Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 84: Earning Money

"Acupuncture"

When Altair heard those words, his brow grew knitted. But before he could ask why, Captain Mike spoke. "Ah, Yes. That's what it was." He said, nodding. "Everyone has a job, and for now, we'll have you in the medical ward. We'll transfer you around after a while. However, right now, until you catch up to the basics like the other boots.

You're stuck there. Questions?"

"How long are basics?"

"Usually three months." Second Lieutenant Vincent Wendell said, his voice hard. "And you're about a month behind the other boots."

"Not your fault. But you'll be extra busy these next few months." Added Fat Mike. "Lieutenant Borris is in charge of all recruit training. So, for eight hours, you'll study with him with all the other boots before you head to the Medic Ward to train under Lieutenant Commander Amelia."

"Is it possible to clear... Boot camp in less than three months?"Altair inquired. Three Months was a long time. Time that could be used elsewhere. He wasn't a child that needed someone to hold his hand.

"That'll be up to Lieutenant Borris." Fat Mike said calmly. " I don't get involved in his decisions. He's a man that has been training recruits for well over sixty years. He's the best of the best. If he see's, you don't need it. He'll let me know."

The Prince nodded and grew silent.

When all was said and done, Captain Mike and Lieutenant Vincent allowed Altair, Laros, Olivia, and Leonie Cross to fall out to join the other boots.

"So your Altair... Fight me." Leonie Cross said, with a fiery gleam in her odd pupils.

"Knock it off, Leonie." Olivia chimed in, swaying her arms around Altair. "Who'd want to cut such a pretty face?" she claimed, with the biting tone of a snake. She narrowed her eyes, leaning to his ear. ' You didn't come to my bed chambers. How mean."

Masked with indifference, Altair gave her a side glance, "I'm quite alright. I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes. I'm sure you have a lot of options."

'Slut, ' Leonie spat beneath her breath. She never understood the need to copulate with the fairer sex. Especially so in a world dominated by those who seek the path of transcendence. It was foolish to seek a relationship if one could not defend themselves.

Olivia glanced at Leonie and grinned as she leaned off Altair. She turned to the girl nearly five years her junior. "What did you call me?"

"That's enough." Laros suddenly barked. "We are nearly there. You know what'll happen if you get caught fighting." He said to Olivia. "Ignore her."

Altair watched their interaction with a smile when he heard Talia speak into his mind. " Master... Olivia is..."

'Oh, I know her schemes.' The Prince replied mentally, narrowing his eyes at the particular skill she held outside her bloodline flames.

[Psionic Slave (unique)]

Grade: E

Type: Psionic

Description: Through touch, the User will be able to erode the minds of their enemies', twisting their mental waves into Psionic Slaves.

Aghast, Amilia stood frozen, unable to grasp what he'd done.

"To my knowledge," Altair began. " The human body wants to be whole. It has the ability to heal itself without the use of Mana. That's a fact that has kept us Humans alive since the beginning. And that truth exists in all living creatures. Meridians aren't necessarily a factor in the equation.

By Stimulating the white blood cells alongside the pre-existing Mana in her body, I could begin cleaning her wounds at a faster rate to help stimulate healing."

[Ding]

[User of Origin System has grasped the fundamentals of Hands of Nirvana]

[Hands of Nirvana]

Grade: F

Description: Allows the User to stimulate necrotic or damaged tissue by manipulating the meridians or pre-existing Mana found in the body's natural fibers, resulting in the rejuvenation of the body.

Altair eyes glowed as he read his new skill, so much so that he felt like testing out his new ability.

"Well?" The Prince gibed his voice like a child wishing to try something new.

"How... that... that doesn't make any sense.' Amilia muttered, nibbling on her thumbnail. She looked over at Altair. "Try it again." she hurriedly told him, sure it wasn't so simple.

Unwilling to give up such an opportunity, Altair squatted beside her and activated the Hands of Nirvana. Slowly, a radiant gold sizzled out of his palm over the young woman's shoulder as he pressed down. And just like before, a pained moan sounded from her mouth but faded as Altair continued.

Within fifteen minutes, her once pale face had recovered, and the damaged tissue was anew. The blonde-haired recruit opened her eyes.

"The... The pain is gone?" She said, turning to Altair with her blue sparkling eyes. "Thank you! Thank you! Without a booster, It would have taken several months to heal this."

"Months!" The boy said. "The military doesn't have boosters? What type of—"

"We do. But it's reserved for people like you, Altair." Amilia informed him, shaking her head as she stood to her feet, still awed by his performance. What he did was something on the level of nanotech medical engineering. Tech Earth still hadn't mastered yet. "Earth might be rich, but our funds are stretched to its limit.

Resources like healing boosters need to be used in emergencies, not on some low-level injury like this one." She said softly and turned to him. "And sorry... I... I was wrong."

"Not at all," The boy said, finding humility his best bet to get on Amilia's good side, at least for now. He'd gauged that much falling back on his mother's training. "You were only doing your job."

Amilia laughed, a little more embarrassed. She'd have been happier had he been a little more arrogant, to at least make her dislike him a bit. But seeing him admitting fault, Amila showed a wry smile.

"Then, and I continue on the rest?" Altair asked with anticipation. Find more at m _v _l _e _mpyr.

"Yes... And..." Her cheek burned a bit. " Can you explain to me once more?"

"..." He grinned. 'Why, of course, Lieutenant Commander."