Chapter 33: Break and Interaction

  The break started, and I turned my noise filter off, hearing a hum from the narthex as the door opened, raising the noise level as people chatted excitedly. I quickly turned my filter back on just with noise muffling. Ana and I hesitated skiting around the edge of the church walking towards the door. Ana's eyes bulged when she saw the amount of people in the entrance area lining up to get their breakfast from tables positioned to the side. Her head darted around nervously, her hands clinging to the hem of my shirt as if for reassurance. I could see her taking small, shallow breaths, her discomfort palpable amidst the growing crowd. Even though Ana didn’t need to cover her ears anymore, the sheer number of people felt overwhelming. It seemed as though nearly the entire town had come in for the free breakfast, which made sense considering Gyrica's population was roughly 150. I guessed there were easily over a hundred people waiting to grab their meal.

  I sighed softly. I hoped most of these people would leave after breakfast. Even if they didn’t, at least we had our seats reserved. Those reserved seats were important—having a set place gave Ana and me a sense of security in the midst of the overwhelming crowd, and it meant we wouldn't have to fight for a spot or be forced into an unfamiliar or crowded area later on. The noise and crowd were starting to feel overwhelming, making me crave some quiet space. As we stood on the outskirts of the crowd, I noticed Fiona, the head healer I had met the previous day. She caught my eye and made her way over, signing and speaking a warm welcome as she approached. "Good morning, it's nice to see you both here," she signed alongside her words, her demeanor calm and friendly.

  She smiled down at Ana, who responded with a small, shy grin, her eyes widening slightly in curiosity. Fiona then turned her attention back to me. "I'll be one of the speakers after lunch today," she said, her hands moving in rhythm with her words. "One of the tasks I’ll be giving everyone is to visit the Healer’s Hall for a general checkup and to sign up for first aid training. As for you, I know you already have a quest set for training at the Healer’s Hall, so I'll mark your first aid training complete, but I still recommend you come by for the checkup."

  I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Fiona. It’s good to know I can skip that part. I’ll definitely come in for the checkup." Fiona gave a final nod and a reassuring smile before moving on to greet others.

  We decided to take some time to use the restrooms giving more time for things to clear out a little before facing the foodlines.

  By then, the line for breakfast had thinned, and Ana and I made our way over to grab ours. The scent of freshly baked croissants and the sweet aroma of fruit filled the air, making my stomach rumble slightly despite not feeling very hungry earlier. Alex and Sam were nowhere to be seen in the line—I spotted them across the room, already chatting animatedly with some others, their breakfasts in hand. Ana looked a bit nervous, her eyes darting around as she clung closer to me, clearly not yet comfortable with the growing crowd. Most people who had gotten their food seemed to be leaving rather than staying for the next part of the orientation, which was a relief.

  The breakfast itself was simple but appealing—a box containing a fruit salad, a croissant sandwich filled with egg, cheese, and ham, and a small bottle of milk. I placed both mine and Ana’s into my inventory, and as I did, I noticed a timer appear above each box, starting at 90. Curious, I focused on it, and a notification popped up: "This item will disappear from your inventory when the timer runs out. Consume before then to avoid wasting it."

  I frowned slightly as I noticed the timer, which Ana couldn't see. Turning to her, who was watching me with curious eyes, I said, "Looks like we need to eat these before the timer runs out. There's a timer on the food showing 90 hours, and after that, it will disappear from my inventory, so we need to make sure to eat it before then."

  She nodded, her small hands moving to sign back, "Let's save it for when we're hungry." With a smile, I nodded in agreement, and we made our way back to our seats, opting to avoid the bustle for a little while longer. It felt a bit antisocial, but neither of us was quite ready to face the crowd just yet.

  While we waited for the next section to start, I decided to look over my quests.

  Quests

  

  
1. Meet Mundi in Tyr
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Travel to Tyr and locate Mundi. Confirm the meeting at the 7th hour.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 50 Credits, 1 Connection Reputation points with Mundi.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
2. Healing Hands (Completed)
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Visit the Healer’s Hall in Gyrica.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Connection Rep with Fiona
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
3. Valeris Orientation
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Attend the orientation in Valeris to gain insight into guild memberships and local opportunities. This orientation is split into several different sessions:
     
       
     
     
       
     • Mica's Introduction & History Basics: Completed ??
     
     
       
     • Faniel's Overview on Safety: Completed ??
     
     
       
     • Emmanuel - Focus & Resilience: Attending now.
     
     
       
     • Cika - Skill Introduction
     
     
       
     
     
       
   
   
     
   • Other Topics:Healing, Cooking, Elemental Expertise/Psionics/Attunement, Leatherwork, Herb Lore, Cartography, Blacksmithing, Fletcher Craft, Carpentry, Beast Mastery, Rune Studies/Psionics, Weaving, Foraging, History, Enchantment/Psionics, Sentinel Training, Griffin Training, Glassblowing, Alchemy, Tailoring, Music, Farming, Metalwork, Profession Counseling
   
   
     
   • Reward: 200 Credits upon completion of all sessions, 1 Skill Point for each completed topic, 10 Attunement Levels depending on chosen specialization or 15 skill points to be distributed as preferred.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
4. Gathering Herbs
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Collect the following herbs for your training:
     
       
     
     
       
     • Chamomile (for calming teas and poultices)
     
     
       
     • John's Wort (for salves and tinctures)
     
     
       
     • Comfrey (for healing pastes)
     
     
       
     • Elderflower (for anti-inflammatory remedies)
     
     
       
     • Yarrow (for wound care and teas)
     
     
       
     
     
       
   
   
     
   • Tools Needed: Herb pouch, pruning shears, and gloves.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 15 Credits, 2 Skill Points in Herb Lore
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
5. Cooking Lessons with Miriam
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Meet Miriam at the Silver Sparrow Inn to learn basic cooking techniques.
   
   
     
   • Focus: Comfort foods, breadmaking, soups, and stews with local ingredients.
   
   
     
   • Schedule: Breakfast hour and dinner hour, daily when possible.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Skill Point in Cooking per 2x session, 3 Credits per session towards stay at Inn.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
6. Training with the Healers Guild (Beginner)
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Train with the Healers Guild three days a week in beginning Healing.
   
   
     
   • Schedule: From breakfast until lunch.
   
   
     
   • Activities: Mixing salves, applying herbal remedies, practicing healing spells.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Skill Points in Healing per session, 20 Credits upon completion.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
7. Read Books for Healer Training
   
     
   
   
     
   • "Principles of Herbal Remedies" by Alaric the Wise
   
   
     
   • "Anatomy of the Common Folk" by Felicia Greve
   
   
     
   • "Magical Healing: A Beginner's Guide" by Sorin Duval
   
   
     
   • "Tinctures and Tonics: Recipes for the Aspiring Healer" by Livia Mare
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Skill Points in Herbal Remedies
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
8. Setup Cooking Skills Training with Jean Luis
   
     
   
   
     
   • Objective: Meet Jean Luis at the Three Ghosts Inn in Eldergrove Heights and get him to agree to healing/cooking training.
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Connection Reputation points with Jean Luis.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
9. Read Books for Herbalist Training
   
     
   
   
     
   • "Field Guide to Edible Plants and Healing Herbs" by Drusilla the Vane
   
   
     
   • "Cultivating the Rare and Magical" by Gareth Merrow
   
   
     
   • "The Forager's Almanac" by Silas the Weatherwise
   
   
     
   • "Herb Drying and Preservation Techniques" by Mirabel Finch
   
   
     
   • Reward: 1 Skill Points in Herb Lore, 5 Attunement Levels in Herbal Magic.
   
   
     
   
   
     


  
10. History of Valeris
    
      
    
    
      
    • Objective: Find at least one book in the library on the history of Valeris.
    
    
      
    • Reward: Enhanced knowledge about Valeris and its lore.
    
    
      
    
    
      


  
11. Beginner Survival Training


  

  

  
• Objective: Complete the beginner survival training class. Learn weapons training, foraging, hunting, finding water, shelter, and reading the weather.


  
• Reward: Increased survival skills and readiness for travel. 2 skill levels in choice of survival skills.


  

  

  
12. Citizenship Information


  

  

  
• Objective: Visit the town hall to get information on becoming a citizen of Valeris.


  
• Reward: Access to rescue teams, community services, and other benefits.


  

  It was organized well enough, but I found myself wishing for a better way to keep track of everything—maybe a calendar app or something similar and have a way to list all the books I will need. It’s a good thing I love to read. I made a mental note to ask about it later, wondering if the journal feature might have some sort of alarm or reminder system. There was just so much to learn, but at least it felt like we had the time to do it.

  As the minutes ticked closer to the 9th hour, people began filtering back to their seats. The noise gradually settled down, and soon, Mica returned to the front of the church, raising their hands slightly to draw everyone’s attention. "Welcome back, everyone," they began, their voice carrying clearly over the crowd. "It’s time to continue with our orientation. I’d like to introduce our next speaker, Emmanuel, who will be guiding us through the importance of focus and resilience here in Valeris. Please give them your full attention."

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  As Mica stepped aside, a figure approached the front—Emmanuel, with a confident posture and a gentle expression. The crowd grew quiet, anticipation building once more.

  Emmanuel was a short, dark-skinned older man, around 60, with grey at his temples. He wore well-tailored brown pants, a white button-up shirt, and a brown vest with intricate embroidery, giving an overall impression of professionalism.

  "Hello, and welcome," Emmanuel began, his voice carrying warmly. His accent was hard to place—something between French and Russian. "Many of you have had questions since you arrived about the Focus section of your interface. Over the next eight weeks, I encourage you to attend this part of the orientation as much as possible, and feel free to continue even beyond that if you'd like. Today, we will begin by understanding focus and then move on to learning meditation techniques to improve it."

  Emmanuel paused, letting his words settle before continuing.

  "Focus is a fundamental aspect of your skills, influencing everything from your spellcasting to your creative thinking. There are three main levels of focus: unfocused, balanced, and hyperfocused. Each state has distinct benefits and drawbacks, and mastering when and how to transition between them is crucial for maximizing your potential. Understanding these levels can help you better adapt to different tasks—whether you need to brainstorm freely, execute tasks efficiently, or concentrate intensely."

  Emmanuel paused briefly before addressing the crowd, "Let’s start with the unfocused state. While it might seem undesirable, being unfocused plays a crucial role in enhancing creativity. Artists often thrive in this state when brainstorming or experimenting, and cooks can create culinary masterpieces by embracing spontaneity in the kitchen. However, an unfocused state can also make it difficult to maintain concentration and complete tasks efficiently, leading to indecisiveness or wasted time."

  With a smile, he shifted his tone, "On the other hand, hyperfocus is the opposite—it’s an intense concentration on a single task. This can be invaluable when working towards a clear goal, ensuring focus and efficiency. However, hyperfocus comes with its challenges. It can trap you in a loop, preventing you from adapting or seeing new possibilities. For instance, you might become so absorbed in perfecting one aspect of a project that you miss critical changes around you or fail to explore alternative approaches, leading to stagnation."

  Emmanuel nodded thoughtfully and concluded, "Balanced focus combines the best of both states, allowing you to manage tasks efficiently while staying flexible and open to new ideas. This state is ideal for day-to-day activities, including combat training, crafting, or healing, as it enables quick shifts between structure and adaptability. Transitioning between focus states isn’t always seamless, but mastering these shifts is vital for maximizing potential, especially in Valeris, where psionics depend on mental energy. Understanding how emotions like fatigue, anger, or excitement influence focus and psionic abilities is crucial for harnessing your power effectively. Whether hyperfocused for precise spellcasting or unfocused for creative problem-solving, learning to control your mental state will amplify your skills and adaptability."

  Emmanuel took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Over the coming weeks, I will guide you in techniques to master these transitions, using meditation and practical exercises to help you harness the power of focus. Today, we’ll begin with a few simple meditation exercises that will help you become more aware of your focus levels. Understanding where your mind is—whether unfocused, balanced, or hyperfocused—is the first step to taking control of it. Let's begin."

  "There are three major meditation techniques: active meditation, functional meditation, and passive meditation. Each of these techniques serves a distinct purpose and can help you reach and maintain the state of focus you need."

  "Active meditation is done without distractions, and its purpose is to intentionally help you achieve a specific state of focus. This could mean calming yourself back to a balanced state, energizing to achieve hyperfocus, or even loosening up into an unfocused state for creativity. It's a deliberate practice, often done in a quiet environment, where you can reflect on your inner state and make adjustments as needed. For example, if you find yourself overly anxious or scattered, active meditation allows you to focus on your breath or visualize calmness to bring yourself back to balance. It's a powerful way to actively navigate your mental state to reach a desired outcome."

  "Functional meditation, on the other hand, is practiced while engaged in a repetitive or mundane activity. This type of meditation allows you to be mindful and cultivate a specific focus state while your hands or body are busy. It’s particularly effective when you need to maintain an unbalanced state to encourage creativity, such as a painter mixing paints while letting their thoughts wander freely. The repetitive action becomes an anchor, allowing your creative mind to open up without rigid control. Another example is when you are preparing ingredients in the kitchen—your hands may be busy chopping vegetables, while your mind has the space to explore new ideas for a dish. Functional meditation allows the creative part of your mind to expand while your body remains engaged."

  "Lastly, we have passive meditation, which is a subtle and ongoing form of mindfulness that can be practiced almost anywhere, at any time. This involves keeping a mantra or a simple mental rhythm to help maintain your focus while performing other activities. For instance, a mage might repeat a phrase mentally while casting a complex spell to ensure accuracy and control. Or when walking down a crowded street, you might focus on the rhythm of your steps or your breath to maintain calm and awareness. Passive meditation is perhaps the most challenging because it requires a constant, gentle awareness, but with practice, it becomes almost instinctive. It is particularly useful when you need to sustain concentration over long periods, like during complex rituals or detailed crafting."

  "All of these forms of meditation take practice," Emmanuel continued. "The best way to learn is to experiment—observe your mental state and see how different activities influence your focus. Are you more creative when you let your mind wander during repetitive tasks? Does active meditation help you regain balance when you feel overwhelmed? The more aware you become of your focus levels and how to shift between unfocused, balanced, and hyperfocused states, the better you will be at managing your mental state according to the needs of the moment. To summarize, active meditation is used to deliberately reach a specific state of focus, such as calming yourself or energizing for hyperfocus. Functional meditation is practiced during repetitive activities to cultivate creativity or maintain a productive mental state. Passive meditation can be incorporated into daily life to sustain focus over long periods, which is especially useful for maintaining control during complex tasks. This awareness will allow you to make conscious adjustments, enhancing both your psionic abilities and your overall effectiveness."

  "Now I will walk you through a meditation to help bring you back into balance. To start, find a comfortable position—either sitting upright or lying down, for today we will just do this sitting—and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose, letting your chest and stomach expand fully, then slowly exhale through your mouth. As you continue breathing deeply, focus on the rhythm of your breath, feeling the air fill your lungs and the tension leave your body with each exhale."

  I glanced over at Ana to see how she was doing. Her small face was serene, eyes closed, and I noticed a soft glow beginning to form around her. My eyes widened slightly in surprise, and I instinctively peeked to see if this was happening to anyone else. Emmanuel caught my eye and motioned for me to close my eyes and focus, a gentle smile on his face. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I was glowing too. My curiosity got the better of me, and I glanced sideways at Alex and Sam. Alex was also glowing softly, but Sam was frowning, seemingly struggling, and there was no glow.

  "Picture yourself standing in a peaceful setting—a garden, a forest, or beside a calm lake. Imagine a warm, golden light radiating from above, enveloping you gently. This light represents balance and calmness. With each inhale, visualize the light growing brighter and more comforting, and with each exhale, imagine any tension or negative energy leaving your body."

  "If you find your mind wandering, gently bring your attention back to your breath and the golden light. Let the warmth guide you, and feel your thoughts settle. You may notice feelings of stress or scattered thoughts trying to pull you away—acknowledge them, but then let them float away, like leaves carried by a gentle stream."

  "Continue this practice for a few minutes, gradually allowing your breath to slow and deepen. Feel the balance returning to your mind and body, settling your focus into a calm, steady state. When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment. Wiggle your fingers and toes, take another deep breath, and gently open your eyes."

  "This meditation can be used whenever you need to regain balance—whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply need to center yourself before a challenging task. You all did very well today, and so I have two assignments for you. First, meditate twice a day using this technique, and second, read two books from the library. You will now have two new quests with all the information you need."

  I glanced at my quest log, and sure enough, two new quests appeared:

  Daily Meditation Practice

  Focus Reading Assignment

  As I reviewed the quests, I also noticed a notification that a new skill had been added to my skill page: Meditation. Also, I noticed Valeris History had gained a level. It felt good to see my progress recorded like that—something tangible to remind me that I was getting better.

  Curious, I checked my focus level as well. It was hovering just slightly towards hyperfocused, closer to balanced but leaning upwards. It made perfect sense—I had been listening intently to Emmanuel’s instructions, fully engaged in the moment. I took a deep breath, letting myself relax a little, feeling the tension slowly ease as I exhaled.

  I glanced over at Ana again. She was still glowing softly, her tiny face a picture of calmness. Seeing her so serene made me smile. It was surprising, though, that she had started glowing before me—I hadn’t expected that, but then again, Ana had always been sensitive to these kinds of things.

  My eyes shifted to Alex and Sam. Alex’s glow had grown stronger since I last peeked, their expression relaxed and content. Sam, however, still had a frown on their face, and there was no glow. They looked frustrated, their brow furrowed as they struggled. I resolved then and there to help Sam practice later if they needed it. This meditation was supposed to be calming, but it seemed like Sam was having a hard time connecting to it, and I wanted to be sure they didn’t feel left out or discouraged.

  As I returned my focus to myself, I could almost sense the balance within me. It was close, not quite perfect, but I felt better already. Emmanuel's voice continued to guide us as we wrapped up the meditation, and I made a mental note to continue practicing—not just for the quest but for my own well-being. I wanted to be able to help Ana, Alex, and Sam more effectively, and mastering this new skill felt like a solid first step.