The side effects after awakening were significant, and Ye Mingqiu lay slumped on the bench for a full half hour, still not recovering. His eyes were half-open, occasionally emitting sounds of unclear meaning, looking as if he could drop dead any moment.
Students passing by occasionally cast strange looks his way, but most didn't pay much attention. Only a girl in a sky-blue magic robe stopped, stood by Ye Mingqiu, and slightly furrowed her brow, asking: "Are you... okay?"
Ye Mingqiu tiredly turned his gaze, and was utterly shocked upon seeing the sky-blue magic robe.
What the heck, a Mage!
At Chenghai Second High School, almost all students were required to wear the standard school uniform, but only one type of person could opt out—they were the Mages.
According to some unofficial rumors, 80% of the school's annual total revenue was closely linked to Mage spending. Naturally, the financially powerful group of Mages could receive some special favors in the academy, like not having to wear school uniforms.
"Can... you take me... to the infirmary..."
Ye Mingqiu shakily requested.
Although he really wanted to make friends with a Mage, his current state was too poor to even make it to the infirmary on his own. If he missed this opportunity, he would likely have to lie on the roadside bench for half the day, which would be uncomfortable for a long time. Better to ask for help first.
"Oh."
The girl in the blue robe nodded and then walked forward, grabbed Ye Mingqiu, slung him over her shoulder, and walked toward the infirmary with ease.
Carried? Literally carried away?
Not only Ye Mingqiu, but the other students nearby were also stunned. They considered that the girl might have found someone to send him to the infirmary or simply walked away, but they never anticipated this Mage would just straightforwardly carry him away.
"You... your power... how much?"
Ye Mingqiu struggled to ask, feeling uncomfortable being carried.
"17."
The girl replied.
"?"
Ye Mingqiu was shocked.
What the heck is 17 points of power? My total attributes barely exceed 12 points, how does she have 17 points of power? Is this even a high school student's number? And isn't she a Mage, why is her Power Attribute so high? Is this Mage focused mainly on power, like Gandalf?
Perhaps sensing Ye Mingqiu's doubts, the girl in the blue robe actively explained: "I passed the profession test two years ago and officially became a Spiritualist, my Primary Attribute is Spirit, not Power, don't overthink."
"Oh."
Ye Mingqiu was even more shocked.
Indeed, a Mage is just a Mage, completely different from ordinary people. Two years ago, his total Basic Attributes didn't even reach 10, and she had already passed the trials; now, even a non-main attribute surpasses his total—a gap of Money Power indeed.
In this level of disparity, having one more Talent or one less Talent makes no difference. Originally delighted due to awakening a second talent, Ye Mingqiu suddenly calmed down, deeply aware of his inadequacies.
I'm still too weak!
Sigh!
...
Not long after, the girl in the blue robe carried Ye Mingqiu to the infirmary, handing him over to the school nurse for examination.
The doctor in the white coat carefully checked him over and said: "Nothing serious, he's just physically weak and needs to rest for a while. Rest well and don't move around until fully recovered."
"Oh."
The Mage nodded, then said: "Then let's give him some medicine, swipe the card."
"Okay."
The doctor nodded, directly prescribing a Life Supplement worth fifty thousand yuan.
After one injection, Ye Mingqiu's eyes became clear and bright, the previously frail body instantly recovering its vitality.
He tried actively sitting up, clenching fists, moving around, and finally found himself no different from usual, with even a surge of Life Force coursing through his body. The supplement's Effect was really good.
Then, Ye Mingqiu instinctively turned to look at the Mage who carried him to the infirmary, only to find her sitting beside him, staring blankly at him, expressionless.
A bit scary!
"Say thank you."
"Huh?"
"Quickly say thank you," she urged again.
"Thank you."
Ye Mingqiu replied, confused.
Though unsure what she was thinking, gratitude was necessary as she indeed saved him and spent money; otherwise, he would have had to lie on the bench for half the day, enduring who knows how much suffering.
"Hmm, very good."
The girl in the blue robe nodded with satisfaction, and her face bloomed with a radiant smile, shining brilliantly under the sunlight's filter, her stunning appearance exuding unparalleled charm.
Then, she left.
"This..."
After snapping back to reality, Ye Mingqiu looked at the doctor with a puzzled expression, seeking answers to what the Mage was thinking.
"She's brushing Merit."
"Merit?"
"She mentioned before that brushing Merit can improve the Luck Attribute—an hidden attribute in the Spirit Realm tracking. But there isn't such a saying in the Spiritualist circle.... It's likely her Innate Talent," the doctor answered.
"Quite a Talent indeed."
Ye Mingqiu felt somewhat surprised but then he let go, no wonder she was so formulaic when saving him, but so happy after receiving thanks.
"Why, disappointed?"
The doctor lazily rested her chin on one hand, showing a playful smile, and asked.
"Hmm? Why be disappointed? Didn't she already save me? Moreover, paid for my medical expenses. Why bother about motives?" Ye Mingqiu replied casually.
"Is that so."
The doctor paused, then followed her with a chuckle. She had seen many people saved by Tang Ruobing, which many teenage boys instinctively assumed was due to her special attention towards them, and would instinctively imagine bizarre stories like "cold Mage falls for me."
But this guy was different; he seemed to have no such fantasy from the start.
"Compared to this, I'm more curious about why did she carry me to the infirmary? Didn't she say she had already become a Spiritualist?" Ye Mingqiu asked with confusion.
"Using Spiritual Energy is prohibited in public areas of the school."
"There's such a school rule?"
The doctor rolled her eyes and said, "Students in your ordinary classes mostly haven't become Spiritualists. Naturally, teachers don't need to mention it. If you don't believe it, you can check the school rules; it is there."
"Oh, by the way, the supplement Effect is great, and after the injection, I felt energized all over. Will there be any subsequent improvement in Basic Attributes?" Ye Mingqiu asked curiously.
"No, for high-value supplements, increasing Basic Attributes is considered a side Effect, unfavorable for sticking Basic Attributes upon first entering the Spirit Realm. The residual Energy in your body now is just simple Life Force, disappearing in a few days."
After speaking, the doctor paused, smilingly continued: "However, if you seize the chance to exercise, you can convert quite a bit of Basic Attributes through Life Force in these few days, although the increased values can't be precisely determined."
"But if nothing unexpected occurs, most of the increments will likely focus on Constitution, with minor improvements in Power and Agility. The increase of Spiritual Power is minimal; exact values vary per person. Oh, if you're a Spiritual Specialist, I wouldn't recommend physical training these two days; otherwise, the mixed-up Basic Attributes will be troublesome."
"Thank you."
Ye Mingqiu expressed gratitude.