Without a patient, Erik didn’t have anyone or anything to practice his new spell on. He wasn’t disheartened as he turned his focus inward, looking over his Mana system.
He could use the mist-like Mana in his veins with greater control as he looked at his new target: the Mana gate in his right wrist.
Before he started to attack it, he studied the Mana gate in his left elbow.
When looking over his left elbow, the corners of his mouth lifted upward. As Mana flowed past this “dead” gate, a little bit of Mana was being absorbed. If Erik’s actions the other night were like breaking down the door with a battering ram, then what was happening to his left elbow’s Mana gates was like a rock being eroded over time by water.
Weakening the gate, even a bit, would make Erik’s attempts to open it much easier.
He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, getting comfortable as he looked at that right wrist Mana gate.
He compressed and formed his first faint Mana spear and directed it through his Mana channels, striking the gate with a dull thud that rang through his body.
Erik continued on, increasing the speed and power of the Mana vapor-created spears.
From the outside, one would only see his shaking body while inside Erik could only hear the ringing of his Mana gate being struck again and again.
Once again, things like time started to disappear as Erik heard the first cracking noise.
He forged onward, increasing the speed that the attacks landed on the Mana gate. He wasn’t a man to give up with just a small victory. He forced more Mana through his body. His Mana channels felt painful and raw as he embraced the pain, welcomed it.
Pain tells you that you’re alive! Erik let out a yell as his Mana channels from his center up through his spine and down through his shoulder and arm were lit up with blue lights. If one was to look closely, they’d find that those blue lights looked like spears.
Rugrat came back some time later. Seeing that Erik was working on opening more of his Mana gates, he left him to it.
Erik continued to fight the Mana gate as the sun started to rise again.
Finally there was a breaking sound as the Mana gate gave way and the surrounding Mana once again rushed toward his body. The last resistance gave way and a new thread of Mana entered Erik’s body, drifting through his Mana channels and increasing the density of his Mana.
Erik fell backward, his eyes barely open as he looked at the two new screens.
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You have opened another Mana gate!
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1 to Mana Regeneration
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Quest Updated: Opening the Fourteen Gates
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Congratulations! You have opened your third Mana gate.
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Requirements: Clear all of your fourteen gates (3/14)
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Rewards: +1 to Mana Regeneration base stat
Undergo Mana Body Rebirth
1,400,000 EXP
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A victorious smile spread across his face as he finally let sleep and exhaustion take him.
Erik was greeted by a familiar sight.
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You have 5 attribute points to use.
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He placed one into Strength, one into Agility and Stamina Regeneration, with the last two going to Mana Regeneration.
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Character Sheet
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Name: Erik West
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Level: 8
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Race: Human
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Titles: From the Grave
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Strength: (Base 7) +5
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120
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Agility: (Base 6) +7
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65
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Stamina: (Base 10) +0
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150
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Mana: (Base 3) +0
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30
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Mana Regeneration (Base 3) +12
3.75/s
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Stamina Regeneration: (Base 7) +11
4.35/s
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***
Erik woke up feeling invigorated. He took a few moments, enjoying the feeling of newfound Strength and the Mana flowing through his body.
With a smile, he headed downstairs and got some food.
It wasn’t much later that Rugrat came down from his room as well.
“So what did you find last night?” Erik asked.
“First, I went to go and check on the Blue Lotus. They’re an auction house, one of the strongest, that is found throughout the realms. No one, not even Lord Chonglu himself, is willing to go against them.
“They hold a high position but they don’t flaunt it. They act as an opening to the rest of the realm and the higher realms. They’ve got all kinds of goods that would be incredibly rare in this realm. They sell only quality goods or goods that people will fight over,” Rugrat said.
“What about materials?”
Rugrat shook his head. “The fact is that there are only a few people in the First Realm who are able to reach the Apprentice level, at this stage in the upper realms. This is just the starting stage. Once one reaches the Journeyman stage, they’re seen to have a use and a future. From low Journeyman to a high-level Journeyman the difference is heaven and earth. A low Journeyman can be employed anywhere. A high Journeyman could own their own workshop in the Mortal grade realms.”
Mortal grade realms referred to the first three realms, while Earth referred to the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth realms. There was still Sky, Celestial, and Divine above them, but these realms were places where even a local farmer would be more powerful than all the experts in the First Realm.
“There’s also differences in skills, such as a formation carver is much harder to find than a smith. The resources for a formation master are harder to find than the materials for a smith at the same level. Though if a formation master and smith are to work together, they’ll be able to create an item much more powerful than if they were to make it alone. Trying to sell these rare materials in the First Realm would be a waste,” Rugrat said.
Erik nodded. If the value of these items weren’t realized, then the Blue Lotus would take a great loss. The basic foundational books would be core inheritances in the First Realm, allowing the later generations the ability to advance quickly into the Second Realm and establish a firm foundation to advance further.
With there being few to no other places that had these books, Erik and Rugrat would need to fight for these manuals and books with all that they had.
Which meant they had to gather as much money as possible.
“I don’t want to be the one, but might you be spending your time better healing with me?”
Rugrat grimaced. He really wanted to advance his smithing.
“Look, we can probably get you up to Apprentice, which is a smooth ten thousand Experience and some kind of random item or spell. Maybe it’s an item that we can sell? Also, if we’re both working, we can be faster. We could be earning ten silver a day if we just worked from morning to night,” Erik said.
Rugrat wasn’t a combat medic but he had extensive medical training just based on being in the military and different programs and qualifications he’d gained. Compared to the knowledge of the common people, he was a genius doctor.
“All right, we’ll do that then.” Rugrat held out the coins that Erik had given him the night before.
Erik waved him off. What was his was Rugrat’s.
“Let’s get to healing,” Erik said.
They headed for the market, getting food along the way.
Erik headed into the office of the civil servant, paying the fee and bribe without being asked, getting him a pleased smile from the man there.
“I’ve heard good things about your stall. Keep up the good work and the other stalls around you might become prime real estate,” the civil servant said.
Erik’s ear picked up on a money-making scheme. “As long as mister is willing to cut me a fee, I’ll be willing to send my patients there, as long as the prices aren’t too high,” Erik said carefully.
The civil servant sat back, appraising Erik. “Very well. Same prices. With the greater number of people, it should still capture many’s interests.”
“Two apothecaries and some food places would be the best suited,” Erik thought aloud.
“Very well. I will make sure that there is a patrol nearby to deal with any issues,” the civil servant said.
Erik nodded. So far nothing had gone wrong but if people got rowdy, things could get out of hand. Having the guards nearby to keep the peace would be a great help.
“Thank you for this opportunity.” Erik cupped his hands and bowed his head.
“No need for that.” The civil servant laughed, getting up from his seat and pulling Erik up. “I hope for a long and prosperous relationship.” The civil servant smiled, holding out a stone token. Instead of being a daily pass, this was a weekly one.
Erik made to give the man more money.
“Don’t worry about the fee. This is the least I can do.” The civil servant clapped Erik on the back.
“Thank you,” Erik said honestly. It was clear the benefits he could earn from this partnership.
“No worries. I might have some patients in need of your care in the future,” the civil servant said.
“If they are people known to mister, then I will do my best at a reduced rate.”
“Thank you greatly, master healer,” the civil servant said. “I will see you out.”
After Erik left, the civil servant returned to his office. Sitting there was a young-looking man with a powerful aura.
“Guard Captain, it is all sorted out. We will be able to observe from close to see his skills.” The civil servant bowed to the man deeply.
He might take a bit off the top here and there, but his loyalty was to Lord Chonglu and the city. He had brought the information of the healer to the guard captain. Not many might know but Lord Chonglu and the guard captain had been looking for healers in the shadows for a month now.
“Well done, Pirez.” The guard captain stood. “Make sure you make a full accounting.”
“Yes, sir,” Pirez said in a grave tone. Everything he took for himself was marked down. As long as he did so, the lord and others left him to it. If he could create more business, then they were happy to let him take his little kickbacks.
“I hope that he is able to help.” The guard captain’s gaze contained some softness and fear before quickly disappearing as he left Pirez’s office.
***
Erik met with Rugrat and headed for their stall. It was the same as yesterday: already there were people lined up.
Vand was also there.
Erik paid him eight coppers directly.
“Today, I want you to organize the lines. This here is my friend Rugrat.” Erik waved to Rugrat at the side. “He’s able to heal as well. If there are any issues, let us know,” Erik said.
“Yes, Mister West.” Vand nodded seriously.
“Good lad.” Erik clapped the boy on the shoulder. He might be simple, but he did everything to the best of his abilities.
“If you were here yesterday, please have your tokens ready!” Erik yelled out to the forty or so people who had gathered.
Tokens appeared in their hands as those without them looked over in jealousy.
“We’ll do triage. You deal with the simple wounds to get started; I’ll deal with the severe ones. Once your progress slows toward the healing skill, take on more of the advanced healing cases,” Erik said to Rugrat.
“Got it,” Rugrat said. Erik had told him all of the healing secrets that he had learned in the last day. This, combined with his knowledge, should allow him to quickly advance into the healer Apprentice level.
They quickly started, checking tokens and working through people in order, then triaging the patients afterward. Those with the worst afflictions were sorted out quickly, moving through.
The guard patrol kept coming around, maintaining order as the stores around had people moving out as food stalls and apothecaries replaced the animal feed and tool stalls.
Their Experience, coin purses, and skill levels continued to grow as people came to watch or be healed. Word quickly spread.
Chapter: Shifting Powers
“I heard that Little Brother suffered a loss upon your glorious return.” A burly-looking man laughed as Wren entered a bar with his gaggle of followers.
“Older Brother Yui,” Wren grit his teeth and greeted his older brother.
A number of his followers looked at the large burly man with interest, the women trying to entice him.
He took in the sights, but seeing the awkwardness of his younger brother made him snort.
“Don’t tease little Wren like that.” A faint voice carried through the place from a curtained-off VIP area.
The curtains were parted by servants as Domonos, their eldest brother, who was being served wine and grapes, looked up from his activities.
“Elder Brother,” Yui said, his face solemn, not daring to slight his older brother. He might look kind but he was a vicious person and fighter. Going against him, one had to guard for hidden wounds that would affect them later on in life.
He truly didn’t show mercy to his enemies or those who stood in his way.
Wren perked up. A joyful smile appeared on his face. After all, his tendencies were the most similar to his oldest brother. Wren might be the youngest and his fighting abilities might be the weakest, but with his eldest brother’s backing, no one would dare to slight him. Wren was called the young master as he would inherit the Silaz business; Domonos was called the young lord as he would be the one to bring the Silaz family to new heights. He had already been selected by a sect in the Second Realm and he was waiting for them to descend for a nearby challenge before they would ascend, taking him with them and bringing him into the sect.
“Aren’t we all of the Silaz family here? Should we not pick one another up?” Domonos asked lightly. His smile seemed carefree and gentle, making those who didn’t know his nature smile, while others shivered.
Yui cupped his fists to Domonos and bowed deeply. “Eldest brother’s words truly bring new light to my eyes. I was blind before.”
“Wren, it has been some time since we drank together. Won’t you share a drink with your eldest brother?”
“Certainly, Elder Brother. It would be my honor.” Wren still looked up to his brother, as all young brothers would, seeing them as the ruler of all.
A calculating flash passed through Wren’s eyes as he moved to his brother’s private curtained-off area.
It wasn’t long until they got on the subject of the two men and their audacity to verbally spar with Wren and how they had been able to escape Wren’s hands.
Wren was filled with joy as he saw Domonos frown slightly.
“Father might be scared with you confronting them, but if I was to do it, then it would cut out the problem at the root,” Domonos said.
“Thank you, brother. I will surely look for some way to pay brother back. I hope that you were able to enjoy the gifts that I sent you up on hearing that you made it into the Willful Institute,” Wren said. The two brothers shared a smile.
Domonos let out a short laugh. “Indeed, you might be the youngest but your mind is sharp,” Domonos praised.
His friends had dark smiles on their faces. It looked like the young lord would be moving again.
***
Grandmaster Eri was the leader of the
Healing Moon House. As such, he was not expecting someone to barge into his own study as he was taking his afternoon tea.
“I am sorry, Master, but I couldn’t stop myself anymore,” Xui Deng, one of Grandmaster Eri’s direct disciples declared as he dropped to his knees in front of his master, prostrating himself before him.
Eri had no time to try to stop or question him as Xui Deng’s words came out like a river.
“A number of the peasants have been talking about a man who is healing their wounds without asking much in the way of compensation. They say that he is a healing grandmaster like yourself. Even going so far to say that your grand healing spells look powerful, but they are not as good as the healing that this man provides,” Xui Deng said, his anger and frustration suppressed. His master was the most powerful healer in all of Chonglu and the surrounding region. The other healing houses might try to compete but he knew that his grandmaster was the greatest of them all.
Grandmaster Eri’s expression darkened slightly. “I have heard that there was a slight commotion. I did not think it would reach to the stage that they were questioning our healing house!” His face turned red as his beard quivered in anger. He took a few moments to compose himself.
The truth was that Grandmaster Eri knew his own faults. He was a high-leveled Apprentice healer. In the First Realm, that might count for something; in the higher realms, that was barely passable. Instead of relying on his abilities, he took on a greater managerial role. Only by relying on a few Mana potions was he able to cast powerful healing spells for longer to shock the younger generation. Establishing him as a grandmaster who sought to improve their skills instead of flaunting his own.
He and the other healing house elders would get into confrontations but the simple fact was that they wouldn’t dare to try to overthrow the other. It would bring the people’s retribution and the strength they would lose would be even greater. Instead, they looked to put on displays of their healing power to awe the masses and draw greater patronage from the nobles for their exclusive services.
The Two Week Curse Page 13