81 Breakthrough

[Spirit force has increased]

[Congratulations! You have mastered the middle stage foundation of the earth element]

Now that his focus had been broken, Emery realized it had been quite a while since he had checked his status. So, he decided to examine the symbol on his hand and just as Killgragah had mentioned, some functionalities in the palm-symbol worked since it was connected to his lifeforce. He selected his personal information and the following showed:

[Emery Ambrose]

[16 years old]

[Spirit Aptitude B]

[Spirit Affinity: Plant, Water, Earth, Darkness]

[Plant Spirit - Middle Stage]

[Water Spirit - Initial Stage]

[Earth Spirit - Middle Stage]

[Darkness Spirit - Inestimable]

[Battle power 21 (16)]

[Spirit force 36 (24)]

[Fey Bloodline - stage 1]

[Acolyte Rank 2]

Looking through his updated general information, Emery slightly smiled at the results of his most recent training. During his four days of training, his spirit force increased by a total of three points, and not only that, his battle power also increased by five more points, which was out of his expectations. He gave it a thought and the only explanation he could make sense the most was the latest addition to his status.

[Fey Bloodline - stage 1]

So far, he had experienced two instances of bloodline activation, the first one was done with the help of a potion booster, which also increased his strength permanently afterward, while the second one was activated naturally in his battle against the woman. This second instance differed in a sense that it was a lower increase, however, to make things matters, Emery was glad there were increases in his physical condition.

For a moment, Emery daydreamed of waving a huge sword and battling countless foes, however, when he tried to move his right arm… a hint of disappointment struck him. He tried to feel whatever was left of his right arm(which was now only the right shoulder) only to become more pensive. Fortunately, the depressing thoughts were drowned out by the long, grumbling complaint of his stomach. And with his attention shifting once more, he hadn't considered how he would be living without food or water for a long time?

He stood up with his slightly numb legs and went to the black dragon whose intent gaze seemed to be locked in watching the outside world.

The so-called 'great and mighty, Killgragah' didn't seem to put this matter in such high regards, but for Emery this was a matter of great importance. After all, if he didn't eat or drink anything, he would die. Once more, Emery asked, "Dear Magnificent Killgragah, I, a humble acolyte needs forms of sustenance. If I don't, then a supreme being such as yourself would soon be seen as a delicacy in my eyes."

"That's preposterous!" exclaimed the black dragon. "However, you are bothering me. At the other end of the tunnel, there should be some food there. Now, go away."

Emery didn't say much and only nodded in gratitude. He went back through the passage he had come from and found that the floor was stained with dried blood. Not far away, was the black dagger, that Granny had used to try and suck energy lifeforce from people. He picked it up and inspected it closer. At first glance, the dagger appear dull, however when Emery tried to run his finger by the edge, it cut through his skin like metal and leaves.

[Moon Dagger - Tier 3 Artifact]

[Weight: 2.1 kilogram, Length: 35 centimeter]

[Spell unavailable - bound to owner]

Like what he had seen so far, Granny's dagger was special. However, what kind of spell did it contain? If it was only the sucking of lifeforce, Emery wasn't sure if he would like to use this. For now though, he decided to keep the jet black dagger by strapping it on his waist before continuing on his journey to reach the other end of the tunnel. Soon enough, he found himself in a small basement-like room.

There were several wooden containers that had moss growing on the outside, however, the inside seemed to be filled with water. He scooped it with his left hand, smelled it before taking a sip, and then within an instant, it quenched whatever thirst he had. Sitting on another side of the room were more than a dozen leather sacks, and when he opened it, a pile of triangular leaf packages lay inside. Emery grabbed one and after he had unpacked it, the content appeared to be some sort of bread. Again, he sniffed it but Emery's brows twitched. It smelled nothing. 

Since cooking was somewhat related to alchemy, Emery tried his spell analyze and received the following information:.

[Analyzing...]

[Lembas Bread]

[A consumable item. The choice of food by humanity's mortal enemy, the elves. However, none can deny its nutritional effectiveness. Just one small is enough for daily consumption]

Emery placed a small piece of the bread into his mouth. He was kind of expecting some kind of taste, however, it was just plain and simple. After finishing the piece, he bore witness to its effect as his grumbling stomach no longer complained and felt full. Better than starving to death, he supposed.

He then rummaged through the other sacks, only to find they all contained the same tasteless bread. Searching around the room even further didn't garner any results but since his main objective in coming to his area was fulfilled, Emery traveled back to where the black dragon was. 

On the way, Emery pondered why there was a storage room here. Then he remembered the description of the bread, elves… there was only one elf whom he had encountered, and that was back in the Magus Academy in one of the forests near Elder's Respite. So, this meant that something happened afterward when he lost consciousness in the battle against the orcs.

Not wanting to think more of it, Emery arrived back in Killgragah's chamber only to find the black dragon fast asleep. He didn't mind the sleeping dragon and proceeded to sit down on the corner and started cultivating his understanding of the elements. This time, he went for the water element.

"Water is always flowing, never ending, adapting to its surroundings," Emery muttered. Soon enough, the illusion of a raging current flashed before him and carried him away. He tried to go with the flow and let himself be carried away. Without him realizing it, several more days had passed once again.

[Spirit force has increased]

[Spirit force has increased]

[Spirit force has increased]

[Congratulations! You have mastered the middle stage foundation of the water element]

Similar to what he had experienced earlier, the bout of energy and new understanding woke him up from the trance. He got up, took care of himself in the other room before returning to this chamber. The succeeding days were spent on mastering two of his spells that were collecting mold in the back of his mind. 

[Stone skin]

Emery's skin became as hard as stone and tried to cut a bit of himself using the jet black dagger. Its sharpness still penetrated his defense, however, when he tried crashing into the wall or punching himself in several parts of his body, he felt nothing. He smiled knowing that the stone skin was effective.

[Whip splash]

At first he tried using it in the dragon's chamber but nothing happened. A suspicion came into his mind, so when he tried using the spell in the storage room where there were dozens of water containers, a whip made out of water formed and slapped the ground he was thinking of hitting. His suspicion came into fruition that this spell indeed needed some kind of catalyst. However, because of that, Emery placed the spell back in his mind since water was an extremely precious resource right now. 

Overall though, Emery was quite satisfied he was able to use the spells.

Emery continued training and two weeks later a new notification came out of the symbol in his hand.

[Spirit force has increased]

[You have now reached acolyte rank 3]

It took him only about three weeks to break through the third rank. He continued making progress with the three elements except for the darkness. That element was just something he couldn't understand how to begin cultivating with. Also, he decided for himself to not be over reliant in asking questions to the dragon. 

A month had passed but it looked like breaking through the fourth rank was a milestone. Emery could feel it. 

After another month had and only then he had success. 

[You have reached acolyte rank 4]

Progress is progress, was what Emery believed in. He was becoming a bit more cheerful, but the dragon, who had not spoken with him for a long time, said, "Aghh, I can't stand it anymore. You are regressing instead of moving forward! This is worse than I thought."