Adventurer of Many Professions

"Hey, so… have you thought about it? Want to team up with me?"

The blonde girl looked at Raymond eagerly as they reached the quieter corner of the hall. Her blue mage's robe shimmered slightly in the light, her golden hair framing her face as she tilted her head in anticipation.

Raymond looked at her, puzzled. "There are a lot of people in the hall. Why did you ask me to team up, of all people?"

The girl blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She hesitated, then gestured back toward the crowded commission board. "Well, look at them," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Half of them are wearing armor that's practically falling apart, or they have only one or two pieces of decent gear. They're… not exactly ideal partners."

Raymond raised an eyebrow, folding his arms as he observed her. She was clearly no ordinary adventurer. Her staff, crafted from polished metal and topped with a radiant sapphire, was a far cry from the standard wooden staves most novice magicians carried, often adorned with cheap white crystals. And as his gaze traveled down, he noticed a glint of chain mail beneath her robe. Even a simple layer of chain mail was expensive and rare among beginners, who typically couldn't afford such protection.

Many adventurers started out with whatever scraps they could afford; old armor handed down from others, or a mismatched collection of cheap gear. High-quality equipment was a luxury few could manage, especially at the White Porcelain level. If Raymond hadn't received a tidy sum from Mrs. Weir back at the inn, he'd be no better off than most of the newcomers around him.

So, as he looked at this well-equipped girl in front of him, one thought dominated his mind: 'She's got to be a runaway noble.'

Without a second thought, he shook his head. "You're mistaken. My gear isn't exactly high quality either. You'd be better off teaming up with someone else."

"Wha—hey!" The blonde girl looked taken aback, her mouth falling open in shock. "Don't you want a powerful teammate to help you with these missions?"

But Raymond had already turned, heading back toward the board. He didn't even look back.

"Wait!" she called after him, frustration clear in her voice. She stamped her foot, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

In truth, she had noticed Raymond the moment he entered the guild hall. He was roughly her age, and his equipment, though not flashy, looked relatively new, clear signs of a fellow newcomer. When she saw him heading to register as an adventurer, she knew her hunch was correct.

She'd been hoping to team up with someone just starting out, someone who wouldn't judge her lack of experience. Being a magician made things… complicated. And, truthfully, no one had approached her to team up since she'd arrived, and she'd been waiting all morning!

The thought stung. Was it because she was a magician? Unlike fighters, warriors, or swordsmen, magicians didn't awaken with innate combat skills. When a fighter like Raymond awakened, they gained "combat intuition" and an immediate proficiency in fighting techniques. Warriors, upon awakening, experienced a surge in physical strength and skill with various weapons. Swordsmen, too, emerged with an innate mastery of all sword forms, able to wield any blade as though they'd trained for years.

These melee classes, even without specific skills, were formidable on their own. But magicians… they were different. Their power came from spells, and without them, they were vulnerable, lacking the physical prowess to hold their own in a brawl. Magic required training, practice, and a certain finesse that other classes didn't need in quite the same way.

Seeing Raymond walk away from her, she clenched her fists. She couldn't let this opportunity slip by.

"Raymond!" she called, hurrying after him. Determination flashed in her eyes as she caught up and grabbed his arm. "Listen, I know you think you don't need a partner, but you're new here, right? So am I. We both need experience, and if we work together, we can cover each other's weaknesses."

Raymond paused, looking down at her hand gripping his arm. She was right, they were both new, both facing the daunting world of adventuring with little more than a few basic pieces of gear and the courage to step forward. Still, he didn't want to be responsible for someone else if things went south. He opened his mouth to refuse again, but she cut him off.

"Look, I may not be a fighter, but I know a few basic spells," she said, her tone turning a bit defensive. "I can handle myself. Besides, magic can come in handy! And you're a fighter, you can take the lead in close combat while I provide support from the back."

Raymond sighed, finally giving her a proper look. Her bright, earnest eyes met his, full of both resolve and a hint of desperation. She genuinely wanted a teammate.

He could feel himself wavering. A magician's spells could indeed be useful, and she didn't seem like the type to back down from a challenge. Still, he had to ask. "Alright, but why me? Why not wait for a more experienced adventurer?"

Sylph's shoulders slumped slightly, a hint of vulnerability flashing across her face before she quickly masked it. "Because… no one else asked me. And I don't want to team up with just anyone. You looked like… someone who might understand what it's like to be new here, like me."

Her honesty caught him off guard, softening his resolve. He knew all too well the feeling of being overlooked, underestimated.

After a moment, he nodded. "Alright, Sylph. Let's give it a shot."

A wide smile spread across her face, brightening her entire expression. "Really? Great! You won't regret it, I promise!"

Raymond couldn't help but smile back, feeling a spark of excitement. Together, they might just make it through the sewers and whatever else came their way. They both had something to prove, and maybe, just maybe, they could help each other get there.

But magicians are different. After awakening, until they learn specific spells, they're nearly defenseless in combat. Skills aren't easy to come by, and it takes time and practice to master them. When the other adventurers in the hall saw that Sylph was a magician, one who seemed fresh out of her awakening; they quickly lost interest. To them, she was just an untrained liability. No one wanted to take on extra risk by teaming up with someone who might not be able to pull their weight.

Sure, she was beautiful and charismatic, but in the face of danger, that charm held little value. When it came to life-and-death missions, looks didn't count for much. If someone wanted to admire a pretty face, they'd go to the bustling district of Fengqing Street, where exotic beauties from all races and realms offered their charms for much less risk.

By now, Raymond had nearly reached the guild's entrance, showing no signs of changing his mind. Sylph's frustration flared, and before she could stop herself, she shouted, "Are you sure you don't want to team up? I'm a magician who knows 'Explosion Magic'! I've mastered the skill! Are you really going to pass up on that?"

A wave of gasps swept through the hall. Heads turned, eyes widening as her words echoed in the silence.

"What did she say? Explosion Magic?"

"Is it true? She can use 'Explosion Magic'?"

"That's as rare as Lightning Magic!"

All at once, the adventurers' attention was on Sylph, their expressions a mixture of shock and admiration. Even Raymond, who had been intent on leaving, halted in his tracks and glanced back, clearly intrigued. 'Explosion Magic' its reputation preceded it.

Magic was divided into six main elemental categories: water, fire, earth, wind, ice, and lightning. Lightning magic was famed for its power and complexity, often considered the pinnacle of elemental magic. But there was one form of fire magic that rivaled it in both raw power and destructive potential; Explosion Magic.

Few magicians could wield it, and those who did were prized in adventuring circles, often recruited by elite teams eager for such a potent ally. Sylph's claim had changed the atmosphere entirely. Her young age only added to the astonishment; to be so skilled at her age was almost unheard of.

"Miss Magician!" One adventurer pushed through the crowd, eyes alight with excitement. "Would you consider joining our team? We're a stable group, each of us with at least five successful missions under our belts. We could really use someone like you!"

"Forget them! Miss Magician, join us!" another called. "We even have a priest in our group, and our warriors would keep you well-protected."

"Those are just White Porcelain teams," a third scoffed, stepping forward with an air of authority. "Miss Magician, we're at the Iron level. We have members with specialized skills, and with you, we could soon be taking on Bronze-level missions!"

In an instant, Sylph was surrounded by eager adventurers, each one competing to convince her to join their team. Even some Bronze-level adventurers, more experienced and with better gear, were trying to recruit her. The overwhelming attention filled her with a heady sense of satisfaction.

'Oh, so now you're all interested?' Sylph thought smugly, casting a sidelong glance at the entrance. Surely, Raymond would be stunned, realizing he'd just passed up the chance to team up with an Explosion magician. She imagined his expression; surprised, maybe a little regretful, realizing he'd missed out. In her mind, she could see him swallowing his pride and asking her to reconsider, only to find her already surrounded by offers from higher-ranking adventurers.

But when she turned to the entrance, ready to catch that look of amazement on Raymond's face… there was no one there.

He'd gone.

Her confidence wavered, disbelief settling in. 'How could he just… leave?' She was an Explosion magician, for heaven's sake! Did he really not understand how valuable that was?

"Enough!" she snapped, cutting through the chatter around her. "I'm not interested in teaming up with any of you!" she shouted, glaring at the adventurers who had gathered around her.

Pushing her way out of the crowd, she broke into a run, heading toward the guild entrance. Her thoughts were a mess, frustration and confusion swirling together. 'That Raymond! How could he just walk away like that?'

As she hurried outside, a single thought echoed in her mind: she wasn't going to let him ignore her that easily.