Evan didn't intend to let them kill slimes as he did. This is because the level of existence of rookies does not grow well, and even if it grows, the resulting changes are minimal.
In short, the level of existence for them is useless.
But that doesn't mean that there is no way for rookies to get stronger.
The basis of absolute strength is categorized in two ways: the existence level and the dungeon level.
However, there is another factor that influences both systems—the level of skills.
Evan explained as such to the two.
"I don't know any skill," Shine said briefly.
"You don't have to explore what a skill is. The only thing you have to remember is once you master a skill, you get stronger. Some types of skills improve physical and magical abilities just by mastering them."
In simple terms, they are passive skills.
Skills that increase the efficiency of a specific action. At the same time, you can gain other benefits by mastering a skill!
For example, Arcane Fencing, which is being learned by the Knights of the Marquis of Sherden, increases the fencing skill level as well as permanently increases the body's physical skills.
In fact, Evan had a vague expectation that the weight training he was doing might contribute to developing this fencing skill in the future.
Really, even a weak body can learn skills.
"Tell me, Master," Shine said, "How can I get that?"
"Skills come from the following actions. First, the reward that God gives when the dungeon level rises. Second, obtain and read a special book called a 'skill book.' Third, when you are recognized as the master of artifacts with special powers. Fourth, satisfying a specific condition at a designated place. It's a very rare case."
For reference, Miraseul's Necklace falls under the third case.
By obtaining the necklace, Evan can summon slime. The moment the artifact recognized him as an artifact, the skill to summon slime was activated.
"Isn't it all impossible for us? Ah, maybe you're an artifact with the power of money… … !?"
"Stay still, Shine."
Isn't Shine grasping the power of the marquis too well? Of course, Evan planned to do what he just said, but that is in a distant future.
"Fifth, do a repetitive act until it is recognized as a unique power. Sixth, similar to the fifth, receive instructions that have been handed down from generations and generations… Then, can you guess how you two will obtain skills?"
"Fifth?"
"… … Sixth!"
Belois spit out without a thought. Shine thought for a moment and then shouted out loud, his face bright as if he had a great realization.
Evan gave them a huge smile.
"Both are correct. Acquisition of skills through repetitive actions and transmission of instructions developed through generations. You'll be empowered by both. At least, for now."
When Evan played Yo-Ma Great War in his previous life, he noticed something strange. There were some members of a group that had too much stamina and mana that didn't suit their appearance or occupation.
Aristocratic servants!
The higher the family's rank, the higher the level, stamina, and magic of their servants. Of course, these do not directly translate to combat ability.
But how could a servant get abnormally high stamina and mana?
Later, when he studied it further, the answer was simple. They learn their chores through traditional knowledge passed down through generations, and through repeated actions!
Shine and Belois are in a great situation. This is because they share their house with the Marquis' family, an aristocratic family superior enough to be commanded by the king to manage a dungeon city.
So, at least, it could be regarded as the top-level among other marquis families. No, not really.
"There's only one other family, the Duke of Leona, a relative of the royal family, whose servants have more traditional and superior housekeeping skills."
"Then, are we going to cook and clean?"
Evan nodded. "It will be difficult. Didn't I tell you that already?"
Shine and Belois nodded seriously to mirror Evan's serious tone.
"In the process of mastering the work of other servants, you'll increase your level, but not as fast as others. Your ability to work and efficiency is reduced. Therefore, your skills will grow slower, and as a result, you will have to suffer several times more to reach the same level as the others."
However, if they can overcome all the difficulties and master housekeeping skills, they will be able to establish some stamina and mana foundation. And it will help them when the time comes for them to clear the dungeons!
"I told you in advance that I can show you the way, but I can't walk that way for you… Are we clear?"
"Of course."
He believed in the two children, who are now blinking in front of him. The children also trusted and believed the sincerity he showed them. That was enough.
"Okay, then… Maybell!"
"M-master?!"
As Evan opened his door, he found Maybell clinging to it. She fell flat on her face like a frog.
Instead of looking down at her with cold eyes and asking her what she was doing pressed against the door, he ordered her to do something.
"Call the chief maid."
"Huh? Chief maid? Why don't you send these children directly to her?"
"I need to tell her something personal."
There were two reasons why Evan wanted to entrust the children to the chief maid.
First, they could learn more accurately and faster. Second, the higher the abilities of the person passing the skills, the higher performance a person receiving the skill would have.
"You are trying to build a wall with your personal maid! You're scary!"
"Maybell, I'm more afraid of you. Call her quickly."
Maybell's obsession was adding up day by day. Even though Evan didn't flirt with her, he wondered if he can still be stabbed by Maybell someday!
Shine suddenly asked Evan. "If the sixth way is to learn the instructions… and the fifth method is a repetitive action. Can we learn skills in two different ways, simultaneously?"
"Oh, it's time to learn the instructions first. Start with the basics. Both of you are still too weak to do both ways. So, try to be diligent and do as the maid tells you to do, and put your strength on it when it's possible, got it?"
"… … Huh!"
In a cruel and exacting point, Shine bites his lips as if he was resentful, while Belois simply nodded innocently.
Shortly thereafter, the chief maid arrived.
"I heard you called me, Master. What kind of gems are you going to use this time?
"Oh, chief maid."
She was a forty-year-old, middle-aged woman, but she was still beautiful, with an elegance that she learned from serving the Sherden family for decades.
Servants and maids are not used to mastering martial arts, but chief maids and butlers had superior mana and stamina than other knights and apprentices.
"I'm not trying to use gems today. This time, I called you to ask you a favor."
"I heard you bought two children from the slave market… maybe you need something meditative… jade?!"
"Maid Zhang!"
Evan approached the maid and held her tightly in his arms. Then she looked up from below, and her eyes twinkled at what she saw.
The strongest skill that Evan D. Sherden has learned for the past nine years is…
Cuteness!
"Couldn't you teach them directly?"
"Well… but Master, I hear these children…"
Obviously, she was going to say they were bad products, but Evan urgently hung in her arms to stop her.
"They are really important kids. They will be with me forever. It may take longer for them to learn, but I can guarantee their talent. Huh? Can't the chief maid take care of them herself? Huh?"
"Master, no matter how much… Oh!"
"No? Really not?"
"Huh…"
Tears filled up Evan's purple eyes. At that moment, mental damage was obviously inflicted on the chief maid.
The chief maid found Evan so cute that it was difficult for her to breathe, but she somehow found her calm.
At that moment, Evan can see that she was not convinced and decided to cling tighter.
"I won't let you go until you tell me you'll do it."
"Young Master?!"
"I won't let you go until you say you'll teach Shine and Belois. They are really important kids. I need the chief maid to take care of them unconditionally."
"Young Master…"
The chief maid was truly puzzled as she watched Evan hang on to her desperately.
Of course, there have been many cases where Evan swarmed her. All of them, however, were for childlike reasons, such as hiding the fact he had broken the vase, letting him go out into the city in the middle of the night, or practicing with a real sword.
But this… Has he ever acted like this for someone else? The answer is, 'No.'
So, is there something really special about these children? Of course, both children seemed weaker than others, but that was all. She couldn't figure out why the Marquis' second son would do this.
It seems like she has no choice but to follow the young master's will.
She sighed.
"Okay."
"Really?! I love you!"
"Since the Master said so, I will take care of this child."
"Huh?"
The chief maid lifted Belois. Then, she smiled a mischievous smile to Evan, who looked at her with a confused expression.
"You give the boy to the butler. Do it as you did with me, it will be okay."
"… … Maid Zhang."
"Then, I will start right now."
"Oh, uh uh."
As soon as she began to be separated from Evan and Shine, Belois became anxious. The chief maid carried her away.
Evan then asked Maybell to call the butler this time. When she disappeared, Shine asked Evan with an uneasy voice.
"Master, who's going to be my boss?"
"That… bearded gorilla."
Subsequently, Evan succeeded in getting the butler to agree to take Shine in exchange for his dignity.
Shine, who watched the scene from the side, trembled, and deeply vowed that he would somehow repay the grace to Evan.