Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 60: Quick Acquisition of Appraisal Skill

Now, leaving Senior Camille and Charlois aside, I must head to the royal capital as soon as possible. If I linger in this academy until graduation, I’ll end up consuming two out of the three years. There’s no need to wait for winter break. While I want to explore the dungeon, I’ll change my plans a bit and prioritize acquiring the Appraisal skill.

On Saturday, October 12th, I decided to return home and help organize the warehouse. My parents were surprised by my sudden offer, but they were delighted when I said, “I’ll eventually help with the trading company.” It feels like I’m deceiving them, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Behind my parents, my older brother doesn’t seem amused. But he’s the one who should acquire the Appraisal skill.

However, I know why he became so harsh towards me. He always wanted to be an adventurer. Since childhood, he repeatedly read adventure storybooks, passionately expressing how he wanted to become a powerful warrior to protect me. There was a brotherly charm in that.

But reality was not kind to him. As the heir to the trading company, he could only dream until elementary school. When he entered middle school, he started rebelling, associating with not-so-good friends. In my previous life, I understood both my father’s feelings and my brother’s. However, as Alexis, I have complex feelings towards my deteriorating relationship with my parents and my now cold brother.

So, I couldn’t help but say, “Brother, please help too. Teach me various things.”

However, my brother just clicked his tongue and left, saying, “Do it yourself.” Oh well.

His bad behavior can also be attributed to his classmates. After entering the dormitory from middle school, he not only started rebelling against his parents but also began associating with undesirable friends. Like me, he was a member of the Economics Research Club, but during his time, there was a son of a shady trading company, and he learned some bad habits.

People easily get influenced by their surroundings. Until I regained my memories, I thought it was normal for everyone in the Economics Research Club to gather at the cafe and chat. But looking back, splitting the bill and indulging in cafe conversations every day, from a Japanese perspective, was a bit abnormal. That place was a microcosm of the Commercial Guild, and we were merely imitating adults. If someone brought in negative activities, anyone could get caught up in it, especially defenseless and naive children.

Ignoring my mother’s admonitions, my brother seems to go out for fun every night. While my father says, “He’s a grown man, leave him be,” if he’s not doing it willingly, it’s unfortunate for him. Despite feeling like I’m meddling, I quietly slipped out of the room and followed him.

He keeps walking towards the entertainment district. At night, there are many drunkards and solicitors, and the lack of security is incomparable to the daytime. Not being able to wait for boots, the ones with Akitsu Max on my usual leather shoes came in handy. Floating on the rooftops, I follow his figure.

It’s a good thing I made the sound collection magical tool for later use in the royal capital. However, the material for the concealment enhancement is currently hard to obtain. For now, I can only watch from a distance. From the roof of the building my brother entered, I discreetly listen to the inside.

“Hey, Ollie. You’re making a gloomy face again today.”
“…Shut up. Hey, the usual.”
“Sure thing.”

This is a tavern. It seems like he frequents it enough for the term “usual” to be applicable. Surrounded by rough-looking youths, his voice and demeanor have seamlessly blended in. However, it doesn’t look like a joyful scene. How can I put it? It feels like a salaryman from my previous life, complaining with colleagues over drinks after work. This isn’t the right kind of happiness.

“So, what about Rose?”
“What about her, nothing?”
“Why are you playing hard to get? You even bought her a nice necklace the other day.”
“That was just a coincidence. I found something that looked like it.”

“Oh well, instead of sulking here, how about requesting her by name?”
“You’re annoying.”
“Well, being a regular for the popular Rose from the Red Bird Inn every day is a bit extravagant, isn’t it?”

Note down Rose from the Red Bird Inn. Memo memo. That night, my brother drank with friends and returned home.

The next day, Sunday, October 13th, while diligently organizing the warehouse, I pondered. First, he doesn’t seem to like the idea of inheriting this house much. Also, drinking with friends doesn’t seem that enjoyable for him. On the other hand, what about Rose? Does he want to be with her? But courting a sister from a brothel requires a large sum of money, especially if she’s a top earner. Even if he manages to gather enough money, he can’t possibly marry the lady from the Appel Trading Company. Yeah, the road ahead is tough.

I feel like intervening is unnecessary, but I’ve had a bit of guilt about leaving my parents and him behind to do as I please. Personally, I think, “It can’t be helped,” but as Alexis, who has lived a different life, I’m saying, “I want to do something.” Well, I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll start with gathering information. After all, I’ll be doing similar things in the royal capital. Let’s consider it a rehearsal.

Evaluating 1,000 items in just the weekend is tough. I’ll wrap it up at a suitable point and head to the weapon and armor shops. Infiltrating the dungeon with my usual attire would attract attention since I learned that last week. I casually purchased a knife, leather armor, and a cloak, telling my parents, “A friend had them, and they looked cool.”