Kazu, a bright-eyed boy of twelve, looked up at Rosalia with a hopeful expression. "Rosalia, can you take a rest for a while? I've been thinking... I want to learn how to cook delicious food just like you."
Rosalia smiled warmly at him, her heart touched by his enthusiasm. "Oh, Kazu, you don't have to trouble yourself. But if you're eager to learn, I'd be happy to teach you. Would you like to start now?"
"Yes, please, Rosalia! The sooner I learn, the better," Kazu replied eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Alright then," Rosalia said, leading him to the kitchen. "Just follow my instructions, and you'll get the hang of it in no time." As she guided Kazu through the steps, she thought to herself, What a kind-hearted child. It's wonderful to see his enthusiasm for learning.
Kazu followed her lead, carefully mixing ingredients as she instructed. "Is this how you do it, Rosalia?" he asked, stirring the pot with a concentration that belied his young age. "There, I think it's done."
Rosalia took a taste of Kazu's cooking, her face reflecting a blend of encouragement and concern. "Let me see how good of a cook you are... hmm... not bad for your first try," she said, though she had to hide a grimace at the overly salty taste.
"Really, Rosalia?" Kazu beamed, his pride evident.
A notification flashed before Kazu's eyes:
[Notification: New unique skill acquired: Cooking. Your cooking skill is now level 8.]
Kazu's thoughts raced. "Huh? Cooking skill acquired... Does this mean the taste of my cooking will enhance? Does this mean I have a skill that can be strengthened aside from Exploration and assassin? Hmm, let's check my status."
[STATUS]
Level: 4
Name: Kazu Gonomiya
Age: 12
Job Class: God
[Passive]
DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
INFINITE MANA
MAXIMIZED SELF HEALING
[Active Skills]
Dash
Bloodthirst
[Magic Spells]
[Unique Skills]
Exploration level: 12
Assassin level: 12
Cooking level: 8
"Rosalia, I'm done cooking. Shall I call everyone to eat together?" Kazu asked, his excitement barely contained.
"Yes, please, Kazu. Call the others so we can all eat together. I'll just adjust the seasoning a bit to make it tastier," Rosalia said, thinking to herself, It's a bit too salty, my dear.
"Okay, Rosalia! Nozue, call everyone for dinner!" Kazu shouted cheerfully.
Nozue responded from the other room, "O-okay, Kazu... they're coming!"
As they sat down to eat, Kazu couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. "Rosalia, isn't my cooking delicious?"
"Yes, Kazu, it's quite good. I just added a little seasoning to enhance it," she replied with a smile, though she thought, I'll handle the cooking next time, for sure.
"Thank you, Rosalia, for teaching me magic earlier," Kazu said gratefully.
Nozue's eyes widened with interest. "Wow, Rosalia taught you magic today, Kazu?"
"Yes, Nozue. Rosalia is amazing! You should have seen the huge spell she cast!" Kazu exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration.
Nozue looked at Rosalia with newfound respect. "Really, Rosalia? You're incredible!"
Kazu's thoughts drifted back to his new skills. Exploration, Assassin, Cooking... I have so much to improve. I need to train harder to protect Rosalia, Nozue, and everyone else in the orphan house.
---
**Four Months Later**
Kazu's Point of View:
Every day, I jogged and took F-rank job quests from the guild, focusing on slimes and goblins for four straight months. Today, I just finished my quest of defeating five goblins. I'll check my status... Exploration level 48, Assassin level 35, Cooking level 8... I don't need cooking skills much right now. I'll focus on Exploration and Assassin. My Assassin skill levels up through my quests to hunt slimes and goblins. I think it's time to increase my rank in the guild. Yes, I need to rank up to reach S-rank and become stronger to protect my new family—Rosalia, Nozue, and everyone else in the orphan house.
[STATUS]
Level: 38
Name: Kazu Gonomiya
Age: 12
Job Class: God
[Passive]
DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
INFINITE MANA
MAXIMIZED SELF HEALING
[Active Skills]
Dash
Explosive Blink
Bloodthirst
[Magic Spells]
Fire Pierce
Fire Spirit Flare
[Unique Skills]
Exploration level: 48
Assassin level: 35
Cooking level: 8
As Kazu entered the guild, Missy greeted him with a warm smile. "Oh, Kazu, you've grown so much in just four months! You look like a young man now."
Kazu blushed slightly, feeling a mix of pride and nervousness. "Um, Missy, I'd like to rank up in the guild. How do I do that?"
"You can take a passing exam to move from F to E rank. However, there's also a leap exam that can speed up your rank progression. If you pass with high marks, you could jump straight to C rank without taking the exams for D and E ranks. But remember, if you fail, you'll have to wait six months to retake any exam," Missy explained, her gaze thoughtful.
"I understand, Missy. I'll take the leap exam," Kazu said with determination.
Missy looked at him with concern, her brow furrowing. "Remember, Kazu, it's not easy. The mana meter can't measure your mana, so you'll need to show us your skills and abilities. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Missy," Kazu nodded firmly, his resolve unshaken.
"Alright, let's start," Missy said, preparing for the test.
Kazu began by demonstrating his skills. "Dash... dash executed... Dash... dash executed," he said, showcasing his rapid movement with precision.
Missy was astonished, her eyes widening. "D-d-d-dash? An assassin with a three-second cooldown between dashes? Most assassins have a twenty-second cooldown. You show the skills of a B-rank adventurer. You're already at C-rank just based on this."
Kazu hesitated but then spoke up, "Missy, there's another skill I want to show you, but it's dangerous here. Can we go somewhere with more space?"
Missy's curiosity was piqued, but she was also concerned. "Alright, Kazu, show me what you've got."
They moved to a wide-open field outside the city. Kazu took a deep breath and closes eyes, focusing his energy. "I, the mighty God..." The surroundings darkened ominously, causing unease among the city's inhabitants.
Missy watched in awe, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and amazement. "He doesn't use incantations... Kazu, this is extraordinary."
Suddenly, Missy's voice cut through the tension. "Kazu, open your eyes! Don't continue that spell, or you'll destroy the entire country!"
Kazu stopped just in time, the weight of the spell he almost cast dawning on him. "That was close... I didn't realize how powerful the spell Rosalia taught me was."
Missy sighed with relief, her composure returning. "Let's head back to the guild. I'll prepare your new guild card. And Kazu, never use that spell again!"
"Okay, Missy," Kazu agreed, still grappling with the intensity of his abilities.
Back at the guild, Kazike, an A-rank adventurer with a teasing grin, greeted them. "Hey, Kazu! How was your date with Missy?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Missy turned red, flustered. "It wasn't a date! Kazu was taking his skill test at the Himalayas."
Kazike laughed heartily. "So, how did he do?"
Missy leaned closer to Kazike, whispering, "He's S-rank."
Kazike's eyes widened in surprise. "S?!!!"
Missy quickly hushed him, "Shhh! Don't be so loud! We haven't told him yet. I'm worried about the quests he'll face with an S-rank status."
Kazike placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If he's S-rank, he deserves to know."
Missy sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Alright, you tell him."
Kazike approached Kazu with a wide grin. "Congrats, Kazu! You're the highest rank in this guild!"
The guild fell into stunned silence as everyone's gaze shifted to Kazu. "M-me? How?" Kazu stammered, his mind reeling.
Kazike laughed, clapping Kazu on the back. "You'll understand soon enough. For now, wait for your new guild card."
Kazu nodded, still processing the shock. "Okay..."
After an hour, Missy handed Kazu his new guild card. "Here it is, Kazu."
Kazu looked at it and gasped. "S-rank... Job Class: Assassin, Fire Magic Caster, Healer... Three job classes?"
Missy explained, "Yes, because of your extraordinary dash skill and the powerful magic spell you cast. You're confirmed as an S-rank adventurer. Also, healing is a valuable backup skill for an S-rank."
Kazike clapped Kazu on the back. "Amazing, Kazu! No wonder Missy was so flustered."
Missy blushed. "I wasn't flustered! Just... surprised."
Kazu grinned widely. "S-rank... I can't believe it... Thank you, Missy! I need to tell Rosalia! She'll be so proud!" He hugged Missy tightly and ran off.
Missy watched him go, her heart swelling with pride and concern. "Take care, Kazu," she whispered.
Kazike chuckled. "That kid is something else. I can't wait to see how strong he'll become."
Missy glared at him. "Don't you dare take him to dangerous places, Kazike! Remember the goblin swarm?"
Kazike raised his hands in surrender. "Don't worry, Missy. I'll take good care of him. Hehe
"I hope so" Missy replied with worry.