Whether it be back on earth or in this new world, it's a given fact that exercising is simply the worst. Onoga– that's the name of the spearman who I hired to train me. – has said that I need to build up some muscle before he can train me.

  Okay, I can understand why I need to build up muscle in order to use a spear, I'm also well aware that stats amplify the existing physical capabilities of a body, not define it.

  But I'm a mage aren't I? I shouldn't need to pack muscles just to use some measly weapon, the spear that I'll be carrying will only be used when there's nothing else for me to do but go into melee.

  Spamming spells will be my go to combat technique before that.

  "You'll be thankful for this one day." Is what Onoga said to me when I first started going through my sets. Which okay? Do I look stupid to him? I know damn well how useful it is to be physically fit during combat and I told him that I don't need to exercise with that in mind.

  Some people just refuse to listen, I guess...

  My shaking legs bent straight again, then I did another squat before getting myself off the ground. This repeated three more times before my set finally finished, thank god.

  Now that that's done...

  My head turned left then right, I'm searching for my supposed teacher but he's not here? This always happens! It's like he isn't taking me seriously at all! Is there something wrong with him? He's literally getting paid to teach me and he's somehow slacking off?!

  Did I pick the wrong person? I totally did didn't I? Damn it!

  A deep sigh grumbled out my lungs, this is why you don't trust random adventurers to teach you stuff. Man I really lucked out with Wardcruncha teaching me magic huh? There's no way things would have gone this smoothly if someone else helped me become a mage.

  "You're sighing huh? Given up already?"

  "Given up?" He didn't flinch when I glared at him. "Where are you?! Aren't you supposed to teach me how to use the damn spear?"

  Onoga gently tapped my head with the butt of his spear, "kid, I gave you instructions on what to do when exercising and then I also gave you information on stances, shouldn't you pick up that stick over there and start practicing instead of complaining?"

  "How am I supposed to get a class like this?" And why shouldn't I complain exactly? I'll complain whenever I damn want. "You're not teaching me properly."

  "You want me to spoon feed you or something? What are you? Some kind of spoiled brat?" Onoga laughed. "Not that it's impossible, I've always had a feeling that you're some noble's kid, is your dad the chief of Flotol or something?"

  God I wish. I shook my head and stood up, have I been acting spoiled? I guess so. But that term only works because I'm a kid, as an adult I think I prefer to call my previous attitude as impatient instead of spoiled, "you know what? You're right. Sit around while I do my stances,"

  "That's the spirit." Onoga nodded, his tone suddenly shifting into something close to understanding. "By the way, you're curious why I'm making you exercise right?"

  "Yep, can you tell me why–" something almost hit me on the head and I had to stop talking just to dodge. "What the hell?!"

  "Pick it up." Onoga pointed at the spear on the ground.

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  Frowning, I bent down and reached for the spear so that I could do what he said... Or at least I tried to. How heavy is this thing? This guy made it look so easy when he's carrying it!

  "Ah." Now I see why he wants me to exercise.

  "Yeah, that thing is a highly rated spear, the same rank as me." The adventurer explained. "It needs to be heavy if I want to use it to kill powerful monsters, the guild relies on powerful people to keep towns safe so don't complain about getting stronger, you'll need it."

  "I understand. Thanks for telling me." I gave up on trying to lift the spear.

  So that was a lesson in humility and I now realize that I am, in fact, not an expert when it comes to using spears, my teacher is. I still feel like I'm getting scammed, which is natural I guess given that there haven't been any lessons so far but I'm sure they'll come around.

  After a day of grueling exercise and stances, I'm sitting with my family at the dinner table. I'm not sure what's happening between Howaph and Laself so whatever progress they're making with their relationship is lost to me... However from simple observation alone, I can tell that they've gotten pretty close.

  Good. That's good. Karuiz will probably come back one day to get revenge or something but I haven't heard of him in quite some time so I don't wanna worry about that for now.

  "Rontress, I hear from Laself that you're gonna let her manage the stall on her own?" My mother asks once the previous topic dies down. She eyed me, stopping eating for a moment to emphasize her point. "Why?"

  "I wanna learn how to use a spear, I'm gonna get the [Spear Man] sub class." My answer came as blunt as a hammer and it seemed to have the same impact as well because the entire table acted like the ground beneath us shattered into a million pieces.

  "What?" That was my dad.

  "Okay, I know... That sounds bad."

  Momentarily, I paused to give myself some time to think and see the situation on the table.

  Expectedly, everyone was shocked and couldn't believe what they just heard. Their reactions are completely understandable since I basically just declared that I want to learn how to fight in favor of selling food even though my stall has been successful so far.

  But can I trust them to understand me when I say that the success is just an illusion? All of it is built on the fact that the Day of Piling is near so visitors from across the Haromago territory are coming to Ghorise, inflating the customer base to a ridiculous degree.

  Sure my food being tasty and slightly exotic might help explain the traction but earning as much as I did these last few weeks every season is just impossible.

  Naturally, I lied because explaining economics is only gonna make things lengthy.

  "I'll be safe." First and foremost, I took down the card up their sleeve/their biggest argument. Because my safety is paramount or whatever, and they can use that topic over and over again.

  "You'll be safe." My mom said, eyes narrowed. "That's not a question, I know you'll be safe." She shook her head, "I just don't see why you'd want... What? To become an adventurer instead of earning money safely!"

  "Killing monsters sounds fun..." I couldn't look at anyone. "I've been doing it and it's been enjoyable, I think earning money off of it sounds like a good idea."

  "Won't you be gone for weeks at a time though?" Howaph pointed out, he didn't sound against my decision. "I hear that traveling between villages to take down faraway monster dens is pretty common for adventurers."

  "Exploring the world isn't a bad idea either!" And it really isn't, I mean, are you kidding me?! There's an entire fantasy world out there waiting for me to explore it! "Don't you wanna leave Flotol and experience what's out there?"

  "Nope. I'm not a free spirit," Howaph shrugged, "but if you want to do that then you can, Rontress."

  "Dad?" I turned to our father. "You're okay with this right?"

  A pause. Then he spoke. "... Once you're old enough."

  Yes! I wanted to train a lot before becoming an adventurer anyway so this is good for me. Safe to say I immediately nodded, excitedly at that. What my father said isn't as much of a limitation as he thinks it is.

  "I'll do that! Sure!" I grinned. "Training before becoming an adventurer is normal anyway! And I think that being prepared is only the natural conclusion, I don't wanna dive into such a dangerous profession without knowing anything about it after all!"

  "Well, if you're sure then... I'll support you." My dad nodded. "Do what you want, Rontress."

  "Guess I'll also have to support you." Mom said moments after. "One day, I expected you to leave this house." She said, sounding slightly nostalgic. "It's only natural for you to eventually go out there and do whatever you want, just make sure that you're safe, okay?"

  "Okay!" Huh, they're a lot more supportive than I thought. Not that I'm complaining, it's just... Weird to me. My energy died down and I smiled softly, "I'll make you all proud."

  "I know you will." My mom nodded, voice slightly cracked. She drank water and pretended like nothing happened afterwards. "You always will." She sounded normal this time.