Maikana
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Chapter 19 – Expectations subverted
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 17:12:10 +0000 UTCFalling asleep did not come as easily as she was used to that night, the slightly pleasant tingling feeling suffused through much of her hand and seemed to rise and fall with her pulse. Eventually fading to a peaceful slumber, Kori woke the next morning feeling refreshed and renewed in a way she hadn’t for a very long time.
“It worked!” Stretching and contorting her formerly strained and abused fingers and wrist without a twinge of pain or stiffness was a blessed experience after days of feeling on the edge of crippled. Realizing she’d been somewhat loud, she quickly checked for her mentor, unsure if he would approve of her using the ointment in such a way, though thankfully she saw no sign of him.
He’ll notice that I’m not cringing every time I lift my food or carry something… Maybe if I fetch breakfast before he gets up and get started in on copying right away, he’ll just think I’m pushing to finish.
Rushing out to gather their usual breakfast, the cooks having already been up for hours to prepare meals for much of the clan, she quickly retrieves both of their meals and scarfs hers down on the way back as best she can while juggling the portion for Ortik. She arranges his portion on the table and retreats to her own chamber to begin the days work.
Now that she isn’t hindered by strain, she finally gets a glimpse of the improvement she’d made over the past 7 days, the increases in skills that had allowed her to maintain a steady pace now freed to work unimpeded and her progress sprinting forward. Skill gains came quickly that day, with less focus on simply moving forward and more focus upon the work itself.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Drawing level 1 -> 2 >>
Drawing being the first skill to raise was unsurprising, both being the lowest level and earliest improvement she had achieved during this task, but it was soon followed by another.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Herbalism level 2 -> 3 >>
As she passed the two thirds mark in her completion she received her third level in herbalism. While still behind on her work, given that it was the eighth day, she was getting much closer, and that was barely halfway through the day. By the end of that day she’d completed more or her task in the single day than she had in the two prior.
While not as bad as the night before, the stiffness and strain had already begun to return to her hand.
I’m going to have to use it every night if I want to continue… There’s enough left to do it, but there’s no way Ortik will miss that it’s been used.
Pushing through until late in the evening, long after she should have been asleep on any other night, she receives another notification.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Calligraphy level 3 -> 4 >>
A fantastic way to end the night before sneaking off to the workshop once again, to smear a claw full of the ointment across her writing hand before bed. The now familiar tingling sensation spreading across her scales as the ointment sinks in.
<<Status condition applied. Minor Regeneration >>
This time not nearly as distracting as before, sleep coming much easier, she goes to bed satisfied with her days work and in using a product of her own making to ease its burdens.
Another early morning follows, her ninth day of the ten she’d been given to complete her tome, and like the day before she makes an early start of it. Setting out Ortik’s food and quickly inhaling her own to return to her task. By the end of the days work she would find herself nearly caught up to the goal of completing the task within the ten days, barely an eighth of the tome left to be transcribed.
While not as prodigious as her previous days work, she did manage to gain an additional level in her drawing Skill, the practice having been there from the previous days but now that her mind was free to focus on the task instead of being consumed by the force of will to simply carry on.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Drawing level 2 -> 3 >>
Determined to maintain her pace in the same manner as before, sneaking out to the workshop yet again that evening she found herself startled by yet another notification. One that shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, but that she really hadn’t been thinking about for a very long time.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Stealth level 1 -> 2 >>
Forgot about that skill… I’m surprised that it leveled when no one’s… Oh…
Realizing much too late that [Stealth] probably requires practical experience to raise, not simply wandering around an empty room in a crouch, she turns to see Ortik eyeing her questioningly from the still somewhat illuminated workroom.
“Good evening apprentice, shouldn’t you be resting?” Looking up from the tools arrayed before him.
“Spiritcaller Ortik… You’re working late… I was just…” Looking about for an excuse but unable to think of anything suitable.
“You were just coming to avail yourself of the ointment you’d prepared, yes?” Pointing to the jar already laid out on the workbench. “I was quite surprised to see you working away the past two days, barely a break or complaint, when you’d been near breaking just days beforehand.” Picking up the small jar, “It didn’t occur to me until just this evening that this may be the reason for it.” Tossing the container to her lightly, she nearly fumbles it multiple times before getting a firm grip on it, the lid in one hand and the jar in the other. “It looks like it worked quite well, apprentice.”
“I… I couldn’t think of another way to make your deadline… My hand could barely move the first night I used it and I woke the next morning without a single ache.” Guilt plastered on her face as she continues. “I’m sorry I used it without permission.”
“Why? You created the ointment; its purpose is to help in healing and recovering from wounds. It seems to me that you have made use of it to that purpose, is that not the case apprentice?”
“It is, Spiritcaller Ortik… But this rite, working through the pain is part of it, isn’t it?” His unexpected response completely throwing her from her expectations, confusion evident.
“And we all try to find our own way of dealing with it.” With another uncharacteristic chuckle before he continues, “Though I must say your method there is much more effective than my own… You should have already passed the pages on Swift Spine, yes?”
“Yes, Spiritcaller Oritk. Several days ago.” Focusing on what she remembers from the book, “That’s the one that the warriors like, brewing a tea with it grants a boost to agility if I remember correctly?”
“Indeed so, it should also note that repeated use will cause a withdraw status condition, reducing agility and perception, sharply.” The tone of voice making it clear that he is speaking from experience. “We all think to use the knowledge we gain from the task to improve our chances of succeeding in it. That’s nearly a part of the rite of passage in and of itself at this point. Now, off to bed, you still have one last day to meet your deadline.” A smile crossing his face as he speaks, a knowing glint in his eyes.
He thinks I’m going to fail… I’ll show him.
Smearing a glob of ointment across her scales before returning the jar to Ortik and bidding him goodnight, she returns to her chambers to prepare for her final day. With under 30 pages left, her Skills raised and her muscles to be refreshed and ready to work in the morning, she goes to sleep with a smile of her own.
Her tenth day arrives, and with a flurry of her pen she begins the final stretches of her work. Her renewed vigor quickly showing itself in a pair of notifications as she nears the end of the work shortly before dinner time. The final pages completed with time to spare, one of the notifications she receives however puzzles her.
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Calligraphy level 4 -> 5. Maximum level reached >>
<<Skill proficiency improved. Basic Herbalism level 3 -> 4 >>
Maximum level reached? How’s that supposed to work?
With a confused look masking her elation of completing the task she exits her chambers to find Ortik sitting at the table, food already present and waiting for her.
“Your deadline has arrived, young apprentice.” Gesturing for her to sit with him, “I assume you’ve realized by now the truth of the task?”
“The truth, Spiritcaller Ortik?” She responds quizzically.
“Yes, that pushing in such a manner slows your progress and your skill gains suffer for it.” Back to his lecturing tone, the hint of smugness back in its place. “I will admit, working yourself to such extremes, your hand near crippled with strain, was unexpected. Ylst told me you were dedicated and stubborn, but you exceeded my expectations there.” Shaking his head, a bit of mirth sneaking its way in among the smug. “I assume that you’ve realized by now that this is not a task that can be completed in ten days.”
I was supposed to fail?! But… Oh that’s just mean… But I didn’t fail, so I guess the jokes on him.
Taking her lack of response and confused look as her not understanding why he’d want her to fail, he continues in his lecture. “All apprentices are given the task and set about completing it in a limited time, though I’ll admit I pushed you a bit harder than the usual fourteen days we give most. The lesson is as much about learning to understand your limitations and setting expectations as it is to copy the materials. And a bit about standing up for yourself, though you didn’t quite take that part to heart yet it seems.”
“I admit I did see my progress stagnate the harder things became… but Spiritcaller Ortik, as soon as I was freed of the pain and able to work normally, my Skills caught up quickly. As did my progress.” Taking on her own hint of smugness, feeling it to have been earned in this case.
“Did they now? And how far have you managed to raise your Skills?
Pridefully, she replies, “I was going to ask something about that, Spiritcaller Ortik. Why did it say Maximum level reached when my [Basic Calligraphy] reached level five?”
“Level five? Already? Your lessons with apprentice Vri must have built quite the foundation for you to reach that already.” Clearly surprised by her having advanced the skill so far. “It is a shame that your calligraphy Skill won’t be able to benefit from the remainder of the task.”
“But the Skill has to go beyond just level 5 doesn’t it, Spiritcaller Ortik?” Still confused, it couldn’t be possible that there was no way forward from such a low level.
“Oh yes, it goes much higher. But not until you evolve the skill to the next tier. And that is not possible until you unveil your class and can take on Jobs.” Thinking a moment before he continues with his lecture. “What have the Matrons taught you about Jobs so far apprentice?”
“Not a great deal, Spiritcaller Oritk. That they become available once our Class is unveiled and that they are key to raising Skills. That our class will provide us with and help grow Abilities, our Jobs Skills, Our race Traits, and our actions Titles.”
“At it’s most basic, that is correct. But there is much more to it. Jobs become available based on the Skills you have and are able to provide bonuses to raising those skills. Leveling a Job to its maximum can provide you with a means to evolve the Skills associated with it to their next tier, which in turn can unlock higher tier jobs.”
“But that means I can’t raise Calligraphy again for another 2 years?”
“Correct. Younglings tend to complete a skill or two by the time they reach the end of their sixth year. Korse’s chosen usually get a few more than that from the boost. I’m still a bit surprised that you’ve already managed your first though.”
“[Basic Herbalism] reached level four just a short while ago too.”
“Truly? That is impressive. Most don’t see level 4 until after they complete their tome and get to do some experimenting.”
“But I did some experimenting before the Tome with the ointment.” Kori responds proudly, “And I did finish the tome, so I guess that makes sense.”
Now it was Ortik’s turn to be confused. “You What?!”
