"AHHHHHHH! I'm. So. DONE."
"Yes, Rebecca, we are finished, and it wasn't so bad was it?"
"'Not so bad,' Stephen? Do you even HEAR YOURSELF?"
"Well, yes, I believe so. There's nothing wrong with my hearing."
"GAAAAHHHH! You're so.. I just.. you... I can't!"
"Um... well, anyway, we're heading back today, so surely there's nothing left to complain about, right?"
"........"
"Right, well, we'll be back at the sect in a few days. Once we get our contribution points from the mission hall, you'll cheer up, I'm sure."
"Yes Stephen, or maybe on the way back you'll get eaten by a third stage Golden Eagle, or a flying Grizzly Bear. That would cheer me up, I'm sure."
"You think I'd lose to a third stage spirit beast? Also, I've never heard of a Grizzly that can fly."
- Joseph Babbot -
"Elder Babbot, I didn't expect you to be in the mission hall," Rebecca greeted the Elder and bowed.
"Since it was the completion of the first mission I had assigned as the head of recruitment, I thought I would listen to the report."
"We will try not to disappoint you, Elder," Stephen said, and bowed.
*ahem* "I'm ready for your report, Juniors," said the disciple working the mission hall check-in.
"Over the course of forty-five days, we have been to two dozen towns across the rural Colorado farm regions. We recruited fourty-two new disciples, all children between the ages of six and nine, with inferior or lesser spirit roots. The exact numbers are detailed along with their profiles in this jade slip. Seven of the new recruits are believed to be spies from the Demonic Desert Cult. Those details are also elaborated on in the jade slip," Rebecca reported, "and lastly on the way back to the sect, we encountered a third stage flying Grizzly Bear. Although Brother Stephen received a minor injury, we were able to dispatch it without further complication."
"I still can't believe Grizzlies can fly.." Stephen mumbled.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Oh? Of course they can fly," Joseph told him, "what made you think they couldn't? Also, I'm surprised you were injured by a stage three spirit beast. You're a foundation establishment cultivator. Perhaps you should spend more time training."
Rebecca stifled a laugh, but Joseph pretended not to notice.
"Of course, Elder," Stephen bowed again, "the beast caught me off guard is all. I will be more vigilant in the future."
"Be sure to give a copy of your report to the security office, as usual. You know how they like to monitor the child-spies that are always being sent here. Don't forget to turn in that Grizzly corpse either, I'm sure you'll get some contribution points for it. Maybe use them to tend your injuries, Junior Disciple Stephen."
"Yes, Elder." Stephen bowed again.
Satisfied with the report, Joseph left the mission hall. He marveled that this job was so unpopular. It was so easy to delegate the work to the Junior Disciples, and only leave the enjoyable parts for himself. Had he overlooked something important?
Oh well, must not be too important if he hadn't noticed it.
- Antony Hall -
The last of the new children had arrived a couple days ago. He had wasted no time in teaching them their breathing techniques and ensuring that they could circulate chi.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
So far, all of the other children were doing well with circulating chi, but he was taking his time teaching them. He had reached a decision a few weeks ago.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
While he was required to begin each recruits training within a day of their arrival, he had complete freedom over their training regimens. So, rather than be terribly inconvenienced, he had simply waited to teach anything new to the recruits.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
Sometimes the simplest solutions were the best solutions. Perhaps if he hadn't been so furious with Elder Babbot, he would have thought of the solution sooner, and saved himself a needless headache.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
Regardless, moving forward, things should go much smoother. Antony looked over the children standing in his training yard.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
They were lined up in neat little rows, looking forward with eyes full of hope, and expectation. Now the real training would begin.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
He moved through the rows, tapping a stick to mark the rhythm. With each tap, the children changed their stance.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
With each stance change, the children moved through their first forms. Soon they'd be able to practice without his guidance.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
They would be expected to practice on their own, while he moved on to the next stage of training. It would be hard, but the results of the training were already clear.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
Some of the children had already entered the Chi Condensation stage, and soon they all would. Their bodies needed to be ready to handle the chi.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
So the training would increase. He was no monster, and everything he made them do had a purpose.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
He watched them closely while they moved through their forms. With a tap of the stick he corrected mistakes.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
Even if they cried, he knew they were tears of happiness to celebrate their hard work. Their bruises were marks of wisdom.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
Even if they called out for their parents, he knew it was because they were proud. Certainly, they wished their parents could see them working so hard.
*tap*
"HYAT!"
These children would be be so full of joy soon. He was sure of it.
*tap*
"HYAT!"