Just as I was about to step out of the carriage, the sudden, forceful movement jolted the vehicle forward.

Lucas, who was handling the driving, had pushed the horses into a surprisingly rapid start, causing me to lose my balance.

I stumbled, falling back into my seat.

As I sat there, I contemplated my earlier apprehensions. ''Was I overthinking the situation?' I wondered to myself. After all, it wasn’t unusual for adventurers to carry weapons, especially when allowing a complete stranger to join them. If I were in Isaac’s shoes, wouldn't I also prepare some form of self-defense, just in case?

The roads to the Tower and the adventures that awaited were filled with unknown dangers. It made sense for the group to be cautious and prepared.

Perhaps their earlier behavior, which I had perceived as secretive and alarming, was simply a display of prudence – a necessary measure in a world where the unexpected could and often did occur.

With these thoughts, I settled back into my seat, still somewhat skeptical but willing to give the situation the benefit of the doubt.

I decided to put my reservations on hold, though not entirely dismiss them. Remaining vigilant was important, but so was trusting the journey I had embarked myself upon.

"By the way,"

Mia, the vibrant girl with the bobbed hair, leaned in my direction. She looked at me with an expression that was both playful and slightly teasing.

"Huh?"

In a tone that was undeniably flirtatious, she continued, "you've got a pretty impressive physique." Her gaze lingered on me, hinting at more than just casual observation.

Caught off guard by her sudden and direct compliment, I felt a flush of embarrassment. My interactions with women, limited to my mother and a maid in my previous life and this life thus far, hadn't prepared me for this kind of comment.

"Uh, thank you," I managed to stammer out, feeling awkward.

Before I could regain my composure, the other girl, Lila, chimed in, her tone curious yet approving. "Yeah, Mia's right. You do look quite strong. Is it because of your class? What class are you?"

"Yeah, with such a muscular and... tempting physique," Mia began, her voice taking on a seductive quality, "one surely focuses on either strength or vitality, don't they? Like a strong, irresistibly charming, protective, and oh-so-reliable warrior." she added, her words lingering in the air, each words punctuated with a suggestive gaze directed squarely at me.

It was then that it clicked for me. Their compliments, while flattering, were more than just casual observations. They were trying to gauge me, likely trying to understand in which spectrum of danger i leaned in by learning about my class.

In a world where one's class often defined their abilities and role, this was a common way of sizing up individuals.

My class, Pyromancer, was indelibly linked to the Arashi lineage – a fact well-known throughout the world.

Revealing this would inadvertently disclose my connection to the Arashi family, a detail I needed to keep hidden. Since being exiled from the family, it was crucial to avoid any association that might draw their attention or lead to unforeseen consequences which could endanger me.

Determined to keep this information concealed, I decided to steer the conversation away from myself.

"Well, every adventurer has their strengths, right?" I replied with a casual smile, deflecting their question the best i could.

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"It's fascinating how diverse classes can be. For instance, what classes do you all have? It must be quite a combination to aim for the S-rank."

My question, posed with genuine interest, seemed to catch them slightly off guard.

However, their enthusiasm for their own journey and goals soon took over. One by one, they began to share details about their classes and experiences.

Mia, was the first to respond. “I’m an Apothecary,” she said, her voice still carrying that seductive tone, clearly on a mission with a specific goal that seemed less about genuine interest and more about a calculated approach.

“I provide support to the team with potions. My arsenal is limited for now since I need to level up. Like everyone here, I only have one skill so far. Here take a look.”

To my surprise, Mia then revealed her ability.

This was unexpected, as showing one’s skill could potentially put them at a disadvantage.

The only way to see another's skill information was if they willingly revealed it to you, other than through specific unique and rare artifacts like those used in the Arashi family ceremony, or through skills that were unique and limited to a few individuals.

https://i.imgur.com/tkZ1SIs.png [https://i.imgur.com/tkZ1SIs.png]

“My skill is called 'Mystery Potion.' It’s a bit of a gamble, really. Each potion I make gets a random, concealed effect. The twist is that neither I nor the person using it knows what it is until it’s consumed. Thought we have our way to find out the effect, but its a secret~. ”

As she described her skill, I couldn’t help but be cautious about the strategic reveal. Was it a gesture of trust, or was there an ulterior motive?

Mia leaned in closer, her tone playful yet suggestive. “So, Kaien, if you're ever feeling adventurous, come to me for a potion. Who knows, the effect might be special for certain... activities.” she said with a wink.

It struck me as odd how the rest of the group remained silent, almost as if Mia's behavior was expected. I glanced around at the other members, searching for any sign of reaction or disapproval, but found none.

They seemed unfazed, leaving me to wonder if Mia's actions were a regular occurrence or part of a strategy to gauge my reaction.

Internally, I questioned the dynamics of this group. It seemed strange that her companions would allow such a forward approach towards a stranger unless it served a purpose.

Despite these swirling thoughts, I maintained a composed exterior. "I'll keep that in mind, Mia," I responded with a polite, if somewhat guarded, smile.

The other girl, Lila, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up next to reveal her class and ability.

"I'm a Baker," she began, her voice calm and steady. "My skill is 'Nutritional Boost.' It allows me to enhance the effects of any consumable item I create."

https://i.imgur.com/RKHvb7E.png [https://i.imgur.com/RKHvb7E.png]

Her revelation piqued my interest and also brought a hint of surprise.

It was well-known that productive classes like cooks, blacksmiths, and in this case, bakers, typically stayed away from the dangers of the Tower.

They often focused on honing their craft to the highest level, making a living out of their skills without the need for leveling up or acquiring new abilities.

Their skills were valued, and they played a critical role in the support system of adventurers and townsfolk alike.

To find a Baker like Lila, with a skill aimed at enhancing consumables, as part of a team venturing into the Tower was unusual.

"This is quite interesting," I remarked, genuinely intrigued. "It's not often you see a productive class among a group of adventurers heading into the Tower."

Lila nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

"Yes, it's a bit unconventional. But we believe that every skill, no matter how non-combative it might seem, has its place. You might not realize it now but eventually you will."

"I-I see, thank you for the clarification."

As the conversation shifted, my gaze naturally turned to Isaac, the group's leader, expecting him to reveal his class and ability next.

However, to my surprise, Isaac's response was quite different from the others. He met my gaze with a direct and cautious look.

"I'm a cautious man," Isaac stated firmly. "I prefer not to disclose my class and ability. In our line of work, some information is best kept confidential."

His response resonated with me, echoing my own thoughts about discretion and the need to protect one's personal information, especially in unfamiliar company.

"I respect that decision," I replied with a nod of understanding. "It's wise to be cautious."

However, this turn of events seemed to unsettle Mia and Lila slightly. "Well, then, Kaien, it’s your turn," Mia said. Lila nodded in agreement, expectantly looking at me.

Following Isaac's approach, I decided to maintain a similar level of discretion. "Like Isaac, I also believe in exercising caution. I hope you understand, but I'd prefer to keep my class and abilities private for now."

My response seemed to deflate their curiosity, and although they appeared slightly disappointed, they didn't press further.

However, I noticed them exchanging glances with Isaac, their expressions not of anger but more akin to a broken plan, as if an unspoken strategy had been disrupted by our mutual reluctance to share information.

As the carriage continued its journey, I settled into a contemplative silence. Wondering what to expect along the path towards our destination.