An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

“No~ Ahahaha…”

Hearing Captain Meld's praise, Guanghui scratched his head sheepishly. Incidentally, Captain Meld was level 62, with an average health of around 300, making him a top-tier powerhouse even in this world. However, Guanghui, at only level 1, was already nearly a third of his level. Judging by her growth rate, she could easily surpass him in the future.

Furthermore, since skills are equal to talents and are innate, it seems unlikely that they will be increased in the future. The only exception is "derivative skills."

This is an acquired skill that can only be acquired by those who have continuously honed a skill for years, finally successfully "crossing the barrier." Simply put, it's something that was previously impossible, but one day, after suddenly grasping the knack, one becomes rapidly more proficient.

I originally thought that only Glory was special, but while the others weren't as good as Glory, their cheats were quite outrageous. And everyone was a combat-type...

Hajime stared at the "Alchemist" on his status bar. No matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't get the impression that it was a combat-type class. He only had two skills. And one of them was a basic skill for people from another world, "Language Understanding." In other words, he only had one skill. Hajime gradually began to laugh dryly. Since it was his turn to report next, he showed the board to Captain Meld.

Having witnessed so many extraordinary situations before, the captain had always been overjoyed, presumably delighted at the birth of so many incredibly powerful comrades. "Hmm?" But now, his smile froze. "Am I seeing things?" he asked, still rapping on the board. After holding it up to the sunlight and examining it carefully for a moment, he returned it to Hajime with a very subtle expression.

"Ah, well, a refiner is, to put it bluntly, a blacksmith. It's very handy for forging tools..."

Captain Meld vaguely explained Hajime's mission.

The boys who saw Hajime as a thorn in their side couldn't help but seize this opportunity. Blacksmithing was clearly not a combat-type class. And since everyone in the class had combat-type classes, there was a high chance Hajime wouldn't be able to use them in the battles he was about to face.

Hiyama Daisuke gave a malicious smile and shouted at the top of his voice:

"Hey, hey, hey, Nagumo, are you a non-combat type? How do forges fight? Mr. Meld, are forge masters rare?"

"...No, one in ten blacksmiths possess this vocation. Furthermore, all craftsmen employed by the state possess this vocation."

"Hey, hey, hey, Nagumo, are you able to fight like this?"

Hiyama put his hand on Hajime's shoulder, looking very annoying. Looking around, the students around him - especially the boys - were all sniggering.

"Well, you won't know unless you try."

"Then let's take a look at its status. Although its vocation is low, its status should be high, right~?"

Hiyama had clearly guessed what Captain Meld was saying from his expression, yet he deliberately pressed on. What a nasty personality! The three lackeys joined in the commotion. Flattering the strong and bullying the weak is typical mean behavior. Kaori, Shizuku, and the others all frowned in displeasure.

"This guy is clearly obsessed with Kaori, why didn't he notice that?" Hajime handed over the board in despair while thinking this.

After reading the contents of the initial board, Hiyama burst into laughter and threw it to Saito and his followers. After reading the contents, the others also laughed and ridiculed him.

"Hahahaha~ What the hell! He's just an ordinary person!"

"Since the average is 10, you might be weaker than the average child~"

"Hehehe~ No, no! This guy's going to die soon! He can't even be a tank!"

Seeing the students burst into laughter, Kaori angrily took action. But before she could do that, someone else shouted angrily. It was Teacher Aiko.

“Hey! What are you laughing at?! The teacher won’t allow you to laugh at your friends! That’s right, the teacher will never allow such a thing to happen! Return the board to Nagumo-san!”

The petite teacher, Aiko, tried her best to express her anger. Perhaps frightened by her attitude, everyone quickly returned the board to Hajime.

Aiko-sensei turned back to Hajime and patted his shoulder encouragingly.

"Don't worry, Nagumo-kun! The teacher also has a non-combat type or something like that, and his condition is pretty much average. Nagumo-kun is definitely not alone!"

After saying that, "Look," Teacher Aiko showed her status board, which was dyed light pink, in front of Hajime.

====================

Aiko Hatayama 25 years old Female Level: 1

Occupation: Farmer

Power: 5

Stamina: 10

Resistance: 10

Agility: 5

Mana: 100

Magic Resistance: 10

Skills: Soil management, soil recovery, range farming, growth promotion, variety improvement, plant identification, fertilizer generation, mixed breeding, automatic harvesting, fermentation operation, range temperature adjustment, farm barrier, harvest rain, language comprehension

====================

Hajime looked into the distance with eyes like a dead fish.

"Strange, what's wrong with you?! Nanyun-san!" Teacher Aiko said, shaking Hajime vigorously. True, his overall health was low, and his vocation was clearly non-combat-oriented... but his magic power alone was enough to rival a hero, and his skill count even surpassed Hajime's. Food was also a factor in the war. Unlike Hajime, that wasn't a profession that could be replaced by many talented individuals. In other words, Teacher Aiko was also using some outrageous cheats.

Hajime, who had hoped for company, was dealt a heavy blow.

"Oh my, Ai-chan, you're such a jerk! You actually gave me a fatal blow..."

“Nan-Nangumo-san! Are you okay!?”

Seeing Hajime's lack of reaction, Shizuku gave a wry smile, while Kaori rushed over worriedly. "Strange~?" Teacher Aiko tilted her head in confusion. Seeing Teacher Aiko still giving her all, yet working in vain, the class felt a warm glow in their hearts.

Although he achieved his goal of stopping people from laughing at Hajime, Aiko's care for him, which was to lift him up high and then bring him down hard, as well as his own troubled future, made Hajime couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.

Two weeks have passed since the day I was forced to recognize how weak and useless I am.

Hajime was currently using his break from training to research information at the Royal Library. He was holding the "Northern Continent Monster Encyclopedia," a large illustrated book that was as straightforward as its title.

Why was he reading this kind of book? It was because after two weeks of training, instead of growing significantly, Hajime had become even more utterly useless. Hajime figured that while he lacked strength, he could perhaps make up for it with knowledge and wisdom, so he studied diligently during his breaks from training.

Hajime looked at the illustrated book for a long time... but suddenly he sighed and threw it onto the table with a dull thud. The librarian who happened to be passing by glared at Hajime with an angry face.

Despite being startled, Hajime quickly apologized. The administrator gave Hajime a silent glare, warning him not to do it again, and let him go. "What am I doing?" Hajime sighed again after complaining to himself.

He slowly took out the status board, put his chin in his hand and stared at it.

====================

Nanyun Hajime 17 years old Male Level: 2

Vocation: Alchemist

Power: 12

Stamina: 12

Resistance: 12

Agility: 12

Mana: 12

Magic Resistance: 12

Skills: Alchemy·Language Comprehension

====================

This was the result of two weeks of hard training. "This is too much!" Needless to say, Hajime was complaining in his heart. By the way, Kouki's situation was like this...

====================

Tianzhihe Guanghui 17 years old male level: 10

Mission: Brave

Power: 200

Stamina: 200

Resistance: 200

Agility: 200

Mana: 200

Magic Resistance: 200

Skills: All-attribute adaptability, All-attribute resistance, Physical resistance, Composite magic, Swordsmanship, Strength, Shrinking the Earth, Prediction, High-speed magic recovery, Breath perception, Magic perception, Limit breakthrough, Language comprehension

====================

The growth rate is about five times that of the beginning.

Furthermore, Hajime also learned that he did not have an aptitude for magic.

What does it mean to have no magical aptitude? That has to do with the concept of magic in this world.

When performing magic in Todas, one must chant to infuse the magic power within the magic circle, thereby activating the magic program within the magic circle. Magic power cannot be directly controlled, so the correct magic circle must be constructed to achieve the desired effect.

The longer the chant, the more magic power flows into the magic circle, and its power and effect also increase with the magic power. Furthermore, the formula written into the magic circle also increases in proportion to the complexity and scale of the effect. This inevitably leads to the size of the magic circle itself.

For example, simply launching a classic RPG fireball in a straight line typically requires a magic circle around ten centimeters in diameter. Essentially, spells for attributes, power, range, radius, and mana absorption (the ability to absorb mana from the body) are all required. Additional spells are then added whenever additional factors like induction or duration are added, ultimately increasing the size of the magic circle.

However, there is an exception to this principle, and that is suitability.

To put it simply, aptitude is a matter of how much of a spell can be omitted based on one's constitution. For example, someone with a fire aptitude doesn't need to write the attribute into the spell, allowing for a shorter spell. The omitted part can be filled in through imagination. Instead of writing the spell, one can simply add fire attributes to the spell through imagination while chanting.

Since most people possess certain aptitudes, the average diameter of these magic circles is less than ten centimeters. However, in Hajime's case, lacking any aptitudes, he had to meticulously compile the formula for everything beyond the five basic techniques, including speed, trajectory, diffusion rate, and concentration rate. Therefore, casting a single "fireball" required a magic circle nearly two meters in diameter. Such a thing would be completely useless in actual combat.

Incidentally, magic circles are generally divided into two types: disposable, made from special paper, and carved from minerals. The former are available in a wide variety, but can only be used once and are less powerful. The latter are bulky and have a limited selection, but can be used multiple times and can exert their full power. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The staffs wielded by the priests of Ishtar are examples of the latter.

Therefore, Hajime's health wasn't high enough for close combat, and his lack of aptitude made it difficult to cast magic. Hajime placed his hopes on his vocation's skill, "Alchemy," but it only transformed and joined minerals, rendering it useless. He was also told that there were no artifacts capable of Alchemy, so he only received gloves engraved with an Alchemy magic circle.

Hajime managed to learn how to dig holes (?) and build roadblocks (?) in the ground, and his finished products gradually grew larger and larger... However, since this technique required direct contact with the object to be effective, he would inevitably have to crouch down in front of the enemy, his hands on the ground, which was tantamount to suicide. As a result, he was still useless in battle.

For the past two weeks, Hajime has been completely labeled incompetent by his classmates. With no other options, he's been constantly accumulating knowledge... but he can't see his future, and lately, he's been sighing.

"Why not go on a trip?" Hajime thought, gazing at the blue sky outside the library window. Clearly, he was already seriously ill. "If I were to go, where would I go?" Hajime, mentally recounting the lectures he'd absorbed harder than anyone else over the past two weeks, began to ponder.

(I really want to visit the land of demihumans. It wouldn't be a trip to another world if I hadn't seen the beast-eared people... But that's deep in the 'Sea of ​​Trees'. I heard they're a discriminated race, so apart from slaves, there aren't even any demihumans left in the outside world.)

As Hajime's knowledge revealed, the demihumans were a discriminated race, largely secluded within the depths of the Hartrina Sea of ​​Trees, a vast expanse stretching from north to south on the eastern side of the continent. Why were the demihumans discriminated against? It was because they possessed no magical powers.

Legend has it that during the Age of Gods, the gods, led by Esid, used magic to create this world. The magic used today is considered a degraded version of that time. Therefore, the belief that magic is a gift from the gods is deeply ingrained. Of course, this is what the Holy Church has always taught.

For this reason, it is generally believed that demihumans, who do not possess any magical powers and cannot use magic, are an evil race abandoned by God.

So what about monsters? They were said to be mere pests, akin to natural disasters, incapable of receiving divine favor. "That's pure nonsense," Hajime thought, dumbfounded.

Furthermore, unlike the "Lord Esid" worshipped by the Holy Church, the demons seemed to worship other gods, but their views on demihumans were basically the same.

Demons possess a high aptitude for magic, requiring far shorter chanting times and smaller magic circles than humans to cast powerful spells. Though few in number, in the Demon Kingdom of Garandor, located in the center of the southern continent, even children are capable of casting powerful offensive magic. In some ways, it might be considered a nation of communal soldiers.

Humans, believing in different gods, view demons as enemies (according to the teachings of the Holy Church). They also discriminate against demihumans, claiming they are not loved by the gods. The same is true for demons. Perhaps demihumans would rather be left alone? Regardless of race, they are extremely xenophobic.

(Hmm~ If the Sea of ​​Trees isn't an option, how about heading to the West Sea? I seem to remember there being a city on the sea called "Enishen" there. I won't see any beast-eared people there, but I'd still love to see mermaids. That's a man's dream, after all. And I'd love to try some seafood, too.)

Located on the West Sea, the city of Enisen was founded by the demihumans known as the Sea People. The Sea People were the only demihuman race openly protected by the Kingdom, citing the city as supplying 80% of the fish and shellfish circulated in the Northern Continent. That was a rather blatant excuse. "Where did the dignified excuse go?" Hajime muttered inwardly upon hearing this story.

Incidentally, to reach the West Sea, one must first cross the vast Gulun Desert. Within this desert lies the important oasis of the Ankaji Principality, a transit point, and the Gulun Volcano, one of the Seven Great Labyrinths.

The Seven Great Labyrinths are among the most dangerous areas in the world. They include the Great Labyrinth of Orcus, located southwest of the Kingdom of Heilig, between the kingdom and the Great Desert of Grun, and the aforementioned Sea of ​​Hartrina Trees. Why are there only three of the Seven Great Labyrinths? While ancient texts and other artifacts hint at the existence of the remaining labyrinths, their exact locations remain unknown and unconfirmed.

But we have a rough idea. It's said that it might be the [Raisen Grand Canyon] that divides the continent into two halves, or the [Ice and Snow Cave] deep in the [Xuni Snowfield] of the southern continent.

(The desert really isn't an option... so I can only go to the Empire to see the slaves... but seeing the beast-eared people being treated like slaves, I really don't have the confidence to stay calm.)

The empire refers to the Horusha Empire. This nation was founded by a mercenary group during the massive war against demons three hundred years ago. It is a military state that attracts a large number of powerful mercenaries and adventurers. It is said that they advocate the supremacy of strength and are a rather dark nation.

Regardless of whether they were demihumans or something else, anything that could be used should be used. Because of this mentality, many slave traders in the country bought and sold demihumans.

The Empire lies east of the Kingdom, between the neutral commercial city of Fren. As its name suggests, Fren is a neutral commercial city, unaligned with any nation. This city, centered around commerce, maintains its neutrality by leveraging its economic power, which is inextricably linked to national operations. Rumor has it that if you want something, you can find it in this city.

(Alas~ If I want to go back, I can’t escape after all. Oops, it’s time for training!)

"This is just an escape from reality," Hajime shook his head, then realized that training was imminent, and hurriedly left the library. Though the distance to the palace was only a short distance, the bustle of the capital could be heard along the way. The voices of vendors calling out to each other, and the sounds of children playing and being scolded for getting too much. It was truly a truly ordinary and peaceful time.

(Since it doesn't look like a war is about to start, can you please let us go back~)

Hajime fantasized about this impossible thing to escape the depressing time that was about to begin.

When Hajime arrived at the training facility, several students who had arrived earlier were already there, chatting and laughing, or engaged in independent practice. It seemed as if he had arrived unexpectedly early. Hajime took out his assigned rapier and prepared to practice on his own while he waited.

At that moment, a sudden impact from behind sent Hajime tumbling. He managed to keep himself steady, but the sight of the blade still made him break out in a cold sweat. He frowned, looking back, and when the expected face came into view, Hajime's expression was filled with genuine annoyance.

There was a group of four little thugs (named by Hajime) led by Hiyama Daisuke. Ever since they started training, they'd been picking on Hajime at every opportunity. Hajime's worries about training were partly due to them (and partly due to his own incompetence).

"Hey, Nagumo, what are you doing? There's no point in you holding a sword. It's your fault for being so incompetent~"

"Hey, Hiyama, you're exaggerating! But it's also true~ yahahahaha."

"Why do you always come to training? If it were me, I'd be too embarrassed to come!"

"Hey Daisuke, this guy is so pitiful, should we practice with him?"

Hiyama and the others laughed non-stop, not knowing what was so funny.

"Ah? Hey, hey, hey, Shinji, aren't you too nice? But I'm a nice person too, okay? I'd love to practice with Nagumo, too~"