Awakening into One’s Own (Apothecaries Awakening) [Magical Realism & Dark Humor][Pseudo-LitRPG][1.4K+ Pages]

Currently on hiatus.  Working on building up backlog again (without a release schedule) to reduce stress, smooth the writing flow, and improve quality.  Hoping to be back by no later than August 2025, but preferably sooner with a stable release again. This is a work of pleasure and promise to myself that I seek to refine with your own feedback. The current work which is expected to reach at least 10 books of nearly 1000 pages each is a rough draft.  For those afraid of it being dropped, I promise to continue writing this current version to the end.  A re-write will happen eventually, but not for some time (likely a year or two).  I know there are many stories on this site which may or may not be to each persons varying tastes.  What I can say that mine includes but is not limited to is the following. Realistic Dungeons (only a short one for the 1st book.) *Crossing between split time-lines *Believable progressive growth *Apothecary work with an eccentric teacher The story is as follows:  Andrew thought they were testing for a Virtual Reality.  He was half-right. . . Earth had gone through several cataclysmic events throughout its deeper and unknown history.  However, none were so violent and destructive as when magic and mana was siphoned away and then reality itself, was sundered in two. Eons later, in a land long reduced to mundane existences, a series of freak incidents occurred amid the terror of World War 3, triggering the slow return of magic. Nearly 50 years after the tragedy of that war, Earth had experienced a surprisingly rapid revitalization of life and society, but such was not without reason. Behind the scenes, various forces who were aware of magics creeping return, began preparing for the next fallout. Millennial Enterprises, being the most visible and seemingly altruistic, had unveiled a new Virtual Reality simulation. Andrew agreed to be one of first few participants.  Unbeknownst to others, he held a deep secret of his own.  While seeking out radical means to resolve a disease which plagued his sister, he hid something that would be of great interest to the many hidden powers of his Earth, and Beyond. *********** This becomes a Truer Lit-RPG partway through Book 2, but I won't ruin the surprise. Warning!!:  This first book is a slow burn with an emphasis on Mental and Emotional development as well as sensations felt comparable to Musical Frisson.  For those who don't or can't appreciate Musical Frisson or experience something similar, this story may not be worth reading until book 2.  Keep in mind, this is a rough draft with several parts that will be re-done eventually.  The general and main storyline will remain the same.  Productive feedback is greatly welcomed, while trolling rants and low ratings with no real substance to them will be ignored by me.  I already know that as a rough draft that it is far from perfect. Link to book 2 here.  The early part gives a fair recap of book 1 so you don't miss too much. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/84615/awakening-into-ones-own-apothecaries-awakening/chapter/2041883/prologue-book-2 Book 2 will have far more action.  Until then, please enjoy a more psychologically stimulating story. Monday/Wednesday/Friday releases, barring rare short breaks to regather myself.  Again, for those planning to give ratings/reviews, especially ones less than 4.5 stars, I ask that you give at least a brief and somewhat detailed (rather than a broad  and unhelpful) explanation for the grade so that I may better hone my skills.  Thank you. I've already taken into account the review that says my cover page looks like a surfer boy.  Haha!  I have to admit that they are correct and I'll change the cover in the eventual re-write.