Liu quickly approaches the fox who still had Leggy latched on to its neck, and was trying to get it off. “Number 1 Warrior Strike!” Liu calls out as he struck with the trembling sword, cutting about an inch into the fox. Liu struck out again and again, while attempting a few stabbing motions.

The fox’s wounds helped to release the poison, but unfortunately the fox bled to death, turning into white light and disappearing into the air, leaving behind a few coppers and a fox pelt.

“HAHAHA! I’m undefeatable!” Liu shouts with a laugh.

“Okay, calm down there, buddy. You’ll attract all the other monsters around.” Zellin says as he approached. “I’ll be contributing this fox pelt to the group funds.” He says, picking up the pelt.

“Are we going to find more?” Liu asks eagerly, ignoring Zellin taking away his hard earned fox pelt. Of course, without Leggy, Liu would most likely be fox food by now.

“Easy there, tiger. Rest up first, then we’ll go.” Zellin replied. Zellin allowed Liu to rest as he instructed Leggy through their mental link to find Level 1 monsters for Liu and help him to kill them. As Liu disbanded from the party he would be the one to take the majority of the XP as he was the one actually damaging the monster.

Zellin then went back to find the others and to continue hunting. They went back to town around dinner time, as stronger monsters tend to come out and wander in the night. They sold most of what they obtained to meat stores and leather workers.

Some of the items such as the poison glands from the Level 3 Yellow-Striped Cobra were given to more specialized merchants. You’d assume the fight involved in retrieving it was quite fierce, but Coral, that clever girl, used boar meat to lure the cobra into a trap, whereupon she easily slaughtered it. The group got a lethal poison in exchange for the poison gland, which Coral selfishly kept to herself, looking at it as if it was the sweetest candy in the world.

This time was quite profitable for them as they divided several silver amongst themselves. Liu even managed to get the Two-Handed Sword Proficiency skill as well a strength boost. Though he didn’t level up, Liu was quite pleased.

“Aren’t you embarrassed?” Liu asked Reyal as the group sat at the table, eating. “A girl has to fight for you and all you do is clean up the remains. Don’t you have any pride?” Liu says arrogantly, as he has finally obtained some battle experience. He even had a few scars, of which he was quite proud.

“Shut up, Scrawny! Which one of us isn’t even Level 1?” Reyal retorted. “Just wait till I save enough to buy a powerful mage spell, then I’ll blast your ugly face away!”

“My face is actually a divine gift. If any magic is aimed towards it, the gods would guide it away for fear of harming it.” Liu replied with a straight face.

The night went on in that manner, without anyone realizing that a long, life-lasting bond began to form between them.

The next morning the group ate breakfast and lounged around before going to class.

Like this their school life began.

Because, after learning a skill, your mind was allowed access to different knowledge automatically, this introductory class didn’t last long; just like a basic school year on earth. After that, their classes became more specialized.

Zellin was moderately skilled in the cooking course and managed to get the Cooking skill, allowing his mind access to some basic recipes. As for the archery course, Zellin devoted a lot of energy into learning this skill, as he knew it would be the most useful in his career as a Summoner. For the Close Combat course, Zellin took up the study of the spear, just in case it was needed.

He also managed to get the Medicine skill after countless long hours of study. This allowed recipes for basic medicine and a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology to enter his mind, which Zellin was happy for. Luckily no one made him do a presentation about it, lest he lose all motivation.

Through the Battle Experience course and his group’s occasional excursions to the forest, Zellin managed to get to Level 3 during this time.

Reyal eventually managed to buy a skill book for the spell Fireburst, which was a fireball that exploded as it hit; it was able to send enemies flying. As you can’t be taught magic, skill books are the only way to learn them.

Reyal also managed to get the Archery skill, though he wasn’t as proficient as he’d like. As for the Close Combat course, he took a great liking to the longsword and was able to easily grow quite proficient in using the five basic stances he was taught, upgrading his skill proficiency to Level 2. Reyal’s level rose up to Level 3.

Liu didn’t like to cook as he was extremely bad at it, taking 3 times as long as the others to learn the skill. He was also a complete idiot when it came to archery, taking even longer to learn the skill than the Cooking skill.

For the Close Combat course, he spent a lot of effort to increase his mastery in using two-handed swords, even sacrificing much of his spare time to practice. Through his hard work his Strength stat grew quickly, allowing him to easily wield a two-handed sword, and his proficiency also rose to Level 3.

Liu even bought the skill Guard Break at the expense of all his money, which has a prerequisite for one to have first reached Level 3 with the Two-Handed Proficiency skill. The skill allows the weight of Liu’s sword to increase by 8 times as he strikes down. If this skill is used against a Level 3 Tusked Boar who couldn’t guard, the sword would at least be enough to cut 3/4ths into its thick neck.

Liu also became Level 3, becoming much more powerful than when he first entered the school at the expense of endless hours of hunting.

Coral, this little monster, was already Level 4 with over 100 000 experience points. She had a Level 4 proficiency level with daggers and a Level 3 proficiency with dual wielding. Even her Silent Steps skill was Level 4, causing Reyal much fear as he went to sleep.

She was very devoted to the cooking course as she really liked to eat and she was able to quickly learn the Archery skill, but she was never in the mood to practice it afterwards. As for the medicine skill, like Liu, she completely neglected to learn it as studying it required long hours of boring memorization. She completely expected that she would never need to use this skill as Zellin would be around.

During this time Coral’s view of Zellin turned into that of her older big brother as Zellin would always treat her as if he was older. At first she was pretty annoyed with this behaviour but over time she grew to like the idea of having a big brother. Thus, she totally ignored the Medicine skill, relying completely on Zellin.

Six years later…

Coral walked out of the principal’s office with a piece of paper in her hands, approaching her roommates who were waiting for her.

“What does your recommendation say?” Zellin asks, curious.

“Of course it says I’m suited to be an assassin.” Coral says with pride.

“Hah, more like only suited to become an assassin. You won’t bother to learn anything else.” Zellin said, shaking his head.

“Hmph!” Coral responded in anger, her face flushing in embarrassment. That was exactly what her recommendation said. “Of course it says I’m also suitable to become a master chef! All my food is super tasty it said.” She shamelessly lied with pride on her face.

“Okay, okay. I don’t doubt you.” Zellin said comforting this spoiled little girl as he patted her head. “Will you guys go home first?” He asked. This bunch of kids already rented a house to live in for a while as the sum of their savings weren’t little for kids their age. They could continued to learn some other basic skills at the academy, but they were excited to level up to Level 5 and get their class.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen my parents for a while. It’ll be good to see them again.” Reyal responded.

“I also have to report my progress to my father.” Coral said.

“It’s not like I miss my mom or anything. But I guess I’ll see how she’s doing.” Liu replied.

“Right. Then I’ll meet you guys back at the house. Take your time.” Zellin said as the others nodded.

The kids said goodbye and went to see their parents.

“Herro! I’m home!” Zellin called out as he entered his house. He walked to the living room to see his mom sitting on the couch sewing some clothes together.

“Oh, hello, Zellin. Is school finished?” She asked. Zellin nodded and she continued, “Let me see your recommendation letter.” She said, setting down her work.

Zellin took the letter from his jacket pocket and handed it to his mom. As she looked it over, she began to nod her head in approval. “Very good,” she said. “Quite impressive. It seems like you have many classes to choose from in the future. Or do you still want to be a Summoner?” She asked.

“Yes, that would be best. I can’t be bothered to fight on my own; it’s too troublesome.” Zellin replied. Though he said this, when fighting for his life, of course he’d fight as hard as he could.

Recca smiled at her lazy son and rubbed his mischievous head. “Are you a genius or are you just lazy?”

At this time Zol walked in from the kitchen towards the sound of conversation. “Oh, what’s this? School’s over already? Come here little genius, and show me your recommendation letter.”

As Zellin’s father read the letter he also began to nod his head. “Hmm… Good, good. It seems you have some talent in archery. Right, it’s probably best to give up that lousy Summoner class and become a hunter like me. What do you say, little one?” He said as he patted Zellin’s shoulder and looked seriously into his eyes.

“Dad, stop looking at me like that; it’s creepy.” Zellin responds, giving his dad a funny look. “Of course I’m not going to change my mind. Once you begin to walk the path of the Summoner, you can’t ever get off.” Zellin said in an awe-inspiring manner. “Otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy a leisurely life without fighting.” He finished, nodding his head in approval of this ultimate truth.

“Tch!” Zol exclaimed. “Are you a genius or are you just a lazy son?” He asks. Zellin widened his eyes in surprise. Why is everyone saying that today? He wondered.

“Anyways, since your path is already set, I have a surprise for you.” Zol continued as he opened his inventory, and a gift-wrapped box appeared in his hands. “Open it.” Zol says as he handed the box to Zellin. “It’s for finishing school.”

Zellin felt a warm feeling in his heart as he took the box, and a tear trickled out of his eyes. Is this what it feels like to finish school and obtain the approval of your parents? He wondered, regretting the way he died in his past life. I should have worked harder… “Thank you.” He said simply.

Zellin lifted the lid and saw a blue-spotted egg sitting on top of a dark blue silk-like material. “This egg is…?” Zellin wonders.

“I found this egg on a mountain path, just lying there. I don’t know what type of creature is inside, but I hoped it would bring you luck.” Zol replied. “As for what’s underneath, that’s a gift from your mother.”

Zellin looked over at his mother to see her smiling warmly. “Go on,” she said. “It’s for being such a little genius.” She said as she rubbed Zellin’s head.

Zellin took it out and saw that it was a silk mage robe. Zellin tapped it twice, bringing up the item information screen. It was a Level 8 Enchanted Spider Silk Robe which gave a 5-point boost to my Intelligence and Wisdom stat. Its 12 points of Defense was pretty good too; almost the same as leather armor of the same level.

As the laws of this world only allowed you to equip items that are five levels above you or lower, this was currently the highest level item he could wear.

Zellin suddenly imagined himself graduating in his past life and tears streamed down Zellin’s face as he exclaimed through his sobbing, “Thank you mom! Thank you dad! I promise I’ll work hard from now on!”

Recca immediately pulled Zellin to his embrace, soothing him. “It’s okay, son. We know you’ll work hard. It’s okay.” She comforted.

Zol was about to embrace him also, but he saw this kid’s face was full of snot so he stayed away and simply patted his head. “It’s okay, son. Although the Summoner class is kind of wimpy, I’m sure you’ll be able to survive for at least 5 years in the real world.” Zol said, his face showing the sincerity and caring of a father.

After Zellin calmed down, his parents gathered around him to watch him contract the egg. Zellin’s held the egg in one hand and his other hand hovered over it as he activated his Contract skill. A blue glow covered his hand and a strange mark appeared on the egg which hurriedly absorbed the light coming from Zellin’s hand.

After absorbing enough of his mana, cracks appeared on the surface of the blue-spotted egg. A tiny head popped out as the egg fell apart, a forked tongue flickering out of its mouth. It was a bright blue snake with the end of its tail being a fin-like, flat, round shape. Its whole body was only about one and a half feet long.

Zellin tapped the air in front of the snake as it looked up curiously at Zellin. The information screen displayed that it was a Level 0 Everspring Eelsnake Hatchling. Zellin lightly patted its head and the light blue snake closed its eyes as electricity buzzed around its body, giving Zellin a tingling feeling at the tips of his fingers. It must be saying hello, Zellin thought.

Zellin stayed with his parents for a couple days telling them about the friends he’s made and his progress. He also allowed his new pet, Sparky, to electrocute some bunnies before swallowing them whole. After swallowing a whole bunny, it would be like a football for half the day, without being able to move. Zellin would simply shake his head, thinking that this guy took gluttony to the next level. But it grew very quickly, and was soon Level 1; growing to three feet long. This made swallowing bunnies much easier.

Before Zellin left, he told his parents where he would be staying and his future plans. Eventually he left before his mother’s teary eyes. Recca was quite proud of this little genius of hers.