"What a nostalgic taste." Kass slightly muttered under his breath as he munched a white fish meat.
Currently, he was waiting for his party at the only inn within Jubar Village. This inn was a combination of bricks and straw. Although it didn't give off a very luxurious atmosphere, it did make the inn feel cozy with a lingering smell of smoke from the kitchen and dim morning sunshine through the windows.
It was now early in the morning, so the inn was now full. The bustling sound of villagers eating breakfast before setting out to sea. Because Jubar Village was located along the coast, most of the people in the village have Fishing Skills.
Every year, the village's caravan travels to the closest town to trade for necessary supplies such as vegetables, fruits, rice, and various spices.
Those who fulfilled the growth requirements were also asked to accompany the caravan to receive blessings at Dawn City's city church in order to advance the Tree Of Entis growth stage
After advancing the Tree Of Entis, the Novice Class will be automatically promoted. If you get a Combat Class, you can stay in the Dawn City. As for the Lifestyle Class, it's up to you whether you want to return to the village or not.
'By the way, when I think about the Growth Requirements.' Kass thought about it and recalled back to the conditions for moving up from Stage 1 Seedling to Stage 2 Sprouting.
[Growth Requirements for Sprouting Stage]
-Novice Class reached level 10 (10/10)
-Have at least 5 Low Proficiency Skills (5/5)
-Have at least 1 Intermediate Proficiency Skill (1/1)
[Growth Requirements Fulfilled. Please receive a blessing at the church to advance your Tree Of Entis.]
'I hope I won't get the Thief Class this time.' Kass thought to himself as he looked down at the bowl of fish soup he had eaten down to the last drop.
'Why haven't they come yet?' He thought as he glanced at the inn door, his brows furrowed as he idly knocked against the wooden table, amidst the sound of morning chatter and clinking dish around him. A sea breeze drifted in from the open windows, carrying the unique scent of salt from the sea.
A loud creak of the copper door suddenly broke through the inn's liveliness, Kass's gaze abruptly turned to the door as it swung open. Strode in a muscular man, behind him followed three figures–two young women and a young man. Kass's chest tightened as his eyes settled on the young man.
"Oh my gosh, we went out of our way to wait in front of your house. But it turns out you've been here a long time now." A large muscular man approached him at the table with a complaint, causing Kass to hide his complicated feelings before turning around to the village chief.
"Uh… I was just excited so I came here to wait in the morning, village chief." Kass replied with an embarrassing tone. He forced a grin, trying to act like a greenhorn who had never seen the world before. Then he turned to look at the three figures who were following the village chief and asked him with confusion, "So who are these three people?"
"They're the ones that are going to receive the blessing like you. How could you forget?" The village chief replied with a snort. He then turned to look at the three children following him, "Then the four of you, please introduce yourselves. When it is time for the caravan to depart I will have someone call you guys. Make sure you're ready." After saying that, the village chief walked straight out of the inn.
'Still as straightforward as ever.' Kass was speechless after hearing the village chief's words. He then turned and spoke to the three fellow travelers in a friendly manner, "Come and sit down. You'll hurt your legs if you stand for too long."
The three of them heard this and sat down in the chairs around the round table. But no one said anything first.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Kass looked at the three of them and saw that they hadn't said anything yet, so he introduced himself first.
"My name is Kass. I dream of becoming a swordsman." Kass said with a smile, slightly lifting the scabbard that was tucked on the side of his waist. Although he secretly sighed in his heart because in his previous life he had gotten a Thief Class that had completely turned his life upside down.
"Nice to meet you, Kass. My name is Tanya, and my preferred class is Archer." a brown-haired leather-clad girl said cheerfully, holding out a bow in front of her, as Kass looked at her. He was surprised if she was normally this cheerful. But he didn't think much of it because it was normal for kids before they got a Class to be excited.
"My name is Jade. I… am a Priestess," the black-haired girl in the faded green hood said softly as her voice barely sounded amidst the chatter in the inn. She adjusted the dark wooden mask on her face, with her white tender fingers brushing against its polished surface.
Every year, a priest visited the village to spread teachings and tested the children for talent and potential to become the priest. With only Jade who had shown promise in the last few years. One could only wonder if she saw her gift as a blessing or a burden, but her quiet demeanor offered no answer.
Now there was only one young man who had not introduced himself yet. The others looked towards him, while Kass looked at him coldly, clenching his fists under the table.
"Um… My name is… Leonard, and I… want to be a Scholar in the future." The last black-haired boy of the group stammered and blushed as he avoided the others' eyes that were focused on him.
"And for what reasons do you want to be a Scholar?" Tanya asked him with eyes full of curiosity.
"I… I just… want to learn as much as I can, then I will disseminate knowledge to everyone in the world." This time Leonard said with determination unlike before that he stammered in his speech.
"Then I bless you to get the Scholar Class that you want" Kass gave him encouragement with his most friendly smile at the moment.
Suddenly, a young man in leather armor who was probably in his late twenties pushed open the inn's door, then he walked to the table where Kass and the group were sitting.
"Hey, kiddo! It's time to set off now lest we'll have to sleep in the middle of the forest tonight." He solemnly said, before walking out of the inn.
"Alright, it's time to go now everyone." Kass said calmly before standing up and following that young adventurer.
"Wait for me, Kass!" Tanya said hurriedly and followed him.
"M… Me too!" Leonard exclaimed then rushed after them.
Until now, only Jade was still sitting at the table, silently looking at the backs of the three of them before getting up and following them out.