After exploring the Hunters Market for a while longer, Kai decided to head back to the inn.
After returning to his room, he picked up [Principles of Herb Weaving] and started going through it again.
After an hour or so, he put down the book and started practicing.
Slowly guiding his Ki toward his hand, Kai forced it out through his finger, and soon a tiny blue energy appeared at the tip of it.
However, it quickly disappeared, and Kai felt his Ki decrease slightly.
"Why does it keep happening? I can coat my hand with it just fine."
Trying again, Kai successfully covered his whole hand with Ki. However, the moment the Ki left contact with his skin, it began to dissipate.
"Let's see… If I continue like this, there's no guarantee that I'll succeed. But if I put all my effort into earning money, can I gather 50,000 gold coins in a month or two?"
Thinking about how he had spent the last 15 days trying to figure out a way to use [Herb Weaving] with Ki, Kai began considering alternatives—like, for example, buying a Knowledge Sea.
"In roughly two hours, I made around 15 Basic Vitality Pills. If I work four extra hours and sell each one at 50 copper coins, I would make around 6 silver coins every day."
"If I continue at this pace, it will take me… more than 200 years to earn 50,000 gold coins."
Helplessly, Kai put the [Principles of Herb Weaving] away and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Mom, Dad, Liam, Ella… I miss you all."
Thinking about his family, Kai slowly drifted into dreams.
[Ancient Calendar: 8 April 0001]
Waking up the next morning, Kai washed up and headed out to get some food.
Today was Sunday, which meant no work.
After getting his refill, Kai returned to his room and buried himself in books.
After an hour or so, he no longer had the mental capacity to continue.
Reading the same things over and over again was making his brain hurt.
So, he decided to roam around a little to unwind.
Wandering the streets of Blue Wing Town, Kai saw children playing, hunters heading out to hunt, and people training—overall, living life to the fullest.
"This is the reality now."
Mumbling to himself, Kai relaxed a little and decided to head back.
Returning to his room, he once again picked up books related to [Herb Weaving] and started going through them one at a time.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already evening.
Kai felt a little hungry, so he put the book down and left to get some food.
"Have you heard? A Mayor was elected today."
"Right, what's next? Taxes? It's just powerful people playing house—nothing more."
The dining area of the inn was as lively as ever. After ordering his food, Kai found an empty table and sat down.
"You heard? Tu Lang failed his Heavenly Trial again."
"What do you expect? You think passing the Heavenly Trial and getting a C-rank Gift is easy?"
"I feel sorry for the guy—this was his third try."
"Worry about yourself. You're almost nearing the threshold for your fourth Heavenly Trial."
"I'm not aiming for a C-rank Gift. There's this D-rank Gift I've been eyeing for a while."
"You mean D-rank Prestige Growth?"
"How do you…?"
"Wait—is that for real? Hahahaha! I'm dying of laughter!"
"Hahaha! I bet he really needs that!"
Hearing about the Prestige Growth Gift, Kai couldn't help but smile. He knew about Prestige Growth. While he didn't need it thanks to his own talents, for some, this Gift could be more valuable than a C-rank Gift.
Soon, Kai's food arrived. After eating and paying the bill, he headed back to his room.
Back in his room, Kai cleaned up. Back on Earth, he had been a messy person. However, learning alchemy had developed in him the habit of keeping himself and his place neat and tidy.
Lying on his bed, Kai closed his eyes and began trying to sense the Ki around him. Activating his innate ability [Devour], he started absorbing the surrounding Ki.
There are two methods of increasing Ki. The first is killing monsters and using the innate ability [Devour] to absorb the Ki released when they die. The second method is absorbing Ki directly from the environment.
Both methods rely on the innate ability [Devour], granted by the Emperor to everyone participating in the Ascension Program.
After absorbing the surrounding Ki for more than 10 minutes, Kai felt he had reached his limit. He stopped drawing in more Ki and instead guided his Source Ki to assimilate the newly acquired energy.
"Stats!"
[User: Kai]
Age: 19
Ki: 146.5
Profession: Apprentice Alchemist
Innate Ability: Devour
Heaven Gift: Clear Mind (F), Heightened Senses (E)
Skills: Fire Control (F)]
"Let's continue for a little longer."
Seeing the increase of 0.5 in his Ki reserves, he continued.
After another cycle of absorbing Ki, Kai's Ki reserve reached 147.
"Should I continue?" Looking at the clock, Kai decided to keep refining Ki.
In the past two days, he hadn't been able to refine any Ki due to an increase in his workload.
An hour later, Kai's Ki reserve reached 148—an increase of 2 points in less than an hour.
"Let's get some rest." Relaxing his muscles, Kai slowly drifted into sleep.
[Ancient Calendar: 9 April 0001]
Waking up, Kai freshened up at the inn, had breakfast, and headed to work.
Along the way, he wanted to stop by Kato Bakery. However, remembering his recent big purchase at the Hunters Market, he held himself back.
"Here's your list." As Kai entered the Honey Pill Shop, Miya handed him his brewing list and returned to her desk.
Taking the list, Kai headed toward his alchemy room.
[Brewing List]
Name: Kai
Date: Year 0, Month 4, Day 9
Task: 50 Basic Vitality Pills]
"50 Basic Vitality Pills. I can make them in three batches."
Reading the list, Kai started refining.
After adding the elemental essence, he would rest a little and then once again begin reading books related to [Herb Weaving].
After a full six hours of refining pills, Kai made a total of 51 pills—two of which were mid-grade.
Cleaning the place and making a list of herbs used, Kai left the alchemy room.
After exchanging the extra pill for Honey Points, he left the Honey Pill Shop.