40 Education (1/2)
Right now, Michael could be found sitting firmly on top a wooden chair, seated before the desk in his room.
Beside him laid several multicolored stacks of books, all covering different subjects. And of course, next to the pile was a small incubator. Lighting up each word printed on the aged paper.
He had been reading several ones back to back while at the same time listening to Jenkins's lecture going on from behind.
'The currency of this world consists of gold coins, silver coins, and bronze coins.'
'One [Gold Coin] is worth a ten [Silver Coins]'
'Meanwhile, one [Silver Coin] is worth one hundred [Copper Coins]'
While going through the information, a loud pitch made his mind crumbe.
”Are you listening to me, Boy?!”
The mellow voice always interrupted his train of thougt, spouting things he already knew.
”You see Michael, ones internal energy is...is like a bunch of spoons!”
”A 'solider' can use his limited amount of power to create a tea spoon, while a 'general' can summon a shovel!”
”However, if a soldier has a good enough essence understanding, or has proficient knowledge on a practiced battle art, he can easily generate the same amount of power as the last guy's shovel! Hell, mabye even more!”
”There is also those who work on their body instead of energy.... But energy has more overall use.”
”Also, while we are talking about forming things. I know your [spirit] is powerful enough to suppress the transformations your body goes through whenever you evolve, but don't ever walk outside with only that.”
”You only change your appearance, still leaving your aura with the same scent as a beast's. Remember that this room is sealed, while the rest of the academy is free ground. Don't want the owner of this place to catch onto us.”
”And with that, only ever go out after chewing on my shapeshifting pills! My alchemy skills are second rate, however, only and exalted should be able to see sniff you out.”
Even though Michael kept ignoring him, he found himself listening to some of it. Only choosing to do so if anything useful or new came up.
”So Michael, have you ever thought about what class to pursue?”
Hearing what Jenkins said made his eyes trail away of from the book and towards the elf. The man was finely dressed. Wearing a familiar pair of round glasses and a finely made tuxedo. He looked like some sort of fancy scholar.
”What did you say?”
Suprised by the answer he got, Jenkins continued to try and ask.
”What? Picking which path of power to walk, or more commonly referred to as a class?”
”I haven't really thought about that... Would you mind explaing it more in depth?”
”Fine. Then listen up!”
Jenkins brushed the golden hair away from his, preparing to properly instruct the boy sitting down.
”There are five classes I have handpicked for you to choose between, and one that will serve as a disguise depending on which ones you want to further study.”
.
”The first one is a Magic Warrior. They specialize in close combat and stat enhancing magic. Like that gold monkey you butchered back then. They also combine their magical attacks with martial arts. However, their techniques never really compare to other martial artists of the same level. But hey, they are pretty good at casting regular and high level spells. Sadly, in such cases, their martial arts prowers are proven to be even more meek.”
.
”The second one is a Martial Brawler. They specialize in close combat and body strenghtening. Focusing on delivering single, heavy strikes with each move made! These kinds of people study martial arts too, and usually heavy hitting ones or those leaning towards speed.”
.
”The third one is a Weapon Cultivator. As the name hints at, you increase your understanding and knowledge in fighting with a specific type of weapon. This is a little bit like studying your magic essence, but still not the same.”
.
”The fourth one would probably be a regular Mage, but with the twist of a Splicer. I thought that you maybe could try and fully understand every affinity you have and become a unpredictable spellcaster. However, this may be a little hard, as you lack a lot of information regarding the arcane arts.”
.
”Fifth one would be like a Abstruse Martial Artist. You just train with different types of really powerful 'Battle arts' 'Martial arts'. I can probably fill you more in on what they do, as this is pretty self explanatory.”
.
While he was talking, Jenkins suddenly looked at Michael with a shocked expression.
”NO WAIT YOU CAN'T PICK ONE!”
Looking at the traumatized elf, he felt a deep sense of urgency rise from within.
”What do you mean...?”
No reply was given. Looks like Jenkins was already inside his own world, talking to himself.
”No, wait, you can probably train in some, but it won't be very efficient...Hmmm. There are cultivation techniques for monsters. However, where am I supposed to get something like that....”
Feeling a little panicked, Michael screamed at the lost man. Trying to bring him back.
”JENKINS! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU MEAN!”
Snapping back to reality, he saw the shaken boy sitting beside the small tower of books.
”Oh, I spaced out. Sure, let papa Jenkins explain!”
”You see, those are techniques mainly for HUMANS! And you are currently a MAGICAL BEAST!”
Realisation dawned upon Michael, letting him fully understand what he had meant.
”What do I do then?”
Hearing him talk so timidly made Jenkins almost burst out laughing, but he helt it down and continued.
”Well, beside evolving, beasts would usually train and purify their bloodline, as it continuously gives astonishing results.”
”Explain please, these books only talk about energy and magic.”
”Yeah, yeah. So, let's say we have a..... Normal cat, close in size to a dog, ok?”
”Continue..”
”And let's say this feline has the bloodline of a 'Kabir Tyrant' Like the one you had after cutting down the forest!”
”Yes....”
”Well, the kitty could train and purify that bloodline by either constantly evolving, or train some sort of secret technique which purifies it, strenghtening and stimulating the strands found in it's blood!”
”And soo..?”
”It would not only significantly increase it's overall strenght, but allow it to gain more powerful evolutions as it grows.”
Michael starred at him as if he was only a few steps away from death.
”You there cow-boy?”
”C...Can I also do that?”
”Of course you can! Only...”
”Only.....?”
”There are so many bloodlines and genetic codes scrambling around inside those veins of yours! And worst of all, they are THIN. And if not that, then almost non existence!”
Defeated and nervous, Michael asked Jenkins once more for an answer.
”What should I do then...?”
”Well, for now, just evolve. I bet beating those cult members gave you a sweet amount of experience. Let's see if you have anything worth while.”
”If you say so..”
----------
[Level: 25/25] Max
[3/3 Evolution choices]
[Display engaged!]
.
[Ogre Lordsman: A smaller type of ogre which has a closer resemblance to hobgoblins, yet possesses almost features identical to a human. They stand out, however, due to the two horns growing from their forehead. Ogre Lords not only exceed regular ogres and trolls strenght wise, but are incredibly proficient in magic.]
.
[Essence Varan: A large lizard known to possess incredible magical powers. They can alter and control the environment they live in by emitting an unfathomable amount of energy radiation. These Varans have a strong affinity to the four elements.]
.
[Vargr Beastmaster: A humanoid black wolf famed for it's high intelligence and ruthlessness. It lives most of it's life in solitude, looking for new challenges every passing day. They are known to have a strength level similar to the ones found in elder trolls, and excel at learning martial arts.]
.
----------
”Yeah, like I said, you can train in all kinds of classes, but will never truly catch up to a true master. That is, unless, you find a beast who can proficiently learn them, like some of the ones here. Or some which are specially made.”
After he finished, Jenkins extended his hand outwards and summoned a familiar vial through a purple flash. The content inside was a mixture of some red and blue liquid.
”You may recognize this potion. It's the one we stole from Halrel. The reason I have brought it out is because I have been theorizing for a while now that if you drink it, all your current evolutions will fuse togheter.”
He eyed down the potion and threw it to Michael.
”I can probably brew some more, but only a single one for now. Leaving us with two left. The plan is for you to fully maximise on all your available evolutions. Until I come up with something else.”
Michael held the vial within his grasp, a little unsure, yet not hesitating much. He popped of the small lid and drank it.
The content entered his body, and he quickly reverted back to his Lesser Ogre Wight form.
After reaching his original height of two meters, the horns which usually sprouted out from the sides of his head shot out from his forehead.