Chapter 209: Changing Class
The [Falna] requires everyone to start from the same point. How it develops afterward depends on the individual's efforts.
But people cannot be generalized.
The buff received from the [Falna] is completely different for those with potential and those without.
But...
Aqua pinched her chin and asked, puzzled, "Is this [Falna] good or bad?"
"Who knows..."
"Because there's no comparison."
Megumin and Darkness were also puzzled, especially since it was written with words like "Demon King" and "Hero," which sounded very high-class and impressive.
But not knowing for sure, they couldn't help but wonder if it was like the Crimson Demon Clan, who liked to use exaggerated, chuunibyou, and vague lines to describe skill effects.
If it looked amazing, but was actually just small-fry-level, then it wouldn't be fun at all.
"What are you talking about! Kobayashi-senpai's [Falna] is definitely amazing!" Kazuma loudly reprimanded them.
It had to be said, this man's EQ was maxed out.
Even if he was unsatisfactory in some areas, his way of dealing with people had received a buff. You could say it was his true nature!
It's definitely not because he's sucking up to me. Mmm, definitely not.
"That's not what I'm focused on! It's this!" he said, pointing to the name column, and roaring as if he couldn't accept it, "Why is his name still not showing up here?! Don't tell me it's some kind of terrifying, unnamable thing?"
That's what you're concerned about?!
"You're still stuck on that?" Aqua said, looking at him as if he were a child stuck on a single point, her face full of helplessness.
Megumin also said, "Kobayashi is just Kobayashi. Is there a problem?"
"That's right. He is our companion. It's completely understandable if he has a secret," said the noble lady, who was also hiding her identity, giving her the most right to speak.
But I've never tried to hide my name.
Kobayashi pouted.
"So, is this [Falna] good or bad?"
"We'll have to ask the person who brought it back."
The group looked at him in unison. Since he was the one who had brought it back, he should know the relevant information.
"It should be... pretty good?" he said, uncertain.
This wasn't just him being humble; he also only had a partial understanding of the [Falna]. He had to leave himself some room, right?
Kazuma said, "As I thought. Even if the adventurer card has stats, the [Falna] still shows 0. Oh, no, there's a letter in front of it."
"And the magic... there's only one magic slot? Isn't that too useless?" Aqua actually showed a very disgusted expression.
This woman...
He had explained it to them before.
No matter how much potential a person had, the magic slot was limited to three at most. And now, not only did he have only one, but he had also awakened a magic that didn't look that great.
—[Clumsy Imitation].
Copies a [Skill] that is seen. Consumes more stamina, spirit, and mana, but the effect is weakened.
Isn't this just a carbon copy of the Adventurer skill?
"As I thought..."
After seeing the skill description, Aqua's expression became even more disgusted.
"Hey! Don't make that face!" Kazuma stood up for him. "What's wrong with this skill? He can learn all the skills! That's several times stronger than all of you!"
"Kazuma-kun..."
To defend me like this... he was incredibly moved. Of course, it would be even better if it wasn't because of his allowance.
"Besides, this way, senpai can change his class, right? Right, senpai?!"
"...Hmm???"
Hearing him say this, he had a "black-man-question-mark-face." But then, his eyes widened.
That's right!
He could change his class!
The reason he had become an [Adventurer] in the first place was so that he could learn the skills of all classes, to lay the groundwork for future world-crossing.
And now, he already had a copy of the [Adventurer] skill. Didn't that mean he could change to another class?!
After all, the buffs from other classes were much stronger than those of an [Adventurer]! Changing classes was all pros and no cons for him!
"Kazuma-kun! You've got your allowance!"
"Hehehe—"
Kazuma rubbed his nose with his index finger, and said with a smug laugh, "Senpai's basic stats are different from mine. You could have changed your class from the very beginning, so it's no problem at all to change it again."
In Konosuba, there were no restrictions on changing classes. As long as an adventurer's stats met the class requirements, they could change.
It had to be said, this world was just too friendly to adventurers!
Although it was also a dangerous world.
"Ooh! You're a little smart, aren't you, Kazuma! I'm seeing you in a new light!" Aqua couldn't help but exclaim. She hadn't thought of that at all.
Of course, the idiot goddess's intelligence didn't support her being able to think of it.
"But Kazuma is amazing. He's always bringing us surprises," Megumin praised him heavily.
He also agreed with her. When he had first teamed up with Aqua, besides coveting her resurrection ability, it was also because of his occasional flashes of brilliance.
"Well, it's Kazuma, after all," Darkness chimed in.
This was the first time he had been acknowledged by everyone. Being in the limelight, he became even more smug.
"But magic isn't everything," Darkness suddenly said. "Magic is just an accessory to becoming stronger. What's more important should be [Skills]. I have a feeling."
"That's right."
Magic is strong, but the discovery of magic is a matter of luck. Many people go their whole lives without learning magic, unless they are forcibly inspired and learn it by reading a grimoire.
Since that's the case, how can those without magic become strong?
The answer is [Skills].
Abilities that, under certain conditions, bring about special effects or strengthen oneself.
The common point with magic is that the inspiration for skills, besides experience points, is also related to one's essence or interests. But the difference is that there is no limit to the number of skills one can learn.
Among the skills that many adventurers possess, there are many common or similar effects.
And within a single race, the homogeneity is even higher. For example, elves have skills that assist magic, while dwarves have strength enhancements.
But above this, there is another kind.
—Rare Skills.
Those with low repetition and a small number are called rare skills.
Without a doubt, his [Hero from Another World (SoChing_Hero)] was a rare skill.
By the way, isn't (SoChing) just the transliteration of 'shouchong' (pampering)?
He couldn't help but complain.
[Arrogance and Humility]
Clearly, this was his essence.
For all the things he could see through, he always had a high-and-mighty attitude, pointing fingers at others. When he encountered a field he was not good at, he would show a humble side and humbly ask his seniors for advice.
This was an essence that most transmigrators had, or rather, a bad habit.
He was no exception, and he did not shy away from his own inner thoughts.
"A small increase in insight ability, a small increase in learning ability"
He was very satisfied with these two effects.
[Demon King Slayer]
This was probably a manifestation of his status as a hero who had been sent to the Konosuba world with high hopes of defeating the Demon King.
It was also possible that it was due to Aqua. After all, this idiot goddess was the one who most wanted him to successfully subjugate the Demon King so she could go back to the heavens and continue to be a useless shut-in.
"A super-enhancement to attacks against enemies with the [Demon King] attribute"
I feel like... this is very similar to the PVE-exclusive skill [Avenger] that Aiz Wallenstein... that Sword Princess possesses.
And for some reason, he had a strange feeling that it would be of great use in the future.
If the previous effect was yet to be confirmed, then the next one was definitely a phenomenon caused by Aqua.
[The Water Goddess's Favor]
Favor... Don't tell me it's that drop of divine blood?
Because she was afraid the [Falna] wouldn't be successful, she had taken it upon herself to merge her divine power, which had been concentrated countless times, into it, causing him to feel intense pain all over his body.
Thinking back on it now, he still couldn't help but tremble. It had just been too painful.
But the harvest was also quite gratifying.
"Immune to all negative effects in battle, a super-large increase to all abilities, and continuous recovery of stamina and spiritual power."
This alone had already blown all the abilities above it out of the water.
"Well then, without further ado, let's hurry to the Adventurer's Guild to change classes, and then go and test out the new [Falna]!" Kazuma said, looking very impatient.
He couldn't wait to get the [Falna] and then, just like him, make a beautiful comeback.
The group arrived at the Adventurer's Guild.
"Welcome! Mr. Kobayashi! Are you here to accept a high-level quest this time? Coincidentally, the guild has a few quests recently that are quite suitable for your party."
Luna was very enthusiastic when she saw him.
After making big moves one after another, he and his party had already proven their strength. As celebrities, they were naturally very popular.
Unfortunately, this time they were not here to accept a quest.
He explained his intentions to the guild receptionist.
Luna, after hearing him, covered her mouth in surprise and gasped, "Mr. Kobayashi, you're going to change your class?!"
This one sentence, like a storm, swept through the entire Adventurer's Guild, and the surroundings suddenly fell into a dead silence.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
"Why did everyone suddenly go quiet?"
Aqua and Kazuma shrank back in fear behind him. Megumin and Darkness also had no idea what was going on.
I just said I wanted to change classes. Why is everyone making that expression?
Little did they know, many people had tried to persuade him to change his class, but the stubborn him, just like Megumin who was devoted to [Explosion], was as pig-headed as could be. He wouldn't listen to anyone's persuasion and continued to do as he pleased.
Everyone had been wondering if he had some unspeakable secret. After all, Axel also had many strong people with unspeakable secrets (referring to the succubus shop).
But everyone had been lamenting... if he were to change to a high-level class, what kind of style would he show?
And now, he had actually changed his tune.
It was hard for everyone not to be shocked.
But the adventurers in the guild didn't say anything. Only the drunken Dust came over to gossip, but was fended off with the excuse that he "wanted to get stronger."
And then, he successfully changed his class.
After changing classes, the group left the guild in a hurry and headed straight for the plains.
Looking at their departing backs, the adventurers said with deep meaning:
"The wind is rising."
"...Mmm. This gradually shining new star... just how much of a shock will he bring to the world?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Same here."
"But the future belongs to them."
"We old-timers should just leave the stage early and let the young people take over."
"That's right."
"Same here."
The group of them grinned, and their wooden mugs clashed in mid-air, followed by them drinking it all down in one gulp.
By the way, they were just trying to be cool.
At this time, the unknowing Kobayashi had already arrived at the plains with his companions.
Kazuma asked curiously, "Kobayashi-senpai, why did you change your class to Archwizard? Of course, I don't mean to influence your thoughts. I was just wondering if there was a special reason for changing... for example... to kick a certain useless explosion loli out of the party, or something."
"——!!!"
Megumin, who hadn't been paying attention, suddenly froze upon hearing this, and her whole being felt unwell.
Don't tell me... he's really going to kick me out?
The loli looked at him with an expressionless face, not saying a word, but her worry and fear were already showing.
"You've scared her, Kazuma-kun." He forcefully clapped him on the shoulder, making the frail adventurer wince in pain. Then he smiled at her. "Don't worry. I have no such intention. You are an indispensable companion. He was just kidding."
If you think about it carefully.
She was already an inseparable member of the party. No matter what happened, he would not let her leave.
"...Hmph. After all, I'm one of the few great Archwizards of Explosion. I'd be popular in any party!"
"Hehe. I wonder who it was that was crying and begging to be taken in, and even said they were willing to carry luggage."
"What did you say?!"
Her boasting was instantly exposed by Kazuma.
As expected of the "perverted Kazuma" who believed in gender equality. He didn't know how to be considerate of a girl's feelings at all.
"But why did you change your class to Archwizard, Kobayashi?" Aqua was also very curious.
He explained, "To make up for the party's lack of continuous magic damage output."
Admittedly, Megumin's [Explosion] was unparalleled in power, but they couldn't rely on it for everything. Otherwise, it would be like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito every time, and he wouldn't be able to afford the compensation.
And, his [Clumsy Imitation] could copy skills like swordsman and knight.
Comparing his physical abilities to the buff from magic... it was clear that magic was a better deal.
"I see."
Hearing his explanation, the others nodded.
At the end of the day, it was a sacrifice he had made to make the party's member distribution more three-dimensional.
He really... I'm going to cry.
At this moment, a few Giant Toads came hopping over from the distance.
Darkness's eyes lit up, and she was about to excitedly rush forward to play a slime-play with them, but was grabbed by him, and then bound tightly with his threads.
"K-Kobayashi-senpai?!"
"We can't let her make a move. This is to test the [Falna]'s effect. Of course, you all can't make a move either."
"O-oh!"
Kazuma quickly replied. Aqua and Megumin dragged Darkness away, quickly moving out of the battlefield.
It was a bit embarrassing to say, but these few Giant Toads... were a formidable enemy for them!
The threads from his right hand hung down naturally.
Then he ran towards the Giant Toads. His speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he had crossed paths with them.
Sliiiice—
Under the widened eyes of Kazuma and the others, the toads' bodies were cut into pieces. The smell of blood and a foul stench rushed into their noses, making them feel nauseous.
This is a frail Archwizard?
Who would believe that!
(End of Chapter)