C22 Do You Know Anything?

"Hey~"

"Hah~"

Bao Guo had been teleported here nearly eight hours ago and was training with Krod and the others in the small square. They trained relentlessly, while he needed to pause and rest after just a few swings before he could catch up again.

The reason Krod wasn't offering him private lessons anymore was thanks to Hu Da, the Alchemist. He had prohibited anyone from teaching Bao Guo body techniques on his own, suggesting he simply join in with the kids' haphazard practice. The rationale behind this decision remained unspoken.

"Hey, Krod, why have you stopped teaching me those body techniques? When I practice the three moves you showed me, I feel a warmth in my body that's quite comforting. That's got to be beneficial, right?"

Before Krod could respond, Hu Da interjected. Perched on a dirt mound, he flashed a grin and said, "Hey, dear brother Bao Guo—oh, what a tongue twister of a name. Do you really know nothing? If you keep training with Krod, you'll just ruin yourself."

Bao Guo mopped his brow with the towel around his neck, hopped onto the mound, and sat next to Hu Da. "I genuinely don't understand. Come on, teach me. It'll be worth it."

At the prospect of benefit, Hu Da's eyes sparkled. Bao Guo was, after all, a walking treasure trove. Clearing his throat, Hu Da attempted to infuse his scruffy demeanor with a touch of scholarly charm, which was, naturally, a futile effort.

"You'll need to start with the fundamentals of magic. Do you even know what magic is?"

Bao Guo shook his head, clueless.

"Magic," Hu Da began, "is a term that encompasses the basic elemental studies of the Sorma Continent."

Bao Guo looked bewildered. "This sounds so complex. Basic elemental studies and a general term? Goodness, can you simplify it? Also, we're on the Sorma Continent? How many countries are there here?"

With Bao Guo's inquiries, Hu Da provided explanations, drawing an increasingly larger crowd. Frankly, their understanding was on par with Bao Guo's, though he was somewhat more advanced, having hailed from Earth, where the level of civilization was surely a notch above that of these highlanders.

"So, based on what you're saying, we can't pin down the exact number of countries on the Sorma Continent, and beyond the national borders, there are major organizations like the Alchemist Association, the Mage Guild, the Demon Sword Guild, and the wealthiest of all, the Wanshi Merchant Union, correct?"

Hu Da took a drag from his green cigar and nodded in affirmation. "Exactly. Those are the prominent, structured organizations, but there are also sizable, less formal groups like the Mercenary Guild and the Shadow Alliance. You're bound to encounter them once you're in town because they all have a keen interest in what you're offering. However, I'd recommend partnering with the Alchemist Association. I could even vouch for you and help you get in. That way, you'd be part of the inner circle and have access to our shared resources."

Bao Guo gestured dismissively, not ready to commit to any group just yet. "Let's put a pin in that for now and take it step by step. I need to get my head around what you've just explained. So, if I've got this right, everyone on the Sorma Continent can take a magic affinity test. Those who project their affinity outward are natural-born spellcasters, also known as Mages. And those who direct it inward are natural-born warriors, or more specifically, Devil Swordsmen. So, essentially, we're talking about just two professions here: Mages and Warriors—no, I mean Devil Swordsmen."

"No, no, no, you've got it all wrong. Within the Mages, there are elemental Mages, summoning Mages, and mysterious Mages. Devil Swordsmen are categorized into Devil Cavalry, Devil Bow, and Devil Martial. This is all fundamental knowledge."

Bao Guo scratched his head, his confusion deepening. "Mysterious mages? What's that all about? I get the elemental types—earth, water, fire, wood, metal. Summoning mages can call forth odd creatures for combat support, right? But what exactly does a mysterious mage do?"

"You've hit the nail on the head. I'll give you a point for that, though there's no prize. Mysterious mages are a catch-all term for a diverse group. In mage circles, they're a rare breed, like those specializing in spatial or magnetic magic. They're a minority among mages, but their abilities are highly respected. Even mercenary teams setting out on expeditions consider it an honor to have a mysterious mage with them. Having one on a mission can greatly increase the sense of security."

He gave a firm nod. Bao Guo had finally grasped the concept that the Mage profession branched into three specialties: Elemental, Summoner, and Mystery. Similarly, the Devil Swordsman was categorized into Devil Knight, Devil Bowman, and Devil Swordsman.

This meant that anyone on the Sorma Continent aspiring to make a name for themselves would need to join the appropriate institutions to learn and enhance their skills. They would then select a specialty that played to their strengths and delve into it. Ultimately, there were two paths to choose from: either being drafted by the state to serve in the military or governmental agencies or taking up the life of a mercenary, carving out a career through sheer personal strength. Beyond these options, there was no other path—well, except for leading an unremarkable life, foregoing education to simply till the land. That was, of course, a viable choice since the majority of the world's population were ordinary people who, despite their simplicity, had their own set of skills.

Upon hearing this, Bao Guo felt an urgent need to relieve himself, overwhelmed by the perilous nature of this world where mages and swordsmen were as common as dirt, and life was cheap.

Noticing Bao Guo's anxiety, Hu Da took a long drag on his cigar and chuckled reassuringly, "You've got no reason to worry. With those miraculous items of yours, I won't speculate on the quantity, but membership in the Alchemist Association is yours whenever you want it. And a Silver Card Membership with the Eternal Merchant Union is a sure thing. So, you see, you're bound for greatness."

Yet, Bao Guo wasn't swayed by Hu Da's words. If anything, he felt an even greater sense of urgency. His parents were already in the crosshairs of some unseen adversary, and he needed to level up quickly or find a way to safeguard them. After all, what good was wealth if it only made them a target for the unscrupulous?

With resolve, Bao Guo grabbed Hu Da, ready to move.

"Hey, where are you dragging me off to?"

...

Several hours and a room full of smoke later, Hu Da finally broke the silence, "Cough, I was making a big deal out of nothing. You're just from another continent, and you're not the first one at that. We all know the world is vast, with more lands beyond Sorma, as the ancient legends tell us. But I never imagined I, Hu Da, would have the fortune to meet someone from another continent in my lifetime. Lucky me! So, how about you take me on as your assistant? I'll be dedicated and supportive. I'm not asking for much—just 2000, no, make that 1000 standard Devil Crystals a month. Hehe."

Bao Guo was secretly pleased that Hu Da was making wild guesses, as it helped keep his own identity concealed. However, he was baffled by the salary he requested and, feeling overwhelmed, he had to ask, "Since we're on the topic of Devil Crystals, could you explain how their levels are determined?"

"Well, Devil Crystals aren't actually used as a common currency among nations; there's no special grade for them. They're categorized by size. These crystals are primarily used for transactions within the Merchant Union, the Mercenary Guild, and other major organizations. Each country uses its own national currency. For instance, in our Buck Duchy, we use the Deer Head currency. But I digress. Let's get back to the Devil Crystals," Hu Da explained.

Pulling out a small black cloth bag, Hu Da gently tipped out several crystals the size of green beans. They varied in color—some deep, some light, red, green, and yellow—glistening beautifully in the sunlight.

"You know, Devil Crystals are the energy stones left behind when Devil Beasts concentrate their power. Humans have something similar, called Devil Stones, but their use is forbidden across the Sorma Continent. Getting caught with one means execution, so keep that in mind."

"As for determining the quality of Devil Crystals, there are tools for that. But usually, anyone with a bit of experience can judge their grade—A, B, C, or even the legendary S—just by looking at them. I've already mentioned their uses: powering various magical devices, replenishing our own devil power, creating certain potions, and more. They're incredibly useful, which also means they're in high demand."

Bao Guo nodded, deep in thought, about to ask another question when he noticed a red light flickering on Hu Da's chest. Hu Da let out a startled yell and quickly retrieved a triangular, odd-looking metal pendant from his chest.

"This is serious—a summoning order. I'm sorry, my friend, I must head back to town at once. It's been years since I last received a summon from the Alchemist Association. I have to leave now. The town market will be open in a few days. Go there with the villagers and mention my name; someone will guide you to me. Take care, I'll be on my way."

After finishing his statement, Bao Guo didn't linger on Krod's attempts to keep him there. Hastily gathering his belongings, he slung the odd, large metal box over his shoulder and vanished in a puff of smoke, his physical prowess nothing short of astounding.

Bao Guo, however, let out a sigh, mulling over his next move. "I couldn't secure anything to protect my parents. Looks like I'll have to try and strike a deal in town. Black Stone Village is just too small, too disconnected from the civilized world. Time to head back to Earth to get things in order. Off I go."