Zerine stared at Marigold.

“My drive?” She repeated. Her mind going blank for a moment. Until that point, her mind had been focused on runes and alchemy, but this had completely come out of nowhere. It shattered her train of thought by the unexpected question. Sure, she had been listening to Marigold, but really had been making mental notes more than fully listening. Now, though, she directed her focus on the question.

Marigold gave Zerine a warm smile, almost motherly. “I’m curious as to why someone like you pushes yourself so hard.”

Zerine’s brow furrowed. “I want to travel and see the world. To be able to do that, I have to be strong.”

“Hmm, that is a goal. Not what drives you,” Marigold said. She leaned backed, still sitting in the chair cross-legged. “I’ll explain more why I ask. You,” she pointed at Zerine, “are the tenth crestless I have heard having the ability of basic telekinesis. Yes, people tend to get their crests sooner, even goblins have it at your age and they have one of the weakest connections to mana, so the sample size isn’t exactly large,” she said. Saying what Zerine was about to point out.

“But you would be surprised at how many get their crest late and try their hand at ambient magic control, but fail. It’s incredibly difficult and yet you kept persevering where others gave up. Then you have an insight into willpower manipulation that is hard for many to achieve early.” Marigold chuckled. “And the youngest I have heard was an E-rank Fairy matching the achievement, which should tell you just how extraordinary and peculiar that achievement is. Not to mention the fact that most don’t even learn that technique as the thread-like way works just as well and is simpler. I have never heard of a crestless doing what you have done. The sheer amount of drive and determination is the only thing I can think of, which brings us back. So…what drives you?”

What does drive me? Zerine thought. Why did she go through all the pain, failures, and frustration? Her thoughts kept going back to what Marigold had said. She really didn’t see her ambient magic control as that big of an achievement. Raith had said hard work and constant practice would be what was needed, so she had done just that.

The inspiration about using a spot outside of her body without connecting a thread had been something she had been working towards now she thought about it. After all, she had been getting there with her ball and chain as a conduit of her willpower. Although Raith and Ava had been beside themselves at the time, but it still didn’t really feel that big of a deal. But now Marigold was saying that it was, so she might need to reevaluate that.

But I’m still nothing compared to those with their crest. My mana barrier is still terrible. The range for telekinesis is still limited. And the list just goes on, she thought.

“It appears your’re uncertain. And with just a hint of self doubt,” Marigold commented.

Zerine blinked. She wondered what expression she was making because her emotions were still a mix of uncertainty, confusions, and self doubt. Either way, Marigold had read her like a book.

“What is it that drove you to punch a C-rank with destabilized mana? What kept you going today when you had a broken arm and torn shoulder muscle? Why push yourself so hard that you passed out? Think back to those moments. You may find your answer,” Marigold said, looking like she would happily sit and wait for Zerine to figure it out.

As for Zerine figuring out the answer…she was coming up with absolutely nothing.

Her mind raced through everything. Images of her frustrations with ambient magic control, losing over and over against the training dummies, her reading about runes late into the night. The last few days of the trials were the most vivid in her mind.

Marigold watched the child as a battle of emotions crossed Zerine’s face. She had used an ability to help Zerine think back and more vividly experience past events. It was one of her few abilities that affected the mind. She wasn’t a mind bender, which were mystics and mages that are heavily regulated and watched due to how their abilities affected the mind. Her ability was one she created due to her connection to the concepts of dreams. It wouldn’t alter Zerine’s mind, but was a tool that helped with mediations. It had been great to learn tasks because of the perfect memory it had allowed Marigold to achieve before Gold-rank. She would use her ability to recall events. It was the reason she had figured out all her revelations. She even knew her Iridesium-rank, but would wait till she was allowed by the elders to progress.

This would help Zerine figure out her drive. It wasn’t extremely important right now, but with this Zerine could figure out concepts, and possibility help with her S-rank revelation. If she lived to reach that rank. She had to reminder herself that Zerine was an oddity amongst an oddity of a family and a fate breaker.

There was also a part of Marigold that was extremely curious about the child’s determination. One simply didn’t control destabilized mana with a diffuse willpower like she had. Nor would she expect a crestless to have used her willpower to help guide energy while a limb was regenerated.

She didn’t expect a perfect answer from Zerine tonight, but this next year and a half would be tough for the child. Their goal was to tear the child down and rebuild her foundation up bit by tiny bit. Zerine had talent, but she was already showing signs of habits and hang-ups, both mental and physical. If Zerine were to adapt when her crest manifested, they would have to start from scratch.

It wasn’t unheard of for older crestless to get aid like what they were doing with Zerine. Most late bloomers would get such support from the temple of magic and knowledge, the hall of heros, and others. Especially if they came from poorer backgrounds. But Zerine’s version would be extremely difficult.

Marigold made a mental note to make sure Zerine got a better perspective on how others lived and trained. She didn’t want the child to get a twisted perspective or absurd expectations. Knowing Ava and Cal, they raised Zerine well, but good lord, the children in that household were all little monsters. Their understanding of what was normal would be called insane by literally anyone else. At least it was something Marcy would handle. Those lessons would probably annoy Zerine, but they would be good for her.

Marigold glanced toward Zerine. The girl's violet eyes were distant. She smiled, sensing Zerine’s thoughts becoming more orderly as the child processed everything. But the thoughts were becoming strained and fatigue was taking hold. She sighed. It was enough for her to get as far as she had. So, Marigold used a spell to both soothe Zerine's mind and have her get a well rested sleep.

***

An avatar of Sashi passed back and forth in front of Ava’s team, who were sitting on cushions in a straight line meditating. Even Raith’s avatar was present, matching the others sitting cross-legged.

“You all have progressed to peak Gold-rank an achievement and great one at that. But it’s not the end,” Sashi said, then pointed at Raith’s avatar, who had opened an eye. She jumped and quickly closed her eyes once again.

“Focus is key. We are in a magic rich and balanced environment. Here is where you will find it easier to focus on the insight that will push your soul to the next stage.”

“What exactly is the insight for this one?” Gary wondered, his eyes still closed.

Sashi smiled. “It has been said that S-rank is what put you on the path. Gold-rank, the present you, and lastly what you will be is Iridesium-rank. But again, the insight is unique for everyone, so it’s more of a guideline than a guarantee of success. But all of you have solid foundations, so advancing is achievable for all of you.”

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

“What were they for you?” Ava wondered.

“And what about the one for ascending?” Raith added.

“I’m unsure what my S-rank revelation was. Most don’t, in fact. It’s the same for Gold-rank, but I know what made me pass into Iridesium-rank. As for ascendancy…It’s far too early for me to tell you, but I will leave a memory crystal and recordings to help guide you, which will only work when you approach the peak of Iridesium-rank. But for Iridesium-rank, my insight was as much related to my concepts as it was to myself.”

Sashi’s gaze turned distant as she thought back.

“It was nearly a thousand years ago. I was meditating in the center of the Great Forest. Honestly, it felt like I had somehow stumbled my way up the ranks and was desperate to meet the expectations thrust upon me.” Sashi smiled to herself. “I was foolish. Those expectations that felt so heavy were those I thrust upon myself rather than those from others.”

She sighed.

“I spent months in the middle of the forest. Became quite good friends with the World Tree there, actually. Wish I could have taken you all to meet her, but everyone is so busy,” Sashi said first, smiling brightly, but it turned into a slight frown. “But back to it. To put ti in a way for you to understand, my concepts are connected to life, ground, water, and air. In total, I have ten concepts, but they are all tied to aspects of myself. It is that connection that helped me figure out my revelation of who and what I wanted to be.”

Gary smiled, which was echoed by Selara.

“Gary, you can’t just say I want to punch things and go on adventures as your revelation,” Sashi said, knowingly.

There were some quiet snickers from others as Gary theatrically groaned.

“I don’t know why you're snickering, Selara. It’s the same for you too,” Sashi teased. That got more chuckles from the others and a guffaw from Gary. Selara elbowed him.

“Here is some advice. Think of how others perceive you. I once knew a mystic who fought hundreds, then asked them about what they thought of her techniques. Then spent a year talking to people, her students, her coven family, even random strangers. All to help guide her.”

“You said it was your concepts?” Raith asked.

“I’m getting to that. Now I’m only doing this lesson because you all have grown your connection to your concepts. But you still have some growth before your connection will deepen enough to help you progress. Cal could actually progress before all of you. Thanks to his bonded partner knowing him so well, his concepts, and general insights on his path. Gotta admit Falkor and the Dragon Riders certainly know how to make a strong foundation. But he will wait till his partner is ready as well. The-. Yes, Grace?”

“Do we have any say in our revelation?” Grace wondered.

“From my research and years of being a trainer, S-rank’s revelation is something you decided without knowing. Gold-rank is who are currently at your core. Something, again, you forge with your actions, thoughts, desire, drives, and more. Now Iridesium-rank, is a mix of the two. You have a say to an extent, but it’s a progression of the other revelations.”

“Which most don’t know. Cal is just a freak and figured out what they were,” Ivron grumbled.

Sashi chuckled.

“The World Tree said something that helped me. The revelation is a story of your path. Your start, self-discovery, and your future. The concepts come into play as all of them are connected to aspects of yourself.”

Raith flinched at her words. Sashi’s heart went out to the young fairy. Having such connections to conceptual opposites as Raith had would make anyone feel self conscious. But Sashi knew that Raith actually had an advantage. Her concepts balanced one another out, which would make searching for the deeper connection easier if she followed Sashi’s training.

“Yes, Raith. They represent the best and worst parts of ourselves, our fighting styles, and even the ways we think. And only grow as our understanding of ourselves grows. Concepts are more abstract versions of ourselves. I like to think of them as the parts that connect us to both the physical and the metaphysical worlds. A deeper connection and understanding of yourself, the more your body, soul, and mind progress. Eventually, it will reach a tipping point and you will go through the largest change out of every rank. But now let’s start the new mediation techniques that I tailored for each of you.”

“What about the manifestations that happen?” Selara wondered, jerking her head toward Ava.

“Ah, yes. Raith’s heterochromatic eyes and Ava’s electrifying wings will only become more real. But you will be able to hide those aspects once you get to Iridesium-rank. Granted, it will take some time and effort to achieve it.”

Sashi peered at Ava thoughtfully.

“I wonder…Ava, I bet your fairy-like wings will probably fully manifest. Honestly, I wish I could stay in this plane to study that. It would be fascinating to see how those changes occur. You may be more of a fairy than a Celarian.”

“Sashi please,” Ava pleaded. Ava had always been self conscious of the wings that had given her nickname. It also didn’t help that she had it appear every time she used the concept of lightening, which was alot.

“Fine, fine. But I will leave notes for Bernard to study them.”

Ava groaned. Grace patted her old fiends shoulders, while the others laughed.

“Right, now let’s focus on your conceptual connections. Who knows, maybe you all will get wings, too.”

“Grandmother!”

***

Zerine didn’t figure out what her drive was as she had fallen asleep. Apparently, it was something Marigold had done. It annoyed Zerine that she had magic used on her without her permission, but when she heard Marigold’s reasoning, she bit back a retort because she wasn’t wrong.

“You were barely staying awake. And you're going to the dragon training, correct?”

When Zerine had nodded. Marigold smiled.

“Right, then you needed a restful sleep, especially after the potions and healing you needed yesterday. So go on,” she made a shooing gesture to Zerine, “and please come back conscious today,” she called after Zerine and Varino as they flew off on their Skyboard.

The next three days with the Dragon rider training were hell. They didn’t repeat training area four the second day. Thank the gods. Instead, they ran through physical training drills and started to learn about their fighting techniques. It was a lot of stances and yet more drills.

The third day was when Varino and Zerine had to do training area four…again. At least this time she didn’t pass out, but with all the fighting and different affinity ascents, she still gathered injuries. But hey, at least this time she didn’t pass out or throw up nearly as much. It was still absolutely awful, but they both improved.

Granted, D-rank monsters and golems were still a bit too much for Zerine to handle on her own. At least she was lucky that if any monsters showed up in numbers, they were more akin to a brand new D-rank. When she wasn’t lucky, there would be three or four monsters or golems which would be closer to mid D-rank. Those fights were where Zerine gathered most of her injuries.

On the fourth day, she arrived back in the Emerald forest, unconscious again. They had done training area five and six in one day. Area five was a large lake where they spent from early dawn finding items that were rings of dull metal. Finding them involved, you guessed it, fighting and swimming. The worst were the fights in the murky lake waters.

Varino, the ever excitable spirit, took to the water with delight. She even seemed to enjoy fighting in the lake. If Varino wasn’t part water elemental, finding the items in the lake would have taken far too long. Also, Zerine would have drowned if not for Varino’s quick help when a golem had dragged her down.

By the end of that area, Zerine was half drowned, sore, and a bloody mess. Varino was the complete opposite. Full of energy, mana reserves only depilated to about three quarters, and were ready for more.

Area six was like area five needing to find more rings, but the area was a hilly forest this time. Oh, and Zerine had to do it alone because Varino was taken to do more flying and mana focused training. Cassel’s grumpy presences was replaced with a local rider that she never got the name of. Zerine had been already attempting to complete the area when Cassel switched with them. They were an elf with blonde hair cut short and light green eyes. Other than the sharp features they had, Zerine couldn’t see anything else because when she met them, she was about to pass out from injuries.

She received a humbling and humiliating lecture from both riders and Marigold, and she learned a lesson. What had caused all the issues was that she had gotten cocky and thought she could handle an obvious ambush. She was wrong…very wrong. Zerine had eventually killed everything, but had spikes from porcupine-like spider monsters sticking out from both her legs and arms as if they had become pincushions. Again she was thankful for the dragon scale armor which had easily handled the attacks. But she still bled a lot. Her confidence was gone. Obliterated by the chewing out she received.

But with that fiasco behind her, the fifth day started and signified the start of the fairy training.

***

“Sit straight,” Marcy snapped, making Zerine jump.

Zerine had started her etiquette lessons. The women teaching her was called Marcy. She was short and slender, with light green wings and hair. She was stern and kinda scary lady. If Zerine’s posture was a hair out of place, Marcy would notice and snap at Zerine.

“You need to work on hiding and controlling your emotions. It’s like look at book written in bold text,” Marcy had kindly pointed out. During her first lesson.

Zerine discovered she had to relearn habits she had avoided like the plague over the years. At least learning new languages and about other cultures was interacting or this would be worse than fighting those spike shooting spiders. But gods, Zerine had no moment of privacy. If Zerine relaxed her posture or messed up etiquette in or out of lessons. Boom! Marcy would appear and call her out.

At least it wasn’t as bad as her other training. Those first four days made the dragon’s training seem like a day in a flowery meadow. Vinessa was quite the experience.