"A little stronger and smarter. You just gotta love the benefits for ranking up." Leroy said calmly. The pain was still lingering, however, it was just a bit. The 3rd tech level of Spatial Sense was pretty wild and improved the radar function even without using the Metal Seed as a type of feedback. But considering how he felt extremely connected with his body, it was worth it all the same. To keep practicing the latter was the best option. "Try to refine this and tell me the results later."
*Fwish!* A ball of blue-white fire appeared in his hands of concentrated Qi. A good bit of lighting circled in the center before exploding and reforming. He passed it over and watched Tang Bo, Tang Xui, Tang Xuan, Xiao Mei, and Saiori, Charlotte, and Long Fei take it in easily.
"Feels a lot better than last time for one." Xiao Mei grimaced only slightly. "Am I going to need a bathroom this time to?" She received a shrug to that. "Right... well good you are doing okay. I have to attend to some other matters."
"Oh, Old Jin came to see you but left when I told him you were still recovering." Tang Xui found it difficult to tell him one message and decided to put it aside for after. 'He didn't care for her anyway so at least this gives him some time to think it over and get his bearings.'
"Thanks for that." Leroy laid his head back down. He needed some more information before he thought about his next move and going out. They did have that option since passing the Tests. "Oh give this to the other Clear Tang Family members. Tell them it is from you. Or that you found it during the Test or whatever."
Leroy grabbed a few small rocks and infused his Core Qi into it while doing an inscription on top. He wanted to see if this method could work the same as the flame directly would at different junctions and people.
"Ok." Tang Xui took the stones and then left. She left to go back to the area with the other Clear Tang Family members and stayed with much trepidation. 'I wonder how he will react to Victoria's situation?' Thinking it was a matter for later still, she put it out of her mind.
"The Occupation Classes are opened to most of us now." Tang Xuan showed him the approval paperwork. "The Test was such a debacle this might also be another way to encourage all of us. Also Tang Ansui hopes you won't break away from us."
"Hmm didn't plan on it still. Thanks for your work all the same. Anything I should be worried about?"
"Not in particular." Tang Xuan shook his head somewhat angry about it. "The few Clear Tang Family is acting oddly. Also the Rebellion has started around it's Territories. Not to mention the Imperial Army is reluctant to act. Some are saying this is caused by the Emperor to continue strife and others think it is any of the various Kingdoms dissatisfied with the Status Quo."
"Is the Emperor really not doing anything?"
"Nonsense," His answer was that of one who knew what was going. The fact Tang Xuan was a sleeper Agent presented by the Emperor himself was more than enough to keep Leroy from breaking ties with his friend. "he is fighting on to many fronts and needs better weapons such us."
"Haa, maybe. The offer presented is just not that great. Also, can you look into who attacked me?" Leroy was not joining that side unless it benefitted him or saved his life.
"The strongest in the area would have been a member of the Assassin Group, West Kingdom Noble Faction, Rebel Leaders, and another Akademy Teacher. Someone wanting to kill you before you develop." Tang Xuan was already passed on a list that he helped eliminate down to these. "I have taken enough of your time. I will come back later to go sign up for the classes."
"That's fine. Oh, does Tang Xui know who and what you have been up to?" Leroy had gotten close to the young woman and Tang Bo, they could be considered real close friends. Tang Xuan was important for survival that he got close with him because of someone's machinations. "I do not want you two coming to blows."
"Tang Xui knows.. she is the reason most of the Clear Tang members in the Akademy live." The small smile caused Leroy to smirk at him. "What is it?" He was confused at the other.
"You like your cousin, better be careful with that."
"I do but not like you think." Tang Xuan declined it calmly. "I wish she was in charge or at least on the playing board. Good job with Tang Bo, we were beginning to wonder if he was worth anything." Stopping for a moment in thought, the spy of the Empire removed a Manual. "It took some moving by my Uncle but here is another part of the Spatial Sense Manual. Quite a few favors should end because of this he said."
"Sure.. tell him a few are but pass this on to get me some resources of any and all types most don't want." Right now quantity of different materials was needed. "Hopefully it can be done before anything major happens."
"Understood. Read the note at the back of the book." Tang Xuan then left to report.
After laying in bed for a few hours and going over the information, Leroy hopped up and went over to look over the maps. The note at the end by Tang Ansui was straight to the point. He wanted him to escape with his daughter and family members if war broke out in the Akademy. Which worked for Leroy as he now had additional help in case he needed to get the hell out of there.
The chances to recover artifacts as well as some metals with the Theory of using Spatial Sense and the Metal Seed together were too good to pass up at higher levels. But he needed to verify and pinpoint various images with actual locations he understood to a finer degree.
With the increase of his overall Intellect reading was easier and compiling information with recollection advanced. If he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm the ability of near Perfect Recall was there.
Instead of burning Qi that he refined from the bodies so far to draw on what was inside the individual was not good. Unless he did a refinement of himself to keep more of it.
Hours passed barely missed as Leroy couldn't stop looking at a map and two books in particular that referenced the Black Tigers near the area he once stood in. If he was a full-fledged Beast Martial Artist what he obtained from the Old Tiger Bihan would be amazing.
At least he thought so anyway. He made a mental note to do something for the Old Tiger as well as ask why it left a piece of itself inside. Did it know what he was or was it based on the little time they spent together?
"Lots of statues and lots of possible metal there in this area." Circling the map and making notes on it he needed to plot a course there. "Migration patterns and tertiary disputed by Demonic Beasts are one thing but the shifting of Nobility all throughout the Empire might be a problem."
.
Sometime Later-
.
Gathering different Sources via trade and attending lectures of the various New Teachers took up a few days of their self-study period. Of course, it was not bad overall since they were here at an Akademy for this type of thing and the Teachers were trying to make amends for their actions still.
Leroy and Tang Xuan were talking about medical applications and theory as they walked. The latter wanted to get the very basics of Alchemy under their belt more. Tang Xuan wanted to really follow his path and the one set by the Emperor and Tang Ansui.
Leroy was really wondering how close all these people were or if something shady was going on. More than what he suspected.
The duo was heading to the Merchant Division at the Akademy to buy the specific books needed.
They also were going to get their Alchemist Flame graded and the attributing resources that came with it. The students were able to earn a small income if they refined plants, metals, and other miscellaneous materials for other Occupations to use.
"That is a pretty decent size building." Leroy muttered when they got to the front doors. Two students at the Qi Refining Realm were inside the Guard Shack studying of all things at the entrance. "Definitely makes you wonder about what the dedication isn't spread around more."
"Well, we are just 1st Years. Once we attend the other classes provided we can see the whole Akademy." Tang Xuan agreed it was a decent size building. The Clear Tang Compound was twice this size but it also facilitated a good portion of the family. "Think the Alchemist Test will be harder than we thought?"
"Maybe but we can always try again if we fail." Leroy moved to sign in as was required before opening the door for himself. 'No sense in bugging these two students from styudying.'
Tang Xuan signed in next and seeing how his friend was going straight in and not bothering the students he did the same. He gave a shrug as the student guard's job was to let them in. But it really was no reason to bother them for such a thing.
'Was there something specific about this method?' So busy with everything he was doing lately, Tang Xuan forgot the small little rumors involving the Akademy. 'Not anything bad I think.'
"Pretty thick door." The veins on Leroy's arms bulged but the resistance gave way as he used just his body strength to open it. "Guess we should hurry up or something."
Tang Xuan grabbed the door with both hands and he pulled it open further to help. As the two forced the door open and caused the mechanisms to strain audibly, a few students who were going to class watched with slack jaws.
"These freshmen... are crazy..." A green-eyed boy said in a mutter. The noise attracting attention of those heading down the street now.
"Holy crap!" Another student shouted in glee. He hit his fellow student to run and get their boss quickly. "Go get Nessie! She will go crazy hearing about some Freshman taking the challenge for the Merchant Division!"
As first years so early in they didn't get the lecture about the different methods one can get an Occupation Approvement. Tang Xuan knew you could pay of course or have some vouch for you, the same as Leroy who didn't really find anything else about the matter since he did the paperwork.
To him, it was just opening a blasted door and not bothering people who were studying.
*Thunk!* The door came to a stop as the two then slipped inside. Literally slipped in, the door slammed shut 4 seconds later from the stopping notch.
"Eh!?" Surprised by the sound of it going off, the two guards peeked their heads outside and then at the crowd. Of course, they wouldn't miss even that.
"What crazy fool did that?"
"Vika, look at the sign in book!" Getting the attention of his partner he pointed not at the names but the information in the other bracket. "Two 1st years! It is gonna be an exciting day today!"
Little did they know it was not just these two. Tang Xuan and Leroy were just the first to get there. The entire Test group besides the very laziest did not go and pick up Occupations. It was gonna be another fun week!