All of us from the Misty Turtle Tribe and the two other winners were led to the massive building towards the center of the mountain peak. There were other buildings, and as we passed, one of the Sect members would tell us what they were.
“This is the Record Hall, where we keep detailed accounts of anything and everything from Beasts to plants. Hehe, we may need to leave some space for you!”
Don’t look at me like that.
“This is the Medicine Hall, where our Potion Masters work hard to concoct new creations that can do all sorts of things.”
“This is the Weapon Hall.”
“This is the Crafter’s Hall.”
“This is the Companion Hall. This place is meant for the training and taming of Beasts that have been captured or Summoned.”
“This is the Mess Hall.”
It all looked like a really big city, but there were no living quarters. I did see wooden or stone huts on the outskirts as well as some caves in the mountain side.
There was all sorts of places to see, but we finally stopped at the center and looked at the majestic building.
“This is the Archives. It is home to all sorts of Spells, training practices, thoughts and ideas, and fighting styles. But before we enter, please walk over here.”
We were led to a pedestal that had a small globe. Were they going to test us? I don’t think it was necessary, since we were supposed to be water type. Well, the Young Master had all forms of Mana…so I don’t know.
The two smaller kids walked up, the first one placing his hands on the orb and causing it to change into a brownish color with a blue gem in the middle. I think I saw a speck of green, but I couldn’t tell.
“Hmm…A Bronze Tier Talent with Water Affinity, huh? Not bad. One in one hundred, usually. Next.”
The next kid walked up and did the same, actually coming up with a very similar outcome. In fact, it was the very same!
“Another one? Wow! This is amazing! The odds of two of you having this…is…”
“One in ten thousand,” I answer.
“Right! Okay, who’s next?”
Don’t just gloss over my math!
Up next was the toughest of the three tribal kids, and he decided to talk a little, for some unknown reason.
“Yes! I have been called Boulder Crusher by my friends! I wish to join the Sect!”
“Kukuku, kid, you need a good foundation before you can join. We don’t accept just anybody, after all.”
Boulder wasn’t upset, as he calmly placed his hand on the orb, showing off a gray shine with a blue gem that had a definite green dot in it.
“Wha…A Silver Tier Talent with both Water and some Wind element?! My apologies, we would definitely enjoy welcoming you to our Sect!”
Really? Then what would the brat’s Talent be? Gold? Wait, then what’s mine?
Little Brother walked forward, wanting to do the same thing. I didn’t want him to go first, especially if something didn’t go right, but the Sect member patiently let him place his hand on the orb.
“Oh my! A…A GOLD TIER TALENT?! How?! What did you do?!”
So it doesn’t have anything to do with the strands? Or is that the gem? Speaking of.
“And you have a Dual Affinity for Water and Wind?! How amazing!”
I could sense looks from all over as they motioned for me to go up as well.
Fine! Whatever.
I place my hand down, and feel a sharp sting from my palm. I unconsciously tried to remove my hand, but it wouldn’t budge. An almost translucent glow was added to the golden color, making it even more dazzling than when Little Brother went up. My gem was like his, being completely split in half with the blue for water and green for wind.
However, there was a strange turquoise bead in the center that could be seen if you paid attention.
“You…are almost at the Diamond Tier Talent!”
Without even speaking, the man just started mumbling quietly to himself. Some other members also walked forward, before they became bumbling idiots as well. The Dragon Brother walked over to cause problems, but when he saw my Talent, I could feel killing intent. This wasn’t like a creepy gaze, or staring daggers, this was full on ‘I will kill you when I get the chance’ feeling.
But the feeling went away when Granny snapped her fingers, surprising the idiot and making him walk off, removing the dangerous feeling that covered me.
“Thank you, Granny.”
“No problem, young one.”
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The brat was busy grabbing his sister and jumping up and down, rubbing his success in her face. But, she wasn’t paying attention. She seemed to be eyeballing me like Arthur eyed the heron meat.
Before we went inside, the Young Lady came up to me, trying to start a conversation.
“Hey, I was wondering how you got to be so strong.”
“My apologies, Madam, I fear that the way I practice is unworthy of one such as you. If you will excuse me, I must go.”
I did have to go, but they could have waited. And she knew that. She frowned slightly and she reached for my shoulder, stopping when she noticed she was about to touch my mucus.
“Hey! Don’t be like that!”
“My apologies, I didn’t think you wanted to speak with this ‘ugly thing’ so badly.”
I bowed and turned my full attention to her. She kind of stood back and realized what I was doing.
“Hmph, so I take it that you can hold a grudge. However, don’t take that tone with me!”
“My apologies, what tone should I take in your presence?”
A chuckle could be heard and we both turned to see the brat pointing and laughing at us.
I decided to change the subject.
“Young Master, I was wondering what Talent you are?”
“Hm…I haven’t checked recently, but I did happen to be a Silver Talent.”
Eh? So low? How weird.
He placed his hand on the orb and a golden glow covered it, filled with a massive red gem that had a small gem that was mostly blue but had a sliver of green in it, almost like an eye. Although if you looked closely, there were some other colors mixed in.
“Brother! How did you change your Talent?!”
Oops…this looks bad. Oh, Mr. Butler! Save me!
“Young Lady, we can talk about it later, since it is related to ‘that’.”
Her eyes widened and she gave a slight nod before leaving. But not after giving me a glare.
You may be pretty on the outside, but I know how you truly are. Don’t expect to get close to me, bitch. But that ‘that’ intrigued me. Was there something else I needed to know?
We walked into the building and saw a small counter with a single person behind it. The counter was situated on a corner, looking over the two halls that split from each other at a ninety degree angle. To the right laid most of the building, an entire room that looked more like a library. The other hall must lead to strong techniques in the back only open to the Sect.
“Here we go! We are almost at the end of the tour. You lucky winners can stay here a week before returning. Otherwise, you will need to pay or be accepted into the Sect to come back. For the next year, regardless of who it is, as long as they come from the Misty Turtle Tribe, then they will be given passage if they pay the required toll.”
So…it wasn’t complete freedom, but it got close. Now, if any of the brat’s men wanted to learn from the Sect, all they had to do was pay the tribe to enter and get what they want. The Sect was technically only helping the tribes, but the Marshall Family was getting in on it.
The five top fighters were given the chance to each take one item with them when they leave, so this included the other two winners from the Wood Bear and Drifting Dragon Tribes. Boulder took a fighting manual that was called Mountain Splitting Fist. It required a powerful physical body and needed a lot of perseverance.
The Wood Bear Champion selected a fighting technique as well, but this one was for defense. The Immobile Oak Stance set up a foundation that would pretty much ‘root’ the fighter in place and gather power from the very ground to help aid in their defense. Good match with his element.
The Drifting Dragon Member selected a powerful spear from the Weapon Hall. I guess that was something their Master wanted. From what I heard, it had the power to gift the user the ability to soar through the sky temporarily.
Little Brother selected a weapon as well, staring in awe at a menacing sword that had light blue markings all over it. He picked the Ice Saber, but he didn’t know how to wield it. I didn’t think much of it and couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I took a sword manual called Sinking Slash. It was a somewhat weak technique that was made up when the creator nearly drowned.
Apparently, it was destiny that I found it. How fitting, right?
While my brother practiced with the Sect members, I stayed in the Record Hall and read more about the world. I only had a week, and I needed to know more about this world.
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See? Boring. However, there is some useful information here…character personalities, things to remember in the future…all that jazz.
Another chapter tomorrow at the normal time!