Lika finally woke from his coma. The Healing Potion had worked wonders; the wounds on his body had scabbed over and begun to heal. Even so, his left arm still could not be moved carelessly. Ang estimated that he would need several more days before he could move freely again.
On Blue Star, everyone knew that damaged muscles and bones took a hundred days to heal, but the methods of treatment and recovery here seemed exceptionally miraculous. Ang sighed that the medicine and magical healing here were sometimes more efficient than Blue Star's technology. He believed Lika would recover soon, perhaps even faster than expected.
Lika opened his eyes and saw Ang sitting beside the bed. He smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Ang. I heard you set my bones and used a Healing Potion to save my life."
Ang shook his head and reassured him, "No need to thank me. We're comrades; helping each other is only natural. Besides, when I was unconscious, you also saved me with a Healing Potion. But your arm will still need a few days to fully recover, so don't move it carelessly."
Lika nodded. Though the pain in his left arm remained intense, it was now bearable. He also felt an unprecedented power surging through his body. He knew it was merely an illusion caused by the Healing Potion.
Ang continued, "Back in my hometown, everyone knows that damaged muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal. But with this miraculous Healing Potion, I believe you'll be up and about again before long."
The two exchanged smiles, and the shadow of battle seemed to fade a little at that moment. Though the fighting ahead remained brutal, they both knew that as long as they supported one another and faced it together, they could overcome any hardship. Lika's awakening and recovery gave Ang greater confidence and strengthened their resolve to keep fighting.
Over the following days, Ang continued to care for Lika attentively while maintaining his own training and meditation. He knew that only by constantly improving his strength could he protect himself and his comrades on the battlefield.
Over the past few days, Ang had not let slip any chance to ask the others in the Logistics Regiment about techniques for controlling the Qi force in one's body and attaching it to a weapon for attacks. Yet he asked every remaining member of the Logistics Regiment, and not a single one could do it. This left him deeply puzzled.
Several comrades suggested that he ask the Infantry Regiment, since its warriors might be more experienced in combat techniques and Qi force control. Ang's performance in battle had already attracted considerable attention, and many people guessed that he might have reached the level of a Level 1 Warrior. When Ang heard these rumors, he could not help but smile bitterly. His own understanding of Level 1 Warriors was still vague. He had no idea how to break through, much less what a Level 1 Warrior truly was.
In search of answers, Ang decided to investigate the Infantry Regiment himself. After finishing a training session, he used his break to head to the Infantry Regiment's camp. Its soldiers were no strangers to him. They had long heard of Ang's courage and strength, and someone soon agreed to speak with him.
Ang asked several veteran Infantry Regiment warriors in detail about Qi force control techniques. They told him that using Qi force was indeed crucial in battle, but attaching it to a weapon required exceptional control and long periods of practice. Most warriors could only gradually master the technique after reaching the level of a Level 1 Warrior. Furthermore, only special Enchanted Weapons could achieve the effect of having one's Qi force attach to them.
One warrior named Jada gave Ang an example. "The black greatsword in my hand is a standard weapon of the duchy. I heard its blade was forged from yellow bronze and red iron. Both sides of the blade are engraved with formations for sharpness and sturdiness, while the hilt has a transmission formation."
Someone else demonstrated for Ang. His own Qi force traveled from his palm into the hilt, then followed the silver lines through the patterns on both sides. The black blade and silver patterns emitted a faint glow. If not for the black blade, the light from the patterns would probably have been impossible to see.
Ang asked Jada whether he could examine his weapon more closely. Jada had even named his sword Jada's Death Grip, and the name made Ang pause for a moment. But he quickly recovered and carefully examined Jada's Death Grip. Silver lines wound around the hilt, while the patterns on the front and back differed. The pattern symbolizing sturdiness formed three circles, then ran in a straight line along the sword's spine to the tip. The pattern symbolizing sharpness formed one circle on each side of the spine, then extended in parallel lines two or three centimeters from the blade's edges to the tip.
He also looked over several other people's weapons. They were generally all the same.
Ang asked whether ordinary weapons could have Qi force attached to them. They all said it was impossible, so Ang did not pursue the matter further.
After asking about Qi force,
"Level 1 Warrior?" Ang asked. "Could you explain it in more detail? My understanding of that rank is still unclear."
One veteran warrior smiled and explained, "A Level 1 Warrior is a warrior who can fully master the use of Qi force and freely use it in battle to strengthen attacks and defense. Reaching this level requires not only powerful Qi force, but also exceptional bodily control and combat experience."
Someone else added, "Your physical abilities also have to reach a certain level. For some, it's strength; for others, recovery ability; for some, perception."
After hearing this, Ang thought for a while and asked about their experiences in breaking through physically. Everyone shook their heads and told him that when he felt himself becoming different, he would become Level 1. That specific feeling could only be understood, not explained, because everyone's situation was different. However, only those with extraordinary physical abilities and the freedom to control their Qi force were complete Level 1 Warriors. Clearly, the Infantry Regiment warriors present were all complete Level 1 Warriors.
Ang thanked them for their guidance and said that he might come to ask for advice again if there was anything he did not understand later. They said that Ang would probably become one of them before long and told him not to stand on ceremony.
After returning to his tent, Ang pondered in private. The ability to freely control Qi force that they had mentioned was something he could obviously do with ease already. But when it came to physical abilities, he truly had no clue. The concept that could only be understood but not explained was difficult for him to grasp. Since he could not figure it out for the moment, Ang simply stopped dwelling on it and decided to share what he had learned today with Lika first.
He walked to Lika's bed and saw that Lika was in fairly good spirits. He then recounted everything he had learned from the Infantry Regiment warriors. After listening, Lika frowned and thought for a while before saying, "Ang, I can only vaguely sense my own Qi force, but I absolutely can't transfer it to an object. In that regard, I'm far inferior to you."
Ang nodded in understanding. "I find it strange too. Perhaps everyone's talent and constitution are different. Controlling Qi force may be one of my strengths, but I still need to work much harder on my physical abilities." He paused, then continued, "It seems we're both still exploring. Helping each other and sharing our experiences may benefit us both."
Lika smiled, anticipation glimmering in his eyes. "Yes. Although we don't fully understand it yet, as long as we keep going, we'll eventually find the answer. Clearly, you're already ahead of me."
Over the next few days, Ang and Lika continued studying and meditating together. Ang meditated every day, further improving his Qi force control while also guiding Lika in sensing and using Qi force. Their progress was slow, but neither of them gave up.
Before long, the rewards for repelling the Demon ambush were finally distributed. Since Ang's Logistics Regiment had not earned any military merit, their rewards were paid directly in Gold Wack. Ang had killed six Demons by himself, and he and Lika had killed three more together, earning a total of nine Gold Wack.
When Ang received the nine Gold Wack in his hand, joy surged through him. Though he still did not fully understand military merit, the appeal of Gold Wack was very real. As an ordinary soldier, he had received only two Gold Wack and fifty Silver Wack over five years of service. Now, he had received nine Gold Wack at once. To him, it was undoubtedly a tremendous fortune.
Ang looked at the Gold Wack in his hand, feeling delighted. He decided to share the reward with Lika, since Lika had also contributed greatly in that battle. He handed three Gold Wack to Lika and said, "We fought hard for this together. You deserve a share."
Lika naturally accepted the Gold Wack Ang handed him, and the two exchanged smiles.
Ang put away the remaining six Gold Wack. While earning Gold Wack made him happy, he understood that it was only one part of battle. What truly mattered was increasing his own strength.
The next day, Ang received an order from Commander Queby telling him to report to the regiment headquarters. It turned out that Ang's brave performance during the previous Demon ambush had caught the attention of the Infantry Regiment. After hearing the warriors' reports, the Infantry Regiment's commander immediately reported to his superiors and requested that Ang be transferred into the Infantry Regiment. Queby naturally did not dare defy the order and promptly sent someone to fetch Ang.
When Ang arrived at the regiment headquarters, Commander Kui Bi got straight to the point. "Ang, the commander of the Infantry Regiment has noticed your performance. They want you transferred into the Infantry Regiment. This is a military order from above and cannot be disobeyed."
After hearing this, Ang felt conflicted. He had deep feelings for the Logistics Regiment, but he also understood that military orders were absolute and could not be defied. So he nodded and said, "I understand, Commander. I will accept the transfer order. But I want to tell you that I have less than half a year of service remaining. I plan to retire after completing my service. I hope you can inform the commanders of this."
Queby nodded and reassured him, "Don't worry, Ang. Once your term of service is over, you can apply for retirement according to procedure. Once the Military Department and the duchy approve it, you can officially retire. The duchy and the Military Department will never obstruct your retirement application."
Hearing this, a weight lifted from Ang's heart. He thanked Queby, then said firmly, "Thank you, Commander. I will report to the Infantry Regiment as ordered."
Queby patted Ang on the shoulder and encouraged him, "The Infantry Regiment needs warriors with potential like you. I hope you can continue to shine there and make even greater contributions to the duchy."
Ang nodded, left the regiment headquarters, and returned to his tent to pack his belongings. He told Lika the news. Though Lika was reluctant to see him go, he was also happy for Ang. "You have the strength for it. Going to the Infantry Regiment is recognition of your ability. I hope you can continue growing there and become an even stronger warrior."
Ang smiled and said firmly, "Thank you for your support, Lika. We're all fighting for the duchy's future. No matter where we are, we'll fight side by side."
After bidding farewell to Lika and his other comrades, Ang set off for the Infantry Regiment with his pack.
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