Abarith
patreon
Chapter 8: A Test of Focus
🕑 Added 2024-11-22 05:45:45 +0000 UTCThe living room was quiet, the weight of their father’s revelations still lingering in the air. Jeremy and Andrew sat, taking in the magnitude of what they just heard. Their mother and father owned Eldoria, the entire town. Jeremy looked down, his thoughts a mess. The sheer power his parents wielded, the authority they commanded, left him in awe. And now, he felt the beginnings of that same power within himself. It was thrilling, thinking about his future in the academy.
“Jeremy,” he began, his gaze intent. “Reflexes. Tell me how it happened.”
Jeremy looked up, catching the shift in his father’s tone. It was the same voice he used when he expected honesty, the no-nonsense edge that told him this was no casual question.
“It… it was strange,” Jeremy started, remembering the details. “There was this woman at the park, and she’d dropped a bunch of apples. I tried to help her pick them up, but as I was moving to catch some, Reflexes just… unlocked. Right there.” He glanced at Andrew, who was listening intently, his expression unreadable.
His father listened without interrupting, a slight furrow in his brow as he absorbed Jeremy’s story. “Did you train while you were out?” he asked, his tone guarded. “I told you to rest and have fun for today.”
Jeremy shook his head quickly. “No, I wasn’t trying to train. I didn’t even know I’d get a Skill for just helping her.”
His father exhaled, relief in his expression. Then, without another word, he took out his communication device, a circular black disk that seemed to reflect light like a crystal, typing out a quick message.
“Who are you messaging?” Andrew asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
“I’m bringing in someone I know to have a look at you, Jeremy,” their father replied, slipping it back into his pocket. “Just a check to ensure you’re fine. I want to make sure that unlocking so many Skills didn’t do anything to you.”
Jeremy exchanged a glance with Andrew, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Andrew, however, just watched their father with a flicker of frustration in his eyes.
Their father leaned forward, looking at both of them. “You’ll understand soon enough. This is for Jeremy’s own good. And I expect you both to not be honest with the specialist about your progress—let’s not mention anything beyond Reflexes.”
Andrew’s gaze narrowed slightly. “So he won’t know about the other Skills?”
Their father shook his head. “No. He’ll assume Reflexes was Jeremy’s first Skill. We don’t need to complicate things.”
Before they could ask more, there was a roar, followed by a knock on the door. Their father rose to answer it, and a few moments later, he returned with a tall, lanky man with yellow highlights in his hair, dressed in the standard uniform of the medical corps. Jeremy could see a patch with his family’s crest, a rabbit mid-hop, sewn onto the jacket the man was wearing.
“Boys, this is Dr. Leighton,” their father introduced him. “He’s one of the best healers under my command, and an old friend of mine. He’s here to take a look at you Jeremy. Just to make sure you’re fine after unexpectedly unlocking Reflexes a while ago.”
Dr. Leighton gave them a warm smile, his eyes twinkling kindly. “No need to worry, Jeremy. Just a few routine checks. You know, I’ve worked with many kids like you, fresh from the academy, all eager to push themselves. You’re not the first I’ve seen with a surprise Skill unlock, I can promise you that.”
Jeremy nodded, his initial tension easing a little. He could feel Andrew watching closely from the side, curiosity and something else—maybe envy—barely hidden on his face.
“Alright, Jeremy,” Dr. Leighton said, rolling up his sleeves. “Let’s see your Skill in action. If you could just hold out your hands…”
He spent the next several minutes running Jeremy through a series of physical exercises. Jeremy tried to stay focused, but every so often he’d glance at his father, wondering if he was really okay. Dr. Leighton’s tests grew progressively more intricate, designed to gauge reaction speed and coordination. He clicked his tongue in approval several times, clearly pleased with the results.
“Well, Jeremy,” Dr. Leighton said as he finished, “you’re in excellent health. I’ve been sensing your soul for any issues while we were using your Reflexes, and there doesn’t seem to be any problem. In fact, your progress is remarkable, something I’d expect from someone who’s had it for months.” Dr. Leighton looked at his father, the question unspoken.
“Jeremy unlocked the Skill today. I guess it just runs in the family,” his father said to the doctor. “Thanks for the thorough check, Leighton. In a few days I’ll be back and we’ll open another front, just continue what you’ve been doing in the meantime.”
“Can’t wait boss man,” Dr. Leighton replied with a grin. He turned to Jeremy, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Keep it up Jeremy. You have the potential to be just as great as your father, but don’t rush it. These things take time.”
“Yes, I understand,” Jeremy replied, though his heart was pounding with the thrill of it all.
Once Dr. Leighton had left, their father turned back to them, his face unreadable.
“Alright, Jeremy,” he began, his voice steady but firm. “Given Dr. Leighton’s seal of approval, I want us to maximize this last day of training.”
Jeremy felt a mix of excitement and determination rising within him, but a glance at Andrew tempered it. He could see the frustration in his brother’s eyes, but Andrew only clenched his jaw, saying nothing.
“Jeremy,” he began, voice steady, “would you prefer to unlock a new Skill, or would you rather focus on increasing the rarity of the Skills you already have?”
Jeremy’s mind raced. Each new Skill had its own thrill, but he’d seen enough to trust his father’s wisdom. “Honestly, Dad,” he said, meeting his father’s gaze, “I want you to decide. You know more about what I need than I do.”
His father nodded. “In that case, I want you to focus on unlocking Multitasking. It’s a great Skill, and the higher rarities of it helps with training other mind Skills while you’re busy doing something else. Hopefully you can make great progress with it today, and if you somehow unlock it, even better.”
Jeremy gave a firm nod, feeling both excitement and apprehension. “What do I need to do?”
“I’d usually guide you myself,” his father said, glancing at Andrew, “but I want to focus on Andrew and work on Memorization. He’s ready, and it’ll take all of my attention.”
Andrew straightened at this, a flicker of relief in his expression. He’d been waiting for this focus, and it seemed his father had sensed it.
“Head to Mr. Hendrikson’s shop,” his father went on. “Among everyone I personally know, he has the highest rarity of Multitasking. He knows the Skill inside and out, and, despite his rough personality, he’s great at teaching others. Pay close attention to him and follow what he says.”
Jeremy nodded, understanding that his father would be too busy to help him with this.
“Thanks Dad! I’ll head over right away.”
With a final glance at Andrew, who was watching him with a hint of competitiveness, Jeremy left the house and ran back towards Mr. Hendrikson’s coffee shop once more.
Andrew sat quiet in the room, his thoughts churning. He couldn’t help but replay the moments Jeremy had surged ahead, leaving him behind once again.
“Dad,” he ventured, his voice low, “do you ever think I’m wasting my time trying to keep up with him?”
His father didn’t answer immediately, his gaze distant. “It’s not about keeping up, Andrew. It’s about your own path.”
Andrew frowned, the response leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. “That doesn’t really answer my question.”
His father’s eyes finally met his, but the stern expression didn’t waver. “You have to find that answer yourself.”
Andrew exhaled slowly, the weight of the unspoken words settling in. “Right... I guess I will.”
The scent of coffee filled the air as Jeremy entered the cozy shop. Mr. Hendrikson, busy steaming milk, did not look up. “Finally, what took you so long Jeremy?”
Jeremy smiled, a little nervous but determined. “My father told me you’d help me work on Multitasking.”
Mr. Hendrikson gave a nod. “I know, he mentioned it. Well, it’s an interesting choice. I have to say. Multitasking is harder to unlock than the usual Memorization, but I’m sure he has his reasons.” He sat down a coffee cup and gestured for Jeremy to sit.
“Alright,” Mr. Hendrikson said, placing a tray and a notepad in front of Jeremy. “Multitasking is about more than just doing multiple things at once. It’s about giving equal focus to multiple tasks without letting any slip. Let’s start off slowly.”
He handed Jeremy a notepad. “First task: take an order, then pour the coffee.”
A customer walked up to the counter—a middle-aged man who ordered a cappuccino. Jeremy wrote it down quickly, his handwriting neat but a bit shaky from nervousness.
“Good. Now, while you’re taking the next order, head over here behind the counter and pour that cappuccino,” Mr. Hendrikson instructed.
Jeremy’s eyes darted between the customers and the coffee machine. He turned to the next customer, a woman asking for a latte, while shuffling to back the coffee machine. He fumbled, almost spilling the cup, but caught himself just in time.
“Not bad,” Mr. Hendrikson remarked. “Now, serve it while taking the next order.”
Jeremy balanced the cappuccino on a tray, delivering it to the middle-aged man while listening to the next customer—a young girl asking for a hot chocolate. His mind raced to keep track of the tasks, but he managed to serve the cappuccino without problems and return to make the latte.
“See? You’re getting there,” Mr. Hendrikson said with a grin. “Now, let’s add more.”
He placed a small tray of pastries beside Jeremy. “Serve these along with the drinks. And keep those orders coming.”
Jeremy’s head pounded as he tried to maintain his focus. Taking orders, pouring drinks, serving pastries, cleaning tables—it all turned into a blur. He felt his focus slipping as he handed a pastry to the wrong customer, quickly correcting his mistake with a sheepish smile.
“Easy now,” Mr. Hendrikson said, his tone calm. “Breathe, calm down. Focus on the rhythm, not the speed.”
Jeremy nodded, slowing his breath. He started to see the tasks not as separate entities but as parts of a larger, connected rhythm. The orders, the pouring, the serving—they began to sync, his hands moving with more confidence.
Hours passed, and Jeremy felt the difference. His actions became smoother, his focus sharper. He was even able to hold a conversation with Mrs. Langley throughout his work. He was now juggling multiple tasks that had seemed impossible at the start.
Mr. Hendrikson, watching closely, crossed his arms, clearly impressed. “You’re working through this incredibly fast,” he murmured, shaking his head in amazement. “Most people would still have a hard time with taking two orders at the same time. But you… you’re doing great.”
Jeremy felt a surge of pride as he nodded at Mr. Hendrikson, not even stopping his own chat with Mrs. Langley. Just then, a familiar sight greeted him.
Unlocked Skill: Multitasking
Multitasking - Basic
Level -/10 - 100 essence
Provide equal focus to multiple tasks simultaneously.
The art of focus, split but whole.
Mind -
Jeremy exhaled, his heart pounding with excitement. He’d done it—another Skill unlocked. Mr. Hendrikson clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“Congratulations, Jeremy. I’ve trained a lot of people, but no one has ever unlocked Multitasking in a single afternoon. You’ll easily surpass you father, no doubt about that.”
Jeremy smiled, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.
“Now, off you go,” Mr. Hendrikson said with a chuckle. “Tell your father the good news. I’m closing up shop soon. Shoo, shoo.”
