Exalted Warlock 22 Chapter 11: Afterthoughts

Nevertheless, the conversation he had with the Matron kept on playing in his mind, after the bombsh.e.l.l that the Matron drop about how low his techniques was Magnus was feeling filled up to the brim with too many new and shocking information.

So he decided to cut it short and say his goodbyes to the Matron, he just didn't want his mind to explode yet. What the Matron gave him today could be food for thought for countless nights.

That is why when Magnus finally made it to his bed, which felt like literal heaven even if he had always complained how stiff it made his back, he got started on digesting his on all the new goodies and knowledge.

The first thing he began with was the two techniques which he took out of his inner tunic pockets and unrolled it from their cylinder shape he put them in. Magnus then laid the two techniques side by side right before him, the technique he wanted to start off with was the breathing technique so that he could fully understand it and answer one big question he had.

Will it always cost a 10 gold lions to practice it? Because if it does then it will not be feasible to practice it ever again since that is too far out of his price range. Thus Magnus flipped open the breathing technique once more and started reading but this time with no skimming.
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After reading the breathing technique not once but twice over, Magnus finally closed it and sighed in relief. It will not cost a 10 gold to practice this technique!

What Magnus did was very stupid and dangerous, he did not know how he was not already dead yet. What the technique does is convert food into enhancements by boosting your metabolism the key here being you need food to advance yourself.

But Magnus did not stuff his face full like the booklet recommended, that is seriously what it recommended, meaning that the technique did not have anything to convert so it used what was readily available, Magnus, himself.

The newborn pract.i.tioner did not know what the technique drew upon whether his fat, which was already minuscule, or something else but Magnus thinks it is his fat most likely. He looked at himself this morning and his high cheekbones are way more prominent than before and his baby fat is all but gone.

Anyways thanks to rushing to the pantry and gorging himself done on all the food inside of it, he saved his own a.s.s and offset the drain that the technique was making on his body.

Now it was clear, the technique only converts what he had in his belly, which was great news but still, Magnus felt like coughing up blood and he had himself to blame. All that gold went down the drain thanks to the foolish mistake he made in his over eager and haste, his near death didn't even bother him at all but the GOLD.

A small part of Magnus's mind was quite disturbed with the attachment he was gained towards gold. Back on earth like old any person, he wanted money and to name a few other things, but here in this world… gold is started to take more precedence than even his life.

He didn't become greedy, far from it, the donation he makes to the orphanage every day, the money he uses to buy treats, toys, clothes, and other stuff for the orphans shows that he is not becoming selfish.

Though every time he has to send money it is like a piece of his flesh is being chopped off, so you can say he became stingy for money.

Magnus set aside the breathing technique, right now he couldn't practice it since he didn't have any food on hand. Although he knew a perfect time that he could practice the technique and he didn't even have to pay for the food that he will be stuffing himself with.

Magnus picked up the meditation techniques and started to read it, but this time he did not go over the techniques only, he also made sure to read the whole little booklet. There were some things that caught his attention, namely where was the techniques getting the energy to power his advancements.

Unlike the breathing technique which used food as the energy for powerups, Magnus found that the meditation techniques did no such thing like that. No matter where he looked, he couldn't find what reserves were used up.

If there is one law that Magnus knew with absolute certainty about the vast Cosmos is that there is no free lunch! It bugged Magnus to no end that he couldn't find out the secrets of the meditation techniques but still, it looked like it was safe to practice it.

Considering that there were not any dire warnings written in the booklet and the Matron would not have given him the technique if it was dangerous. Anyways inside Magnus was jumping up and down in joy and could not hold himself back from jumping right in and seeing some powerups.

The first step in this technique was to have a clear mind, then you were to chant a mantra, after that nothing, it was only those two steps. It just surprises Magnus with how simple and clear cut these techniques are and the power they offer in that simplicity.

Magnus did his best to clear his mind, ever since he came to this new world, his mind has been lately very preoccupied with numerous things whether it be shock, awe, worry, sadness, sorrow, and woe.

It took a while but Magnus was finally able to clear his mind, it felt relaxing and soothing just drifting off into emptiness with all emotions and feelings cut off. Magnus wanted to stay like that forever and ever without any worries to concern him, but he knew deep down that was not any way to live.

No matter how bad things get, you always gotta keep on struggling and fighting because that is what life is a struggle and a test.

Also, he had to move on to the second step of the technique, so Magnus got started reciting the mantra. The young pract.i.tioner kept at it as his voice got high and low, while he tried out different pitches, and unique timbres.

Then deep into it as he was going with the flow, a sudden wave of bliss. .h.i.t him, it was like dozens of needles filled with euphoria were stuck in his arms. The mantra that Magnus was vocalizing came to a sudden halt as Magnus reeled back from the strike and embraced it.

Once Magnus stopped reciting the mantra, the bliss started to fade away, and Magnus was left basking in the after effects. Until that too was gone and Magnus finally woke up feeling refreshed and energized.

Magnus looked down at the small booklet in amazement, he wanted to proclaim this technique as the best but the mystery it contained held him back. Nevertheless thanks to the technique Magnus felt like he just drank a dozen coffee shots and was at 100%. All the cramps and burning sensations he was feeling throughout his body was all gone and he felt like he was ready to tackle the world.

Magnus turned to face Codex, in a metaphorical sense, and asked her in an eager tone, "Codex show me my stats!"

Without a word, Codex pa.s.sed on Magnus's information in the form of a screen that appeared right before his very eyes.

[Scanning Complete]

[Physical Stats Available

Spiritual Stats Available]

[Module Units Identified:

Strength: 3.96

Endurance: 4.31

Agility: 5.94

Dexterity: 5.43

Vitality: 4.54

Durability: 3.71

*NEW* Will: 11.61(11.03)

*NEW* Perception: 9.99(9.53)

]

Magnus's eyes nearly popped over when he saw were his spiritual stats were at, the two of them were above normal or near it. Anyways, it is clear that he had the typical mage build, though he had not run into spells yet. So these higher stats really mean nothing to him since it does not translate into power.

Even if Magnus hated saying it, he rather be some muscle brain right about now- some strength, durability or any other physical stat would do well in this world he is in. Intelligence and wisdom do not get you anywhere as a commoner, however brute strength does just about right for you.

Magnus recalled those elemental and energy techniques that the Maton mentioned, he did not know what those techniques were or did, but he just felt that it would pair well with his high spiritual stats.

However he did not have them so all he could do was wish for them longingly and move on to more important things.

Say for example what does these two new stats mean? Unlike the other stats which were more clear cut, these two stats could mean a number of things, so just to be safe, he asked the expert.

"So, what do these two stats stand for, Codex?"

"Well," Codex said and Magnus imagined she would have been pulling up her gla.s.ses like some expert. "These stats are more abstruse than the physical ones, so what I could say is that Will or Willpower measures your control. What I need to get a more deeper understanding of this stat is more data. Then there is Perception which has to do with awareness, instincts, and the five senses. I believe you know what those are; sight, taste, touch, sound, and smell. "

Magnus was a tad bit surprised that Codex did not have all the answers, he smiled fondly, that made her all the more human.

Codex saw the smile on Magnus's face and took it the wrong way, "What do you find so funny, Magnus? Well, if you are so smart, go ahead and try to figure what this stat means."

Magnus held his hands out in mock surrender and smoothly said, "I was not laughing at you or a.s.suming that you are stupid. If that is what you are wondering about then it was because I only found you human! Also if you need data you can always collect it from me."

"Well, that better have been what you were thinking!" Codex said in a stutter.

"Ahh, look who is acting like a tsundere!" Magnus said as he poked fun at Codex.

"You know what f.u.c.k you!" Codex said, and Magnus had to point out that she did not deny anything.

The very next day Magnus came down to breakfast not only a meal but to also find the older boys. He looked around the dining hall with his porridge and spoon in his hands and spotting them all sitting in a corner far off to the right, back end.

Magnus made his way to them, Tamer spotting him walking over, and not knowing that he was already coming over, waved him over, especially inviting him to come sit with them.

"So, I have heard that you have been busy these last few moons turns," Erhan said as Magnus seated himself.

Magnus raised his eyebrows unsure if he was talking about the coin purses they have been stealing these last five moon turns or something else. Magnus sighed silently as he took a spoonful of porridge- this is why he hated when people spoke in vague terms or in circles.

That is why he asked, "What do you mean, Erhan? Just speak to me clearly and I will answer back honestly."

"Well then if you want honestly, then answer me this, why is it that you are stealing? Also, how could you include the other kids into this?"

Magnus wasn't surprised that they found this dirty laundry this late. The older boys work long shifts and rarely come home until the twilight hours. Before long Magnus too would be joining them in their long schedules, and it thanks to the Matron that he has his a.s.s covered.

Finally, he could be gone for long days on end, and he is free from his daily triple check-in that he had with Mother Selin. This would free him up and he could jump into his new job.

Also, Magnus knew this day would come, these boys are smart and they could add one and one together to figure out what he was up to.

Anyways Magnus did not want to way through the mire which is morality with them, he did what was necessary to keep the orphanage afloat. Also, he knew that too are in the deep in with him, because after all one is a gangster and n.o.body seems to have a problem with it.

Magnus knew what they were up to, like any parent or older sibling they just wanted to shield him and the other orphans from the world.

"Look we stopped stealing if that is what you guys are wondering," Magnus said. He also wanted to add how bad the orphanage's financial situation was, but that would be a d.i.c.k move. Even with his skewed morality, Magnus knew that would be a low blow adding the orphanage's problem on to their consciousness.

Also most importantly of all, Magnus feared what they would do, would they steal like him or kill for money, trick or beguile, and etc.

"Still do you the danger you are in?" Etkin asked, "The gangs set their eyes on you and the other kids."

Erhan nodded his head along to Etkin's statement, "also the guards are keeping their eyes out for you as well. Do you know how bad that is, you got the guards and gangs to agree on something."

"I know," Magnus said it looked like he will have to go through a berating. "That is why we have stopped stealing, forever, and we will keep our heads down."

Then Magnus paused, he turned to look at Erhan with squinted eyes, "I get how Etkin knows about how the gangs are looking for me but how do you know that the guards are looking for me?"

Erhan chuckled as he awkwardly scratched his the back of his head, "Well I wanted this to be a surprise but you guys will never leave me alone until I tell you, huh?"

Everyone seated on the table nodded their head, making it clear that Erhan's thoughts are correct, they are not going to give him any wiggle room until he spills.

"Alright, I will spill," Erhan said. "I did quite well in my training that I got accepted as a guard, a guard in training to be more exact but a guard all the same since I pretty much have it in the bag."

"Overconfident much?" Tamer asked in rye amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Well, then I guess you can say h.e.l.lo to a nice comfy job, huh?" Andrew asked.

"More like a corrupt and lazy job, you mean," Etkin said.

Magnus patted Erhan on the shoulder, "Well I am sure that he will be our city's finest, guarding us, folk from… Hey, Erhan what do you guard even guard us against?"

"Actually the guards act as a defense against the creatures that dwell in the valleys and other mountains," Mazhar said.

Etkin snorted in disgust, "Everybody knows that those animals and beasts in the valley do not attack the cities. They only attack outcropping towns and villages, the guards only act as a drain to the city and its folk."

Erhan rolled his eyes, "Please Etkin we all know the true drain on this city, the gangs who are always shaking down the commoners."

Magnus shook his head, the two of them are already falling into their cliches of the gangster and guard. Anyways his worked out perfectly for Magnus as it drew the heat away from him, he even thought about stroking the flames so that he could sit back and watch a live sitcom. It has been too long since he had good amus.e.m.e.nt, ahh, how he misses the comforts of modern life.

The only reason why his thoughts strode into that direction was because he knew that they were above the hate relationship that the guards and gangs have with each other.

However, he still did not accomplish what he came here to do, so that is why Magnus decided to k.n.o.b this fight in the bud. "Alright guys that is enough, you look like cats and dogs going at it."

Erhan had the decency to look ashamed while Etkin just drew back.

"Anyways before we move on to anything,"

'namely my berating,' Magnus added as a side note.

"I come here bearing good news."

"Well, what is it?" Tamer asked, being the first one to take the line.

"First I am going to have you guys swear by the Great Sage, Andrew, you can swear on the First King. Don't look at me like that, this is very important and secretive knowledge that I am about to give you and me making you swear on the founders should show you how paramount this is."

There was some whining going on since this was a lot to ask for, swearing by the founders is a sacred thing and Magnus made it doubly difficult by not telling them what they are swearing on.

In this brutal world, this action is highly regarded and it is what people stick to keep a shred of legitimately and honesty. Magnus always found this tradition weird since it isn't as binding as a magical contract but it does the job.

Finally, all the older boys swore by the Great Sage or in Andrew's case, he swore by the First King, the founder of the Golden Plains.

Then Magnus got out the breathing technique and laid it out in front of them giving them a clear sight of it. After that Magnus started talking and it was a long, shocking conversation he had with them.