THEOS

Chapter 23: Finding the Way

Chapter 23: Finding the Way

Luke sat in front of the podium and pretended to pay attention to the Heros movements. To any outside observers it would seem that he was wholly captivated by her Technique. When in fact, he was poring over his Status Screen.

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Tier: Mortal

Mana: 720

Rate: 15% per hour

Strength: 41 > 43

Agility: 44 > 46

Constitution: 43 > 45

Arcana: 32

Stat Points: 5

Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)

Charges: 7/10

Nine points in one day. Eleven if I include the two points I got for killing the rat a few hours ago. Theres definitely something going on there. I never got this many back at the Society. Ever.

I cant think of anything Im doing differently either. Hell if anything, Ive been taking it easier here than I did at the Society. Less spars, less pushups, less everything.

If its not me though, then what is it?

The only thing I can think of that changed, is my physical location. Is that it? Is there something different about the tomb thats helping me cultivate?

The manual said that as people exercised, their bodies would build themselves better than before, automatically processing the mana in the environment to do so. Is there just more mana here than at the Society? Is that what's making my progress faster? I guess that explains the extra points. I wonder if anyone else has noticed a change?

I could ask, but with the Seed, I have a few more options than the normal cultivator for tracking this sort of thing.

One, at least some of the mana I get from exercising seems to accumulate as Stat Points. So instead of my body putting it wherever automatically, I can choose where it goes. Two, with my sword, every time I kill something or someone, I absorb some of their mana. Which also manifests in the form of Stat Points.

Thats not even mentioning the fact that the Seed tells me my Stats. I know precisely how much stronger Im getting, and I can track my growth from day to day. Without the Seed, would anyone else even notice that they're getting stronger faster?

Or could it be an influence of the Paragons Path? I thought nothing changed except for how fast I recover mana on my Status, but what if it increased how good I am at taking in mana from the environment.

Mana itself is another mystery I need to solve. Eventually. The seed says I have seven-hundred and twenty of it. Still no idea what that actually means, or how much it really is. Its clearly not the same kind that accumulates as Stat Points.

Otherwise, it would take maybe a few days to completely max out my bloodline and attributes. All without ever lifting a finger.

He felt a headache forming as he tried to figure out how everything worked.

Does any of it really matter though? I mean, it does, but not right now. The only thing I have to worry about is learning the First Stance of the Sword, and then hightailing it off of this Island. Preferably before the status quo changes on me.

Escape and a stress-free life are so close too. I just need to learn three techniques, grab the mask, and figure out how this portal is supposed to work, and then Im home free.

I can start over somewhere, with a fresh face, and most importantly, without the stress of Nefkha and Arke ripping my soul open.

Alright, thats enough dreaming for the moment.

Stat Points. I have five of them burning a hole in my pocket, but spending them right now isnt the wisest choice. I will be weaker in the short term, sure, but I dont know which attribute is going to end up being the most important.

The way things are going, Im just as likely to need to be faster, as I am to be sturdier, as I am to be stronger. With the exception of Arcana which only seems to raise the amount of mana I have. Mana which I have no way of using. I should stop investing in it for the moment. At least until the situation becomes a little less threatening.

I didnt mind putting some of my free points into Arcana when I was at the Society and just working out, but dying because Im just a little weaker or a little slower is a real risk now. Especially when Im not just working out all the time.

His mind flashed back to the last trial, and how close he had come to death.

He opened his Status, and added a single Stat Point to his Arcana Stat.

Lets see what this does.

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Tier: Mortal

Mana: 764 / 765

Rate: 15% per hour

Strength: 43

Agility: 46

Constitution: 45

Arcana: 34

Stat Points: 4

Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)

Charges: 7/10

He shuddered in pleasure, as warmth flowed into every inch of his body. The flow of his mana became a little bit clearer, and he felt a slight pulsing sensation throughout his body as mana practically oozed out of every cell of his being and bolstered the existing flow of energy inside of him by a tiny amount.

Now this is interesting. He suddenly opened his eyes, and sheathed his sword. For the moment, losing interest in learning the First Stance of the Sword, and wanting to play around with his newly discovered mana.

Looking around him, he was happy to see that a crowd hadnt formed around him like it did with Arya.

Thats good. Looks like no one saw me. I have no clue how to explain any of this to anyone anyway.

Rolling his shoulder, he started making his way to his room. Doing his best to act as inconspicuous as he possibly could, but at the same time, finding it incredibly difficult to keep a smile off his face.

He felt great. He wasnt sure if it was a side effect of suddenly unlocking his mana, or because he had finally made some progress on the technique. Giving him hope of finally leaving. Or some combination of both. But he felt giddy, and light. Too giddy, and too light.

He wanted to skip, and dance, and sing.

Why do I feel soooooooooo good? This cant be normal. Just take it easy Luke. Get yourself to your room, and you can figure it out when you get there. He tried to talk himself into not acting strange.

He took a deep breath. Keeping his head down, and his footsteps steady.

Thats right Luke. Just one step at a time. One foot and then the other. Nothing funny going on around here. You just have to get to your room. Ignore that bubbly feeling in your stomach. Dont laugh out loud for no reason.

Dont draw attention to yourself. Come on Luke. You can do it!

Why am I talking to myself in the third person? Second person? Does it matter?

Go to your room Luke!

Hey. A girl whispered as she walked up beside him. Bumping her elbow into his gently. I saw your sword move. What did you figure out? Is there some kind of trick?

Luke stopped in his tracks, and looked at her. Raking his eyes callously across her figure. Starting at her toes, and working his way up her body.

Blue robes. Nice figure. Long black hair. Shes really pretty. And those are absolutely massi

Im Trixie. She frowned at him.

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Luke burst out laughing. Dropping to his knees as he laughed uncontrollably.

What the fuck is going on?