Enlightenment

Linus couldn't be happier hearing the long-awaited notification. Although he didn't want to rely too much on it, he thought that obtaining the skill would help speed up the production. He just had one problem, he didn't know how to use active skills. He wanted to explore the system, but he didn't want to appear crazy in front of his new friends.

"Boy, can I have a look at your prototype bow?" Simon reached out to Linus', disrupting his thought.

"Alright then." Linus handed over the bow to him.

Simon carefully inspected the device, checking every detail. Seeing the rough edges of the work made him sigh. The mechanism was far, far ahead of its time, but the craftsmanship applied to the rushed work failed to impress him.

Looking at Nina, he said. "There's much work to be done if we're to improve this device. The men who work for me have earned their craftsmanship through sweat and blood over the years. Do you have what it takes to work for us?"

Nina swallowed her spit. For a bit, she was intimidated by the question, but after gathering her resolve, she straightened her back and replied "I have what it takes to learn the craft from you. I'm prepared to work extra." The spirit of determination burned in her eyes, unwavering.

"That's the determination." Simon patted Nina in the head, his large calloused palm scraped against her delicate scalp.

"Determination alone won't cut it. With that much orders to fulfill, they need help." Linus thought, and an idea came to him.

"Sorry to interrupt, Old Simon. There's something that I must do to ensure the success of this project. If you don't mind, let me offer a prayer." Linus said.

"Please do. May the gods and spirits bless us all." Simon replied.

Linus spoke in the language of his past life, English. "System Manual!" A blue window opened, containing the system manual. He then invoked the search function "Search Skills". Afterwards, he gesticulated about using his hands to scroll through and magnify the contents of the window, searching for the information he needs.

After obtaining the info, he dismissed the manual and barked another command in English. "System Skills!" Another window opened, listing his skills.

[Skills]

[Art of Teaching Lv.1 (Passive)]

[Deputization Lv.1 (Active)]

Linus tapped the skill <Deputization Lv.1>, opening another window that listed the only skill he can deputize, <Art of Teaching Lv.1>. Tapping the skill made a small caption appear, saying "Select follower to deputize."

The world turned grey to Linus' vision with the exception of his followers, Nina, Simon, and the rest of the workers in the shop – they were all wrapped in a soft blue glow. Linus walked in front of Simon, grabbing him by the shoulder. The action made the old carpenter glow golden. Shortly after, the world returned to normal, with the system windows dismissed.

"I'm blessed. I had an enlightenment! I can teach! I can teach!" Simon dropped to his knees, shakily raising his hands in the air. "You saw that glow, right? Our chief's son must be blessed!"

"It's true. Didn't you see the golden glow?" The workers chattered. Their reactions went beyond what Linus thought, making him worry for a bit.

"Enough chatter. It's time to work." Simon stood up and picked up his stone tools. He called all the workers to explain and demonstrate the techniques needed for the construction of the bow. His words made little sense, but knowledge magically entered the listeners' minds, perfectly understanding what he meant. After instruction, the workers went to their stations and started carving wood.

Nina herself had an enlightenment after listening to her master. Feeling the improvement in her skills, she wanted to put them to the test right away. She picked up a piece of wood, and using a makeshift lathe, she shaved it down to shape. Then she made slices in the cylindrical piece, and with some fine stone files and chisels, she carved the necessary details to transform the wheels into cams.

Simon was pleased with how much progress the workers made before the sun went down, proving the effectivity of the skill <Art of Teaching>. He reckoned they would complete the orders by half the time if the trend continued.

Overjoyed, he offered Linus a drink after work, which the lad flat out rejected knowing full well how alcohol can adversely affect his development as a young man. Simon was saddened by the rejection and was secretly worried that the action might have offended the gods and spirits.

"At least allow me to do something for you. Leave your bow here so I can make some improvements on it." Simon asked Linus.

"I hope I'm not imposing on your kindness. Thank you." Linus accepted the offer.

After a few days, Linus had his bow delivered to his door by Nina. Transformed, the device was stained red with some decorative elements carved to its limbs. Shining were some colorful stones embedded on parts of its mid-section. The handle too was wrapped with brown leather that is accentuated by stitching.

"My master says thanks. Staining the wood red was my idea though." the lass said, observing how Linus inspected the bow.

"Beautiful! Words fall short to describe your work, my lady. Thank you very much. Please send Old Simon my regards." He cheerfully thanked Nina, then he continued. "By the way, if you have some time to spare, please come with Gordon so you can learn what the rest of the village kids do with me."

"Myths, legends, not again? Don't forget I stay at the old man's place. Thanks, but I'm not really interested." Nina refused.

"No, not that. You see, there's a project Gordon and I work on together. You know, merchants keep accounts of their sales, inventory, and treasury on wooden planks. I thought we can also inscribe Gordon's stories onto the planks, so you can retell them without memorizing all the words. Your woodworking skills will surely help." Linus pleaded.

"Is that so? You could have told me that sooner. But we have some work to do, so it may take more than a week before I can come back." Nina said.

For almost two weeks, Linus, along with Gordon and the kids, went on with his literacy project. Using a sandbox, he taught Gordon and the kids the Latin alphabet along with its corresponding sounds. Due to the effect of <Art of Teaching Lv.1>, they were able to master the alphabet before Nina came back.

Nina arrived while Linus and the kids were busy drawing basic vocabulary and letters in the sand. She came with a group of workmen, carrying a cartload of goods.

"The orders are complete!" Nina broke the news.

"That was a lot faster than expected." Linus replied.

"Yup. Due to master's enlightenment, we were able to improve our skills quickly. Shame, we finished the orders too early. We could have practiced more of the master's techniques." Nina happily reported.

"Oh, you'll have more opportunities in the future. Imagine when hunters of other towns and cities learned of the bows of Solus. Who makes them apart from your workshop?" Linus said.

Nina's eye glittered with excitement, saying, "Then they could only look for us!"

"The work has just started, my lady." Linus grinned.

Julius' friends quickly learned of the news that their bows were ready. With satchels fully loaded with coins, they flocked at Linus' home to retrieve their orders. Soon, Linus became busy, fulfilling the orders. Nina and the workmen helped to speed up the process, and by sundown, none of the bows were left unclaimed.

Ding! [Achievement unlocked! You are hereby granted the skill <Prospecting Lv.1>.]

The blue window appeared. Linus couldn't help but tap <Prospecting> to know of its effects.

[Prospecting Lv.1]

[Type: Passive Skill]

[Target: Resource materials]

[At level 1, the user can prospect for ores of gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, zinc, and iron.]

"Alright!" Linus rejoiced. The achievement allows him to find metals that will be useful in upgrading his town's lifestyle. "It was a small step, but a giant leap for mankind!" he told himself.

"You look really happy, Linus. Do you really like money that much?" Nina asked, referring to the stone coins scattered all over the place.

"Not as much as I like you!" Linus grinned, teasing Nina.

"Oh, come on!" Nina blushed, slapping the boy in the back.

"But I'm really happy. This accomplishment gave me a vision for the future. This stone coin is probably worth more than you think." Linus held in his hand a stone coin that was partly green.

Ding! <Prospecting Lv.1 in effect, Malachite found.>

And just like that, Linus found his first copper ore.

"I'm not sure you know those cold shiny things that ring when you drop or hit them. Those things are hard and are far more reliable than your stone tools. They can make better cutting tools, so it will make your work a lot easier." Linus told Nina.

"Anything that makes my work easy is good. But I heard of things like that from Uncle Gordon. He said that they're very, very expensive. Our earnings might not be enough to equip the shop." Nina sighed.

"Not if we can make them on our own. The materials are plentiful. Let's think of how to get you better tools." Linus replied.

"Chief! We have news! We need to talk to the chief!" A man yelled outside, interrupting the conversation.

"Wait a minute, Nina." Linus went by the window and yelled back "Who goes there!"

"Oh Linus, is that you? It's me your Uncle Rock. Call your Pops!" Rock replied. His torch casted a flickering shadow in his face, revealing a serious look. Next to him stood a girl, probably in her teens. Her face had a gloomy look to them. All beat up, she wore dirty tattered clothes, tightly gripping Rock's hand.

"At this time of the night? Must be serious." Linus thought.