Chapter IX
When Alex and Kaesan returned home, they immediately ate dinner. When they were finished, Alex was about to head upstairs to his room with almost everything they brought back from the shop. Before he could leave however, Kaesan called out, “Alex! Hold on a second.” Alex stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at his father. “What is it dad?” Smiling, Kaesan said, “Although I said you need to learn everything within that book, that's not all.” Alex's mouth was partially agape.
Seeing his son's reaction, Kaesan laughed. “Hahaha, son, there's still these two books here.” He picked up the two books he had placed next to his chair. “There were three books total that I specifically picked for out for you. These three are probably a few of the most value possessions that I own. The first book is the one I already told you to read, An Herbalist's Guide to Low Tier Herbs. With that, you'll be able to know all basic herbs on sight and even be capable of creating some basic medicines.” He placed one of the books on his lap. The other, he placed on top of the table and began to tap his finger on it.
“This one here is called A Physician's Guide to Low Tier Medicines. This here will teach you all of the low tier medicine recipes.” Alex tilted his head at his father's last words. Curiously, he asked, “Dad, what are low tier medicines?” Kaesan smiled as he replied, “Medicines have many different tiers. There are at least twelve different ones. Physicians are only able to create Tier I and maybe some Tier II medicines. These all include things that are capable of healing injuries and sickness. Basically, the higher the tier of medicine then the better the effects will be. Alchemists however, are able to create all twelve tiers. Of course, only alchemists of sufficient skill and ability can do so.”
Kaesan paused for a moment to allow the information to sink in for Alex. Shortly after, he continued on, “Tier III and beyond does not only have medicines, but other medicinal pills that not only heal the injured and sick. But also can boost an individual's strength, regrow limbs, enhance one's cultivation and even increase the speed or effect of one's training...Becoming an Alchemist is the dream of every physician...” After letting out a deep sigh, Kaesan kept talking, “Well, you should already be well aware of most of the differences between physicians and alchemists. I've only explained it to you multiple times over the years, haha.” At his father's comment, Alex could only return a wry smile.
Kaesan grabbed the book off of his lap and placed it on top of the book that he had already put on the table. He tapped his finger on it as he said, “Now this is the final book. This one is called Basic First Aid Practices. Within this book, is the method to treat all sorts of injuries. It has the process on how to properly clean, disinfect, dress wounds and more. If you wish to become a physician, this book is just as invaluable as the other two.” Once he stopped speaking, Alex said, “These other two books are just as thick as the first...Holy crap.” Laughing, Kaesan chided, “There may be a lot to learn, but it's in your best interest to do so.” Alex nodded. “I know dad. I just can't believe how much there is.”
Kaesan gave a wry smile as he spoke. “Alright. These books will be able to teach you almost everything I know, haha...Once you think you've memorized everything that's in these books, come back to me okay? There's still a few tricks of the trade that I'll be able to teach you.” Alex grinned as he eagerly replied, “Alright dad...I'm going to bring all these to my room.”
Alex carried the three books and everything else he needed up to his room. Once there, he placed everything onto his bed. After he did so, he couldn't help but let out a sigh as he thought, 'This is going to take a while.' He sat on his bed with his legs crossed and picked up the first book his father had told him about, An Herbalist's Guide to Low Tier Herbs. He flipped it open. 'Well, this is going to take an eternity.' He thought as he began to read.
** ** ** **
Alex sat on his bed reading for hours. In all this time he had only managed to read through the first chapter. However, when he had finished it, he received a message.
*Ting*
Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Herbalism – Beginner]
The moment he read this, he went bug-eyed. Grinning excitedly, he thought, 'Holy crap! I can learn skills from simply reading books!? You got to be kidding me!...This is awesome!!' Glancing at the time, he frowned and closed the book. 'It's already eleven?...It's getting late, guess I'll go to bed and continue tomorrow.' After thinking to there, he cleared everything off of his bed and neatly stacked it next to his end table. Laying down on his bed he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
** ** ** **
“Uwwaahh.” Yawning, Alex woke up. Sitting up on his bed, he looked at the time while rubbing one of his eyes. 'Six in the morning. Man, that came fast.' He got out of bed and picked up everything his father had given him, bringing it over to the bed. 'Alright, I managed to learn some basic stuff about Herbalism yesterday...Should I continue to read from where I left off or start reading one of the other books?...' He brought his hand to his chin as he was in deep thought. 'Hmm, actually...I think I'll practice The Raindrop Ward, since I'm still lacking in it. I should be able to practice for around four hours, then after that I can read and rest at the same time.'
Adopting the first stance of the Raindrop Ward, he began to practice. This lasted for four hours on the dot. Wiping the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his shirt, he said, “Whew, that was draining.” Taking a look at his energy bar, he smiled. 'Forty energy left. If I read for the rest of the day, by the time night falls, everything should work out okay.' He walked over to his bed and sat down on it, crossing his legs. Staring at the books that were laid next to each other, he thought, 'It would probably be better to just read through that Herbalist's Guide to Low Tier Herbs first...' After he thought to there, he started to thoroughly read.
** ** ** **
Night had quickly arrived. Throughout the day, Alex had only stopped reading to eat lunch and dinner. Immediately after he would return to reading. He was currently sitting with his legs crossed on his bed while reading a book. He had a large smile on his face. Letting out a long breath, he flipped the book closed. 'Alright! Chapter ten down! Only around forty more to go...' He stood up and stretched. As he did so, his joints and bones popped. 'Oh that felt so good.'
After stretching, he sat down on the edge of his bed. 'I can't believe I can even gain stats from reading these books. How absurd is this!?...From reading ten chapters, my Herbalism leveled up. When it did so I gained one intelligence...' Earlier he had looked at his skills and noticed that for each chapter he read in the book, he gained one experience towards his Herbalism skill.
Chuckling to himself, he thought, 'At this rate, it'll probably take me around a week or two in order to completely read and remember everything in these books...It's so bizarre. I originally believed it would take me a lot longer to memorize everything. But, after I read this stuff, it's almost as if it's imprinted into my mind...Does this have something to do with the skill? Or is it because my intelligence is increasing?...'
He shook his head to dismiss his thoughts. “Okay! My energy has recovered decently.” He stood up again and took the first stance for The Raindrop Ward. 'I should be able to practice for another two hours, then I can go to bed.' After practicing for around two hours, he stopped and laid down. 'Even though I've been practicing this stuff for about seven days, I've only gained stats the first time I began practicing and when they level up...I wonder if it just takes a lot more time in order to gain more stats from them.' He rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.
** ** ** **
Time quickly passed. In the blink of an eye three days had come and gone. On the night of the third day Alex was seated on his bed with a book in his lap. A frown was on his face. 'I was able to level up my Raindrop Ward, but when it happened I didn't gain any stats...However, my Herbalism leveled up twice and I only gained one intelligence. That was when it reached level four. So at that level and level two I've gained one intelligence. I think it's safe to say that for every two levels in Herbalism, I gain one intelligence?... Well I guess it's better than nothing. After all, when my intelligence increases I can feel my memory becoming slightly better. I'm not forgetting a whole lot anymore.' His frown turned into a grin. 'But this Herbalism skill is really too handy. It actually lists all of the possible things I know and can create. If anyone else knew about this, then they may just cry, hahaha.'
He closed the book and set it on top of the end table. His thoughts quickly changed gears. 'Only took four days total to finish this first book and I got around one experience per chapter...I wonder if these other two books will be the same...' He pulled over the book titled, A Physician's Guide to Low Tier Medicines. 'Guess this one should be next. It kinda goes hand in hand with the Herbalism book...' He flipped it open and started to read. After about twenty minutes, he finished the first chapter. When he did so, a status window appeared delivering him a message.
*Ting*
Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Alchemy – Beginner]
Alex sat there in a stupor staring at the message for quite a while. After an undetermined amount of time passed, he finally snapped out of it. Stuttering, in a jubilant tone he said, “I...I learned Alchemy!” His hands trembled somewhat as his thoughts ran wild. 'Alchemy! If I level this up, can I create the pills that Alchemists are able to?...' He hastily shook his head. 'No, no, no. Control my thoughts! In order to make those pills I need to first learn how to control my Qi and the different elements of Qi. I have no idea how to do any of that...I'm closer to becoming an alchemist now, but I'm still a far ways away.' He had a wry smile on his face as he muttered, “I can't believe I almost got carried away with myself.”
Finally, he dismissed the message and thought, 'Alright, I'll stop here today. Tomorrow I'll start the same routine again.' He pushed the book to the side of his bed and laid down. He rolled over to his left side and thought, 'If this Alchemy skill is anything like the Herbalism skill...Then it should list all of the possible things I know and can create...With that...' He let out a slight chuckle as his thoughts trailed off. Closing his eyes, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
** ** ** **
Alex spent the following days repeating the same cycle. Train in the morning with The Raindrop Ward for four hours, read for the rest of the day. Spend about two hours at night to train some more and then sleep. This occurred for five days straight.
On the night of the fifth day, Alex had just finished training in The Raindrop Ward and was seated atop his bed with a beaming grin on his face. He was chuckling to himself as he was deep in thought. 'I just leveled up The Raindrop Ward. When it did so, I gained one agility...So from that I can make a guess and say that every two levels in it, I'll gain a single point of Agility. That's not too bad I suppose...'
He laid back on his bed and crossed his arms underneath his head. 'This Alchemy skill is too amazing though...I managed to get it to level four from reading that book. With it, I unlocked a new stat called Focus and not only that, but every two levels I gain some amazing stats. I get one intelligence, one wisdom and one focus...That's crazy!' His grin had yet to diminish any. 'Help Focus.' Heeding his mental call, a status window appeared.
*Ting*
Focus (FOC) – your ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity. As well as your ability to enter into a state where you apply your everything towards a single point.
After he read exactly what the new stat called Focus did, he couldn't help but rejoice mentally. 'This is going to be extremely helpful.' He dismissed the window and rolled over to his side. 'Two books down and one to go. Hehe, when I tell dad I learned everything, I doubt he'll believe me. He's going to be speechless...Tomorrow, I'll start the last book. That one seems to be the least thick out of the three.' After thinking to there, he closed his eyes and entered the realm of dreams within minutes.
** ** ** **
Morning hastily arrived. The sun's rays shone down through the window onto Alex's face waking him from his slumber. Groaning, he mumbled, “Morning huh?” He sat up and stretched while letting loose a large yawn, “Uuuuwwwaaaahhh.” He looked around his room and then smiled. 'I start the final book today! Haha, I can't wait!' He stood up from his bed and began his usual morning routine of practicing The Raindrop Ward.
Four hours later, he finished and sat on his bed with his legs crossed. Grabbing the final book from his end table, he placed it in front of him. 'Basic First Aid Practices, huh?' He thought as he viewed the cover. 'Alright, let's do this!' He flipped open the book and began to read.
The day quickly passed by rather tediously. After night had arrived, Alex closed the book and let loose a small cheer. “Yes! I'm done! Hahaha.” Standing up and stretching, he was thinking, 'New skill called first aid huh? Not bad. It gained one level from reading the book. Hmm, I didn't get any stat though when it leveled...Oh well...I need a bath...'
** ** ** **
Reclining in the bathtub, Alex had a glowing smile on his face. 'Finally finished all the books...Wonder how my stuff looks now...' Thinking to there, he opened up his status, ability and skill windows.
*Ting*
Name: Alexander HartlowAge: 12Level: 0XP: 20/100Health: 20/20Qi: 18/18Energy: 14/170Satiety: 71/100Titles:
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
NoneStats:
Distributable Points: 0Constitution: 2Intelligence: 14Vitality: 1Wisdom: 10Stamina: 8Endurance: 2Strength: 6Charisma: 9Agility: 6Dexterity: 6Willpower: 7Bloodlust: 2Luck: 50Focus: 2??????????????????Attack: 1Defense: 0Element Resistance: NoneAdditional Information:Race: HumanGender: MaleElement Affinity: All ElementsAlignment: NeutralAllegiance: Undeclared
Abilities:
Qi Enhancement Level 6 [0/35xp] Beginner – allows the user to channel their Qi into any item to enhance its capabilities permanently.
Genesis Level 1 [0/10xp] Beginner – allows the user to create any item that they can imagine so long as they have enough Qi.
The Empyreal Body (Passive) – you possess a body that came from the very heavens themselves. All 64 Qi Vein Entrances are open. Allows for unimaginable potential growth. Grants affinity with all Qi elements.
Skills:
Deception Level 3 [0/20xp] Beginner (Passive) – the skill of deceiving others. Allows the user to be more successful in the art of misleading and lying to others.
Identify Level 4 [10/25xp] Beginner – allows you to attempt to identify any item. Successful attempts will allow you to see various detailed information about the item.
Emit Killing Intent Level 1 [0/10xp] Beginner – allows you to give off or transmit killing intent. Capable of frightening others. May affect their mental state, impacting their combat performance.
Negotiation Level 1 [0/10xp] Beginner – your ability to achieve better terms, rewards, results, etc, for yourself when attempting to reach an agreement with another individual or group. At higher levels, your attempts will succeed more often.
Haggle Level 1 [0/10xp] Beginner – your ability to talk or argue with someone in order to get them to lower a price.
Sword Mastery Level 4 [7/25xp] Beginner – your overall expertise with the sword. Increasing this will improve your attack and defense rating while wielding a sword.
Current bonus rating: +2 Attack +2 Defense
Sword Style – The Raindrop Sword – Level 4 [7/25xp] Beginner – your overall mastery and skill with the sword style – The Raindrop Sword.
Martial Art – The Raindrop Ward – Level 4 [21/25xp] Beginner – your overall mastery and skill with the unarmed martial art – The Raindrop Ward.
Meditation Level 2 [14/15xp] Beginner – the process of clearing and relaxing your mind while focusing on your inner-self. Allows you to take in the Qi of the world. Meditating will increase the speed at which your Qi is restored. Current Rate: 10 Energy/hour 0.5 Qi/hour
Herbalism Level 4 [3/25xp] Beginner – the study and use of the medicinal properties of plants. Allows you to be able to identify and know different types of herbs. As well as be capable of harvesting them without inflicting damage to the herb.
Alchemy Level 4 [5/25xp] Beginner – the process of creating various different beneficial consumables. Some of which being: medicines, potions, elixirs and pills. Higher level increases the chance of successful refining.
Current bonus success rate: 1%
First Aid Level 2 [0/10xp] Beginner – your ability to give emergency aid to take care of the wounded or sick.
As soon as he finished reading everything, he did a double take. His eyes went wide as his face slightly blanched. Abruptly, he cursed out loud, “FUCK!” Only a moment later a loud knock sounded out on the bathroom door and a worried voice could be heard. “Alex! Are you okay!? What happened!?” He scowled as he responded, “Nothing mom! I just hit my head is all.” After a brief moment of silence, Laylah's voice sounded out again, “Geez, you startled us you know. I'm glad you're alright. Just be careful from now on.” After that was said, Alex could hear her footsteps fading away.
'I can't believe I messed up so bad!! UGH!' He had a horribly ugly expression on his face. 'How long has it been?...Crap, I really messed up. I forgot all about Qi Enhancement. I could've been doing that this whole time as well...' He slowly started to submerge his body in the water. “Ugh!” He groaned as he covered his face with his palm. After dunking his head under the water for a minute, he popped back up. Letting out a pain filled sigh, he muttered, “No use crying over spilled milk...”
** ** ** **
After having a relaxing bath, Alex returned to his room. He grabbed his sword from next to the end table and sat down on the edge of his bed. 'I seriously need more intelligence...I can't believe I forgot about Qi Enhancement...' Lamenting over his blunder, Alex identified the sword.
Steel Short-Sword - a standard short-sword 60cm in length, made from steel.Quality - StandardAttack - 14+2Defense - 0+1Durability - 61/61Special Properties - Attack +2, Durability +1, Defense +1
'Okay, so those are the stats. Let's see what happens.' Focusing on his sword, he activated his Qi Enhancement ability.
Qi Enhancement:
How much Qi would you like to infuse?
Maximum amount: 18
Qi Enhancement Effects:
+ 1 Attack = 10 Qi
+1 Durability = 10 Qi
+1 Defense = 10 Qi
“Hmm, plus one attack.” The moment the words left his mouth a blue mist seeped out of his body and hastily engulfed the sword. After a moment, the sword seemed to have completely consumed the mist. 'Alright, I have eight qi left...Identify.' He thought the latter part as he focused on his sword.
Steel Short-Sword - a standard short-sword 60cm in length, made from steel.Quality - StandardAttack - 14+3Defense - 0+1Durability - 61/61Special Properties - Attack +3, Durability +1, Defense +1
When he viewed the sword's stats, he couldn't help but smile. 'At this rate, I could keep improving it until it becomes the ultimate weapon, hahaha.' Once more he activated his Qi Enhancement ability. As he looked at the menu he decided upon using eight Qi. Once more the same mist exuded from his body and was devoured by the sword. 'Hmm, I should need two more Qi...Ah screw it.'
He used his ability once more. This time he chose to use two Qi although he had none remaining, he would simply deal with the pain that was to follow after. Shortly after a blue mist once again manifested from his body and enveloped the sword. After the sword absorbed the mist, Alex immediately used identify.
Steel Short-Sword - a standard short-sword 60cm in length, made from steel.Quality - StandardAttack - 14+3Defense - 0+1Durability - 61/61Special Properties - Attack +3, Durability +1, Defense +1
As he viewed the status window, he was interrupted by the pain that accompanied using his health instead of Qi. He let out a slight groan. “Ugh...That one didn't hurt as bad as last time...” He glanced at his health and noticed it was at eighteen out of twenty. 'Must be due to the fact I have more health now, so only two isn't too big of a dent?' He shrugged his shoulders and then looked back at the status window of the sword. Frowning, Alex spoke in a miffed tone, “What? Why didn't anything change?”
He opened up his ability window and inspected his Qi Enhancement ability.
Qi Enhancement Level 6 [18/35xp] Beginner – allows the user to channel their Qi into any item to enhance its capabilities permanently.
Still with a frown on his face, he muttered, “I don't get it..” He dismissed the windows and then placed his sword against the end table. Sighing, he laid back on his bed. 'I can't figure it out now...I have no more Qi left. I'll just wait until tomorrow morning.' He rolled over to his right side and closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep.
** ** ** **
It was early morning when Alex woke up. He yawned as he sat up in bed. “Uwwaahh, man, what time is it?” Peaking at the clock in the corner of his vision, he yawned once more. 'Six o'clock? That's it? Huh, didn't think I'd wake up this early...' Shrugging, he got up from his bed and dressed himself. 'Okay. Time to mess around with Qi Enhancement.' He sat down on his bed with the sword in hand. Focusing on it, he used identify and brought up the Qi Enhancement menu.
'Three attack, one defense and one durability. I'm at eighteen out of thirty-five experience for the ability...Let's see if anything changes...' Focusing on his ability, he thought the number 'Two'. As he did so a familiar blue mist seeped out of his body and completely enfolded the sword. Once the mist was completely swallowed by the sword, Alex once again used identify on it. After inspecting it for a minute or two, Alex was befuddled. 'I don't get it...Nothing changed...' He opened up his ability window and looked to see if he gained any experience with Qi Enhancement. To his dismay though, he did not.
'I didn't even gain any experience with it?...What's going on?' Frowning, he reopened the Qi enhancement menu.
Qi Enhancement:
How much Qi would you like to infuse?
Maximum amount: 18
Qi Enhancement Effects:
+ 1 Attack = 10 Qi
+1 Durability = 10 Qi
+1 Defense = 10 Qi
'Currently I have sixteen Qi left, so...screw it, I'm just gonna do ten...Plus one attack.' As the latter words floated past his mind, the blue mist flowed out of his body and into the sword. He waited a few breaths worth of time and was about to use identify again. Right as he was about to do so, a chime rang out along with a status window blinking into existence.
*Ting*
Maximum number of effects reached: 5/5.
Would you like to change an effect?
Alex gawked at the message in a confounded state. 'What the hell does that mean!? No! Open Ability Window!' As soon as he mentally issued the command, his ability window appeared as the previous message vanished. Focusing on his Qi Enhancement ability, he scowled.
Qi Enhancement Level 6 [18/35xp] Beginner – allows the user to channel their Qi into any item to enhance its capabilities permanently. Maximum number of effects: 5.
He stared in silence at his ability. Letting out a deep sigh, he thought, 'Okay...So apparently my abilities update as I go along?...Guess that's good to know, but seriously?...Maybe the number of effects will increase as my level increases?' Shaking his head, he dismissed the window. 'I didn't gain any experience either, when I used my Qi. So I guess that means if it has the maximum number of effects already, I won't get experience for simply pouring my Qi into it...There goes my idea of an ultimate weapon, haha.'
Still with a frown on his face, he stood up from his bed. 'I've made some good progress, but it's not enough. I figure if I train for the next month I should be able to reach mother's requirements. Then I'll deal with a beginner rank profound beast...Once that's done, I'll be able to find a sect!' Thinking of the future turned his frown into a smile. A fierce determination flashed by in the depths of his eyes as he withdrew his sword from its scabbard. He took up the first stance for The Raindrop Sword Style and began his time consuming training.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **