Chapter 9: Picking up new techniques
Reaching the skills hall, Erik could see an Elder at the reception desk. He went straight to the Elder and showed his ID and token he received from the administrative building.
The Elder glanced at Erik and took the token, "Hmm, an outer court token. You can select any one technique for free from the first floor. Since you are now an outer disciple, you get access to the second floor, but you have to pay with points if you want any technique from the second floor."
Erik bowed and left after taking back his ID and token.
He first wanted to check the skills on the first floor as he could get one for free. He first checked the offensive skills and later went on to the defensive and after movement techniques.
Most of the techniques didn't catch his interest, and anything that caught his fancy was quickly dismissed by the AI.
"Hey, why are you dismissing everything. I need offensive techniques if I need to fight or defensive ones to protect myself."
[I know that Host and I chose the perfect one for you.]
"Oh really, which one did you choose?"
[The one with the white cover to your left, top shelf.]
"White-feathered Sky bird, it's a movement technique."
[Yes, Host, you need a movement technique for survival in the wild. It's perfect for you.]
"Okay, let's check an offensive technique. I do need it to fight. The Basic fighting wouldn't be useful anymore."
[Host, beside the White-feathered Sky bird, there is one with a black cover. Pick it up.]
"Huh, it's called the Black-feathered Sky bird technique. What in the world? Only the color change; the entire name is the same as the one before."
[Host, it's a stealth technique. Unlike the one before, which makes you move fast, this provides protection from enemies detection.]
"Even if it is considered stealth, they both fall under the category of movement techniques. It would be a waste. I think I have to pick one defensive or an offensive skill."
[Your survival depends on the skill of your escaping from a threat that can kill you instantly. With your body physique, your usual punch is much better than some of these techniques. Moreover, they complement each other; one increases your speed while the other increases stealth.]
"What you said is true. I have to be alive if I have to fight but doesn't defensive technique make a better choice than stealth technique?"
[It does, but you can't afford another technique with your limited time and points. I think you could, but it would be a burden. Actually, I have an idea; you can easily subdue your enemy with your body. Hmm, let's head to Alchemy hall after this; I can say for sure that you won't regret it.]
"Okay, since I trusted you, I'm betting everything on you."
After arguing and coming to an understanding, he took those two techniques and went to the Elder.
The Elder took a look at those and said, "Are you sure, boy, you want to take these?"
"Yes, Elder," replied Erik.
"No one chooses them. These are the two difficult techniques on the first floor. I advise you to select others that are easy to comprehend."
"I choose them, Elder."
"Fine, it's your choice. Since both of them are from the first floor. Any technique would cost you 10 sect points each, adding to a total of 20 sect points. Since you have a token, you get one for free. You have to pay only for one, i.e., 10sect points."
Erik immediately paid for it and was about to leave. The Elder stopped him and said, "Boy, since you chose those two, it would take a lot of time to comprehend.
Usually, any disciple who got a technique here has to return it in two weeks. As no one picks it up and with the tournament near, no disciple comes for a new technique except those who just became outer disciples.
You can keep it for a bit long. Make sure to return it before the end of the tournament."
Erik nodded and bowed, "Thank you, Elder. I'll definitely return it by the end of the tournament."
Erik brought the two techniques and left for the Alchemy Hall.
--
Inventory:
One low-grade spirit essence pill (1X1)
White-feathered Sky bird (1X2)
Black-feathered Sky bird (1X2)
--
Later at Alchemy hall
As soon as Erik walked through the doors of the Alchemy hall, his nose was assaulted by various aromas of the medicinal pills.
Erik basked in its sweetness for a minute before he said, "Hey don't you think Aroma is a good name for you?"
[It smells like a shit name.]
"Ah, don't be like that. I'll definitely pick a good name."
[You are really terrible at names, maybe I should think of one myself.]
"Then what about all that speech you gave me?"
[Meh.]
"Seriously?"
[Hahaha, you are easy to fool, Host. You can choose another one, but I'll pick one myself if you give another shit name suggestion.]
"Okay, Deal."
[Now, moving on to a more serious matter, you need a few herbs for body tempering. This gives a chance for your body to become strong so that the Basic fighting technique becomes a lethal technique.]
"Herbs? But I have no idea about Alchemy. Do we need to buy Alchemy recipes too?"
[You don't need Alchemy for this. Most people have no idea about this and only try pills since usually using herbs directly leaves waste residue in the body.]
"Now it doesn't?"
[Not the way I intend to use them. Host, you need a thousand Trestia Moss, Rosebud Flower, and Bluemoon Flowers each.]
"What are those for? They sound costly."
[Host, if you are worried about cost, don't. For a single sect point, you can get thousand of Trestia Moss. You obtain a little less of the other two for a single point.]
"Okay, I'll buy those, but how to use them without using the Alchemy recipe and not leaving any residue in my body."
[We'll talk about it once we reach your quarters.]
"Okay."
Erik quickly bought those herbs and exited the hall. After the transaction he now has a total of 279 sect points.
By the time he left the hall, the sun had already set, and he could see the stars clearly in the sky.
Looking at the sky, a thought appeared in his mind, "Hey, How about the name Aurora?"
[Why did you choose it Host?]
"When I looked at the sky, I remembered my mother's stories when I was a kid about our true home, the place my mother is from. She said a beautiful phenomenon appears in the sky during the night, and the phenomenon is called Aurora."
[Oh nice, I do like the name, Host.]
--
Inventory:
One low-grade spirit essence pill (1X1)
White-feathered Sky bird (1X2)
Black-feathered Sky bird (1X2)
Trestia Moss x 1000 (2X2)
Rosebud Flower x 1000 (2X2)
Bluemoon Flower x 1000 (2X2)
--
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Spite
Spite Please encourage with power stones.
Check my new novel [I can alter levels of everything].
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone