Chương 57: Chapter 49: More Answers Than I Bargained For II

When we finished our beers, Lis shifted in his seat, set his empty bottle on the table, and looked at me.

"You mentioned you had questions, plural, but so far you have asked only one. Is there anything else you want to know?" I shook my head with a chuckle.

"I've got so many questions I don't even know where to start." He leaned back and put his feet up on the table.

"I am in no hurry." I remembered something.

"When we first met, you mentioned you dislike tech worlds and find them confusing. You feel much stronger than me, and you said your home is very far away, so I'm guessing you've traveled a lot. How come tech worlds still confuse you?" He got a disgusted expression, as if he had smelled something foul.

"Like all Travelers, I dislike worlds without mana. The sensation is too unpleasant. Once you cross into a world without mana, you will understand."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I said with a nod.

"I felt it and jumped back to Earth immediately." He pointed at me.

"Exactly. Add to that the confusing societies of tech worlds, especially the advanced ones with fast vehicles and dangerous weapons, and they create an unpleasant environment for travel. In the first tech world I visited, I looked for traffic but did not see any vehicles, so I crossed the street. Armed drones dropped from above and aimed laser weapons at me for endangering civic transport systems by disrupting traffic algorithms." He gave a dry chuckle and shook his head.

"In the second world, I did create an ID with One of the Crowd, but apparently, they had mandatory genetic registration with random bio-scans. I failed such a scan and was detained under suspicion of being an illegal clone. It took me almost all my mana to conjure the necessary documents stating I was from a different country and had a registered ID there. They held me for a while, then finally released me, calling it a system malfunction. After that second tech world, I stopped traveling in them." He sighed.

"At first, I was still interested in earning money, so I only went into less advanced tech worlds, located the closest city, bought cheap manufactured goods, and left. When I stopped caring about money, every time I touched a Gate to a tech world, I would look for a different one. Most Travelers dislike tech worlds for the same reasons. We struggle with the lack of mana and the different societal structure."" One of the Crowd doesn't help with biological identification?" I asked, frowning.

Lis shrugged, tilting his head.

"Apparently not. I reread the description, and indeed, it talks only about documentation and chips, not biological matter." One of the Crowd Unique Class Ability Everything a Traveler needs to hide their status as a Traveler. In many worlds, abilities or devices exist to view Personal Information. This ability lets you cloak or modify your details: Change your name to blend in with local norms.

Display one of your Subclasses or Subprofessions as your primary Class, or show a false Class based on your skills or spells. Hide parts of your information and replace them with question marks (Warning: This can draw unwanted attention). In some worlds, identification is required, such as paper IDs, badges, or ID chips. Use this ability to conjure suitable IDs. Mana Cost: 100 mana for standard ID creation; 500 mana for advanced IDs, such as central database-linked chips.

If the world doesn't recognize your race, apply a glamour to appear local. The glamour drops once you pass through a Gate to a new world. Mana Cost: 300 mana per world. To travel successfully, a Traveler may need extra documentation. This ability enables you to conjure any necessary documents. Mana Cost: varies based on specific requirements. Cost: 1 Ability Point. Yeah, he was right.

"This makes the ability kind of shitty." Lis tilted his hand back and forth in a see-saw motion.

"Yes and no."

"That was clear as mud." Lis threw his head back with a loud laugh that echoed through the room.

"Yes, it is flawed. However, it is good enough. Do not forget, I was able to conjure the necessary documents to prove my innocence. As far as I know, from my experience and from others, the biological matter is the only limitation." I nodded slowly, leaning deeper into the couch. My fingers drummed against my leg as I considered his words.

"If you dislike tech worlds so much, how come you came to Earth?" He sighed and rubbed a hand across his jaw before glancing toward the window.

"There was no choice. I was escaping from a hazardous, very high-mana world." He looked reluctant to talk about it, so I didn't press. Instead, I shifted to another question.

"When we met, you said you'd answer my questions without expecting an exchange. What exchange, and why? Is it a must between Travelers?" He nodded, his expression turning more serious.

"You are just starting as a Traveler, so maybe you have not discovered it yet. Travelers tend to be wealthy. We are like pack animals with our Storage. Most of us expand it at least six to seven times or more, and stop caring about money. What we value is information—about worlds and Gate chains, magical knowledge, interesting dungeons, fascinating inventions, dangers to avoid, and so on. Even you were waiting for me to gain knowledge. It is traditional for Travelers to exchange information.

I said I would answer without exchange because your information has already helped me, so I felt I should repay you."

"I'm glad I did, and not only for free answers." He laughed and gave my arm a couple of light taps. I considered his words and brought up another topic.

"In the descriptions of our traits, there's a mental aspect tied to physical traits. For example, Strength says it helps you handle shocks better, and Agility mentions mental agility. I've been shocked at every turn, overwhelmed, and laughed hysterically. I still forget to use Identify and basic things. For example, I carried a ladder up a mountain instead of storing it. And my dog—my dog! —pointed out that I could store the tent assembled instead of breaking it down and reassembling it every time.

I don't feel like those traits are working. Are my traits broken, or am I missing something?" His eyes widened.

"Your dog told you to store the tent?" I rubbed my face.

"Yeah… It was quite embarrassing." Lis looked at Stretch.

"Smart dog."

"Very." Stretch lifted his head from his paws, looked between us, and wagged his tail vigorously. A strong feeling of smugness flooded me through the bond. Lis leaned forward, his expression earnest.

"Let me ask you a question. When you were shocked, overwhelmed, or hysterical, did it make you quit entirely and forget about everything? Did you convince yourself it was all a hallucination? Or did you manage to overcome it and continue after a while?"

"I could continue pretty quickly."

"Now think of the people you know personally and how they would have reacted in such a situation." I mentally ran through my acquaintances.

"Yeah, I see what you mean. Most would have thought they'd lost their minds and sought a prescription. The rest would have ignored it and pretended it never happened." He pointed at me.

"And there is your advanced Strength. Our traits are not a magical shield against the world. We still experience fear, surprise, shock, sadness, and all the other emotions. What our raised traits do is help us better deal with those things. Discovering you are a Traveler without guidance is a shock—an enormous shock. No trait can protect you from it."

"What about the mental agility?"

"When you were a baby," he asked, his tone gentle, "did you run right from the start, or did you first crawl, then walk with support, then walk without support, and finally run?"

"It's not the same."

"Of course it is. You came from a tech world, an entirely different environment from a mana world. Your entire understanding of reality was built on a completely different set of rules and laws. When you find yourself in a world where mana flows like a river, it is like being handed a new set of tools and told to build something intricate without any prior experience. The expectation that you should instantly master these new concepts is what is truly illogical." He paused and watched me before continuing.

"Think about it: you are essentially starting from zero in a completely foreign field. In your tech world, you did not have to deal with the nuances of magical theory, the flow of mana, or the intricate workings of spell craft. Now that you have been thrust into a mana environment, it is only natural that it takes time to adapt. The process of learning and mastering something new is inherently a gradual one. Just as a child learns to walk before they run, you are developing your skills step by step."

He gestured with his hand, emphasizing his point.

"You received the Wizard Class. The most powerful and versatile magical Class available. And to have received it in a low mana world means you have already explored the basic possibilities of mana. This shows that you are capable of great things. It is not a question of whether or not you have mental agility. It is about understanding that mastery takes time, especially when dealing with such a radically different system." He straightened, meeting my eyes with a serious expression.

"The expectation of instant mastery overlooks the reality of learning and adapting. Grappling with new ideas, experimenting, and gradually integrating them into your understanding is what truly reflects mental agility. Your progress might feel slow, but it is a natural part of the learning curve. Embracing this process, rather than expecting immediate perfection, is where true growth occurs. So, how is it not mental agility? Your struggle to adapt and learn is a testament to your resilience and adaptability."

"I never looked at it like that," I admitted.

"Yes," he nodded, "we are often our own harshest critics. Sometimes, we need an outside perspective to see the truth." I opened the trait descriptions and re-examined them from the new viewpoint he suggested. Strength Physical: This Trait determines the intensity of your force or power: how hard you can hit, how much you can lift, and how much resistance you can exert against another object. Mental: This Trait determines how well you withstand shock, stress, and pressure without breaking down or giving up.

It reflects raw willpower and grit in the face of overwhelming force. Agility Physical: This Trait determines your quickness and ease of motion, as well as your ability to control your body, speed, flexibility, and balance. It also affects your physical reaction time. Mental: This Trait reflects your ability to think quickly, adapt to new information, and draw conclusions on the fly. It influences your intellectual acuity and cognitive reaction time.

Constitution Physical: This Trait measures your body's ability to withstand fatigue and physical hardship, as well as its capacity to stay healthy and deal with injuries, disease, trauma, and harsh conditions. Mental: This Trait reflects your confidence and stability of self, as well as your ability to remain true to your ideals under outside pressure. Vitality Physical: This Trait determines your energy, vigor, and activity level.

It governs your longevity and influences how youthful and vibrant you remain over time. It also affects physical appearance, giving you a look that mirrors your vitality and overall life force. Mental: This Trait reflects your sense of aliveness, engagement with the world, and enjoyment of life. It encompasses your sense of wonder and excitement, with higher levels making you feel younger and more vibrant, helping you stay connected throughout a long life.

Intelligence Physical: This Trait governs your body's ability to detect and balance critical chemicals and hormones for optimal health. It influences how your body intuitively engages muscles, maintains good posture, and learns new movement skills. It also affects how quickly something becomes muscle memory. Mental: This Trait determines your capacity to learn, understand, and apply new knowledge.

It encompasses your ability to adapt to new or challenging situations, solve complex problems, and accurately infer or perceive information. High Intelligence allows you to learn spells faster and grasp underlying principles, truths, or meanings. Wisdom Physical: This Trait governs your body's ability to interpret sensory input, including how quickly you respond to pain, heat, or cold. It also affects how well your body recognizes and communicates its needs—such as movement, vitamins, sunlight, or rest—to thrive.

Mental: This Trait governs your ability to apply knowledge, especially in novel circumstances. It includes the capacity to make decisions based on a blend of knowledge, experience, and intuition, as well as learning from personal and others' experiences. High Wisdom enables the adaptation and combination of spells in innovative ways. Perception Physical: This Trait determines your body's awareness of environmental factors, such as heat, cold, or humidity.

It also governs the sharpness and health of your sensory organs, such as your eyes, ears, and nose. Additionally, it affects how quickly your body responds to sensory input, including reflexes and subtle changes in your surroundings, helping you stay alert and responsive. Mental: This Trait expands the range and acuity of your perception, encompassing not just physical senses but also intuitive ones, like the sense of danger or recognizing opportunities.

At a higher level, it enables you to perceive intentions, emotions, and divergent viewpoints during personal interactions. Luck This Trait has no physical or mental aspects. Luck influences chance, fate, and destiny. It acts as an unseen force, guiding you toward fortunate discoveries, valuable opportunities, and fortuitous encounters that lead to a better future. It also serves as an internal warning, steering you away from danger and poor choices.

Luck is the quiet hand that nudges you toward the right path, leading to prosperity, success, and unexpected rewards. Hmm, I can see what he means.

"You're right. Thanks for making me see it." He gave me a wide, radiant smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"My pleasure."

"Now that I've looked at my traits, I have another question." He leaned back, folding his hands in his lap.

"Yes?"

"You said you have the Luck trait too, right?" I asked. He gave a slight nod, encouraging me to continue.

"After I raised it above twenty, I got the active ability to locate something I need. Is there another active like this later on?"

"Yes, when you raise it to fifty. But it is not exactly an active ability." He tapped the air, as if pointing at an invisible line of text where the system message should be.

"Please reread your Luck description." I opened my profile and re-read the lines.

"By the description, it either nudges you toward good or warns you of bad. It is a subtle thing, right?" Lis asked. I nodded.

"After level fifty, it actively gets you out of trouble. Do not get me wrong, you can still get into trouble, but it will probably save your life."

"But it says here, 'Luck is also the internal warning of danger, of knowing not to go somewhere or not to do something.' So how do you get into trouble in the first place?" I rubbed the back of my neck, thoroughly confused. He shifted uncomfortably, his face flushing as he glanced around with a sheepish grin. His fingers tapped nervously against his knee.

"I will tell you about my recent experience, and you will understand. I went to a very high-mana world. When I touched the Gate, it said, 'Threat level: Lethal.'" He paused, meeting my eyes.

"All the Gates to very high-mana worlds have the same threat level. And always, when I touch such a Gate, my Luck and Perception warn me of danger. I had traveled to a few very high-mana worlds before. It was dangerous—I will not argue that point—but I could always deal with the danger, so I ignored the warning." You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. He sighed and shook his head.

"Here, it was a mistake. The magic in that world was powerful and unlike anything I had ever encountered. It completely overwhelmed me and broke through my defenses. I was hunted for days and came close to dying several times. Every time I almost died, something saved me." He shuddered and rubbed his arms as if to shake off the memory.

"I was attacked by a creature that induced nightmares while I was awake and drained my life force through fear. I stumbled and hit my head on a rock, which jarred me just enough to regain my senses and escape. The attack was so severe that I permanently lost three Vitality points. Two days later, I encountered tiny, winged humanoid creatures that blinked like lights. They made me feel safe and loved, and I knew I should follow them. I did for a while, but a branch snapped against my face.

That jarred my senses, and they lost their hold over me. I realized I was very close to a swamp with a giant creature swimming inside." He drew a deep breath before continuing.

"A day later, I came across beings that looked like a cross between a person and a farm animal with horns. They played a musical instrument that dulled my mind and made me sleepy. I wanted to lie down and nap right there. Suddenly, an enormous creature flew overhead and screeched. They ran away, and the creature did not see me under the trees. It went on like this for eight days until I finally escaped that place. Every time I was about to die, something happened that saved me."

"That's amazing," I said, my eyes widening.

"What's the place's name so I'll know never to go there?"

"Tír na nÓg." I jumped in my seat.

"Really?! The fae are real?!" Lis chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"You know about them?"

"There are legends about them in my world."

"Not surprising. With such high mana, they probably can portal." I hesitated, then leaned forward a little.

"Please tell me if I'm overstepping, but could you read me the description of the next level of Luck?"

"I rarely mind," he said with a smile, "but this time, I will refuse."

"Why?" My brow furrowed. I was genuinely confused. So far, he had shared so openly that the sudden shift felt jarring.

"Because knowing everything in advance ruins the sense of exploration and discovery," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I mulled it over for a moment and slumped back in my chair.

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks." He gave me a warm smile, and we both settled into a comfortable silence. After a while, he tilted his head.

"Any more questions?"

"Yes. About Classes and Ability Points. I understand that the ease of obtaining them comes from the imminent integration. But I have two questions about that." I raised my hand and counted them off on my fingers.

"One, how do you usually get skills, spells, or Classes? And two, why is it so easy during integration?" Lis steepled his fingers again, adopting the counselor's pose. It was obvious he enjoyed teaching and explaining. I silently thanked my Luck for sending him my way.

"The usual way to learn spells is through scrolls, which can be purchased but are quite expensive. The most common spells start at around ten gold and can reach fifty or more for the more complex ones. I am aware that mage families, Healers' guilds, and similar organizations, even in a low mana world such as this one,"—he waved his hand around, encompassing the world—"have methods for teaching spells. However, I regret to say that I am not familiar with the specifics of their methods.

What I do know is that the process takes time, with apprenticeships lasting several years."

"Skills can be learned in two ways." He lifted one finger.

"One method is to use a skill that you do not yet possess as an official skill from the Guidance. If you successfully employ it in a dangerous situation, you may acquire it. Let me give you an example from my experience." He shifted in his seat, his tone turning more animated.

"In a medium mana world with mana at the high end of that category, I traveled through an area populated with dangerous mana beasts. I had the choice of navigating around the area for over a week, including a perilous river crossing, or crossing it in just two days. I chose the shorter path, but soon realized it was far more dangerous than I had anticipated. For two days, I had to move stealthily from tree to bush to boulder. Sometimes I had to crawl on my belly, covering myself in mud to mask my scent.

My Invisibility was of little help, as these beasts had sharp senses beyond vision. When I finally emerged, I was physically and mentally exhausted, but I had acquired the Stealth skill. I know for a fact that if I had not been in constant mortal danger, I would not have gained it." He lifted a second finger.

"The other way to learn a skill is from a professional in the field until you reach a level where you can perform it independently, without supervision. I know several Travelers with very low magical capacity or no inclination to use magic who apprenticed with blacksmiths to learn how to repair and maintain their weapons. Not to forge them, only to repair them. It typically took them about six months to acquire the skill to repair weapons.

Had they wanted to acquire the blacksmithing skill, I suspect it would have taken them several years to do so. But that is only my supposition. I have yet to meet a Traveler who acquired the skill by learning rather than from the Guidance." Lis returned his fingers to the pyramid shape, and his eyes grew distant.

"Regarding your second question, I do not have a definitive answer, only a theory. This theory is not mine. It was suggested by the lady who wrote the article about the dangers and opportunities. She chose not to include it because she could not confirm it as fact. She believes that since the integration process introduces a completely unknown factor, mana, the Guidance grants locals an additional ability to help them survive and begin to harness it." He spread his hands lightly.

"Consider this. If one usually needs to purchase scrolls or apprentice to a mage to learn magic, how would that be possible in a world undergoing integration? The same applies to skills with magical aspects. Since those people are not Travelers and cannot access such knowledge, the Guidance allows them to acquire skills and spells with greater ease."

"Yeah, makes sense," I said with a nod.

"I thought so, too. Any more questions?"

"Yes, still about skills." He made a small go-ahead gesture.

"In the Tips and Tricks section, there was a suggestion to learn skills you don't need and then give them up to convert to Ability Points. It seems like a cheat. How can such an advanced system have a cheat? It doesn't make sense." He let out a quick laugh, eyes sparkling.

"I like your use of the word 'cheat' as a noun instead of a verb. Very colorful."

"It's not my idea; I got it from a book," I admitted. Lis chuckled again, shaking his head with mock exasperation.

"Either way, it is entertaining. Regarding your question, it is not a cheat, as you call it, but rather a simpler version of an existing function for Travelers. You can find it in the Archive, and most Travelers grew up with Traveler parents, so they are already familiar with this method. If you need a skill or spell and do not have the Ability Points, you can attempt to purchase the one you need.

The Guidance will inform you that you lack the necessary Ability Points and will ask which spell or skill you will sacrifice to convert to the new one."

"Oh, so it's not a cheat but a shortcut?"

"Exactly." He nodded.

"But be aware that you can only convert general spells or skills. Class or Profession skills, spells, or abilities are off-limits."

"Why not?"

"I have no idea, but it is a fact." His posture became more rigid as his tone grew serious.

"Please be cautious when giving up abilities. Once you relinquish an ability, you cannot repurchase or recover it through any other means." He stopped, furrowed his brows, and lifted a finger.

"Let me correct myself. You can learn a skill from a teacher to a level where you can perform it, but it will never level up through the Guidance. The only advancement you will ever get in the skill will be from your own growing mastery. Also, remember that this alternate route is available only for teachable skills that do not involve magic. You cannot use this method on spells or magical skills. I know somebody who spent over five years trying to relearn an Enchanting skill he had given up, to no avail."

He lifted his finger again.

"But even that has a sort of workaround, mostly with spells. If you can find a spell that is almost the same as the one you gave up, but has enough differences for the Guidance to treat it as a different spell, you can learn it. The only limitation is that it does not appear on the Guidance's list. You have to visit mage guilds and spell shops to search for it." I mulled this over for a moment, considering the implications and ramifications.

It seemed much more logical now, but also more complicated due to all the workarounds. The thought made me chuckle. People were people, whether Travelers or not; they always found a loophole. Lis gave me a questioning look when I chuckled. I shook my head. After a few minutes, I said, "I have another question…" I hesitated, unsure if I had over-asked my allotment. He waved me on.

"Aren't we kind of overpowered?" I asked.

"I feel like Superman compared to the populace." He laughed, the sound rolling out of him easily.

"Superman? From a book?"

"A movie," I said with a grin.

"You know what movies are?"

"Yes," he said, eyes brightening.

"I like movies. That is one thing I enjoy about tech worlds."

"Good to know. So, what about the whole overpowered thing?" He leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the armrest.

"The answer is yes and no, depending on the world."

"What do you mean?" He pointed at me.

"In your world, you mentioned that you were already stronger, faster, and a better student compared to others. You were more powerful than those around you. Whether or not you utilized those abilities is irrelevant. The fact remains that you were already considered overpowered, as you call it, in comparison." He tapped his finger on the table for emphasis.

"It is quite similar in a low-mana world. Here, most people have professions, but these are not Professions granted by the Guidance that they can advance. To clarify, some individuals have Professions from the Guidance, but they are mostly familial professions passed from parents to children or, in the absence of an heir, through apprenticeship. These individuals represent only a small percentage of the populace." He paused and waved at me.

"Even true Healers, like yourself, are rare and require a truly selfless individual. Common healers in these worlds have learned basic knowledge about the body and a healing spell, or two at most. From the purely magical Classes, such worlds typically have only the Mage Class, and only at a low level of knowledge. Only the truly exceptional individuals among them might possess a Class or Profession granted by the Guidance on merit." He shrugged slightly.

"Additionally, monsters are rarely found in these worlds. When they do appear, they are usually very low-level." He flipped his palm, signaling a shift in perspective.

"In contrast, in worlds where mana levels reach 25 and above, Professions and Classes become more prevalent. The monsters are stronger and more numerous, though they generally remain relatively low-level, usually between levels 3 and 5. Given these levels of the populace and monsters, it is understandable that you feel like a super-man." He paused momentarily.

"The situation changes in medium mana worlds, specifically in the lower echelon of 30 to 40 mana. Nearly everyone possesses Classes in these worlds, and exceptional individuals may also have a Profession or another Class. They have spent years honing their abilities. The monsters there are stronger and more numerous, and there are mana beasts and challenging dungeons. With your current power level, you will survive, but you will need the assistance of your dog and will likely sustain injuries along the way.

I still recommend venturing there, as it will benefit your progression. You might acquire a fighting Class if you engage in numerous fights and have an open Subclass slot. However, I advise against venturing into the upper echelon of this classification, levels 40 to 50, as you would not survive more than a few days." He shifted slightly and looked directly into my eyes with a serious expression.

"For now, you should completely disregard high-mana or very high-mana worlds. In those environments, you would be dead within minutes, without any warning." He held my gaze, making sure I understood the point. I nodded. Lis leaned back and relaxed again.

"The same principle applies to tech worlds. You can safely navigate low to medium tech levels, but the more advanced worlds will pose a deadly threat. These worlds lack mana, so once you exhaust your reserves, you will not be able to regenerate and will be left completely powerless. In addition, many advanced technological worlds utilize physical augmentations, such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, cyborg implants, or chemical enhancements. As a result, even your enhanced traits may not be enough."

"But you said you didn't travel in tech worlds." He lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

"So?"

"How do you know?"

"From the Archive, especially the World Information. I might not have traveled there, but I always read the entries." He tapped a finger against his temple.

"And of course, other Travelers. I told you, when Travelers meet, we mostly exchange information. I have been traveling for many years, met many Travelers along the way, and listened to their stories." His voice grew firmer, and he spread his hands slightly.

"So, while we may be overpowered in certain places, we are underpowered in others. Even I, who am considerably stronger than you, have recently come close to death more than once."

"How would I know when I am ready to move up a level?" Lis leaned forward again, his eyes narrowing with interest.

"When you arrived here, did you enjoy it?" I nodded with a smile.

"Very much." He smiled back, his expression warm.

"Are you still enjoying it?" I sighed, shaking my head.

"Less. It's getting boring." A knowing look crossed his face.

"You are ready to move up a level. The feeling of boredom, in my theory, is a nudge from the Guidance. I, myself, and every Traveler I have ever spoken to experienced this same sense of restlessness when we were ready for the next level. I believe it is part of the innate knowledge of our Class, like the subtle, unexplained knowing that sometimes guides us."

"Yeah… makes sense," I said, already thinking of another question.

"You said that the Wizard Class is the most powerful, right?" He nodded.

"What are the others?" He steepled his fingers again, settling into teacher mode.

"There are many Classes that utilize magic. Your Healer Class is one example, as are bards, architects, enchanters, dungeon architects, alchemists, and many more. Every spell and every skill uses mana, so you could call every Class a magical Class to some extent. However, there are four purely magical Classes: Mage, Sorcerer, Witch, and Wizard. What is unique about them is that they are not dependent on actions or learning."

"What do you mean?" He glanced at the ceiling, hummed softly, then looked back at me.

"To get any Class, you either need to study under a master until you receive the Class, or demonstrate that you deserve the Class in some other way. The Guidance does not offer Classes purely by chance. They are always dependent on actions. Take you, for example. I am assuming that you got the Healer Class and Merchant Profession because you did something, correct?" I nodded. He kept looking at me, waiting, until I realized he wanted me to explain.

"I studied medicine and worked as a doctor, so I had a lot of knowledge about the human body. I came across a person badly hurt in an accident. It was bad enough that regular medicine couldn't help him, so I tried helping him with magic. Minor Heal didn't—" He groaned quietly. I stopped mid-sentence and looked at him. He made a slight motion with his hand, urging me to continue.

"Please go on."

"Basically, I made the mana do what was needed to save his life. In the process, I learned some Healer spells on my own, and the system gave me the Class. The Merchant was less dramatic. I just sold everything I owned and bought stuff to take with me. But I don't understand how it connects to my question." He nodded, leaning forward slightly.

"The connection is that you did something that demonstrated you deserved the Class, and you received it. The purely magical Classes work differently. They are dependent on two factors. The first—and most important—is heredity. Sorcerers, witches, and Wizards are hereditary Classes. Their magic is unique and passed from parent to child. The Mage Class is the only exception. Let me clarify.

Most mages are hereditary, raised in families where the Class is cultivated, but the Mage Class is also unique in that others can gain it without having a mage parent. That is where the second factor comes in—mana reserves. Without enough mana reserves, a person cannot receive the Mage class. Even the child of a Mage cannot gain the Class without sufficient mana." I frowned, tilting my head.

"What's the difference between them?" Lis tapped his fingers lightly against his chair before answering.

"Mages can only use internal mana and are restricted to spells. Advanced mages can enhance and combine spells, but their capabilities remain confined to spell casting alone. That is the reason this Class is more accessible. If a person can cast spells and has enough mana reserves, they can work toward and eventually acquire the Mage class. Sorcerers, on the other hand, do not possess internal mana. Instead, they channel external mana, and their spellcasting is limited by how much they can draw at a given time.

Like mages, they can advance or combine spells but remain focused exclusively on spellwork. So, Mages cannot gain the Sorcerer Class, and vice versa, because their magic functions fundamentally differently." He looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"You understand?" I nodded. His expression grew more animated.

"Witches are quite different. They control mana from two sources, internal and external, but both come with limitations. Their internal mana is tied to their specific element, and they can also channel mana from their element to strengthen that control. For example, a water witch possesses a certain amount of magic within their body. This magic is not stored in orbs or drawn from an outside source; it resides within them.

They can then absorb more mana from water itself and manipulate it directly, controlling it with precision. The same applies to nature witches, earth witches, and others. While they can cast spells, their abilities in that regard are limited. Their true power lies in molding their element with sheer will, achieving effects that other spellcasters might find difficult or even impossible." Lis shifted in his seat and pointed a finger at me.

"Wizards, meanwhile, possess internal mana and, with time and practice, can also learn to control external mana." He paused, then shook his head.

"Let me rephrase that. Wizards can control mana internally like a Mage to cast spells, but they can also release it externally and shape it outside their bodies. I am not talking about drawing it from external sources, but about taking the mana they already hold and forcing it to act beyond their bodies without relying on spells, or—" I nodded as he spoke, and he stopped mid-sentence.

"You did that already?"

"Yeah, I made a mana bubble to squish a monster." He gave me a perplexed look.

"Why would you do that?" I waved the question away.

"I'll tell you later. Please continue the explanation. Sorry for interrupting." He waved my apology away.

"It is fine. Where was I? Oh, right—channeling and controlling mana externally. This is one of the things that makes Wizards unique. Witches can mimic this ability, but only with their chosen element. Wizards can do it freely once they reach a certain level. They work with spells but are not limited to them." He pointed at me again for emphasis.

"Wizards originally crafted most Mage spells. With dedication and experience, a Wizard can gain control over an element in the way a Witch does, or even master multiple elements. Another unique point is that they can eventually learn to draw external mana like Sorcerers. Basically, Wizards can do what all the other magical Classes can do, and often exceed them. That is why they are regarded as magic scholars. They delve into its complexities and contribute to advancing magical knowledge across all Classes."

As he explained, my excitement kept building. By the time he stopped, I could hardly keep from bouncing in my seat or brushing off my shoulders in pride at being a Wizard. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

"Wow! That's awesome!"

"Yes, it is an excellent Class," he said with a laugh.

"Only people with the right blood, an immense talent and affinity for magic, and a high mana level receive it. I believe it is an inheritance you received from your paternal side." I winced. Lis's expression softened apologetically.

"Tell me, did you learn to partition your mind already?"

"Yes," I said with a firm nod.

"I've managed a three-way split. That's how I obtained the Class." His eyes lit up, and he leaned forward with renewed energy.

"Keep practicing this ability. I know an amazing Wizard—not a Traveler—who can partition his mind into twelve sections. Maybe even more is possible, but I have not encountered it yet." I tried to recall what else I wanted to ask, but came up empty. The excitement about the Wizard Class had kicked all my questions straight out of my head. I was also hungry, so I asked, "Would you like lunch?" I turned my head to the window, and it was already sunset.

"Or an early dinner?" Lis's face brightened.

"I was just thinking about it. I have some interesting food in my Storage. Would you like to share and compare?"

"Yes! That sounds like a great idea." He stood up, waved me to follow, and we moved to the dining table. I pulled out the campfire lasagna I'd made, bison-mukar burgers, a big sushi plate, and pasta Alfredo. Lis's eyes lit up as he examined each dish. He grinned widely, rubbed his hands together in anticipation, and let out a few appreciative sounds.

Then he revealed his own contributions: something that looked like a stuffed cabbage with bright orange leaves, a dish of vegetables and meat in a pink sauce, and a pie that smelled strongly of fish. I grabbed a big metal plate and loaded it with some of everything for Stretch, who wagged his tail enthusiastically. We sat down and began our meal. The pink sauce was strange—slightly sweet, tangy, and salty, yet rich. Unusual, but delicious. The fish pie was fantastic.

The stuffed leaves were odd; the meat inside didn't remind me of anything familiar, and the leaves themselves were also completely unfamiliar, with a strange, bitter aftertaste. I didn't even have a point of reference and couldn't decide if I liked them or not. Lis loved the sushi, though he wasn't thrilled with the wasabi. It had him sneezing up a storm. Stretch loved everything without complaint. What else is new?