9 Three Weeks Later
A few weeks quickly went by as Aser delved into his Essence Cultivation. With his Intelligence of 14, above the average adult Unknown's of 10, Aser became increasingly proficient in his cultivation. He knew that he couldn't take any sort of break on his cultivation. Even though everyone regarded him as a genius, he knew that it wasn't enough to just be a genius, he needed to work hard to get stronger faster than others.
Furthermore, regardless if the administration had already guaranteed his scholarship and admittance to the First Son's Guild School, his peers would be the nobles and aristocratic children who had essentially grown up with a silver spoon. If he didn't work hard with his background, he wouldn't be able to stand out during his days in school, nor would he be able to be confident enough to face these prodigal sons during his education.
Along with his Essence Cultivation, Aser also spent a lot of his time reading up on the books Ashes had compiled. He decided to start with the General Knowledge on Beginning Essence Cultivation series of books, as he wanted to make sure to fill up any gaps he had in regards to Essence Cultivation, as well making sure he wouldn't deviate from the correct procedures. He also read a few books on the General Knowledge on Professions for advancement from Unknown Rank so that he could have an idea of where to put his attribute points as well as focus for his future. Even though he didn't have a good idea of what would be suitable for him, Aser was adamant on avoiding any gaps for the future.
Aser had also been taken out for shopping a few times by Sister Tully to get some clothes and living necessities for his future life in the Guild School dormitories. He had even taken the initiative to pay for it with the funds that the scholarship provided him by asking for a small advance of 5 Gold Notes out of his monthly 50 Gold Notes he would receive once he started school. Sasha from The Guild Administration had no issues fulfilling such a small request and so Aser spent a few days shopping around with Sister Tully, refusing to let her pay for him, and even helping her buy some supplies for the orphanage and small gifts for his brothers and sisters. He was the only one who had turned 7 this year, and the second youngest child was still 5 years old, and as such he treated himself like an elder brother, similar to how the older kids had treated him when he first came to the orphanage.
After an uneventful but enjoyable 3 weeks, Aser had already reached Unknown Level 4 in his Essence Cultivation and half way through reaching Level 5.
He had gotten to Level 1 on his first day, Level 2 on his third day and Level 3 on the 7th day. He finally reached Level 4 half way through his 15th day of cultivation, and his cultivation speed had also increased from 20 Essence per hour to 22 Essence per hour. Ashes had told him that this increase was largely due to his efforts in studying the books as well as learning to utilize his [Mind's Eye] Essence Cultivation technique better. Ashes had also clarified that [Mind's Eye] was both an Essence Cultivation technique as well as an Innate Skill, giving cause as to why he was regarded so highly by everyone. Most people only received an Essence Cultivation technique and some Passive affinity to some form of understanding in a specific field, rather than an Innate Skill as well as a Cultivation technique.
Sitting at the porch and looking out to the sinking sun on the horizon, Aser checked on his System Panel after 3 weeks of effort.
...
[Name: Aser Sholt]
[System Class: Mind's Eye - Ashes]
[Attributes:
Strength: 6
Constitution: 5
Dexterity: 6
Intelligence: 15*
Charisma: 6
Attribute Points: 4]*
[Age: 7]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: Unknown Level 4]*
Essence to Unknown Level 5: 660/1600*
Essence Cultivation Rate: 22 Essence per hour (Max 5 hours/day) *
Knowledge:
1. Southern Seas topography (10/50)
2. Shelfield Seas topography (12/25)
3. General History of the Enlightenment Era (2/100)
4. General Descriptions of Aquatic Beasts (1/30)
5. General Knowledge on Beginning Essence Cultivation (11*/20)
6. General Knowledge on Professions for advancement from Unknown Rank (3*/70)
Innate Skill:
1. Mind's Eye (S) (Rank 1): Your body has unlocked the mind's eye. Your inner eye allows you to sense the [Essence History] around your surroundings, changing it into knowledge. By actively using the skill, you are able to sense within a 5ft. area around you, as well as investigate other people and objects. [+5 Base Int]. Upgrade Conditions: Observe more people (1/50).
Passive Skill:
1. Starlight (S) (Rank 1): The starlight is your friend, you are blessed by the stars and have gained their trust. [+2 Int per rank]. Upgrade Conditions: Unknown.
[System Note: Tully Ruth Mind's Eye Observation complete.]
[System Note: Essence Cultivation Rate information added to System Panel.]
[System Note: New/Updated information will be marked with *]
...
Understanding his current progress, Aser looked up at the horizon to the orange sunset and the twinkling stars coming out. He felt himself falling into a daze as complicated thoughts flitted through his mind.
"Ashes, I'm going to miss being here. And my brothers and sisters. And Sister Tully. I sort of don't know if I want to leave or not."
[I can sense your emotions and sentiments Aser. But remember, you want to get stronger not only for yourself, but also for your brothers and sisters so that you can help them in the future. Just like how they swarmed and hugged you when you gave them their small presents, they will be able to depend on you if you grow stronger. And I can sense your feelings of affection towards your home, so it's likely you will try to take care of them in the future anyway.]
Listening to Ashes's remark, Aser fell silent again, numerous thoughts swirling in his mind. He had always felt lonely, as if he didn't belong in this land. Granted, that was evidence from his biological characteristics that vastly differentiated him from the other people in this region. Aser thought back to his earliest memories of himself. He remembered waking up feeling tired and miserable, sleeping on a soft straw bed covered by a thin blanket. He remembered getting up and feeling confused about his surroundings, scared about not hearing those familiar voices. He remembered seeing the door to the room open and Sister Tully, at that time a stranger, walking in with a wet towel. He remembered her being surprised about him waking up, and remembered that he was in a fever and coma for a week.
He grew close to Sister Tully at that time while she nursed him back to health, and he remembered asking her about Mama and Papa. He could only remember his name, Aser Sholt, remembered hearing those loving voices calling out to him with that name. Sister Tully told him at that time that his parents must be worried and looking for him and they will soon come get him. But weeks went by, and then months as Aser eventually moved into the orphanage from the clinic. He remembered later hearing about how Sister Tully and her father tried to ask anyone they knew about a wrecked ship or people matching Aser's description, and even putting out a notice to The Guild.
Unfortunately, no one came to pick him up, and Aser eventually started forgetting his parents details as he grew up. He forgot their faces, then their voices, then finally their scent. Even till this day, he only remembers the warmth he felt as a child, similar to the current sunset he was watching. The feeling of the sun setting reminded him of his parents for some reason, and Aser would sometimes fall into silence whenever he saw it.
Snapping out of his reverie, Aser got up from the porch and stretched himself as he prepared to head in.
"I think I'll start the next book on Professions today!", Aser remarked to himself.
[I highly suggest you finish Book 12 of the Essence Cultivation series Aser, it is far more beneficial for you at the moment.]
"But it's so difficult. I can barely read a few pages after an hour or two. I'll finish it next time!"
[System Alert: Multiple books in the Library have stopped functioning.
Currently active books: General Knowledge on Beginning Essence Cultivation 12]
[System Note: Mission Module activated.]
[New Mission]
…
Objective: Finish reading Book 12 of the General Knowledge on Beginning Essence Cultivation series within 7 days.
Reward: Library function reactivation.
…
Looking at the sudden alerts and notifications, Aser became dumbfounded. "Really Ashes? Really?!"
[Congratulations on activating the Mission Module Aser! I believe you can finish this mission, good luck!]
Ashes's response just left him further speechless. Listening to her sarcastic voice, Aser twitched his eyes and rubbed his head as he walked in to the orphanage grumbling inwardly.
