Origin ARS 6 by Scottie Futch

They just go fight a little if it ever happens. Most people don't use their skills enough to worry about it, but the older someone is, the more likely they are to have a higher level. Also, most countries have mandatory military service and training drills."
    "So, most people have at least a few levels?"
    Rhea nodded. "Yes. Really, it's easy to get combat levels early on. Unless they take up a job like a soldier or a city guard, most people don't increase their skills fast enough for it to matter beyond the training drills most countries demand."
    "That works?" asked Scott. He was still confused about the concept. He had developed quickly and the headaches had been intense. Rhea made it sound like common folk were lazy.
    "They might have to gain a level every year or two early on, but common people who don't fight or adventure usually won't develop nearly as fast. Few people ever really need to go beyond level twelve or so if they don't lead violent lives."
    Scott thought about that for a moment. His skills had taken a while to increase and he had been absolutely dedicated to training. Someone who simply lived their life without a significant focus on training their abilities would take longer to reach the critical amount of knowledge necessary to generate the headaches. "Ah, so like what Mid said about the way people trained is how it works for normal people."
    "What did she say?" asked Ero. She had seen many of Scott's memories in the past, but recently she had not peeked.
    "I don't remember exactly, it was a while ago. She did say something like one skill level is a given and four was the sweet spot for people who trained hard," said Scott.
    "Oh," said Ero. She had hoped for more.
    Rhea spoke up. "That's part of it. Most people only develop skills quickly early on. It becomes harder as the skill level increases, but the character level does not. After they gain a few character levels, the time it takes to increase skills both increases and decreases at the same time."
    "That's confusing," said Ero. "How can it do both?"
    Rhea smiled. "Well, the skill experience needed for the skill to grow will increase because the skill level has increased. The character level increase allows for more experience to be developed to an extent. Still, the total experience needed is higher."
    "Ah, so you're saying that after a few character levels, it becomes harder for someone who is not actively training to develop enough different skills to a high enough point that it causes the headaches?" asked Ero.
    "Pretty much. It takes a lot of time and effort to gain skill unless you are dedicated to training in a location where you can heal quickly and have room to use your skills," said Rhea.
    "Like the beginner dungeon I was in before coming here?" asked Scott. He had used that place as much as he could. Weeks, perhaps months, had passed while he milked it for all that he could milk it. Even so, he had only gained around thirty skill levels in most skills. That was with a rapid healing safe room involved.
    "Yes. Dungeons such as that are excellent opportunities. They are rare as well," said Rhea.
    "You mean, the automatic level-matching dungeons?" asked Scott.
    Rhea nodded. "They usually only pop up when the system determines that an auto-generated dungeon is needed in order to balance an area. That is infrequent nowadays, and the automatic matching only applies to the strongest person who first enters that new dungeon. There are a few exceptions, though."
    "Really? Like what?" asked Ero in an attempt to get back into the conversation.
    The elf girl tilted her head to the side then acquired a thoughtful expression. "Well, there are certain special towers and dungeons that are considered to be trials. Challengers enter as a party or solo, and then they go to their own special instance in that dungeon or tower. The world inside the area warps to be a proper challenge for their skill and level. Each floor has a boss that needs to be defeated before