Professor Javier nodded hearing Artis's response like he expected this answer as he put his cup down and said, "Great! I knew you would make the right decision! Now let's discuss what job would suit you the best!"
At that moment, Ray raised his hand, "Um, Professor? Should I be listening to this conversation? This seems quite important..." finished Ray as he glanced at Artis and Professor.
Professor smiled and replied slowly, "Sure, I have no problem with you listening to our conversation. It's better if you stay with us right now. Artis, you don't have any problems with this, right?"
Artis nodded, glancing at Ray who seemed to have a small smile on his face.
"Well, there are a few options for you of what job you can choose. I recommend you become a researcher or an analyst, but I want your opinion of what you want to choose?"
Artis crossed his hands and thought for a while, 'Honestly, I thought about being a researcher but talking to Ray today, I don't feel like I will get stronger if I only gain knowledge and don't work on my body and strength.
'Was this my luck today that I ran into Ray and he talked about the adventurer job? Or...was it something else? Well, it doesn't matter, I already decided what I want to do!'
Artis paused for a while, before clearing his throat and mind and answering with a straight face.
"Professor...I choose to work as an Adventurer!" replied Artis with a determined voice, looking straight into Professor Javier's eyes.
Ray looked at Artis, a mixture of surprise and happiness visible on his face as Professor Javier crossed his legs and fixed his posture before replying in a serious tone.
"Are you sure you want to go down the path of an adventurer?"
Artis felt the weight of the professor's words pressing down on him, but he held his ground. Ray stood up and went to stand by the door, giving Artis a supportive thumbs-up and a wink.
'Good luck, buddy! You'll need it!' Ray thought, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
Artis gave an annoyed look and turned to face Professor Javier again who had a serious expression plastered on his face.
"I'll ask you again," asked Professor Javier, "Are you ready to bear the responsibilities of being an Adventurer and risk your life in situations you might not be able to get out of?"
"Are you willing to trust your partners with your life when you face Spiritual and Mythical beasts in the open land?"
"Are you really interested in becoming an Adventurer? Or are you just pursuing it because of money?"
"Once you become an Adventurer, you will not be able to pursue any other careers until you reach 25. So choose willingly, Artis Janes. Do you really want to become an Adventurer?"
Every word Professor Javier spoke was filled with pressure as Artis felt sweat dripping from his forehead and how the room got heated up as he was speaking.
'An Adventurer? Honestly, I did think of becoming one when I was a kid. Because they earn a lot of money...but there's a lot of danger and betrayal mixed in that, and I don't think I'm ready to live such a life...
But! I can't just stand still and sit here doing some silly research work when Alice can still be alive somewhere out there! I won't ever feel that weak ever again!
I want power! I want strength! I need money! And if I have to risk my very damn life to get it! I'll do anything to achieve that!
An Assistant Professor at Varhard? Heh! I already lost that chance when the ship got attacked and I ended up stuck here...I don't even know how to go to Grand Dream City!'
Final moments of his time at St. Annie cruise started flowing in Artis's mind.
'The only thing you should blame...is your bad luck.'
Artis clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, his eyes almost filled with tears.
'My bad luck? Yeah...it's only because of luck that I managed to survive that night! It's only because of luck that I lived while everyone else suffered. I don't want to luck dictate my life. I don't want to prove that it was fate that I survived! And so I already know what my decision is..."
Harding his resolve, he looked straight at Professor's eye and answered with a determination, "Professor! I'm prepared! I know the dangers of being an adventurer...and that's why I have to become one! I can't always rely on my luck to survive in this world.
"I was sheltered by my sister all my life...and I still don't know what to do and how to live in this world. And that's why I have to get stronger!
"So you are right! I want to become an Adventurer because I want to grow stronger. So, please! Let me become an Adventurer!"
Artis's speech sucked the entire air out of the air as both Professor and Ray remained stunned for a moment.
Professor Javier rubbed his head messing up his blonde hair and smacked the table, "Fine! If you really know the dangers of being an Adventurer, I won't stop you. Artis Janes, from this moment on, you are an Adventurer working under me! Understand?"
Artis nodded, his determination unwavering. "Yes, Professor."
Ray then appeared behind Artis and clapped his hands, "Congratulations! You became an Adventurer! Don't you worry about any betrayals under my watch, your senior in this field will take care of that! But before that, let's get you registered under the system that you are an Adventurer."
Professor nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah, go to the first counter and give her this slip. She will automatically understand what this means."
"He means Maya by the way..." whispered Ray slowly under his ear and Artis understood where he has to go next.
"Oh, and Ray. I got another work for you. There has been some strange sounds inside Ferrous Sewers. I would like you to check it out. You can take only one item this time."
"Roger that, Professor!" said Ray enthusiastically as he saluted and turned around to leave the room.
As Ray left the room, Artis turned toward Professor again as he handed him the slip and said, "Well, after your card has been formed, come to this room again. I'll give you your keys to the place you will be staying at."
"I'm also warning you about the salary for the Adventurer job. The wages are not flexible. You will only get money after you complete any mission you want to do. The wages also depend on the rank of the mission you get, but I won't spoil anything for you as you will understand this job as you keep doing it."
"All I can give you is my best wishes and after taking the keys, come back tomorrow for your first mission that I will be choosing for you, understand?"
Artis nodded as he turned towards the door, "I understand, Professor. And Thank you!"
As Artis left the room, the Professor smiling turned into a serious expression as he got back to his table and took out a couple of papers.
"Yeah, for his first job, this should be fine after his results come out."
The file read the case,
[Stealing Ruffian- Please Help!]
[Difficulty: E rank]
[Reward: 70 Grands]