I Reject Quests

Chapter 183: Witch of Batomata (8)

When the others saw him writing down their information on a paper, they looked at each other but didn't question his actions.

The magician finished writing after a while, then kept the paper in his pocket. "Okay, I will come to this a bit later. For now, let's go back to the topic. So, <<Awakening>> is something all of you are already aware of and experienced. It increased your POW and introduced some amount of G.C. onto your body. Not exactly introduced because it was already within yourself. To say it more appropriately, it brought out the G.C. within yourselves.

"Depending on individual talents, it has increased the two factors by a considerable margin. Currently and in the few more years to come, you need to increase your POW to 20 for reaching the Bronze rank and then, you go through the <<Second Awakening>>. Can anyone tell me why you need exactly 20 POW? Why not 19 or 21?"

"It's because 20 POW is the most optimal state for going through <<Second Awakening>>. Lower and higher than that would not bring out the fullest of the <<Awakening>> or so I've heard." Again, Koshikawa was the one to answer.

Others, except for the magician, had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

"Correct. Do you know why it wouldn't bring out the fullest of the <<Awakening>>?"

This time, Koshikawa shook his head.

"It's because no matter how much foundation you build up, your base capacity remains the same. By base capacity, I'm referring to your total potential. Remember when I said that you people went through <<Awakening>> using the modern method and what percentage of your potential is exhausted when using that method? It's fifty percent. 

"So in essence, when you go through your <<Second Awakening>>, fifty percent of your potential is left. Now you must be thinking - if that's the case, what's the harm in increasing beyond 20 POW? Wouldn't it be better if I do that? 

"No. That's not how it works. Take two empty buckets of the same sizes, let's name them Bucket A and Bucket B. First, you half-fill Bucket A with water. Then, you take Bucket B and also fill water till it's half-filled but then, you thought of adding a bit more. After some time, you thought of filling Bucket B by pouring the entire amount of water from Bucket A. What do you think will happen? Obviously, some quantity of water would fall off. Why is that? Because it doesn't have the capacity to store more than a full bucket. 

"Apply this analogy to the total potential I was discussing. If you go through the <<Second Awakening>> without reaching the Bronze rank, the bucket would not be filled entirely, that is, your potential would be exhausted entirely but the benefits would be far less. Conversely, if you were to push through more than 20 POW, you already wasted some of your potential that would have been far more useful when you go through <<Second Awakening>>."

The magician paused, giving others time to process.

Imada and the others understood what the magician was saying pretty quickly.

"I have a question." At this moment, Koshikawa raised his hand.

The magician nodded. "What is it?"

"According to this analogy, does this mean that the 'perverse' method as well as the 'scripture training' method that you told us about does this mean that even after the <<Second Awakening>>, people who practice those methods would still have some potential left?" 

Hearing this, a smile appeared on the magician's face. "That is an interesting question. Short answer, yes. I'm afraid it would take some time to explain the entire concept so let's discuss that later. Anyways, the reason I'm explaining all this has very little to do with the current scenario. I know that the academy didn't get the time to inform you about this yet this to you guys yet so I'm filling in the gaps. Take a rest. After I come back, I'll lay out the plan."

With that, the magician walked away.

Imada and the others looked at each other and started discussing the topic they were taught just now.

***

Inside a small hut.

A family of three was chatting along with the magician. There was a middle-aged couple along with a young boy of about ten years of age. The magician came to this place when he heard that the young boy was sick. It's not that there wasn't modern medicine available but the magician was specifically known for being a "miracle doctor". 

Whenever the magician heard this name, he bitterly smiled. He wasn't a [Healing] Gruer User but he had some knowledge about it because he was close with a person who was one. Back then, he often scoffed while learning, saying it wouldn't be useful. Only after he came to Batomata Island did he realize the importance of his skills.

The magician got up while ruffling the hair of the sick boy. "He would be healthy by evening."

The middle-aged woman, who was the mother of the boy, looked at the boy. "Tomorrow, you won't be sick and will go to school. No excuses."

The boy's face turned sour.

The magician lightly laughed. "Uh, just look at the time. I should leave."

"I have just prepared lunch. Leave after some time." 

"Sister, I have left the kids out"

"It won't take much time," The middle-aged man also urged.

Twenty minutes later, the magician walked out of the hut rubbing his stomach. "That was quite a load." He said, before looking at the sky.

Bright and clear.

It made him feel nostalgic about the time he came to the island. 'How many years has it been Back then, I was confused, angry and irritated when I imagined how I would live here. Strangely, life is good here. The locals generously gave me a small plot of land when I was contemplating how to continue living. 

'In the morning, I tend to my farm. In the afternoon, I have my lunch while basking under the sun and looking proudly at my farm. In the evening, I perform magic tricks, laugh and chat with the community. Quite a smooth-sailing life for a person like me, I must say.' Eventually, his thoughts reached the beast tide that was about to come and his face turned serious.

'I have to inform the locals.'

***

When the magician returned, he saw Imada and the others casually chatting among themselves and clapped. "It took longer than expected. Anyways, if you guys don't have any questions, should I move to the plan?"

"Yes." Koshikawa voiced out. "One question before that, would the plan require us to grow stronger by the time we fight the beast tide."

The question made Imada and the others stare at the magician in anticipation. On one hand, they were excited by the prospect of getting stronger but at the same time, they figured how hard it would be to get significantly stronger within a couple of days.

The magician smiled upon seeing this. "There are two answers - yes and no. I'll explain it clearly in a few minutes. For now, let's discuss the plan in general. Don't worry, it isn't very complicated and simple to understand."