Mathew sat at a table with his four assigned Dryads and his bonded familiar, Agnox. Already four new people have arrived. All while Mathew was talking to Gaia or when he was asleep. More would be pouring into Gaia’s domain according to Berry.

He was finalizing his list of things he wanted to do while here. His talk with Gaia both confirmed ideas, and ruined others. One big one was to improve upon his current Axiom’s. Something to shore up his low physical stats. Endurance was now his lowest stats, with both Strength and Dexterity even with each other for second to worst.

On the other hand, Intelligence and Wisdom were over 300 points each. Doubling the other stats. He still wanted to follow [Trinity’s Manual]. His Soul needed the support of both Body and Mind while slowly strengthening it. That meant strengthening his weaker stats.

An idea came to him based on his talks with Lindsey, Zack, and his niece back before The System arrived. Stats typically fell into certain groups. With people cultivating, now in real life, they only focus on one or two cores, rarely all three.

The reason was the worry of becoming a generalist. Okay at everything, never excelling at anything. Gaia said the same thing, but that didn’t mean he would fall under that weakness so easily.

Mathew was going to focus two stats on each of his three cores. His problem was figuring out which two he wanted to go where. Currently he has been following the manual. Strength and Vitality for the Body. Dexterity and Endurence for the Soul. Lastly Intelligence and Wisdom for the Mind.

Cherry handed Mathew a bowl of cherries, “You havn’t eaten yet, so I figured you wanted some food.”

Mathew took one and bit into it. “Good, no pits either. She really is good at her job.”

“Thank you Cherry.” Mathew said genuinely. “I have a question for you all. You have levels and such, correct?”

“We do.” Wary said. “We can gain classes, but our profession is chosen for us by Gaia. We are born with it.”

Mathew nodded and finished another cherry before continuing, “How are you choosing what to focus on? Body? Body and Soul? We have some interesting stories about Dryads on Earth.”

“That’s a bit personal, Mathew.” Chuck said. “Most people won’t share such information except with the most trusted of people.”

Agnox reached out to grab a cherry. “Told you Boss. People like to keep that stuff secret.”

Mathew shrugged, “I just want to know what happens when other people put their stats into different focuses. Cultivating differently.”

Wary pointed at a section on the list Mathew was holding. “Then you should start here. It’s a class that involves basic cultivation information, what each Stat represents, how to cultivate into your chosen focus, and why it all matters.”

Mathew nodded. “Then let’s start there. Who teaches the class?” It was one of his suggested lessons to take already.

Wary stuck her hand through the wooden table, her arm seeming to phase through it as if it wasn’t there, and brought out a green crystal. “Here you go. Press that to your forehead, and it will give you all the information. Then you can ask us clarifying questions. Since we can talk about it freely.”

Mathew looked at the crystal. “That’s not a class. I can’t bounce questions off a crystal. I can’t ask hypotheticals off a crystal. Where is the teacher? The other students? I thought this was supposed to be the best Gaia can provide?” Mathew was annoyed.

“That’s why we are here.” Berry said. “We are more than servants to give you food. Once you learn that information, it’s just as Wary said. We are allowed to talk about those topics.”

Mathew rolled his eyes and snatched the crystal then pressed it to his forehead. His entire mind shuddered as information implanted itself into him. He’s done it twice with things he purchased from Di.

This was more, so much more. The information felt raw. It was untouched by another's thoughts and understanding. The information Di gave him felt like he was reading something himself.

He gripped the table with force to keep himself from falling over. “Fuck.”

“First time?” Cherry asked with a cheeky grin. “Here, eat this.” She slid a tray of bread over. “Carbs help with your first time.”

Mathew didn’t take any bread. “Why did that feel so different?”

“Information crystals have been around for eons, at least Gaia says so and that’s as much as we know.” Berry explained. “This version is direct information. There are very few ways better than this to gain knowledge quickly and easily.”

“That wasn’t easy. I’ve used those things before. It felt nothing like that.”

“It was more the sheer amount that did you in rather than the method.” Cherry said. She picked up a piece of bread and put it next to Mathew’s lips. “Eat. Please.”

Mathew reluctantly ate the bread. As he chewed, he thought things over. There weren't any factually new things in his mind. Everything he knew about his respective stats were correct in their funcion. There were a few minor things he was unaware of, like how at higher levels, Vitality can keep you alive even if all that remains of you is just a heart or brain. Granted, that was at vastly high levels of Vitality.

There was also the Strength stat. Which played into how much G-Force one could withstand without becoming a heap of mushy flesh. Mathew hadn’t thought of such a need before, but it made sense.

As for cultivation and his work, he realied that he wasn’t maximizing his profits when leveling up. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, there was more to cultivating. The phase ‘stats are your foundation’ was meant to be taken somewhat literally.

“My manual never mentioned anything to do with compacting the experience I've gained. Apparently I was supposed to be taking the energy and pressing it down to solidify my gains.” Mathew muttered more to himself than anyone.

He realized that the numbers on the screens were more than just actual numbers that represented your output. You couldn’t access all that power unless you solidified it. Over time, the gains would become less since you have less space to store said experience and stats.

“Probably because the manual you have wasn’t for someone in your situation.” Chuck said. “Most of this stuff is taught to children at home or in a classroom environment. You don’t have either luxury. The manual was written for those who probably understood the fundamentals and core aspects of cultivating probably.”

Wary spoke up, “The process is easy. If you want, we can take you to a meditation room so you can start the process.”

Mathew didn’t say anything. He stared at the table, anger building up inside of him. “I can’t.”

“The room is free. It is just a quiet place void of any distractions.” Cherry said with a smile.

“I said I can't,” Mathew half yelled as he gritted his teeth. The truth of everything came at him from the information. Proper cultivation required one to access the energy in one's soul. You mold the energy and place it where you want it to go from your soul.

With a shattered soul, he could’t do it. The true consequences of his predicament were showing itself. All this time it was just an annoying problem. Now, it was getting in the way of him properly gaining power.

Based on what he could tell, at lower levels it wasn’t that big of a deal due to the low number of stat points you gain per level. He was only suffering at most a 5-7% loss on the power he could have. That percentage went up at higher and higher levels. To the point where if you didn’t properly establish where the experience you gained went, it was just lost. Taking not only longer to level up, but the efficiency of your stats was completely lost.

Mathew took a deep breath. There was nothing he could do about it. Not now. He would have to strive to find others like Agnox to bond with. He put away those emotions for now to deal with later. Time literally was costing him here.

“Fine, fine. Let’s move on to the next item on the list.” Mathew said.

The four dryads and Agnox all looked at once another for a moment. A silent exchange occurred between them agreeing to move on as Mathew suggested.

Berry looked at the list. “There are a few more classes: Basic combat, Mana manipulation, How to identify powerful items versus common ones, and lastly the Universe Power Structure.”

“Can I skip basic combat for something else?” Mathew asked. “I’ve been using a spear more lately, and I’m decent with it.”

“You can take a more specific information shard. Keep in mind the point was to teach you proper combat survival techniques. That included medical, enviromental, and much more.”

Mathew waved a hand, “I’m fine. I can wing the more unique things. I need to focus on my strengths and shore up my weaknesses. Not add fluff to things that I have a basic understanding of. Will the information crystal improve my weapon skill?”

“It could, but I doubt it.” Chuck said. “If you already have a weapon’s skill, then you are stuck with it. What is the skill?”

“[Piercing Weapons] Beginner 6.” Mathew said.

“General weapons skill. Not bad. You could try to upgrade it.” Wary said. “Then again, that is a chance.”

“Well it was [Knives] before The System reset it due to a restriction from a God.” Mathew said with a venom in his voice. Anger that had yet to really dissipate.

Cherry winced, Berry whistled in shock, while Chuck and Wary nodded. “That happens.”

“How many slots do you have?” Wary asked.

“I have a skill slot, and two spell slots.” Mathew said. “I really wish I could remove one of my Abilities. It’s pretty useless. [Universal Tongue] but it only works one way and it’s unranked.”

Wary grabbed the list from Mathew’s hands. “We can’t remove anything, not until Student rank. However, you could upgrade it, or fuse it. The former is much cheaper than the later.”

“I can fuse Techniques?” Mathew asked.

“Of course, how else do you think people gain more powerful techniques and free up slots for new ones?” Berry asked.

Mathew looked over his menu. “I have a skill called [Contest] that was upgraded after gaining an Axiom. It’s based around mental resitance and bargining. Could I fuse that with Universal Toungue?”

“You could, or you can upgrade Universal Toungue, but I don’t suggest that. The fusing of the two should work. They are related enough that nothing bad will happen. Actually we can make it so your next upgrade for that skill is a universal language.” Wary said.

“Then let’s do that next.” Mathew said with a nod.

“Next on the list are two new suggested spells and, with a now empty slot, a new ability” Chuck stated with a grin.

Mathew shook his head. “I need to keep one spell slot for a class quest. I need two new elements to be enlightened with to finish it.”

Chuck nodded slowly. “Gaia’s suggestion to you originally was just a single spell, but you have some room to play with. However, I say wait until you have had your affinities checked. It will determine certain choices down the line.”

“Why is that?” Mathew asked. “A spell is a spell.”

“Your affinities can and will affect certain things. Has the system upgraded or modified a Technique due to a title or something else?” Berry asked.

“Three times now.”

“There you go, that’s why we check.” Chuck said with a smile. “Once you know your affinities, it will help direct your path.”

Mathew nodded, “How does my summons play into this? Do they get checked as well when I get checked?”

“Your wolf and wisps will.” Wary said. “Agnox is a unique circumstance. Since he has his own race, class, and profession, he will have to be scanned on his own, and at a cost.”

Mathew didn’t need to think about it. “Add him too, we’ll get it done at the same time.”

Agnox just smiled slightly at that. “I shouldn’t have any surprises. I’m just an Imp, Boss.”

“I want to know if our bond changed anything in you. If there is anything similar with either of us, we can compre it. Then I’ll get the test again in the future after more bonds.”

“That is a smart plan.” Wary said. “Good thinking.”

Mathew looked over his list of options. “I want to try to upgrade an Axiom or two while I am here as well. The problem is the conversation I had with Gaia. I’m going to need a few days to think things over.”

He placed the list down and stood up. “I need to rest and think about things. I don’t want to rush too much.” He scratched at his face