Chapter 16: Smooth Progression
[No, it might backfire. Normally, learning the Instant Memorize skill would only put a minor strain on one's mind. But in your case, you suffered severe headaches—that's a sign your soul is already at its limit. If you attempt to learn another skill now, your soul could shatter at any moment.]
Zera's voice echoed with a grim warning.
Raven's face turned pale. A chilling fear coiled in his chest.
[But don't worry. We'll shift our focus to alchemy. For the next two years, you'll immerse yourself in the fundamentals. Hundreds of books on Basic Alchemy await.]
Her tone softened as she turned toward the vast bookshelf lining the chamber's left wall.
Seven rows of tightly packed tomes stretched upward, each book exuding the weight of profound knowledge. Zera knelt before the shelf and retrieved a thick volume titled Introduction to Alchemy.
[This one has 564 pages. You must memorize it within 48 hours. Treat it like your life depends on it—because it does. Use your free time to visit the library. Read as much as you can.]
"Yes."
Raven nodded solemnly and sat cross-legged, flipping open the first page.
…
Days passed in quiet diligence. Raven's world shrank into a realm of words, ingredients, reactions, and formulas.
He devoured book after book—
Herbology and Brews: A Comprehensive Guide to Magical Materials and Potions,
Essential Potions: Mastering Potion Crafting for Beginners,
Enchanting Flora: Secrets of Magical Plants for Alchemical Use,
The Alchemist's Garden Volumes 1 through 14...
His theoretical mastery soared. He learned how magical herbs interacted, the structure of potion circles, chemical formulas, and how rare ingredients affected stability.
…
Yet outside his studies, problems brewed.
At school, his once-steady progress in elementary studies began to waver.
Sometimes, he slipped into his 'Memory Library' during lessons—ignoring teachers, ignoring classmates.
Complaints piled up.
Athena and Shirley received them in waves, their worry deepening.
He stopped playing with the other children. Even Robert, his closest friend, visited their home and voiced his concern with frustration.
Athena and Shirley feared the worst: that Raven's weakened soul was affecting his body and mind.
Their resolve hardened. They needed to find a cure.
Athena began training her Knight Technique deep into the night. Shirley took on riskier missions to earn more.
Their goal: to buy the Wizard's Miracle Life Potion, no matter the cost.
…
Months slipped by.
Athena turned twenty-one, but the celebration was muted—no cake, no laughter, no cheer.
Instead, she spent more time with Raven while working herself to exhaustion.
She'd advanced rapidly—
Now a 6th Circle Official Knight, she had mastered two powerful skills:
Eclipse Fury, an explosive offensive burst, and Obsidian Shield, a formidable defense skill.
Though still at Official Rank, her combat power rivaled that of an Elite Knight.
With confidence and new strength, Athena applied for the position of Sub-Inspector.
After enduring three rigorous written exams and two grueling fitness tests, she passed, scoring 80% and achieving perfect marks in physical trials.
Ten days later, she was appointed Sub-Inspector of Narcotics, taking command of the R9 Police Division in the Commoners' Borough.
She now led a team of 24 constables, 3 head constables, and 2 assistant sub-inspectors.
Her salary doubled to 2 gold coins a month, lifting some of the burden off their shoulders.
But her responsibilities grew heavier, too—long nights, endless cases, little rest.
Still, she pressed on.
…
Meanwhile, Shirley's transformation was even more remarkable.
Upon realizing Athena's Knight Technique surpassed her own, she made a bold choice.
She spent 50 gold coins at a Highhold City auction to purchase a Peak Common Knight Technique and began taking on increasingly perilous missions.
Though still an Official Knight, her battle power spiked.
But Athena grew anxious—Shirley often returned home wounded and withdrawn.
Unlike Athena's government position, Shirley operated like a mercenary.
Commissioned by merchant guilds, industries, town officials, and even shadowy wizards, her assignments were often dangerous and covert.
Most of her missions took her into the Mirage Woodlands, a perilous region teeming with magical beasts and lost ruins.
Sometimes she was tasked with gathering rare herbs, hunting monsters, or exploring abandoned mines.
Athena begged to join her, but Shirley refused.
"Not until you've learned your third skill," she warned. "And don't even think about stepping near Mirage without it."
…
Raven, meanwhile, had already memorized over 300 Basic Alchemy textbooks.
He could now theoretically craft dozens of potions.
But Zera forbade any practical attempts.
[Your knowledge must be absolute. Theory first. Practice later.]
Raven understood.
He also understood the silent sacrifice of his sister and aunt, and it filled him with desperation.
His lifespan was down to five years.
He had no time to waste.
…
A year passed.
He was now seven years old.
Only four years left to live.
Yet progress bloomed amidst hardship.
Athena had become a rising star in the force.
In two years, she dismantled multiple drug rings, arrested ten high-ranking criminals, and built a reputation for unshakable resolve.
She earned the title of Dame Knight.
She mastered her third technique: Night Dash, a movement skill that let her vanish like smoke in battle.
With this, she reached Elite Knight Rank, her body capable of surviving a direct hit from a Radiant Knight.
In all of Darkgrove Town's police force, only a handful could match her strength.
One of them was Inspector Henry.
In recognition of her efforts, Baron Alexander awarded her two honor badges and a reward of 20 gold coins.
Her monthly salary rose again—now 3 gold coins.
…
Shirley also broke through to the Elite Knight Rank, thanks to her relentless training with the new technique.
She formed a five-member mercenary squad—a tight-knit, elite team.
Unlike Athena's regimented force, mercenaries were free agents.
In Darkgrove alone, over 1,000 mercenary Walkers worked under town administration, taking on high-risk quests.
They weren't bound to Baron Alexander's chain of command, but their work was indispensable.
And dangerous.
Shirley rarely smiled anymore. She returned home with scars—both seen and unseen.
But the gold flowed in.
Her missions earned her over 83 gold coins from monster hunts, escort duties, scouting operations, and herb gathering.
Then came the breakthrough.
Her squad discovered a massive monster nest deep within the Mirage Woodlands and presented undeniable evidence of an incoming threat.
Baron Alexander was impressed.
He offered an official position for her squad under the town's protection force.
With mutual agreement, they became Darkgrove's first official Scout Team.
…
As of now, the Baron's four major forces include:
Town Police Force – 540 officers, from Apprentices to Elite Walkers. Elite Walker Squad – 12 members, each armed with an Aether Rifle. Military Division – Highly trained Official Knights, specializing in warfare. Scout Team – Shirley's five-member unit, skilled in reconnaissance, survival, and high-risk missions.
Despite being the smallest unit, their expertise and 90% mission success rate made them irreplaceable.
But what surprised the Baron most was that two of his Elite Knights came from the same household.
He briefly considered investigating their origins—but chose restraint.
Offending such talent could cost him more than he could afford.
…