"Orun Dura, you will be leaving the party as of today."
I could not believe my ears.
After finishing our usual exploration of the Great Labyrinth, I returned to the mansion our party rented as a base. While I sorted the magic stones and monster drops from that day, the party leader Oliver suddenly told me I was fired.
What kind of joke is this?
"This is no joke. I kept you in the party until now because we are old friends from the same village. But your abilities no longer cut it for the floors ahead. Simply put, you lack the skill. That is why I am asking you to leave."
Our party has reached the 94th floor of the Great Southern Labyrinth, a depth no one has ever touched before. We are the only ones in history to make it this far. Everyone calls us the Brave Party, and the attention from all sides is intense.
I know my skills fall short. But the same goes for everyone else in the party. If things stay like this, we have no chance of clearing it.
"That is because of your support magic, small fry!"
Derrick, the party's shield bearer, cut into my words with Oliver.
"Small fry?"
I know my support magic is weaker than what real enchanters use. That is why I created several original spells to cover my weaknesses. Thanks to them, I have survived even in the deep layers past the 91st floor. There is no reason to call me weak.
"Huh? You really do not get it? Haha! I never thought you would be this shameless! The only reason you made it this far as an explorer is because the rest of us carried you!"
For the first time, I understood what it meant to be truly speechless.
Derrick stared at me with a smug grin while I stood there stunned. He thought he had hit the nail on the head and I had no comeback.
"We never really grasped how vital a proper enchanter is. That is why we tolerated you even though your magic was bottom tier. But last month's joint dragon subjugation opened my eyes. My body felt light as a feather, strength and defense surged. I had no idea true support magic could feel that incredible!"
Derrick finished, and Oliver picked up again with shining eyes, clearly reliving the moment.
Last month a dragon appeared on the surface. To take it down fast, three S-rank parties teamed up.
That must be the joint raid he meant.
One participant was the genius known as the continent's greatest enchanter. Sure, my support magic does not compare to hers. But...
"I am not a pro enchanter. Of course my skills lag behind a specialist. That is exactly why I developed my own original spells."
"Stop making excuses!"
Derrick jumped in again. "Listen when people talk!"
"You only switched to enchanter because your sword skills could not match Oliver's! What matters to an explorer is results! The how does not count! No matter the reason, you are our enchanter now, and you are weak! You have no right to argue!"
"We are the Hero Party. We need to push even further. I have already lined up a replacement enchanter for Orun."
Derrick had a point in his way, but there are better ways to say it. Is this how you treat friends who shared everything with you?
Still, I saw clearly now. I had become unnecessary to them. With a successor already chosen, this was no longer my place.
"...Fine. I will leave. Thank you for everything up to now."
I turned to walk out of the mansion.
"You finally kicked him out! Ah, what a relief!"
Aneli, the magician who had just been smirking silently until then, suddenly spoke with full satisfaction.
"Your sword and magic are both average at best! You act like you can do everything, but in the end you are just A-rank in everything, yet you kept butting in with opinions and annoying me! You know what they call someone like you? A jack of all trades, master of none! It was weird having you in the Hero Party all this time! Know your place from now on!"
When I glanced back at Aneli, she suddenly went quiet, her earlier confidence gone, and muttered weakly, "W-what?"
Had they always seen me that way?
I thought I had given my all for this party.
Why had I stayed with these people until now?
I sighed to myself, opened the door, and stepped outside.
Well, first things first. I need a place to sleep tonight.
Shaking off the mood, I started walking through town to find a decent inn.