Free Web NovelChapter 11: Chapter 11: A Primer on Secret Realms
Just like when Mara had explained the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup, Duane’s continuous questions and Owington’s explanations raised his Basic Brewing Skill Level to (Initial 49/100).
Although they continued chatting for a while after that, the Skill Level increased at an extremely slow pace.
This made Duane realize that learning the theory of brewing from Owington was now yielding diminishing returns. The next step was to try it himself.
"Alright, Owington, I now understand your abilities in beer brewing."
Duane said with a smile, "Once we get to Black Forest Island, we’ll give it a try ourselves."
"It would be my honor, my lord!"
Owington’s mouth was a little dry. The recent period of explaining and answering questions had pushed his eloquence to its very limit.
Thankfully, the questioning finally ended, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Duane looked at the maid who was busy clearing the table, and something suddenly occurred to him. He asked, "Jasmine, Ralph told me you’re skilled at tailoring and weaving?"
Jasmine immediately put down the tableware, wiped her hands on her apron, and lowered her head slightly, appearing a little reserved.
"Yes, my lord. Before coming here, I worked in a tailor’s shop. My daily tasks were making clothes, mending, and weaving."
"Excellent."
Duane said in praise, "Later, I’ll have to learn those two skills from you." freeweɓnovel.cøm
"Ah?"
Jasmine thought she must have misheard.
A member of the nobility going into the kitchen was a bit strange, but she could still understand it.
But a nobleman, and a man at that, learning needlework? That was something she had never imagined.
’I’ve never seen a man doing this kind of work in a tailor’s shop, have I?’
Owington, who was listening to their conversation nearby, was also stunned. ’This young Baron is certainly... eager to learn, isn’t he?’
Duane laughed and offered a brief explanation. "Don’t be surprised. I’m just interested in these life skills."
As he spoke, he stood up. "Alright, I’m going to practice my swordsmanship now."
"Jasmine, please have hot water ready for me in two hours. It’s time for you all to eat now."
"Yes, my lord!"
Duane first took a stroll around the courtyard before drawing his sword and beginning his practice.
He had already mastered the basic moves of Basic Swordsmanship. Furthermore, thanks to the insight gained when his Skill Level broke through, he had developed some decent technique when exerting force.
His current Basic Swordsmanship had already surpassed the original owner of his body.
The only downside was that practicing alone increased his Skill Level rather slowly. He had only gained eight points after nearly two hours, bringing it to (Skilled 13/300).
’I’ll have to find someone to practice with tomorrow.’
Duane finished practicing with his longsword. Owington was already waiting at his side, bustling to hand him a towel for his sweat and presenting the scabbard.
"I hear your strength is close to that of a Basic-level Warrior?"
Owington looked a little proud. "I was tested not long ago. I can barely lift over one hundred and ninety *jin* for five seconds. The person who tested me said I was already close to a Basic-level Warrior."
Based on his display of strength, Owington was indeed close to the level of a Basic-level Warrior.
"Although you’re a bit old, with enough practice you might be able to activate your Fighting Qi Seed. Spend another few years, maybe a decade, and it’s not impossible you could reach the Middle Level."
"My lord, can I really train?" Owington asked.
"Why not?"
Duane retorted, then added, "Of course, this assumes you complete your regular duties."
Owington immediately puffed out his chest. "I guarantee it!"
He bowed slightly and mustered his courage to ask, "My lord, that set of swordsmanship techniques you were just practicing... I was wondering if I might be able to learn it?"
Basic Swordsmanship wasn’t anything profound. It only consisted of a few moves and was hardly a secret among the nobility, or even in the guards and legions established by them.
Only after hearing Owington’s question did Duane realize that even something like Basic Swordsmanship was not easily accessible to commoners.
To be precise, many things were monopolized by the nobility.
For example, Magic Potions that strengthened the body, or the Breathing Skills and Combat Skills cultivated by Warriors.
Unless a commoner joined a noble’s army, they would have little chance to encounter such things.
Thinking of this, Duane nodded. "I’ll allow you to watch me practice my swordsmanship, which naturally means I’ll allow you to learn it."
"But remember, you are not to teach it to others without my permission."
Duane didn’t consider Basic Swordsmanship some priceless treasure, nor did he feel that its spread would threaten his position as the Lord of Black Forest Island.
He just felt that if it were to be spread, he should be the one to do it.
He couldn’t help but think, ’This world has Demon Beasts and Exotic Beasts from Secret Realms. There are many things that can threaten people. Is it really necessary for the nobility to monopolize these basic body-strengthening techniques as if they were priceless treasures?’
The thought merely flashed through his mind, and he didn’t dwell on it.
He went to the bathroom for a hot bath, then headed to the study to browse through some books.
Carter’s book collection wasn’t large. It included some beautifully bound parchment books as well as some handmade paper books.
In this era, writing was not exclusive to the nobility. Even people who could barely afford to eat had ways to acquire knowledge.
However, this didn’t mean everyone could attend school. It just meant that literacy was slightly more widespread than in the early Middle Ages of Duane’s memory.
He picked up a book titled "Elemental Tide," which recorded a great deal about this world’s history.
According to the book, this world was called "Miracle World." Warriors and Mages had existed for over a hundred years, but their Combat Power was very low back then.
Then, a little over a hundred years ago, Space Gates appeared all over the world, connecting to Secret Realm Spaces of various sizes.
The Elemental Tide that surged from these spaces changed the world’s Power of Elements, giving the Extraordinary greater room for advancement.
’In other words, this world’s high-magic development is only a little over a hundred years old.’
’And since the Elemental Tide on the Shadow Mist Continent in the Pruck Kingdom appeared later, its development is slower than in other places.’
Duane continued reading, coming across a section about Secret Realm Spaces.
Simply put, these Secret Realm Spaces were divided into two types.
One type could be controlled by humans, also known as "developable" or "beneficial" Secret Realm Spaces.
The other type contained immense danger that could not be eradicated and even posed a risk of spilling over. These were known as "undevelopable" or "harmful" Secret Realm Spaces.
The source of the danger could be creatures constantly breeding within, or it could be that humans who rashly entered would be corrupted, suffer mental collapse, and even transform into an Exotic Race.
Take the Secret Realm that appeared at Lakefront Manor, for example. Although it contained Exotic Beasts, they were eradicated by humans.
Therefore, the Lakefront Secret Realm was classified as a developable, beneficial Secret Realm.
It was for this very reason that people came to fight over its resources and claim a share of the profits.
’According to the current intelligence, the one on Black Forest Island is an undevelopable, harmful Secret Realm.’
Duane closed the book, placed it back on the shelf, and frowned slightly.
’I wonder if this harmful Secret Realm is one that people can’t enter, or one where the things inside constantly breed and can even leave the Secret Realm.’
If it’s the latter, then it’s no wonder the people there can only hide in Broken Wave City in the northwest corner.
Duane didn’t know the specific details about Black Forest Island.
However, when he spoke with Clerk Lloyd today, Lloyd had agreed—out of his past friendship with Carter—to include a file with information on Black Forest Island when the soldiers and funds were delivered.
Speaking of which, this meant Duane now owed him a favor.
He walked over to the large, solid wood desk and took out six books left by Carter from a hidden compartment in a drawer.
Two of them were Breathing Skills, and the rest were Combat Techniques.
"Shadow Leopard Breathing Skill, Grizzly Bear Breathing Skill."
A Breathing Skill is a type of technique that Warriors learn when they reach the Advanced level.
It not only enhances a Warrior’s physical abilities and improves their Combat Skills, but it also strengthens their cardiopulmonary function, allowing them to drastically increase their physical capabilities for a short period.
Take the Shadow Leopard Breathing Skill that Carter had mastered, for example. In battle, he could exhibit the agility of a shadow leopard, making him incredibly fast.
The Grizzly Bear Breathing Skill, on the other hand, focused on physical strength and toughness.
Generally speaking, learning a Breathing Skill required a huge investment that ordinary Advanced Warriors simply couldn’t afford.
They could only hope to match a member of the nobility who had mastered a Breathing Skill by honing their own techniques to the absolute limit.
Duane put the Breathing Skills aside. He wouldn’t be qualified to learn them until he became an Advanced Warrior.
He turned his attention to the four Combat Techniques: Breaking Army Slash, Vortex Slash, Swift Step, and Storm Fist.
Combining his predecessor’s memories with a quick glance through the books, he saw that all four Combat Techniques required Fighting Qi to use, making them unsuitable for him to learn right now.
’Aren’t there any secret manuals for things like fist fighting or Body Techniques suitable for Basic and Middle Level Warriors?’
Slightly disappointed, Duane placed the six books back into the hidden compartment.
’Perhaps Carter felt that such Combat Techniques weren’t worthy of his collection...’
Although the rate of increase for his various skills slowed down after their Skill Levels reached Skilled, it was undeniable that progressing through the first three Skill Levels was relatively easy.
And progressing through those levels provided a total of 0.3 attribute points, a very considerable amount for him at his current stage.
Therefore, having more basic skills would allow him to quickly gain attribute points.
’Maybe I can ask Kaelon about it tomorrow.’
Kaelon was a Human Tier Knight; it wasn’t impossible that he knew some Combat Techniques suitable for Duane’s current stage.
