NOVEL NEXT Chap 185: Healing among books.
"I have to stop drinking so much…" I'm not a big fan of alcohol, I just drink when someone invites me; the problem comes when nobody wants to stop. My body doesn't want to stop while everyone else keeps drinking, and that's why I end up more intoxicated than expected.
I look at the nightstand next to me with water and food. "Thanks, Maki, for last night." My drunk self already knew the consequences of drinking so much and had prepared the necessary remedies. The water bottles empty as fast as they're opened and the food is devoured in seconds—my stomach was begging for something to eat.
I frown at the idea of going to the library to read that huge botany book; just imagining how many pages of boring information I have to read makes my body refuse to get up. The internal struggle lasts a few minutes until I finally give up and decide to get ready for the library. I make a deal with myself: I won't read that giant book—I'll look for how to improve one of my pseudo-Laws.
I can't work on my cube in this state; I need to dedicate all my time to recovering, and reading about something that interests me more has motivated me to get out of bed. I can't evolve a pseudo-Law right now—that would increase the strain my cube has to bear—so I just want to gather information to be closer to evolving one later.
"I missed this so much…" I didn't go without preparing ceviche—fish with lime is one of the best combinations to recover during a hangover; it eases the discomfort and symptoms.
Walking through the school streets I see more students every day; each day closer to the start of classes. The students are returning bit by bit to begin the new semester. Most look like first-years, all of them admiring every part of the school as they walk. Was I like that on the first day? I feel a little embarrassed thinking about it.
In the library there's a small line waiting for the librarian's instructions, so I decide to find the hall on my own. Something as important as pseudo-Laws should be easy to find, right? Well, my reasoning was wrong; it took me almost an hour to find what I was looking for.
If the botany room is big, this one is the size of a house. Thousands of books everywhere; reading the index at the entrance discourages me. Most of these books are for obtaining a pseudo-Law; only a small section is for improving them. If I want more information I have to look in a particular room on the eighth floor.
"I'll give it a shot…" I go in without high expectations and see a young woman reading in a corner; she notices me and we exchange a small bow. Searching the farthest shelves I manage to find three books on the subject: one about evolving a pseudo-Law, another about the differences between pseudo-Laws of acuity, and one explaining the importance of this Law for people who use bladed weapons or attacks.
I decide to read them in the order I found them. Many hours later—one liter of coffee, one thump against the table because I almost fell asleep, and a strong will to finish—I finally finish the first book. The thump removed most of my drowsiness; I hear a small chuckle from the girl I greeted earlier, and I decide to ignore it as if nothing happened. My poker face demonstrates my great acting skills.
The book can be summarized: The most effective way is to apply what you learned by using the pseudo-Law on yourself—make it part of you until you reach the necessary understanding to evolve it. Knowing how a pseudo-Law adapts to you is basic, but if you don't know how to implement it in your fighting style you'll never improve it.
What do I want from my acuity? What does acuity mean to me? How do I want to use acuity? So many questions that I must answer concretely before applying changes to my pseudo-Law to evolve it.
At the end of the book something caught my attention: the author leaves a note about his next book, which talks about differences between Laws and goes deeper into two different kinds of acuity Laws he discovered. I should look for that book after I finish the other two I have.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I finish the other two books faster; my brain has mostly shaken off the hangover and I can concentrate better. I already feel I have enough knowledge to begin the evolution process of my pseudo-Law of acuity. I look at my cube and can't help the sad eyes—I can't do anything until I'm fully healed.
My banner looks dim too; I can't use it in my current state. In the dungeon I didn't feel as helpless as now; back then my only purpose was to heal, but now I have many more plans.
"Glia, stop sleeping all day." My little sister spends her time sleeping; when she's awake she helps me heal my cube and it drains all her energy.
"Let me sleep… or do you want me to finish healing you in a few weeks?" I stay quiet and let her rest—she always wakes up in a bad mood if someone forces her, and without her help I'll take longer; better let her be.
I don't have anyone to talk to. If I go to Areci or Shawu they'll force me to train; they don't know much about my cube's situation and I don't want to worry them over something that's just a matter of time.
My Synthesis Vital is resonating with my cube with each healing; I feel it gradually improving as it does its work. If my calculations based on previous evolutions are correct, I'll get the evolution at the same time I finish healing my cube.
I don't know anyone at this school with a high-degree life affinity; even Susan only has minimal knowledge. According to her, from diamond rank upward one can heal external or internal wounds differently. It's far less effective compared to a true life affinity, but people stop worrying so much about mastering a complicated affinity.
There must be a teacher who can guide me; I don't want to ask Susan to introduce me to one. She's already helped me enough with favors—I feel like an abuser of her trust if I keep taking everything for free. I've overcome many obstacles on my own; one more won't be a problem.
The days flew by—reading in the library while healing my cube. Every day before returning to my room I take a walk through the training domes to improve my world, reflexes, and swordsmanship.
Students are everywhere now; I see them joking, admiring the place they'll live for the next years, or trying to make friends and connections. I've talked to some casually over these days—crossing paths in the library, restaurants, or on the way back to the dorms.
I FEEL OUT OF PLACE! I'm not bad at socializing, but everyone's on a different wavelength. People my age will go to first-year groups because they're emerald rank, and the Sapphire-ranked folks look at me with pity or sympathy when I tell them my age. I lie about my age; I always say I'm almost fifteen.
"Maki!" Someone shouts my name as I leave the restaurant. I turn and see Shawu running at me; she jumps from several meters back and forces me to catch her in midair. "I haven't seen you in days. How have you been?" The chatty girl is with two other guys who stay a few meters back waiting.
It amuses me to see how she's a silent, confident assassin when needed, yet totally the opposite in everyday life. "I've been fine, getting used to my new life at the school." I set her down and she pouts before accepting to step back a little.
I tell her a bit about what's happened these days; she seems to take it seriously and puts a finger to her mouth to think more clearly. "It must be because you're too young to be a Sapphire and your Imra isn't anything spectacular while you keep it hidden." Something clicks in my head hearing her opinion—people must think I jumped ranks without proper preparation.
"The first idea makes sense. Why would my Imra be a problem?" I don't totally understand that part; it's normal to keep Imra hidden to not show weakness.
She taps my forehead a few times with her finger. "I haven't met anyone in Sapphire with control as good as yours; the only close one is Areci. Having such great control is a benefit, but for people who don't understand it, it looks like you're weak; you don't come off like someone hiding it on purpose." So they complement each other.
If my Imra were at least a little more revealed, they'd understand my strength better; they wouldn't feel so sorry for me being a young Sapphire. Looking weak for my rank explains those looks I've been getting lately.
"Thanks, now I understand why people have been looking at me like that." Her friends seem somewhat interested in our conversation but don't approach. "Your friends are waiting for you; you better go back to them." Shawu blinks repeatedly, then smiles.
"Tell me if anyone bullies you for being younger—I'll make them suffer for a bit." She smiles mischievously as she walks away. "Although, you could beat them in seconds yourself." Shawu hugs me and then drifts away.
"They're my teammates along with Areci; I'll introduce them later." I wave to the two guys; they wave back. In my world I can see how she's being questioned while she just shakes her head.
"I'll make them suffer a bit…" Shawu's promise lingers in the air and in my mind. It's nice to have an older sister who cares—shame I can't always use her. If someone crosses the line, I'll make them learn their place myself.