Side Story 3: Working Hard for The Levels (Patreon)

Alfonsen Holerand Mirbit VII was deeply dissatisfied. It was unbecoming for an Eldaray prince to show emotions stronger than dissatisfaction, so he was merely dissatisfied, but very strongly so.

As tradition dictated, since his family established the Kingdom of Mirbit, every heir to the throne had to travel through the Gates to elevate the Gate Traveler Class and its sub-classes to a respectable level. At least his Profession, [Monarch (in training)], would shed the (in training) addendum and ascend in level when he took the throne.

His family had a long-standing tradition of adopting the Mage sub-class and Enchanter sub-profession. Consequently, they possessed extensive archives—far more organized than the chaotic Travelers’ Archive—detailing the locations and Gate chains necessary to level these roles. And herein lay the dilemma: He did not have those particular class and profession.

Alfonsen Holerand Mirbit VII could not reconcile with the limited 350-400-year lifespan these classes bestowed. The Mage class granted a mere 2 points to Vitality, while the Enchanter class contributed none. This was utterly intolerable. Therefore, he consulted the Adventurers Guild, posed numerous inquiries, and discovered that the Heavy Warrior class offered 4 points to Vitality, and the Alchemist profession likewise provided 4 points to Vitality.

Securing the Heavy Warrior class was relatively straightforward; he joined a party, expended one of his precious ability points on a mana shield, acquired a substantial mithril shield, cleared two dungeons, and even a Mana Aggregation Occurrence, and attained the class. The Alchemist profession proved more elusive, but he persisted and found an impoverished Alchemist who agreed to instruct him for a fee, without an apprentice contract.

And now, here he was, trudging through a muddy swamp, seeking mana-rich plants to concoct potions to elevate his Alchemist profession. His boots were caked with mud—he even had mud inside his boots—bugs incessantly bit him, and there were no beautiful courtesans in this entire world.

Alfonsen Holerand Mirbit VII was profoundly dissatisfied.