
Trudy paused for a moment before answering. She had a slight bitter look on her face.
"I'm just trying to find a way to become stronger."
"Stronger? Haven't you been training hard all this time to do just that?"
"Yeah, but the gap between me and Jonah and Shanny is getting bigger by the day. I find it hard to catch up to them now."
I could see why Trudy felt this way.
Indeed. Though the three of them were on level 5 when we tried the fourth floor, it was apparent how lacking Trudy's combat skill compared to Jonah and Shanny.
The gap between them in overall strength would be even wider too now that Jonah and Shanny had reached level 6.
In terms of skills, Trudy's swordsmanship was still at level 2. She barely got it up one level after the lobby's blessing was implemented.
Meanwhile, Shanny's Sword-Shield Technique had recently reached level 4 and now Jonah had obtained a new weapon skill.
Those two could overwhelm a 2-star like Cecily if they wanted to.
Although all three of them were 1-stars, their growth rate was strikingly different.
"So, after seeing the others' skills, have you found a way to improve yourselves?"
I asked.
"No, not yet. Although I'm thinking of learning dagger skill. Cecily learned it when she was practicing without her bow. I'll try to learn that and see if I'm any good with it too."
"In that case, why don't you consider changing your main weapon altogether?"
"I tried it. But I handled spears and bows even worse than when I first held a sword."
"Then I suppose you should work hard on mastering the sword."
"Don't worry. I promise to be better and become a much more reliable member to our party!"
Trudy exclaimed with high spirit.
Unfortunately for her, master was running out of patient.