"Because Wingloug is a stubborn oaf. Mortal is just a term for those who have yet to start their path to power and for people that have given up their path to power."
"The second a young individual starts refining their bones, they are no longer mortals."
She shook her head with a sigh, and then waved her hands haphazardly.
"Now, let's not waste any more time on that silly nonsense. It's time for a brief history lesson."
Mikhail sipped his tea, waiting for her to continue.
"In ancient times, Initial Metamorphosis Realm Evolvers had to severely injure themselves and then consume natural treasures as they recovered. These natural treasures would invigorate the body and help reconstruct it into a more powerful vessel over time."
"That, however, is a simple, slow, and unrefined method. With the advent of alchemy and the field of inscriptions some ten thousand years ago or so, there is now a far better method."
"This method starts with Refinement Rooms. They are rooms engineered by inscription masters, meant to target and stress the different parts of the Physical Core."
"The amount of stress can range from tiring to injury inducing, depending on what the Evolver in question is willing to put themselves through. Ideally, you want to push your limits as far as possible to see the best results in the second step."
"And this second step is to ingest Refinement Pills."
"They are multi-color spheres, and are the same size as the Spiritual Suppression Pills that I've made for you."
"There are four types of Refinement Pills. The first is the Skeletal Refinement Pill. The second is the Organ Refinement Pill. After that comes the Skin Refinement Pills. And lastly, there is the Muscle Refinement Pill."
"These are alchemical treasures bursting with nourishments to aid the recovery process while the refinement rooms help speed the process up."
"And then, the third and final step is simply to rest. Without proper rest, your Physical Core will slowly but surely succumb to cumulative stress, until you're either injured or are forced to rest."
Mikhail drank the last bit of his tea as she finished explaining. It was silent for a time before Grand Elder Maya eventually spoke up again.
"Don't you have any questions about the refinement process?"
Mikhail shook his head. "Not really. Everything makes sense."
Maya nodded, a faint smile spreading across her face.
"Then I suppose we can move onto what you'll be doing after leaving the refinement room."
A sheathed sword suddenly appeared in her lap. The sheath seemed to be made of some sort of strange kind of scales, black with a metallic sheen, and several multicolored cracks that seemed to flow seamlessly from one scale to the next.
It also seemed to be fitted with golden filigree at the top, sides, and end.
"Realistic combat simulation. Practical experience duels, in other words. You'll fight against others in the Muscle Refinement Camp to hone your combat capabilities until around noon."
"And you will fight to kill."
Mikhail's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could voice a question, Maya followed that up by saying, "Your instructors will prevent fatal blows using their Spiritual Pressure to immobolize you or your opponent at the last second."
She had unsheathed her sword and casually swung it a few times as she spoke, before it and the sheath disappeared at the end of her explanation.
"Anyway, once that's over… Well, most people your age are busy working in the various Job Halls… However, you don't have the basic education that they do. At least, I wouldn't think so… So just focus on your training for the time being.."
"When you can go about your day to day life without the pills, I'll teach you what you need to know about your duties as a member of this tribe. For now, just work towards achieving balance."
Mikhail nodded affirmatively.
"Alright… But now I do have a question. Won't training get in the way of resting?"
Maya shook her head.
"Unless you train all day, no. No it will not."
Mikhail hummed inquisitively, before a mischievous smirk spread on his face. "What if I trained all day every day except for the days of rest?"
Grand Elder Maya snorted. "That would be doable. If you could pull that off, anyway. You'd have to be a seriously driven lad to pull that off. And remember, you still need to be productive, even if it's just studying!"
Mikhail closed his eyes for a bit..
His desire to create a world of his own… He remembered it vividly. He even had the funny feeling that that desire of his was his whole reason for ending up here in this new world.
Despite the smothering of his emotions as a side effect of the Spirit Suppression Pills…
The flames of his ambition could not be dowsed.
"I think I can handle it," Mikhail said with conviction, opening his eyes..
Grand Elder Maya could almost see the flames dancing in his eyes when he said that, causing her slight smirk to grow into a smile.
"That's good. In which case, I think you can start today. The Muscle Refinement Camp should be starting their round of refining in about another hour so… So be sure to come back here before then."
"Huh? What do you mean? Why would I…"
His eyes widened.
"Aw, shit. I have to go right now don't I?"
Maya nodded, her smile growing even wider.
"Then I take my leave. Thank you for today!"
Mikhail got up and ran out the door… And then rushed back in to grab the map. And on his way back out, Grand Elder Maya stopped him one more time, causing a slight flare of annoyance within Mikhail.
"We still need to have a more in-depth discussion in regards to Evolution. Your knowledge there is still lacking to a substantial degree! Make sure to come here around the same time you did today, tomorrow!."
Mikhail nodded without a word before rushing out of her room first and out of her house second.
The orcs were leaving soon!