26 Affiliation

''We've finished deciding, Master.'' Jax informed their Master as he handed over a piece of paper to Heretic Saint and added, ''These are the Jobs we chose.''

Heretic Saint received the list as he started reading it.

He wanted to see what decision his disciples would make. He didn't mention it to them, but choosing a compatible Job was a must. After all, it would greatly help them in raising their stats in the future.

For example, the Perception stat was greatly needed in marksmanship. Similarly, choosing the Marksman job could be a great help to improve one's Perception stat, especially if it was a higher grade.

If one of them had an SS grade Perception stat, then choosing the Marksman Job should be their top priority.

After all, Perception stat could increase the attack range of someone as well as the range where they could control their mana. And longer attack range was definitely needed in marksmanship.

That aside, the lower the grade of a certain stat, the slower it would improve. The higher the grade of a certain stat, the faster it would improve, and the higher its potential would be.

If one only had low-grade stats, then he was doomed to be unlucky. He could work his ass with his hardest for days to improve his F grade stat and he would only see little to no improvement at all. But when someone had an SS grade stat or even higher, he could immediately see improvement in a mere day, yet he didn't have to do anything hard at all.

That was why if they chose a certain Job that fit their stat, they could improve more quickly.

They needed to carefully choose a Job that best fit them if they wanted that to happen.

''Hm...'' But Heretic Saint scratched his head as he started reading the list. A single question mark floated over his head.

The Job we chose...

Jax - Support | Thief

Mecaella - Marksman | Thief

Ben - Assassin | Thief

Jajah - Mercenary | Thief

Leovicente - Hunter | Thief

''Hmmmmm...'' After a few moments, Heretic Saint nodded slowly as he scratched his chin a few times. A deep frown took over his face as though he was confused about something.

But he didn't say anything. He gave up thinking as he heaved a deep sigh in the end. How annoying. These brats must be really eager to become Thieves.

However, Thief wasn't a Job that was accepted by everyone. It might be a good way to earn money, but it had a lot of downside. In fact, it was one of the worst Jobs that received a lot of condemnation from people. And it was definitely illegal as the Supreme Government would arrest anyone who would adhere to that Job.

But could he scold them? He knew full well that the very reason why these kids accepted him as their Master was because of this Job.

They all wanted to learn from him!

''Sigh,'' Heretic Saint sighed again. He has long turned his back away from that Job. But it seemed like he needed to become who he was back then for his disciples.

What could he do? This was what they wanted. If that was the case, then he would have no choice but to show them the art of stealing.

With that in mind, Heretic Saint put the paper in his pocket as he spoke, ''Alright, we'll go to the town later and have you registered. But this Thief Job is illegal. I shall be the one to teach you personally how to become a proper Thief.''

''Yes, Master!'' Except for Mecaella, all of the band responded cheerfully, their eyes brightened up.

Leaving that matter aside, Jax suddenly thought of something. He raised his hand and his Master allowed him to speak.

''Ahm... Master, does it mean that we will get affiliated to the Job we chose?'' Jax asked. He wasn't talking about the Thief Job, of course, but to the other official Job they had chosen. He scratched his head and forced out a smile as he added, ''For example, I chose the Support Job. Does it mean that I need to get affiliated with their Support Guild Association?''

''That makes me wonder, why did you choose the Support Job anyway when you have the Agility stat that has the highest grade? You could be a better fit as an Assassin though.'' Heretic Saint asked casually. His disciples must have known that one's stats could affect the Job they would choose.

So, him choosing a Job not fitted well with his stat was unprecedented. Heretic Saint wanted to know his reason.

''Master must be joking. We both know that stats are not the only factor that can affect the Job we choose and the same goes for the other way around. Jobs cannot only affect one's stats.'' Jax replied with a faint smile as he added, ''Stats are just one thing, but we still have other factors like our skills and abilities.''

''And also, each stat can affect all five main Jobs you selected in some way. Similarly, those Jobs can affect all stats in some way too, though, of course, there is a specific stat that can affect a certain Job the best.''

''Take Support, for example, it's common knowledge that this Job is best fit for those who have a higher grade Vitality stat. That's for survival purposes.''

''But if Support character's first priority is survival so that they won't lose their value, then won't my Agility stat also help? If someone tries to attack me and I run away quickly so that they won't catch up, how are they supposed to harm me?''

''That aside, I can also help my team more quickly with my Agility stat. If they happen to get separated during a battle, then I will just need to come to each of them real fast to tend to their needs.''

''In the end, it's all about how to make use of your cards. I can be a Hunter, an Assassin, a Marksman, or anything, and I can still do fine if I play it nicely.''

Of course, it was Mecaella who suggested that idea. She was the one who planned out everything and the one who suggested the Job they would choose. She also gave them good reasons and explained it thoroughly so they would understand.

If it wasn't for Mecaella, then Jax would have really argued with Ben and chose the Assassin Job instead.

In any case, Mecaella gathered all the necessary information from each of them as she was the one who thought about what would best fit each individual that could benefit them as a whole. She not only included their stats, skills, and abilities, but she also considered their behavior, characteristic, their strengths and weaknesses, and their likes and dislikes.

In the end, it was all for the overall value of each of them. It was all for the betterment of the Team that they would soon form.

''Good reason. You really are my disciple!'' Heretic Saint smiled brightly as he raised his thumb in response.

''Tch!'' Both Ben and Jajah grunted yet again. But they didn't speak a single word this time and only displayed their displeasure.

They both knew that it was Mecaella's idea, yet it was that sly Jax who got praised. Their Master must have known it too. It was just that...

He was biased!

''It seems like you two have a problem?'' Heretic Saint asked as he narrowed his gaze at the two of them.

''Huh? We don't have a problem at all.'' Ben and Jajah immediately denied. They forced out a smile as if they were really happy.

''Ha-ha,'' Jax could only laugh dryly as he scratched his cheek with his forefinger. It seemed like those two still held some grudges against him because of what happened earlier.

Jax sighed inwardly. He wanted to immediately change the topic as he went back to his question before, ''So, Master, where shall we get affiliated to? Are we going to register as part of the Association?''

''That won't be necessary. It's not globally known, but all those five Associations are the top dogs of the Supreme Government. Getting involved with them too much is troublesome. So, getting a Job to work for money is more than enough,'' Heretic Saint responded as he shook his head in disagreement.

''Then... Could it be that...'' Jax replied. If it wasn't the big Associations, then there could only be those forces that were still left for them to choose.

The five giant forces that built up their own foothold without the help of the government.

The Alliance!

It was a huge organization consisting of five major factions: Mage Union, Warrior Federation, Knights Hall, Espers United, and Summoners League.

Each faction was a group of the same Class, in which they trained them to reach the peak of themselves. If their Master didn't want them to choose from the Association, then the Alliance was their only other option.

''As expected of my disciple, you're easy to catch up.'' Heretic Saint smiled as he went on, ''So, be ready everyone. Later this day, we will visit them to have you registered.''