Some claim cultivation renders one less human. I contend the contrary; for in the mastery of my senses, I perceive the essence of humanity with greater clarity. I see the subtleties of our features, inhale the fragrances of our civilization, and feel the heartbeat of our world.
Through cultivation, I command this vessel that is my body, and with each stride towards enlightenment, I lift see through the fog that shrouds our mortal lives. Thus, I am not diminished, but rather, I have become more human than ever before.
Cultivator Danmi, Unveiling the Mystery behind Cultivation.
3449 MA.
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4522 MA
Queen Bona Arena, Rovos, Kartas
The vast arena stood bathed in hushed stillness, the air pulsing with anticipation and excitement, like the calm before a storm. Vyas sat upon a cold stone bench, his unwavering gaze scanning the field below, where the participants prepared for the beginning of Auberon Institute’s cultivation trials.
Vyas straightened his back, surveying the nine other competitors before his eyes settled on Maya. They had registered for the trials as soon as they arrived, and now, just a day later, she stood poised at the starting line.
The first test of the trials loomed before Maya like a formidable, living entity: a massive obstacle course designed to challenge the limits of a human's body, to move it in ways that would test the very essence of one's physical prowess. Though finishing the course was technically achievable by a mortal, each section required athleticism near the peak of human capabilities to complete.
Despite the near impossible difficulty of the course, Auberon Institute demanded that their cultivators not only complete the course, but do so within an acceptable margin of time. The goal was to test each cultivator’s control of prana, specifically their ability to channel prana into certain meridians to enable the control of their body needed to achieve the necessary near-superhuman feats.
Vyas watched as Maya approached the starting point, her stride confident, her expression focused. Her eyes glittered with eagerness as she anticipated the challenge set before her. Vyas knew just how skilled Maya was, yet he gripped the edge of the stone bench, his heart wavering with uncertainty.
As the signal's echo faded into nothingness, Maya burst into motion like a tightly coiled spring suddenly unleashed. The first section of the course was filled with uneven platforms and swinging logs, forcing her to rapidly change direction and adapt her footing.
Maya surged forward, her feet barely touching the uneven platforms as she sprang from one to the next. She maintained a laser-sharp focus, calculating the distance and timing her leaps precisely. Each step seemed to synchronize with the erratic rhythm of the course, her movements flowing with an air of effortless grace.
As the first swinging log came hurtling towards her, Maya twisted her body at just the right moment, avoiding the obstacle by a hair's breadth. Her prana surged through her meridians, allowing her to shift her center of gravity and transfer the momentum into her next leap. She aimed for a platform several feet away, her body hurtling through the air like an arrow shot from an expert archer's bow.
Landing upon the platform, Maya immediately sprang forward again, her body seeming to become an extension of the wind. The second swing log approached, but this time, instead of dodging, she reached a hand out to grasp it. Channeling a burst of prana into her arm, she swung around the log, pivoting with its momentum. Just as the log began to reverse direction, she disengaged her grip and propelled herself forward, her agility amplified by the log's velocity.
With each leap, she seemed to defy gravity as she danced through the chaotic obstacles. The sun glinted off her taut muscles, casting a brilliant sheen on her sweat-laden skin as she flawlessly executed a series of somersaults, leaving her fellow trialists in her wake.
Her swift and agile movements created a noticeable gap between her and the other competitors, as if an invisible force propelled her forward while holding the others back. Her body appeared to blur, an ephemeral mirage against the stark backdrop of the course.
Vyas could see her sharp, focused eyes scanning the course for the quickest and most efficient path. Her breaths were measured and steady, betraying none of the exertion she was undergoing.
The second section of the course demanded both speed and balance, featuring a series of narrow beams and platforms suspended above a chasm, as well as rapidly spinning discs that threatened to push the trialists into the abyss below. Falling would mean having to restart the entire section from the beginning, deeply affecting a trialist’s time. The challenge lay in maintaining balance and leaping with precision between platforms without losing momentum or risking a deep plunge.
Maya's gaze locked onto the suspended beams and platforms, her mind swiftly calculating her path before she even set foot on the first beam. Her eyes were like that of an eagle's, able to spot and commit sequences to memory with stunning accuracy. As she launched herself onto the first narrow beam, her body took over, her instincts taking the lead.
The beam quivered beneath her weight, and Maya swiftly channeled prana into the soles of her feet, granting her an iron-clad grip and stability. Rather than walking, she performed a series of rapid handsprings and flips, knowing that relying on the usual approach would cost her precious time. Her performance on the beam was breathtaking, a mesmerizing dance that evoked unparalleled awe.
Reaching the first platform, she paused for but a moment to reorient herself. As the rapidly spinning discs came into view, she took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing in concentration. Expelling her breath, she dove onto the first spinning disc. The momentum threatened to hurl her into the abyss, but with an ardent burst of prana, she dug into the surface of the disc, using the force to spiral around its circumference rapidly. In doing so, she managed to change her trajectory, hurtling herself through the air towards the next disc with unrivaled precision.
Her hair whipped wildly around her face as she leaped from one spinning disc to another, her body twisting and contorting with fluid grace to maintain the optimum angle for her next launch. Maya's unwavering focus, coupled with her innate sense of balance, helped her stay just ahead of the centrifugal forces that sought to send her spiraling off course.
As she neared the end of the spinning discs, Maya gauged the final distance to the next set of narrow beams. Pressing her feet upon the edge of the disc, she crouched and drew upon her reservoir of prana. With an explosive burst, she propelled herself forward. She landed on the first beam as lightly as a feather, scarcely causing it to shudder.
The final set of narrow beams zigzagged unevenly above the chasm, demanding complex leaps and abrupt changes of direction. Maya navigated these with the deftness of a spider traversing its web. She flipped, cartwheeled, and sprinted through the labyrinth, her body remaining as steady and focused.
The course then shifted, transforming into a gauntlet of swinging pendulums and spiked walls that sought to ensnare the unwary. As Maya navigated the trapping snares, she could feel the thrum of mana in the air, a faint hum pulsating through the obstacles, controlling the complex random movements.
Maya's keen eyes seemed to pierce the chaos as she navigated the deadly snares, her body a bolt of lightning as she slipped through the smallest of gaps. Vyas could see how she anticipated each obstacle, her intuition guiding her. He knew that beneath her calm exterior, her mind raced, calculating angles and trajectories with uncanny precision. The challenge here lay in the ability to trust one's instincts while maintaining a detached focus, a dance between the primal and the cerebral.
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As Vyas watched, he considered that in some ways, this was more a test of the brain than brawn. The complexity of the course tested the strength of every trialist's mind-body connection and their ability to plan the exact steps to follow in split-second moments. He caught glimpses of other trialists starting to falter, their limbs trembling to keep up with the pace and aptitude required of the course.
At that point, Maya emerged from the gauntlet, and the final section of the course rose before her like a colossal sentinel, its towering walls and jagged peaks casting long shadows across the dirt. It was an imposing, near-vertical cliff face, stretching up toward the heavens, daring anyone who dared to conquer it. The air was thick with tension as the crowd of spectators held their breath, their eyes riveted on the young woman preparing to face this monumental challenge.
This part of the trial required not only strength and agility but also the endurance to overcome the relentless ascent. It was designed to push the limits of a trialist's ability. With a deep breath, Maya launched herself at the unforgiving wall. Her hands and feet moved in perfect harmony as she searched for the minuscule handholds and footholds that were her only lifeline. Seemingly melding with the stone, her fingers found purchase in narrow crevices, her legs propelling her upward, their strength a result of her channeling prana into them. The wind howled around her, threatening to rip her from the wall, but she clung on, her every muscle straining against the relentless force.
Vyas' heart pounded in his chest as he watched her progress, his eyes never leaving her form as she climbed higher and higher. The crowd around him erupted into cheers and shouts of encouragement, but he barely heard them, his focus solely on the young woman defying gravity and the odds.
This last test demanded an inner fortitude, a willpower to push through the pain and exhaustion that threatened to consume every cultivator that attempted to scale the imposing edifice. And as Maya climbed, with her limbs trembling from exertion, it was clear that she had the necessary mettle.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she neared the top, the wind intensifying into a gale-force torrent that whipped at her clothing and hair, threatening to wrench her from her precarious perch. Suddenly, a gust of wind caught her off-guard, causing her to lose her grip on a handhold. As she dangled precariously, her fingers rapidly searching for a new hold, she displayed her mettle once more by staying calm. Leveraging her one hold, she swung her body back onto the rock and found stability. Then, with a final surge of strength and determination, she heaved herself over the edge and onto the summit, collapsing onto the flat surface; the crowd below erupted into a deafening roar of applause and admiration.
As Maya neared the finish line, Vyas overheard spectators seated behind him, their voices in complete awe. "She's so fast," one whispered, "she might be on pace to be the quickest to complete the course this iteration."
The other agreed, "I haven't seen anyone move like that since... well, I can't even remember when."
A proud smile tugged at Vyas' lips, but he couldn't shake the thudding in his chest as he watched Maya make the final leap to the finish. The moment her feet touched the ground, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their astonishment and admiration palpable in the air. With a smile that spoke of relief mingled with triumph, Maya waved to the audience, then turned her gaze to Vyas, who let out a wolf whistle and the widest grin he could muster in response.
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Leaving the arena in high spirits, Vyas and Maya strolled through the bustling streets, the scent of spices and roasting meat luring them to a small, unassuming restaurant. They ordered their food at the counter and found a quiet corner to sit and chat.
The restaurant exuded a sense of intrigue and charm, with its walls covered with replicas of famous weapons and enchanted staffs. As they waited for their food, Vyas and Maya leaned back in their chairs and observed the lively scene around them. The air was filled with the murmur of conversation and the clink of glass and cutlery,soothing the tension that had been building within them.
"So," Vyas began, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, "that was quite the performance you put on out there. You were so fast, people thought you might’ve set a record."
With a proud smile playing on her lips, Maya responded, "I just did my best. Remember, I need to be better than almost everyone who attempts the trial this month, not just the nine others with me today."
Vyas nodded thoughtfully, his fingers tapping on the table. "I hope it's enough. We're practically penniless, and the competition is supposed to be fierce. I have no idea what we’re going to do if we don’t get accepted. We don’t have nearly enough money to make the journey back home."
Maya shook her head, her confidence unshaken. "Didn’t you just say I might’ve set a record? You think someone that good isn’t going to get in?" She paused for a moment, her forehead scrunched in deep thought, "Honestly, maybe you should leave the thinking to me and stay focused on praising my performance."
Vyas laughed just as their food arrived. Steaming and fragrant, it provided a welcome distraction from their concerns. As they ate, the conversation shifted to the upcoming challenges. "So, how do you think you'll fare in the next two trials?" Vyas asked.
Maya took a moment to consider the question, her eyes narrowing in thought. "I'm not sure, but based on what happened today, I probably can handle the physicality. It all depends on the skills of the other trialists. They might be more skilled with weapon in hand and an enemy in front."
Vyas nodded, "True, I doubt the other trialists spent their childhood exploring forests and mountains like we did. You've essentially been preparing for that obstacle course for years. With constructs so commonplace, it would make sense that they'd be better prepared for the combat trial."
Maya huffed in annoyance, "It's so unfair. We learned to fight as well, but our training was more about handling mystic beasts, not constructs."
"I mean, it's much easier for them to create constructs than to go out and capture numerous mystic beasts," Vyas replied before shifting the topic. "I'm more concerned about the third trial. It's the only one held behind closed doors and there’s so little known about it."
"No use thinking about something we can't change. I'm more intrigued by what you'll have to face. I wonder how the magic trials will differ from my cultivation trials," Maya mused, her fork hovering thoughtfully above her plate.
"I'd guess the magic trials will focus more on elemental control and technique – tests I'm not overly concerned about," Vyas said, attempting to sound more confident than he felt.
He took a bite of his meal, relishing the flavors as their conversation drifted towards lighter subjects.
"You know," Vyas said thoughtfully, "considering how well you performed today, it might be worth betting on your performance in the next trial. I can't help but wonder just how much money we could have made if I bet on you today." He shook his head, a rueful smile on his lips. "If only I’d known the competition would be so much worse than you."
Maya's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's genius! Imagine how rich we could be right now." She sighed in disappointment before pointing her fork at Vyas. "You better bet on me in the next trial."
Vyas chuckled, "It was only a thought. We only have a handful of silver coins left. Remember what Dian taught us: 'Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.'"
Maya tilted her head and gave him a pointed look before replying, "Dian also believes that the pirate nation of Waran is actually a Tehlevian Syndicate plot to drive up the price of their everlasting apples."
"That may be true, but his overall message isn't wrong," Vyas said, trying to save face but blushing in embarrassment for forgetting Dian's more 'colorful' beliefs. He then focused on his dinner, finding it far more enjoyable than continuing the conversation.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a hazy glow over the city, they left the restaurant and navigated the bustling streets. Vyas was struck by the stark contrast between the pristine, rune-lit streets of central Rovos and the lawless squalor that lay just beyond those walls.
"I can't believe just how different the central city and the outskirts are," Vyas remarked, shaking his head.
"It should be better," Maya sighed.
As they walked past factories housing the machines responsible for Rovos' modern growth, Vyas couldn't ignore the filth surrounding them. The air was thick with the stench of waste, and the buildings loomed above them like dark, oppressive giants.
"I don't understand," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness, "how can this place be so wealthy and so many still live in misery?"
Maya had no response, for there was nothing she could say.
As they walked toward their residence, a small, bedraggled figure caught Vyas' eye. A young child, no older than ten, sat on a street corner, his ragged clothes barely clinging to his thin frame as he held out a dirty hand, begging for alms. The sight tugged at Vyas' heart, and he couldn't tear his gaze away. Compelled, he approached the child and pressed a silver coin into his palm.
The child's eyes widened in disbelief, and he stammered his thanks before scurrying away, the coin clutched tightly in his hand. "This isn't right, Maya," Vyas said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "No one should have to live like this."