...…
Shin logged out of the game when it was finally time for him to wake up. And as usual, he did his daily training routine before putting on his uniform and waiting for the others in the lounging area.
He did not wait for long as the group appeared one after another. Arthur and Leonard walked to him with sleepy eyes before sitting on the sofas beside him.
"How is your progress?" asked Shin to the two right after seeing them.
"Hah! Don't get me started. I really want to beat those NPCs up for being too stingy. They did not even give me decent equipment as a reward. The things that we passively have gotten from the Empire Quest are much better!" replied Arthur with a completely annoyed tone.
Leonard, on the other hand, shrugged his shoulders and said. "Don't look at me. I just head to the main base of my NPC Organization to report. I also don't get anything that can be helpful to me. My equipment set and weapons are already better than what they can offer."
"The update is cool and all but gathering the materials from the monsters is a little troublesome," commented Arthur as he was reminded of the things that he had to go through just to gather the materials from the corpses of the monsters that he had hunted.
Shin chuckled. "Well, that is to make the game more realistic. Don't you think it is much more interesting this way?"
He paused for a moment as he remembered something and continued. "Ah! There is an interesting that I discovered!"
He leaned forward and continued with a whispering voice. He narrated the things that he had experienced and even added the ideas that he had when he discovered the Elemental and Beast Cores.
"Oh! That is interesting! Do you think that the game will have that kind of feature in the future? Having battle suits is cool too. Even the idea of engineers having futuristic robots is fine too!" commented Arthur after hearing the idea of Shin.
Though, he quickly calmed down and said. "But it will take some time before it really happens. There are a lot of things to consider before the game reaches that stage. And engineers have to engage in full research about it, which is somewhat impossible right now since the current technology within the game is not that advance."
Leonard then quickly chimed in. "What about those guys from the Black Market that you are talking about? Do need us to support you?"
Shin quickly shook his head. "Nah! I will be fine. I have already gathered the things that I needed. I can focus on hunting them if I want. I will make sure to deal a serious blow on them if they really engage in a full assault on the Starry Spears Mountain Forest."
"I also contacted the Hand of Midas Trading Firm. They will be arriving at the same time as those guys from the Black Market, or at least slightly delayed, but they will be there before things get a little awry," he added with a confident tone.
At this point, Cloe finally reached them and hopped beside Shin. "What are you boys talking about, hmm?"
Arthur laughed and said. "Nothing. We are just talking about the game."
Cloe crossed her arms and squinting her eyes while asking. "Are you sure that you are not hiding something from your commander?"
Shin chuckled and stood up before flicking her forehead. "Stop playing tricks. I know what you are trying to do. Just focus on your personal business and we are going to play together again when exploring the new continent."
He then turned toward the glass door in the distance and saw Alice and Lorraine walking through it. "Those two are already here. Let's get going before we get late."
…
Today was Thursday and it was scheduled for them to attend their department activities. They were not able to do it last week because of the hectic schedule of the academy, especially when most of the students from their respective clubs were undergoing special treatments or interrogation processes due to the special operation that took place just recently.
Most students from the elite clubs were also a member of those departments, so the instructors had to deal with the necessary procedures and make sure that everything was fine before going back to their daily schedules.
Upon arrival at the academy, Shin and the group immediately separated as they headed for their respective departments.
Shin already knew where the main building of his department was located since he had already visited it before. He was quite excited this time since he would be learning new things from his seniors this time. He was very much curious about their respective disciplines which were clearly different from the orthodox method that the common people had.
He stood at the rundown building once again and stared at it. He then took a deep breath before stepping forward.
But before he could even enter the building, Benedict suddenly called him from behind. "Eh? Junior Shin?"
Hearing the voice, Shin could not help but pause his steps before turning around. And when saw Benedict, he quickly bowed and greeted the latter. "Senior Benedict! Good Morning!"
Benedict chuckled as he walked toward Shin. "So, what are you doing here? Visiting the department?"
He then thought for a moment before remembering something. "Ah! It must be that time already! It is Thursday so you must be here for the department activities, am I right?"
Shin nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Benedict clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Tsk! Unfortunately, you will not find anyone here right now. Aside from me, the rest are currently doing their respective missions, which are given to them by Professor Henry. They are currently busy, so they can't guide you."
When he saw the disappointed look on Shin's face, Benedict chuckled as he continued. "On the brighter side, Professor Henry is currently free. He just finished organizing the data that they have gotten from those Artificial Mutants, so he is currently relaxing in his personal shelter right now."
"Come, I am heading there now. This is a good chance for you since it is quite rare for him to be this free," he added, inviting Shin to join him.
"He promised to train me personally, though," Shin muttered as he followed Benedict.
His voice might be soft and hard to hear. But given Benedict's Mentalism Attainment, it was easy for him to pick up his words. "Haha! I see, I see. So, the professor wants to train you personally. I can't say that I am jealous since all of us in the Research Department are learning under him."
Shin awkwardly smiled and scratch the back of his head as he realized that the old professor might have scammed him.
…
Not long after, they finally arrived at the area where most of the instructors of the academy were staying. And after walking for a few more minutes, Shin found himself standing in front of a small and humble-looking house.
Unlike the other houses that he had seen on their way here, which had fancy designs and luxurious appearances, this particular house was way too simple. It seemed to be out of place given the sizes and appearances of those previous houses.
"Interesting, right? The professor doesn't want to spend his money on having such luxurious houses. He is a little stingy when it comes to these things, but if you are talking about his research, then he is more than willing to burn all his money just to finish it," said Benedict when he saw Shin's reaction.
Not long after he said those words, an old voice suddenly sounded from the house. "Stop criticizing behind this old man's back. Bring your Junior in already. I have things to discuss with him."
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"Tsk!" Benedict clicked his tongue before inviting Shin to enter.
Upon entering, Shin was immediately greeted by a simple living room, where he found Professor Henry relaxing on his rocking chair. The old professor had his eyes close, but Shin could feel that the professor was currently 'looking' at him.
Professor Henry smiled and said. "Not bad, not bad. It seems like you are already used to passively using your Spiritual Sense right now."
"Come, it is time for you to receive your first lesson from me," said the old professor before telling Benedict to proceed with his task. "Go on already, Benedict! You still have some work to do!"
"Tsk!" Benedict clicked his tongue for another time before bowing to the professor and smiling at Shin. "I guess that's it. Let's talk again some other time, Junior Shin."
Shin nodded his head and chuckled. "Yes, Senior."
After that, he watched Benedict head toward a study before he headed over to Professor Henry.
"Come, sit wherever you want. You can make yourself at home," said the professor and waited for Shin to take a seat on the nearby sofa.
It was only at that time that he opened his eyes and looked at the young man. He observed Shin for a couple of minutes before nodding his head. "I see, so you have already awakened one of your innate attributes. That is much faster than what I expected."
Hearing that, Shin could not help but become a little surprised. From the words of the professor, it seemed like he knew that Shin would be having more than one innate attribute.
Professor Henry chuckled a little when he saw the expression that Shin was making before asking. "What? Do you think that I will not know about it? I am friends with Benn for a very long time already, so I am very familiar with him, much less the Mentalism Method that he has created."
"I was there when he had completed it, so you shouldn't be too surprised about me knowing a thing or two about his method."
After that, he signaled Shin to talk. "Tell me about your previous experiences these past few weeks that I have not seen you. Let me hear your progress."
Shin hesitated for a moment before nodding his head and started narrating everything. He did not hide anything since he trust the relationship between his masters and Professor Henry. He could tell that their friendship was very deep and surpassed a certain milestone already, so he revealed everything.
He even told about his encounter with the Head Priestess and the guidance that she had given him.
The professor did not say anything the entire time and let Shin talk without interrupting. He did not say a single word until Shin was done speaking.
"I see. You are really too fortunate in your encounters, little one. Despite the dangers that you have encountered, you emerge victorious in the end, which also makes you stronger," he commented while nodding his head.
"Misfortunes and fortunes come hand in hand. One of them may come a little later, but it will definitely arrive right now. Whether it is a good or a bad thing, they will come at the best or worst timing possible."
"This is one of the rules of the world. This is karma. And a natural law of nature," he added with a mystifying tone.
He then went silent for a moment and waited for Shin to digest his words a little before continuing. "You are a little different from your seniors, so I will be designing a completely different training routine for you."
"You don't have to worry about your lack of time since I will make sure to match everything with your current schedule. And if there are some changes that need to be done, then I will adjust it accordingly."
"For now, let me ask you a few things. What do you want to focus on right now? Do you want to learn more about your Bloodline? Or do you want to learn how to utilize your Divinity Grade Mental Energy?"
"Or do you want to explore your innate attribute first and awaken them so that you can break through the peak of Grandmaster Realm as soon as possible?"
"You can only choose one as having too much of things on your plate will only be detrimental to you rather than being beneficial. You must take your time when it is needed and take a step one at a time."
The old professor paused for a moment before asking once again. "Now, tell me. Which one of them do you think you need the most?"
...…
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