These little children stood in anticipation for what was to come. Some of the adults around had come out to watch. They too were hoping that their kids would be lucky today.
Arthur was also full of anticipation. He thought to himself eagerly, "I hope my two years of work were worth it and Mother wasn't right about my generosity being a waste of time."
He smiled to the children, "I hope I have met you well."
Then he began distributing the bread to them.
That was what he received from each kid when they accepted his loaf of bread. Even the fruits were appreciated, but they only produced 2 Karma.
3 Karma is the maximum he has ever received for giving someone bread. If he had given them meat, he could receive 5 or 6 Karma.
Unfortunately, he stopped giving people meat after his mother stopped him from giving people their foodstuff. The other kitchen was also unwilling to give him meat. He could only accept bread or fruits for their surrender.
He couldn't blame his mother for cutting him off. He doubts he would have been accommodating as a parent. In fact, he knows he wouldn't have tolerated it.
At first, she had indulged him because she thought it a phase. But he had shown too much dedication in trying to empty their storehouse for the year that she indulged him. She had to put a stop to it, or he would truly empty it.
She had called what he was doing a waste of time and resources. But he hopes she was wrong. Actually, he needs her to be wrong.
He wasn't looking at his screen as he gave out the bread. He was smiling and asking the kids questions as he gave them the loaves of bread.
He did so because it would reduce his karma if he didn't put in effort and show concern for the people he was helping. His concern and engagement with them go a long way in increasing their appreciation for what he was doing.
After all, if they see and think that he cares for them, they will appreciate his gift more no matter how small it is. Or at least that's what he thinks. He is not sure, but he knows that there is no harm in showing sincerity.
So he didn't know when he met the requirements for an upgrade. But he felt it immediately: Mountain Karma upgraded.
His whole body felt light immediately the upgrade was completed, and the bread he had in his hand was crushed.
The bread was mostly to blame because it was soft. But he was also to blame because he had gripped it too tightly.
His strong grip was a complete mistake. He had been distributing bread for two years now, so he knew just how much force to use to hold the delicate and soft bread. He had used that same amount of force this time, but his grip had produced more power than normal.
He smiled and said to the girl whose bread he had crushed, "I'm so sorry. It seems this one was too soft."
She didn't mind. She received bread and held it tightly to her chest. Then she said, "Thank you very much, Lord Red."
He smiled and ruffled her head gently. It was an odd sight for a five-year-old boy to act that way to a seven-year-old girl who was taller than him.
He said to her, "Go on. Greet your parents for me."
The next child came up. This time Arthur used even less force to hold the bread. It didn't work as he still crushed the bread.
He looked at his hand and said, "This doesn't make sense."
He had used what he thought was a weak grip. But it was still far more than the bread could handle.
He apologized to the young boy and sent him away. Then he made the others pick their bread themselves straight from the sack.
He slowly held the sack open for them. Fortunately, it was tough, so he wasn't at a risk of ripping it.
He tried to engage the rest of the kids, but he couldn't help but be distracted and a little excited. He couldn't wait to leave to check what the Mountain Sitting Dao had done to his body.
It was with excitement that he bid farewell to the kids and turned around. But maybe he was too excited, so he used too much force in his steps and stumbled.
The coachman standing beside him hurriedly bent down to pick him up. When the man did, he exclaimed, "Wow, my lord. You've grown so big. You are bigger than you look. That's a blessing."
Arthur didn't know it then, but he had become heavier. He didn't notice because he felt the same and even lighter on his feet.
But his deceptive weight surprised the coachman, who wondered to himself, "I wonder what they are feeding the kids of this aristocratic family."
Arthur was helped up, but he still stumbled and fell after taking three more steps. The coachman had to carry him to the carriage and rush him home for treatment.
All the way back, the coachman kept regretting being selected today. Meanwhile, Arthur used that opportunity to check his system.
State of Existence: First Mortal Coil (First Transformation)
1. Mountain Karma: Level 2 (11/10,000,000)
Power: 1 × 2 (Mountain Karma)
Mind: 1. Mental Energy: 5
Body: 1. Life Energy: 5
Most of his information was the same. But the two changes are clear and impactful. Mountain Karma had upgraded to level two. Now it was increasing his power.
Currently, as a first coil mortal, his power is based mostly on his body. His body is still at the first transformation, and he won't be able to complete it for some time as his body is still developing.
Yet, Mountain Karma had doubled his power to 2. It had made him acquire the power of a teenager as a child.
He said in understanding, "No wonder I can't control my strength. I am now stronger than I have the right to be. I am stronger than any child has the right to be."
He gripped his tiny fist with excitement. "With this, I won't be mediocre."