An Idea.. opinions needed

Ok so while have been working on the content for the next version, I have also been thinking about the game as a whole and how I want it to be as much a RPG style game as everything else it is..

I am trying to build more quests that require certain different skills to be leveled up before you can proceed.. It is important however that the process of leveling doesnt feel to repetitive or boring. 

So will all that in mind and more, I have had two ideas.. but Im worried that while these might appeal more to the purist RPG players, it might put off the players who are after the content to start before you are even off the main menu, and already feel the game is too slow for them..

So Idea 1 is to put in a timer, lets say 10 seconds, for certain leveling up process to happen. Say for instance you are reading one of the book on how to increase your fighting skill. There will be a counter that stops you moving off the screen until its over. The thing I like about this option is that I could as a perk alter the length of the timer for patreons (and more depending on the tier).. I want to try to reward as much as possible the patreons, but at the same I dont want it to feel like a punishment for anyone who isnt..  I have memories of some games were lets say you want mining for iron ore.. this would take a few seconds.. and I kinda like that.. To be fair even as Im writing this, im thinking 10 seconds might be a bit long.. maybe more like 5 with 3,2,1 for the patreons?

The second idea was to introduce some sort of mini game. So lets say again its a book on fighting. Then the mini game could be to click on a certain work in the dialogue.. so like a word search.. or maybe a multiple choice question, where the answer is in the text.. So you have to read it to answer correctly and therefore get the +1 to that skill...

I could potentially implement both ideas so like maybe the first is more relevant to say strength building to skills and the other works better for books/mags..

Anyways I would be keen to hear anyones opinions on this, or if there was any other suggestions around the leveling of skills to make it feel a little more rpg like..

Also please do comment if you dont like the idea in part or full as that is also useful. 

Thanks