Mixed Blessing System

After studying the contents of those introductory books all night, Lothur discovered what determined a promising formation master or tailor.

The potential of a person attempting any profession, among them these two, depended on how far one could go in the cultivation ranks.

An individual does not necessarily need to be powerful to become a high-level professional. But since it was difficult for someone to have attributes far apart from each other, usually only those with the greatest potential could get farther in their respective professions.

In short, the most important thing was talent, the attribute of Intelligence!

Someone with a higher value in this attribute could go further in the cultivation ranks and have access to better resources as a consequence. Still, they would also have a better time mastering their professions of interest.

As such, Lothur had learned that the most important thing concerning his future professions was to increase his Intelligence!

This attribute was not necessarily the most important for all professions since some demanded more of other factors.

For example, while Intelligence was important for a blacksmith, it would be useless to have such a thing without a good Constitution or Strength. In the case of poison masters, the most crucial thing was Constitution, since if the body could not withstand the poisons, such a professional could even die!

And with this night of study, he had learned more about the importance of mental attributes in the world, something that until the day before seemed to pale in front of physical attributes.

It also made him understand those spiritual professions were much more complex than the activity of warriors, which was the most popular type of occupation in this world.

Consequently, the earnings of these professionals could not be small. On the contrary, they were probably among the best remunerations one could get in Concordia!

With this, Lothur had become even more interested in learning those professions, having already memorized several symbols of the formations and materials for poison masters and tailors.

...

The next day, Lothur went to one of the cafeterias on the Frost family estate just after sunrise, still with the information he had just absorbed in mind.

'Formation masters can create functional devices that basically function like technology on Earth...' As he stood in line to get his breakfast, he thought about this in silence.

'Obviously, one can't produce a cell phone or develop the internet with this, but some simpler things are possible.'

'Hmm...'

'I think I might be able to use this in the carriages of my future company!' His eyes sparkled at this possibility.

Lothur knew that the local transportation problem was an opportunity for him. But he also understood that someone small like him would be quickly crushed by a significant power that discovered the opportunity.

If he started his transportation company and then started making money, it would only be a matter of time before a financial power took over his company!

So to take advantage of the opportunity, he knew he needed an innovative means of transportation, which only he could develop.

That is, something that others could not easily replicate!

So, by learning a little more about the profession of formation masters, he had already seen the potential for formations to be used to produce alternative means of transportation in this world.

He had thought to use his knowledge concerning the means of transportation on Earth and try to create formations that would function analogously to the transportation technologies of his previous world.

At the same time, he had made it a priority to develop a self-destruct formation, something to protect his future inventions.

Thinking about these things, he smiled as he sat down in a chair in front of one of the many communal tables in the servants' area of this estate.

The cafeteria for the nobles of this family would not open until later, and since in such a place Lothur had to hear more disparaging comments than in this place, he preferred to come here.

With that, he soon began to devour his meal, which, even though it was the simplest option on this estate, was still many times tastier than the best meals he had had on Earth.

...

After finishing his breakfast and ignoring the murmurs in his vicinity, Lothur felt full of energy and returned to his room to have a shower before going to the academy.

As he did so, he noticed that he had not been tired from staying up all night while studying.

'Benefits of cultivation, I suppose...' He considered such a thing as he stepped into the shower, quickly doing what had to be done and getting out of there to get dressed.

'I will continue to study these professions today, but I must find time to shop and start learning a new combat technique.' He thought of the store Innumerable Scrolls, his only option to get something of the sort.

With his plans in mind, it was not long before he made his way to Morning Star Academy, once again enjoying Annaliese's company.

"Good morning, Anna." He smiled at that beauty, already imagining that they would be attending a local auction tonight.

Hearing that, Annaliese tried to ignore the dreams she had been having recently and talked to Lothur without showing her improper ideas. "Morning..."

"Are you ready for the auction? Have you picked up your costume?"

"Hmmm, I think you will enjoy being by my side later."

"Oh? Well, I also have something special to wear tonight. You should..." She stopped in the middle of her sentence, realizing that she had almost said something silly. "Anyway, stop by my residence at 7, and then we'll leave together."

"All right."

After hearing that, she watched Lothur for a few moments, remembering their last conversation. "Did you go in search of the poison master I told you about?"

"Yes. I think I met that person's disciple, a green-haired woman named Rebecca."

"Very kind this woman. She even gave me the introductory material for practicing her profession."

"What? Rebecca? Rebecca Böttger?" Annaliese almost jumped out of her armchair after hearing Lothur.

"Yes, I didn't hear her last name, but it must be her," Lothur replied calmly. "Is there a problem?"

"Lothur, did this woman try something strange with you?" Annaliese said in a concerned tone as she leaned her body forward and took one of Lothur's hands.

"Did she try something against me? No, why would she do anything?"

"Lothur, that woman is dangerous!"

"She has a reputation as someone who seduces men. To make matters worse, every time a man is seen with her, he dies a day or two later from poisoning!"

"Who knows what she does with these poor bastards..." She said, looking into his eyes as if to tell him not to get carried away by her looks and succumb to his desires.

"Oh? That's truly surprising!" His eyes widened as the previous situation flashed through his mind. "But I don't think she's that bad. She was quite thoughtful when I was with her and behaved naturally."

For Lothur, it was customary for women of all ages and sexual preferences to look at him with eyes of appreciation and sometimes desire. So, he had not found the previous situation strange...

The worry in Annaliese's heart increased after that was said. "No matter what happens, don't let that woman play with you!"

"In fact, try not to let any poison master touch your body. Many forget to clean themselves of certain substances after they are done working because they are already so used to poisons."

"So it's not uncommon for professionals in that field to accidentally poison other people."

"So be careful!"

"OK." He nodded at her, accepting that good advice.

"By the way, always remember to sanitize yourself after using poisons. If you're not careful, you could end up poisoning people important to you."

"I'll remember that."

"Sigh!"

'You give me so much trouble, Lothur...' She finally relaxed a little, still worried about him having contact with that woman. 'Considering his womanizing personality, that will be a problem.'

'What can I do?'

After thinking about it for a while, blushing, she asked. "Anyway, what do you think of this profession? Are you going to pursue a career with it?"

...