Chapter 34 Classes

Less than half a month had passed since Xia Nan died in a car accident in his previous life and woke up in this world.

In that short time, he had barely had the chance to speak seriously with any adventurers.

Apart from the people sitting around this campfire, the only one who came close was Maji, the hunter from the Ragtag Party.

So before tonight, Xia Nan had never had a clear idea of how strong he actually was.

He had noticed certain things.

The way Maji’s attitude changed after seeing [Spinning Slash].

The way Xia Nan had performed against various monsters.

Those things had told him his combat technique was probably unusual.

But unusual by how much?

He had no clue.

Looking back, perhaps he should have stayed in town a few extra days and found some way to learn more.

Then again…

The glowgarlic vine mission had a deadline.

And Xia Nan knew exactly where the plants were.

More than thirty gold coins, almost guaranteed.

[How was I supposed to walk away from that?]

Fortunately, he had run into Hai’an and the others during the mission.

Better yet, he had joined their party as a temporary member.

Now that he finally had experienced adventurers willing to talk, Xia Nan intended to squeeze every bit of useful information from the opportunity.

“So what exactly do you need to become a class holder?”

Hai’an raised three fingers.

“Three combat techniques.”

Xia Nan blinked.

“For most base classes, that’s it.”

Hai’an continued, “You need to learn three combat techniques associated with the same class, then train at least one of them to Mastery.”

“Once you meet those conditions, you can take up the class and gain a class level.”

He paused.

“Of course, a few class systems require additional special conditions even at the base-class stage. But those are rare. Most people will never encounter one.”

“Associated with the same class…”

Xia Nan repeated the phrase under his breath.

His mind immediately caught the important point.

“So the techniques themselves have to match the class?”

“Exactly.”

Hai’an took the wooden longbow from his back.

“For example, if I want to become a Ranger, then before that happens, I need to learn three combat techniques that belong to the Ranger class.”

“And one of those three has to reach Mastery.”

Xia Nan nodded slowly.

Then another question occurred to him.

“What if someone learns three combat techniques, but all of them come from different classes?”

Hai’an looked at him.

“For example,” Xia Nan continued, “one belongs to the Warrior class, while the other two belong to the Priest class.”

“Then nothing happens.”

Hai’an spread his hands.

“When you gain a class level, the change is obvious. Just like reaching Mastery in a combat technique, you’ll clearly feel something happen to your body.”

“But if your techniques don’t match, then the condition isn’t met.”

“Even if all three reach Mastery, they’re still just three separate combat techniques.”

He stopped there.

Then hesitated.

“Well…”

Xia Nan waited.

Hai’an frowned, clearly trying to phrase the next part.

“That said, if you’re lucky enough… you might still gain a class level.”

Xia Nan’s brows rose.

“But what class you’d get is another question.”

Hai’an’s explanation was starting to become tangled.

Wood, who was sitting beside him, understood what he meant and took over naturally.

“The most common classes on Aifala Continent are only a handful.”

“Warrior. Rogue. Barbarian. Classes like those.”

Wood turned the dagger in his hand, cold light sliding along the blade.

“Their being common doesn’t mean they’re weak.”

“Quite the opposite.”

“These classes are so widespread because they have the broadest applications, the clearest advancement routes, and the most clearly categorized combat techniques.”

Xia Nan listened without interrupting.

“Like I said before, there are as many combat techniques in this world as there are stars.”

Wood continued, “With so many techniques, there are naturally countless combinations.”

“Most combinations do nothing.”

“But among all those possibilities, a very small number of techniques that appear completely unrelated can somehow fit together.”

He twirled the dagger once.

“If someone is lucky enough to stumble across one of those combinations, it’s possible to gain a class anyway.”

“But what class appears…”

Wood gave a small shrug.

“No one can say in advance.”

“Exactly!”

Hai’an nodded quickly now that Wood had put it into words.

“But rare classes have their own problems.”

“They usually have fewer known combat techniques. And once you reach the Transcendent Tier, there may be fewer advanced classes available too.”

“Some advancement routes even come with harsh conditions that have to be discovered bit by bit.”

Hai’an leaned closer to the fire.

“Even if someone in the past already figured out an entire class system, the ‘recipe’ for combining those techniques is usually controlled by major organizations or hidden inside powerful families.”

“For ordinary people like us, there’s no point dreaming about it.”

He waved a hand.

“It’s safer to follow one of the common base classes.”

“Most of the big names you see in newspapers started with those classes anyway. They clearly didn’t become weaker because of it.”

Xia Nan accepted the advice immediately.

Why would he argue with people who knew far more than he did?

His predecessor came from an ordinary family with no connection to any class holder.

Xia Nan himself had only just arrived in this world.

And his cheat ability did not seem capable of helping him choose a class.

So far, all it could do was show him information about equipment and other items.

Under those circumstances, a common base class like Warrior or Rogue, with a clearly defined set of combat techniques and advancement routes, was obviously the safest choice.

But that was not what excited him most.

Three combat techniques.

Only three.

That was all he needed for a class level.

And thanks to his predecessor, Xia Nan had already completed what sounded like the hardest part.

One combat technique had reached Mastery.

That meant he only needed two more combat techniques from the same class as [Spinning Slash].

Even if both were only Lv. 1…

He would still meet the requirements.

He would become a genuine…

Class holder.

Xia Nan unconsciously remembered Wood during the rust monster fight.

That ghostly movement.

That effortless speed.

The way he had overwhelmed the monsters once he found their weaknesses.

Xia Nan’s mouth went dry.

For a moment, his future seemed close enough to touch.

Then another problem struck him.

“Wait.”

He looked at Hai’an.

“What about the combat techniques themselves?”

Hai’an tilted his head.

“The [Adventurer’s Handbook] doesn’t say where you’re supposed to learn them.”

At that, Hai’an grinned.

His expression became oddly amused.

“Actually, there is one place where learning all kinds of combat techniques is easier and more convenient than anywhere else.”

Xia Nan leaned forward.

“And you’ve probably already been there.”

“Where!?”

“The Adventurers’ Association.”