*Smack*
[Ugh! Wha- What! I, uh, I wasn't paying attention] Conny snapped back to reality with a look of a thousand league stare. [What are we talking about again?] He nodded aimlessly as to quickly agree to whatever they were discussing.
Chuni paused and replied with a surprising blank expression. [Yea- Yea- ahm, it, it's, it's okay] He only realized it after he smacked Conny on the back of his head that he fucked up. He reflexively protected his face with his arms and waited for a beatdown. Fortunately, nothing happened.
Chuni swiftly stepped away from Conny and returned to the middle of the round discussion with the rest.
Topic: "What to do with the character stat/skill progression."
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♪ FFX - The Trials ♪
I am on my hay bed, staring at the ceiling with the sound of wind circling outside and hitting the window. Listening in to their orderly discussion regarding the whole Skyrim/ffx feature. It's enjoyable to hear such a debate about what everyone thinks. It didn't do much help as Chuni's gamer like mentality and vague explanation, threw everyone off-course on how simple that thing was.
Luckily, Specs was to a fault, have an obsessive-compulsive attitude to everything. Be a minute' detail or an obviously important one. Overt or not, there is a recorded change and even some comments about it.
This was a boon to me. For starters, we have the before-after changes and just look for it at a convenient time. Secondly, we obviously can and will compare it and discuss the differences. Lastly, Specs took note of everyone's opinion about anything like some secretary charting down the minutes of a board meeting, except for mine.
Wait a sec... just gonna scratch my butt a bit. Stupid stalk got in my pants again.
From what I can remember about the three main spheres was that they weren't connected to other node lines. They're just in the middle of their grid. Funnily, there is an additional sphere that mirrors its parent sphere's position,
Each grid circle lies a smaller sphere, but similar in color and placed in a way that is similar to their parent sphere. Blue to the top, Green to the left, and White to the right, thus letting them branch out to the grid network.
Interestingly enough, those tiny things either make me glad or confused. We already established that those three are related to my last name, Dovsenjuelric. Dovah for a dragon, Senju for a shinobi, and Elric for an alchemist.
----- Blue Sphere -----
<<<<< Truth's Gift >>>>>
----- Green Sphere -----
<<<<< Nature Evolution >>>>>
----- White Sphere -----
<<<<< World Devourer >>>>>
It all started with Chuni... describing it in-depth.
Truth's Gift. I can summarize that it represents the mind part of those three. Chuni being a geek, described the whole history of the lore behind the Full metal alchemist. As usual, some didn't even listen, some are too engrossed to it, and I, already familiar with it.
I know what happened. I watched the first animated series, and it's remade one. Chuni said that "Truth" was some diety that enabled humanity to conduct and practice alchemy. Expected that Specs rebuke it, but Chuni didn't care. It was this diety that, upon meeting it-he-she-whatever, that allows an individual to perform alchemy without any transmutation circle.
Chuni was balls deep in this lore that he even made some of his fan theories on the spot. What a waste of time that was. Or so I thought. Specs and Monk had a polarized take to it. Specs' interest was piqued when he realized it was grounded on science with manipulation on natural phenomena.
While Monk's interest was piqued by gross misuse of power for the natural phenomena. Says that it hurts the karmic conscience of the world. I like to ask what he meant by karmic conscience, but a big black man in a sitting posture that rumbles like a big bike persuaded me not to.
World Devourer. This one represents the soul. You know, Dragonborn/Dovahkiin kind of thing. Go play Skyrim if you don't know. Chuni was conflicted about this information. He's not sure if it meant that we are associated with Alduin, or we transcended from Alduin.
Alduin is the World-Eater for sure, but now, we devour worlds. Or so I hope. All I know is that our soul is considered badass!
The only comment I heard from this was about how it makes sense now why we have an (assumingly) dragon egg in the magical space.
Nature Evolution. This might as well represent the body. Based on what I can remember, Chuni didn't bother to understand why it's called that way. He went straight to fanboying about Naruto, and this got everyone hooked to the story. Like really hooked. This got dragged on for like 2 hours, he even included the fillers!
They were cheering, angry, sad, sobbing, and hoping for a fictional character. Well... They didn't know it was a fictional character. So I'll keep that tidbit to myself.
Things calm down for a time. Chuni said a phrase, and things got quiet again.
[So *Pause* Anybody got any ideas?]
None. Of course none, props for trying though but no.
--------------------------------------------------------
*Exhales*
I opened my eyes with a heavy heart, here I am back again with these morons.
But I do have an idea, might get in trouble for this but it is worth a try.
I raised my hand, "I do." that- that sounded way different in my head. Hey fat slant eye kid, what's with the heavy sigh? Stop that! You're hurting my feelings. Specs, stop with that grinning smile. Monk, any help- well, of course, you're meditating.
Looking at Antique running in a naruto run, it's cringe. Added to that cringe is Leth just cheering him on.
[Enlighten us] Specs with his face resting on his hand, entertained at the scene. Rusting around in his chair, waiting.
I have half-mind to complain about his stupid face, but I'm sure he's just rearing me on to mess with him, so I can waste more of my time here.
"Two words." I put my hand down and raised my voice louder so everyone can hear it. "Cultivation Technique"
"To temper the Spirit, You must train the body." The first I shouted.
"To train the Body, You must fortify the mind." Second I shouted. "To fortify the Mind, You must temper the Spirit." finally shouted with all strength.
"A cultivation technique can answer this." I pointed at Chuni. "You felt like we're wasting time? Well, it's sacrificing time now."
Then I pointed at Conny, "Yet, you're the key to make it happen." I said that with a funny-not-sure looking face. Okay, here's my logic. Conny is a con-man. I need a hands-on perspective on how to make this idea work. Not sure it will, but an opportunity has presented itself. Hope that booger picker can cooperate.
And his hand-to-face gestures make me anxious.
[*Clap* Now, that's some big brain thinking right there,] said Chuni. [I'm not questioning your motives, not because Monk-san is going to lecture me about it, It's only that, I think you are making a mistake on who should you lean for guidance.] As he hides his finger and points at Monk.
Monk peeks with one of his eyes and looks at my way for a moment. [Pray with me, boy.] and taps the floor with his palm.
"Do I, uh, I, I, sit down beside- Or I, sit down in front of you-" I stutteringly said, Monk, replied with silent laughter. That caught me off as this was the first I saw him besides his serious demeanor.
[To the one you prefer, boy,] said Monk.
After much shuffling around, I awkwardly walked before him and sat down. I was not sure what kind of sitting position he'd like and just decided on a meditation pose. Fortunately, he was okay with me doing it.
[Posture,] said Monk.
"Wha? Oh- yeah." I straightened my back and made sure not to slouch.
[Breathing] Monk added.
"Breathing? Do you mean exhaling? Inhaling? Inhaling and exhaling?" I paused. I gave him a questioning look, and he gave me an annoyed look.
[Relax] Monk's tone turned... soothing.
I'm sitting here, wondering much about what to do next. Do I need to cross my legs? Wha- What next? Damn it, man! Tell me! Oh crap, he's looking at me.
Where was I? Oh, he said three things: Posture, Breathing, and Relax, basically a sitting meditation stance.
Breathe in and breathe out.
Breathe in and Breathe out.
Breathe in and Breathe out.
"My left leg feels sleepy," I complained.
[The world, the life, the cycle, and the chi, do you feel it? Boy,] Monk calmly said each word.
"Sir, the tingly feeling in my left leg, does that count? Sir," I humorously replied. "Sir, I've read enough novels to know that cultivation can't be done in a single day. Just like the old people say about Rome."
Monk opened both of his eyes and stared at me with a condescending smile. He raised his right arm, gestured his wrist in one circular motion, and laid his index finger on my chest.
A warm but relaxing sensation spread from my chest throughout my body. My eyes widened in surprise.
[True, that it can't be done in a single day.] Monk, proud of what he had done, goes back to sitting meditation. [If there is none to help you. Come now, boy. My advice can be quite helpful, and everyone here can help you.]
I survey around and saw that they are watching us... or watching me. Waiting for something to happen. I'm not sure if there are all watching for the same reason or some mischief, but it only hit me when I realized that these guys' life, our lives, is now this, and their only source of entertainment is what I do outside of this place.
I didn't know what I felt, I don't even know what to say to them. If there's a heaven for each of us, this was not it.
"About the cultivation technique," I paused and scratched my head for the cringing that was about to happen. "I hoped that we can collaborate on creating that benefits all three aspects: Mind, Body, and soul, all at the same time."
[Ohh~ logically speaking, incomprehensible. Theoretically speaking, nonsense. Fictionally speaking, complicated.] Specs was more interested in making fun of the idea than really understanding it just to pass the time.
[Eyes, let him finish.] Monk waved away at Specs. He turned to me and nodded.
"For the Soul, see there was this cool Chinese novel called Tales of Demons and Gods,"
[Hgggggggghhh! Haha! TDG! Oh, uh, I'm sorry~] Chuni excitedly giggled.
[Everyone! Let him finish!] Monk's voice made everyone behave.
"Ahem, as I was saying, This novel's protagonist has a cultivation technique called Heavenly God Technique, which grants him the ability to be proficient in all or every element, or I think that what it does, I'm not sure."
"Moving on, for the body, there's this novel called Emperor's Domination that has cultivation for the physical body. Physique they called it, but what I'm interested in is the support physique cultivation technique. This technique enabled the body or the mortal shell to handle multiple physique techniques without any consequences."
"For the mind, I, uh, hmm, I'm not sure. Nothing, in particular, pops up in memory, I got nothing. Maybe Leth can help us?" and I shrugged. "But magic boy over there might have the answer, or so I thought." Soon enough, after I just blurted the word magic, Leth's ears perked up.
"You think it might work? Sir?" I asked Monk.
Monk stared at me for a long time with knitted brow expression. "Eyes, come here." and waved to Specs. They know I can hear even when they're whispering to each other. I'm okay, and no, you're not allowed to open my head as you are now metaphysically inside my head. Let me explain, so it can make sense. STOP WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER!! AND I'M GONNA BREAK THAT FINGER OF YOURS, SPECS. IF YOU KEEP POINTING IT AT ME!
*Poke* *Poke*
"Hmm? Oh, Leth, just the one I was looking for." I am glad this dude came forward, so I can ignore those two.
[Magic,] Leth replied.
"Uh, Yes?"
[Miiiind. Magic. Whaaat doooo youu wannnt.] Leth lazily said.
"Capacity, Control, and Efficiency." I immediately said, but in truth, I blank out. From all the anime, manga, novels, and tv shows that I can remember is that magic usage is categorized into three but interlocking parts.
After I said it, Leth's answer was quick yet unexpected. [Think,], while tapping his head.
I'm not sure what he meant by it, I reacted quickly by doing what he did by tapping the side of my head with my index finger, and sure enough, he nodded with a smile and walked away.
Well fuck, this wasn't what I thought would happen.
[Summarize or the full version?] Specs suddenly asked me.
"Sigh, Summarize please," I pouted,
[Conclusion: It will not work... properly and will overstress yourself due to fulfilling three objectives at the same time. Recommendation: Do it separately.] Specs said monotonously.
I looked over him to see what Monk has to say, I understood it the instant that I saw Monk's calm smile that I should really consider what Specs just said. The disappointment was about to set in until this one idiot finally speaks up, and boy was I glad to hear him speak!
[No, It can work...] Conny said groggily. [Four eyes, you said it will be doing three things at the same time, then what if you are only doing one time but still fulfill those three things.]
[Perhaps,] Specs replied and looked over behind him and saw Monk agreed to what Conny proposed.
[Boss,] referring to Monk. [Earlier, you said that Sep needs to relax, proper posture, and continuous breathing. To do the same thing you always do.]
[Why not add more to it? Relax, proper posture, and continuous breathing that will do the same thing you do, then the thing you do will fulfill those three things. Like a plant that takes nutrients from the roots and distributes it to its leaves, rather than the leaves takes nutrients.]
[You have shown me a light, even if only half of what you just said, I understood.] Monk returned to meditate to contemplate.
[But,] Conny added [How do we make sure the three things we discussed will be getting the nutrient needed? and not just stay, got clogged, and make things in a funny but not good way.]
[You have a point.] Specs remarked.
[So how does someone get its nutrient like a plant to pass its nutrients from the root?] Conny casually said.
[You mean the blood vessel? Oh-- OH!] Specs suddenly had an idea. he ran to me, shouting [GO BACK OUTSIDE AND MEDITATE!]
--------------------------------------------------------
"This is perplexing, what sort of custom is he doing?" asked Syris
"For the 7th time, My lord. I do not know," Tilar nonchalantly replied while tidying up the boy's bed.
"Should I wake him up?" Syris added
"Should we wake him up?" Tilar shrugged "We can wake him up, but ruminate the consequence of doing so, it can create a result that is different than intended,"
*Gasp* "How come?" Syris in disbelief.
"Two adults, standing in front of a boy, who is in-coming of age, do you think it may be impacted differently to him than us?" Tilar briefly explained to him the essence of adolescence and privacy.
"Oh, you are right." Syris accepted Tilar's perspective. "Then can you tell me, why is everything in this room, floating around, and him sitting there in that posture."
"Adolescence, My Lord."
"Tsk."