He still wanted all his stats at least at his earth level, which meant he really needed to drive into his resistances. Which gotta be in the combat line, right? And burning through the combat jobs would require a lot of learning stat, which he got in spades from the education line, although a huge chunk of it was the fact that the education job he was using at the moment added massive amounts of learning itself as the job leveled, the double experience doubled that, and the fifty percent experience added half again to that. If the combat jobs were anything like the rest of the jobs, then he’d be lucky to get two or three learning from each job. If he wanted to burn through those jobs, he needed a lot of learning. Besides, it seemed that the combat jobs were locked behind three or four jobs reaching level thirty. A painful experience without significant learning as even with his learning now, reaching level thirty still took longer than a day. Well, the last couple have hit thirty relatively easily… maybe oh… never mind, the extra learning I get from the current education job… Joe took a moment, pausing outside the door to the temple as he ran through his options and figured things out. OK, can hit thirty in a day even if the job only has one learning. Time to move on? Then… or… Healing… Joe grimaced, remembering Kilniara’s critical injury. He sighed. Need job change and need healing, but I gotta take that slow. Just be teacher while I fake waiting?

Joe almost stepped in at that conclusion before he remembered how stuck he was on mana and decided that he could at least get his mana training the boost he would need to at least get that up to what seemed to be the basics for the area. Joe grimaced even as he tried to convince himself of his choice. Am I being an asshole here? Zilnek… Should I… Joe sighed and found himself dithering on the temple steps in front of the door. Finally, he made the decision and stepped in. I have my plan, let’s not second guess it.

After changing his job, he headed towards Kilniara and smiled as he got closer. She smiled back, just as happy, and Joe waved on towards the temple of Mimir. She turned towards it and met him on the way by, sliding into his side and the two walked up the steps into the temple of Mimir. He arrived, expecting something, but grew nonplussed when nothing unique actually happened. They entered the temple and settled into the rather small line for job changes and quickly arrived at the front of the line. When they arrived, Kilniara looked up at Joe with excitement and anticipation. It took a bit for Joe to realize she was waiting for the job name. Oh… right… I never really told them… or maybe she forgot? OK…

“Ahh… right. The job is agile ranged swordsman.”

Kilniara’s grinned grew even greater and she turned to the priest, “Agile ranged swordsman, please.”

The priest frowned at that, then glanced towards Joe before speaking, “Are you certain? Advanced combat jobs… the chances are very rare, master.”

Joe blinked at that then nodded, “I’ll pay. It is fine with me.”

The priest’s frown deepened, turning into a grimace before suddenly vanishing and his face turned blank, enacting his magic. He did so then his frowned returned and he looked at Joe with a tinge of anger, snorting rather loudly. Kilniara’s face dropped and she grew saddened, looking up at Joe.

“I’m sorry, Joe. I failed.”

Joe frowned as well, “You… failed? No. You didn’t fail, but something weird is going on. Can you show me the dialog box?”

“Dial… ooh… the message from the gods. Yes,” she paused, deep in thought before her message appeared before him.

Your attempt to change your job to Agile Ranged Swordsman has ended in failure. You have not reached the necessary requirements.

· Unlock the Swordsman Job

Joe frowned, annoyed. Then… it’s not really unlocked, is it… they should be able to use this job if… Joe blinked, remembering his own specialty for his human race. He flipped back to his status and checked again before frowning. So… I can use any job… and she… Acokzau can use the Agile Ranged Swordsman… but not any defensive or shield jobs… so… then… it’s not really unlocked, is it? Why would it say it’s unlocked… unless there are multiple locks for certain jobs? That seems… OK… that seems possible… lar… more powerful jobs locked behind… LOTS of locks? That’s… something this system would do… He sighed and looked at Kilniara.

Stolen story; please report.

“I’m so sorry. I misunderstood some things. Do you … can we keep trying? Figure some things out?”

“Sure,” Kilniara grinned without any heat and Joe’s worry melted a bit.

“Good. Then… asked to unlock the swordsman job.”

The priest remained blank faced when Kilniara asked, but Joe could easily sense the disapproval wafting of in waves. The request went through and Kilniara failed, as expected and this time Joe grew more excited with this popup. Ok… that’s a bit more… information. Nice!

Your attempt to change your job to Swordsman has ended in failure. You have not reached the necessary requirements.

· Unlock the Rogue, Mercenary, Berserker, Duelist, Soldier, Gladiator, Horseman, or Warrior Job

· Grow the Rogue, Mercenary, Berserker, Duelist, Soldier, Gladiator, Horseman, or Warrior job to level 30.

OK… so… swordsman can be unlocked … a lot of different ways… I really want to know… ok… nope… focus on this… uh… so… Acokzau… agility… and dexterity… so probably rogue, right? Then… let’s try rogue…

“So, ask for the Rogue job now, if you are willing.”

Kilniara’s nod was firm and much less happy, but she did so and the priest’s disapproval only grew. The priest enacted his skill and Kilniara turned back without a response and willed her popup to show for Joe. Joe looked at it and sighed.

Your attempt to change your job to Rogue has ended in failure. You have not reached the necessary requirements.

· Unlock the Scout Job

· Grow the Scout job to level 40.

Joe frowned. Well… there it is… and wow… forty! That’s… going to take a LONG time for Kilniara… so… still gotta go back to commoner… why? What… oooh!

Joe turned to the priest, “I would like to change my job to agile ranged swordsman, please.”

The priest stared at him with some shock, agog, before simply nodding and doing so. Joe’s grin faded as he considered what he was reading. Huh… that’s… makes sense and pisses me off at the same time… there’s no way except maybe an Acokzau and another race like them to get this job… not unless they’re doing what I’m doing…

Your attempt to change your job to Agile Ranged Swordsman has ended in failure. You have not reached the necessary requirements.

· Unlock the Swordsman Job

· Unlock the Mage job

· Maintain a permanent agility of a minimum 1000

And… then… strength… defense… so many options here… OK… that’s… heh… I wanna see the IQ swordsman! Yeah… Joe laughed at the absurdity and turn to Kilniara.

“Well, we learned a lot. Shall we head back? I’ll explain on the way.

Kilniara nodded, her happiness long gone. Joe noticed and frowned as they left the temple.

“I’m… sorry about that. It… makes sense now that I see it, but… yeah… it must be disappointing.”

She walked by his side, silent for a bit before she shook her head and sighed, “I was just… hoping.”

“So was I. It’s just…”

Joe interrupted, “You thought I was right?”

Kilniara glanced away with a blush and Joe realized he’d gotten her hopes up. Well… this… He sighed.

“I’m sorry, Kilniara. It is a special Acokzau job. If it’s any help, you are able to achieve the job much easier than I.”

She glanced up at him, her frustration fading with a sigh, “I should have … been more cautious with my hope.”

“And I should have been careful of raising it.”

She looked up at him, “So. What have you learned?”

“Well. To open your special Acokzau job, you must open the swordsman, rogue, scout, explorer, adventurer, and commoner.”

She looked up at him, eyes wide in despair and frustration, “So… impossible.”

Joe looked down at her, frowning slightly, “No. It is not.”

She frowned, “How so?”

“Start over. Take commoner. You will remain commoner no longer than a month or two. Then you will grow your various jobs until you have gained a measure of strength that is not tied to your jobs.”

“Commoner. Again?”

Joe frowned, “It is… how I was able to do it.”

Kilniara frowned and looked away, falling silent. Joe found himself floundering, unable to continue but not wishing to leave this alone, either. Joe soon fell silent as well.

* * *

Kilniara kept her thoughts to herself, silent, but her mind seethed. Of course a clan elite can easily have a great foundation and easily develop with the help of wealth and resources I could never see. How could I ever compete or match his growth. I will never be able to. She remained silent by his side, but struggled to hold in her anger.

* * *