No Sleep, No Problem

While they found food stalls, Malik noticed that Ellen was booking at him with worry in her eyes. It was clear that she was put off by his angry reaction when the middle aged priest had tried to kick him out of the library. 

"You know that the church of light will protect you. We bow to protect everyone. Especially those harmed by evil." Ellen finally said this between food stalls which Malik was drooling over. 

"I would trust you." That's all Malik could say. However, he would not trust others unless he felt the same honesty and purity that he felt around Ellen. 

"That's enough for now." There had been a small internal struggle in Ellen's mind. She couldn't fault Malik though. He had been tortured by a cult then yelled at by someone who supposedly rescued him. It was more than understandable.

The slight somber atmosphere was erased as soon as Malik laid eyes on another stall with barbecued meat. Whatever it was, he was hooked by the smell.

"So his weakness is marinated and coal fired Minotaur meat. I'll have to remember that." Ellen giggled watching Malik rush over to watch the cooking process. 

The afternoon was quickly consumed by eating and exploring the street of food stalls. This section of the city was often frequented by tourists, so it felt right that Malik had enjoyed it. 

"I will handle my personal business the next few days. I promise to cause you before I must return to the church and pursue justice. Good luck learning all you can from manager Clara." Ellen's heartfelt words made Malik feel lighter. 

He had a room, the backing of a goddess, and a job. It was odd since he could vaguely sense that he had not been so comfortable before he got here. 

While still early, Malik didn't mind at all heading to the room he was provided. Other than the fact that he still felt out of place in the adventurers guild, he wanted to think about magic.

He had noticed the words appear before him that he awakened another skill. But he also wasn't sure what to do about the voice that said it. The voice that had spoken to him yet remained silent until he learned something. 

While sitting on the bed, he started to try and call out the voice again. 

'I am your guide. I was created by existence itself. You can ask me anything to do with your current state.'

"So like a teacher then." Malik wasn't really sure how this all worked. He knew the system of the world showed off skills and magical skills that someone learned. It showed off their class and strengths. But otherwise, he was certain that guides were not a thing. 

"I don't want him to look at me like I'm less. How do I do that?" Malik didn't want to be looked down on. He didn't want anyone to say he wasn't human. He wanted the respect that everyone should have. 

'To gain admiration it is advised that the host grows stronger.'

"How?" Malik already had this feeling. He saw that the guide had said he was too weak and needed to grow stronger. To control his own body. So that he could remember more. Or even just continue to be uncorrupted.

'By training as many others do, your level and strengths will grow. This will allow more usage of skills and studies of magic. By consuming proper nutrients to nourish the various aspects of your body, you will awaken applicable skills now held dormant. By defeating foes, their energy will naturally nourish you and allow your level to rise. Therefore granting you strength to pursue more skills and other aspects of your body.'

All of this felt like a lot compared to what Malik had expected. "Is this normal? To have so many ways to get stronger?" 

'It depends on the race. As an eldritch vessel…certain information is withheld due to weak state. Due to your body's unique circumstance, all three methods are available to the host.'

This made Malik grimace. He didn't want to hear that he wasn't human. He was human. He remembered being human! 

He quickly calmed his annoyance at this to focus again.

"What can I do now? I saw in that book about the spell light ray that a light mage had to meditate to understand the light mana and the skill. Can I do that?" Malik spoke tentatively. He could clearly recall the book he read through. Every word to a perfect point.

'The meditation skill is based on the ability to sense mana naturally. The affinities required for certain manas require bodily acceptance of that affinity. To grasp the flow of mana, many beings will meditate in their own unique ways. Due to your body, the ability to attract mana is enhanced and may even awaken certain skills.' 

Understanding came to Malik as he realized that magic was not necessarily limited to just certain groups. It could be understood by many depending on their methods of meditation or affinities with manas. 

Without hesitation, he tried to lay down and sense the mana all around him. His attempt made it feel like he was trying to go to sleep too early. Yet, when he started to ignore the various sounds from the lower floor of the guild, he felt something tickling his mind.

A slight prickle or tingle that told him he was on the right track. The instincts he possessed that were foreign to his mind and soul echoed differently through him. 

Cutting off sound, sight, and even the thoughts of breathing made Malik feel like he was floating in a vast darkness. It was what anyone would see so to speak, if they were to close their eyes and focus on losing their senses. 

The same feeling at the edges of his mind made Malik reach out. His mentality chasing that feeling. Trying to increase it. Trying to ensure that he could control it. 

'Partial awakening of the skill spirit veins has been awakened.'

'Spirit veins- passive

Elemental spirits have unique mana veins that make up their bodies. While nearly impossible to see or remove, these spirit veins are often immaterial. 

However, through extreme processes, they can be isolated and identified. 

Due to their nature, spirits can take in manas that alter their overall body. Spirit veins will bind with the natural affinity of the one possessing them to allow an easy flow of manas. 

While normally limited to one mana, of various affinities are present, unique spirits can be born such as lava spirits, same spirits…'

'Due to the partial awakening of spirit veins, due to bodily weakness, only the affinity for light has awakened. This is due to the large amount t of light mana absorbed through overhealing upon the hosts, body'

A shock reverberated through Malik as he felt a sudden flow of mana. One that was just like he had gained another blood flow. 

He could even see the small white particles of light moving inside of him from the air itself. He could also sense the changes being made. His muscles were somewhat expanding as they took In the mana properly. 

Small sparks of pain reverberated through Malik's body as the light healed the smaller wounds left behind. The scars remained, but any lingering damages from whatever the cultists had done were being healed. 

Some parts of him hurt more while others less. The worst pain was in his chest and stomach. Places that he knew his organs were. Yet, if he could look at a diagram of the human body, he would swear he had pain in places that it should not hurt because there would normally be no organs there. 

"Malik!?" The shout from the door was accompanied by knocking that knocked Malik from his thoughts and meditation. 

As he jumped up to rise to the door, he oddly found his body lighter than before. Almost as if he had just gotten the best rest of his life. "Sorry, I didn't hear you while meditating." 

He found Clara at the door. A uniform in hand. He also noticed that the sun was barely peeking over the horizon. "Oh…it's morning." 

"I didn't know you meditated. I'm sorry for bothering you. However, I am here to bring you downstairs. We will relieve the night manager and their staff. Then we will start accepting the jobs or other tasks related to adventurer jobs." 

While Malik was a little curious about how he had managed to not sleep at all, he didn't have the chance to worry. Clara was all business and he had to get changed.

As he looked at the blue and white uniform, he felt even better. From what he could recall, he had never worn something so fancy. Regardless of his muddled memory, he could remember wearing dirty farm clothes or hand me downs from others. This was a brand new uniform! 

Following Clara's rapid pace, Malik saw the morning staff lined up and ready. They each took their positions. Butchers to the back so they could direct monsters. Appraisers to a separate section to analyze monster parts and herbs. Then the general staff is responsible for registering jobs, accepting, and distributing rewards. 

Everything was in a perfect flow. The entire staff moved like a well oiled wagon wheel. Not a single hiccup or bump along the way. "Welcome to the adventurers guild! Good morning!" Clara greeted the first adventurers walking in.