Chapter 44: Worth Learning

Max casually read the book regarding Basic Healing, although he was already an expert in it. Before he had activated his skills, Basic Healing alone gave him the confidence to say he was somewhat better at healing. However, once he activated his skills, he never used Basic Healing again.

This was because Basic Healing functioned differently. When one awakened with the Healer Class, they automatically obtained an ability called LifeForce Healing. This energy was equal to or greater than Mana. A Healer could use this LifeForce energy to heal anyone without the need for a skill or Mana.

However, as the name suggested, this energy would drain one's life force quicker than Mana usage. It was a type of healing used only during times of emergency. Usually, Healers preferred utilizing Mana and skills over Basic Healing, as the drain of LifeForce would force them into a dormant state for a very long time.

Therefore, this LifeForce Basic Healing was the only method to heal children, as Healers would directly transfer their LifeForce to them. Yet, it was still not enough to accomplish everything, such as diagnosing the issue. Even if they succeeded in a diagnosis, LifeForce Healing could do very little about it. The only other option was to use an Elixir to cure the condition.

In reality, these issues only popped up and were widely discussed on rare occasions, specifically when a child was affected by the rarest of diseases. In ordinary cases, Basic Healing and an Elixir were enough to treat a kid.

But Max wanted to do something about it. The image of the kid lying on a plush bed still lingered in his mind. He could not simply walk past the amount of suffering the child must have gone through. He wanted to do something for these rare cases. Even if he could not find a full solution, he wanted to lessen their suffering until they reached the age of 13 for their awakening.

These were his thoughts, but he did not have full confidence that he would find something by himself. If a method truly existed, wouldn't the geniuses have already discovered it? Therefore, his plan was to try and understand every nook and cranny. Afterwards, he would decide whether people had already discovered everything, or if they had missed something that could still be done.

The three-hour journey passed just like that, and they finally reached their destination, [Buczacki]. It was one of the thriving cities within the kingdom. The reason for this was its Trade Markets. Due to the enormous Dungeons in this location, the materials and loot obtained by adventurers were sold and auctioned here. Thus, it was one of the main trade hubs in the Land of the North. Moreover, it was also one of the wealthiest regions in the kingdom.

Max put away his book and disembarked from the train. The time was approaching noon, and the station was bustling with adventurers, merchants, and tourists. Since the area contained many hills, people regularly took vacations here to enjoy nature. Because a large number of outsiders were visiting, the city's guards were crawling among the crowds. They guided the people, checked baggage for illegal trafficking, and searched for criminals.

Since they were wearing their Academy uniforms, one of the guards quickly approached them and guided them towards a special door.

Ah, the privilege of the Academy. Max was glad he was a part of it. However, he would have received similar treatment if he were to travel officially under the Bransford name, as the rules stated that rulers of other regions must treat them with care. Regardless, he was still glad to be a part of the Academy.

They quickly passed through the special path that led away from the crowded sections and exited the station. Since the party had already booked a hotel for their stay, they hired an alchemic vehicle and headed straight to the hotel.

Although this was Max's first time visiting the city, he was impressed by its overall structure. With its tall marble buildings, proper city management, and bustling crowds, it was equally as impressive as the Kingdom's capital. For Max, this was a nice experience. In his Land of the West, the capital was neither this rushed nor this busy. It was a very regular city where people moved slowly and lived a peaceful life. However, this city in particular was a Trade City, so there was a difference between it and a Residence City.

Max and his party finally reached their hotel, which was a 20-story marble building. Their rooms were located on the 15th floor, and everyone had their own individual room. Max entered his allocated room. It was a decent-sized space containing a medium hall, a kitchen, a bedroom, and other basic amenities. He had been asked to wait in the room until the party called for him. Currently, they had yet to register for the Dungeon. They would do so now; once they finished, they might have to travel to the dungeon's location in the evening.

Despite traveling for three hours, Max did not feel tired. Instead, he felt fresh. Standing near the window, he looked out at the city that stretched far into the distance. It would take at least a week or two to roam around if one wanted to see every part of the city and enjoy it. However, Max was not here to sightsee or take a vacation.

This text was taken from NovelPhoenix. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Therefore, he sat on the couch in the hall and took out another book, one he had accidentally found in the library. It was regarding Basic Healing Magic; however, instead of healing, it detailed how the ability could be used as an emergency offensive technique. At first, Max thought it was a random book about a random topic that he had misread. But after taking a good look, it was indeed exactly as he had read. The question was, why were these techniques not taught in the Healing theory and practical classes till now? Did the academy forget, or was it an advanced topic that they had yet to teach them in the future? Max did not know, but he simply picked up the book to see what it was about.

After reading the introduction, Max paused and stared blankly into space. The technique's introduction was horrifying. It stated that one could use this Basic Healing Magic to drain a person's Lifeforce, pushing them to the brink of life. This was similar to how one could transfer their own life force to save or heal another person.

This technique worked in reverse. In simple terms, it was a dangerous technique. However, in the broader world, it was a life-saving technique that a Healer could possess. Why was it never mentioned in class? Max could only guess that it was an advanced technique, one that would be taught during the second or final year.

Max continued to read. Although it would be a future academy topic, he could still gain some knowledge. This might prove useful if he were to face an unexpected situation.

Regarding how to use this technique, it was as easy as using Basic Healing Magic. One only needed to gather Basic Healing Magic in their palm and apply it to the targeted person. Once again, intention played a role. Whether one chose to heal a person or attack them, Basic Healing Magic served as the foundation.

Since it seemed very simple, Max wanted to try this technique. Only the intent was different. He could call himself an expert in Healing. When he had awakened three classes and struggled to use his skills, the only thing that had given him hope was his Basic Healing Magic. He had put a lot of extra effort into it. Therefore, he held the confidence in his heart that he could achieve something in Healing compared to the other two classes. With that understanding and confidence, he wanted to try it.

Glancing around the room, he saw an exotic plant placed near the window for decoration. He planned to practice this technique on it. After taking the plant pot and placing it on the table in front of him, he readied himself.

Only the intent was different, Max thought. Instead of healing, he needed to focus on draining his enemy's life force. Here, his enemy was a poor plant.

Max concentrated and gathered the Basic Healing Magic. Instantly, he felt his stamina being drained. A dark green magic gathered on his palm. Having easily completed the first step, he now needed to apply the magic to the plant with the intention of draining its Lifeforce. Max opened his palm, allowing the dark green magic to release and shroud the plant.

Max waited for the magic to be absorbed. The plant should have withered due to its Lifeforce being absorbed by his Basic Healing Magic. Soon after, the dark green energy started to dissipate; however, the plant merely looked fresh. It appeared even fresher than earlier, meaning the Basic Healing Magic had worked as usual instead of achieving the opposite effect. Yet, he was sure his intention had been to absorb the plant's life force.

Perhaps practicing more times would yield the result. However, he needed to finish the entire book before jumping into full practice. Since he had only read three chapters, he guessed he was missing something crucial that needed to be done.

With that, Max began to read the whole book before doing anything further. Meanwhile, lunch arrived at noon. After finishing his lunch, he continued to read the book until his door was knocked on again, signaling that it was time to leave for the Dungeon.

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The seniors had received their Dungeon entrance time for around 5 in the evening. At any given time, only three parties could simultaneously enter the Dungeon's instances. Afterwards, one had to wait for other teams to exit before the next team could enter.

The alchemic vehicle exited the city's main gate and traveled into the dense forest and hills. For the majority of the trip, the team remained silent, only engaging in some casual discussion. On his own, Max thought about his previous reading regarding Offensive Basic Healing Magic.

After reading further, he had learned many things. For example, when one gathered Basic Healing Magic, their intention needed to align perfectly with their intended usage at that exact moment. When one accomplished this flawlessly, they would notice a small change in the Basic Healing Magic; the change manifested as a mixture of light green sparkling light.

When one saw this change within their gathered Basic Healing Magic, it meant the magic was perfect for an offensive attack. Max had tried this multiple times in his room, yet he had not succeeded. He felt the exact same stalemate as when he had struggled to activate his skills.

However, even after changing his intent to match how he had previously activated his skills, such as harboring the intent or desire to attack the plant, he still did not see the change explained in the book. As a result, he relaxed and planned to try again in the future.

Suddenly, a question struck his heart. Why was he struggling to learn this extra offensive technique when he already had a ton of work to do regarding his existing skill improvement?

The book itself answered that question. This offensive technique would work on anyone with the exact same effect. This was unlike his skills, whose effects were based solely on his Mana Core's power and evolution. Instead, this technique would deal the same damage to an ordinary person as it would to a Level 50 Awakener. Because of this reason, Max's interest was piqued, and he decided to master this technique.