“I doubt any of you will pay attention with the news of cultivators in town.” Elderly teacher Forr began, standing at the front of the lecture hall. “Which means that I need to talk about cultivation instead of something actually useful.”

A hand from the middle of the students raised before the attached voice could be heard. “But isn’t cultivation useful? All adults cultivate.”

“Wait till you’re called Edgar, but I’ll start there I guess.” Vel perked up at that. While class was helpful, things about what happened after the ceremony was rarely discussed.

“When you become an adult, your soul is shared with a Divine Beast. Spair, what are the twelve Beasts?’

“Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar.” She responded promptly.

“Right. Each of the Divine Beasts moves through a talisman and claims one of you. A fragment of their being enters you and it is that fragment that allows adults to do things you cannot. For instance,” With a motion, a Boar appeared next to teacher. It was of average size and seemed to be made of pure gold. “It can allow you to summon the fragment do help you. There are other options, but most choose the spiritual route.”

The class whispered as they stared at the golden boar. It simply snuffled, moving across the front with its nose to the ground.

“How much gold is that?” A voice rose above the growing noise.

“None!” Forr shouted. The class instantly quieted. The only sound came from the teacher’s summon. “Its his color. As we are the Blessed clan of the Boar, our color matches the Divine Beast’s color.”

“Color?” Edgar asked.

“You’re doing a terrible job of listening Edgar.” Forr began. “But yes, as there are twelve Beasts there are twelve colors. Each Beast has a preferred color. For the Boar it is Gold. For Tiger it is Orange. Does anyone know the remaining ten colors?”

Silence continued until one of the girls at the front yelped. Eyes turned towards her as the class saw the summon trying to force its way between her legs. Forr audibly sighed, pinching his nose as the boar disappeared.

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“It is important to note that the fragments we have are individuals. We do not have control over them and they don’t have control over us. One of the issues adults run into is when our fragments do things on their own. Such as try to stick its head between a young woman’s legs. It is this reason that you don’t see many summoned. It gets worse as you get more fragments in the same place.”

Vel raised his hand, waiting for Forr to gesture to him. “Why is that?”

“Because the fragments try to combine to make the Divine Beast.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Edgar asked.

“I don’t know Edgar. Would having a part of your soul forcibly joined with another be a good thing?” Forr asked.

“Then what are cultivators?” The girl who was almost violated asked.

“Cultivators are people who actively interact with their fragment. They try to grow it, develop it so it is stronger. The goal of every cultivator is to turn their fragment into the true Divine Beast.”

“Didn’t you just say that happens by combining souls?’ Another voice asked.

“Yes. Cultivators are people who consume the souls of others for power. The only good news is that there are rules in place. If you never step on the path, you will not be eaten for power. If you do...”Forr sat at the desk. “Cultivators live nasty lives that are often very short. That is why they are so rare. And that is why none of you should talk to the two who came to town today.”

“Now, before I get back to my planned lesson, are there any other questions? Edgar.” Forr called on him before the child had a chance to process the words. After a short pause, Edgar asked the obvious.

“What is with the masks?”

“It shows what fragment they have as well as their color. Technically they’re only supposed to have one, but its fashion. I don’t understand fashion. Anything else?”

The class looked at each other, some worried, some excited. Vel turned to his sister to see her eyes as wide as saucers. He couldn’t decide if it was the fact she could become a cultivator or that she could get an actual pet. Her hand shot up and Forr gestured towards her.

“Why…” She began before the teacher held up a palm.

“Before you ask, let me clarify a few things. We don’t know why you get the fragment you do. We don’t know why the color matters. We don’t know how many ways to cultivate, though I have heard of two others. I don’t know how they work. I don’t know how spiritual cultivation works. What we don’t know about cultivation could fill all your minds. Now, does that answer your question?”

Spair paused before shaking her head side to side. “Yes, but I have another one. What’s your fragment’s name?”

“I call him Truie.”

“Why?” Spair continued.

“It means pig in another language. Now, the lesson today is about fractions. Vel, help the younger students as you’ve already learned this.”