Adventurer of Many Professions

"Raymond!"

Sylph's voice snapped Raymond out of his daze, her frustration evident as she marched up to him. "Why didn't you follow me just now?"

Raymond blinked, his mind still half elsewhere. "Didn't I catch up?" he replied casually.

While technically true, Raymond hadn't been entirely on time. Sylph had bolted ahead so quickly that by the time he'd arrived, the adventurers had already recognized her as the 'Explosion Mage' and dispersed in shame.

To be fair, Raymond thought, it was a good thing Sylph had gone ahead first. Her reputation had been enough to send the group packing without further conflict. If he'd confronted them alone, things likely would've escalated into a shouting match or worse, left him open to ridicule from the surrounding adventurers.

But Raymond hadn't been idly standing there for no reason. As he approached the scene, a notification had appeared on his panel, informing him of newly detected skills. Curious, he'd paused to take a look.

On the panel, five skills had been listed:

- Wind Slash [Swordsman], learning cost: 2 skill points.

- Cross Slash [Swordsman] [Warrior], learning cost: 1 skill point.

- Flame Arrow [Magician], learning cost: 1 skill point.

- Rockfall [Magician], learning cost: 1 skill point.

- Powerful Slash [Warrior], learning cost: 1 skill point.

Raymond had focused only on the swordsman and warrior skills, dismissing the magician skills for now. After all, he didn't plan to dabble in magic anytime soon. Even Sylph's powerful 'Explosion Fireball' skill hadn't tempted him when it appeared on the panel yesterday.

The memory of that skill made Raymond shake his head in disbelief. It wasn't just its insane power that had caught his attention, it was the sheer difficulty and cost of learning it.

Explosion Fireball [Magician] [Upgradeable]:

- Requirements: Magic value of at least 1,000 points and fire magic must be used to kill 100 monsters.

- Learning cost: 10 skill points.

It was the first skill Raymond had ever seen that came with such stringent requirements, not to mention the outrageous cost of 10 skill points. The highest-cost skill he'd encountered before this had only required 5 points.

'No wonder explosive magic is so famous,' Raymond thought. 'But for me? I'll pass. Sylph's more than enough for our team.'

Sylph's voice pulled him back to the present. She was glaring at him with her vibrant green eyes, clearly expecting an explanation. But after a moment, she sighed and waved it off. "Forget it. Let's just focus on getting the promotion commission for Black Iron."

"Agreed," Lorene chimed in, nodding.

They had already decided on their way to the guild that today's goal was to complete a promotion commission and advance to the 'Black Iron Level'.

"Let's go," Raymond said, taking the lead as the three of them headed toward the counter where promotion commissions were issued.

---

Promotion commissions differed from regular ones. Instead of being posted on the public commission board, they were handled at a dedicated counter. The guild prepared these assignments specifically for adventurers aiming to advance in rank.

As Raymond walked through the guild hall with Sylph and Lorene flanking him, he noticed the stares. Adventurers all around them had stopped what they were doing, their gazes fixed on him.

"Who's that guy?" someone murmured. "He's leading a team with the 'Explosion Mage' and a priest? Seriously?"

Another adventurer with sharp eyes squinted at Raymond's nameplate and profession. "A fighter? Really? How's he supposed to protect those two? Look at him, he's carrying a heavy sword like a warrior. Does he think swinging a warrior's sword will magically change his profession?"

A third adventurer shook his head in disapproval. "He's strong, sure. Probably practiced swordsmanship before his awakening. But it's a pity he awakened as a fighter. Instead of embracing his potential, he's clinging to swordsmanship he should've let go of. What a waste..."

Their whispers grew louder, and Raymond could hear the thinly veiled ridicule in their voices. He didn't react outwardly, but a spark of irritation flickered in his chest. Still, he kept his focus on the counter ahead.

He could feel Sylph glance at him, her expression unreadable. Lorene, on the other hand, looked concerned but said nothing.

"Let them talk," Raymond muttered under his breath. 'They'll see soon enough what I can do.'

Hearing the murmurs and side glances around him, Raymond quickly pieced together why he, Sylph, and Lorene were drawing so much attention.

It wasn't hard to figure out. An Explosion Magician and a Priest, with him as their only other teammate? They stood out like a sore thumb in the Adventurer's Guild. Of course, people were going to talk.

But Raymond couldn't be bothered. He tuned out the chatter, letting the words wash over him without reaction.

Sylph, on the other hand, wasn't as calm. Her green eyes narrowed in frustration, her irritation bubbling just below the surface. 'These fools have no idea what they're talking about!' she thought, biting her tongue.

The urge to shout the truth, to tell them Raymond was a dual-profession adventurer, itched at her, but she held back. She'd promised Raymond she wouldn't let his secret slip, and as tempting as it was to shut them all up, she wasn't about to break her word.

Still, she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Lorene to hear, "They don't know anything. Absolutely clueless."

Lorene turned to Sylph, her face confused. The murmurs about Raymond hadn't sat well with Lorene either, but she didn't understand why Sylph seemed so fired up.

Sylph noticed her confusion and leaned closer, whispering, "I'll explain when there's no one around. Trust me, once they know the truth, they'll be the ones envying us."

Lorene blinked in surprise but nodded, realizing this must have something to do with what Sylph had hinted at earlier. Her curiosity grew, what could be so significant about Raymond that even Sylph, normally so fiery and outspoken, would keep it under wraps?

Raymond, who had been silently listening, couldn't help but smile. He appreciated Sylph's loyalty and restraint, but her indignation was amusing nonetheless.

---

The trio soon reached the counter for promotion commissions. The lady at the counter greeted them with a friendly smile, glancing at Raymond and Sylph.

"Are you two here for the promotion commission?" she asked cheerfully.

Her question excluded Lorene, which was no mistake. Unlike most adventurers, priests had a different path to level advancement.

Whenever a priest received a new skill from the Sun Goddess, they could apply for an adventurer promotion. Once the guild confirmed this through the temple, the promotion was automatic, no need to complete dangerous missions.

Raymond nodded. "Yes, we're here to take on the Black Iron promotion commission."

The counter lady's smile widened. "Great! Please hand over your adventurer nameplates for verification."

Both Raymond and Sylph passed her their nameplates. The guild marks on them confirmed their eligibility for a promotion mission. After examining them, the lady pulled a document from a drawer.

"You're the third adventurers to apply for Black Iron promotion today," she explained. "The tasks are randomly assigned, and each one is different. Once you review the mission, you can decide whether to accept it. But if you choose not to proceed, it will count as a failed promotion attempt."

She paused for emphasis. "Failing means you'll have to start over, completing more missions to qualify for another attempt. Are you ready to proceed?"

Raymond and Sylph exchanged a glance and nodded firmly.

The counter lady handed Raymond the letter of authorization, and he unfolded it on the counter. Sylph and Lorene leaned in to read it with him.

---

Mission Details:

- Information: Poisonous sting wasps have been spotted near the Gragman Mountain Mine. They've built a nest and killed two miners. Estimated wasp count: 20, including a queen and possibly a queen bee.

- Objective: Eliminate all poisonous sting wasps, including larvae, and destroy their nest.

- Reward: 1 gold coin (if no queen bee exists); 1 gold coin + 50 silver coins (if a queen bee exists).

- Time Limit: Two days.

- Client: Adventurer's Guild.

---

When they finished reading, the three of them exchanged determined looks. No words were necessary. Raymond folded the letter carefully and tucked it into a secure compartment in his leather armor.

The counter lady registered their details and offered a few additional notes about the mission before wrapping up.

Raymond straightened, taking a deep breath as he looked toward the exit. "Let's go," he said firmly.

Sylph and Lorene fell into step beside him, their resolve clear. This was their chance to rise to the next level and none of them planned to let it slip away.