Of course, running around on his own wouldn't be fast enough to gather the necessary points but if he took advantage of being aboard a flying ship he could close multiple tears in two weeks.
It wouldn't be easy to find the tears, but they could use the mapping equipment and research gear to find where power gathers and go there. It wouldn't be very accurate at first, and he would have to convince the captain and Micheal to make several side trips but that shouldn't be too hard.
They were making a map using this ship anyways so if they started mapping the appearance of tears it could bring great benefit to their maps and the nations understanding of tear appearance rates.
But no matter how much he mulled it over or tried to rephrase it to sound better, it was still going to be a tough conversation.
He found Micheal in a research room dedicated to measuring and categorizing the world's spirit as they traveled. He was recalibrating all of the devices in preparation for the return journey.
"Hey Micheal, have you got a minute to talk?"
"If this is for something stupid then go away." He said in annoyance.
Was he still cross about being called to the guard station earlier?
"Don't be so hasty. I really do need to talk with you, I believe we aren't using this ship to its full capabilities and can do better." Chronos raised his hands as he tried to placate Micheal.
Micheal glared at him for a minute before returning to his notepad. He continued to write in silence forcing Chronos to wait until he was done.
After 20 minutes he finally set his notepad down and turned to Chronos.
"Alright let's hear it. How are we failing to make use of this ship?" He said while crossing his arms and leaning against the table.
Chronos cleared his throat as he began, "The ship is mapping the surrounding's, measuring spirit, and tracking monster populations as we travel but it isn't doing anything with the black beasts. During normal times this might not matter but right now tears are appearing anywhere that power gathers and creating black beasts that assemble into beast tides.
Most places aren't used to dealing with regular beast tides much less these far more aggressive and dangerous black beast tides. So, I believe it's invaluable to know where or possibly when tears will appear. At the same time, we'll be able to help deal with weaker tears that already exist or clear out black beasts, which buys the surrounding villages time to prepare before a tide happens.
That's why I suggest that we change the ship's path to track tears and close them where we can. By doing so we protect the people, learn more about the tears, and expand the mapping already being done."
The other AA's in the room looked like they were seriously considering his words, but Micheal's face was still stiff as a board.
"We were ordered to return with you when we left, and we've already wasted time trying to find you. We won't be changing our route just to satisfy your curiosity."
"It's not to satisfy my curiosity, it's to help the kingdom." Chronos rebutted.
"Uhuh, and your real reason."
"I need system points for a project I'm working on and the best way to get them is by closing tears."
Micheal's eyes narrowed. "Explain how that works?"
For the first time since they had started talking Micheal looked interested. If he used the system as his angle, he might be able to convince Micheal to change course.
"The system is complicated and multi-faceted, but we've learned that we gain one system point per day and additional points can be earned through various actions. The most points I've earned at once has come from defeating devils followed by closing tears.
For my current project I need points to purchase new skills otherwise it will fail. Doing this may also help us understand more about the system's intricacies and how it operates in regard to skills."
Micheal considered this for a moment before shooting off a series of questions, "Does it give you points for any action or is it just specific ones? Do they need to be significant or can they be small actions? How fast can you gain points? How many points are given for closing tears? Is it more than what you would receive for fighting a beast tide or less?"
"Slow down, that's too many questions at once." Chronos thought quickly as he planned what to say. "The system seems to grant points for actions that result in the growth of the individual or things that directly help the world. It might also grant points for things that are publicly recognized or that improves many people's lives, but I haven't tested that yet.
As for how many points you gain with different actions, I've been fighting in a war until you found me, so I haven't had time to run tests or track what happens. We could use this opportunity to spread the system and gather information from different villages as we travel. What do you think?"
That wasn't a lot of information to work with. They had been sent out here to bring the system back for studying and weren't willing to spread it but since it had spread so far anyways there wouldn't be much harm in doing a little more, right?
Micheal looked like he might agree with him then shook his head.
"No, no, our job is to make sure you reach the tower safely. We can't be putting you in danger on the way there or spreading the system without permission." Micheal rejected his suggestion with difficulty.
"But every new experiment has some level of danger, and the system is already being spread by others. How better to learn more about the system than to do what the system was designed for? Besides, if we don't do this now, we're just going to do it later so it's better to get it out of the way while we've got some free time." Chronos countered.
Micheal hesitated before speaking, "Even if I accepted your suggestion how would we explore tears? Anybody that enters them without a priest turns to stone."
If they already knew that much then it shouldn't be too hard to convince him.
"We have a priestess on board and I'm sure the local priest would be happy to help us. We'll also limit what tears we enter to only be the weaker ones, that way we aren't in any real danger."
Micheal was seriously considering it now, Chronos just needed one more push to convince him.
"This would also give you an excuse to study my skills, including the more powerful and rare skills I'm planning on buying. How often do you get the chance to study spatial skills?"
When the other AA's heard about Chronos's spatial skills they started begging Micheal to let them find some tears as well.
"Unh... um... ugh fine you win. But since we're doing this, we'll be doing it by the rules." Micheal's face twisted in frustration as he gave in.
"First rule: we find several priests to enter the tears with you."
"Agreed."
"Second rule: you don't wander off once you're inside of the tear."
"Agreed."
"Third rule: the guards will accompany you."
"Boring but agreed."
"Fourth rule: we'll only be entering tears that I deem safe enough."
"Agreed."
"Finally, if I feel like things are getting out of hand or too dangerous, we'll immediately head to the tower."
"Aw."
"If you don't accept then I'm rejecting everything."
"Fine, I agree." Chronos couldn't argue with him when he was being so serious.
"Good, I'll gather the heads of each research group and discuss how we'll find the tears. You go inform the captain that we're changing course."
"Alright." Chronos happily replied.
He wasn't even upset that Micheal was sending him to meet with someone that didn't like him.
Still finding the captain might be a problem, ever since he had stopped yelling at Smith Chronos hadn't heard his voice anywhere else. He had to search the entire ship before he found him lying on the roof where no one could see him.
"So, this is why you were so upset about the damage. You hide up here when you're tired of being the captain."
"And I like my peace and quiet. Hah, what do you want?"
"Micheal wants us to change the flight route slightly so we can track nearby tears and help the nearby villages."
The captain turned to face him and raised an eyebrow at him. "Hmph, that jerk is too self-centered to say something like that."
"He might have taken some convincing, but he did agree in the end. We aren't planning on going to any tears that are deemed too dangerous, but I figure we can do a lot of good if we extend how long it takes to reach the capital by a little bit." Chronos explained.
"And how long is a little bit?"