The Invincible Hero

He would often lecture at academies and universities throughout the Empire. His lecture at this time would be on the subject of common sense medical practices on the planet Thurbor. Thurbor, a planet which served as a military post for the Sippar Empire. Every planet had its ecology and with each planet, newly posted military personnel needed to know who to protect themselves.

There were always issues with plants and animals and how to interact with them, eat them, and be aware of them, but this wasn"t the Dr."s area. The Dr. was teaching about what to do when getting injured on the planet. There were always training accidents and sometimes there were fights with native inhabitants and enemies.

The planet was a strategic point in the territories between the first and fourth quadrants of the galaxy. It was always hotly contested and this meant there was never much of a presence on the planet. This changed about ten years ago when the Sippar Empire was able to push the line of demarcation further into the territory of its nemesis the Barkkdian Empire.

Posts and bases were being built all over the planet. Even small towns where military families were able to live began to spring up. Every post needed a place for the soldiers to spend their time and money and shops and entertainment locations were being planned. Unfortunately, the environment was proving to be less than hospitable for the forces on site.

Dr. Mabi was quietly preparing his materials and deciding what he would take with him as he started packing for the trip. He always liked to pack his papers and books first.

"Boval, come in here," Dr. Mabi yelled.

After a few moments, Boval walked into the study. He was fifteen-years-old and lived with Dr. Mabi for ten years already! What started as a Dr. patient situation soon became a Mentor disciple situation. During Boval"s time with Dr. Mabi, he discovered Boval was gifted in medicine. Gifted was understating his capabilities. From Dr. Mabi"s, standpoint, Boval was an unparalleled genius.

Boval understood nothing was amazing about his level of knowledge and talent regarding medicine. He spent the last few hundred years practicing medicine in Big Ole Wall Town. According to the three-five paths (chapter 69), he was a Master Tradesman. He mastered all the trades including medicine, music, formations, forging, and pills.

He mastered every field but he was strongest in the formations trade. However, he loved medicine. Of course, the philosophy of the three-five paths is all paths support and develope together to push the adherent of the path to overall greater mastery. They were better overall in one trade because of their mastery of the other paths.

The three-five paths referred to the Paths of Trade, Knowledge, and the Soul. Each Path had five sub-paths. It was thanks to his mastery of Master River"s teachings regarding the three-five paths he had so much acc.u.mulated knowledge and wisdom to draw upon now. Therefore, his apt.i.tude wasn"t so amazing. It took him thousands of years to acquire his knowledge. Even though he was in a new world, he was equipped to excel in anything he chose.

Even though he already knew as much as he didn"t this didn"t mean he already knew everything. His time with Dr. Mabi was extremely beneficial to Boval. The Dr. was as creative a thinker as he was a careful researcher. Boval learned a great deal and was inspired to increase his studies. Of course, Lorne was becoming weary of the life of an academician. He didn"t reincarnate into this world just to sit around and read books and give papers. He wanted a life of adventure.

This trip to the Sippar Imperial Military Academy was a big move. It was his first step in pursuing a life of adventure. He was able to convince Dr. Mabi to help him get into the Academy. Although he would be studying medicine, or teaching it, his main focus for training would be as a starfighter pilot.

Boval missed the feeling of flying through the skies and among the stars. It was something he was forced to give up when he moved to this new world. In reality, he gave up all of his tremendous powers becoming a mortal. This sacrifice was worth it for Boval. He felt living like a mortal would give the rush of adventure he was looking for. It"s hard to feel the thrill of adventure when ninety percent of the things in the universe can"t hurt you. Now, everything was dangerous!

His parents and Dr. Mabi thought he was crazy. They all knew he was set to have a safe and prosperous life as an academician. Instead, he was h.e.l.l-bent on playing with his life. He was able to argue the merits of becoming a fighter pilot. It would give him skills he could use later in his life as a researcher he didn"t have now. For example, he could pilot his ship to wherever he wanted to go and he could defend himself as needed.

Dr. Mabi had friends in the military but ultimately, if he ever found himself alone in a dangerous situation he would more than likely get squished before he even knew what happened. They finally came around to his point of view, it was just the military academy after all. Once he finished there, he could start his real work. Of course, Boval failed to mention he planned on joining the Imperial Army right after graduation. He thought he would leave that surprise for later!

"Boval, have you seen my Binonical Expression in Free Gene Interplay book? I"ve looked everywhere for it," Dr. Mabi said.

"I have seen it, sir," he said.

"Really? where," Dr. Mabi asked.

"Isn"t it next to your bookbag over there?" asked Boval.

Dr. Mabi turned around to a small lounge chair where he placed one of his book bags. Immediately, he saw the book in question.

"Oh my, is it old age or excitement that"s making me so absent-minded?" Dr. Mabi joked.

"It"s exciting, you"re far too young to go senile," Boval laughed back.

"Such a smooth-talker, I guess that"s how you talked me into signing off on this a.s.sinine idea of joining the military academy," he said.

Boval just smiled quietly, he knew better than to engage in this topic with his teacher.

"Fine, fine, whatever. I guess it"s time to head out!" Dr. Mabi said with gusto.

Boval grabbed all of the bags the professor packed and was about to carry them out when he noticed something amusing.

"Dr. Mabi, I"m going to have to change my prognosis of your condition from excitement to senility," Boval laughed.

"What do you mean?" Dr. Mabi was confused.

"I mean, you did a very thorough job packing your books for the trip but I don"t even see a bag for your underwear and pajamas. Are you going to wear those clothes for the duration of the trip?" Boval laughed.

Dr. Mabi looked around and realized he forgot to pack everything other than his books and papers.

"Torp," he said.