I just stayed seated and kept thinking about what Janet had said. It looks like gaining strength is not easy at all. It is going to be a lot of hard work if I want to get anywhere near their levels. While I was never really aiming for Val and Janet level of strength, I didn't really know anyone else's strength. So I had no way to know at what level, things would become easier for me.
Finally I made my resolve.
"I still want to get stronger. I can't continue living like this. I will earn experience and increase my energy level. I will use Transference to level up just like you two."
Janet looked at me with sad eyes and said "If that is what you want, we won't stop you. We would help you if we could but there is another thing I haven't told you yet. You cannot ask people who are much higher level that you to help you gain experience. If we help you in your quests, because of our high levels you won't gain much experience at all. Because of this, higher level people cannot help lower level people in levelling. You will have to find people around your own level to party with."
I was not thinking of asking the two of them to help me with low level quests that are available to me. Looking at them I knew they really wanted to help me but they knew they couldn't. The reason for Janet's hesitation was now more clear to me. It seems she knew how this conversation was going to go and what effect it would have on me. Janet and Val were really good people and thanks to them, I got to experience friendship for the first time in my life.
"I understand. Thanks for all the information you have provided as well as for helping me register as an adventurer. I will never forget the kindness you two have shown me."
I lowered my head as if to show my gratitude. Suddenly I felt a strong flick to my temple and I straightened up while holding my head. The flick was quite strong and I could feel the burn.
"Stop being so formal shrimp, you are making us uncomfortable!"
"Ah..I am sorry"
"Haha, don't mind Val. She is the mean one, I am the nice one. Remember that, OK?"
"Hey! I am not mean. It's you who is mean!"
"Didn't you just flick his head with your monstrous strength? See, he even got a red mark on his forehead!"