My 7th birthday came. I walked downstairs for my daily run and I caught Kora and Ashley setting up for a party. Putting it together, I guessed it was a birthday party for me. I ran my morning routine and when I got back everyone was there waiting for me. They didn't bother yelling surprise since I already knew about it. Kora and Ashley both looked a little sad that I figured out.

Even so, the party went on. It didn't look like I was getting gifts. I was fine with that. It just seemed to be a celebration this time. Everyone far happier than my first birthday. We had a little food, nothing fancy though. My last birthday we had a dish containing sugar. Sugar is very rare on this continent, especially because of the pirates cutting off trade between us and the country to the north. Even my mother is smiling and getting along well with everyone. Seeing her happy makes me happy. As the party winded down though Geoffrey made an announcement.

“Everyone, I'm glad everyone could get together today to celebrate Kites birthday. Also a going away party for him and Lance.”

I looked at him slightly confused.

“Today is the day you are going to be heading to Shienta to study magic.”

Geoffrey got to the point.

“We can't forget. We have some parting gifts for you and Lance as well as Kattie. She'll be escorting you there so you can adventure while you travel.”

He walked to the closet door and opened it. Inside was a full set of armor, a sword and shield. Lance ended up getting a spear. Kattie got a new wand which amplified healing magic. She didn't have a weapon previously (this was probably the most expensive piece of equipment). Everything was so expensive looking.

In all honestly I didn't expect this much from my family. We are richer than most but this is such a frivolous purchase. Most equipment this size will be replaced in a few months, buying someone so expensive to only get so little out of it shows how much they care. This gift is far better than comb they had previously gotten me. I graciously accepted all their help. I was very happy how everything turned out. I started crying, realizing I wouldn't see any of them for a few years. I just started enjoying life here.

Lance didn't understand why but some of the girls as well as Geoffrey started crying too. Tomorrow we leave for Shienta.

The next day I woke up. It was probably around 6 in the morning, so I still had some time to kill. We agreed to meet at the gate around 12. Skipping my morning routine, I went straight into town with my new armor on. It was mostly leather armor but had metal to protect certain weak points. A gauntlet on my right hand which was the hand I had a shield in. A very strong but comfortable steel helmet. I had seen it getting made previously by Duece, wondering who it was getting made for. I should have started figuring it out but I still was surprised by this turn of events.

I could move very freely in the armor with none of my movements hindered by it. Heading into town, I see people and tell them farewell for now. I head to each business saying the same things. I had been given some money from my father. I also had some from my job as a blacksmith. So I was buying some things I'd need for the journey.

A few health and mana potions at the alchemist. Some food from the local chef. I also bought a few carrying pouches for things we might find along the way. I had plenty of time to spare so I haggled the price down 10% with my merchant job. When I finally make it to the blacksmith, my old boss is standing at the entrance.

Someone must have told him because he was waiting for me. With a big dumb smile on his face. I could see that he was holding something for me. It was an enchanted gemstone for the sword I had. When I first got the sword, I noticed that it seemed to be missing something but now that question was answered. Deuce placed the gemstone and gave it a few taps with a tiny hammer to secure it. When he did the sword started lighting up, almost as if glowing.

Further inspection revealed that it increased the damage of the sword by 10%. It was a high priced gemstone from what I remembered. Probably more then I'd make in a few years of work. Deuce seen me off as I headed to the gate. I checked my equipment and counted the money I have. 10 silver coins from my father and 88 copper coins from my job as a blacksmith. Not much but you can buy a decent piece of armor for around 1 silver. So it might be better to worry about buying Lance some equipment as well.

I met with Lance and Kattie. We head off towards the farm where my grandpa lived first. We see him in his fields, he is being diligent as always. I've visited Grey a few more times since the first conversation we had. He wasn't that old but he still had more wisdom to give than what I knew from my previous life. Trying to soak up any last words of advice.

“It doesn't matter how everyone else see's you. The only thing that matters is how you see yourself.”

It sounded kind of corny but I get the advice more or less. We're about to leave before he hands over a stack of vegetables for the journey. We had enough food but more wouldn't hurt. The road to Shienta would take around 2 weeks to travel without any stops along the way. Since we're going to be training off monsters the entire way there. It will take longer than 2 weeks.

Without much trouble, we almost make it the whole day without getting attacked. We finally get attacked by 3 slimes. Wanting to judge my skill, we pair off. Them fighting 2 on 2 and me fighting one by myself. I start the fight by chanting the black mage spell fireball into my sword with the red mages infuse ability. I pour almost all my mana into it with mana control. Saving just enough mana to heal if I need too.

Going way overboard for a slime that is weak to fire. I engage after the preparation. 6 attacks later it is finally dead. Headbutt didn't even stun a whole second. Opportune strike did no extra damage because it wasn't off guard. I have only a fraction of my health left. 2 more well placed hits and I would've been done for. I turn to see how Lance and Kattie are doing. They have both been watching me since before my fight even started.

Lance managed to kill both his slimes in 1 hit each. Which was faster then I could chant my magic… I feel completely defeated. A slime which isn't strong enough to kill anything. Almost beat me trying my hardest...

We set-up camp for the night. As useless as I am now, I understand how no one has ever managed to get to level 20 as this class. I've been training for almost 7 years straight. So much time spent training for such little results... Constantly learning how to use all sorts of different classes to help me. Being outfitted in armor no one my age should have… And still almost losing to the weakest monster... I'm in utter despair at the situation. Now that I think about it, even my magic has never been that strong and it is my best stat.

Thinking back to my beginning stats. Most were around 1/4 of any other class… Constantly trying to think of some way to get stronger. I finally go to bed angry.

I've been thinking about the situation and there is no way to get around not telling Lance and Kattie about my class. I wait for them to both wake up. I had woken up so much earlier than them. If you camp on the road you won't get attacked by monsters. Only by bandits, so we didn't bother with a lookout. We are still too close to the town to worry about bandits yet. They both woke up and I pull them in to have a group meeting.

“So before we begin the first meeting. We need to think of a group name for our adventurer team.”

I announced. We agreed the name “Nooby Squad” for now and I chime up.

“The first meeting of the Nooby Squad commences. First order of business, lets go over each others classes and jobs so we can prepare better for fights.”

Lance went first.

“Lance here! My classes are dragoon and guardian. I haven't picked any jobs yet. Any heavy armor we get I can wear. Also I should probably be in the front.”

It seems he thought this through. Kattie went next.

“Kattie reporting! White mage and bard are my classes. I have doctor and tutor as my jobs. Please don't underestimate my support ability!”

It was my turn.

“Kite and my class is master of learning. This class is a special one that gives me the ability to use any class and job I put effort into training. I currently have many classes unlocked and a bunch of jobs unlocked...”

We sat there for awhile before Lance finally spoke.

“Why are you so weak then?” He put bluntly.

“It's one of the negatives about this class. It has very poor beginning stats and its very hard to get more until I level up. So until I'm able to fight against enemies by myself. I'll be relying on you to handle the front Lance.”

Even more awkward silenced filled the air until Kattie broke it.

“Is that why you're always training?”

“Yea, that's the only way to level up classes other than master of learning.”

Kattie and Lance both understood the situation. We ate breakfast since it was still early and went on our way.The next enemy encounter was 3 more slimes. This time I used the fireball infusion on Lances spear. Casting haste on him which is a time mage ability before the fight started. He didn't need the buffs but I didn't want to feel useless.

The first attack Lance did blew apart the enemy. Apparently the fireball magic I cast unto his spear was enhanced by his strength. I'm not completely useless thankfully. I can make other people stronger at least with support magic. Support magic is also pretty rare, so I doubt many people will question how weak I am when we get into fights. We get into a few more fights that day before we went to sleep in the road, still no reason to have a lookout.

The next day was more of the same. I infused my weapon with fireball magic to see how long it would last. It lasted around 3 hours before my weapon started to cool off. That's a pretty powerful weapon buff for when I get stronger myself. We fought a petty wolf. Which is a weaker version of a regular wolf.

I told Lance not to kill it. He spent a lot of effort just weakening it and I managed to tame it with beast tamer. Comparative to the slime, it's very weak but it'll help me level my beast taming up.

We set-up camp that night and I wire around the perimeter. If anyone approached our camp it would make noise and we'd be able to wake up. Still no need for a lookout but when it comes to it. It'll be nice to have a wolf's keen senses of hearing and smell as an added precaution. I just need to think differently... I'm not strong by myself, but I can be very helpful to a party with a mixture of my skills from all sorts of different classes. Even if they are weaker than normal, anything can still be helpful in the future.