Chapter 383 – Exhausted

Chapter 383 – Exhausted

The midday sun filtered through the half-drawn curtains, the edges casting a blue stripe over the living room. Kai dropped his satchel by the table in the kitchen’s corner. The door clacked close at his back.

His last lectures had strayed into his weekend. Professor Lysander’s dry talking felt endless. The dorm was nearly empty. Rob and Alden must be outside, enjoying the spring weather blooming across Raelion’s gardens.

Where did they find the energy?

He was too beat, drained, exhausted, a dry rag wrung till the fibers came apart. The world outside was too loud and bright.

Kai ambled toward the couch and dropped onto the soft cushions with a groan. His bed was way too far. Sprawling with his head on the armrest, he barely found the strength to kick off his boots. A book dug into his side—probably one of Rob’s abandoned textbooks. He wiggled for a more comfortable position, lacking the strength or will to dislodge it.

Days of skill strain and tight sleep, pushing his body and mind, all blended into a migraine. The throb pounded behind his eyes, unrelenting.

His overworked skills ached like metaphysical tendons pulled raw in his mind. How many? He could usually count them with a soft tug, but the pulsing pain knotted together.

I survived.

He had done it. He had kept up with his four mandatory courses and nine electives, mostly evaded his stalkers, and drawn more efficient routes for the future. Against patricians with a lifetime of tutors, he’d not just limped along, but thrived in most of his classes. He had done so much, and yet so much still remained. Notebooks to organize, essays to write, mana exercises to weave, Jolene’s words to ponder.

He should chat with Rob about Space Magic, inquire with Alden about Alchemy and weird patricians, talk with Rain and Flynn about Mixed Combat, meet with Valela to study mana theory together and… other stuff.

Endless tasks. Decisions that could determine his future. So many. Too many. He was scared to check how many memos his mnemonic thread had reached. He should move, plan out his hours, get ahead on work.

A little break. Later. Later, I’ll move.

Kai nestled among the cushions. The weekend—his shining goal—he’d gritted his teeth to hold on. Now that he’d reach it… he had nothing left to give, like a marionette with his strings cut. No strength. No will.

Maybe I overdid it…

His hand covered his face and massaged his eyes. Thinking and worries could wait. For now, he just wanted to do nothing—be nothing.

Too exhausted, yet unable to find sleep, he lay there for what could be minutes or hours. Finally, the throbbing slightly lessened.

One week done. Countless more to go.

Eyes still closed, he summoned his status for a distraction.

• Name: Kai Tylenn (Matthew Reece Veernon)
• Race: Human ★★ – 97,420 > 174,032 / 800,000 XP
• Profession: Favored Mystic of the Isles (lv5>6) – 9759 > 0 / 28,000 XP

Body stats

• Strength: 45
• Dexterity: 48
• Constitution: 58 (48+10) > 59 (48+11)
• Mind: 73 (53+20) > 75 (53+22)
• Spirit: 81 (61+20) > 83 (61+22)
• Perception: 55 (45+10) > 56 (45+11)
• Favor: 96

Profession Skills:

• Spatial Shift (lv26>27>29)

• Echoing Empath (lv24>28>30)

• Astral Pathway (lv21>27)

• Natural Prodigy (lv18>22)

• Water Cannon (lv23>24>25)

• Nature Healing (lv18>23>28)

General Skills:

• Hallowed Intuition (lv92>93)
• Mana Observer (lv60>63)
• Body Augmentation (lv49>51)
• Mana Weaving (lv48>52)
• Mana Analyst (lv45>47)
• Split Mind (lv44>47)
• Hobbes (lv49>52)
• Water Magic – Advanced (lv45>48)
• Mana Engraving (lv27)
• Elemental Swordsman (lv20>28)
• Nature Magic – Advanced (lv19>25)
• Runic Scholar (lv18>19)
• Arcane Enchanting (lv16>17)
• Space Magic – Advanced (lv15>19)
• Herbalism (lv10>11)

• Alchemy (lv96>97)
• Blessed Swimmer (lv81>84)
• Earth Magic (lv77>85)
• Shadow Magic (lv72>85)
• Mnemonic Mastery (lv34>47)
• Swift Learner (lv26>39)

That’s… quite something.

A sliver of satisfaction eased his pulsing mind. In the weeks since the Mid-Term Trials, he’d taken a significant step toward Yellow ★★★, progress to make most blanch with envy.

Most of his gains came from Elijah’s tender tutelage, though the last week of craziness also showed, especially in Space Magic. The growth might slow, but it wasn’t close to stopping. Raelion had centuries of knowledge to draw upon for his status; only time and energy restricted him.

Mana Weaving had crossed the first threshold, though he’d taken no specialization, preferring to keep his mana manipulation flexible.

“Meeew.” Hobbes appeared on the backrest. Thoughts of napping laced with his own. Gracefully dropping on his stomach, the furball cozied up in the crook between him and the couch with lazy contentment.

I get you, buddy. I get you.

His fingers idly curled the silky fur as he mused over the numbers in his status. Ideas swirled in his head, stoking the embers of his motivation. The will to move yet escaped him, but it was a pleasant distraction. Elemental Swordsman and Body Augmentation had a sea of potential synergies. All his mana and elemental skills drowned in shaping exercises.

Head buried in wonderings and a pillow he’d pulled up from the floor, he almost missed the two people who entered, hushed tones and soft munching.

“I told you he’d be here. Hey, you alive, Mat?”

Opening an eye, Kai saw Flynn peer down at him, hand half-raised to poke him, and promptly retracted. “Awake and alive.” He adjusted his position on the armrest, careful not to disturb Hobbes. From the glimpses of salty fish and springing bunnies, it’d be a crime to ruin his nap.

“What are you doing here?” Kai stretched and gave a small shake when Rain offered the bag of coal-colored nuts he was munching on. “Uh, what time is it? I lost track. Did we have to meet for…”

Shit.

“All good.” Flynn bent to pet the snoring cat and joined Rain to snack at the kitchen table. “That’s why we came to check. It was more an intention than a clear plan anyway.”

Rain bobbed his head, producing more bags and boxes. Fruit seemed to be today’s snacking theme. “We can use the pools any time this weekend. Professor Alynne is accommodating. She teaches my class of adept Water Magic this term. I found a few nifty tips for casting on dry land. Anyway, we can put off swimming for later.”

“Uhm, sorry. I think I’ll have to skip today,” Kai said, still not ready to move. “I’m dead tired and need to finish some homework.”

Flynn threw him a long glance. “You look like you could use a nap. Or ten.” He plucked out a peach-shaped fruit, a knife appearing in his palm with some sleight of hand. “I have about your same hours. But most of it is mandated practice. Martial Studies gets way fewer assignments. You look ragged.”

“I’m fine.” Kai attempted a nonchalant smile under the skeptical looks they threw at him. “Really. Live and whole.”

“If you mean that you’re still breathing, yes.” Flynn began peeling the dull silver skin in a single stripe.

“I’m still adapting,” Kai replied through a yawn.

“If you mean, slowly working yourself to an early grave. Then, yes again.” He sectioned the deep orange fruits into precise eighths. “Don’t worry, I’ll buy you a pretty tombstone and bring flowers once a month. Uhm, maybe every couple months. Have you seen the prices for fresh flowers at the Wing Aurea? Pure robbery. And the gardeners get cranky if you plunder their gardens. Scary bunch. Want a slice?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Kai eyed the fruit suspiciously. “What is it?”

“No idea, but it tastes yummy.” Flynn threw it into his mouth. “A bit like a sour blueberry, but crunchy with a sweet aftertaste.”

“Moon apple.” Rain picked up the box. “The vendor said they only grow in the Florentail province and the trees only bloom under a blue moon. They’re apparently great for the sick and dying.”

Kai rolled his eyes. “Maybe later.” Rather than argue, he changed the topic. “About Mixed Comba—”

“We filled the team and registered,” Flynn said. “We got it handled. I’ve recruited the bravest and most skilled companion in all of Raelion!”

“Uhm, okay. Thanks. And… who is this brave companion?” Kai shoved down his rising worries. Maybe he should have paid more attention. The team might last the rest of the course. “We only had space for one or two other students, right?”

“Yup. Just one! I won’t ruin the surprise. They’re from Martial Studies. Between you and Rain, we have our magic covered. And honestly, I’d feel bad for any other mage who’d join. Not all egos are as resistant as mine. But don’t worry. I only accepted the very best. They drove a hard bargain, but I promised them your autograph.”

“Ah!” Kai snorted a laugh. “Very funny.”

“What?” Flynn met his puzzled gaze levelly. “I’m serious! You’re the most infamous first year in a long time! Actually… Could you sign me a couple books? There are some crazy collectors and fanatics who kill for that stuff. You’d better keep an eye on anything you use. School supplies. And clothes. Be mindful. I’ve heard of some strange requests.”

“Yeah, sure,” Kai rolled his eyes.

It was just teasing. Definitely. Why would anyone want my stuff…?

He promptly killed that line of thought. “Uhm, shouldn’t Rain be the most infamous first year? He’s done as well as I. And you know he’s… well, him.” His arm floppily gestured.

“Mhe?” Rain’s face snapped up from smelling a box of strawberries, cheeks bulging with food. His head tilted to one side. “What about me?”

Kai wrenched his gaze away before he could be pulled in by the innocent act. “Uh… I keep to myself, while you always have people hanging around. How do you not get swarmed?”

Rain shrugged. “I just ask the pushy ones to leave.”