This thinking is making me lose my mind, and now I am at a loss for what to do.
It is good that they gave it to me, but my roots are already being healed, and what's worse is that I need to find a way to lessen the rank or make my rank look weak.
Let's think about tomorrow. Maybe I will get some answers, so for now I need to go to sleep.
Saying so, I rested for the day.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"No, that's not what I want."
As previously stated, I returned the book to the shelves. What I was looking for was about power root evolution. Though there are numerous ways for roots to develop, none of them were what I desired.
Though I remember some of what my teachers taught me about strengthening my roots. They were not what I wanted, and most are not complete because they only taught me entry-level skills.
Haa, there's not much I can do. Let's just search for something that I can use. Maybe I can mix some of this to create my own root evolution process.
Thunk!
Huh? No way is Titan doing something again; I need to see if it's him.
When I heard the sound of something dropping, the first thing that came to mind was Titan. So I moved fast to avoid trouble, and when I arrived, I saw the professor. Man he looks like he is in his twenties, but maybe he is older after some of my teachers' ages were not the same as their looks.
"Oh, it was you, professor. I thought there was a ghost here or something."
"I should be the one saying that even though you are living here now, we didn't give you permission to enter."
Ah, I ask Kiara to open the door when she is cleaning, but I think it is best not to tell him that I don't want to be banned here. I mean, no one had been here in a few weeks, so I assumed it was fine, and Kiara hadn't told me about it.
"My apologies. I thought it was okay to enter here."
"Hm, it's okay; here, take this."
He said that as he gave me a card-like object. And from the looks of it, it might be a pass. Damn, the advancement here is really mismatched. Anyway, let's just ask for confirmation.
"This is?"
"Oh yeah, this was just issued last year. This is a pass. Do you know how the maid gets in here?"
"No, I just entered when it was open."
"Well, okay, I will tell you. See the door? There is a hollow line near the door knob on the right. Just slide it in, and the door will open."
As he said that, I followed his instructions to open the door, though it was already open.
"I see; thank you, Professor."
"No problem, I'll be leaving then, okay?"
"Okay professor."
As he said, he left with a few books and papers in hand. And as he left, I took a look at the card in my hand.
Then it got me thinking that he gave me a high-ranking card that can open this room's library. Then can it also open hidden rooms?
I had this idea because I had read most of the book about power roots but was missing a few details in order to create a path for my power root.
So I turned to the door where the professor went and thought, "Why not?" After all, my time is limited, and this might be my only chance.
I walked to the back and used the card to open the door, per instructions.
Swipe
...Click!
~~~~~~~~~~
A week has passed since I was given a key card. I was going in and out of the secret passage. I don't know if the professor meant it or if he forgot, but with the help of the books, I found my path.
Inside the locked passage, I got a lot of ideas and an understanding of how my roots would develop and improve. But there are downsides to the research there, including the fact that you have to destroy your own roots.
Which gave me an idea on how to use the goddess's tears, and I also saw studies of different fields like core creation, weapon creation, spells, and techniques that I hadn't seen outside.
So with the help of these, I would definitely find ways to get stronger.
Whoosh-Tak
"Please don't let your thoughts wander during battle, your highness."
"Ah, sorry about that. I am just getting restless lately, and I don't know what to do."
"Just now my sword flew as Kiara was sparring with me. And I told her that there was something on my mind."
"What is it? Can you tell me?"
"It's just me wondering what path I could have chosen if I had my power roots."
"Oh, is it about the potion?"
"Eh?"
"Is it not?"
"It is, but did my parents tell you?"
"Yes, they told me a few days ago. And they told me to give you some tips. And look at this."
"Eh, this is it?"
"Ah, yes, they want to give it to you at the end of the banquet, but they did this just to be safe."
What I have in my hand right now is a manual for root development, and it also tells about the core creation system of our family's technique, which, although not detailed, explains how it complements the roots.
"Thank you, Kiara."
"It's not me who you should thank, your highness."
"True, but I still thank you."
I gave my heartfelt gratitude to Kiara and thought that I should also give a letter to my parents.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Philip Von Clive is here, your majesty."
"Let him in."
As soon as Professor Philip was let in, the counselor left.
"How are you, Your Majesty?"
"Fine, Professor Philip, how about you?"
"I'm good, and with the help of Doctor Laberte and the royal medical court, we had a breakthrough with the new magic tool."
"That's good, but it won't be a magic tool anymore but an artifact."
As the emperor said that, he pointed at the crate in the corner of the room.
"This is?"
"The ores that we found during the expedition to one of the islands we conquered back inside also have a written summary of the details we found about their uses."
The professor opened the crate and saw a bundle of papers that were stacked together.
"It is amazing to think that the artifacts were made like this. not to mention magic tools that are also highly advanced. So what do you need?"
"It is good that we are on the same page. although I would give it to you regardless."
"Bullshit, do you think you are already at the age to outsmart me, boy?"
"My apologies, but it would still be yours after all, since the other pillars of the empire are only focused on strengthening themselves and not the economy after all."
"Don't derail the subject. I am asking what you want for this ore and the upcoming batch."
"Okay, I want you to teach my kid until he reaches the right age for enrollment in the academy."
"Okay, but enrolling in the empire's academy would do him more harm than good."
"Yes, that's why we want him to enroll at the sages' academy."
"Teacher's academy? You are well aware that he will not provide any benefits to him during his time at the academy. Not to mention he cut off his connection to the empire after His Majesty Ricardo's death, right?"
"Yes, that's what I want, plus he would go there incognito, so it is best if no one knows him."
"Hmm, okay, it's just teaching him; although I have my hands full protecting him and doing my research, I think it's doable."
"Thank you, Professor Philip."
"Don't mention it, but I still need to finish my research before teaching him. I mean, he would need to be at least thirteen when enrolling."
"That's all right. But how long?"
"After three years, I will begin teaching him. Good thing I gave him my key card to check out the library at any given time."
"Oh, that's good. But please don't mistakenly give him the high-access one. We don't want him to enter forbidden areas."
"Of course, I didn't. I bought two key cards as backup access, and the one I gave him would only help him open the library there."
The professor left with a smile on his face, showing his great confidence in himself. He had no idea he had already given Dustin the high-access card.
~~~~~~~~~~
Amazingly, with the help of this manual, I have a good view of what people think of the mainstream root systems.
And somehow it is very ancient, which is kind of cool. It is exactly as Kiara stated. It is a copy of the original way the founder built his core.
But, with this, my perspectives have broadened, and I can now see which path to take.
I said that, as I looked at three ideas, I wanted to combine them. One is thin, the other is wide. And the last one is compact.
With this, I have my path.