Kevin felt that ever since he'd met Raven 12345, this unruly woman had never given him any good news. Whenever something exciting happened, Raven 12345 would pour a bucket of cold water on him—just like the revelation of the secret manual. Raven 12345 seemed to feel that the blow to Kevin was not enough, and when he saw that the other party was silent, he simply muttered beside him: "Forbidden spells are also memorized, and martial arts are also practiced. Where in the world is there a skill book that allows you to cast an ice arrow with just a double click? You have to learn and practice it slowly. You can't even memorize a math formula on Earth, but you can memorize more than 20 lines of rune rules in another world? You usually run 200 meters and gasp like a grandson, and can you really lift the Dragon Slaying Sword? You can't figure out this simple and easy-to-learn little thing on Earth. Even if you are asked to travel to the magic continent the next day, you will just change the place and become a poor student. I used to know an idiot who lamented the unfairness of fate all his life, and believed that the main reason he couldn't make a name for himself and move bricks every day was that he lived in an ordinary It's a dull, boring world, devoid of storybook adventures. It just so happened that during my "God's Wish Bonus," I granted his wish, reverting him back to six years old and sending him to the best magic school on the Bentuin continent. He's been a poor student in that other world for twelve years, and now he's still working hard. So, young man, don't be impatient. Take each step one way and each bite one way. I'll arrange a training program for you to keep you alive. You can slowly familiarize yourself with your body's changes and sharpen your mind along the way. You see, you've actually taken a shortcut compared to many others. At the very least, all you need to sharpen is your mind. I can directly give you your physical qualities and special abilities through physical adjustments. The only requirement is that you cultivate a mind capable of controlling your own power." Finally, she added, "Think of those unfortunate kids who run 5,000 meters, do 50 push-ups, and swim 2 kilometers every day, then spend a long time counting calories on a calculator before eating. Then look at you now, with a physique that could crush anyone in the black boxing market. Just be happy."
Raven's words silenced Kevin. He suddenly realized that this unassuming goddess might also have a dedicated side. Despite her carefree, lack of dignity, messy lifestyle, and last week's instant noodle soup stains on her desk, she was a good goddess.
At least she wouldn't just throw power at you and leave you to fend for yourself—she would carefully and cautiously steer the ship, taking care of everything for her inexperienced new employee. Honestly, Kevin was a little touched.
His touch lasted until Raven 12345 pulled out a small pill from somewhere. "Come on, be good and take this! I knew you'd be complaining about your fighting ability the moment you got back, so I prepared this for you." Raven smiled softly, a smile that Kevin remembered fondly from the way his mother had tricked him into taking the medicine.
"What the heck is that!?" Kevin suddenly leaped back over a meter, hunching his body in a defensive stance.
"A little pill that lets you see the real world..."
"Don't be ridiculous! The Matrix meme is outdated, okay? Who would understand that now?"
Raven 12345 teleported directly in front of Kevin, pinched his mouth, and tossed the pill in. "Just take it if I tell you to. Don't be so pretentious! This is military equipment issued by the Spacetime Administration, specifically for new recruits who have passed their initial mission."
Kevin finally felt relieved after hearing the last part. He chewed the pill and swallowed it. "It tastes a bit sour. What's it for?" "Sour?" Raven 12345 was stunned, then slapped his head and fished another pill from his pocket. "Oh, I took the wrong one. This one's for you. Don't worry, you won't die from taking the wrong pill. This thing can mark your thought system and strengthen your spiritual world by symbiotically integrating with your brain. It's the latest gadget from the Military Control Commission. Originally only issued to the vassal army, but recently they've started distributing it to inquisitors. It takes effect immediately. Although you won't feel it, it will effectively prevent brain death from various accidents and help you withstand mental shock. Mortals are too weak. If you don't strengthen your mental strength, you won't even be able to use civilian equipment. So, how do you feel?"
Kevin didn't bother discussing the wrong pill. He fearfully swallowed the second pill, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Brain symbiosis!? Why does that sound a bit scary to me..." "Well, some species show resistance to this device, and Standard Type III humans are particularly resistant," Raven 12345 said, unsurprised by Kevin's reaction. "You instinctively fear something that sounds like a parasite, but this isn't a parasite—it's a reinforcement, a microscopic, inanimate device. Just like a warrior drapes armor on his body, this is your mental armor, a double reinforcement from body to soul. Isn't that less disgusting when you think about it?"
Kevin accepted this explanation, ignoring the subtle discomfort rising in his heart with his usual composure. He would eventually learn the true value of the little pill he'd taken.
Raven 12345 looked at Kevin with satisfaction, seemingly quite pleased with his composure. She then returned to her desk, adjusted her posture, and adopted a serious demeanor. "Your new labor insurance has been issued. Now, let's discuss your enhanced training. Secret manuals and techniques aren't reliable, but I know of a reliable training ground—one unique in this world, and hard to find elsewhere."
Kevin pricked up his ears. "Where is it?"
"Go home and dream. Go to the Dream Plane to train," Raven 12345 said, her lips curled up. "Survive alone in the wilderness there, or find a place with a human community. Use your brain to find ways to survive. The former teaches you to face danger, and the latter allows you to adapt to unfamiliar environments. These two skills are essential for an Inquisitor."
Kevin suddenly recalled the giant wolf that pounced on him in that nightmare. Even now, having experienced the baptism of the undead in the underground palace, he couldn't forget the suffocating feeling of it pressing against his neck. His breath hitched. "Dream Plane... Didn't you tell me not to touch that thing? You said it was dangerous..." "Because you were a silly newbie back then," Raven 12345 rolled his eyes. "And now you're a newbie, so you can go to the Dream Plane to train. It's just a warped dimension connected to the real world. The physical parameters are the same as the surface world, so it won't kill you outright, so it's perfect for you. Of course, if you don't want to, I can arrange for you to go somewhere else. There's a recruit training ground in the Triangulum Galaxy where you'll team up with over two hundred gay men to eliminate thirty thousand Devilbeasts..."
Kevin suddenly stood up, his face righteous, "It's just the Dream Plane, isn't it? I'm risking my life for world peace!"
"If you have the nerve, don't let your calves tremble when you say that."
Kevin: "..."
"Don't worry, you won't die," Raven 12345 smiled. "Why did I give you that little pill just now? Its main function is to prevent brain death or soul death. As long as you don't enter the Dream Plane by mistake, you don't have to worry about dying there. At most, you'll wake up from a nightmare and pee on the bed..." Kevin's forehead was covered in sweat. "As a goddess, can't you speak with a little more decorum?"
"Oh, I woke up with a start after drenching the bed."
"..."
Just as Kevin was about to discuss this "respect" issue with Raven and ask how to consciously enter the dream plane, the door suddenly opened.
A blue-stained arcane servant bowed respectfully at the door, uttering a series of low, incomprehensible sounds.
Raven 12345 immediately stood up. "Oh, I'll be right there. I'll have something for you later. Wait here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the impetuous goddess vanished from the room in a flash of light, leaving Kevin bewildered.
Kevin had no idea what the insane goddess was up to, but he didn't dare leave. He wandered around the room aimlessly for a few seconds before finally becoming curious about something. Raven 12345 had been studying what looked like a data terminal on his desk. It was still on, a holographic image hovering above the small device.
Kevin slowly wandered over—a quick look. Should it be okay?