Chapter 20: Professionals, Paths, and Class Rank 1
"I’ll briefly explain the basic knowledge about Professionals to you then."
Groln closed the door, pulled out a stool casually, and motioned for Gauss to sit with him.
"In this world, there are all kinds of races. You must have noticed in daily life—most commonly dwarves, gnomes, halflings, and half-orcs. These races aren’t much different from us humans, apart from some physical features and appearances."
"But there are also some special races like Dragonborn, Elves, Beastmen, Merfolk, Banshees, and Dragons who are innately endowed with powers beyond that of humans. These are gifts inherited from their bloodline."
"Apart from the powers innately carried by race, those who develop extraordinary abilities through training and effort are called Professionals."
"Through the efforts of countless pioneers, many unknown professional paths were explored, though most have been lost to history, waiting to be rediscovered by the fated. The more mainstream paths, however, have been passed down through generations."
Gauss listened intently.
He knew how rare this opportunity for guidance was—to find a Professional willing to share their knowledge freely.
"Warrior, Warlock, Mage, Ranger, Druid, Rogue..."
"These mainstream professions are the most stable and offer a higher potential ceiling, making them suitable for advancement across many races."
"That said, 'suitable' is only relative. In reality, crossing the threshold from ordinary person to Professional is an extremely difficult process."
"Out of ten fairly talented Adventurers, perhaps only one might become a Professional, or even fewer."
"I suppose you’ve already encountered some basic skills related to Professionals? Things like sword techniques, battle skills, or magic."
Groln's throat felt dry as he spoke, so he poured water for both himself and Gauss, looking at him with certainty in his gaze.
Gauss nodded.
There was nothing to hide.
Since Groln was offering knowledge about Professionals for free, being evasive would be impolite.
"Yes. I’ve already mastered one Tier 0 cantrip—Mage Hand—and also a Tier 1 spell—Magic Missile."
*Cough cough—*
Groln, who had been calmly sipping water, immediately choked.
"Seems your talent is even better than I imagined."
After calming himself, his expression toward Gauss became complicated.
"You probably mastered both spells suddenly after awakening your magical energy, right?"
Gauss nodded.
Although it was a reward from the Adventurer’s Handbook, it indeed happened quite suddenly.
Groln looked like he had just received confirmation, his expression one of "as expected."
"You’ve got good luck and talent. Maybe you don’t understand where your magic came from."
No, I do understand, Gauss thought silently, but he didn’t interrupt Groln.
"Some say this kind of sudden enlightenment is divine grace. Others believe our world is already filled with all kinds of battle techniques and magical inheritances, but most people will never encounter them in their lifetime. Occasionally, someone lucky like you will be granted a chance to inherit such power."
"Apart from sudden insights, most people have to learn skills like battle techniques or magic through books or by being taught by other Professionals. Only with lots of practice can they hope to master them."
The reason Groln guessed Gauss had a sudden insight rather than learning was simply because Gauss lacked access to magical resources.
"So, Store Manager, does mastering a battle skill or spell make one a Professional?"
"No no no, of course not," Groln shook his head. "That’s just the first step, the most basic threshold. We often call this stage a Professional Apprentice."
"To become an official Professional, you first need to train your chosen skill until you’re extremely proficient in it."
"How proficient? There’s no quantitative standard—it all depends on individual perception."
"And when you’ve trained the skill to a suitable degree, you’ll start to feel a mysterious guiding force from the surrounding world."
"This guidance is known as the Professional Path."
"The Professional Path will condense a formless existence within your body—a Class Rank."
"Class Rank is the source of a Professional’s power. To this day, we still can’t precisely define it."
"The mainstream view is that it’s a product of this world’s rules. When we embark on a Professional Path and consistently follow it, we can gradually grow stronger."
Gauss listened with partial understanding, but joy still bloomed in his heart. His Adventurer’s Handbook could quantify skills, giving him an unmatched advantage.
"So what I need to do now is practice one spell until I’m extremely proficient, and then I’ll receive guidance to set foot on the Mage’s Professional Path?"
"In simple terms, yes. But in practice, it’s not that easy," Groln nodded. "To practice a skill to the point of receiving guidance takes a huge amount of time. Many people can’t achieve it in a lifetime."
"That’s where guidance from a master comes in."
"Even if you complete that stage and reach the guidance phase, there are still difficulties ahead."
"The Professional Path will subtly modify the body of the Professional. Some people can’t adapt to these changes and may need potions, reagents, a class-changing ritual, or some special artifacts to assist. The specific advancement method varies depending on the profession and individual body. Only when the Class Rank is fully condensed can one be considered a Level 1 Professional."
"Becoming a Professional typically takes one or two years at the shortest, or several decades at the longest."
...
"Thank you, Manager Groln!"
When Gauss stood to leave, his mind had already been filled with vast knowledge about Professionals.
He stood and gave Groln a deep bow.
In this world, no one would help you for no reason.
Even if Groln was a nice person, knowledge about Professionals was something few would willingly pass on for free.
It was simple: Professionals needed resources—whether armor, weapons, or supplements for cultivation.
Resources were limited.
Guiding one more Professional meant one more competitor.
Groln likely saw potential in him and wanted to build a good relationship. Or perhaps his past work experience here had helped.
Either way, Groln had shared many secrets of Professionals with him.
For example, if he wanted to become a Mage, it was best to have a wand.
A wand gave great benefits to Mages, not only in combat but also by accelerating daily spell practice.
And the Life Magic Stone he had was one of the materials used to make a wand.
Toward the end, Groln seemed to realize he had said a bit too much and hurriedly added that he had heard it all from a Professional friend.
Gauss naturally didn’t expose him.
The two maintained mutual understanding in silence.
"Store Manager, I’ll head out now."
"Alright, come back and visit me if you get the chance."
Groln waved his hand, watching Gauss walk away, his gaze turning distant.
It was as if he saw himself from decades ago—leaving home with lofty ambitions.
Back then, he too had been full of spirit and dreams.
Professionals—or rather, Adventurers—were extraordinary people, living the kind of daring lives that others feared to touch.
"Manager! I’ve decided. I want to become an Adventurer like Gauss! I don’t want to be a blacksmith anymore!"
"Marin... I’m going to say something that might hurt you."
"I think blacksmithing suits you better."