Vol. 1 Ch. 5 The Silent Musician

Chapter 5

Skill, Stat, Classes

I am currently 8 years old and the date today is 10/14.

The past 3 years, I found out what Xeline, Onee-chan, and Berserker's birthdays and age are.

Xeline 12/21 8 years old.

Onee-chan 09/10 11 years old.

Berserker 01/01 25 years old.

In the past three years I have progressed on some things.

I have finished the 'Introduction to Potions' and continued to the next shelf last week which is 'Preparatory Guide to Potion.'

I finished the introduction in 3 years, while that brat finished everything when she was 4 years old, for some reason my pride seems damaged.

She have been reading in the library as well, but for some reason, she still can't win our question and answer battle.

Also, I told them that I would come at 7:30am than 5:30am, because people are starting to worry because I overwork. If they worry too much they might monitor me and I might not be able to hunt at night. This extends my hunting time though.

Hunting at night was hard at first because I only trusted the moonlight for eyesight, but I got used to it and was able to find enemies in the dark and fight them as well.

For my hunts, I stopped using paralysis potion after a year because it dies after stabbing in the back of the heart or the head without him using his 'Last Resort' which is improving its physical capabilities when HP drops low, I also stopped using the Nail plank and just stick to using strings to make it fall.

This is from a book I have read a few years ago about the 'Last Resort'.

[Some monster have a 'Last Resort' which makes them stronger. This 'Last Resort' makes them able to fight when they have very low HP.]

I also studied how the Mini Bear acts.

When it falls over its back, it takes time to get up, but it's harder to hit because it is facing up and I can't hit its weak points. When that happens, I just wait for it to stand then trip over the string again by standing on the other side.

In the first year, I only took one or two per night, but now, I can kill about 10 of them a single night, it already became too easy and boring.

I got wounded a lot of times during those battles but the time stopping sensation didn't come back anymore. Whenever I get wounded, it hurts like hell because I don't have the adventurer's blessing to mitigate the pain with he HP system.

To hide my wounds, I wore my jacket that never gets stained so nobody would notice.

The jacket also somehow grows as I grow, it's like it grows with me. I don't know where that weird jacket came from but it's very convenient.

Time to return to what is happening now.

I am currently on the construction site and I was preparing to leave since it's already 4:30pm.

"Well, I guess this will be my last workday..."

"*Sniff*... Nail pusher... I will miss you!"

"Why?! Why do you have to quit?!"

"Nail pusher... you're the fastest worker in this force, please don't go and leave me! All these other guys are useless!"

""""You're the most useless one among all of us!!!""""

This is my last day in the construction site, the reason for this is I am now able to do blacksmith since I am 8 years old, that blacksmith promised that I can start working at 8 years old.

"We already have proper tools! You can use these now so it's easier than pushing nails!"

"Well... I don't think I can help that much now because the remaining work is concrete and metal works..."

"Don't leave us man!!!"

For these three years I have been working with these guys, so for some reason I have a bond with them.

"You better send us letters *sniff* okay?!"

"Come and visit us sometime!"

"When you go back... I will surely have a position open for you..."

"Why are you guys overreacting? I'm not going to die! in fact, I just live at the center of the town! Why are you guys acting like you're never going to see me again?!"

"But we won't have our special time working together!"

"And also making jokes with each other!"

"Don't you feel sad that all these moments will now just be a memory!"

"Don't be stupid you guys!...*sniff*."

"""""?!"""""

They were surprised by my reaction. I'm only reacting like this because I got dragged into the flow.

"I'm just a few streets away you know...*sniff*"

"Nail pusher, is crying?!"

"Hey don't cry... you're making me cry too *sniff*"

"You have been crying this whole time!"

"Nail pusher... okay then... Everyone Stand in line!"

All of the workers then stood in line in front of me with some of them teary eyed.

"Everyone! together!"

""""""Thank you for your hard work!!!""""""

"You guys are men! Why are you crying?!*sniff*"

I stood up tall as well then bowed my head.

"Thanks for taking care of me!"

Because of how they were acting, I was dragged in their stupid act.

After this stupid exchange I went out the construction site with my head held up high.

Yes, this is a stupid because they can always see me again anytime, but for some reason... it felt lonely.

After going out the site, I calmed myself down and wiped my tears.

This time, I went to the tailor... and this is also the last session I have.

"Oba-san, Alex-san... This will be the last time... I will be in your care!"

""We're glad to have you!""

After a 3 months when I started here, I was already able to repair clothes, then after 2 years, I was able to make shirts, then after 3 years, I was able to make adventurer equipments.

Some of the plain t-shirts I made was put in the shop and I also got money from repairing some.

6:00pm and this was the time I leave.

"Well.... this will be the last time..."

I bowed my head.

"Thanks for taking care of me!"

"I had fun teaching you Nameless-kun, I'll visit you sometimes!"

"You can also come here, you're like a grandson to me now."

"Thank you for everything! Goodbye!"

Now, this is a proper goodbye! Not crying for no reason!

But still, It feels lonely... it's because of those guys fault!

The reason I am stopping tailor work is because I have something I had to do.

I will try to start it tomorrow.

I went to the pharmacy today.

"Hello Center-chan!"

"Hello Onee-chan..."

"Center-chan! Why do you look sad?!"

"What? I'm not sad?"

"No, you might look okay, but you're not!"

"How can you tell?"

"Isn't it obvious? Because I'm your Onee-chan!"

This person is unbelievable... Well, I really am not sad, but looking at the events that happened this afternoon, maybe I am in a sad mood.

"Center-chan, do you want to take a break today?"

"No! I'm fine! Please teach me Onee-chan!"

"Okay Center-chan... but whatever happens, I'm here for you!"

"Thanks Onee-chan."

I went behind the counter.

*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*

"......."

"What?"

Xeline went down as usual, but she stopped after the last step.

"....damn crybaby..."

"Wha?! What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Dunno, I just wanted to call you that."

Are you a psychic or something?!

"I don't have time to play little brat, get out of my sight."

"Hmpf, this stupid kid got a big head just because he can complete some potions now."

"Kyaaah! You two are always getting along each other!"

Xeline and I looked at each other and nodded, making our truce immediately effective.

"Yeah, we're just joking around he he he, good luck in making potions!"

"Yeah, good luck to you as well!"

After talking with dry robotic voices, Xeline went to the back to collect materials and I started to make potions.

"Okay Center-chan, let's start!"

"Yes!"

I was now able to create Low grade Poison, Flammable Oil, Stun potion, Flash potion, and confuse potion. And I can also make middle grade Paralysis potion now.

While making potions the time to eat came.

"Bye Center-chan!"

"Bye Onee-chan."

*Thud**Thud**Thud*

Xeline rushed down again to collect materials, but she stopped again on the way.

This is the first time I saw her go down with just a 1 hour gap period from her previous collection.

She looked at me and I looked back.

She did a small smile towards me and ran to the back again.

Why the hell did she smile at me! Is she making fun of me?!

After going out of the shop annoyed, I went back to the bench to eat.

"Hmmm... I can't go hunting today, I guess I should just exercise after eating, take a bath then sleep."

I can't go hunting today because of certain circumstances.

I did what I just said then slept.

The next day, after studying potion books in the morning, I went to the library.

I picked up two books called 'Stats and Skills' and 'Classes and Advanced Classes'

I went beside the Berserker and read the books.

The first one I read was 'Stats and Skills'

[Each level an adventurer gains 5 status points. an Adventurer can put stat points to any stats.

There are 5 stats, Str, Dex, Vit, Int, and Luk.

Str increases your whole attack and body strength.

Dex generally increase Speed in combat and critical multiplier. For Magicians it increases casting time, it also increases speed but it is reduced than other classes, this also increases wind magic speed.

Int Increases the strength of Magic, Mana, and buffs. Also, it increase the chance for a magic to cause Burn, Freeze, Stun, Shock, and Blind.

Vit Increases your HP, Defense which decreases pain, resistance to bad status effects like paralyze, poison, confuse etc.

Luk Increases the chances if dealing bad statuses and debuffs to enemies. ]

Seems like these are the reasons adventurers are strong.

[An adventurer will only know his or her stats after they become Advanced adventurers this means they have to be at Level 10 unless you're a Moon Clan Member.]

Damn Moon Clan is unfair.

[Your starting stat will be decided on what you have done when were still not an adventurer.]

[For the ones registered as 'Citizens' who wants to become an 'Adventurer' they will start at level 0 as well. When they reach Level 10 their starting stats will be given, but there will be a distortion.]

Distortion?

[Since they were late to enroll, all the things that they did before they became an adventurer will still be added to the stat but since they did things during the times they were citizens, this will affect their starting stats. Meaning, all things you did when you started to become a citizen, which was 15 years old, will also be added to your stats, but it will give an error for your stats.]

Error?

[For example, you're a citizen. You exercise your body until you are 30, then turn into an adventurer, the exercise you did from 15-30 years old may have been put into the strength stat. Meaning if you find out your starting stat at level 10, you might have a high starting <Str>.]

So what's the problem?

[This <Str> should have also expended stat points, meaning you will receive a negative amount of stat points depending on how much str you gain on the years you were a citizen. Meaning if you gained 100 <Str> during those years, you will receive <-100 Available Stat Point>, which will be reduced to -95 if you level up because of the +5 points gained when leveling up.]

So that just means that it's better to become an adventurer from the start to balance your stats.

Wait, what happens if you try to learn something when you become an adventurer? Doesn't it increase <Int>?

I flipped the page to that part.

[After you become an adventurer, you can't increase the stat by doing things like Exercising or Reading, this is because you stop gaining stats from those activities after becoming an adventurer. This doesn't mean you stop gaining knowledge and strength from these activities. They just aren't reflected in your stats. Meaning they won't affect the power of Magic but this will affect skills with Physical Attacks or some Special Magic.]

So that's how stats works huh? How about skills.

[Every class has a different set of skills. An adventurer gains 1 skill point per level which can be put into any skills. Some skills require other skills to be learned. For example, <Flame Barrage> can only be learned if you have learned <Flame Bolts Lv.5>.]

So you cannot just learn the most powerful skill instantly huh?

[There are times when an adventurer can gain a skill without using a skill point. This is by doing hard work. For example, you practiced archery before becoming an adventurer. When you become an adventurer you might have gained <Hawk Eyes Lv. whatever> as a result.]

So that was possible.

[This is impossible for magic since only adventurers can only use magic, this is the same as priest healing skills. Meaning they can only level it up with skill points.]

This ends the book.

Hmmm this description is somehow vague, what if you already have the skill and still tried to level it up by hard work? Can you learn the skills with requirements by learning the previous skills by hard work?I guess I'll learn about it later.

I closed the book and opened the other one.

I Opened 'Classes and Advanced Classes' and read it.

[You can only obtain a Class when you achieve Level 10. By achieving level 10, you must go to the capital city of 'Anima' to change classes. There are also some places other than the capital where you can change classes. These are the towns that specializes on one class, for example, the 'Mage Town of Tiama'. Though, Moon Clansmen are exemptions because they are already given classes from the day they were born.]

Yeah, those Moon Clansmen are unfair, aren't they?

[There are 5 combat classes, Swordsman, Archer, Magician, Priest, and Scout. There are also 2 crafting classes, the Alchemist and the Maker.]

[The Swordsman class are the class that excel in close range combat. They are also the ones who take damage for their allies. The most notable skill they have are <Taunt> <Battle Mode> and <Magic Blade>.'

'The swordsman class has three advanced classes. Great Swordsman, Rune Swordsman, and Paladin.

A Great Swordsman is a class that either specialize as a tank or as a vanguard.

Recommended stats <Str> <Vit > <Dex> depending on what type you are.

A Rune Swordsman is a class that specialize in both Long range and Short range attack. They can deal both physical and magical damage.

Recommended stats <Dex> <Int> <Str>

A Paladin is a special class, it is a class with both Swordsman and Priest skills. Take note that Paladin is also an advanced class of Priest. Whereas Swordsman to Paladin is mostly a tank, and a Priest to Paladin is mostly a healer.
Recommended stats <Vit> <Str> <Int>.']

Okay... next is...

[The archer class is a class that specialize in dealing damage in a long distance. Their most Notable skills are <Barrage Mode> <Sniper Mode> and <Carving Shot>.'

What, no 'Final shot of Death'? Hahaha.

'The archer class has three advanced classes. 'Great Archer, Sniper, and Hunter.'

A Great Archer focuses on dealing damage by unleashing a barrage of arrows on enemies.
Recommended stat is <Dex>

A Sniper focuses on long range attacks that deal maximum physical damage to the enemy's weak spots.
Recommended stat is <Dex>

A Hunter focuses on giving status ailments and debuffing enemies by hitting them with arrows and setting traps. They also have attacks that can carve monsters.
Recommended stats are <Dex> <Luk>]

So even bows have different uses other than shooting many arrows or shooting arrows at a longer distance.

[The Magician class is a class that deals damage and debuffs to enemies with magic. Their most notable skills are all the elements and some debuffing skills.

'The Magician class has three advanced classes. The Great Mage, Scholar, and the Debuffer.'

The Great Mage focuses on dealing Large Amount of Magic Damage on a Large area with their Magic.'
Recommended stats are <Int> <Dex>.

The Scholar focuses on Quick casting magic, Summoning Magic, and as well as versatile magic.'
Recommended stats are <Dex> <Int>.

The Debuffer focuses on debuffing the enemies stats and can also decrease their speed and brain activity.
Recommended stats are <Luk><Dex>]

Do all classes have advanced classes called 'Great'?

Anyway, time to read the next one.

[The Priest Class is a class that focuses on healing allies, buffing them, and as well as dealing magic holy damage. They also specialize in dealing with Demon class monsters and Undead class monsters. Their notable skills are <Heal>, <Holy Light>, and <Exorcism>'

'The Priest Class has three advanced classes. The Great Priest, Diviner, and Paladin.

The Great Priest specializes in healing allies and giving them buffs.
Recommended stat is <Int>

The Diviner specializes in dealing Light damage and as well as destroying Undead and Demon Kind monsters.
Recommended stat is <Int> <Dex>

The Paladin which is the same as the Paladin of the swordsman class has the same skills. Though, if a swordsman Paladin Focuses more on Tanking and healing , a priest Paladin Focuses on Healing and using light sword beams.'
Recommended stats are <Int> <Dex> <Vit>]

The only class that specializes in defeating a specific kind of enemy huh?

Okay time for the next one.

[The Scout class is a class that specializes as classes who detect enemies, are Fast Vanguards, and as well as stealing. They are the ones who advances first for the party to explore the area. They are the most versatile class. Their most notable skills are <Bad Needle> <Back Stab> and <Steal>.'

'The Scout class has three advanced classes. The Great Scout, Assassin, and Master Thief.

The Great Scout specializes in detecting enemies, sneaking, and as well as setting up traps. They can also use poison darts to deal bad statuses to enemies quietly. They are the ones who first advance to scout the enemies.
Recommended stats <Dex> <Luk> <Vit>

The Assassin specializes in close quarter combat and surprise attacks. They can deal large amount of damage but they don't rely on defense much and only focus on attacking and dodging.
Recommended stats <Dex> <Str>

The Master Thief specializes in Carving and stealing items and money from monsters. They can use bows and swords, they also have versatile skills that makes them climb buildings and also use arrows like grappling hooks.
Recommended stats <Luk> <Dex>]

I wonder what class I should get?.... I'll think about it when the time comes.

Now time for the last two crafter classes, the Alchemist and the Maker.

'The Alchemist is a class that focuses on making potions, making artificial beings, and enchanting equipments. Their most notable skills are <Potion Making> <Create Artificial Being>, and <Potion Detonation>.'

Maybe Xeline or Onee-chan will become an alchemist when they become adventurers.

Wait, will they become adventurers? I'll ask later...

[The Alchemist class has two advanced classes. The Great Alchemist, and the Mad Alchemist.

The Great Alchemist focuses on making potions and as well as. They also have combat abilities like, making their potions activate prematurely, and increasing the effect of potions.
Recommended stats <Int><Luk>

The Mad Alchemist focuses on creating more Artificial Creatures, They also have the power to create a being called Homunculus which are as strong as another adventurer.
Recommended stats <Int>]

This class fit Xeline in a lot of ways, but she should be called 'Crazy Alchemist'.

Next is the Maker.

[The Maker is a class that focuses on crafting new equipment and as well as repairing equipments in the battlefield. They are both vanguards and as well as support, their most notable skills are <Making>, <Repair>, and <Disection>]

A class that focuses on making money?

[A Maker has two advanced classes. The Great Maker, and the Battle Maker.

The Great Maker focuses on making, and repairing items for the party when out on the field. They can also have weight ignoring blessing so they can carry more items
Recommended stats <Dex><Luck>

The Battle Maker specializes in Close quarter combat and as well as temporarily Buffing team mates equipments in the battlefield.
Recommended stats <Str> <Vit> <Luk> <Dex>]

These are the classes of adventurers.

This knowledge will be useful 10 years from now when I become an adventurer, but right now. This knowledge might have no use

After reading I closed the book.

"You don't read aloud anymore..."

"Huh? When did I do that?"

"When you were a kid... you read aloud a lot of times, don't you remember?"

"I guess having old age gives you memory loss."

*Smash*

She hit me on my head with a book.

"OUCH!!!! This is child abuse!!!"

"Hmpf!"

Looking at this person... she... looks like she haven't aged for even a day?

What the hell is she doing? Does she use some kind of cosmetic products to look like that? No, she's not the type to use one and I never see her using them.

This damn berserker is an unknown creature! Maybe I should sell her to the government and gain money.

"Maybe they would put you in the Museum."

I ran out of the library to escape death.

I thought that first Mini Bear was scary.... I was wrong... That berserker is a lot more scarier.

I ate at my bench.

"Hmm... there sure are a lot of adventurers today."

The reason why I can't go hunting at night are the adventurers is because there are a lot of adventurers today. There is a larger chance to encounter one when I go out which is a bad thing. They will report me and ask me questions which is inconvenient.

The reason they are here is because they have an urgent quest located at the Elf Village, which is located south of Quina. I don't know what this urgent quest is, nor do I care.

The Urgent quest will be done in a month from now. So for the meantime, I'm going to stop hunting and do some other things that can make me improve in hunting or in other things.

After eating I went to the blacksmith for the first day of work.

"Hahahahaha! It's you!"

"Hey, I'm 8 years old now... Teach me how to smith!"

"Yes, I will never forget your flame, 'Flame Boy!'"

Okay... why the hell 'Flame boy'?

I don't care... I just don't care anymore anyone can call me whatever they want.

"I regret to tall ya boy, today is a busy time... I have my hands full so I can't help ya."

"Is it because of the sudden surge of adventurers?"

"Ya'r right! You're pretty smart, 'Flame Boy'!"

No, it's called common sense.

Right now, there are unusually a lot of adventurers in Quina because of the Urgent Quest.

"Okay, but be sure to teach me later."

"Sure boy! I will make you the greatest Blacksmith that ever lived!"

That guy sure is fired up.

I returned to the bench and sat down.

"I should go to the guild now and find adventurers to teach me archery."

The reason why I quit the sewing job is because I need time to practice archery.

I noticed that I need long range attacks because I can't do close quarter combat without any advantages towards monsters. I want to hunt other monsters than Mini Bear. My current goal to achieve was killing a Charge Dog which is a Lv. 5 monster.

"Nah, it's better if I go later... they are probably busy hunting down monsters on the southern forest."

"Hmmm.. maybe I should go to the woodworking shop, it's been a while since I last went there..."

The one who gives me my salary on the construction job wasn't the woodworker but the boss.

The money I receive I deposit it on the Bank. Normally you need a card but since they knew me, they just let me put my money on a special safe and gave me access to it. The safe can only be opened by me.

It was a long time since the last time I went to the woodworking shop. I also want to buy a bow. But it is very suspicious to do so, so I will have to learn how to make it and make an excuse to bring it back to the bench as my first wood creation.

I went into the woodworking shop.

"Welcome!"

I went into the shop and there I saw a male elf with long yellow hair, red eyes, and sharp ears. He looked like he is a teenager.

This is the first time I saw him.

"Hmm? I've never seen you before."

"Oh, that's because I rarely come to Quina, the owner of this shop is my grandfather."

So this is that grumpy old man's grandson huh?

"So... how may I help you?"

"Oh... I'm wondering if I can learn woodworking."

"Hmm... I don't know, you better ask grandpa."

"Haaa... that guy will never teach me."

"Hahaha, don't worry, I'm sure he'll teach you."

"That guy's so grumpy you know?"

"I'll come with you and ask him!"

"Huh? What about the shop? Who's going to man it?"

"There's no need to actually, this shop usually has no one to man it... People just drop their request with 50% down payment and they just come back for it in a week for the final 50%."

Wow, that is so inconsistent if you think about it.

"What if people's request takes more time than that? Like, 'Make me a house' or something."

"Oh, if that happens when they return after a week, grandpa will post a paper saying 'This project will done in X days, come back later.' or sometimes he just leave it here and posts 'Don't request stupid requests'"

What about the money? If people just left them here... it would get stolen right? This town is so carefree...

We went to the workshop part of the store.

"Come one ask him..."

This person gave me a little push.

"Hey can--"

"No."

I haven't even finished yet...

"Oi, you said he would teach me?"

"Hmm? Try again."

"Can you tea-"

"No."

"Try again... this time, make sure to finish your statement before he says no."

"Oi, I know your just messing with me."

"No, it's a test... trust me."

"Fine."

I inhaled and prepared to speak fast.

"Heycanyouteachmewoodworking?"

"No."

"Pfffft!"

"You bastard!"

I thought this person was a proper person, I would've never thought he was an asshole.

"Hey...fufu... Try again."

"You're an asshole."

If this guy won't teach me, I will force him!

"Please don't teach me."

"No."

"Then I'll be in your care!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Pffft! That was smart! HAHAHA!"

I got a wooden plank and a saw.

"Hey, how do I make a bow?"

"What the hell are you doing! Don't touch that!"

"How can you teach me if I don't do it hands on?"

"When did I say that I will teach you?!"

"You just approved right? I told you not to teach me but you insisted."

"I never said anything like that brat!"

"So? do you have a blueprint for bows?"

"Shut up! Hey Pine, get this brat out of the workshop!"

"Hey! You said you would teach me! You would go back on your word? I thought you were a man?!"

"Okay grandpa! Come here lil kid!"

"Oi! You said he would teach me!"

"Pfft... HAHAHA!"

"This asshole!"

"Hahaha! calm down... it was just a joke."

It doesn't seem I can convince this grumpy old man to teach me.

I went back to the workshop with this person that is named Pine.

On the way back I heard a unique sound.

"Eh? What is that sound?"

"Hmm? You don't know? It's music."

"So this is music huh? Wait, you're not messing with me now are you?"

"No I'm not, I just do it once a day."

"So it's like a living requirement for you?"

"You can say that. Hahaha."

I think this person needs to go to a mental institute.

"So, what instrument is that?"

"It's a Violin, want to check it out?"

"Okay then, as long as you're not just messing with me."

"I told you, I only do it once a day, you can let your guard down now."

Telling me to let my guard down made me more cautious.

We went in front of a room.

The sound was definitely coming from this room.

Pine opened the door and we went inside.

Inside I saw a girl a little smaller than me playing the violin.

The girl had yellow hair up to her shoulders, red eyes, and long sharp ears.

She was wearing a white one piece similar to Xeline's attire in the house.

She had a gentle face and she looked elegant when playing the instrument.

"This girl is my little sister, Sassafras. she is 7 years old."

This is the first time I meet a person younger than me.

The girl stopped playing and put down her violin on a table.

She picked up a spiral flip pad and a pen.

She wrote something on it then showed it to me.

"[Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Sassafras.]"

"Hello, Sasssaffuras... I'm Nameless."

The girl did a soundless chuckle then wrote something again.

"[You can call me Safu... Hello... Nameless?]"

"It's a long story, but just call me that."

"[Okay.]"

"Why are you not talking? are you sick?"

Safu shook her head and looked at Pine.

"Oh, she's not sick... she just don't want to talk, she said that she only likes to focus on one instrument."

Focus on one instrument? She's making herself inconvenient for a stupid reason like that?

"....Weirdo."

"?!"

"Pffft!"

"?!"

After calling her weirdo she made a shocked expression, and Pine laughed as well making her look at him with a shocked impression as well.

"[WHY?!]"

"Why? You're not speaking because of a stupid reason like that?"

"[You won't understand a musician!]"

"Hmmm? I think using your mouth won't even affect playing since you only do it with your hands."

"[It does for me!]"

Her gentle face looked like it was about to cry with her eyebrows on a V shape.

"It doesn't, trust me, I maybe a kid but I have read a lot of books in the library. Or is that it? You're just doing that because you think it makes you cute."

"[No I'm not! You would never understand!]"

"Hmpf, so if I become a musician, I can call you stupid?"

"[I'm not stupid!]"

"I will call you Urusafu(Noisy Safu)"

"[Urusafu?!]"

"Pfft! Hahahahaha!"

Pine laughed at our exchange.

"[Onii-chan, don't laugh!]"

"Hahaha... sorry, Urusafu-chan."

"[Not you too!]"

Seems that this guy just broke his once a day promise.

"Fine then, I have a suggestion for both of you."

"What is it?"

"Why don't you play an instrument, and if Safu-chan acknowledges your skill, she would speak."

"Wait, those conditions doesn't seem fair you know?"

"[I'm fine with it... Are you scared?]"

"Playing an instrument is useless. It only creates noises, only Urusafu is okay with it."

"[It's not useless!]"

"Glare-kun... there are actually benefits in learning to play."

"Oh? What is it?"

Glare-kun? I heard from some people that I have a bad glare... is that really true?

"The most important thing is, if you're good... you will be able to play for rich aristocrats and nobles. Second, it is also useful to adventurers, Third, you can perform in the streets and gain money if you are broke."

"[Onii-chan! The most important thing is enjoying playing music for yourself and for the people around you! It makes people feel good!]"

"Oh yeah... that reason exists too..."

"[Why you!]"

Pine really likes to mess with people doesn't he.

"How does it benefit adventurers?"

"You see, hearing music temporarily buff people and raise their stats or heal them when a party member uses it. It's useful because it doesn't use up Mana but the member doing it won't be able to do any actions when playing."

"Hmm...."

So, Extra Income, useful for an adventurer, and entertaining others are the reasons for playing huh? not bad...

"Okay then, I'll learn one!"

"Okay, choose one instrument in this room."

"Looking around, there are a lot instruments in this room huh?"

"That's because this is the place where we store instruments."

"Is that so?"

I looked around the room, there were instruments that I recognize from books. But there is one instrument that I don't recognize.

What is that instrument? It looks interesting...

Maybe I should choose that.

I went beside the instrument and touched it.

"I want to learn this."

"".......""

"...What's wrong?"

"Oh, no reason... I just want to ask, why did you choose that instrument?"

"It just caught my attention, and I also got curious because this is the first time I saw this."

Why are they acting like this? Does this instrument suck?

"That instrument is called the Piano, you haven't seen it before because it's one of a kind."

"One of a kind?"

"Yes, the maker of the piano wasn't able to make it famous as an instrument in the elf kingdom, so that person just left it here."

"Is that so... do you know how to use it?"

"No... but there is a book about it, I can give it to you."

"Okay then, can I have that book?"

"Do you really want to play it?"

"Why? is there something wrong? should I change instruments?"

"Hmmm?.... it's fine if you really want it."

Why are they acting like this? If you have a rarer instrument wouldn't that make you famous instantly if you are able to play it?

"Yes, I only want to play this."

"Okay, I'll find the book... you can come back for it later."

Pine left to find the book.

"Time to leave."

"[Wait, don't go.]"

"Huh?"

"[I mean... can you listen to one song first?]"

"It's not called song if it's not sung."

"[I mean, just one piece!]"

"You want to prove to me that music isn't useless huh? Fine then."

She nodded and put the paper down then picked up the Violin.

She played a slow paced piece.

For some reason the music makes me feel sad.

It feels sad... but for some reason, that sadness is refreshing.

It changed pace into higher pitches and sometimes lower pitches.

I listen to the whole piece up to the end.

When she stopped I opened my eyes and look at her.

Wait, since when did I close my eyes?

When I looked at her she was smiling at me.

"Why are you smiling?"

She put down the violin and picked up the pad.

"[I'm just a little happy...]"

"Why?"

"[You said that music was useless... but when I played a piece, it seemed that you were appreciating it.]"

"What?! I'm not appreciating it!"

"[I have played for many people before, and I know when a person knows how to appreciate music.]"

"No, you're eyes are just blind! How can you even judge that when you're busy playing!"

She chuckled then wrote on the pad.

"[You're not very honest with yourself... are you?]"

"No! You're just assuming things?"

"[Oh really?]"

"Yeah!"

She just smiled at me.

God is she annoying, why would I appreciate that piece anyway? Music is only for profit or something.

"It seems that you are both having fun."

"So your back, did you find the book?"

"Yes, I found it."

"So, where is it?"

"Look beside you."

I looked on top of the piano and the book was there.

"So it was here?!"

"Yep, I just wanted to make you feel stupid."

"You're sick, I suggest you go to a mental institute and have your personality be checked."

"I have already done that and they said that I can live properly in society now."

"Eh? Really?"

"Nope."

"Okay, I don't care anymore."

This guy is hard to handle, are all older siblings hard to handle?

"[You should avoid talking to him, he will just annoy you.]"

"My, my... are you scared that he might steal me away from you?"

"[See? Nothing good comes out of his mouth.]"

"Yes... your probably right."
There is one thing that I want to tell this weird girl...

"I have a question for you..."

"[What is it?]"

"If you write, wouldn't that make your hands tired more than talking?"

"?!"

"Pffft!"

Safu looked like she was surprised of the revelation and her brother laughed again.

Is it that hard to find that out? And her brother sure does like laughing doesn't he?

Safu held her head and closed her eyes while shaking.

Then she opened her eyes and nodded then removed her hands from her head.

"[It is practice for my hand stamina]!"

"Come to think about it... wouldn't it mess up your rhythm?"

"?!"

She held her head again and close her eyes, she nodded and removed her hands again.

"[It's practice for consistency!]"

"Now you're making up stupid reasons, you are Urusafu."

She held her head down holding back her tears.

"Come to think of, you haven't heard what the piano sounds like right?"

"Oh, you're right... so how do I play it?"

"Sit down, open that lid then push a button."

I sat down then opened the lid, and there were white and black buttons.

I pushed one button.

*Dong*

".........."

I pushed another one, this time, on the further right.

*Ding*

It sounds okay...

I pushed more buttons.

"You said that music is useless... but you're smiling even though your just randomly playing it."

"Eh? I'm not smiling."

"You are though."

"Okay, I don't care about what you say anymore."

"Is that so? Okay then HAHAHA"

This guy was just messing with me.

Safu for some reason, was smiling at me again.

"Okay, it's time for me to go... I need to do something else."

"Oh, is that so."

"Can I keep the book?"

"Yes, it's yours... you can study it later."

"Okay then, later!"

"See you later."

"[Bye Nameless.]"

I went out the shop and headed to adventurers guild.