Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I woke up naked next to Luna.

"Oh, sorry for waking you!" she said.

"I just need to hurry for work. Though don't worry, take your time. You can stay here as long as you want. Just use this spare key."

I stood up, put my hand behind her head, and gave her a kiss.

"Good morning," I said.

"He he, good morning, indeed."

"Can I stay here for today and just relax and do my training?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. We're a party, after all..."

"Ehm… Would you like to be my, I gues, girlfriend? I've never had one before."

"Didn't seem like that last night… - I mean! Yeah! I would love to."

"Well, thanks," I said and hugged her.

"You know, I've never felt this much love. I might just explode. Anyway, gotta run, see ya later!"

And now I had a rent-free place away from my parents a wealthy, smoking hot girlfriend. Life really was looking up for me.

"Wait, shouldn't I try to meet Maria?"

God gave me two hands for two girls, after all.

"Anyway, before anything," I dressed and geared up, "Piid, open."

Blink.

I was back in the white room.

Welcome back. [1st Dungeon] [Throwing Practise] [Swordfighting]

You know which one I was gonna get, but before that.

"Show, Profile."

Name: Jack Stardia:

Occupation: Adventurer

Level: 50

Skills: Piid, Flash, Light-Affinity, Increased Mana Capacity C, Increased Stamina Capacity C, Increased Strength C, Swordsmanship C

"Oh my god!"

That swordsmanship one was surprising. I had just counted on the stamina one, and potentially the strength one. But I guess those 40 k swings were for a reason. But had my levels really shot up like that from one round of special training? actually, yeah. That wasn't simply training, I deserve that progress after the torture.

Unlocked: Tip of the day

I heard the voice say.

Don't go into a dangerous dungeon without a back pack full of potions and food and water. That was, the ay, nope, that was, the tip of the day, yay!

That voice really was a polite person.

"I guess no to that idea about the dungeon. Then I guess, swordfighting."

I blinked.

And I was back in the forest with the sand ring. Inside the ring was a troll.

"What the fuck Piid! That thing can easily kill me!"

Luckily it wasn't reactive until after I stepped into the ring.

In its right hand it was holding a huge club. Actually, more like a tree.

I unsheathed my sword in reaction.

"Huh?"

I couldn't even see myself unsheating it, it was just ready in my, that's how fast it went. It reminded me of that time with the attendent.

"I guess, if you're moving at those speeds, conscioussness isn't possible and everything has to be muscle memory…"

This time before stepping into the ring, I stopped to make a plan. And of course, I couldn't think of one.

"He has longer reach than me and is bigger than me. I guess I have to copy that skeleton and get up close."

Example of my experience helping me in combat.

"But before that…"

I tossed my dagger at the troll, aiming for its heart.

"God I'm bad."

I hit it in the left shoulder, and with that, the troll started reacting to me.

I could feel the impact of its steps and hear it. And it made loud grunting noises.

I was intimidated.

I stepped back, but it took long strides to catch up to me. It was about twice as big as me.

"Flash!"

I blinded the troll and it covered its eyes with the hand holding the club, though it couldn't raise its left arm because of the dagger.

"There!"

After it recovered and I had distance, I started trying to slant the battle line so I was facing his left. But the troll was smart and slanted himself as well.

I pointed my finger at the troll again, pretending I was going to flash. It covered its eyes.

In that moment, I, what felt like flying, rushed to the troll's left arm.

The troll turned around and swung its club at me. I dodged it by going closer to his left leg.

But even though it couldn't raise its arm, it could still grab me, which it did.

It then started crushing me.

"AHHHHHH!!"

I used all my strength to resist the crushing, and tore its hand open.

I had dropped my sword when it grabbed me, and now I was pissed.

Instinctly, I jumped up and upper cut the troll.

"Boom!"

The punch had a lot of impact. The troll staggered behind. And my right hand was now broken because of my poor punching form.

I grabbed my sword with my left hand and jumped back.

In terms of speed, I had the clear advantage. But one good hit from it, and I was done. Though I still had strength to compete with.

"Flash!"

In the second it covered its eye, I leaped forwards like with the skeleton and did a frontal thurst. A perfect thrust.

"Ahhhh!!!!"

The troll screamed. I had pierced its stomach.

As soon as I hit, the troll in reaction punched at me in a panic.

I was off balance, so his fist hit me straight in the stomach and I flew 10 meters back.

"Huh?"

It hurt a lot, but I was still fine. No broken bones. Though my swords were stuck inside that troll.

It ran towards me and I ran towards it.

"AAAAHHHHH!"

We were both screaming.

It swung its fist at me (it had dropped its club.)

I jumped up and evaded it. While midair, I hit into the troll and grabbed my dagger's handle for support.

This had the effect of dragging the dagger down the troll's left arm and it started screaming.

I got my dagger out and jumped back before I could get hit.

"Flash!"

I again blinded it. This time, with about a 3 meters distance, I used all my strength and chugged my dagger at its face.

Boom!

The troll fell to the ground after my dagger pierced its skull.

Congratulations. You have defeated a C-Rank Monster.

I blinked.

"Oh shit, no, my swords!"

But nope, I looked down and they were hilted.

"Yo Piid, tell me this in advance, thanks."

In that moment, I wondered: "If I came with a backpack and harvested, say, grass or something from the forest instead of starting the battle immediately, could I do that?"

I looked down at my stomach.

"Mhmm…"

I direct strike, and gettting crushed, should have damaged me. But I guess that increase in strength and level makes me harder to kill.

"I've still got plenty of energy, but I wanna take a break first."

I went out of the apartment and locked it with the spare key. I then bought a dufffel bag and went back home to pack up my things. My mom was screaming at me when I said I was moving out. My father wasn't there. Not that I cared.

I didn't have much. Just some clothes.

I promised my mom I would visit once in a while and bring back money. She then remembered I had received a letter.

"Dear Jack, I was wondering if we could hang out tomorrow? I'll be at the park at noon."

And so I headed for the park. It was still 2 hours until noon, but I didn't mind waiting.

Then I remembered how the voice said to not go to the dungeon without supplies, but I didn't have enough money for that yet.

"You hear me, Piid? I don't have enough money. Can't you just give me some damn supplies and stuff to sell?"

No response.

I found that when I was bored time went by slowly, and when I came back from excitement time went by quickly, so I decided to head into Piid while I was waiting.

"Open, Piid."

Blink.

I was back in the white room. Since I was holding my duffel bag, that came with me too.

Don't go into a dangerous dungeon without a back pack full of potions and food and water. That was, the ay, nope, that was, the tip of the day, yay!

The voice was giving me the tip of the day again, as if to remind me.

The screen appeared in front of me.

[Throwing Practise (free daggers, here you go.)] [Swordfighting] [1st Dungeon] [Magic Expansion Specialized Training]

The first and the last really excited me. But that specialized training part I was wary of. I knew that Piid couldn't just directly give me skills, and that skills were a manifestation of experience, and that Piid could only facilitate this process rapidly. But still, I'd like an easy life.

"Yeah, voice and text, I'm taking it easy today. Lemme get those free daggers!"

I pressed the button.

Blink.

I was back in that place with the slimes slowly heading towards me. A desert. Really, before this room, I had never seen a desert environment before. I took a moment to just take in the nature surroundings.

Then I saw in front of me.

"Holy…"

There was around a hundred daggers same as the skeleton had.

"Don't mind if I do!"

I opened my duffel bag and stuffed it with as many as I could. Around seven. I also took off my teeshirt and tied it as a bag and put in 10 daggers as well.

"Now don't get too greedy."

I put the shirt and the duffel bag together. Then I started throwing the daggers at the slimes.

There was 13 transparant slimes headed slowly towards me. About 15 meters away.

I grabbed the handle of a dagger, then tossed it.

I missed.

It didn't even reach.

This time I grabbed another, but focused on swinging my entire body to gain momentum.

This one went flying like a bullet.

But it missed.

"Oh wait, I have other shirts!"

I paused focusing on the mission, and opened up my duffel bag. First I put on a teeshirt then, I took other teeshirts and made them into bags, and stuffed the daggers in. Though I had to be careful about the daggers piercing the shirts.

I got about 50 daggers all in all.

Then I kept throwing at the slimes.

I threw one again, keeping my eyes on the target at all times, and I hit it dead center.

"Yeah!"

Then I kept following this routine. Made small adjustments to my throws.

I tried imitating that movement I used when I smashed the dagger into the troll's face.

The last slime was about 10 meters away from me. I easily hit it.

Blink.

I was back on the bench, but this time packed with daggers.

I still had two hours so I went to the store to sell them.

Half a million relis. That's how much I got. It was insane.

I felt as if Piid was telling me, "now buy those damn supplies so you can go to the dungeon!" so I did that. I got a really big kit backpack. Also bought a bunch of normal quality stamina potions and health potions, which were very expensive, even the low quality once were at least 50-70 k relis. So I just wondered how much those high quality potions I downed by the hundreds cost.

I also finally bought a leather jacket. I was tired of walking around in my teeshirt, and I though this would offer some protection

I was sitting on the bench again and waited about half an hour.

"Yahello!" Maria said. "I'm really glad you came, not sure if you got my letter..."

"Oh yeah, don't worry about that."

"By the way, what are you doing with all that baggage?"

"Oh, this one is for adventuring. And this one is because I just moved out."

"Oh really! Yeah you mentioned you were living at home. So where you staying?"

"Close to the center. A friend is letting my crash."

Actually, I hadn't told her. But I was sure she wouldn't mind, being my girlfriend now.

"Oh, I'd really like to see."

"I'm not sure, I don't want to be rude to my friend."

"Oh yeah, that's right, sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it. Anyways, you wanted to hang out. What should we do?"

"I'm not sure, but, ehm, did you get stronger?" she said and touched my arms. Because I wasn't wearing my teeshirt she couldn't see my muscles directly.

"Oh, you know, just a little training."

"I'm not sure, you seem way bigger than before? I mean not bigger, but like heavier."

"Hey, if you keep touching me like that I'm gonna blush," I said.

"Oh! Sorry!"

"It's fine."

Blink.

I was in the white room again.

"What the…"

Sorry about that. It has to be a symbiotic relationship, but Piid's anger has been building up because of the two times you almost killed him by almost dying. That is, with the attendent and troll. And well, he kept yelling at me he wants to do a 'recalibration' because of how shit you've— I mean, the success to failure ratio you've been exhibiting. Anyways, good luck!

"What in the actual fuck! You can't just do this, hey! I'm not your slave!"

[EMERGENCY RECALIBRATION TRAINING!]

"Why do I have to press the button? I obviously have no power here. Wait, so you have to have me press the button or it won't start? And what did he mean by symbiotic relationship? And if I die you die? Hahahahahahahah! You bastard!"

The screen in front of me changed.

[CLICK THE FUCKING BUTTON: EMERGENCY RECALIBRATION TRAINING!] "Okay, I'll click, but first answer something that's been bothering me. Why have me go through all that pain? And why not just give me those expensive ass potions so I can get rich forever? Huh, then I could just buy magical items to stay safe if that's what worries you…"

[YOU NEED PAIN TO GROW. AND IF YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WANT, YOU WON'T GET STRONGER: EMERGENCY RECALIBRATION TRAINING!]

"Okay okay, sorry for being an ass. And thanks for answering. I hope we can have a good relationship."

I clicked the button.

Blink.

Good relationship my ass. I was naked in a sand circle in the forrest with a naked troll in front of me.

"What the hell is this! Where's my weapons!"

The troll didn't care about my feelings. It rushed me and swung its fist at me.

I jumped over it and landed to its left side.

"Holy shit this is fucking scary! Send me out!"

The troll the did a frontal kick at me and hit me square in the face and I flew into the sand.

"AAAHAHHHH!"

My face was bleeding. Everything hurt. Though nothing felt broken.

"I'll kill you!"

Then on the mission panel I read:

1st round.

You are stronger than it. Stop being a scaredy cat and punch it once if you don't believe me.

2nd round:

Defeat it!

I was angry as hell, so I did as he told.

I dodged the troll's second swing, took a step closer, and punched with all my might at the troll in the stomach.

Boom!

It fell to the ground and sand got everywhere.

It quickly got up and regained its stance.

"Oh shit! I really am strong. Is this what you meant by recalibration?"

Tsch.

I got annoyed at that, but realized what he was trying to say.

When the troll swung at me again, I sprinted behind it. From there I jumped and grabbed its neck. Then I used all my strength to squeeze and it popped.

Congratulations! You have defeated a C-Rank Monster!

I blinked.

But I was just back in the white room. Though I was fully clothed and had all my stuff. Didn't know Piid could undress me so easily. So he was choosing not to, like when I wore that training suit by will?

Hello hello, it's me! Now, since Piid did all that, there's come an amount of inequality in your symbiotic relationship, and it is really harming him biologically, if you get my gist. In other words, you need to demand something from Piid that is equal to what he did to you.

"Okay, ehm. I'm still confused. Are you the obsidian ball I ate?"

No response.

"Eh? Well, what should I demand…"

I started thinking. I decided I wouldn't ask for something to piss him off.

"I request a friendship. That we from now on treat each others as equals and look out for each other."

Request granted.

Then I saw a text screen appear before me.

I will keep making you stronger forever. In exchange, protect me forever. [Yes] [No]

I pressed yes.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I had a weird sensation around my heart. Like something warm wrapping around it. Then solidifying. And my entire body, even parts if it I had never felt before, felt like they were shocked all at once and now changed a little.

You've just made a deal with a devil, hehe!

"What!"

I mean, the word 'devil' you humans use is very vague, but it's the only word close enough to catch our meaning. You know, Piid was screaming at me while you were eating him because of what a talentless brat I choose, though it just pained me that Piid would go to some spoiled noble who never had a shitty day in his life, but I knew it! Those negative emotions I sensed in you! I knew you were the best pick, plus you really gained my sympathy, man, with all your talk about the unfairness and— UPPPS! I keep running my mouth. Though you'll learn everything eventually anyways. I mean Piid was already living in your heart but now you just binded your soul for all of eternity— I mean, oh shit, Piid is telling me to shut the hell up. Anyways, bai bai!

Blink.

"Hey, what's wrong? You spaced out for a bit..."

"Oh, sorry about that. For how long?"

"About two seconds. Was really weird."

So two seconds? which meant time didn't stand still when I was in Piid. But I was still physically present?

"Oh my god! You're bleeding!"

I checked my face, and my nose was bleeding. So I was physically in Piid then.

I went on a date with Maria, but I was really distracted throughout and couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. But one question kept nagging me: If Piid could do all those amazing things, then why not just make himself stronger to 'protect' himself?

And the fact that they were 'devils'? Also, I knew Piid now better, but who the hell is that other guy? I got the feeling that he was Piid's senior or something.

The only vague theory I could make from all I had learned was this: Devils didn't have 'souls' or body's. That is, something to train. So though Piid, whatever he was, had the ability to train a body, he didn't have one. So maybe he was some kind of parasite? No wait, the voice said something about symbiosis.

I have no idea to be honest.

But so the obsidian ball I ate was the devil Piid?

We're more like virus since we have a consciousness but not a 'soul'. That's the reason he's not just making himself stronger instead of you, because he has nothing to make stronger. Did I already tell you this? And— Yeah yeah! I'll shut the hell up now! Geez. Okay, Piid just made me promise to never talk to you again without his permission.

So they could even tell my thoughts? What the hell! Wait, is that voice living inside me too?

No response.

"Hey Piid, if some important information ever comes up, notifty me immedaitely, okay?"

No response.

I guess they were done for the day. I was exhausted anyways too.

Then I got a scary thought: Devils are evil, right? So since I've promised to protect him forever, what if he does something bad, like murder children?

Who knows. And then again, even if he did something like that, of course it would be horrible, but I should be grateful for everything he's done for me. No, screw that. No murdering children, you hear me!

No response.

"Ughhh…"

I was totally done for the day, and it was night now. I just shut off my brain and headed over to Luna's.

"Hello, I'm back," I said as I entered the door. There was Luna in the kitchen making food.

"Oh! Jack! What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I just wanted to crash at my girlfriend's place, is that fine?"

"Oh,o-ofcourse, it's fine. I was just surprised. It's all."

I went over to her and hugged her and kissed her. She blushed. Then I crashed on the bed and fell asleep.

Chapter 5

I woke up late so Luna had already gone to work.

I ate the rice balls she made for me for breakfast.

"Magic, huh?"

If I was going to go into my long awaited first dungeon, then I should get that magic training out of the way. But first I wanted more knowledge.

"Hello, Emma."

"Oh, long time no see Jack! Where have you been, you never came back to visit!"

"Oh, you know, was busy."

"Busy lifting weights," she said and got up and started touching my biceps. I was wearing my leather jacket and had my weapons attached.

"Haha. Anyways, can you tell me about how to learn new spells, or expand my current spells?"

"Yeah sure, but only if you tell me that thing about mana first…"

"Okay, sure!"

We sat down at a sofa area.

"So this is the technique, never tell anyone who told you. The requirements is a lot of high quality mana potions, those that completely replinish your mana in one go."

"What? Just one high quality mana potion costs a million relis…"

Holy shit. And I was downing those like crazy.

"And, you need to already know at least how to use one spell. Then you keep using that one spell a thousand times, or some insane number, while continously drinking mana potions to replinish. And you need to do this with no breaks. Until your body feels like it's burning and you can sense your mana cores."

"Hhmmmmm… interesting. I had once thought about this, but didn't really give it much thought. I've never heard of anyone doing it though… Did you try it out?"

"Hey, secrecy. But…"

I got closer to her and she got closer. She smelled amazing. And I was staring deep into her eyes.

"I did it. I ended up gaining the two skills, or rather, manifestations, of Increased Mana Capacity C, and Light-Affinity, which reduces my mana cost when using light based spells."

"Oh my! Okay, now I'm for sure telling you what you want."

"So what you're looking for is light based spells?"

"Yeah."

"Well, unless you have the extremely rare skill "Create Magic" you can only use magic spells you have as skills. However, you can for example use your skill in difference ways to achieve different effects."

"What do you mean?"

"For example, what skill do you have?"

"I have Flash."

"Mhmm… So Flash just emits a bright ray that flashes. But, have you done any experimenting. For example how long you can emit, the intensity. Controlling the mana you pour in it. Can you emit from two fingers at the same time? Can you emit while wearing gloves? All these things. Of course, you can't achieve effects not listed in your skill description. What's your skill description?"

"Just: Emit a blinding light."

"You see! That description is vague. You can probably do more stuff with it if you get creative."

"Huh… I see. I hadn't even thought of that before. God I'm dumb."

Piid would probably love this girl for giving me a perspective change and making me stronger.

We stayed and chatted a bit more.

"Well, I gotta go."

"Huh, already? when'll you be back?"

"I dunno. Maybe never."

"Jack! Don't be so mean. Also, when will you tell me more about Piid?"

"Maybe when we are old and on our death bed surrounded by our great grandchildren."

"Jeez! Okay, keep it to yourself then. Bye!" she said as she was blushing.

After going to the food stall to get some expensive chicken for 8000 relis, I was now back in the apartment.

"Piid, open."

Blink.

I was back in the white room. Maybe this entire Piid time lasted that one first and last blink.

Welcome back, Jack. You can choose between [Specialized Magical Expansion Training] [1st Dungeon] [Request Training] [Exit]

Well that was new.

"Thank you for all these options, Piid. But first, show profile."

Name: Jack Stardia:

Occupation: Adventurer

Level: 53

Skills: Piid, Flash, Light-Affinity, Increased Mana Capacity C, Increased Stamina Capacity C, Increased Strength C, Swordsmanship C

I had gone up in levels from all of the fighting.

Also, I hadn't fought my shadow for a while, and that usually always helped me improve, though it sure was painful. But it's good to know I can now "Request Training". Though I'm not requesting that.

"Back to menu, please."

I then picked the magical training.

Blink.

White room. The same place as when I increased my mana capacity.

1st round:

Put on the Mana Core Stimulator Suit

In front of me on the wooden table (Piid must really like this table) was this training suit that looked similar to the white suite, but was thinner. And that white box was there again. I checked it and inside was one blue mana potion. When I withdrew the potion, and closed and opened the box, another potion was there. Though I decided I wouldn't farm it like the daggers, just to not piss Piid off. Even though I really wanted to, not that money was a worry anymore. Plus Piid didn't want me in expensive equipment because it would stunt my growth so it was fine.

I put on the suit. I didn't want to, after previous experience, but I decided to trust Piid this time.

Activating Mana Core Stimulator Suit

There was that talkative voice that was not so talkative today. I was wondering if everything it says, like activating, or unlocked, or congratulations you defeated, etc, was even necessary or a part of Piid's instructions? maybe he was just doing it for fun. I started feeling heat. But not bodily heat, but heat from my mana cores. As if they were contracting and relaxing. I did one Flash, and I could actually feel the amount of mana that went out of my cores, and which cores were used for draining. I was in tune with my body, it felt.

1st round:

Start freestyling, like Emma said.

"Huh? So you were watching? Stop living vicariously through me, pervert. Were you watching as I was with Luna too?"

No response.

Oh well.

When I did the Flash with the suit on, I got this weird feeling of knowing how to activate it with my mana. So I tried again reproducing this feeling, and I managed to create Flash again but without saying the spell name.

"Huh? You see that Piid! I'm a genius!"

No response.

I then started experimenting with how much mana I put into the spell, and as expected, the more mana, the brighter the intensity of the light, but no change in duration.

I was also using the mana cores in my upper body mostly, so I tried to use the ones in my lower body, but the distance to travel from there to my right fingertip was too long and I felt a lot of mana getting lost on the way.

Even when creating the spell, I felt a lot of mana being lost using my upper body. As if I was channeling ineffectivly. And this was even while I had the skill Light-Affinity so I wondered how much mana I was losing before that skill.

I was feeling a little drained after some uses, so I chugged a potion.

"Wow!"

I could feel my mana cores getting replinshed. It flowed from my stomach to my blood stream into the cores. I then wondered how the cores would look like if I dissected myself, not that I even knew if they were physical things or spiritual. Probably a mixture, right?

No response.

I then focused on creating the spell in different fingertips and I managed to do so in each finger one at a time.

"Could I do it with my toes or entire body parts?"

I then took off my right shoe while still wearing the sock, but it was really hard channeling the mana. As if my feet could only be used for brute force spells, and I had to use my fingertips for finer spells.

I then tried to make my entire right hand Flash, but couldn't do that. But I managed to do two fingers at once. And after a lot of trial and error and potions, I managed to light up all five fingers on my right hand. I then tried to do my right and left hand's fingers all at once, but that was too hard. My concentration was too low for that. I felt like I had to consciously flow the mana, whereas when just saying the spell name everything happened automatically.

I drank another potion, and decided to go back to using only one finger, but this time trying to affect the duration of the flash.

But before I could move on…

"Aw it hurts!"

My eyes really hurt. From all the flashing.

2nd round:

Drink the new potion

I saw pop up in my mission screen. I opened the white box and there again was a yellow potion like the one from the training. I drank that and immediately felt normal again.

3rd round:

Keep freestyling

"Thanks, Piid!"

I went back to focusing on increasing the duration.

Whenever I just put in more mana, it just increased the intensity.

After more trial and error and mana potions, I made a huge discovery.

Within the flow of mana, there were actual mechanisms in my mana 'veins'. One mechanism, the one I had been using, was for intensity. But there was another, way smaller and more complex mechanism, for sustaining mana effects. These mechanisms were only at the tip of my fingers and nowhere inside, but I figured that I could actually create more. I had this feeling that the more I used mana pathways, the stronger those pathways became and actually developed.

Sure to say, without that suit I would have made none of these discoveries and had no feeling in my body for mana.

The longest Flash I managed to create from my right pointing finger was for 20 seconds and then I was completely drained.

Sustaining the effect didn't take as much mana, only about a third of starting the effect. But it really drained my concentration. But I figured with training, I could make all this automatic and not even need concentration anymore, and probably last for as long as my mana permitted.

My eyes hurt again.

"Sorry, can I get another yellow potion?"

No response.

I opened the box and a yellow potion was there. I drank it and felt immediately better.

"Wait a minute…"

So the potion only appeared when I opened it, or else the potion should have been blue.

"Ahh…"

I felt completely drained. I still had plenty of mana, but my body was again really hot from the cores, and I had no concentration left.

Congratulations! You have completed Specialized Magical Expansion Training.

Blink.

I was back on the bed.

A lot of new things happened there. First off, the instructions Piid gave me were vague, and he actually respected when I was too tired to go on, as opposed to that previous torturous specialized training session. And this time I again appeared with my normal clothes even though I didn't take off the training suit and put on my other clothes.

Also another new thing: I could still sense the mana and mana cores and mana routes in my body, though not nearly as intensly as when wearing the suit. Maybe 1/10 of the feeling, but it was still there. It felt like when you first learned it, you could never forget it.

I did another quick small 5 second flash from my right fingertip without saying the spell name.

And it didn't even hurt my eyes as usual I noticed.

I quickly went back into Piid to check my profile.

Name: Jack Stardia:

Occupation: Adventurer

Level: 70

Skills: Piid, Flash, Light-Affinity, Increased Mana Capacity C, Increased Stamina Capacity C, Increased Strength C, Swordsmanship C,

New skill: Flash-Immunity: Intense light can no longer disrupt visual perception because of retinal and visual cortext adjustments.

New skill: Magical Sense C: Sense phenomenon of magical nature in and one meter around your body.

I then exited Piid.

"Well, holy shit!"

My levels had shot up just from one training session, and I got two whole new skills. I understood the magical sense, but I was uncertain about how I got the Flash-Immunity.

I guess that yellow potion wasn't just a normal recovery or healing potion, but literally changed the structure of your body. Maybe it was a kind of supercompensation potion, where it would heal every damage to the body and make the damaged spot stronger. And the flash did damage my retina and visual cortex, I guess.

"Thanks for making me stronger, Piid. I promise to protect you. And I guess I do that by keeping myself alive, and make it more likely to stay alive by getting stronger?"

No response.

"Oh shit!"

I forgot to give Maria my new addresse so now she had nowhere to send letters. That's why she wanted to know during the date.

I ran over to the park and hoped to meet her. When I was running I felt so light and fast. Though I kept almost running into things and people. My reaction time was still the same, I guess.

Aaand, she wasn't there. Only couples in the park. But I felt less lonely now looking at them since I had Luna.

I waited for a little longer but she didn't show up so I went back home.

"Hello, sweetie," Luna said as I entered.

"Oh, you're home early."

"Yeah, just got tired of work and took off."

"Wow, pretty adventurous. Say, should we go out and do something?"

"Oh, yeah. Like what?"

"Let's go for an adventure!"

I said and hugged her by the hips. She put her arms around my neck.

"Sounds fun!"

And kissed me.

After noon delight, we headed to the Odin Guild and checked out quests.

Luna was right next to me, shoulder to should while we were looking at the board.

"Huh?"

"What is it, Jack?"

"Say, which level are you?"

"74, why?"

"I got this new ability called magical sense. When you are close to me, I just vaguely noticed you had a lot of mana."

"Oh wow! That's a really rare skill!"

"Yeah, but I can only sense inside my own body and vaguely around one meter around me. But, say, if I touch you while you're using a spell, and I can feel how it works, could I replicate that spell?"

"Mhmm… I'm not sure. You need to have the spell in your skills and say the name."

"Really? I can activate my Flash spell without invoking it…"

"What?! I've never heard of that before."

"Can you feel the mana cores and paths in your body too?"

"Sweetie, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh yeah, anyway let's pick an easy adventure."

"Oh! What about this one!" she said and pointed to a quest.

"Slay some Giant Rabbit. Sounds fun."

"No, have you never heard about them before? they're delicious!"

"Okay, let's go for sure then!"

We were now on the outskirts of town, looking for the Giant Rabbit.

"So my mom was a healer too, and I inherited her skill Lift Curse, but when I use it I have to give my lifespan in exchange, so now I don't want to use it. I used to be fine with it, but…"

"You know, I don't have the lifespan of a human. So even though you're an elf, you need all your years so we can be together."

"Whaat! Really!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty much gonna live for all of eternity, according to the devils anyway."

"What? Devils?!"

I figured I'd tell her why not.

"I accidentally made a deal with a devil where I'd protect him for the rest of his life. Though I had no idea it was a devil. And I had no idea the implications of making a deal with a devil."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, right now he lives in my heart."

"What do you mean he lives in your heart? Aren't you worried he'll take over your body! I don't wanna lose you!"

"Oh, don't worry about that. He's quite powerful, but he can't have his own body which is why he needs me to protect him. We have a symbiotic relationship."

"And who told you that? the devil!"

"Well,now I just got quite worried. But should be fine. Hopefully. Yeah."

"Well, what's its name?"

"I'm not sure, really, but I call him or her, not even sure if devils have sexes, but I call it Piid. There's also another devil which seems to be Piid's friend, though that one is a silent type and I have no idea what to call it so I just call it voice."

"Wait, you made a deal with two devils?"

"Nope, only one. But the other one likes to hang around. Wait, not even sure I'm allowed to tell you this? meh, doesn't matter."

For some reason, out of nowhere, a realization hit me: When I drank that yellow potion because of my eyes, I had also fried my mana pathways and core. So maybe the new skill Magical Sense C came from those also recovering.

"RAAAARRRHHHHH!!"

I was hit by surprise. In my blind side the Giant Rabbit snuck behind and smashed into me.

I hit a nearby tree and was sure I broke bones the spot where it hit me on my body.

"Ahhhhh, fuck!"

That was so painful. This was the problem: I had the strength, but my senses and reaction time was abysmall.

"Healing shot!"

Luna fired from her dual pistols and hit me with a yellow ray of energy.

Because of my magical sense, I could feel that somehow the complex mechanism in that mana shot was going to the spots on my body that were damaged and the mana external mana materialized into tissue.

"Huh…"

"Jack! Watch out!"

I got caught up in feeling that magic that I didn't see the Giant Rabbit following through on its attack.

"Flash!"

I immediately casted the spell (I didn't have enough time to do it voicelessly) and jumped out of the way.

I could hear the Giant Rabbit crashing into the tree that was behind me and destroying it.

In the same instant, I reacted on battle instinct and sprinting towards it while unsheathing my sword.

When I swung against its head, it felt the exact same way as when I had the white suit on and I was training in pain.

I easily decapitated it.

"Jack! Are you fine!"

Luna came rushing over to me and hugged me.

"Yeah yeah, don't worry," I said and caressed her head and hair.

We had gotten back from the hunt. I carried the Giant Rabbit back to the guild, which impressed Luna since it was about half 400 kgs or something, and we had the guild cook it and we shared it with everyone at the guild.

"I gotta go now and do some research!"

"Okay, Sweeite! see you at home!"

I had to learn how to increase my reaction time and senses. I knew that maybe combat experience would improve it and if I got lucky while gaining experiences and levels I would get a skill that would help me with that, but I couldn't wait that long.

"Oh, hello Jack!"

"Hey Emma. Is there some way to gain skills to make my reaction time and senses better?"

"Whoa, jumping straight in huh. Well, lemme think..."

We sat down by the sofas as usual.

"Probably through training, though I wouldn't know what training. Or you could buy some items that have magical skills. For example I know of a pair of glasses that has Discerning Eyes, though it sold for about 500 million relis. I've also heard of magical items you can eat that give you skills, but I've never seen one. And if they existed would be very very expensive."

As she said that, I thought: They do exist, I ate one.

"Can you use magic to increase your perception?"

"Huh? magic? Don't think so. Magic is only for spells, not sure you can use it for something like that."

When she said that, I started thinking: That skill Increased Strength C, did it work by channeling mana into my muscles constantly and increasing my strength, or was it a manifestation of the bodily changes I went through, since there was no rule saying skills were all magical. And then again, where do you draw the line between magic, material, and soul? I had no ideas.

"Today when I got a healing shot, I felt like complex mana was materializing into tissues on my wounded spots."

"Huh? Wait, what? Mhmmm… Honestly, I'm out of my subject matter here. Sorry I couldn't be of help…"

"No! You were! I had no ideas about the magical items that have skills and can give you skills."

"Oh, okay, thanks. Please come by if you need help with anything else."

"Yes, of course. Thank you so much," I said.

While running out to get back, I said, "Love you, appreciate your help!"

Behind me I could see her blushing.

When I made it back home, while on the bed in front of Luna, I said:

"Piid, open."

I was back in the white room. I ignored the pop up screen for now.

"Hey Piid, how come you don't just give me items that give me skills? or magical items with skils?"

No response.

"How about just creating gold and giving it to me, or a lot of potions so I can sell them and then buy magical items? And how about giving me better equipment?"

No response.

Hello hello! Long time no see, Piid finally allowed me to talk, but only to explain. First off, Piid can't create magical items that have skills or magical items that give you skills. In terms of just generating gold or countles potions: firstly, he doesn't want you to gather attention get lazy etc etc pain is needed to grow etc. Secondly, he didn't allow me to say this but I will as his friend since you're getting greedy…

First time I heard him be serious.

… generating complex items like that, and materializing them into the outside world, is especially painful for him. When you were complaining about a little soreness during the strength training, he was in agony creating those extremely complex Yellow Potions.

Those words struck me right in the gutt. I had no idea…

Anyway, back on topic. As said, Piid can't directly make you stronger, but he can create environments for you to rapidly grow in. He could probably do some more extreme stuff to you, like that strength training times ten, but he says that though he can heal your body as much as he wants, he cannot heal your soul. And if your body changes too much too rapidly, your soul will be permanently damaged. Since your 'body' is basically the 'shape' of your soul, and other technical stuff you wouldn't understand. Anyways, though he doesn't want to say it, Piid is really tired and drained today from generating those potions you chugged, and that suit you used, so please leave.

"I understand, I'm sorry. I had no idea I was putting him through this pain. Can you tell me how I can act differently in the future to not hurt him?"

He's telling me to shut up, but screw it. Firstly, though I say he, we devils have no gender, though just using he is easier and more neutral than she. Secondly: Since he is just teleporting you and not materializing you, you moving in and out of Piid is easy for him. And it's kind of easy for him to generate environments, or what we call, Dungeons, and teleporting monsters in to those environments.

Huh, so those were real monsters I was fighting.

Of course they were. Destroying another soul's body lets you steal and absorb their soul energy and 'level up'. Anyways, take as few items outside Piid as possible, since this is especially painful for him. And though it can't be avoided, please don't have him generating too many complex things at once. The easiest for him would be to use a previously created dungeon, and to just teleport you and monsters in.

Oh, so that's why I kept going back to the same rooms.

Ehem, dungeons… I've said too much and Piid is pissd at me because he thinks this will slow your growth. Please leave. Ehem—

He changed his tone to the usual upbeat voice.

And have a nice day!

"I will leave now. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. Piid, thank you for all the pain you endure for me."

I said this and looked down on the screen and ignored all the misions and pressed exit.

Blink.

"Jack?"

"oh, hey Luna"

"It felt like you just went away for a very short time."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, blink and back. I dunno. It felt weird."

So I technically was always teleported but so quickly, and because time moved slower in Piid, that it isn't noticeable to the outside world.

Chapter 6

Can I use mana to improve my reaction speed?

When I sense my mana paths in my body, there are none that go to my brain. All of the paths go from the mana cores to either other mana cores or to my hands and feet.

Using this fact, I could also exclude mana being used to give me the Increased Strength C skill since I didn't feel any paths going to my major muscle groups.

"How do I create new paths?"

There was also the chance that I already had paths over my entire body, but my magical sense skill was too low level.

Though when I wore the mana suit I didn't feel that, though I wasn''t focusing on it.

"Maybe I can just create mana paths?"

For example, I wasn't sure if I discovered that mana path mechanism for maintaining spells, or if I created it.

"If I want to improve in the magical area then I need that suit. The voice said it was painful for Piid to create complex things, but since Piid has already created that suit it just needs to teleport it so that's fine."

Suddenly, a text screen popped up in front of me.

"Huh?"

Devil King just declared a free-for-all on me. If any devil within a five meter radius and the same altitude smells you they will attack immediately and do their utmost to rip your heart out.

"Whaaat!"

"What is it, Jack?" Luna who was next to me ask.

"You can't see this screen!"

"Eh, no?"

"Wait, Piid! What about Luna or anyone important to me, are they in danger?"

Another text screen superimposed on the previous one.

Nope.

"What the hell do you mean no! Why nope?"

If a devil as much as touches Luna, or any normal being for that sake, then it will shatter into nothingness for breaching numerous 'contracts' from which it exists.

"What is normal being? Luna is an elf, does she fit that description?"

Another text box superimposed.

If she has a soul and hasn't made a disadvantagous soul contract, she's fine.

"Of course she hasn't! Wait! Are you saying I made a disadvantagous soul contract with you?"

No response.

"What was all that?" Luna looked at me shocked.

"Every devil is trying to kill me. You are safe since if they even so as much touches you they will die immediately. Sorry, I gotta go for a bit."

"Wait!" Luna clung to me while I was packing all my gear and the big backpack.

"I'll be back in a bit! Open, Piid."

Blink.

I was in the white room.

Welcome back. Choose between [1st Dungeon] [Swordfighting] [Specialized Mana Training Session 2] [Exit] [Request]

"Huh? Acting like everything's normal."

No response.

Notification: Tip of the day!

You will be teleported into one of Piid's first dungeons he made back when he was still in his nappies. Technically it is 'inside' Piid, but not here, but still kind of here. Devils are weird. Oh, here's the tip: Run and you die. That was, the ay, nope, that was, the tip of the day, yay!

"What the hell..."

I pressed the button for dungeon.

Blink.

I was in a blue-pink cave. Behind me there was an entrance way that was completely sealed in boulders. It looked like someone had blocked the entrance a long time ago. In front of me was a huge metal door with weird inscriptions. It looked ancient.

I went up to touch the door, hoping it would open, but nothing happened.

"Open? I wish to enter this dungeon? Please? Oh: Open, Piid."

When I said that, I could see and sense mana flowing into the intricate patterns on the door and it opened up.

I was met with a beautiful mix between jungle and forest. Inside the door was a blue sky and greenery for days.

After walking in for a few minutes, I kept seeing fruit trees and ate them. I also saw some fruits I had never tried before and at those as well. They were delicious. I decided to save the seeds from these ancient trees.

"So, where are the enemies? Oh wait, lemme test something: Open, Piid."Nothing happened.

"Not sure why I can't exit. Should be easy for Piid to teleport me, right?"

No response.

I was attacked just after saying that. This time I finally managed to react in time.

I was surrounded by a group of big, brown wolves. And one of them, the alpha probably, leaped for me.

With reflexes and using my training, I in the blink of an eye unsheathed my sword and cut the wolf's head off.

The other wolves took a step back after this.

"Wait, so did I now 'absorb' his soul energy?" I had a hard time 'feeling' my level or any change in my body after killing a monster, but that was just because I had no sense of my 'soul'. The voice did say that the body is the outline of the soul, but I honestly had no idea what that meant.

And while I was thinking this, all the other wolves decided to rush me at once.

I jumped about 5 meters into the air and clung to a tree and then climbed on top of it.

The wolves surrounded the base of the tree and barked at me.

"Okay, let's go then!"

I threw my dagger at one of them and hit it square in the face. And I also threw my sword at one of them and it hit it in the shoulder.

I then jumped down and landed on the one whom my sword was stuck in, and withdrew it and finished off the wolf.

There were now two wolves left and they fled.

"Huh…"

It seemed like a waste to not do anything with these wolf bodies. At least I got the experience and soul energy from it.

I kept venturing farther into the forest.

I did some practise with my Flash. I didn't use that much mana, but I figured out that if I only did Flash voicelessly and focused on effectivising the mana paths (for example, not using any lower body mana cores which would have to transfer their mana to the upper body cores and lose a lot of energy on the way) I estimated that, with my level increase which also increased the amount of mana my cores had for some reason, I could do about 60 Flash.

While walking, I came upon a cavesystem. I thought maybe I'd get something out of it, but I deccided against going since it seemed scary. I could have probably used Flash on very low brightness and locked it in place for a few hours.

I did indeed decide against it, but then just five minutes later, I came across a big black lion which almost made me poop my pants. Just as it turned around and made eye contact with me, I ran and jumped with all my might and hid inside the cavesystem. I wasn't even sure if it was chasing me but that didn't matter I was terrified.

"Piid, voice, you guys aren't annoyed that I ran, right? I couldn't have defeated that thing…"

I was in the cave system and using Flash for lighting. A torch would have been better and not used mana, but I came unprepared.

The cave was moist and disgusting with spiders and bugs crawling everywhere.

A lot of hours had passed and it was about night now. I didn't venture far enough into the cave to the point where I couldn't see the entrance, so I could tell that it was night because no light was coming in.

"I gotta sleep."

I looked around and tried to find a spot without bugs and water, and failed.

"Really wish I had some kind of construction magic skill, Piid..."

I found the least moist and level place in the cave, and planted my tent and sleeping bag there. I then slept praying no monsters would attack me.