Showing the Path

"*Chuckle* Don't worry young one. You seem overwhelmed a bit. Take it one step at a time. I've lived a long time and, believe me, worrying accomplishes nothing."

[I guess…]

"How many years have you been in this world for?"

[I kinda lost track of time when training, but less than a year for sure.]

"Oh? I thought you were human my bad, still, that's a very short period just the fact that you already learned how to talk, and walk is impressive!"

He gives me a thumbs up. Is he thinking of me as some baby?!

[Eh, don't misunderstand I've been alive for at least 2 decades, it's just that I wasn't here. I was stuck someplace weird.]

I'm not even sure how long I spent in Yggdrasil's sea of consciousness. Probably a few years at least.

"Oh I see, pardon the rudeness then! But seriously young one, just make sure you learn something new every day and everything will be fine!"

"Hahhaha, old tortoise! This bear knows that you sleep a few years at a time! What is that about learning a few things every day?"

Wow, that's impressive. I heard of dragons slumbering for so long. Apparently, this guy does too.

"Haha, this is the naivety of the young! Who says I am not learning new things in my sleep!"

That actually may be possible. They say sleep serves many purposes. This is something that always fascinated me. How something so normal and part of our everyday lives can be so complex.

We sleep to conserve energy. This reduces the overall calory intake we need daily.

We sleep to let cellular restoration happen. This allows us to repair our bodies and let them grow.

We sleep to think better. Said in a simplistic way … We automatically organize the information of the day. To create mental links. To turn short-term to long-term memory. To forget the useless stuff.

We sleep for many reasons. Oh, there are many more, but this is all I remember. Can't look that shit up on the internet at the moment.

Honestly, that's why I'm jealous of most transmigrators. You know in stories. The ones that get the fancy stuff like the appraisal skill.

See something new? Appraisal!

See someone new? Appraisal!

Need to solve a crime? Appraisal!

Find a used pair of underwear? Appraisal!

You know the last one is to make give it back to the owner.

Still, it becomes a no-brainer pretty fast. Maybe because people wish for instant gratification. Start with nothing and become strong instantly. This is cool and all but not realistic.

Then again, the magic I do know was easy to understand. The creation magic I just need to think hard about it. The nature magic I just pursue that feeling from taking care of plants. I'm really not sure what I should work on now.

There is also swordsmanship. I still need to get myself a sword. Freedom is frightening. This tortoise is comforting me. That I can go slowly.

But sometimes it's not the speed that is difficult. Sometimes getting into motion is the issue. Deciding on what to do and when to start it. There is so much to ….

"Young one you are lost in your thoughts again. Thinking is good, but sometimes overthinking is counterproductive. Just go with the flow until you find your path."

Ah!

[I see, thank you for the advice!]

That tortoise is truly wise. In many cultures that animal is a symbol of wisdom. I think I know why. Since they live a long time, they tend to have more experiences. While it doesn't guarantee good advice, it does help.

"About your sea of consciousness problem. You should just feel your inner heart. It will rely on you really."

[I see! How long would that usually take? Is there any specific method to..]

"Young one, what did I say earlier? Find your own path. As for how long it takes that depends on you. The sea of consciousness is mostly a human construct. Having one is not obligatory."

[What? How?]

"More accurately you can have the equivalent of a sea of consciousness but it not being a distinctive concept. It can simply be part of you. Do you understand?"

[Even for stuff like that there are many alternatives?!]

"Indeed."

This is crazy. I spawned into this world. Trying to understand its intricacies and inner workings. Only to realize that it is at first glance orderless. There are underlying rules to it I am sure, but none obvious.

This world is also incredibly vast according to the spider. There are so many different species and things to see. Even hints of other universes existing. My existence is the best proof of it. This is all disconcerting.

Nonetheless, there is one thing reassuring. No matter how hard it may be. I am convinced I will find my way. It will simply be up to me to create it.

[Thank you! I will figure it out somehow!]

"Haha, it is nice to see the young ones motivated. Oh right, did you guys want to see something amazing?"

[Of course!]

"Of course x2"

"This hammer is interested too!"

"...Young ones, did this metal hammer just speak? Is this possibly a dream?"

He turns in place a few times.

[Don't worry about it, just an enchanted tool.]

"What do you mean just an enchanted tool! I am the future …."

[Sure.]

"I understand. I have seen things that are stranger in this long life of mine. I simply did not expect that specific thing, at all. If I may ask how did you do that?"

[Actually, I kinda just went with the flow. I was simply trying to get a good helper.]

"Nice. I was mostly saying that to cheer you up earlier, but I guess it may actually work in your case."

What the hell! What about the wise expert persona?! You can't just admit that you were bullshiting that easily! Then again, I did to my furry companion….and yet ….

"So, how is it? Want to see something impressive?"

[Of course!]

What kind of wonder will this old being show us?!