Chapter 36 Theory And Practice

"Thank you for accompanying me," Nami said sweetly as she stopped in front of Number One's room. "You can go ahead and do your thing now."

They just came back from eating dinner in the cafeteria and Number One couldn't be more grateful. He was so fixated on training that he completely forgot that he hadn't eaten for a whole day. The golden liquid would always make him feel full and he sometimes lost touch with reality.

Number One also found out he received ten thousand contribution points after he checked his student badge. It wasn't the whole sum he wanted but he got it for free so he didn't complain.

"Don't worry if you find me sitting in the same position. I will be fine no matter how long it takes me," Number One informed as he entered his room and caressed Nami's cheek on the doorstep. "Good luck with your study. You should be able to find the Soul Art Library on your own."

Number One still felt weird with all the lovey-dovey things Nami made him do but he was slowly getting used to being around her. She was understanding and never forced him too much beside her small favors.

"Is that all I get?" Nami questioned with puppy eyes and stepped inside to get closer to him. "Won't you at least give me a goodbye kiss?"

"Didn't you get enough kisses today?" Number One asked back while reaching to hold Nami's waist. She had been hugging him so much that his arms were already moving unconsciously.

"You didn't open your heart to me yet so I can only satisfy myself with your body," Nami pointed out honestly. "Right now we are training partners who grow together and enjoy each other's company. Are you saying I can't kiss your lips even after everything we did? You weren't that against it when we showered together earlier."

​ Number One recalled the scene she mentioned and he couldn't find any arguments to counter her. Everything they did was also new to him so he was naturally intrigued to try more things. He might have been a bit too passionate inside the shower but it was all because of her sexy body which unleashed his hidden desires.

"Just one," Number One warned after knowing how greedy Nami was and closed the door with his foot.

Number One only wished to give her a small smooch but Nami was unhinged. As soon as he got too close, she immediately coiled her arms around his neck before jumping on him with her legs wrapping around his waist. She was so predictable that Number One wasn't even surprised and simply embraced her while their tongues glued together.

'Is that called one?' Number One questioned after multiple tries to stop her but Nami ghosted him completely. She was too busy sucking the Soul out of him until she was fully satisfied.

"Don't pretend that you hate it," Nami called him out with pursed lips and suggested with a whisper into his ear. "Just like you are mine to touch, I'm yours too. Don't hesitate to claim what's yours or you will miss all the fun."

Nami finally hopped down and tried to walk away coolly but she only took two steps before Number One grasped her wrist and pulled her back for more. She wasn't even able to cry out as he took her lips forcefully and landed a large smack on her butt.

"Mhmmm!" Nami let out a pleased moan and grasped onto Number One's uniform. She hoped for more when he suddenly pinned her against the wall with his body but he paused just as quickly as he started.

"Don't regret your words," Number One said suggestively and let go of her for the last time. "That's enough for now. I will see you later."

Nami squinted her eyes with a pout. "How can you leave me like this? I won't be able to focus if we stop at such a moment."

"That was the whole point," Number One replied with a teasing smile and laid down on the bed. "Make sure you close the door properly."

"Humph," Nami snorted with her tongue sticking out and turned around on her foot. "Just you wait. You will be the one asking for more once I'm done with you."

Number One only chuckled as Nami left and he didn't hesitate to return to his heavenly space. Everything was just as he left it and he approached the golden doors with excitement. He was ready to face the next challenge no matter how long it would take.

"Time to open," Number One announced as he reached out to push the doors but they suddenly creaked and opened on their own. He could immediately see a new set of golden doors at the other end but he focused on the podium in the middle instead.

A medium-sized golden cauldron shone brightly from the surrounding light and Number One immediately recognized its shape.

"A pill cauldron!" Number One exclaimed as he rushed inside to inspect his new Soul Artifact. He has seen an exact type of cauldron inside the alchemist store not too long ago so it wasn't hard to figure out its usage.

The only mystery was what Number One could do with it.

"Damn, there are no legendary pills inside of it," Number One cursed as he picked up the cauldron and sighed, "Am I supposed to make the pills myself?"

Number One couldn't lie that he was a bit disappointed but he would take what he could get. He only had one way to proceed and that was forward. The sooner he figured out how to cross the second door the better.

"Alright, show me what you got," Number One muttered and finally walked to the other doors. He got blinded by a golden light as soon as he touched them before his head hurt with abundant knowledge forcing its way into his mind.

The same thing happened during the first doors but this time it was much worse. Number One fell onto his knees but he gritted his teeth and absorbed without taking a break.

It wasn't just minutes or hours' worth of research. Everything one needed to know about alchemy was being recorded in Number One's brain. Only after he started comprehending the information did he realize how valuable that gift was. Alchemists needed to study for tens of years and they still couldn't master their craft, yet he received everything in a matter of seconds.

It was just the theory though and Number One still couldn't replicate the same without proper practice but the golden door had him covered. Just as he finished taking in all the knowledge, he appeared inside a familiar training room filled with nothing but void.

"Nice to see you again teacher," Number One called out in advance and a golden silhouette spawned next to him. It didn't speak or even greet him back and instead immediately began their practice.

The silhouette extended his arm and a golden flame appeared on top of its palm. It demonstrated how to expand and contract the flame before glancing at Number One as if waiting for him to repeat.

Number One tried the same but he was only able to produce a weak flame that quickly extinguished on its own. He tried again but he ended up with the same result that only depressed him.

"It seems like I'm going to be locked here for a long time…" Number One muttered to himself and continued over and over again. He knew very well he couldn't leave unless he finished the whole practice.