"Brother, you're back," the boy I had met at the camp earlier said with a smile as he hugged me, "so how was your meeting with the King?"
"It was nothing really special but, I did manage to get some good stuff from it though and I'll also be going to the royal academy next month," I replied "besides, how did you know I met the king? I don't recall telling anyone about it."
"Almost everyone has heard about it already, you know tings related to the king can't really be hidden except the king wants no one to find out about it," he replied with a shrug "so did he make you join a noble house in exchange for the rewards you collected? You know most nobles don't give anything for free."
"Leon, you need to stop doubting all nobles, I never said I was forced to join a noble house. The king allowed me to join the royal academy and he also gave me this," I said as I showed him the Master level ability book.
Although I hadn't really interacted with Leon before, the system had already given me enough information beforehand, so I knew he didn't really have a good impression of nobles. He viewed them as selfish people who could never give anything for free.
"Isn't this a Master level ability book?" he asked in shock, "why the heck did you collect this as a reward? Or have you forgotten you're just an Advance stage cultivator."
"He should have given you things like soul shards or an Advance level ability book that would have been way better than giving you something you might never end up using."
In this realm, people had to make use of ability books to gain new abilities. No one knew how these ability books were created, all we knew was that they were found during expeditions and dangerous regions while some were created by people who had already studied some ability books and decided to create theirs using the same patterns however, theirs was weaker than the original ones.
create theirs using the same patterns however, theirs was weaker than the original ones.
"The Master level ability isn't bad though besides, I have a way to use it," I said with a wink.
"You do?" He asked with a surprised look "but, I can sense your aura, it's still shows you're an Advance stage cultivator."
"Just forget what I said," I made up an excuse to dismiss him, "I would like to take a nap."
…
Alright system, do your thing, I said with a blank look as I held the Master level ability book.
Although it might sound stupid, I still had this feeling that the system would react anytime I am in possession of any cultivation tool, I mean, isn't that what it has been doing all along.
"Just work already," I said with a sigh, "maybe I should have taken a really cool Advance level ability book. At least I wouldn't have to wait till I become a Master level cultivator before using my reward."
[Ding]
[Ability book detected]
[Would host like to learn this ability?]
[Y/N]
"So, I can't convert ability books to EXP, what a let down," I muttered "originally, I had planned to convert my ability book to EXP after learning the ability."
"System, I pick yes."
[Noted]
"Shit," I cursed silently as my head began to spin "seriously, this system needs to go on another update else the pain I was always feeling when learning something from the system might actually kill me first."
Although the system methods were a bit painful, it was still worth it tough. The system transferred information that was not even included in the ability books like the person who created it and how to properly utilize it in different situations.
[New ability (Flash Steps) has been unlocked]
[Description: This ability allows increases host speed by 10% when host is running, and host becomes invincible while using this ability.]
[Notice to host: This ability can only be used once a day]
[Cost: 1 mana for every 5 metres]
[Mastery level: Entry level (+)]
[Congratulations, system mission has been unlocked]
[Current mission: Attain mid-level mastery for 'Flash Steps']
[Reward: 100 EXP]
[Punishment: -50 EXP]
[Deadline: 6 months]
"So, I now get system missions, huh," I muttered wryly, "but, it's not the system fault though at least all system owners get tasks as well as rewards and punishments from their systems, right?"
Even though I wasn't too on board with the whole system mission idea, I still licked some thing that the system did. The original Flash Steps ability was supposed to increase host speed by only 10% but, the system made some tweaks and added the invincibility feature to the ability but, the only downside was that I could only use it once a day.
"This ability will be really good for running away but, I don't think I have a reason to be running," I muttered, "anyway, I'll figure this out into the future," I said with a grin that a child would have after getting the last copy of a limited edition action figure.
For now, my focus was to improve my Flash Steps ability. Advancing from entry level mastery to mid level mastery was already very hard but the system had said I must still achieve an almost impossible task.
"I don't think I'll be able to complete this mission in time but, I'll still give it a shot anyway," I muttered "and I don't think I need this anymore, maybe I should give it to Leon. He should be able to use it once he becomes a Master stage cultivator."
*Knocks*
"You can come in," Leon answered.
"Oh, it's you brother, I thought you said you were going to take a nap," he said.
"So you don't want to see me?" I asked as I faked a dejected look on my face. "I planned to give you a gift but since you don't want to see me, I'll give it to you later."
"No, I never said anything like that," Leon shouted in haste.
"Haha, is it just me or is teasing people just really fun," I said as I burst out laughing.
"Humph, you're shameless big bro, how can you make fun of your younger brother?" He asked with a pout, "I'll report you to mum when she's back, I want justice."
"There's no need for that," I quickly said, "anyway, here's my gift," I said as I tossed him the Master level ability book.
"Brother, isn't this the ability book the king gave you? Why are you giving it to m-"
"Oh, I was supposed to be taking a nap, bye."
"Tsk, older brother is really getting better at being shameless, how does he expect me to use a Master level ability book when I'm still a Beginner stage cultivator."
"He must be making fun of me, I'll make sure to get back at him later."
...