Chapter 15: Are You Determined To Kill?
"Shut up! And, No I am not going to stalk Maria all the time" Headmaster clarified being utterly enraged by the humiliation.
Hearing Headmaster taking back the decision to watch over Maria all the time, Maria sighed in relief and internally decided to venture in the wilderness upon reaching 1st Star Mid-level.
"Well, That was just the 1st method. I have 2 more ways for you to increase your talent " John suddenly said enticingly earning the attention of all of them.
"!!"
"What!?"
"Really!?"
"Don't utter them, If they are as risky as your first one!!?" Headmaster warned John who obviously ignored him. He truly has inherited his father's genes for irritating the Headmaster.
At the same time, Maria practically begged him with her eyes to reveal the method. She doesn't want to take any chances regarding this. And the more cards she have on her hand the better for her.
"Don't worry it's not that much dangerous than the first method" John reassured them but it had the opposite reaction.
" It means it still is dangerous right!?" Headmaster questioned with a stern expression on his face.
"Well, A little bit, probably!?"
"Don't worry, John It doesn't matter even if it's dangerous. Please tell me the way to increase my talent" Maria requested John earnestly.
"Alright, So the first step in this method is for you to become an Adventurer. Once you have become adventurer, you will have access to various quests and information from the Adventurer's guild."
"The second step is to increase your strength a little bit more than the first method, ideally 1st star High-stage or Peak-stage. Once it happens you can take on bandit related quests that are lower than your power level"
"Most Adventurer's stupidly ignore bandit related quests due to their difficulty and uncertainty. This belief is once more fortified by the low rewards given in such quest. However, what you have to do is take on quests lower than your level. This way you can easily eliminate bandits without any risks".
"But, I don't understand. How can I increase my talent by doing such quests". Maria questioned curiously
John just gave her a calm smile and just said one sentence: " Bandits mostly robs merchants".
Just that sentence alone allowed all three of them to understand what John was implying. Afterall, all of them knows that merchants are very rich and after defeating the bandits all that wealth which they have robbed from bandits will be hers. And Maria's eyes were currently shining like literal torches.
Miss Lena upon seeing Maria's eyes just prayed for the misfortune that the Bandits will have to face upon meeting Lena in the future.
"Hmm, This method doesn't sound that much dangerous than the first one!" Headmaster commented while stroking his white beard.
"See, I told you this method isn't as much dangerous as the first one"
"Brat, although this method isn't that much dangerous than the first one but it has more hidden risks compared to the first one". Headmaster replied after carefully analysing the method that John suggested.
"First of all, Here Maria will be facing beings with intelligence instead of the monsters in the wilderness who only act on Instinct which greatly increases the risk as she will have defend against the tricks and cunning of those bandits."
"Secondly, they will have the advantage of numbers and although individually Maria will be very much powerful compared to the bandits, She has no experience in fighting in numbers"
"Moreover, they will attack her with the intent to kill. Do you have the guts to kill them Maria!?" Headmaster questioned seriously not willing to let Maria do some kind of foolish mistake.
"Kill!?" Maria froze upon hearing Headmaster say that. She can't help but think if she can kill somebody and when she imagined herself doing that, her entire face became deathly pale and her whole body started trembling.
"Do, do I really have to kill them!? Can't just defeating them enough?" Maria hesitantly asked.
"It's idiotic. Yes it's not necessary to kill them but do you think those bandits will care. Killing is a daily occurrence for them and they will not hesitate to do so. Moreover, with someone as pretty as you, I am sure that they will rape and toy with your body not even allowing you to die" John reprimanded Maria before even Headmaster or Miss Lena could say anything.
"B-but"
"No buts, I think it's better to abandon this method for now. I don't think you are ready to kill someone yet" John ruthless said.
"No, I can kill them" Maria said loudly trying to project a confident image but failing miserably.
"No Lass, John is right on this one. It will be the pinnacle of stupidity to use this method, If you are not determined to kill yet". said Miss Lena completely serious.
"Is that so!?" Maria whispered while facing her head down same as her mood.
Seeing Maria so down Miss Lena reassured her: "Don't worry, you can still use the 1st method, Also, John has yet to reveal his 3rd method. Maybe it can help you".
"Hey, I am still here and I am not going to allow Maria to go into wilderness yet" Headmaster reminded Lena who obviously ignored him.
And it worked like a magic. Maria's mood rapidly improved and she started looking towards me with anticipation and eagerness.
Seriously, John honestly wonders just how fast does this girls mood change?
It didn't even took a few seconds for her to go into sadness and then again became eager. Maybe this girl has some brain problems.
"So, John what is the third method that you have thought of!?" Headmaster William curiously asked John. He hoped that atleast this final method is not so much dangerous then the other ones. Afterall, after observing Maria's behaviour, He is completely certain that this lass will ignore his warning and go into wilderness and risk her life.
In his long life, He has seen many people pointlessly risk their lives which ultimately leads them to their death. And although He doesn't know the reason for Maria's stubbornness to increase her talent, He still wants to help this innocent girl from running to the death.
"Well, The 3rd method is–"