"This is boring. But at least it's easy." Ozlo spent the next hour or so reading to himself through the first book until he heard a lound thump against the door, followed by Burgin shouting. "Ozlo, I'm coming in."

"Ok." Ozlo replied.

Burgin comes up the stairs and hands Ozlo a small meat pie and a glass of juice.

"Thanks Burgin."

"Master Burgin..." Burgin growls.

Ozlo, feeling a bit foolish responded. "Sorry, Master Burgin."

Burgin gives his ward a soft pat on the back and starts to head down the stairs as he calls back. "It's alright lad, just keep reading your book and I'll call you when it's time for dinner. Oh, and don't forget to upgrade your card."

Unsure of how to respond, Ozlo says. "Right, upgrade my card, ok."

"Great, now be a good lad now." Burgin makes his way to the stairs when suddenly he stops, seeming to realize something. "Lad. Did they teach you HOW to level up your card?"

Sheepishly, Ozlo rubs his neck and responds. "No."

Burgin, now at the top of the stairs once more, stares at Ozlo with his piercing gaze. "And what exactly was your plan to level it up?"

Giving it some thought, Ozlo finally responds. "Well, the card is in me, so if I just eat the shards then they'll be in me and-"

A pained, almost panic expression comes over Burgins face before shouting. "LAD! Ok, alright... Pay close attention to me. Do NOT eat the shards. I suspect they wouldn't agree with your stomach."

"Ok... I won't."

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Quick as a whip, Ozlo's master moves forward. Burgin, now standing over Ozlo looks him directly in the eyes. "Promise me lad."

Intimidated by Burgins larger than average presence and close proximity Ozlo states. "I promise."

Mastering his emotions, Burgin sits on the bed across from his apprentice and says. "Great, great... Now do as I say, focus on your card. REALLY focus. Can you do that for me lad."

"Uh, yeah."

Ozlo does his best to fight his minds natural inclination to drift from thought to thought and attempts to focus on his only card and eventually, it seems to appear in his minds eye.

Continuing with his instructions Burgin points at Ozlo. "Great, great. Can you see it boy?"

"Yes Master Burgin." Ozlo nervously replied.

Burgin looked into Ozlos eyes and gave him a small nod of encouragement. "Perfect, now will it into your hand. Not all the way out of you, just into your hand."

"Ok." Having never done this before, it takes a few moments, but Ozlo does his best. Doing as he says, Ozlo eventually manages to will his hard into his hand.

Burgins voice comes out slow and precise. "Perfect, perfect. Now, take ten of those shards there and touch them against the card. One at a time lad, like you're filling up a small cup. Only put them THROUGH the card."

"Ok..." Doing as he says, Ozlo places the shards against his card, when a small flash Appears in his mind.

Scholarship: Rank common, growth/utility.

This card will increase the mental capacities of it's holder by 10% per level.

Current Level: 2

Required Soul Shards to level 0/50

"WOW!" Ozlo felt a sporadic tingling running from the very core of his being.

Burgin chuckles to himself before speaking. "Wow indeed boy. So, what does your card do?"

Ozlo, distracted by the tingling sensations eventually realizes that Burgin is still speaking. "Oh uh, increase my mental capacities by ten percent per level."

"I see... And it's level two now?" Burgin asks.

Ozlo thinks for a moment and then confirms. "Yes sir."

Burgin rubs his chin while looking at Ozlo. "At least that damn church is worth something... How do you feel boy, any smarter?"

Ozlo examines himself. "Uh... Maybe? A little?"

"Ten percent more is quite the boost... You should start seeing the effects soon, if you haven't already." Burgin replies

Enthralled by the implications of what this would mean for him, Ozlo took a moment to respond. "Yes Master Burgin."

Burgin slaps his knees and stands up. "We'll just have to see about getting you some more shards. Hopefully this means you'll do better when assisting me in the shop. Now keep reading, I'll call you for dinner later." Burgin gave Ozlo a comforting pat on the shoulder before taking his leave.

"Yes sir." Ozlo replied.