Chapter 17 - 17.Library (Part2)

"Why basic earth element and basic body manipulation? Did you figure something about her skill? Be careful not to give her wrong advice as it can cause her a lot in the long run. If you're not sure better to let her figure things out herself" Anna ask Albert worriedly when she saw he pick basic earth elements in Alice comlink

"Her mastery is actually 1 very rare mastery and not 3 separated rare mastery. I try to draw theory from her skill name as that are the only thing we got. Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby; the only thing they have in common is precious stones. According game logic, precious stone and mineral are parts of the earth elements. And to learn how 3 linked mastery work you have to figure the connections between them and consider them as 1 skill rather than multiple. So I think it would be safe to start from the connections which are earth element."

"Right, almost forgot that Kana told me Alice pick 1 skill and got 3 as a result. She really is a lucky girl. I guess you also suggest body manipulation for the same reason as bone, flesh, and skin are part of the body so hence body manipulation?" Anna said looking towards Alice

"If you look at it from games perspective isn't ruby usually tied to fire elements rather than earth? I think you should reconsider this, Albert." James cuts Albert before he can answer Anna

Albert realized James is still listening to them all this time despite focusing on his comlink. Sweat drip on Albert's head realizing he almost make a big mistake that could cost his sister a lot. Realizing his mistake, Albert took basic earth elements from Alice's reading list and consult the other two further about what should they do.

After a short discussion, the three of them agree to let her read basic stuff first as there's a lot to read and discuss further when she's done with the basics. Basic body manipulation still on Alice's reading list as they have no qualms with the logic behind how bone, flesh, and skin are parts of the body itself.

After Albert finishes discussing Alice's situations with Anna and James he starts to read from his comlink. He tries to help the others by giving them his perspective on how things should work but Anna stops him to help them further.

She said it does not help much to do so because every person has a different perspective and if they follow him blindly they would hit a bottleneck somewhere and can't raise their mastery ever again.

That is also the reason why most of the things in the library are basic knowledge and not a full-on tutorial lesson.

Albert spent half of his time reading basic mana manipulation and all the basic stuff that could be useful for the next lessons. He read basic sound manipulations and there's even a video about how you can use an instrument to fight an enemy. Due to him having a sound domain as his traits so all sound-related skills would be twice more effective. Fortunately for him, he could use a sound base skill coming out from his instrument also buff by his trait.

'I think I could use a sound that comes out from my instrument not only to attack but I can also try to create a skill to buff others around me like in Hunter Monster Game that used to be popular in past.'

Albert really needs to thanks Anna for her suggestion as basic mana manipulation helps him a lot. The core purpose of an instrument is to create a sound; To use it efficiently he would need to create a sound-base skill and not bash your enemy with it. It turns out that a lot of peoples who get instrument mastery also have the same idea so he got a lot of references to take for that part. Creating a skill using an instrument requires you to channel your mana and somehow project your mana out using the sound that comes out from the instrument.

Some people use it to hypnosis target so their partner can attack it easily, some combine it with other mastery and create some kind of mental attack, there even one who use it for a physical attack as he combines it with wind element and he makes it so the sound that he produces can cut through it making some kind of wind blade.

Albert finally understands what is Anna is saying about figure his skills through his own perspective. Each skill has a strong point and some kind of downside so he can't just go learn them all as some skills contradict each other.

For example, the guy that uses hypnosis play a soothing melody to the target let them relax and let their guard down. On the contrary, to attack them using sound that produces wind blade a strong high pitch note is necessary. There are also many kinds of instruments and one would suit other types of development better.

When he play games in the past, Albert always told himself to never commit to a one-way path and to always have an alternative. Even as an archer you would face some situation where you need a knife or magic. He always chose to go to more of the general path to be ready to for any weird situation.

This time he decided to toss away an attacking path as they require him to make an early commitment when he choose instrument type. Granted there are multiple types of attacking using and some instruments there are some instruments would fit his requirement and can be used in multiple ways.

But the more he thinks about it, it would suit him better to abandon an attacking part as his mastery compliment his support build.

'This is real life and not a game. Although a general path is an easier option, in a world where you need to be better than others to survive you need a specialization. I can have Luna to attack and I support her and others from the back. I could also observe the fight from distance and give command whenever I can. I can contribute my experience of 10 years MMO gaming and as a leader of raiding party I think the experience would be useful.'

Albert finishes reading everything and look at the time on his comlink and realize that he already spend almost 3 hours in the library.

"Wait, we're here for almost 3 hours??? Didn't the instructors say that there would be 2 hours for each lesson and we have to rotate one after another? Did we just miss one of the lessons???"

"There is a notification on your comlink informing you that they would add an extra hour for every lesson. As this is the first day and it's really hard to get the hang of it on the first time you try." Anna said nonchalantly

Kana and James are discussing what they learn from all the new things they read. Next to them, Alice is having a blast in the dreamland. Albert knocks on her head to wake her up; 3 hours are almost up and they would need to move to one of the instructor lessons soon.

"Oh, you're finished, Albert. How much experience did you get for your mastery from all the new knowledge?"

James ask him smiling like he is the happiest person on earth.