Chapter I

'Power...If I had power...this wouldn't have happened to me...' Thought a young boy as he lay on his back gazing up at the night sky through the canopy of a forest. 'Ah, it's getting pretty cold...' He turned his head and looked at his left arm. What he could see was his own shredded skin and a bone sticking out. 'Ugh, everything hurts...' He tried to lift his head and view the rest of his body. He could barely lift it off the ground but was able to catch sight of a large pool of blood that he appeared to be laying in.

Sighing mentally, he thought, '...I've lost a lot of blood...' The clothes he was wearing were torn. He had some gashes and cuts on his body. His legs were both bent in unnatural directions with the bones protruding. He turned his head and examined his right arm, noticing it was in an even worse condition than his left. The arm was almost severed at the elbow; the forearm only connected by a sliver of flesh. As he lay there battered and broken, he was struggling to stay conscious. He sighed mentally once more as he thought, 'It's so hard to keep my eyes open...I think...I'm going to sleep for a while...Just...a little nap...' As he was thinking this, he closed his eyes and let sleep embrace him.

As the boy lay there unmoving with his eyes closed, something was happening in the night sky. The previously calm and peaceful sky was now stirring. The very air itself seemed to be trembling as a tiny crack in the fabric of space appeared. It happened so suddenly it was as if a glass window was abruptly shattered by a rock. This tiny crack quickly spread to be as large as a boulder before it finally ceased to expand.

If one was to look up into this large hole, all one could see was a vast expanse of darkness behind it. Abruptly, this black void was lit up as a flash of white lightning spewed forth from the hole. This lightning struck the young boy as he lay there. However, what one would expect to happen, did not. Instead of being charred or even turned to ashes, the lightning turned into a white light that wrapped around his body and seemed to do no damage whatsoever to the boy.

Rather, it actually started to heal his wounds. All of his gashes and cuts started to seal up. The right arm that was almost severed seemed to reconnect by its own will. The bone that was sticking out of his left arm popped back into place and the wound sealed itself. The same thing happened with his legs; they returned to their natural position and all of the wounds were healed. Once the process stopped, it was impossible to tell that this boy was even hurt to begin with. The only indication of which, was the torn and bloody clothes he had on his body.

As the boy lay there, now in a perfect condition, the white light continued to envelop him. As if it sensed that all of the damage was repaired, the light started to fade. It almost seemed to be absorbed by the boy's body. The moment the white light vanished, that boulder size hole in space started to close. The cracks that spread out from it all started to recede as the hole itself started to shrink in size. This happened until the hole vanished completely; leaving no evidence of its former existence behind. Along with its disappearance the air ceased trembling. Everything returned to its calm and peaceful state. Although this all took time to describe it happened in only a few breaths of time.

** ** ** **

An hour had passed by. The boy, however, still lay there with his eyes closed and his body unmoving. From afar, a man shouting could be heard. “Alexander!...Alex, where are you!?” A quarter of an hour passed before the shrubbery near the boy started to move. A tall, well-built man wearing plain clothes was pushing his way through the shrubbery. His black shoulder-length hair appeared very ragged.

When he saw Alex, panic flashed across his face as he rushed to Alex's side. Stammering, the man urgently asked, “Alexander! Are you okay!? Hey wake up! Alexander!!” Getting no response from him, the man looked around and then proceeded to pick Alex up into his arms. He started to move back through the way he came, as he called out in a frantic voice, “Laylah!!...Laylah!! I found him!! Where are you! Come quick, he may be injured!!!” His voice echoed out in the forest startling some of the small forest critters. The man continued to rush through the forest calling for someone.

As the man was jogging through the forest with Alex in his arms, a woman's voice called out, “Kaesan!! I'm here!” Hearing her voice, the man started to sprint in the direction it came from. By the time he reached the woman, his face was covered in sweat and he could feel his pulse pounding frantically in his ears. The woman, upon seeing him was at first rejoiced but then instantly her face paled as she saw Alex's bloodstained clothes. She worriedly called out, “Kaesan! What happened!? Is he okay!?” The man addressed as Kaesan responded with concern plastered on his face, “I don't know Laylah! I can't see any wounds, but he was lying in a large pool of blood!” The woman called Laylah said, “Quickly Lay him down! I'll inject some of my Qi into him and search for any internal injuries!” Kaesan gently laid Alex onto the ground with haste as Laylah came closer. Placing her hand onto Alex's chest, she closed her eyes as a pale green glow emanated from her hand and then slowly spread to cover Alex's whole body.

Ten breaths worth of time passed as she remained in the same position with her hand on his chest. Kaesan was growing distraught as he waited and watched, hoping for good news. Finally, Laylah smiled and withdrew her hand. Letting out a sigh of relief, she said happily, “Everything's okay. He has no internal injuries and there don't appear to be any external ones.” Hearing this, Kaesan heaved a large sigh of relief as he wiped the sweat off of his brow. “Thank the gods...I was so worried...” He said as he looked at Alex. But then he furrowed his brow as he asked, “Then if everything is okay, how come he isn't conscious?”

With a puzzled look on her face, Laylah replied, “I don't know...It could just be that he was exhausted and collapsed. But that doesn't explain the blood and the state of his clothes...For now let's just bring him back home and let him rest. When he wakes up, we can ask him what happened.” Kaesan nodded as he said, “Alright, let's get going then. Being this deep in the forest isn't safe.” While he spoke, he picked Alex back up into his arms and carried him alongside Laylah, as they traveled north.

** ** ** **

Alex opened his eyes to be greeted by a familiar ceiling. 'E-eh? Where...' As he pondered where he was, he looked around. 'Oh, I'm in my bedroom?' He tried to move his arm to bring his hand into view and it easily obeyed his command. 'W-what? Weren't my arms...broken?...Was all of that a dream?' He flipped his blanket to the side and also saw that his legs were no longer bent in unnatural directions. 'Was that really a dream?...It all felt...so real.' As he was thinking this, he was staring at his hand as he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist. 'I feel...so full of strength...just what is going on?'

As he was in the middle of contemplating his situation, the door to his bedroom slowly opened as a woman who looked to be in her early thirties with sable-black hair that fell to her waist, carried in a tray with food on it. As she entered the room, she noticed Alex sitting upright on his bed. In a relieved tone, she immediately exclaimed, “Alexander! Oh thank the gods! You're awake!” The woman quickly brought the tray over to the end table near the bed and set it down. She then embraced Alex in a hug. Surprised, Alex uttered, “M-mom, what's going on?”

The woman released Alex from her embrace and smiled, while she said, “Honey, we were so worried about you. You've been unconscious for five days...” Alex was startled when he heard this, he stuttered a little as he asked, “Five days? What happened? How did I end up here?” Giving him a warm smile, she said, “Your father and I were worried when you hadn't come home by nightfall, so we set out to look for you. We asked around town to see if anyone had seen you and were lucky enough that someone did. They said they spotted a boy who matched your description being led out of town by five older boys, who judging by their robes, looked like they belonged to a sect.”

She paused there to take a breath and then continued, “We followed after the direction that they were seen leading you in and we ended up in the forest, since that was the only place they could've gone. When we couldn't find a trace of you, we started to panic. We yelled and looked for you for hours.” Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes as she continued speaking, “When your father finally found you...you were unconscious, lying in a pool of blood and your clothes were torn beyond recognition. Your father almost had a heart attack when he saw you. He quickly carried you to me and I was able to investigate your body with my Qi. Luckily you had no injuries...Just what happened out there? Why were you in that state?”

Alex looked at a loss as he was thinking how to answer his mother, 'I can't tell her I was almost killed...Even if I did, I doubt she would believe me. I mean, I'm not even wounded...I can't tell her the truth, I need to make something up.' His mother was looking inquisitively at him, while waiting for his answer. After thinking for a moment, Alex furrowed his brow and slightly shook his head as he smiled wryly, “I-I...don't know...The last thing I remember, was walking into the forest with those boys...”

His mother frowned then said, “Who were those boys? Some townspeople said that they looked like they were from a sect...What were you doing going along with them?” Alex shrugged as he replied, “I met them in the market. We talked for a little while and they noticed I was interested in cultivation, so they offered to show me some of their techniques. But they said that they couldn't in the town since there wasn't enough space.” His mother furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes. Noticing this, Alex quickly said, “T-they were really nice. After we entered the forest, they showed me how they could break a tree in half with just a punch...It was amazing. Afterwards they left, but I stayed behind. Once they were gone I went further into the forest...then I woke up here...”

Letting out a breath of relief, his mother embraced him in another hug, “I was so worried. I'm just glad you're okay...” After she said that, she separated from him and then scolded, “Never do that again! Your father and I were so concerned...” Alex warmly smiled as he apologized, “I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to scare you guys.” His mother sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck, “Just never do that again. I'm so glad you're okay...I'll go let your father know. You should take it easy for the rest of the day though, okay?” Nodding, he said, “Okay mom. I'll stay in bed.”

She smiled and nodded, “Good. Rest well.” With that said, she left his room and closed the door. Alex remained sitting on his bed thinking, 'There is no way I can tell my parents that those boys beat me to death's door...If I did, I'm sure they would become frantic. I swear, if I ever have power, no one will get away with treating me or my family like that ever again.' As he thought to there he stood up and walked over to the mirror that was mounted on the wall of his bedroom.

As he reached the mirror, he examined his reflection. A boy standing at 1.4 meters tall, that appeared to be about twelve years old with dark raven-black shoulder-length hair and ice-blue eyes stared back at him. 'Huh, nothing's different.' Alex thought as he observed his reflection. He stepped closer to the mirror and pulled off his shirt. 'Eh? What happened to that scar? I used to have a really light scar on my waist...'

He raised his eyebrow as he looked closer. 'My wounds are all healed...My old scar is gone...Just what happened?' Slightly shaking his head, he put his shirt back on and walked back over to his bed. Looking out the window he muttered, “It's noon already?” He laid back down onto his bed and crossed his arms behind his head. He stared at the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes and thinking to himself, 'I hope I don't encounter those boys again...' Shortly after, Alex fell asleep.

** ** ** **

Time quickly passed by. It was already morning. “Alex, It's morning, wake up.” A woman's voice sounded out close to his ear. Jerking awake, Alex blurted, “Eh! W-what?” Noticing his mother sitting on the edge of his bed, he slowly sat up and said, “...Oh, mom. Good morning.” Giggling, she replied, “Sorry if I startled you. Your father wanted to make sure you were okay yesterday, but I convinced him to let you rest.” Alex smiled as he said, “Thanks mom.” She slightly nodded, “Mn. Breakfast is ready and your father is waiting for you at the kitchen table. So get dressed and come down, okay?” Alex nodded, “Sure, I'll be out in a minute.” With that said, his mother leaned in and kissed him on the forehead, then got up and left the room.

After Alex got dressed in some plain clothes and checked his reflection to make sure he was still okay, he left his room and headed towards the kitchen. As he got there, he saw a man who looked to be in his late thirties with charcoal colored shoulder-length hair sitting at a table. Alex quickly called out, “Good morning, dad!”

Hearing his son's voice, he immediately smiled and got up, rushing over to him. “Alex! You're okay! Thank the gods!” As he exclaimed this, he gave his son a bear hug. “Do you have any idea how worried we were?” Alex coughed a little as he groaned, “D-dad! I can't breathe! You're smothering me!” Laughing, he released Alex from the hug and said, “Haha, sorry about that. I was just so overjoyed that you're alright.” Smiling, he said, “Come, sit down, breakfast is ready.” His father sat back down at the table and Alex followed suit.

Once they were seated, Alex's mother brought over a couple of plates with eggs and bacon on them, placing them in front of Alex and his father. “This looks delicious mom!” Chuckling, she said, “Eat up, there's plenty more left.” Hearing this, his father smiled and said, “Alex, make sure to eat a lot. Since you've been out for five days, you've got some work to do today.” Alex gave a wry smile as he responded, “Right. Sorry about that dad.” His father laughed and said, “Hahaha, no problem. I've managed the shop just fine these past days without you. It's just that some more shipments of ingredients came in yesterday and they still need to be moved to the storehouse.” Alex nodded and said, “I'll get to it right away.”

When his mother heard the response, she frowned slightly as she said, “Kaesan, can't you let him rest a little more. He just woke up from being unconscious for five days. He should take it easy.” Chuckling, Kaesan retorted, “Laylah, Alex is a boy and soon to be man. We can't keep babying him. Besides, it'll be good for him to get some exercise after laying in bed for so long.” Laylah shook her head, “I don't agree, he should take it easy...What if he relapses or some-”

Alex interjected, cutting his mother off, “-Mom, Dad. I'm fine. I want to help dad at the shop. I could use the activity. I feel stiff all over from being in bed for so many days.” Laylah looked at Alex, concern showing on her face, “Are you sure dear? I don't want you to strain yourself.” Alex just smiled as he answered, “Yea mom. I'm sure.” Laylah nodded and then said to Kaesan, “Alright then. I'll drop it. Just make sure he's careful. Let him rest if he needs it.” Kaesan nodded and comforted Laylah, “I'll be sure to look after him sweetheart. Don't worry so much. If you do, you'll have a head full of grey hair in no time. Hahaha.”

** ** ** **

Alex and his family lived in a standard two-story house with three bedrooms. Two of which were upstairs while the other was downstairs. His room was on the second floor and his parent's bedroom was located on the first floor. The house had a small kitchen, a decent sized living room and a bathroom. This house was the product of his father's work as a physician. Thanks to the money he made, they were able to afford to live in a home within the town's walls. It was convenient since their family's medicinal shop is about a five minute walk away.

After they had finished eating breakfast, Alex and Kaesan left their house. As they walked through the street, Alex couldn't help but notice that it seemed a bit busier than normal. He asked his father who was walking slightly in front of him, “Hey, dad. Why is it so busy? Is something going on?” Kaesan slowed down his pace. When he was next to Alex he said, “Hahaha, yeah son. Since you were out for a while, you might not know. There's some kind of tournament for cultivators being held in the city of Autumnwell. So all sorts of people are flocking there to watch and participate...Since our town is only a few hours away from the city, we're seeing a boom in traffic as a bunch of people who couldn't stay at the city are staying here.” Alex widened his eyes slightly and nodded, “Ah, so that's what's going on.”

After he thought for a moment he blurted, “Oh, dad! This would be good for business then right!? With so many people, a lot of whom are cultivators coming through, there would probably be a lot of fights.” Chuckling Kaesan replied, “Haha, Indeed. These past few days, business has gone up. Although I'm only a physician and not an alchemist, my medicinal pellets are selling pretty well...” He sighed as he continued on, “If only I were an alchemist...Our families status would be so high...We would make so much money selling pills...To dream hahaha...” Alex smiled wryly at his dad's comment.

Stolen novel; please report.

** ** ** **

Cultivators were individuals who trained and tempered their bodies with Qi. This would allow them to execute techniques and martial arts that were fueled by Qi, which only they were capable of. They are much stronger than the average human. It was extremely common for Cultivators to fight over the most minor disputes. Thus, Physicians and Alchemists were of great value to them. Physicians were ordinary people or cultivators that refined medicinal ointments, potions, elixirs or pellets that could aid in healing wounds, curing poison and etc from different ingredients. Where as Alchemists were always cultivators.

To become an alchemist required an individual to have an aptitude for both fire and wood element Qi. These individuals were relatively rare. Alchemists could create the same things that physicians were able to. However, Alchemists were capable of far, far more. They could refine medicinal pills that were perfectly spherical unlike physicians who could only refine pellets, whose shape was more elongated and oval. Medicinal pills were created from ingredients found in the world, such as herbs and a slight infusion of Qi. The ingredients would be refined in an alchemist's flame element Qi. There are many different types of pills that can be created, all of which have great effects.

Thus, both occupations were valued by cultivators. However, Alchemists had a far greater value than Physicians due to their pill refining abilities. Being friends or having an alchemist with great skill that you could call on could be extremely beneficial. Some alchemists depending on their skill and ability, could be worth more than owning a rare treasure, a town, a city or even a small kingdom. As such, alchemists were highly sought after and people readily avoided offending them as alchemists could easily gather allies to assist them should they ever need to. It could be said that every physician's dream was to become an alchemist. Most of whom could never succeed, due to the fact that it requires both fire and wood element Qi.

When a person is birthed, they are born with an innate aptitude for certain Qi elements. There are many different elements. Although some elements may be passed down to the offspring from the parents, the newborn may still gain a different element or even not have the elements that their parents had. An individual having fire and wood element Qi was slightly uncommon. However, even if one had the dual elements, they would still need to have enough skill to control their Qi in the refining process of pills. As the slightest misstep could incinerate the ingredients.

** ** ** **

Kaesan continued to daydream as he and Alex walked to their shop. As they walked over towards a building that had a sign hanging outside of it which read: Hartlow Family's Medicinal Supplies, Alex spoke, waking his father from his reverie, “Dad, we're here.” Kaesan started as he replied, “O-oh. Wow that was quick.” Laughing, Alex said, “Hahaha. It was because you were daydreaming dad.” Slightly furrowing his brow and giving a wry smile, Kaesan said, “Heh, quiet you. Let's get to work.” Alex nodded as he responded, “Mn. So where are the ingredients that you need moved?” Kaesan smiled as he unlocked the door to the shop and entered with Alex in tow, “They're in the back. There's an awful lot this time around though.” As they walked through the shop, they reached the back room. Once there, Alex couldn't help but widen his eyes and gawk slightly, “D-dad...you're kidding right?” Before Alex's eyes, was a large amount of crates stacked up to the ceiling.

Chuckling, Kaesan said to Alex, “You better get to work. There's plenty of room in the storehouse out back.” Alex could only smile wryly as he shook his head. Letting out a slight sigh, he said, “Alright...I better get to it.” Kaesan nodded as he patted Alex on the back, “Haha, atta-boy. I'll leave you to it then. I'm gonna prepare to open up the shop for the day.” He then left Alex by himself in the back room. 'Alright, guess I'll start with these' Alex thought to himself as he walked over to a nearby crate and picked it up. 'Ugh, these are kinda heavy. This is going to be a pain...' Alex proceeded to carry the crate outside through the back door and into the rear courtyard of the store. Once there he went straight to the storehouse and entered it. He walked over to a corner of the room and set the crate on the ground. After he did so, he muttered, “One down...countless more to go.”

** ** ** **

Alex had just lifted the tenth crate and was carrying it to the storehouse located outside in the shop's back courtyard. Abruptly, the crate fell from his hands and cracked open as it hit the ground. Alex was standing there with a dumbfounded look on his face as he muttered, “W-what is this?...Am I...hallucinating?” When he was carrying the crate to the storehouse, all of a sudden a weird chime rang out and a blue rectangle with text on it, appeared in his vision.

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Strength (+1 STR)

Alex was alarmed as he looked at the blue screen. “I gained one strength? What?” As he mumbled, he tried touching the blue screen. His finger passed directly through the screen as if it didn't exist. “E-eh!?” He let out a surprised gasp. He tried looking elsewhere in the courtyard, but everywhere he looked, the box stayed glued to the same position in his vision. 'Disappear damn it!' As he thought this, the box immediately vanished. “Huh!? That made it go away?” He uttered aloud. A single breaths worth of time passed before another blue square appeared in his sight.

*Ting*

Congratualions!! You have been blessed by the gods!

If you would like to read the tutorial please speak or think "Yes"

Alex was stunned as he read this box. 'What the hell is going on!? Blessed by the gods? Tutorial? Think yes?' His thoughts were interrupted as another box appeared.

*Ting*

You have chosen to read the tutorial.

This tutorial is short but contains vital information.Please read thoroughly.

The blue box vanished and not even half a breath later, a new blue screen flashed into existence.

*Ting*

You may be startled by these blue screens that keep appearing.

Fret not. For these are Status Update Windows.Otherwise known as Status Windows.

They bear no harm.

Reading what the screen said, Alex was flabbergasted. 'Status update windows? Then that means I gained one strength!? Huh!?' As he thought this, the screen vanished and a new one appeared in its place.

*Ting*

The following are a list of commands and their functions.

These can be issued verbally or mentally.Should you forget these commands, simply speak or think help and these commands shall reappear.

Once more the screen vanished as a new window popped into being. Although Alex was slightly dazed he continued to read everything that was displayed.

*Ting*

Help “Function” – will display and explain the purpose or use of any function.

Open Status Window – opens the status window displaying various information.Open Skill Window – opens the skill window displaying all known skills.

Open Ability Window – opens the ability window displaying all known abilities.Open Profession Window – opens the profession window displaying all known professions.

Open World Map – displays world map. Unknown areas will be covered by fog.Open Local Map – displays all local known locations. Unknown areas will be covered by fog.

Open Mini-map – displays a small local map in the upper right corner of your view.Open Character Menu – opens character menu displaying equipment and other information.

Open Inventory – opens the inventory to allow storage or removal of items.Open Reputation Window – displays the reputation window. Keeps track of all reputation gained with various groups and factions.

Open Quest Log – displays quest log. Keeps track of all requests or tasks, ongoing and finished.Display Clock – displays current time in upper right corner of your view.

Show Health – displays a health bar in the upper left corner of your view.Show Energy – displays an energy bar in the upper left corner of your view.

Show Qi – displays a Qi bar in the upper left corner of your view.Show Experience – displays an experience bar at the bottom of your view.

Show Log – displays a record of all recently obtained status windows.Equip/Unequip “Item” – puts on or removes any piece of equipment.

Dismiss – dismiss or any similar word will close any status window.

Alex read everything that had appeared, leaving him with his mouth slightly agape. 'So according to these...ummm, status windows...then I was blessed by the gods?' He brought his hand to his chin as he was deep in thought, 'But when would that have happened? Nothing out of the ordinary happened to me lately except for those five boys almost killing me...'

As if he struck some sort of sudden realization, he widened his eyes and slightly gasped, 'That...that has to be it...When I woke up I was completely healed and I even feel like I had more strength then before. That's the only thing that I think could explain it...So something happened to me in between the time I fell unconscious and the time I regained my consciousness...' Another chime rang out as he was thinking. 'Haha, this could be great!...Alright, I wonder wh-' Interrupting his thoughts was his father's voice, “Alex! What happened!? I heard a loud noise, are you alright!?” Kaesan ran over to him from inside of the shop. As he reached Alex he quickly looked him over.

Alex panicked as he saw his father examining him. “Uhh, dad. Do you see anything?” Kaesan had a puzzled look as he gazed at his son. “Do I see anything? Yea...I see a broken crate. What happened?” Alex let out a sigh of relief as he gazed at the ground for a moment, 'Apparently he can't see this status window...does that mean I'm the only one that can?' Waking him from his thoughts was Kaesan snapping his fingers in front of Alex's face. “Alexander. Are you okay? You were spacing out.” Lifting his head and hurriedly nodding, Alex frowned as he replied, “Yea dad. I'm fine. I'm sorry about the ingredients. I tripped and ended up dropping the crate.”

Kaesan smiled as he chuckled, “Haha, don't worry about it, son. I thought you may have collapsed or hurt yourself. Why don't you take a break for a little bit.” Abruptly, Alex heard another chime ring out and looked around but there wasn't any new window, just the same one with the long list of options. Alex shook his head as he said, “No dad, that's okay. I should clean up the mess I made.”

Kaesan chuckled once more as he responded, “Haha, nonsense. You just woke up from being unconscious for five days. Maybe this is an aftereffect or something. Let's go inside the shop. You can sit at the counter and help me manage any of the customers.” Alex smiled as he replied, “Alright dad, if you say so.” Kaesan patted him on the back as they made their way towards the inside of the shop.

Alex and his father entered the shop's main room. Alex sat on a stool at the front counter as Kaesan continued to prepare things to open up the store for the day. As he watched his father set things up, Alex looked back towards the status window that was on the edge of his vision. 'Huh...so when I look away from it, the status window shifts to the side of my sight. That's pretty convenient...Now then...Dismiss.' As he thought this, the blue status window vanished from his sight. A breath's worth of time later another chime sounded out as a brand new status window appeared.

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Wisdom (+1 WIS)

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Charisma (+1 CHA)

Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Deception - Beginner]