If I were to sum up their stats in one word, that’d be incredible.
Their growth rate probably has more potential than Aira’s. And judging by their Dexterity and Luck, I’m sure the maximum amount of SP they’ve gotten is eight. If they were adventurers and not receptionists, they could very well be near the top on a national level.
So why are two girls with so much dormant power receptionists and not adventurers… Well, let’s wait until they feel like they want to tell me. Right now, I should be thinking about what it means for them to show this to me.
“S-so, Shouta?”
Asks Aki.
“So… Hm, you’re stronger than I thought, I guess?”
“T-that’s it?”
“And… Surprisingly big?”
I’m not saying what is.
““…””
They are both about to say something, but stop.
Well… Yes, I shouldn’t mince words. I’ll just say what I’m thinking.
“I’m joking. Your growth values are overwhelming compared to me. You were worried because I might be shocked to see that, right?”
“Yep…”
“Yes…”
“But that’s trivial to me.”
““Trivial?””
“Yes. I can keep getting stronger with Level Gacha, but even if I knew about this before I got it, I know that I’m me and others are others.”
Although I would’ve been a bit jealous.
Well, if Level Gacha didn’t drop that time, and I kept trudging on for years without seeing a Rainbow Slime or any results… And then I learned that Aki has far better stats than me, that would’ve broken my heart for sure.
But that’s just an hypothesis.
I have Level Gacha and high Luck, and beautiful and charming partners that are too good for me.
I don’t have to care about what might have happened instead.
“No matter how high your growth rate or stats are, you’re still the same two irreplaceable people you were before to me. In fact, it makes me happy that you like me even though I was weaker than you until recently.”
“Idiot. Being stronger doesn’t mean anything when you like someone.”
“Yes. What I like about you is how no matter what happens, you’re always having fun.”
“…Thanks.”
But thinking back, it’s all sorts of embarrassing.
In the previous date, when I was fighting the Golden Worm and trying to look strong to them, their stats were definitely higher than mine, right…?
If I was weaker, that means they were probably nervous when I was in danger, and I ended up looking lame…
“But if you’re that strong, you can fight with me.”
Their faces get cloudy when I say that.
“Ah, if you don’t like fighting, forget about it. I’m sure there are reasons why you’re receptionists.”
“No, it’s fine. There are a lot of reasons why we are where we are… To put it simply, we were too strong compared to the rest of our generation.”
This might sound like a cutting remark, but it makes sense after seeing their stats.
Their average growth value is four, which means that each level up is worth two level ups of someone with an average growth value of two. And when you’re just starting out as an adventurer, you can easily level up multiple times in a few days.
So…
“Everyone needs the same experience, but if the growth rate is too different, that means the gap gets bigger and bigger with each level up, right?”
“Yes, that’s why people usually team up with others with the same average growth values. But Maki and I didn’t have anyone like that. And even when we did our best to find people close to it, there was trouble when the level ups came.”
“Ah…”
Both in adventurer and receptionist schools, and even regular schools, students are put in simple teams based on their starting stats. And as they level up, they are put in teams with people with similar growth values to learn to act as a group. And they keep leveling up after that.
By the time people graduate, their levels are somewhere between ten and twenty, and they move on to become adventurers or receptionists. Or they can take up an occupation where they can make use of their abilities, if neither is good for them.
But my growth rate and starting stats were too low, so no one would team with me… It was hard for me to take down a few goblins and get up to level two, but that was also when my unfortunate stats became known… And I was abandoned by everyone.
Then, I spent the whole time in high school never going to a dungeon, and meandered a lot. I went to a training institute when I graduated, and to a slime place… It feels nostalgic now.
“When you have a certain degree of abilities, you’re in high demand whether you’re an adventurer or receptionist, but our values were too high. People strongly recommended that I become an adventurer, and I felt I was right for it, but I had trouble with the human relationship side of things. I reached this level in school, but retired three years ago. I also received training to become a receptionist, so I switched gears and came here.”
“I see.”
Being too weak like me is a problem, but I guess even being too strong can be a problem too…
“…”
Maki looks like she’s thinking about something painful.
I haven’t heard about it from her directly, but she’s faced the deaths of adventurers several times. Maybe it wasn’t just people she saw off as a receptionist, but people she fought alongside with as an adventurer too.
Maybe it’s rude to say this, but Aki likes fighting, so she would fit right in. But Maki, not so much. I assume that unlike Aki, she probably went along with it and became an adventurer because her growth rate was high and she didn’t want to disappoint people with high expectations.
It makes my chest hurt to think about the sadness they went through… But that’s in the past.
As long as they’re with me, they won’t have to go through that again.
“I’ll do something about Maki’s suffering through hard work, and Aki’s issues don’t seem like a problem. Aira is the one with the highest stats here, but I think I’ll surpass her eventually. No one’s going to question your growth rate.”
“…Thanks.”
“Another thing, no matter how strong I am, I’m not going to fire Aira or anything. Both you and Ayane are my team. I want us to keep evolving together.”
“Yes darling!”
“Allow me to continue to accompany you.”
Aki thinks a little more, and looks apologetic.
“Hn, sorry Shouta, but let me think about it a bit more. I haven’t fought on the front line for about three years, so I’m rusty. But more importantly, I like being your exclusive.”
“I see. Well, don’t feel obligated or anything.”
Sure.”
Aki smiles, and I pat her head.”
“I’m sorry Shouta, but I can’t go on adventures with you.”
Maki isn’t budging.
“I’m still scared when I see you off. Just looking at you hurt just now felt like my chest was ripped apart. If I fight with you and see you get hurt, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it.”
“Maki…”
“Sorry… I’m a coward.”
“I understand. Just do what you want. Being an adventurer is dangerous, but if you’re waiting for me, I promise I’ll always be back.”
“…Yes, and I will be waiting.”
I hug Maki.
I need to be strong and survive, for her sake.
My first goal is to not get hurt!
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Thanks for the treat.