192 The Right Choice
[Primary Job List]
<Brawler>
– Uses bare hands to fight, dealing powerful damage to foes. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved into a higher class.
<Knight>
– Uses several weapons to fight, several weapon-based skills are involved. Depending on proficiency, can be evolved to a higher class.
<Archer>
– Shoots projectiles from a long distance. Uses long-range weapons and firing skills. Senses and other related abilities increase. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved into a higher class.
<Forger>
– Creates various materials and items by using base objects and drops. Monsters drop more items and raw materials for forgery, and smithing-related skills are given. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved to a higher class.
<Mage>
– Uses spells to deal damage, having various elemental-related skills. Using basic elements, they can cause various effects. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved to a higher class.
<Thief>
– Uses sneaky tactics and abilities to gain the edge against others. Steals items and objects from opponents and marks every item in possession. Able to store and retract any items currently owned and obtain related skills. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved to a higher class.
<Berserker>
– Uses rage and raw destructive power to pummel opponents. Has high vitality and indomitability. The longer a battle is prolonged, the greater the power output. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved to a higher class.
<Priest>
– Uses holy power, divine powers of the gods. Can use healing, buffs, and protection to defend oneself and allies. Based on proficiency it can be evolved into a higher class.
<Scholar>
– Possesses knowledge and information. Has the privilege of seeing more information on monsters, objects, and other things in the world. Can also see more information about fellow Gifteds. High intelligence and retention. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved into a higher class.
<Tamer>
– Able to enlist the aid of Demons through contracts. These Demons are bound by the specific contract, and so is the Gifted. Based on proficiency, it can be evolved into a higher class.
[.]
[.]
[.]
In simple terms, Lara had to pick one of the Ten basic primary Skills displayed on her Status Window.
Asking me for advice was the smartest thing to do, and if I were to pick one, I’d go for…
“Choose Mage.”
The moment I said those words, Lara broke into a sigh and gave a relieved smile.
“I figured…” She said as she looked at her Status Window once again.
It wasn’t that a Mage was the most optimal Job to choose, neither did it have much of an advantage over others by a large margin. However, considering <Thief> was no longer an option and Lara’s Job had to be something with the greatest amount of specialty, <Mage> was the right choice.
Why?
The answer dwelled in her Skillset, and I meant it as the current Skills in her possession. At her current Level, Lara had 5 Skill Slots, all of which already had Skills occupying them.
[SKILLS]
<Muscularity>
<Coordination>
<Camouflage>
<Mana Control>
<Fireball>
[.]
When looking at these five, the first of them would be concluded to be especially suitable for the <Brawler> Job. The second fit the <Knight> and <Archer> Job more. The third was suitable for the <Thief> Job. However, the last two… were <Mage> oriented.
Having two Skills already leaning toward that department made the choice easier. In the event where her choice was Mage, it would increase her potency if she already had existing Skills in that line.
Plus, if the Skills overlapped with each other, they would simply merge and form a better Skill, just like how my initial <Store> Skill overlapped with the effects of [Subspace] and became another Skill, <Summon>.
My rationale might have been biased due to the fact that I thought <Mage> was pretty cool, but still… it still felt like the best choice for her.
“I’ll pick that then.” Her voice overlapped with my thoughts as she tapped on the invisible window displayed for only her eyes to see.
In what appeared to be a few moments, I saw the transformation she went through.
Maybe it was due to the difference in our Levels and my superior stats, but I could clearly sense the overflowing power within Lara as though waves of energy poured into her body.
Her face reddened a little as she seemed to be a little uncomfortable. Heat surrounded her body, and in a short while—most likely a few seconds—this phenomenon ended.
“Haaa… I did it… I got my Job.”
A grin formed on my face and I nodded with satisfaction. Lara had taken one step closer to strength. However, I had to be very careful about this.
While it was to my benefit that she became stronger, it would certainly suck if she grew beyond my control. I couldn’t slack off, neither could I unilaterally trust her.
‘Looks like I need to take some measures…’
***********************
Lara and I returned to the rest of the group after I confirmed a few things with her.
Firstly, I told her to tell me all the Skills in her possession and how many Slots she had.
“I have two new Skills, one Upgraded Skill, and my total Skill Slots are 10.” She responded sharply.
That all added up.
The second thing I told her to do was to list all the Skills for me, which she did without hesitation. Lara was of the same understanding that the moment I found the cause to doubt her, she might as well be saying goodbye to her life.
I wasn’t above killing my allies.
[SKILLS]
<Muscularity>
<Coordination>
<Camouflage>
<Mana Manipulation> (Upgraded+)
<Fireball>
<Spell Conjuring (Basic> (New!)
<Elemental Affinity> (New!)
<Empty>
<Empty>
<Empty>
[.]
Once she listed them all out to me, I realized that her previous <Mana Control> Skill had evolved to a higher form which allowed her to control Mana more fluidly, and not only hers, but also the Mana in the surroundings as well.
That meant she could restore her MP to a certain extent, as well as tap into more energy than her limit was. In a sense, it was a pretty impressive Skill.
‘Others who get this Job early on won’t have access to this Skill, though… it’s a more advanced version of <Mana Control>, after all…’
Lara was already ahead of any Mage that would exist at this point… which was good! I knew it was the ideal choice to make her one.
‘Let’s just hope this doesn’t backfire on me!’
That would suck.