A thin layer of sweat had built on Marcel’s skin, making his clothes damp and sticky. The forest air was crisp, but had heated up considerably underneath the midday sun. It wasn’t just the temperature though, mainly it was the three hours of hiking through the forest at a brisk pace that had sent his body thirsting for breaks.

“When will we have a break?” Marcel spoke towards the back of the twins marching ahead.

“It’s still a little according to the contract.” Messy said without looking back. There was something about her that gave Marcel the strong impression that she didn’t really like him.

Her brother, thankfully, was the opposite. He fell into step alongside Marcel.

“Don’t mind her, she can be a little rough sometimes,” Will said. “But she gets much softer once you get to know her.”

“Well I have to take your word for that,” Marcel shrugged. They walked in silence a little, the only noise being their labored breathing. Until a question bobbled to the surface of Marcel’s brain.

„How did you two end up in the guild?”

“You mean how we started adventuring?” Will asked. “It’s not really much of a special story. Our parents were farmers in a small town to the north of here. You probably won’t know it.”

“What’s its name?”

“Suren Nur.” Will raised an eyebrow.

“Nope, never heard of it,” Marcel chuckled.

Will smiled.”Most people say that. Or they’ve heard of it, but can’t remember where. Anyways. Point is our parents weren’t that well off. Da used to be a farmer and Ma was a housewife. Both are classes that don’t pay particularly well. We got by mind you, and better than some of the other classes, especially the ones that had to do with the trains. But you know how it was after the big revolution.”

Actually Marcel had no idea. But he had heard people referencing it too much at this point to know better than to ask. Especially because he still had the words in his ears he had read when coming to this place. So he just nodded.

“Well as I said our parents' classes didn’t pay that well, but we got by. When it was time for us to receive our classes we were cursed and lucky in a way We both became adventurers.”

“How is it cursed and lucky at the same time?”

“Because,” Will smiled. “Mesmeranda had talked about becoming an adventurer since she was little. She wanted to travel the world and make a name for herself fighting monsters that were threatening humanity. Me? I just wanted some stable paying job to take care of our parents. As you see we both didn’t quite get what we wanted.”

“I get what you’re saying. After all that I heard I thought that adventuring would be quite lucrative. I mean we’re literally risking our lives here, no? But you make barely more than scrubbing stables with some of the contracts lining the guild hall.”

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“Ai,” Will nodded. “That is because the ones you see are simply the ones for first grade adventures like us. The good ones are all upstairs.”

“First grade adventurers?”

“It sounds better than it is. Pretty much means common born. It’s the aristocracy and the wealthy ones who get the good contracts. We only get the scum and sometimes are allowed to join them on their big missions as companions. Just to fill up the numbers usually.”

“Doesn’t sound all that glorious.”

“No… I mean… We have only been doing this for a few years. So Messy is still hoping we will get a grade up at some point.”

“You didn't seem too convinced about that:”

“I've seen enough I think. I know how these places work. It's all rotten on the inside. All I’m hoping for is that we will at least get well graded enough for some of the bigger contracts, or that some noble will take pity on us and take us up in his entourage.”

“Just scraping by for some rent and some good food eh?”

Will nodded. They walked in silence for a while. It wasn’t the unpleasant sort of silence Marcel usually had when he engaged in conversations with strangers.

In his experience there was always this eventual lapse in topic which ended up in an uncomfortable quiet.

It wasn’t so with Will. They were each contemplating their own things to be sure, but Marcel felt somehow still connected to him.The other man had given him a lot to think about, but his head was already filled to the brim with other questions.

“What do you know about changing classes?”

Will almost stumbled when Marcel ripped him out of his thoughts. “Changing classes?”

“You know, like having a different class suddenly.”

“I… I don’t think that’s possible,” Will thought for a moment. “I’ve certainly never heard of it. Why?”

“Ohh it’s just something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Not quite happy with your class are you?” Will shock his head. “Sadly there’s no way that I know. The only thing close to it are skill crystals.”

“Skill crystals?”

“They are emblems that give you power. They grant you a new skill, and other then when getting it normally by your class, they can be among quite different paths.”

“So I might be able to get a fireball skill?” The origin of Marcel’s questions was pushed away by new imaginations.

Will chuckled. “Maybe, yes. But they are rare. Not really accessible for us. I hear they only have them on tier five and above missions.”

“Ohh I see,” Marcel said. “So no way to change a class.”

“Well let me tell you, it's still better than most of the non combat classes. Don’t get me wrong, I have some problems with the adventure guild, and I’ve complained quite a lot about it. But don’t take these words too much to heart. You will still earn better than with a carpentry class or anything of the likes. At least as a non aristocrat.”

“Oh it’s not like I wish I would have a non combat class. I was just wondering.”

“Well sadly I don't think there is a way for it. Or at least none for us. Maybe the demigods have some way to do it, who knows. But those high tier adventurers are strange. Something about them is just different.”