The Guardian’s Wisdom and a Midnight Awakening

“A surprise? No, thank you. You can keep your surprises for yourself, old hag.”

Iordera dared not speak another word, swiftly clearing the plates before taking her payment and departing.

She wouldn’t believe a single thing the witch uttered.

As long as she committed no errors, no trouble would befall her.

In seven days, she would simply collect her pay and vanish.

With the vast ocean for fish to leap and the boundless sky for birds to soar, she could easily find a hidden nook to disappear into.

How could that witch possibly track her down then?

On her way home, Iordera once again spotted the masked figures clad in black.

They stormed into a shop, vandalizing, looting, and setting fires.

Iordera, along with the other ordinary citizens, sought refuge in a safe area, waiting for the city’s patrol guards to subdue the perpetrators.

Many inside the shop were injured, carried out by the guards to await treatment.

Several had sustained grievous wounds, bleeding profusely.

“These ruffians are truly barbaric.

Who knows what they’re after, just causing destruction everywhere.”

“Indeed.

I hope the Lord of the City apprehends them swiftly.”

Two passersby whispered their discussion nearby.

Iordera remained silent, knowing these individuals were the witch’s pawns.

Their widespread destruction aimed to sow panic, destabilize the city, and then, amidst the chaos, rescue Hecate the witch.

‘Better not to linger and watch the spectacle; I should just head home.’

****

Returning much earlier than yesterday, Iordera found Nina and Yuna basking in the sun in the courtyard, joined by Andrew from next door.

Nina held several books, deep in discussion with Andrew.

“I’m back,” Iordera announced, stepping into the courtyard.

“What are you all discussing?”

Her gaze fell upon the books, precisely those she had instructed them to purchase today: ‘Fundamentals of Combat,’ ‘Youth Skill Cultivation Manual,’ and similar titles.

Andrew explained, “I saw this lass bringing back a pile of books, so I asked her what was going on.

She said you intended to practice your skills by following them.

I told her it was useless, but she insisted it would be effective.

I argued that training solely from books would only teach you rigid, impractical movements.”

“Then what *is* effective?”

“Ask me!” Andrew declared, slapping his bald head with gusto.

“Though I’m only in my thirties in terms of level, I can certainly handle anything these books present.”

Iordera’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“That’s excellent! I was hoping to consult you about skills, techniques, and leveling.”

“What kind of questions? Be more specific.”

“Well, my current situation is this: I have a bit of a level,” Iordera said, gesturing to herself, “but I don’t know a single skill or technique.”

“What?”

Andrew looked utterly bewildered.

“You have a level, but no skills… How is that even possible?”

“Our young lady doesn’t understand anything about it,” Nina chimed in.

“Perhaps you could explain it to her.”

Andrew pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and began gesturing in the air.

“Now, little lass, listen closely.

Let’s start with cultivation.

Whether it’s a knight practicing his swordplay daily, or a mage apprentice sensing elements, it’s all a repetitive process of utilizing power.

And for artisans like me, who constantly smash things with a hammer, it’s fundamentally no different from a knight practicing with their sword.”

“The act of utilizing power draws in the ambient free-floating energy from the air, which your body then absorbs.

As your energy intensity increases, so does your level.

This repeated process of cultivation then transforms into skills.

Someone who practices swordplay with great speed, for instance, might learn ‘Whirlwind Slash.’

And someone like me, who constantly hammers very hard objects, learns an incredibly heavy striking skill, which I’ve named ‘Thunderous Blow.’”

Andrew mimed grabbing a hammer and smashing a table.

“One strike, and this table, along with the floor, would shatter completely.”

Nina and Yuna leaned in, egging him on.

“Uncle Andrew, show us!”

“Give us a demonstration.”

“No, no, absolutely not.

This courtyard belongs to the landlord,” Andrew stated calmly.

“If I break anything, I’ll have to pay for it.”

Iordera lowered her head, lost in thought.

‘So, the reason I have no skills is simply because I’ve never practiced them.’

‘It seems I’ll have to start practicing swordplay tomorrow.’

“Nina, tomorrow, please go out and buy me some swords…

Other weapons are fine too; just buy a variety.”

“Oh, going into town?

That sounds like a hassle…”

“Also, Uncle Andrew, I have another question,” Iordera said, looking at the bald man.

“How does one raise their level? Is it through cultivation and enlightenment?”

“That’s how it is initially, but free-floating energy is scarce.

To ascend to higher levels, you must defeat formidable enemies,” Andrew explained.

“Most of the energy you absorb will fully integrate into your body, but a small portion acts like a fair-weather friend, always ready to defect to a stronger entity.”

“If you are defeated, gravely injured, or killed, that portion of energy within you will abandon you and flock to your opponent.

The reverse is also true.”

Iordera nodded repeatedly, thinking, ‘No wonder killing monsters in games grants experience and levels; it makes perfect sense.’

Nina then leaned closer and added, “Young lady, I must remind you that bullying the weak will not raise your level.

There are two theories for this.

One is that the energy within you possesses a certain pride, exhibiting a repellent reaction to energy significantly weaker than itself, preventing its entry.”

“The other theory suggests that weaker beings, to protect themselves, have evolved a mechanism within their bodies.

If someone of a much higher level attempts to plunder their energy, the low-level energy will simply dissipate, preventing it from being stolen.”

Iordera nodded, understanding that this meant high-level characters gained little experience from low-level monsters, which was perfectly reasonable, as games were often designed that way.

‘Speaking of which…’

“You knew all this?” she asked, glancing at her two maids.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Yuna spread her hands.

“You never asked.”

“…”

“Haha, the lass is right, but that latter theory has been superseded,” Andrew remarked.

“Now, only the former theory is accepted.”

“Superseded?” Iordera tilted her head.

“Why?”

Logically speaking, she found the latter theory more convincing, as it aligned better with evolutionary principles.

Much like in the natural sciences of her previous life, many weaker animals would make themselves unpalatable, even developing toxic skin, to avoid being preyed upon.

“The reason is simple,” Andrew lowered his voice.

“Because the latter view was put forth by Hecate the witch, while the former originated from the Guardian.

Naturally, everyone believes the former.”

“I see…” Iordera blinked.

“By the way, who is this Guardian you often speak of?”

She recalled hearing them mention yesterday that this person was seemingly Hecate’s teacher.

“The Great Guardian of the Continent, she has protected humanity for nearly a millennium.

Some even call her the Eternal Goddess,” Andrew said, shaking his head.

“Sadly, since she sealed and imprisoned the witch over half a year ago, there has been no news of her.”

“A thousand years?” Iordera stared, dumbfounded.

“She can live that long?”

“Indeed she can.”

Andrew stood up, clapped his hands, and headed back.

“It’s getting dark.

Let’s head back to sleep.

Any more questions can wait until tomorrow.”

“No more questions, thank you, Uncle Andrew.” Iordera stood, expressing her gratitude repeatedly.

‘Hmm, perhaps if I used a different form of address, my thanks would sound more sincere.’

“Finally done chatting, hah~” Nina stretched languidly.

“Time for bed, Yuna.”

Yuna nodded.

“Even though we didn’t do anything today, we still worked hard.”

“Don’t be absurd, I did work today.

I went out to buy books for the young lady.”

“But they weren’t put to use at all.”

The two maids slowly began to bicker, while Iordera had already slipped back into her bedroom and settled onto her small bed.

Suddenly, an overwhelming drowsiness washed over her, her eyelids growing heavy.

“Goodnight,” the white-haired loli murmured to the empty air.

Zzzz

[Control chip activated. Unused energy detected. Unlock skills?]

‘What’s happening? Am I in a dream? Why is there a panel in front of me?’

‘Should I press [Yes] and see?’

[Level 17 energy allocated. Skills unlocked: Joint Hammer Lv1, High-Speed Hand Blade Lv1]

In the dead of night, Iordera’s eyes snapped open.

She had finally realized that this puppet body contained a built-in control chip within its head.

An alchemical puppet, in a scientific world, was essentially equivalent to a high-tech robot.

And for a robot, having a chip was perfectly normal.

As for why it only activated tonight, perhaps it was because she had understood the principles of energy circulation earlier this evening?