[Year 22]

Lazarus fought, his knuckles bleeding despite the thick callus that had grown into it. His back steamed as every bit of energy in his body was expended. Yet, he continuously clung to the bag he had. This is the very item he believes is why he should keep moving.

Exhausted, he sat down for a bit, in a position where he could immediately jump into action in case of a surprise attack. His eyes looked around, peeled and dried as the continuous energy used throughout his entire stay underground.

Lazarus doesn't know how long he has been stuck here. But he continued moving regardless. He knew counting time wouldn't make him move forward. He sighed and stood up, thinking the time he rested was enough. Fortunately, when he was moving around he found puddles with clear water. As left with no choice he satiated his thirst with the water source.

He walked for another few minutes, lucky that there weren't any enemies on the way, as if his worries were heard. He saw a light in the distance. But before he dashed forward, he looked around, making sure not a single monster got a jump on him. With the confirmation, he started moving, albeit swiftly.

Once his foot got outside, the pervasive feeling he had felt since he entered the dungeon was gone, his eyes were blinded by sunlight and felt its warmth. Lazarus felt his eyes wet as he finally felt the kiss of the sun upon his skin, he looked around and saw that the forest was damp.

He walked up to a nearby wet dirt patch and used it to write in the trees, marking it. Lazarus travelled quite a distance till he finally saw another sign of life. It was a deer but it won't get him out of the forest.

He wandered, finding any signs of markings, any trails. Fortunately, he found one, but not one he would gladly expect. It is the hole where he disappeared, close to a marking. He looked down and grimaced, he didn't want to go back down there for another round, never again.

Lazarus glanced forward, he heard a stream and his parched throat was calling, he gulped dryly before slowly but surely moving forward towards the stream he heard. Once he got near the river he went ahead and drank large amounts, sparing no energy in the task.

“Huff…”

“Lazarus!”

Then, he heard a familiar voice, one that brought him into this world, his Father Hadro. His eyes are filled with concern and worry but theres also another emotion there, a hint of surprise.

“Father? What… what happened?”

“It seems it wasn't long since you came out of that dungeon. Rest for a while and listen to what happened the past week.”

‘Week?’ Lazarus looked at Hadro incredulously, it has been a week and Lazarus has been ignorant of time. He couldn't help but clench his hands at the thought of leaving his family for a week.

“What happened?” Lazarus asked with anticipation.

***

Shavik came back with his head ringing, he was sent to Kavo to check his condition though after he explained the situation.

“Eyemaw… another creature to be wary of.” Arkum sighed.

It's been a while, but the creatures that tend to fool other senses were hunted by Shavik and his group of specialised hunters, now that the Eyemaw was introduced they have no idea how to counter such a creature. Especially since it managed to wear down Shavik.

Arkum started to brainstorm with the other warriors and hunters, since the Eyemaw is an obstacle that only a third tier could only resist it would need Arkum to be first in the process, they could hunt the Eyemaw down one by one till theres none left but that's extremely time-consuming.

In the end, they patrolled areas that were confirmed that don't have any Eyemaw sightings which are not that deep in the forest. Fortunately, they did avoid the Eyemaw, they figured it was because of its shape. As described by Shavik it looks like a bulbous plant with no form for movement.

It might move thanks to its countless tentacles, but it would do slowly.

“Are there any clues with my husband?” Mari asked Shavik, now more calm.

“Yes, we’ve seen his marking in the trees. So we might find him soon enough, the moment I recover we might find him soon.” Shavik reassured.

“I trust that you do…”

In Mari’s words were trust and conviction. She trusted that two of their most powerful hunters would find her husband, after all the village was a place filled with close relationships, and they wouldn't let one suffer. Now that it is a town the bond became stronger.

Mari talked to Shavik for a while before bidding goodbye and visiting her friend, one of her kids these days tends to stay. Kasha was listening as Kaina formed the words on paper with her poor literature skills but to the best ability.

“Oh, so this is how it's read…” Kasha mulled over.

“Hey, Kasha, having fun?”

“Hmm?” Kasha turned around, finally noticing her friend. “Ah! Yes, I'm having fun with my niece.”

Kasha smiled when the Book of Beginnings was given to the village and all 5 speakers didn't include her she was sad, and although no explanation was given she didn't complain, she did sulk but when it was tasked that she learn the Suilpo language she was excited. However, she did not understand why she had to learn it that way.

“Oh! Have you heard about my new study?”

Mari asked Kasha, although Kasha specialised in phonetics of their language she didn't fall back on other subjects, including Math as she doesn't have a wide enough spectrum of available hobbies. And math was easily taught by Mari anyway what's so hard about that?

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“No, not yet. What is it?”

“I found the most accurate measurement as of today's date.”

“Length?”

“Yes! I'll soon find an accurate weight measurement so wait for it.”

Mari took some small talk with Kasha which they found enjoyable. Once in a while, they talk about the subject of magic and Kasha is intrigued because it is mentioned a lot in the Book of Beginnings.

“Aren't the warriors and hunters using magic?”

“Are they?” Mari asked curiously

“Yes! Magic is described as altering reality and causing phenomena as long as we know the cause of the effect wanted. So if I wanted fire don't we need something flammable and with that we could start a fire?” Kasha rambled enthusiastically

“I guess… what is the word for [Fire] is Fumel, so if I knew how to start a fire. I could do it effortlessly. Wait no, Lazarus did that as well with [Ilyen] so I guess… I have no idea. What could be the difference between knowing and not knowing the cause?”

Mari and Kasha pondered for a while. For a few minutes they had their own theories and hypotheses but none conducted them as they were inside their homes. Mari went ahead and listed them on a piece of paper and went home with Kaina.

Their one and most probable theory when it comes to casting magic with the Suilpo language is that the time to cast, from knowing how fire is born and not knowing, one could tell how fast it could be cast.

Though, it is right, it was not the whole reason. Mari had no way of knowing this, but soon enough they would. As soon as she went home and got to bed her consciousness was pulled into a massive space, a large expanse filled with bookshelves.

“Mari, my Daughter.”

Mari was shocked at first, looking at Hadro with a bewildered look, even rubbing her eyes. When the smiling man in front of her didn't vanish she was stiff. She was sitting on a wooden chair at a wide mahogany table across Hadro.

“Don't be so nervous.” Hadro chuckled.

“What am I…?”

“Doing here? I’m here to answer questions to the best I can.”

“What…?”

“You have questions, don't you? Ones that you want to be answered.”

Mari nodded, once she realised why she was here her heart drummed in anticipation, her reaction was no different from Kavo's and Hadro couldn't help but smile. Mari had tons of questions, but she organized them better. She started to think about which was more important and opened her mouth.

“Why do we study math?”

Hadro was sure that she would question if there is a good measurement for weights but it seems she has thought deeper than she should be. Hadro looked down at his cusped hands before placing his gaze back at Mari.

“Let me tell you a story.” Hadro smiled. “There was a man, he was primitive.”

As Hadro was narrating he swooped his hand and motes of light gathered and formed an image of a man on top of the table, a caveman that Hadro imaged, with a swish of his hand three more individuals appeared.

“This is the age where language is yet to be used as a full form of communication. They grunt and moan, click and tick, but that is all about it, what they do is gestures.”

The figures at the table started running, they seemed to be hunting as a boar appeared along with the figures at the table, running away from them. The chase continued and Mari watched with focus. When the figures chased the boar for what seemed to be hours they started dissecting it, stone tools at hand.

“They had a hearty meal, since the whole family was running along, the head of the family looked at his family.”

The figures with the male looking at his family, counted the heads.

“Do you understand?”

Hadro asked Mari, Mari looked at the figures and back at Hadro confused.

“Alright, let me give you another scenario.”

With a wave of his hand, another set of figures appeared on the table. This time, men are in well-dressed clothes, filled with patterns and symbols, Mari watched closely as she was interested.

The figures were talking and the more they talked, the men in the background seemed to carry items, and the men who were talking counted them up, Mari was once again confused, Hadro smiled at this and gave Mari the answer.

“Mari, math has always been with us, the primitive men have always counted the head of his family. The tools they have. In the second scenario, the men exchanging items would always count what they exchanged. Don't you think math is all around us?”

Mari slowly nodded at Hadro’s answer, she breathed in slowly and fell into deep thought, thinking that all her ideas were best shared now. It's best to know if she will end in failure or not. Right, all of her ideas and projects are part of a bigger beginning.

Mari released a sigh once again.

“Mari, you're anxious right?” Asked Hadro.

“Yes…” Mari

“Is it because of your husband?”

Mari bit her lips slightly and nodded, her heart had been restless for a while, and she missed her husband who was in danger for a while.

“He’s alive. I am certain.”

“But that doesn't mean he’s okay…”

“Mari, being a pessimist won't do you good, he might be exhausted but he is not in a bad shape.”

“Sorry, Patron god, I just couldn't help it.”

Just because one has rational thinking doesn't mean their hearts follow, Mari has always been emotional and she couldn't help it even with the reassurance of others. Hadro smiled wryly and stood up, sitting beside Mari. placing a hand on her shoulder he gently caressed her.

“I too worry for my son.”

Mari looked at Hadro in a daze, she gulped dryly before leaning closer to Hadro and sniffling her cries, she has been stressed lately, Hadro thought that by pulling her here and answering some of her questions would she be freed of such thoughts. But then again, human emotions are complicated.

Hadro let her weep her woes till she stopped. crying, though now she felt embarrassed that she had to cry in front of her patron god.

“You don't have to be embarrassed…” Hadro smiled gently then continued her trailed-off words. “If I wasn't your second father.”

Mari was now flushed pink, Second father is the term the village used to identify the second family to which the bride or groom belongs and also the term “Father in law doesn't exist… yet or never.

“Ahh… I might tease my daughter about this…”

“P-Patron god…” Mari mumbled her face completely pink

“Right…” Hadro petted her head. “As I am your patron god I am also your second father.”

Mari nodded and Hadro went back to the topic they had been discussing earlier, now the question Mari had was where could she possibly use the knowledge she acquired, quest or knowledge packets bought from the store.

“Mari, have you considered why a ruler is such a significant invention?”

“Why?”

“Because it makes things precise, have you ever thought of intertwined tools that move as one?”

With that Mari became visibly confused, then she shook her head waiting for Hadro to answer. Hadro using the same technique earlier waved his hand a figure appeared, it’s a wheelbarrow. Another figure was pulling the wheelbarrow.

“Do you know what this is?” Hadro smiled before answering his own question. “A wheelbarrow. It's the same with your bags except it's on a wheel and much larger and could carry heavier things.”

“Ohh…”

“It has three simple machines, and that is the wheel.” Hadro pointed at the wheel, the handle and the axle. “Do you know what those three are?”

“Simple… machines?”

“Yes, simple machines.” Hadro pointed at different parts of the wheelbarrow, “Wheel, axle and lever. Those are simple machines. Now Mari, do you know why I present you with this?”

Mari mulled for a minute before remembering Hadro’s words earlier “Precise… Precision!”

“Yes, precision. For precision to happen you needed tools, one accurately done by math. Not only that, you can build houses with it too.”

“Houses?”

“Didn't the orc who built the wooden houses seem good at making them? The floor is flat, the wall is steady and the roof houses you from the rain.”

“They tried to measure those with that specific wood right?”

Mari recalled when they were transitioning into different housing, the Orc carpenters would use a plank of wood, called Kimdak, the tree from which the Kimdak was taken out always grows the same length. So, with a stubborn process, the Orcs managed to exactly divide the wood up to 5th of its whole length.

Roughly, it is 40cm. The Kimdak as a tree is not tall, but it is wide. Thanks to its unique properties, every tree would grow exactly 4 metres, which is very noticeable by its consistency in height, so the Orcs took the Kimdak tree and divided it so that it could be held in one's arms.

“The Kimdak… yes.”

“It's not accurate, but currently it is the best measuring system the town has right?”

“Yes…”

“It did its job as intended, correct?” Hadro looked at the contemplating expression of Mari. “The meter you have created would be the best for the job of precise measuring. Now, I’ll teach you everything that you need.”

Mari was excited at the prospect of learning, she was learning high school mathematics and now she will learn engineering basics. Since science was not fully developed here, there would be no chemistry and electronics so Hadro just taught her basic engineering design and physics.

Mari was intrigued by the subjects delved into, she knew about chemicals and electronics being unavailable as she asked but was sad she couldn't delve into it so she instead went to learn the subjects only available at hand.

And by tomorrow morning, Mari broke through the second tier.