Chapter 19: Hard Work Begins

Arin knocked on the door, and a loud shout came from behind it. "I don't want any trinkets or pleasures! I thought I made myself clear!" After a few moments, the door opened, and Maloren stood before him. When he realized it was Arin, his expression turned calm and emotionless. "Ah, it's you. What do you need?" he asked.

Arin quickly apologized. "I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but I need your advice on a few things," Arin said.

Maloren opened the door wide and invited him in. The room was very modestly furnished, clean, with a bed, a large wardrobe, a place to store armor, and a table with four chairs. On the table, a glowing orb, likely a magical light, illuminated the entire room.

"Sit down," Maloren said and asked if Arin wanted something to drink. Arin thanked him but declined, saying he didn't want to bother Maloren for long, but he had a few questions. He pulled out two books he had bought from his ring and placed them on the table. "I've advanced to the second level and bought these books: Magic Missile and the Identification skill," Arin began to explain.

Maloren nodded. "That's probably the best step you could have taken with your finances," Maloren approved of Arin's decision. Then Arin asked about his attributes. "I don't have the armor attribute in my stats," Arin noted, which caught Maloren's attention.

"That's strange," Maloren mused. "The armor attribute indicates what kind of armor or items you have that increase your defense. It's a defense against close and ranged combat. It can also partially reduce magical damage if you have the right items."

Arin nodded. "I know that; we learned about it in school, but we didn't cover it in detail. I thought my leather armor had no armor value."

Maloren paused for a moment and then said, "Read me everything you see in your attributes."

Arin nodded and began reading. When he finished, Maloren was silent for a moment, then continued, "Now I'll use an identification skill to find out more. This skill is similar to the one you bought but a bit better. It can show me your level and some basic information but not all the details and attributes," Maloren explained.

Arin nodded, and within a moment, he felt a peculiar sensation, as if someone was thoroughly examining him. He realized he had experienced this feeling recently. It was on the second floor of the shop at the master scribe, where a high-level awakened had examined him in the same way.

"That's strange," Maloren said after a while. "I see you're a level two summoner and nothing unusual. But this skill doesn't show me all your attributes, including the armor value. For that, you need much more advanced skills. It will be best if we go to the War Academy. There, the more capable awakened can help you and find out why you don't have the armor attribute."

Maloren pulled out five vials of a clear, slightly glowing liquid from his sleeve. "Arin, these are potions that will make it so you won't need to sleep. They'll restore your energy and allow you to use the maximum amount of your time. You can use up to five in a row, but then you must sleep, or it could knock you out and put you to sleep. There have been cases where people overdosed and died from exhaustion or other complications."

"It's best if you try to reach the eighth level as quickly as possible, ideally within four to five days," Maloren continued. "In the meantime, I'll arrange everything with your mother and ensure you get to the War Academy. They'll explain why you don't have the armor attribute and make sure you're fully prepared for the entrance exam."

Maloren pondered for a moment. "When you read me all your attributes, I noticed you have 'summon familiar plus.' We will also need to discuss that."

Arin asked, "That is not normal? I don't know what it means. What is the 'plus' with summon familiar?"

Maloren thought for a moment. "I don't have much knowledge in this area, but when there's a 'plus,' it means it's a special skill or spell. They're usually influenced by items or by using special materials during awakening and so on. It's quite rare, but you'll learn more about it at the academy. You'll still have a lot to learn."

Maloren smiled. "All right, I understand," Arin smiled back, but then Maloren handed him the five potions. "Here are the potions, use them wisely."

Arin nodded and took the potions. "Thank you, Sir. I'll head to the dungeon and return in five days."

"Good," Maloren replied. "In the meantime, I'll talk to your mother and sisters about the move. Don't worry; everything will be ready. As soon as you come out of the dungeon, we'll be ready to go."

Arin packed the potions, thanked Maloren, and shook his hand. Then he set off toward home.

When Arin left the room at the Broken Tooth, he didn't stop. There were many more people than before, so even the waitress didn't notice him. He slipped through the crowd and ran onto the dark, now night-time street, heading home quickly.

On the way, he encountered only a few guards and no one else. Even in the slums, there was an unusual silence. Arin attributed this to the large number of newly awakened in the city, making the guards extremely active and all on duty. This made the slums calm, and those with malicious intent were likely looking for their victims elsewhere in the city.

When Arin arrived home, his sisters were already asleep, and his mother was sewing some fabric, adjusting things that looked like new dresses for one of his sisters. Arin greeted his mother and explained his plan.

"I have to go back to the dungeon and reach the eighth level as quickly as possible," Arin said. "I won't be home for five days. Maloren will visit you and explain everything tomorrow."

He handed her the remaining 21 gold coins. "Here you go. You don't need to work anymore. We have enough money. Start preparing for the move."

His mother looked at him with concern. "But Arin, what..."

Arin gently interrupted her, "Mom, think of the girls. We have to take advantage of this opportunity. Prepare everything so we can leave as soon as possible."

His mother sighed but then nodded. "All right. I'll quit my job tomorrow and start preparing everything."

"Thanks," Arin said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Maloren will explain more when he comes."

His mother hugged him, kissed him on the forehead, and stroked his head. "Be careful, Arin," she said lovingly. Then she left the room to join his sisters, giving him a little privacy.

Arin then took out everything he had bought today: the two books and the necklace, which he immediately put around his neck. "Let's start," Arin whispered.