Chapter VIII

Alex had just gotten home and immediately went upstairs to his room. Lying in his bed, he had his arm resting on top of his forehead as he thought back to earlier when he had spoken to Sarah. 'She probably didn't want me to leave, right?...But then why did she tell me to leave!? I seriously don't understand girls! Ugh!' He rolled over to his side and glanced at his sword that was leaning against the end table. As he did so, there was a fierce tenacity that flashed past in the depths of his ice-blue eyes.

'She just doesn't understand...I can't continue to be weak like this...Never again will I allow someone to trample over me and my family....I will become strong enough to the point, where everyone will revere me! No one will dare to harm my family! Instead of the one being trampled on...I will become the one that does the trampling!! No matter what hardships I may face. No matter what obstacles or adversaries that impede my path. I will continue forward until I stand at the very peak of this world, where the strong rule!'

He stoop up and walked to the window. He gazed outside at all of the people walking about, doing their day to day routine. While he was standing there, he muttered under his breath, “One day...” Shortly after those words fell, a chime rang out alongside the appearance of a status window.

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Willpower (+1 WILL)

He glanced at the message and then dismissed it. Shaking his head, he walked back over to his bed and sat down. 'Okay...I think it's time I try to meditate. If I can manage to do it properly...' He had a devilish grin as he continued to think. 'When I join a sect or school, I'll have one hell of a leg up on anyone else at the same rank as me.' He closed his eyes and tried to recall exactly what the elder from the Gallant Eagle Sect had told him.

'Alright, clear and relax my mind. Then I can absorb the Qi from the world...I don't know how to do that second part, but I guess I'll have to figure it out.' Alex crossed his legs as he sat on his bed. Closing his eyes, he thought, 'Clear and relax my mind...Clear and relax...' He sat on his bed silently as he tried his best to clear and relax his mind. In this way, a quarter of an hour passed. Then half an hour passed.

Opening his eyes, Alex let out a despondent sigh. “It's harder than I thought...” He shook his head as he had a slight frown spread across his face. 'I suppose it ought to be hard, else everyone would be able to easily become a cultivator...' Once more he closed his eyes and attempted to enter the right mindset to meditate. Again, a quarter of an hour quickly passed. Followed by half an hour. Then an hour passed. He had yet to open his eyes. The room was deathly quiet except for the sound of Alex's breath.

Finally three hours had passed. “Alex! It's time for lunch!” In response to his mother's voice, he opened his eyes. He groaned irritably, “Ugh! Why is this so hard!” He uncrossed his legs and stood up. Stretching out his back and legs, he thought to himself, 'I feel like I'm missing something...I can sort of clear and relax my mind, but...I don't know, it just feels like something crucial is missing...' He sighed before he left his room and went downstairs to the kitchen.

** ** ** **

After he finished lunch, he returned to his room and sat on his bed with his legs crossed. 'Alright, I felt I was on to something earlier...If I could just figure out what I'm missing...' He closed his eyes and once more attempted to meditate. Time swiftly elapsed. Evening had already arrived. Opening his eyes, he noticed it was dark. He quietly cursed to himself, “Shit! What the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I meditate!?” He stood up and stretched. As he did so, his bones cracked and popped. 'Oh, that felt good.' He thought to himself with a slight smile.

He looked around his room and then lit a candle for light. Shortly after, he laid down onto his bed. 'I must be forgetting something...Think....Think!' Lying there, he closed his eyes as he strained to remember every detail about the conversation he had with the elder from the Gallant Eagle Sect. 'I picked up the brooch and brought it to them...He told me to halt...He explained to me just what meditation was...' His eyes immediately flicked open as he furrowed his brow.

“Shit! I can't believe I'm such an idiot! I actually almost forgot it!” He sat up and was about to make an attempt at meditating again, when he heard his mother's voice. “Alex! Dinner!” Surprised, he thought, 'Dinner already?' He glanced at the clock in the upper right corner of his vision. 'Eh? It's already 6:30!?...I spent that much time trying to meditate!?' He shook his head as he stood up. '

After dinner I'll use up all my energy and Qi. Then I'll meditate...I should be able to do it now...I can't believe I forgot part of what that elder said...Clear and relax your mind, then focus on your inner-self...I cleared my mind and relaxed it. But I forgot to focus on my inner-self...Unbelievable.' After he thought to there, he blew out the candle in his room and proceeded downstairs.

** ** ** **

About a half an hour later, Alex had finished eating dinner and was already back in his room. After he glanced at his health, Qi and energy bars, he thought to himself, 'Huh...Apparently not doing much besides trying to meditate today, saved me a lot of energy...I've even got six Qi right now.' He walked over to his bed and sat on the edge of it. He grabbed his sword that was in its usual place, leaning against the end table. Focusing on it, he thought, 'Qi Enhancement.' As if complying to his thoughts, a status window appeared.

Qi Enhancement:

How much Qi would you like to infuse?

Maximum amount: 11

Qi Enhancement Effects:

+ 1 Attack = 10 Qi

+1 Durability = 10 Qi

Slightly smiling, he thought, 'One.' A faint blue mist seeped out of his body and enveloped the sword for a moment before it vanished. The moment the blue mist disappeared, a chime rang out alongside the appearance of a status window.

*Ting*

Level up: Qi Enhancement (Beginner Level 3 [0/20xp])

Grinning to himself, he thought, 'Awesome, it leveled up...With two more Qi, I should hopefully get a new effect soon...Well here it goes.' Once more he used his ability, Qi Enhancement. The status window appeared and he decided to use two Qi. A blue mist flowed out from his body and engulfed the sword. After a moment a chime rang out and a blue rectangle popped into existence.

*Ting*

You have learned the Qi Enhancement effect of Defense +1

“Yes!” He exclaimed after he read the message. 'It worked! So it seems that for every ten Qi, a random effect is applied...I only have three Qi left. Might as well identify it.' As he thought it, a new status window appeared.

Steel Short-Sword - a standard steel short-sword 60cm in length, made from steel.Quality - StandardAttack - 14+1Defense - 0+1Durability - 61/61Special Properties - Attack +1, Durability +1, Defense +1

With a beaming smile on his face, Alex stood up. 'Excellent! It has one defense now? So what does defense do on a weapon? I remember that the help function explained that a higher defense rating would result in less damage taken...But if it's on a weapon, that's not going to really help me, is it? Or does the weapon take less damage instead?...Another thing I'll need to experiment with in the future...'

He drew the short-sword from its sheath. 'Since I didn't gain any experience in the sword style the other day, I can make up for it starting now...From not really doing anything today, my energy is sitting steadily at sixty-six. It only dropped by two from earlier.' He took up the first stance for The Raindrop Sword and proceeded to practice all the stances.

** ** ** **

As he was practicing the sword style, three hours passed by in a flash. Sheathing his sword, he wiped the sweat off of his brow. 'Alright, six energy left...' He tossed a glance at the clock in the corner of his vision. 'It's nine o'clock?...Er, if my math is right...Then the sword style should only use up twenty energy per hour compared to the unarmed style's rate of thirty-five energy per hour...Wonder why that is? Well I suppose I have the sword to rely on with the sword style, so maybe that lessens the burden on my body or something? I really don't know. I'll have to ask mom tomorrow.' He set the sword down against the end table. 'Okay, I think I'll take a quick bath. Then, it's time to meditate properly!' He walked out of his room and went to the bathroom.

** ** ** **

A half an hour later and Alex was back in his room. Sitting on his bed in his underwear with his legs crossed, he was smiling as he thought to himself. 'That was a much needed bath..Alright, this time I'm going to meditate for sure. Clear and relax my mind. THEN focus on my inner-self. Haha, I won't forget this time!' He closed his eyes and began his attempt at meditating.

Rather quickly, half an hour passed. At this point Alex's breathing started to slow down. Then an hour passed. Now, each minute he was only taking ten breaths. In his room, all that could be heard was the occasional sound of breathing. Another hour passed by, then another. At this time, Alex abruptly opened his eyes. He grinned from ear to ear and started to laugh. “Hahaha, I did it!” He was staring at the status screens that had appeared.

*Ting*

Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Meditation – Beginner]

You have gained 1 Intelligence (+1 INT)

You have gained 1 Wisdom (+1 WIS)

'Haha, it took a while but I finally managed to learn it!...Huh, it was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be...It seemed like right when I focused on my inner-self after the moment I cleared and relaxed my mind, I was in a very interesting state...It's hard to describe, it was sort of like I was at peace?...It felt so natural...' Still smiling, he dismissed the windows that had appeared. He looked at his health, Qi and energy bars. “Whoa!!” After he saw how much he had, he couldn't help but exclaim.

'I only had one Qi after I enhanced and Identified my sword. Then after practicing the sword style for three hours, I only had six energy left...Yet right now, I have thirty-six energy and three Qi...Is this the effects of meditating?...Incredible.' He brought his hand to his chin as he was in thought. 'Hmm, alright, so...I'll practice The Raindrop Sword for another hour, then I'll use the last of my Qi and enhance my sword again.' He got up off of his bed and began to practice some more. An hour quickly passed by. When he finished, he leaned his sword against the end table again and then laid down on his bed.

As he lay there, he was thinking about his Qi Enhancement ability. 'Hmm, I wonder. If I use some of my health for the ability, will it improve my Qi capacity? Last time I did it, I accidentally used my health and my Qi increased to a total of eleven...Guess it's worth a shot...I have three Qi now, so If I use ten I shouldn't die from it.' He reached over and grabbed his sword. Focusing on it, he brought up the Qi Enhancement window.

Qi Enhancement:

How much Qi would you like to infuse?

Maximum amount: 11

Qi Enhancement Effects:

+ 1 Attack = 10 Qi

+1 Durability = 10 Qi

+1 Defense = 10 Qi

Bracing himself, he said, “+1 Attack.” As soon as the words left his mouth a blue mist seeped forth from his body and enveloped the sword. Shortly after, it appeared as if the sword devoured the blue mist. 'Here it comes, it should be dela-' Cutting him off was a pain that was more intense than the previous time it occurred. “Ugh!!” He groaned in agony as the pain assaulted him for a whole minute. When it finally passed, he was panting and covered in sweat. “Holy crap!...That hurt...a lot.” He uttered in between breaths. Right at this moment two chimes rang out alongside a couple of status windows popping into existence.

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Endurance (+1 END)

*Ting*

You have gained 1 Constitution (+1 CON)

He let out a sardonic laugh as he viewed the messages. 'You got to be kidding me...So to increase my endurance I need to endure pain...That's rather obvious...But do I have to endure “that” kind of pain in order to do so? Or can it be a little less pain? Because the pain I just felt was as if the very fiber of my being was being torn apart...Holy crap that hurt...' He sighed as he continued to think. 'Constitution huh? At least my health increased...Ugh, I still feel sore...It's like it's lingering...Open Status Window.' Heeding his mental command, his status window appeared.

Name: Alexander HartlowAge: 12Level: 0XP: 20/100Health: 3/20Qi: 0/11Energy: 16/150Satiety: 75/100Titles:

NoneStats:

Distributable Points: 0Constitution: 2Intelligence: 9Vitality: 1Wisdom: 8Stamina: 6Endurance: 2Strength: 6Charisma: 9Agility: 4Dexterity: 4Willpower: 7Bloodlust: 2Luck: 50?????????????????????Attack: 1Defense: 0Element Resistance: NoneAdditional Information:Race: HumanGender: MaleElement Affinity: All ElementsAlignment: NeutralAllegiance: Undeclared

After he viewed his status, he couldn't help but have a brilliant smile creep onto his face. 'It's only been a handful of days since all of my stats were at one...Not bad...I have a total of twenty health now...So one constitution translates to ten health?...Okay...' As he lay there in deep thought, he let out a confused grunt, “Huh.” With a scrunched up face, he thought, 'Why hasn't my stamina increased anymore? I've been constantly using energy...'

Sighing mentally, he continued. 'Perhaps it just needs a lot more use, to increase it...' He let out a long deep breath. “There's just so many things I don't know about this blessing thing.” He rolled over to his side and covered up with his bed's blanket. 'Time to sleep. I'll go back to training when I wake up...Next week, dad will start teaching me about medicine...I can't wait...' He closed his eyes and fell asleep within minutes.

** ** ** **

The following six days passed by extremely quickly. Alex had a rather simple routine. Each day he would wake up at about eight o'clock in the morning. He would then spend all of his Qi on enhancing his sword, go downstairs to eat breakfast and then return to his room. Once there, he would practice The Raindrop Sword Style for a total of four hours and then eat lunch.

Afterwards, he would return to his room and practice the sword style for another four hours. Then when he would get low on energy, he would meditate for about four hours on his bed. Once he was done meditating, it would usually be late at night and thus, he would practice The Raindrop Ward for about one hour to completely deplete his energy. Then he would sleep until morning and repeat this routine.

On the night of the sixth day, Alex lay in bed after having completed his daily routine. He had a very satisfied grin on his face as he rested his head on his crossed arms. He was currently going over the fruits of his labor for all of his stats, skills and abilities.

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 2 [4/15xp] 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

*Ting*

Name: Alexander HartlowAge: 12Level: 0XP: 20/100Health: 20/20Qi: 0/18Energy: 2/170Satiety: 68/100Titles:

NoneStats:

Distributable Points: 0Constitution: 2Intelligence: 10Vitality: 1Wisdom: 8Stamina: 8Endurance: 2Strength: 6Charisma: 9Agility: 5Dexterity: 6Willpower: 7Bloodlust: 2Luck: 50?????????????????????Attack: 1Defense: 0Element Resistance: NoneAdditional Information:Race: HumanGender: MaleElement Affinity: All ElementsAlignment: NeutralAllegiance: Undeclared

After he finished reading everything, he couldn't help but to chuckle. “Amazing.” He uttered. 'When my Qi Enhancement reached level five, it gave me an increase of five Qi. Besides that, from using so much Qi, my maximum amount also increased by a total of two...I can't believe I actually have eighteen Qi now...'

He dismissed his ability window as he continued to think about his results. 'It's great to know that when I increase the level of my Raindrop Sword Style, it grants me dexterity. I gained two from that...Then for the Raindrop Ward, I gained one agility from leveling it up...My meditation leveled up once and it granted me one intelligence as it did so...Just amazing...'

As he thought to there, he rolled over to his side and dismissed the rest of the status windows. 'I wonder, since I gained five Qi when I reached level five Qi Enhancement...Does that mean at level ten I'll get ten Qi? Or will be five again?...Hmm, will I even get anything?...I can't wait to find out!...I finally gained more stamina too...That must have been from using so much energy these past days...' As he lay on his side, he softly said, “I can't wait for tomorrow...Dad is finally going to teach me about medicine...” Shortly after he spoke that sentence, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

** ** ** **

Monday morning quickly arrived. Sitting up in his bed, Alex yawned. “Alright! Today is the day!” A light of enthusiasm was in his eyes as he got out of bed to put some clothes on. After he did so, he headed downstairs. When he reached the kitchen, he found his mother making breakfast and his father waiting at the kitchen table.

“Morning dad, morning mom.” He greeted them both as he took his seat at the table. Giving his father an eager look, Alex asked, “Dad, how are you feeling today? Does your wound feel any better?” Kaesan glanced at his son and reassuringly said, “Haha, don't worry Alex. Today, I'll start to teach you about medicine.”

Alex's eyes were filled with a deep yearning. He slightly chuckled as he responded, “Dad, I really look forward to learning from you. But I also want to make sure you're okay. If you don't feel well, I can wait.” Kaesan shook his head. “No, I'm alright now. I feel much better than I did last week. After breakfast, we'll head to the shop and clean it up a little. Then after that I'll start teaching you the basics.” Alex was brimming with anticipation. “I can't wait dad!” After their conversation, they ate breakfast and then headed towards their family medicinal shop.

** ** ** **

Kaesan and Alex were drawing near to the shop. As they did so, they were able to see the shabby condition it was in. The corner of the shop that had been destroyed, still lay in rubble. Outside of the wreckage stood two men with swords on their hips. When Alex and his father reached the shop, they moved towards the area where these two men were standing.

Noticing someone approaching them, the two men put their hands onto the hilt of their blades and called out, “Halt! This area is restricted by orders of the Earthly Sword Sect!” Alex and Kaesan stopped in their tracks. With a smile on his face, Kaesan responded, “This is my shop. My name is Kaesan Hartlow.” When they heard his name, both of the men visibly relaxed and withdrew their hands from their swords. “Kaesan? Haha, I'm glad to see you're alright. Lady Nahla will be happy to hear the news.”

Kaesan continued to smile as he spoke, “Did Nahla assign the two of you to guard my shop?” One of the men nodded as he responded. “Haha, indeed. She was worried there may be looters or thieves that wish to take advantage of the situation...After all, you do have a lot of medicinal herbs in there.” Kaesan's smile turned to a wry one as he sighed. “Yeah...I'll have to thank Nahla for this. My son and I are going to be going inside to clean up and start some repairs. I'll have to trouble the two of you for a while longer.”

Both of the men chuckled. One of them shook their head as they jubilantly replied, “Haha, it's no trouble whatsoever Kaesan. This beats the hell out of training with Lady Nahla...She tends to over do it.” As the man spoke the latter part, he shivered somewhat. Kaesan gave a light chuckle as he walked over to the shop's front door. “Well, we're gonna get to work now. Thanks again. If you see Nahla, could you tell her I said thanks?” The man nodded in acknowledgement. “Sure thing Kaesan.” Alex and Kaesan entered the shop.

They glanced around and both of them ended up sighing. “Ugh, this is one hell of a mess.” Kaesan muttered under his breath. Looking to his father, Alex tried to console him. “It's not that bad dad...It could be a lot worse.” Kaesan raised an eyebrow and simply shook his head. The interior of the shop was a mess. The counters were mostly all damaged or demolished. The right front corner of the shop was completely obliterated. The bodies were all removed but the blood stains remained. Mumbling, Kaesan said in a sarcastic tone, “Could be worse...huh.”

Alex couldn't help but give a small laugh as he watched his father's reaction. He moved inwards and started to pick up some of the debris. “Alright dad. I'll start cleaning up. Why don't you rest for a bit?” Kaesan wryly smiled. “Hah, nonsense. I'll help clean up too. After we're done, I'll start teaching you.” Father and son proceeded to clean up the large mess that was left in the shop.

Hours passed by. Before they knew it, evening was almost upon them. Kaesan let out a long breath as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Observing the results of their cleaning, he smiled. “Okay son. Let's stop here. It looks much better now then compared to before...Let's go in the back room. I'll start to teach you some things about medicine.” Alex had a beaming grin as he hurriedly nodded.

** ** ** **

Kaesan and Alex were seated at a table in the back room of their family's shop. Atop of the table, Kaesan had gathered all the things necessary to teach Alex about medicine. There were many herbs and a few books spread about. In the center of the table there was a mortar and pestle. Alex's eyes were sparkling as he looked at everything.

“First things first.” Kaesan pointed towars the mortar and pestle as he spoke. “That there is the fundamental tool of a physician. This is called a mortar and pestle. The mortar is this bowl shaped object, while the pestle is this heavy blunt-shaped stick thing here. Basically, you place an herb inside of the mortar and use the pestle to grind it up. You would grind the herbs into as fine a powder as you can. Then you could mix them with other herbs that have been ground up. Depending on the recipe, you could add other things. Afterwards, you could mix it with water or other liquids...” He paused to take a breath.

Looking at Azael before he continued, he nodded in satisfaction. “You have any questions?” Alex shook his head. “Nope. I get it so far. What else is there?” Kaesan had a warm smile on his face as he continued to speak. “So, physicians are far different from alchemists. We can't infuse our medicines with Qi during the creation process, like they can. But, a physicians skills although inferior are still lifesaving.” He grabbed a book on the table and pushed it towards Alex.

“This book here is called An Herbalist's Guide to Low Tier Herbs. It has the basics of herbalism. You'll need to read, understand and memorize everything in that book.” Alex widened his eyes and let out a shocked gasp. “Eh!? Everything? There's so much...” Chuckling, Kaesan replied, “That's right. Everything. It has all of the basic herbs in there as well as the fundamental recipes a physician should know. As well as a few other helpful things...In order for me to get to where I am today, I too had to learn everything that was within that book.”

Noticing his son's still overwhelmed look, he asked a question. “You remember that paste I had you make to stop my bleeding?” Alex rose his eyebrow as he gave a slight nod. “That's something this book will teach you. What you made was called the Blood Sealing Paste. As the name implies, it stops bleeding.”

When Alex heard that the former paste he made was actually taught in this book, he seemed to cheer up. “Okay dad. I was just a little surprised is all. This book is awfully thick.” Kaesan laughed. “Yeah, there's a lot. But, should you learn it all, you'll be able to take your first steps towards becoming a physician...And should you find yourself injured when in the wilderness, you'll be able to mend your own wounds with herbs that are easy to find. This is priceless knowledge. Since you wish to become a cultivator, I suggest you learn it all.” Alex softly smiled as he replied, “I know dad. I plan to learn everything you're willing to teach me.”

Kaesan had a proud smile on his face as he stood up. “Alright, how about we bring this stuff home so you can study there.” He walked over and patted Alex on the shoulder. After which he picked up the few books that were on the table. Alex followed suit by picking up the herbs. After he placed them in a satchel, he grabbed the mortar and pestle. “Alright dad. Sounds good.” Nodding, Kaesan said, “Lets go.” On their way out of the shop, they bid farewell to the two men from the Earthly Sword Sect. After which, they traveled home in rather good spirits.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **