Michael woke up the next morning feeling refreshed.
The lights of the hotel room were on, just as he had left them, thankfully, but the window covers were drawn tightly, concealing whatever lay beyond.
Though the thick covers obscured the view, Michael could tell the sun had yet to rise.
After stretching a little in bed, he got up and reached for his phone.
It had been charging for hours and was now fully charged.
Disconnecting it, he checked the time.
“3:49 AM.”
“I woke up pretty early,” he murmured.
The last time he’d passed out from mana exhaustion, he’d slept in until nine. It seemed the stronger he grew—or rather, the higher his stats climbed—the more efficiently his body could recover.
This realization brought a smile to Michael’s face. At least this way, he’d have more time to get things done.
Oddly enough, Michael’s first action wasn’t to take a bath or freshen up. Instead, he returned to bed, phone in hand, and logged into the Supers Association forum.
Yesterday, he hadn’t had the chance to browse, but Brian’s suggestion about acquiring a manual lingered in his mind. It was time to cross that off his list.
Heading directly to the store section of the forum, Michael typed “Spear Manual” into the search bar.
A flood of results appeared.
However, he had forgotten to include the word “basic” in his search, and the results were far from beginner-friendly.
Instead, a list of illustrious and advanced manuals filled his screen.
[The Art of the Thrust: A Treatise on Spearcraft and Strategy]
[Piercing the Veil: Mastery of the Spear in Combat and Form]
[The Iron Fang Codex: Secrets of Spear Warfare]
[Dancing with Shadows: The Elegance of the Spear]
[The Eternal Point: A Spearman’s Guide to Precision and Power]
[From Ash to Steel: The Definitive Manual of Spear Techniques]
Curiosity got the better of him, and he tapped on a few to learn more about them.
[The Art of the Thrust: A Treatise on Spearcraft and Strategy]
Fundamentals of spear handling, thrusting, and parrying.
Strategies for using the spear in formation and single combat.
Lessons on adapting to different terrains and opponents.
[Piercing the Veil: Mastery of the Spear in Combat and Form]
Advanced techniques for precision strikes and feints.
Combat stances and fluid movements for offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Philosophical insights into the discipline and mental focus required for mastery.
[The Iron Fang Codex: Secrets of Spear Warfare]
Close-quarter techniques and counters for swords and shields.
Effective use of the spear in mounted combat.
Maintenance and customization of spears for maximum effectiveness.
After browsing through the descriptions of the first few manuals from the search results, Michael had only one thought for all of them.
Really fancy!
Of course, they were undoubtedly impressive, Michael could tell from their descriptions that they were also highly practical.
Had he not received Brian’s advice yesterday, he might have been tempted to drool over them. But he knew better now.
Though these manuals were meant to teach, it was clear they were designed for people who already had some foundation in spearcraft.
Michael? He had nothing.
The fact that {Spearmanship} didn’t even appear in the skill section of his panel was proof enough.
These types of manuals weren’t for him.
Instead of speeding up his training with the spear, they’d only serve to distract someone like him, who still needed to master the basics of handling one.
Shaking his head, Michael redirected his focus back to the search bar.
This time, he made sure to add the word “Basic” to his query before hitting search.
A new list of results popped up almost immediately.
[The Point and the Pole: Beginner’s Guide to Spearmanship]
[Steps of the Spear: Learning the First Forms]
[Straight as an Arrow: Spear Basics for Young Warriors]
[The Spearman’s Handbook: Volume 1 – Fundamentals]
[Hold the Line: Foundations of Spear Wall Tactics]
Just from the names of the manuals alone, it was clear these were meant for beginners like Michael.
As he did with the fancy manuals earlier, Michael went through the details of a few top results.
[The Point and the Pole: Beginner’s Guide to Spearmanship]
A straightforward manual covering basic grips, stances, thrusts, and spear maintenance. Perfect for first-time users.
[Steps of the Spear: Learning the First Forms]
Focuses on footwork, stability, and basic sparring techniques with an introduction to foundational combat forms.
[Straight as an Arrow: Spear Basics for Young Warriors]
A beginner-friendly guide designed for younger or less experienced warriors, featuring simple drills and safety tips.
[The Spearman’s Handbook: Volume 1 – Fundamentals]
A comprehensive look at the basics, including defensive techniques, spear anatomy, and positioning in group combat.
[Hold the Line: Foundations of Spear Wall Tactics]
Specialized for teamwork, this manual teaches the essentials of forming and maintaining effective spear walls in battle.
These were the top five results, and aside from the last one, the first four seemed to overlap somewhat, though each had its own unique focus. Stay connected via empire
After a moment of thought, Michael decided to buy all five.
After all, Brian had never specified how many manuals he should purchase, only that he needed something to help him with the basics of spearmanship.
Besides, Michael’s interest was primarily self-defense, so he’d likely focus on one manual while taking references from the others.
Moments later, Michael watched as more than $5,000 disappeared from his account yet again.
“As expected, I can only be broke, not rich,” he muttered.
Even the PDF versions of the manuals were pricey. If he’d opted for physical copies, he’d probably be in debt by now.
Sighing, Michael decided to start reading while it was still early.
He opened [The Spearman’s Handbook: Volume 1 – Fundamentals], as it felt more like a book he could study without requiring immediate physical practice.
He had only intended to read a little, but before he knew it, morning had come. Even the thick curtains of the hotel room couldn’t fully block out the sunlight streaming in.
And that wasn’t all.
[You have understood the basic essence of Spearmanship and gained the skill {Spearmanship}.]
[{Spearmanship} (Basic Mastery) Proficiency: 2.0%]
A fundamental skill for wielders of the spear, Spearmanship improves the user’s control, balance, and precision with this versatile weapon. It focuses on the physical mechanics and practical understanding of spear handling, making it easier to execute basic techniques.
At its current mastery level, the skill grants:
Increased Handling: The spear feels lighter and more balanced in the user’s grip, reducing fatigue during prolonged use.
Steady Strikes: Thrusting and sweeping motions are smoother, with a slight boost to accuracy and follow-through.
Beginner’s Insight: Basic flaws in stance or grip are easier to recognize and correct, improving overall combat readiness.
“Huh? This works too?”