Seed of Titan-Chapter 69: Jian Wants to Join the Club

Room D4 of the male dorm was rather quiet tonight, for one of its residents was out. One of its other residents was silently meditating on a pillow while the last one was busy cleaning himself in the shower after sweating for hours earlier today.

A few minutes later, Drai exited the bathroom. As usual, he had not completely dried himself inside but opted to do it near the window beside his bed since he would be able to get some fresh air there.

Jian opened his eyes and stopped his meditation. He walked to Drai who was drying his hair and stood beside him.

"Did you get taller?" Jian asked while eyeing Drai’s height.

"Huh? Did I?" Drai remarked amidst his drying.

"I think so. Is it because of your level up? I don’t think I’ve gotten taller though," Jian said while putting his hand on top of his head, trying to figure out whether he had actually grown taller too.

Drai didn’t reply as he wasn’t sure if the earlier procedure and its results had any effect on his height. He was still wary of accidentally spilling his recent level up, especially to Jian.

"Anyway, you went to Professor Ravi’s place this afternoon, right? How’s the research progress?"

Drai froze as he was cornered by this Jian’s question. He didn’t want to lie to his friend, but if he told the truth, Jian would most likely pester him about the results.

Recalling Ravi’s words that he still needed more time until he could publish his research, Drai decided to somewhat cover the truth.

"It’s been going well with a few hiccups. The professor said that he needed more time to sort the data or something before he can progress with the research."

"Going well, huh? Hmm..."

Drai noticed that Jian seemed preoccupied with something. He finished drying his hair and put away his towel before inquiring, "What’s the matter, Jian?"

"Oh... I’m not sure how to put this, but can you introduce me to Professor Ravi?"

"Eh? I can... but why?" Drai couldn’t help but ask. He knew Jian wasn’t someone who liked to approach the academy’s professors. After all, his mouth was dangerous, so he’d rather keep his distance from them to avoid the risk altogether.

"Er... Honestly, I want to volunteer for his research."

"Huh? Why?" Drai asked, a bit surprised by this.

"I don’t know if you realize it, but you’re a bad actor. Based on your words earlier, I can sense that you’re hiding something related to the research."

Drai’s eyes darted across the room as he scratched his head awkwardly.

"Look, Drai. I know you’re not a bad person, so you must have a good reason for this. But I suspect it has something to do with your development, although I’m not sure to what degree. Wouldn’t it be too strange of a coincidence if the only person involved in the professor’s research is the only one among us with a ludicrous progress?"

Drai could only smile helplessly. He was pretty sure that before the undergoing the main procedure today, his progress really didn’t have anything to do with the professor’s research. But now he couldn’t deny that the final stimulant had given a significant boost for his development, especially with how it had just removed his skill restrictions. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Jian gazed out the window and continued.

"You know how eager I am to get stronger, Drai. In the cultivation world, one’s life is no different from a candle flame; it can easily be put out by a strong wind, anytime and anywhere.

"And although we’re in Gaia, my desperation to get stronger that’s ingrained in my class remains the same, and more so after our little incident. So help me get stronger, Drai. Just introducing me to the professor is enough. The rest is up to me."

Drai looked closely at Jian. He could actually relate to his feelings because it was similar to Drai’s own driving force ever since he started training like a maniac.

Drai sighed and finally said, "Fine. I admit that I’ve just gotten another power boost because of the research. I’ll introduce you to Professor Ravi whenever you’re both available, but I need to tell him about it first."

Hearing about the power boost, Jian felt a painful sting in his chest, but he quickly shook it off.

"Thanks, Drai. I owe you one."

"Don’t mention it. We don’t know if the professor will agree to meeting you, but I think there’s a high chance he would be willing since he’s almost finished with his research."

Jian nodded. He clenched a qi-filled fist, hoping that he would be given a chance to rapidly progress too.

"But let me warn you, Jian. This power boost doesn’t come freely. I reckon you must at least go through two agonizing procedures. It could be more, but I’m not sure how it’s determined—probably related to the physical parameters of the subject."

"Pain is nothing if I can gain power quickly. In fact, it’s a common trope in cultivation stories. These overpowered protagonists sometimes have to undergo immense pain to reach a whole new level of prowess, particularly when they rise to another major realm and have to withstand a tribulation."

"Well, if you say so."

Jian nodded, proud of the qualities that his favorite MCs possess. However, he suddenly tensed upon realizing something.

"Drai... Did you say the procedures were agonizing?"

"Yeah."

"’Agonizing’ as in ’it fucking hurts so much, might as well kill me’?"

"Yeah, sounds about right. It gets better the longer you endure it though."

"Really? How much longer?" Jian asked as a drop of sweat ran down his forehead.

"I don’t know. It felt like hours for me, but in reality it might probably only be thirty minutes until one hour until you slightly get used to it."

"H-hours, eh? And did you mean it would be agonizing for me or was it agonizing for you?"

"For me. It was probably the most painful I’ve ever been in my life."

Hearing this, Jian slowly lowered his head in trepidation.

’Fucking hell! If this tough ass motherfucker felt that much pain, won’t I die instead?!’

Drai looked at Jian’s pale face and suddenly remembered something.

"Professor Ravi did say that I was the only one who managed to survive in the countless simulations he had conducted all these years, but now he might be able to tinker with the dose or components to better suit you, Jian. After all, he’s made a lot of progress in the last few months."

Jian didn’t reply but quietly turned around instead, heading to his floor pillow.

"Are you alright, Jian?" Drai asked, slightly concerned of his friend that suddenly became quiet.

Jian still didn’t reply. He sat down on his pillow and closed his eyes. He then silently raised a hand, gesturing Drai to stop talking to him, before settling into his meditation.

Drai was at loss from the silent treatment that came out of nowhere. He glanced at Jian once more before shrugging, thinking that the guy might have received some epiphany and needed some time alone to digest it.

’I wonder if all cultivators are this fickle...’ Drai thought as he put on a shirt.

Drai then lied down on his bed, feeling a bit tired.

’I guess it’s time to check out my skills.’

Drai opened his skill screen and looked at the skills that were now available to him, letting out a small grin.

’Is this what it’s like to have a normal class? Do new evolvers get these much skills?’ Drai thought as he was reminded of his unpleasant experience after his awakening.

’Well, better late than never. Let’s check them out one by one and see which ones I should get.’

Drai focused on the first skill on the list, revealing its details.

[Skill: Lesser Titanic Physique]

[Description: Titans are inherently blessed with superior bodies that enable them to compete for supremacy.

[Effects: 15% base universal resistance, minor regeneration, 15% increase of physical parameters, minor accelerated development]

[Cost: 10 SP]

’Whoaa... All titans have this? And this is only the lesser version?’

Drai read the effects once again. There were a few parts that he didn’t understand clearly.

’System, what’s universal resistance?’

[It is the resistance to most variables in terms of damage and other detrimental effects to the user.]

’What about accelerated development?’

[It is an increased rate at which the user progresses, including, but not limited to, levels and abilities.]

’And does the 15% increase in physical parameters add to my stats?’

[It doesn’t directly increase the user’s attributes but exhibits the effects as if the related attributes were 15% higher.]

’Hell yeah! This skill is so good! I must have it!’

As Drai was about to purchase the skill, he was reminded that it would cost him 10 SP.

’Wait, how many SP do I have again? Only twelve? Damn...’

Drai slightly grimaced as he suppressed his urge to splurge his SP mindlessly.

’I shouldn’t be rash—maybe the other skills are equally good too. Okay then, lets check out all the skills first before spending my SP.’