Novel Bin Chapter 82 - 2 Merit Points
It was almost dinner time when Ren Suo walked out of the training facility at the sports stadium.
Ren Suo did not go home because he had to meet Qiao Muyi for dinner. It was rare for him to be out, so he took the chance to train at the stadium. After all, as a member of the Countermeasure Division, he did not need to pay to use the training facility—in fact, there was also no way for outsiders to enter the stadium to train, even if they were willing to pay.
As it was still during working hours, the stadium was almost empty except for Ren Suo and a few staff members.
Ren Suo could tell that he was rather well-respected by the staff. When he was Practicing, the staff prepared drinks for him and even asked what he would like to eat, as well as the size of his bathrobe. Indeed, the training facility even provided refreshments, bathing rooms, saunas…
All of that reflected the attitude of the nation towards “loyal” Practitioners: Although the basic pay was not much and less than that of graduates from the top universities, the members of the Countermeasure Division received relatively more subsidies and other benefits.
Of course, the most important of which was the training facility. All Practitioners who were open to change and who were set on keeping up with the “Reiki Revolution” would definitely benefit much more with the aid of the training facilities, as compared to heresy.
Usually, Ren Suo trained for a while before he slept every day, much like how running before sleep could improve the quality of sleep. But if Practicing in an ordinary environment had an efficiency of 1, Practicing in the training stadium would have an efficiency of 15—or perhaps even higher.
With the training stadium and a Practitioner system established by the nation, it would definitely be better than to practice blindly himself. Furthermore, if he worked hard and well, he could even exchange abilities.
In the 5 hours of practice at the training stadium, Ren Suo could not resist the temptation and used [Unlimited Energy] for 2 hours. He felt that his breathing current improved by about 10%, while all the Practicing he had done before sleeping the past few days did not even add up to 1%…
And after 5 p.m., Ren Suo saw more people entering the training stadium.
Although the training stadium was termed a stadium, it was actually a large area divided into two zones—the “Meditation Zone” and the “Dynamic Zone”. The “Meditation Zone” was made of many small rooms about the size of a cubicle in a restroom. There was a cushion in each room and every room was soundproof, allowing Practitioners to Practice inside in peace.
On the other hand, the “Dynamic Zone” was filled with numerous equipment, allowing Practitioners to exercise while adjusting their breathing.
After the breathing currents of Practitioners matured, they could choose their preferred method of Practice—either while meditating or exercising.
Ren Suo naturally chose the dynamic method of practice. After all, he spent most of his time playing games at home and felt unfit, so he decided to exercise while Practicing…
The truth was that once Practitioners could generate their own breathing currents, their physique would also become stronger, so there was no need for Ren Suo to have such a worry. When Ren Suo was about to leave the training stadium, he walked into Xie Qiansi, who had just gone in.
As compared to just over 10 days ago, Xie Qiansi appeared steadier and much more grounded. When he saw Ren Suo, he was slightly shocked but quickly pulled Ren Suo to the Resting Zone to chat. Xie Qiansi said, “You have not said a thing in our chatroom and do not even post updates on your profile regularly, I almost thought you were performing some secret mission. Are you that busy in the Countermeasure Division?”
“Yeah, it is indeed quite busy,” a serious Ren Suo said.
Ren Suo and Xie Qiansi talked for a while. Ren Suo found out that Xie Qiansi had entered the Special Operations Team in the Public Security Bureau which was mainly responsible for fast response against those who used their Awakened Abilities in their jurisdiction areas, such as performers who breathed fire and made ice on the streets, hooligans who used their Awakened abilities in fights, or Awakeners who had suddenly been Awakened on the streets. These “human Awakeners” who were “obvious targets” all fell under the jurisdiction of the Public Security Bureau.
The Countermeasure Division, on the other hand, focused on non-human and paranormal presence and out-of-the-ordinary incidents. While there were overlapping areas between the jurisdiction of the Countermeasure Division and the Public Security Bureau, they mainly shared information with each other. Simpler cases were handled by the nearest Special Operations Team, and the more complex cases were handled by the Countermeasure Division.
Suddenly, Xie Qiansi asked, “Do you know where Zhao Huo went recently?”
“I have no idea… But he isn’t in the Countermeasure Division, right?” Ren Suo replied.
Xie Qiansi suddenly lowered his voice and said, “He is missing.”
“Missing? Is he dead?” a slightly stunned Ren Suo said.
Xie Qiansi raised his brows and said, “Come on, we slept together for a few days, do you need to be so cold… Do you remember that Zhao Huo had a talent score of 3.12? Even amongst the hundreds of people at the mass training, he should be one of the top five talents.”
“I discovered that just a few days after we came back from the training, he went missing along with the other talents with extraordinarily high talent scores.”
Ren Suo asked, “And so?”
Xie Qiansi said, “Heh, I have inside information that they should have went to further their Practice. Naturally, amazing talents like them would receive more care.”
“And the more important thing is what they will do when they come back from their further training,” Xie Qiansi said as he pointed to Ren Suo, then back to himself. He continued, “Did you know? We are just tools that have been sent out to the field after minimal training, to take care of the overall situation… We’re just like the students that go to vocational schools after completing compulsory education. Although it sounds impressive, it does not have that good a future.”
“The nation needs technically-skilled workers like us who have undergone technical training, but they need even more ‘university graduates’ who had a complete education and had unlimited potential… Do you understand what I mean?” Xie Qiansi asked.
Ren Suo shook his head.
Xie Qiansi explained, “You went to university so you would know that the professors at university are not just responsible for teaching students, but also participating in research. To our nation, that is the most suitable position for those ‘talented Practitioners’—a role where they are able to impart their knowledge and experience, and at the same time, achieve break-throughs in certain technologies for the nation under excellent environments…”
Ren Suo was beginning to understand. He said, “So what you are saying is that when Zhao Huo and the rest return… they will likely take on the responsibilities of a teacher or the like?”
Xie Qiansi stood up as he replied, “I didn’t say that, but if your superiors hint you with words like ‘further training’, you should probably think wisely.”
…
What Xie Qiansi said made Ren Suo unconcentrated during his meal with Qiao Muyi. She asked, “Do you not like to eat Chuan Chuan Xiang (Skewer Steamboat)?”
Qiao Muyi had brought Ren Suo to an Old Chengdu Chuan Chuan Xiang steamboat stall for dinner. There was free flow JDB herbal tea and beer, and each skewer cost 1 dollar. There was even a 42% discount on the final bill. Qiao Muyi expressed, “A girl like me, who can only afford to eat soil, can only treat people to such delicious yet cheap food”.
Upon seeing Ren Suo unconcentrated and seemingly preoccupied throughout the meal, Qiao Muyi had thought that he was picky and did not like the food.
Ren Suo said, “No, no it’s not because I don’t like the food.” He paused for a moment to think before asking, “Do you know that Zhao Huo…”
“Ah, you spoke to chairperson Xie?” Qiao Muyi asked immediately.
They jokingly referred to Xie Qiansi as the “Chairperson” as he was the one who always wanted to be in authority and liked to expand his personal connections. Ren Suo was stunned momentarily but quickly responded, asking, “He spoke to you too?”
Qiao Muyi said, “We regularly arrange to meet to Practice at the training stadium. Are you worried that you would lose your rice bowl when those Practitioners with comprehensive and complete training reappear?”
Ren Suo nodded. He was indeed concerned about that.
Qiao Muyi casually said, “Well, there’s no need for you to be worried. For those who work in the government, although those who are more capable will do more work, the experience is crucial as well. We have been civil servant Practitioners from the start, so even if it’s to uphold a good image of the government, they would ensure that we are able to keep our jobs. Moreover, it would probably be much later in the future when Practitioners become commonplace. Who knows what the world would be like at that point in time.”
“Furthermore, even if there are more university graduates, does that really mean that specialized school students would not be able to find a job?”
“More importantly, I’m sure you have heard of the saying ‘With great power comes great responsibility’,” Qiao Muyi said. She picked up a chicken kidney skewer dripping with chili oil from the hotpot. The strong fragrance lingered in the air as she chewed into it. Qiao Muyi continued, “Conversely, with less ability, there is less responsibility.”
“If you want to be ahead of the times, there would be many more opportunities in the future which are more important than further training; if you wish to just get by in life, being a Practitioner would be sufficient to allow you to lead a more comfortable life, to say the least. Most people are ordinary people like us. After all, we are all born useful.”
“We have already entered the service and have many options. We are here to maintain order, not to join in the fight to be the best of Practitioners,” Qiao Muyi said.
Ren Suo was very much relieved after hearing what Qiao Muyi said. It was equivalent to saying “It is alright even if you have failed the examination since many people failed too”. Ren Suo also began eating the skewer hotpot comfortably.
Ren Suo was happy, not because Qiao Muyi said that he would still be able to live comfortably even as an ordinary person. Rather, it was because she said that “there are many more opportunities that are more important than further training”. He realized that:
If not for the Mini Worlds Gaming Console, he would not have been able to activate his own breathing current that quickly. He even suspected that the talent score he attained could be due to the [Enhanced Physique] ability.
And now, because of the equipped [Heart Strengthening] ability, he was slightly stronger than ordinary Practitioners. It was as if he had a golden rice bowl.
Even if he could not become the strongest Practitioner, but as long as he continued to receive more rewards from the game, he could, at the least, be a useful person to his nation, his society, his race, and his family!
Yes, even if I am just an ordinary person, I should be a precious one that would be cared for, praised, and only be eaten as the last resort!
“By the way, when I was recovering in the hospital, my Awakened Ability was activated. I suppose I would be transferred out of here soon,” Qiao Muyi nonchalantly said.
Ren Suo almost wanted to stab himself with the skewer. He placed the skewer on the table and looked bitterly at Qiao Muyi secretly.
Ren Suo no longer had a “key attraction” towards Qiao Muyi and had almost forgotten that she was likely to be an Awakened.
“You… you just told me that we all have our strengths to be put to use, and now you are telling me that you are better than me…” Ren Suo lamented.
Qiao Muyi laughed and said, “Nah, it is perfectly normal to be Awakened after coming back to life from death’s door… It’s nothing much anyway, it just makes me more able to feel Reiki, which means that my talent score will increase gradually.”
Perfectly normal, my foot.
If not for the fact that Ren Suo felt a sense of “key attraction” towards those who were Awakened, he could well have believed Qiao Muyi. She must have found out that those who were Awakened would receive preferential treatment from the Countermeasure Division, and made use of the opportunity to divulge her ability to raise her worth.
Furthermore, her Awakened ability seemed to be quite strong!
When they finished their dinner, Qiao Muyi asked if Ren Suo wanted to send her home, but Ren Suo turned down her silly request. He wanted to go home as soon as possible to test out his plan of making purchases in the game!
Previously, Ren Suo had been deliberating if he should spend the merit points. But now, he knew that he would not have such opportunities in real life with his low talent score, diligence and lack of courage, so he should focus on his strategy while playing the Mini Worlds Gaming Console.
With his determination, he must acquire the [Touch of Recovery] ability!
Ren Suo loaded the save file which began from “before round 2 of training”, for the 78th time. He controlled his character to walk towards the Talent Exchange Plaza and summoned the Golden Ranger.
[Do you wish to spend merit points for the Golden Ranger to attack the exchange system?]
[Please enter the number of merit points to spend.]
Ren Suo entered a number and the system prompted again: [Confirm that you wish to spend 2 merit points to employ the Golden Ranger?]
[Employment was successful! The Golden Ranger is now attacking, please wait…]
At the same time, Ren Suo saw a prompt appear at the top right corner of the screen:
[You have triggered the effect of “Meticulous Player” and spent 1 merit point. Remaining merit points: 10]
The effect was triggered on the very first purchase!