Times had passed. Today was my fifth birthday. I had grown as a proper child or rather I had pretended to be one. My appraisal skill and language skills had grown rapidly since then.
Today was an important day for all children in this world. When a child is reaching the age of 5, he or she must visit the church to get the Job Appraisal and Blessing from the Goddess. I was brought by my mother accompanied by the strict Maid and the Cat eared one. There was a butler too at home but he stayed behind. In the meantime, I used my appraisal on the three.
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Natalia Level 17 Maid Level 10 Shaman Level 16
Race: Beast Tribe
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Rosemaria Level 88 Maid Level 58 Assassin Level 82
Race: Human
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Emilia Concerto Level ???? Paladin Level ???? Priestess Level ???? ???? Level ????
Race: Human
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I was shocked when I appraised them. To think that the strict maid was an assassin and she was a high leveled one was shocking enough. I also couldn't read my mother's status more than this too. But, my mother was a Paladin. I was proud of it.
"Co-Concerto-sama, wh-what can I do for you?"
A priest asked in a rigid manner. I didn't see my gentle mother at all here. Her expression was full of hatred toward the people inside the church. It was somehow looked like she was ready to chop their head anytime.
"My son will have his ceremony here."
She said coldly.
"Yo-ur son?"
The priest looked at me with dumbfounded looks. He looked at me and my mother in turn. His face paled as if he just saw something horrible.
"The holy maiden has a son?"
He repeated again. He looked lifeless at this point.
"It's a lie, right? Please tell me this is a lie!!"
He asked. He was like a devout idol worshiper who found out that his idol was going to get married.
"Just shut up and prepare the ceremony already!!"
My mother was pissed off. The priest gasped and hurriedly led us inside. I was guided toward the place a group of children gathered. They were all around my age, no, they are probably at the same age as me.
I sat down at the corner when I saw a boy with expensive-looking clothes was sitting alone at the other corner. At first, I ignored him but somehow he attracted my attention. I secretly glanced at him and used appraisal.
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Leonardo Michaelo Level 10
Race: Human
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He was looking around restlessly. It seems like he wasn't used to this. I stood from my seat and approached him.
"Are you nervous?"
I asked. He gasped and restored his posture.
"Like hell I am! I'm going to be gifted with the best class in this room."
He said confidently. I just smiled when hearing his response.
"Is that so? Well, I'm not confident with my skill so probably I won't get a good one."
I said as I sat beside him. I looked at him and extended my hand.
"I'm Ren. You?"
Introduced myself. He looked surprised by my sudden action and got flustered.
"Leo, Wai- why are you talking so casually to me?"
It seems like he was a spoiled brat of nobility. I kept staring at him and tilted my head a little.
"I can't?"
He gasped and averted his eyes.
"I-It's not like that you can't but I am a noble you know? You commoner should know your place!"
He said while pointing his finger at me.
"Hee, amazing. But, is that important? I'm just talking to Leo? Will that be bad?"
I asked. He gasped. He looked around for a while before sighing and smiled weakly.
"Well, it's not that bad but well, maybe I'll make an exception this time."
He said.
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The preparation for the ceremony took a quite long time. I spent my time doing a thumb wrestling with Leo. At first, we just played by two of us but slowly the other children noticed our games and cheered on us.
"What's happening here?"
A priest said. The children gasped and headed back to their seats. I and Leo looked at each other and shrugged our shoulder.
"The ceremony is starting. Stand up and get into the line!"
He said. The children lined up obediently. I stood behind Leo and joined the line. The priests looked at me scorning. I ignored him and walked along with the other children.
"Well, then, Leo-sama, please this way."
The priest tried to give Leo a preferential treatment. He snorted and didn't heed his words.
"I'm not someone who wants preferential treatment for my status. Get lost."
He said before dragging me to the other children's line.
One by one the children were told to stand on the altar and the priest would chant some kind of aria. The pillars around the altar were glowing and when the glow disappeared, the priest announced the job the child got. Though, their job was just ordinary ones, like a farmer, blacksmith, or so on.
Now it was Leo's turn. He rose to the altar with confidence. He received the light from the pillars but the priest didn't announce his job. He descended from the altar and waited for me. I rose to the altar. The priest looked at me with disgusted eyes.
The aria started. I listened carefully and noticed that the aria was different. I could hear faintly 'the worst job' in English from his mouth. I pretended to not noticing and waited for the aria finished.
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As I thought, he really wanted to make me fall through this method.
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I read through the job list. They were really trashy type of jobs. The Farmer and Miner were ordinary jobs for a villager. Grave Keeper, Minstrel, Bard, and Librarian looked like trashy hidden jobs in an MMOs. But, Gambler, Beggar, and Gigolo are out of question as they are definitely shady jobs. Thus, I chose the last one, Alchemist.
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"Job Class, Alchemist"
The priest announced. I sighed and descended from the altar.
"You got an unusual job over there."
Leo said. I used my appraisal on Leo.
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Leonardo Michaelo Level 10 Paladin Level 1
Title: First Prince of Maximilian, Prodigy
Race: Human
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I smiled wryly when I saw his Job Class.
"What's wrong?"
He asked.
"So, Sir Paladin is going to boast for his achievement and mock this trashy Alchemist eh?"
"Like hell, I will!! Wai- how did you-"
I put my finger over his lips.
"Trade secret"
I said while putting my finger in front of my lips.
"Now, what will you do? I might be go back home right away after this with my family."
I asked.
"Going home? You don't know that the ceremony isn't done yet?"
I shook my head at his question. He sighed and dragged me.
"After this, we'll meet with the Pope to get beginner tools for our jobs. Regardless the job, you should be given something as a starter kit."
He said. We walked to the wide room next to the ceremonial room and saw a bald man was giving a small hoe for a child. He smiled at the children which was befitting a person with noble title of a Pope.
"Well, if it isn't Your Highness Prince Leonardo."
The Pope greeted. Leo gave a displeased looks.
"Good Day, Pope Marcus XII."
Leo greeted.
"A Paladin Class at such a young age. Royal Family is full of promising people isn't it?"
'Like hell is that! I knew that you guys are giving a special privilege on them!'
I retorted inside my head. His face turned toward me and the kind smile somehow changed into a scorn.
"Then, what is this lowly Alchemist doing besides the great Paladin?"
He scorned me.
"Just tagging along. I'm the last child so I'm following him since I'm afraid to get lost in your majestic abode and entered the room I'm not supposed to enter. His Highness is the one who suggested it."
I said. Pope snorted.
"Very well then"
He said. Leo looked at me with disbelieve. I shook my head indicating him to just go with the flow of events. The Pope tapped his staff to the ground. A priest walked in with a golden sword on a tray.
"This is one of the precious treasures of the church, Extella. This will be yours from now on."
He said. Leo accepted the sword with an amazed look in his eyes. His eyes were staring at the sword he got.
"As for the Alchemist, I'm sorry that we don't have any tools for you."
Just as I expected. I could see that this person was lying. There was no way an institution for class changing wouldn't stock the basic need of a common job like an alchemist. He just didn't want to give me anything. This person was scum to the core.
"No, it's alright Pope-sama. Mother told me to not expecting anything and will buy me anything for celebrating my birthday."
I said. Pope twitched hearing my words. The Pope glanced at the priest.
"Then, instead of tools, why don't we give you materials instead? Alchemists are rare but I heard they can make miraculous drugs from grasses."
He said with a sign of mockery. The priest smirked and left the room. Not long after that, he returned with a bag filled with grasses. I glanced at the bag and used appraisal on it. There were many types of grasses in there and most of them were poisonous.
"Thank you, Pope-sama"
I thanked him. Leo was quite irritated as he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me out from there. We left the church and were noticed by my mother. There was also an armored man approaching us.
"Ren, how is it?"
Mother asked. I shrugged my shoulder.
"Well, the first job aside. When you obtained your second job later, I'll teach you how to be a great paladin."
She said. I looked at Leo. He pointed at me as he spoke with the man.
"Oya? Isn't it Vargas over there?"
Mother said. It seems like they were acquaintances.
"Eh? Concerto-shishou? Why are you here?"
I was dumbfounded when I heard his words. This big muscular ikemen was my mother's disciple. My mother grinned at his question and patted my head.
"My son is getting his first job. Though, this place is full of scum as ever."
My mother glared at the church. Vargas laughed and looked at Leo.
"Leo-sama, this is Emilia Concerto. She is the legendary Paladin who had killed a thousand demons by herself."
He boasted. I looked at my mother with dumbfounded looks.
"Mother is a hero?"
I asked innocently. She smirked.
"Awesome!!"
I replied like a child.
"So, what did he get?"
"Alchemist"
"Uwaa, that shabby job? It's going to be difficult for him."
Vargas commented.
"Don't worry, my son is a genius so he'll definitely shake the whole kingdom."
My mother said.
"So, Leo-sama, you know my son?"
My mother asked.
"Leo is my first friend"
I replied happily. Leo was dumbfounded when I said that. He then grinned and smiled.
"Well, I guess our relationship can be said as that.."
He said. My mother and Vargas looked at each other and smiled.
"Well, since we coincidentally met here, I'll be direct. Please take Leo-sama as your disciple."
Vargas said. My mother looked at me.
"Leo's awesome. He's a great Paladin."
I said.
"Fine then, but, you must let me take my son to the castle along with my maids. They are the only family I have after all."
She said.
"Thank you very much!!"
Vargas bowed.
"So, what do you want to buy, Ren?"
Mother asked me. I pretended to think. I looked back at my grass filled bag.
"Alchemy tools!"
I said. My mother smiled and we left the venue. Vargas and Leo came with us for some reason. I bought some disposable cloths for replacing masks, small magic stove, big bowl, and some different shaped glass-works. I also bought a thick coat as a substitution of my lab coat as well as some gloves and glasses.
"You sure buy a lot."
Leo said.
"I'm aiming to be a great alchemist!!"
I said. We talked for a while along the way but parted just a moment before I and my mother headed home. On the carriage, I used my appraisal on the current passengers.
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Natalia Level 17 Shaman Level 16 Maid Level 10
Title: Ex-slave, Clumsy
Race: Beastkin(Cat Kin)
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Rosemaria Level 88 Assassin Level 82 Maid Level 58
Title: Ex-Hero Companion, Ex-Slave, Perfect Kill, Terror of Darkness
Race: Human
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Emilia Concerto Level 226 Paladin Level 220 Priestess Level 161 General Level 102
Title: Ex-Hero, Fallen Holy Maiden, Ex-Great Commander, Widow, Ex-noble, Nightmare for Demon Race, Massacre of Thousands, Loving Mother, Son Complex
Race: Human
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I could see more information from the appraisal now. There, I found out that my mother's levels are already unbelievable. Her level was way another league than other people. Furthermore, her titles were too amazing but the last title was disturbing. For now, I think I'll let it slide. I just hope I won't flip her switch accidentally later on.
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After arriving at home, I spread the tools like mortar, glassworks, and stove on the desk of my room. I looked at my bag and began sorting the grasses according to their types.
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Ordinary Grass 10%
Dorudia Grass (Deadly Poisonous) 14 %
Alakia Grass (Fever Remedy) 2%
Kurana Grass (Diarrhea Remedy) 4%
Borond Grass (Poisonous) 20%
Gorgonta Grass (Petrification Remedy) 4%
Nosferatu Grass (Herb) 15%
Karan Grass (Paralysis Poison) 11%
Marax Grass (Hemorrhage Inducing Poison) 20%
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I wiped my sweat after sorting the grass. I took the disposable cloth and wrapped it around my mouth and nose. I took some Nosferatu Grass and ground it with Mortar. I used the [Extraction] on the ground grass and poured the liquid product to a vial. I did the same to the other grasses until nothing was left.
I took some water from the reservoir and brought it back to my room. I carefully boiled the water and put in some of the Nosferatu Extract with pipette drop by drop. After a while, I poured the product to smaller vials and corked them before appraising it.
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[Minor Basic Potion]
[Slightly recover a minor injury]
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I made the fantasy potion for the first time. I used half of the Nosferatu Extract for the potions. This was tiring as expected. I got out of my room brought a few samples with me. I saw a blinking transparent thing at the corner of my sight. I tapped it and found something surprising.
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I sighed and swept the log away. I took off my coat, glasses and mask. I walked around the house and saw Natalia was bandaging her knee. It seems like she skinned it during her fall.
"Ren-sama-nya? Do you need anything?"
She asked.
"No, I'm just walking around. I'm looking for mother. I want to show her my product."
I said.
"Emi-sama is probably inside her study. Do you want me to accompany you?"
"Sure"
I was guided by Natalia to mother's study. There, I saw an unexpected sight. Mother was kissing with the silver-haired maid who I rarely saw.
"Awawawawawawa!!!"
Natalia quickly covered my eyes with her hands. She tried to at least. I still could see through her finger's gap. Rather, Dear Mother, what are you doing behind your son?
"Ara? Natalia and Ah!!! Re-Ren, it's not like what you think you see!!"
My mother became desperate to explain things to me. She was in state of panic and hearing her might be troublesome so I ignored her. I secretly activated my appraisal on the silver-haired girl.
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Anastasia Level 422 Sorcerer Level 411 Necromancer Level 200 Arcanist Level 99 Maid Level 13
Title: Vampire Princess, Loli Baba, Ruler of Death, The one who is defeated, Blood Servant, Lesbian
Race: Vampire(True Ancestor)
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She looked at me with amused looks. I took the vial inside my pocket. Her face distorted seeing it.
"Boy, where do you get that accursed thing?!!"
She asked angrily.
"Ana? Does something matter?"
Mother asked her who suddenly hid behind her. Anastasia was trembling.
"Ren, can you tell me what that thing is?"
She asked.
"Potion"
I replied.
"He?"
"It's a potion."
I said again to the dumbfounded mother.
"Seriously?"
She was dumbfounded.
"Let me see it."
My mother said. Anastasia quickly hid under the desk as my mother approached me to take the vial. She took off the cork and sniffed the content.
"Lia, do you have any recent wound?"
Mother asked Natalia. She looked down at her bandaged knee. There was a red tint on it.
"Drink this."
She said. Natalia sniffed the content and shivered. I could see her tail was standing straight. My mother glared at her and made her ears and tail limped down. She took the vial and drank the content with one gulp. Her tail straightened at once.
"E? Impossible!"
She quickly undid her bandage and tried to check her wound. Under the bandage, there were no single wound or scar remained. There was just smooth skin remained under the bandage.
"Alchemist is specialized in this aspect, Potion crafting."
I said proudly.
"Say, are you really a five year old?"
Anastasia asked doubtfully.
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My mother wasn't a forgiving person. On the same day I showed her my potion, she asked 5 vials at once to be given to the church for giving me the class and grasses. I wish I could see the face of the Pope at that time.
My mother began asking Anastasia to gather some grasses and herbs for my research. She wanted me to level my Alchemy fast. It seems a person could learn their additional job after they reached level 50, 100, 150, 200, and so on.
I looked at myself. I used appraisal on my own body.
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Ren Level 11 Alchemist Level 8
Race: Human
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I almost reached level 10. I looked at the piled-up grass. The grasses they gathered mostly are only ordinary grass so I couldn't practice alchemy properly. Anastasia always returned with a huge pile of grasses which was troubling me sorting it. My appraisal reached level 10 thanks to it.
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[Ordinary Grass]
[Just a simple grass for feeding animals that could be found anywhere.]
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I sighed seeing the piles. Anastasia was helping my mother inside her study. I put the grasses outside the house and told Natalia to dispose of it.