Adventurer of Many Professions

Raymond took a deep breath, considering everything. He had to be honest, he couldn't simply walk away from this. The team needed him, just as much as he needed the team to continue growing. The adventure wasn't just about money or safety. It was about pushing boundaries, unlocking his potential, and leading others to do the same.

He looked at Arya, his face serious. "I know it would be easy, but we can't stop now. Not yet."

Arya was quiet for a long moment, watching him. Then, with a small nod, she sighed. "I understand. I just... wanted you to know you don't have to keep putting yourself in danger if you don't want to."

Raymond smiled gently, his hand resting on her shoulder. "I know, and I appreciate it. But we're not finished yet. There's more to do, more to learn. And I'm not ready to step back now."

With that, Arya nodded, a faint smile crossing her lips. She may not have fully understood Raymond's reasons, but she trusted him. And in the end, that was enough.

Raymond leaned back, his eyes distant as he considered Arya's words. He knew she was trying to understand his perspective, but he also realized that there were things he needed to explain, things that went beyond just the idea of adventuring versus potion-making.

"Arya," he began, his voice quieter now, "I know you're thinking that we could live a comfortable life just refining potions. It sounds like an easy choice, right? But the truth is, I can't just settle for that. Not anymore."

Arya waited patiently, sensing there was more to this than she'd initially realized.

Raymond took a deep breath, trying to put his thoughts into words. "You see, the system... it doesn't work like some kind of passive, idle thing. It's not like I just sit back and the points come to me. I have to earn them. And to earn them, I have to fight. I have to go out there, face danger, kill monsters, and gain those skill points to grow stronger."

Arya frowned slightly. "But you're already strong, Raymond. You've already done so much. Why risk it?"

Raymond looked down, his hand absently running over the table. "Because that's the only way forward. I can't just be a pharmacist. I'm not just someone who mixes potions in the safety of a lab. I have potential, a system that could make me one of the strongest. But only if I keep moving, if I keep pushing forward."

His eyes locked with hers, an intensity behind them that she hadn't seen before. "And if I don't, I'll be wasting it. I won't be true to what I can become."

Arya didn't respond right away, digesting his words. She understood his drive to be the best, she had always seen it in him. But there was more to this. It wasn't just about strength; there was something deeper, something that made Raymond so different from others.

He leaned forward now, his expression more serious. "But there's another reason why I can't just be a pharmacist. It's not about what I want, it's about the world knowing my name. Right now, my reputation is out there. People know about me. They know about my talent. They know I'm a dual-professional. I've been called the most talented person in the Kingdom of Atlantis. If I suddenly decide to retire, to quit being an adventurer and just settle into a safe life, imagine how that would look."

Arya's brows furrowed as she listened.

Raymond continued, "People wouldn't just accept it. If I stopped adventuring now, even if it was just to focus on making potions, I'd be seen as a coward. There are always adventurers who like to test themselves, and when they see someone like me 'retiring' they'll come after me."

Arya's eyes widened, and she nodded slowly, beginning to understand.

Raymond sighed deeply. "There's always someone who wants to prove themselves. Someone who wants to say, 'I'm stronger than the so-called most talented person in the Kingdom of Atlantis.' The moment I stop fighting, that's when the challenges start. They'll come after me, and if I'm not prepared, they'll win. And worse, they'll mock me for it."

Arya frowned, the weight of his words settling in. "But... you can handle them, right? You're strong enough to defend yourself."

Raymond shook his head, his expression darkening. "It's not just about being strong. It's about the title. The moment I stop living up to the reputation of the most talented person in the Kingdom, I'll lose that position. And there will always be others looking to take it from me. People won't stop until they knock me down."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "It's not just about me anymore. It's about what this title brings. If I walk away, I'm setting myself up for constant attacks. And those attacks won't just come from weak adventurers. Some of them will be strong, powerful individuals, with skills and magic that could threaten everything I've worked for. I can't let that happen."

Arya's eyes softened as she reached out, gently taking his hand. "I understand. It's not just about being an adventurer for you. It's about being strong. About keeping your place in the world."

Raymond nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Exactly. If I step down now, everything will unravel. I can't just live an ordinary life. Not with this potential. Not with this system. And certainly not with the reputation that's been built around me."

Arya's fingers squeezed his. "But... what about Sylph and Lorene? You said it would affect them too, didn't you?"

Raymond sighed again, his gaze distant. "Yes. It would. I care about them, Arya. We're a team. And if I leave, even for something like potions, it would create a huge hole in their lives too. They'd have to find someone else. Someone who could replace me."

"But they have talent," Arya interjected gently, "and I know you're worried about them, but they'd still be okay."

Raymond looked at her, his eyes softening. "I know. They're talented, no doubt. But it's not just about talent. It's about the bond we have. We're stronger together. If I leave, I'm not just abandoning my position in the team, I'm abandoning them. And I can't do that."

He took another breath, steadying himself. "And this isn't just about our team anymore. The whole town of Wittes, and even the Kingdom of Atlantis, is watching. If I were to step down now, it wouldn't just be a personal decision. It would send a message to everyone."

Arya smiled gently, understanding now more than ever. "So, you're not just fighting for yourself, are you? You're fighting for all of us."

Raymond nodded, a sense of finality in his gaze. "Exactly. We can't just walk away. Not yet."

Arya, despite the worry in her heart, smiled back. "Then we'll keep going. Together."

Raymond returned the smile, the weight of his responsibilities heavier than ever, but at least now, Arya understood. They weren't just adventurers. They were more than that. They were a team, and that meant everything.

Arya shifted uncomfortably under Raymond's gaze. The question hung in the air like an unspoken truth, one that she had been avoiding for a while. She wanted to say something, to explain herself, but she wasn't sure how to put her feelings into words.

"Because... because I'm scared, Raymond," she finally said, her voice soft but steady. "I'm scared of losing you. I'm scared of seeing you hurt, seeing us both hurt. The world is dangerous, and the more we fight, the more we risk losing everything. I want to protect us, not just survive it."

Raymond's eyes softened at her confession, but he didn't immediately respond. He could see the fear in her eyes, the vulnerability she rarely showed. She had always been the strong one in their partnership, the one who held everything together when the world seemed to fall apart. To hear her voice her fears so openly was a side of Arya he rarely saw.

He exhaled slowly, choosing his next words carefully. "I understand, Arya. I do. I know you're worried about the risks. But, think about this: If we stop now, if we quit being adventurers because we're afraid... then we let fear control our lives. And in the end, it's not just monsters we'll have to face, it's ourselves. We'll become prisoners of our own hesitation."

Arya bit her lip, her brow furrowing. "But... we can't keep living like this. The dangers are real, Raymond. You've seen them. I've seen them. And it feels like every time we go out there, there's more at stake. You want to become stronger, but at what cost?"

Raymond stood up, walking over to the window and staring out into the night. He needed to gather his thoughts. The moonlight outside bathed the world in a pale glow, and for a moment, he felt as though the weight of his decisions was bearing down on him.

"Listen," he said, his voice steady and clear as he turned back to face Arya. "I know it's hard. Believe me, I've thought about it more times than you can imagine. But the truth is, if we stop now, we're just running from what we could become. And I'm not talking about fame or power, or even strength, for that matter. I'm talking about us, about who we are. We're adventurers. And no matter how dangerous it gets, we can't run from that. It's who we are, Arya."

He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, he continued, his voice softer but filled with conviction. "We have to face our fears. Every monster, every danger, every challenge, these are just obstacles that help us grow stronger. And the reason we have to keep fighting isn't just for survival, it's for each other. We have to push forward, not just for our own sake, but for the people who are depending on us. Sylph, Lorene... the town... they need us. And we can't let fear hold us back from doing what we know is right."

Arya's eyes glistened, a flicker of something passing over her face, maybe understanding, maybe uncertainty, but also something else.

"I know you're scared," Raymond added, walking toward her now, his tone gentler. "But if we stop now, we'll always wonder what we could've been. What we could've done. If we don't push through the fear, it'll always haunt us."