"In my last life, it took me three months to ascend to the second level of the spirit apprentice realm from level one. Even with a pill, it should have taken me at least a month. But now...
One pill and I just have to swallow it. No refining, no waiting.
Hahahaha.
Is this really happening?"
Leo wasted no time and took the task again. It took him only 80 minutes this time. One more pill.
Without hesitation, Leo swallowed it instantly.
[Congratulations, host. You have absorbed enough qi for a breakthrough.]
[Qi: 5000/5000]
Leo felt a sudden surge of energy within him.
[Congratulations, host. You have broken through to a new level.
Present Realm: Spirit Apprentice level 2]
Qi required for next breakthrough: 00/10000]
Leo could barely hold his excitement.
He again took the task. Only 52 minutes this time. Leo again received a qi-boosting pill. But this time, he didn't swallow it and continued taking the task four more times.
Once he finished the last round, he looked at his palm. Four normal-grade qi boosting pills rested there. Clenching his fist, Leo returned to his room.
"The sun is about to rise. It's enough for today."
After entering his room, Leo took a shower and then sat in his bed. He didn't even bother to sit in the lotus position.
He brought out the pills and looked at them eagerly. "These should be enough for the next breakthrough, right?"
Leo swallowed all those four pills at once.
As expected, the panel shimmered before him.
[Congratulations, host. You have absorbed enough qi for a breakthrough.
Qi: 10000/10000]
Leo felt another surge of power rising inside him.
[Congratulations, host. You have broken through to a new level.
Present realm: Spirit Apprentice level 3
Qi required for next breakthrough: 00/20000]
Leo's lips curved up into a smile. He stood up from his bed, straightening up his body. The sun was rising on the horizon, its glow spilling through the window and falling on Leo's body. He looked like a person just born anew.
He was just at the third level of the spirit apprentice realm. But this had improved his physical condition by leaps and bounds.
He stood before the mirror and looked at his shirtless body. The body fat had greatly reduced. His muscles were clearly visible now. Eyes looked confident.
"Damn! It's becoming addictive. I can barely hold myself from taking on more tasks." Leo said with a chuckle.
"But these workout tasks are getting boring. I need something exciting, something that will challenge me. But I am still not strong enough to venture into the dungeons. I will wait for one more breakthrough. And by then, the one-week recovery time will also end. My mother won't bother me anymore."
The next two days passed in the same flow. In two days, Leo collected 12 normal-grade qi-boosting pills.
After the night workout session, Leo sat in his room. He swallowed those 12 pills. And went through another breakthrough.
[Congratulations, host. You have absorbed enough qi for a breakthrough.
Qi: 30000/20000]
The breakthrough was smooth. Leo's energy increased again.
[Congratulations, host. You have broken through to a new level.
Present realm: Spirit Apprentice level 4.
Qi required for next breakthrough: 10000/40000]
One more hour was left before the sunrise.
"Tomorrow, I will go register as an awakened. After that, I can easily venture into the dungeons or take different tasks from the police station." Leo said that and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke as his mother nudged him. "Wake up, Leo. It's breakfast time."
Leo opened his eyes and rubbed them groggily.
"My my, sweetheart. You are looking more energetic today." She could feel the change in Leo. She couldn't pinpoint it, but it was hard not to notice it.
"Yeah," Leo said with a smile. "I have been training."
"Good. That's my boy." Leo's mother felt genuine relief. Earlier, Leo was always demoralized. But now, he looks spirited. What more could a mother hope for?
"Mother, can I make a request?"
"Sure. But it shouldn't be something out of line. You know what I mean, don't you?"
"I do. It's nothing much. The University is about to open in two weeks. I was planning to go on a tour with my friend. Is it possible? Please, Mom?" Leo made a pleading face. After spending hundreds of years in his past life, Leo was very experienced at convincing others.
"But you just recovered. And someone had actually tried to kill you, Leo. I don't think it's wise to go somewhere in this situation."
"Mother. Nothing will happen. Trust me. I am going with a group of friends. Some of them will even bring bodyguards. No way someone would try something funny."
"But...." She looked hesitant.
"No but, mother. Please. I am getting very bored these days. And once the University starts, who knows when I will get the next scope to enjoy a little. You don't want me to lead a mechanical life, do you?" Leo's eyes trembled as if he really meant those words.
"Okay, fine. But I will talk to your friends. Only then can I not worry."
"Sure." Leo quickly kissed her cheek so that she wouldn't change her decision suddenly.
And it really did the work. A bright smile spread across her face as she caressed his hair and placed the breakfast before him.
"Finish it quickly. I don't want to see a single portion left."
"No problem at all."
She left after that, satisfied.
Leo remained, with a grin on his face. "Nailed it. I just need Dylan to repeat what I say to him when he speaks to my mother.
Leo took his phone and dialed a number.
"Leo, what's up, buddy?" The moment the call connected, a cheerful voice came from the opposite side.
"I am good. I need a favor, Dylan. And don't you dare say no."
"What's help?"
"You need to talk to my mother. And to tell her that we are going on a trip."
"We are going on a trip?" Dylan asked excitedly.
"Nope."
"Nope?!" Dylan felt a cold bucket of water splashed on his face.
"Nope. But I need to go somewhere. And my family won't allow me to go if you don't help."
"Okay, okay. But what will I get in return? You understand how risky it is, right?"
"Just help me, man. If you do, I will get you that limited edition PS5."
Dylan, who was talking while sitting in a chair leisurely, sprang up to his feet. "Don't joke around."
"I am not. Just help, and I will get you that. So are you in or not?"
"Hell yeah. But don't forget what you promised, Leo."
"Don't worry. I won't."
The call ended. Leo clenched his fist. "Monsters. I am coming for you. Be good boys and help me accumulate pills, right?"