“This… truly befits an upper-class Breathing Method.”
The membrane of light shifted, leaving Ivan transfixed.
This was even more surprising than unraveling the secrets of the Ocean Blue Potion, considering the amount of effort he had put into the potion.
“If I really practiced the High Ridge Eagle Breathing Method, I would definitely continue to gain more Experience Points.”
In fact, he had been gaining Experience Points from diligently practicing the page-class Gushing Breath Method, but the rate was simply too slow. Switching to an upper-class Breathing Method would surely have a fundamentally different effect.
However, he had not made up his mind about which Breathing Method to adopt in place of the Gushing Breath Method.
As Glowe had said, the High Ridge Eagle had too many problems and lacked the corresponding training methods and secret medicine for the Knight Class.
“Knock knock.”
“Father.”
Another two or three hours passed, and just when Ivan thought his father wouldn’t show up, there was a knock at the door, and indeed it was Leider outside.
Leider spoke directly, “You’ve grown up, think carefully about the path you want to take from here.”
After saying that, he handed Ivan four beast hide scrolls of different sizes, patted his shoulder, and turned to leave.
The father was still as reticent as ever.
“Why does everyone like to record on beast hide?”
Upon closing the door, Ivan began inspecting the four uniquely shaped beast hide scrolls — the page-class Goliath Frog Breathing Method and its corresponding Breathing Secret Medicine, as well as the Knight-class Goliath Frog Breathing Method and its corresponding secret medicine.
The Goliath Frog Breathing Method was clearly more complete than the High Ridge Eagle.
Belonging to the intermediate Breathing Methods, the page-class consisted of 36 movements representing 36 techniques. It appeared complete, but was missing the techniques that connected with the stomach’s digestive capabilities.
According to Leider, the missing techniques were supposed to be passed down orally, and his great-grandfather had not been taught them.
He glanced over the Knight-class methods; these techniques were more complex with each technique breaking down into two to three movements, totaling 101 movements corresponding to 39 techniques, including the Knight-class’s unique secret killing moves.
“The page-class Goliath Frog Secret Medicine has been restored before, while the Knight-class secret medicine’s main ingredients are rare, and one potion corresponding to the secret killing moves has been lost. There are also significant shortcomings.” He sighed softly, lacking even a complete intermediate Breathing Method—his own family was far behind the nobility in this regard.
The next morning.
[Apothecary Skill Experience Point +1]
[Apothecary Skill: lv2(193/200)]
Troubled by the Goliath Frog Breathing Method, Ivan found that his Apothecary Skill Experience Points had increased by one without any warning.
“As expected, selling potions under my own name and having others use them, improves my reputation, which, in turn, increases Experience Points,” he mused, not surprised by the outcome. When he gave Glowe the potion yesterday, he deliberately emphasized that it was made by himself—it was a test.
And it turned out exactly as he had anticipated.
However, not all potions could bring reputation; people had to find you competent. And the only potion he could confidently offer was the Ocean Blue Potion. But given its preciousness, he dared not market it too visibly, lest it bring trouble to him and the Marichadon family.
“Apothecary Skill will progress step by step. Breathing Skill is the key,” Ivan concluded after some thought. Only by further increasing his strength could he guarantee his safety.
Beaman arrived in the backyard and immediately saw his brother practicing the movements and techniques from the Goliath Frog Breathing Method.
“Ivan, have you made up your mind?”
“No, I just want to understand more so I can make a calculated decision.”
“Let me teach you,” Beaman offered.
Seeing that his younger brother had a plan in mind, Beaman did not say much and suggested that he teach him himself.
However, Ivan said, “More important than that, I have something crucial I hope you can help me with, Beaman.”
Beaman casually asked, “What?”
Ivan spoke with a serious tone, “Help me collect some Breathing Methods, even incomplete ones would be fine. I can exchange them for Ocean Blue Potions, as well as the ingredients for the potion. I will be concocting a large quantity soon and will need more materials.”
Upon hearing this, Beaman furrowed his brows and looked at him with confusion, finding the request a bit strange.
“Ivan, my brother, may I ask why?”
After a pause of several seconds, Ivan said, “I’m leaving to go to an island with a sorcerer at sea, seeking the way of sorcerer training.”
“What?” Beaman was stunned, then he quickly came to his senses. “You can’t mean that place, the dangerous location where a number of nobles’ children met their deaths.”
As a mercenary frequently mingling among explorers, he was well-informed. He had recently heard gossip which people took pleasure in, about the death of several nobles’ children related to sorcerer training, the details of which remained unknown.
Ivan nodded, “It’s probably the dangerous place you’re talking about.”
Beaman suddenly thought of something and asked with a rather unsightly expression, “You’re not thinking of avenging Old Orio, are you? There’s—there’s no need for that. Your relationship with him should never have gone that far.”
This left Ivan stunned; what an extraordinary leap of logic.
He explained with a mix of laughter and helplessness, “Do I look like I’m full to bursting with folly? I truly want to learn the way of the sorcerer. As for the danger you mentioned, if it weren’t dangerous there, it wouldn’t be my turn to go; even if I wanted to, the nobles wouldn’t give me the chance.”
“That makes sense,” Beaman conceded.
Seeing him look sincere, not feigning, Beaman realized he had thought wrongly. Considering the way nobles operate, it indeed seemed like a rare opportunity.
Ivan continued, “Just like you said, the Giant Shield Mercenary Group won’t be much affected by one more or one fewer member like me. Having this rare chance, I might as well strike out on my own rather than always being stuck around Flying Fish Port.”
Beaman’s interest perked up, “How about it, why don’t we brothers go together?”
Ivan’s face darkened, and he slapped him with exasperation, “How can you be THIS impulsive? Anyhow, first get done the things I’ve entrusted to you. I need to make more preparations and properly keep my life safe. Go on, get going.”
Ivan handed over his only remaining Ocean Blue Potion to him, urging him to go hurry up and take care of the matter.
Beaman left the Marichadon household in a daze, then remembered that collecting incomplete Breathing Methods didn’t seem to have a big connection with making preparations. Ah well, he thought, my brother Ivan is surely not reckless, why bother with these details?
“This is not an easy thing to deal with though, with more factors involved; others might not be willing to show me favor,” he felt Ivan really overestimated his elder brother. Walking towards the Giant Shield Mercenary Group headquarters while pondering, he scratched his head and decided to head there directly.
Meanwhile, Ivan was in the backyard pondering the Goliath Frog Breathing Method, when unexpectedly, he saw Paul appear.
Just like his elder brother, upon seeing him study, Paul also offered to teach him.
[Knight Breathing Skill Experience Points +36]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv2(29/200)]
In the evening, through the membrane of light, Ivan saw the information he had been seeking. The Small Light of Wisdom silently descended. In this moment of distraction, his understanding of the three types of Breathing Methods he had learned became more comprehensive, which would enhance his control over the blood energy within his body.
Related sword fighting, horse riding, and archery skills also garnered more insight.
Moreover, he obtained a new Level 2 Light of Wisdom, now possessing two Lights of Wisdom in total: one Level 1 and one Level 2.
He came back to his senses with a sense of loss, wishing he could immediately stretch his limbs and release the skills accumulated in his chest.
“Ivan, what are you off to do so late?”
Intent on taking action, Ivan had just left his room when he ran into Beaman, who was coming to find him.
Without waiting for him to speak, Beaman pulled him back into the room, excitedly saying, “I’ve brought you some good stuff.”