He was a monster in everyones eyes. Unreachable even by the genius cla.s.ses that the Academy provided. After receiving the [Breath] Mana State Donis became unable to forget anything he saw because of his blessing. He could learn anything they showed him within seconds, which wasn't much because they only tried teaching the cla.s.s what people his age could handle.

Most kids and young adults, or even mages for that matter could not do what Donis could. His intellect, t.i.tles and tenacity keep him from ever faltering. A normal kid could study, practice and be focused for at most 3 hours before needing a break, or entirely breaking down. Donis on the other hand could literally go until his Mana was empty.

He received no downsides, he had no sickness, nor strain. He was the perfect mage in everyones eyes. Yet unlike everyone else, Donis didn't feel challenged anymore. The cla.s.ses they provided him were already worthless. He would gain more from practicing at home. So he spent his time in other areas, furthering himself in ways that no 15 year old should be able to.

He reached incredibly high levels in non-combat jobs for only 5 years worth of practice.

[Alchemy] – Level 2

[Blacksmithing] – Level 1

[Runeforging] – Level 1

[Spellwriting] – Level 1

[Enchanting] – Level 1

[Botanist] – Level 3

[Merchant] – Level 4

[Alchemy] proved to be a monster in its own right. Gaining levels for the jobs was a headsplitting ordeal, but [Alchemy] took it to another level. The required knowledge, study, and practice far outweighed anything he tried beforehand. Yet he still got it to level two, primarily because of the job he had created for his family.

He also realised that making anything in any of the jobs gave him [EXP] towards his overall level, and it was greater than the actual [EXP] gained from leveling up an ability. This allowed him to abuse the [System] and gain an incredible amount of levels for someone so young. Normally people who begin the road of [Alchemy] are beyond level 20, so they don't get anywhere near the same amount of [EXP], but Donis ended up basically cheating again, and became another first on Erazar.

He became level 19 without killing a single monster, and just abusing the [EXP] gained from making pills and potions. He still was one level short of hitting that level 20 and gaining his first combat job, but he wanted to see if he could develop further before being forced to choose something.

Donis's cheap medicine ended up booming in the city of Vorinar. It started off relatively slowly, but as the news spread that the Laurents are selling cheap, yet very effective medicine their business skyrocketed. Donis was able to afford medium tiered [Alchemy] materials and tools, which in turn helped him create more pills, potions and of higher quality too.

This gave the girls of the house a job in which they knew they could excel at. Priscilla had long felt useless for the family as even with all the knowledge she had, she couldn't land a husband, nor could she get a satisfying job. Rosa, while good looking, was never too interested in men. She had yet to marry, nor could she find a job that she felt comfortable in. This led them to feel like burdens when even their older sisters were already wed since they were 18.

So they jumped at the potential job their brother created, and they excelled. They were wonderful secretaries, and saleswomen. They took it upon themselves to even manage the money, just to lighten the load on Donis and Korrin, who were the ones in charge of that.

Morissa even decided to start growing some of the plants that Donis needed most of. She ended up enjoying it so much that she took it upon herself to learn [Botany], which eventually led her down the path of becoming a Level-1 [Alchemist] too. The only reason she was able to become an [Alchemist] was because of Donis's careful guidance. He made sure to impart all of his knowledge that the [System] gave him. In return she took the burden of crafting everything by himself from Donis, and bought her own tools.

The Laurents had become relatively wealthy. The town ended up loving them, and suitors lined up by the dozen for Priscilla and Rosa, yet they still were adamant that their business right now is the most important part of their lives.

The family had kept up this entire business for the last 5 years, slowly growing with the intention to grow in size. Korrin had almost lost his [Runeforge] business because of the scarcity of materials driving up the prices. Yet this new avenue in their lives kept up his lifelong dream alive.

Donis never wanted to keep the business just for himself, as bogging himself down to only make pills and potions didn't appeal to him, he wanted to go further, so he spoke to his family about all of this. He told Korrin and Morissa to take over full time, and become the owners of the business, as he'll be going into his 5th year of the Academy, and would need to do other things.

They at first said no, but with the constant ideas being thrown at them from Donis, they eventually became convinced that it was the right idea, and to even merge the two businesses together. They ended up calling it 'The Alchemical Rune'.

This gave Donis more time to try other avenues, to practice his swordplay, to practice bow-skills. He ended up buying his own weapons, learning skills that were no longer greyed out. Unfortunately for the "battle-thirsty" Donis, almost all of the skills he had seen were to do with non-combat jobs. He didn't complain, he knew they'd come in handy eventually.

-Adent.i.te Khopesh Sword- x2

[Level: 15]

[Damage: 45]

[Grade: Good]

[Runes:/]

[Enchants: Lightweight]

-Goldwood Bow-

[Level: 10]

[Damage: 50]

[Grade: Good]

[Runes: /]

[Enchants: Heavy Draw]

The new weapons were pricey, but they made it up in quality. They looked good, they felt good, and Donis's skills only increased faster as he used them. Yet they could only improve so much against wooden logs, and stand-still forestry.

Thankfully, this year was the year in the Academy in which the students would be forced to go out into the world and become apprentices to an already established profession. Normally students expecting themselves to become mages would go under other mages, but Donis was no normal student. He fully expected himself to become something more, something different.

He knew he would be able to because of his trait. In his mind, if he really tried, he could do what no other person could. So, he immediately decided to go under a [Monster Specialist] professional. It was a high risk job, with lots of traveling, fighting, and scouting.

The decision was easy, because studying was near pointless to him. He could read a book and forever remember it. There was no need for him to spend months to years to understand the context of said things as his [System] would immediately create it as a skill. He really was cheating at this point.

His parents of course were worried, but at the same time, they didn't want to stop him, as they knew he wouldn't put himself in harms way on purpose. They at first, like normal, didn't accept but over time and with Donis's incessant whinging, gave in.

Aled even ended up becoming Donis's close friend in the last year. His mental age quickly catching up to Donis as his Intelligence stat broke through the 10 threshold. It seemed once a human broke it, they became mentally adults.

This ended up letting Donis actually get close to the lad, and it turns out, he was actually a funny guy. A mage through and through, stuck in his research and an open mind.

Donis was now a whopping 1.75m tall. Coupled with his well toned physique thanks to his personal training, and the [Systems] generous stat distribution, he exuded a much more mature aura. He wasn't the most handsome, but he did have some attractive features he took from Korrin. His eyes though were a crystal clear forest green, seemingly picking up his mothers s.h.i.+ning trait.

A strong nose, a slightly wider chin and the sc.r.a.pings of a beard showing up on his face, Donis seemed closer and closer to being a man.

Aled on the other hand was tall in his own right, at 1.78m at the age of 16. His wide shoulders, and strong arms betrayed the look of his nature as a researcher. Donis would take him training with him bringing him back to his house every once in a while. His parents were ecstatic to know Donis actually made friends, as he was always too busy with his work. Yet that fear extended to the idea that Donis may have been gay, as he still had not ever mentioned a single woman in his life.

To Donis this wasn't an issue, as he really didn't find anyone attractive. He couldn't, as he was mentally far far older than even his own parents. The likes of a 15 year old girl didn't appeal to him.

The two both decided on different professions for the year long apprentices.h.i.+p. Donis would go with the [Monster Specialist] while Aled went with the [Spellwriter]. It ended up becoming a somewhat difficult time for the boys, as though they both knew that the year ahead of them is going to be fun, they'll be separated.

Yet, what laid ahead of them was necessary, and they couldn't change their ambitions just for each other.

***

At the Academy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have all done well to make it this far! So I will be the first to congratulate you on your wonderful achievements. To get here was difficult, and filled with only your drive and pa.s.sion for studies and magic. You are becoming first rate magicians young friends, and with that, you will need more life experience to truly understand what that means. So, you are all gathered here today as part of the 5th year Apprentices.h.i.+p program. As you all know, and have well prepared for this day, you all will be departing with the appropriate carriages that we have gotten for you. Your names are on the lists, and they will be checking if you are partic.i.p.ating. If you don't get yourself checked in, you will not be going with them today, and you'll be forced to find your own way there. Anyway, with all of that out of the way. Congratulations, again. Make us proud," said Lorenzo with a heartfelt bow.

The crowd of students and lecturers erupted, it was truly everyone's time to really prove themselves. If the apprentices.h.i.+ps went well, and they made a name for themselves, the professionals would put in good words for them, or even hire them when they leave the Academy.

For some this meant little, but for others it meant the world. One of the latter types would be Aled. His family was poor back in his city of Cariddatse, and if he could get hired here, it would secure his and their financial situation. He couldn't allow himself to fail.

Donis on the other hand couldn't care less. His family was already wealthy, and he even started his own wealthy enough business from scratch. To him, traveling the world seemed like the more appealing idea.

So with those thoughts in order, he left for Corvigs office. The man was already sitting down with a gla.s.s of clear liquid poured into two separate gla.s.ses. Corvig beckoned Donis to sit, and the two remained in amicable silence for a minute.

"So you're ready?" asked Corvig swirling the liquid around the gla.s.s.

"Of course, this is something I've been looking forward to for a long time now," said Donis copying Corvig.

"You sure you chose the right one though? Monsters are no joke. The things you'll see will be horrifying at best. Normally we don't even see a single person go for that unless the admissions are full for everything else, yet here you are, throwing yourself at it," said Corvig, taking a swig of the drink and immediately scrunching his eyes.

Donis looked into the gla.s.s before quickly downing the whole thing. Realising his mistake, he slapped the table a few times as he let out hot breaths.

"What the f.u.c.k was that??" burped and growled Donis.

"Hahaha, it's my specialty, I make a type of clear alcohol at home! It's called Deladare Downer, cause if you drink enough, you're down for the count! I think it was something like 76% strength…" Corvig said, as he trailed off into thought.

"That's lunacy, how can you even enjoy that!" laughed Donis.

"Good luck okay? Don't be stupid, Lorenzo is betting me you'll come back with missing fingers at least, and I bet on you not losing a single digit!" said Corvig smiling at the young man.

"Of course I wont lose anything, you'll win this bet you old coot. Just don't turn into him after I come back, okay?" said Donis as he got up and walked out the door.

"Big words from a small child. Just make sure to come back," said Corvig with one last look at his apprentice of so many years.

The sound of a clear liquid slos.h.i.+ng around a gla.s.s was the only thing heard in the office after the doors closed.

"Just stay safe," sighed Corvig.