, reminding her of a video game. She pinched her arm, only a little surprised when it actually hurt.

Her Interface was still visible, to her relief - it was becoming something of a familiar comfort.

[Training Room activated. Host at Rank 0, time perception set to 1:6. New User explanation initiated.]

[The Training Room can be used to study and practice techniques and spells or develop new ones in a controlled realistic environment using mental power instead of that which is physical or magical in nature. Spells can be practiced without consuming mana. Physical training in the Training Room is not very effective, but it's excellent at helping the User grasp technique and develop muscle memory responses for actual combat situations. Have caution: overexertion and mental taxation will still cause negative effects. If the User feels tired, please leave the Training Room and have a good rest.]

[New User explanation concluded.]

[Programs containing lessons can be run at any time, but are not mandatory for the use of the Training Room.]

[New Programs detected: 1. Comprehensive combat program detected: sequential lessons with qualification a.n.a.lysis for unlocking higher levels. Would the User like to run the program?]

Stunned by the sudden influx of information delivered by an apathetic disembodied voice, Li Mei could only manage some nodding in response before she coughed out: "Yes, please." Even talking to some weird magic program, it was important to remember her manners.

[Detecting qualifications. Loading Program: Master Faust's Introductory Course to Combat Staff Techniques, Sky Serpent Style, Novice Level.]

The training dummy materialized a staff in each hand. It handed one over, bowed at the waist into a neat 90 degree angle which Li Mei returned on reflex, then settled into a fighting stance.

When Li Mei failed to do the same in a timely manner, the dummy lashed out and smacked her upside the head with the staff. Pain shot through her body like an electric shock, far too realistic considering it was supposed to be a mental simulation. "Ow!"

[Please copy the Training Dummy's movements.]

Li Mei rubbed the sore spot on her head, only to receive another strike to the shoulder. "Ouch!"

[Please copy the Training Dummy's movements.]

"Okay, okay! Calm down!" Li Mei grumbled and copied the dummy's stance, only to get whacked in the elbow. "OW! What now?!"

[User's elbow is sticking out too far by three degrees. Please copy the Training Dummy's movements.]

"Son of a... So this is how you're going to be? Fine! How do I leave this place?"

Whack! Right to the knee! Tears sprang to the corners of her eyes as she hopped around on one leg. "Ow ow oww!"

[Exit is only possible when a level of the program is completed, as per the program creator's specifications. Please copy the Training Dummy's movements.]

"d.a.m.n you, Faust!"

WHACK!

...

Bao yawned with boredom. The poor fera carefully manipulated his claws to sift through the fridge for leftovers from dinner since it became obvious his friend wasn't going to provide breakfast.

Li Mei sat on the bed with her eyes closed. Her face twitched from time to time, and a layer of sweat broke out as though the exertion in her mind was so great it was having an effect on her body.

Several hours pa.s.sed in the real world before she managed to escape the training room. Every muscle cramped and ached, limbs trembling like she ran a few consecutive marathons. Satisfaction in the results outweighed the frustration she felt toward Faust's shameless trickery: she successfully learned the novice level of Sky Serpent Style!

Mastery would come with practice, but having the foundation laid for proper combat was worth getting beat up by that d.a.m.ned dummy! No more swinging her staff around and hoping something worked! No more looking like a fool imitating a windmill in the midst of combat!

The Sky Serpent Style really suited her tastes. It emphasized mobility and flexibility, adapting to situations during a fight to evade damage and wait for the right moment to strike at an opponent's weakness. Each stance and movement was elegant, fluid, beautiful in its sinister efficiency.

Her stomach grumbled, a fierce snarl reminding the girl she skipped breakfast and almost missed lunch. At the same time she noticed her mouth was dry and parched. Li Mei scrambled off the bed only to find Bao snoozing in the main room, surrounded by several empty containers that used to hold the delicious remnants of her birthday dinner.

"Shameless swine!" Li Mei growled in a hoa.r.s.e voice, nudging the sleeping fera with her feet. He snorted and rolled over - finally, revenge for not getting any of the birthday dessert!

With no other option, she was forced to make something on her own after drinking nearly a gallon of water.

As much as she hated to admit it even to herself, Faust's cooking skill was beyond superior. The grilled meat and sliced vegetables she made for lunch were bland and tasteless in comparison no matter what spices she threw into the pan. Li Mei resolved to polish her cooking ability the first chance she got.

After lunch she inspected the other data chip Faust left behind and sorted through the cloud of holoscreens that small action brought forth. Contrary to her expectations about extra homework and more boring textbooks about history, the contents of the chip revealed a surprising level of solicitude for her circ.u.mstances.

In particular, the last item listed under content made Li Mei break out in a grin. "It's like he knows me."

-----

[White Jade Data Chip]

Encryption: Locked to Aura Signature (Li Mei)

Content: Celestial Crane of the Northern Winds circulation technique, comprehensive map of the Ancient Elderwood Forest, A Beginner's Guide to Hunting and Effective Traps by Raoul Veldun, Plentiful Pills, Potions, and Poisons (And The Mixing Thereof) by Althea Drood, Sector 9 Elderwood Research Facility Security Pa.s.scodes and Other Useful Information (Just In Case My Clever Disciple Courts Death) by Faust

Estimated Value: Priceless

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[Successful Contact With White Jade Data Chip]

Copied content to Archive. Added Celestial Crane of the Northern Winds to Techniques. Updated map with new information.

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[Celestial Crane of the Northern Winds]

An intact mana circulation technique of the Progenitors, pa.s.sed down from mother to daughter for thousands of years. A Yin-type technique with Ice and Wind properties. Extremely efficient at absorbing and refining mana.

If the minimum requirements are not met, the pract.i.tioner's Core will explode. Luckily you meet the requirements.

Unlike most Ice techniques, this technique does not inflict its pract.i.tioner with an inherent weakness to Fire and will not cause a loss of emotional depth. Thanks to the influence of Wind, there will be no negative effects on the pract.i.tioner's mental or physical flexibility.

Pract.i.tioners have a calm mind in all situations, resistance to illusion spells, increased intellectual capacity, high dexterity, and a strong proficiency for Ice and Wind magic.

Compatibility: 93%

Technique Rarity: SSS

Technique Quality: SSS

Minimum Requirements: Compatibility 85%, Core Grade B, Mana Capacity 500, WIS 5, INT 5, DEX 5, Bloodline Descendant

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[Mana Circulation]

Mana circulation is the most effective method for refilling the Core. Pulling in mana from the surroundings, refining it, and moving it through the meridians in one's body is a method for strengthening the body, reinforcing the Core, and mastering control over mana manipulation.

A proper circulation technique turns one's body into a Circuit with the meridians forming the nodes, making mana circulation similar to casting a spell through one's self. As such, each technique has different benefits and suits different needs. Higher quality techniques are less likely to have drawbacks, backlash, or other restrictions on the pract.i.tioner.

Compatibility between the pract.i.tioner and technique effects the degree of benefits the pract.i.tioner receives.

It's common to circulate mana for at least an hour every day, and it's a private and secretive process. It's insulting to inquire about the specific details of one's circulation technique and methods. Sharing of technique names and basic traits is acceptable, though it's not unusual for people to abstain or outright lie.

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[Techniques]

You have learned 2 techniques, but you haven't tried them out yet! To easily use a learned technique, focus on the technique's name. The Interface will provide instructions from there.

Instructions will also be saved in the Archive to be perused at your leisure.

-----

"That's a h.e.l.l of a lot of information," Li Mei wheezed, rubbing her aching temples. So much to absorb!

Of particular interest was the 'Bloodline Descendent' requirement for the mana circulation technique Faust provided. If it was pa.s.sed mother to daughter, how did Faust have it? Did 44's mother give it to him to pa.s.s along to her daughter in her stead? Why? What happened?

There was something very strange going on regarding that man and his relations.h.i.+p to 44, and rather than uncovering answers all Li Mei could find were more questions.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the pretentious name of the mana circulation technique. True to its word, the Interface provided instructions - knowledge poured into her mind as though she knew the method all along, integrating seamlessly into her memories.

Guiding mana along meridians according to the prescribed method, Li Mei felt a strange sensation. The mana threads felt cool and refres.h.i.+ng like streams of ice cold water were replacing her veins, while the surrounding air dropped in temperature until her breath formed clouds of mist. Raw mana was pulled into her Core with frightening speed, though there wasn't too much in the cave so it didn't have an impressive effect.

Another hour pa.s.sed without her notice. By the time Li Mei opened her eyes again, a fine layer of frost coated her flesh, ice sparkling on the fine hairs of her eyelashes. The refined mana in her Core increased from 10 to 55 in one session, and would have been a greater amount of there'd been more raw mana in the surroundings.

She exhaled a breath of turbid air and smiled. Suddenly, she felt like going hunting.