Chapter 11: Mentor

All the students believed confidently that they would achieve Rank-1 within the next two weeks.

The process of condensing the spirit core and the first spirit ring wasn't particularly difficult. The challenge lies in their unfamiliarity with controlling spirit energy.

Furthermore, not all students faced financial constraints like Ain did. Some could afford better food and even some low-rank medicinal pills to aid in their training – resources Ain couldn't access yet. Otherwise, he might have reached Rank-1 even sooner.

It was only after reaching Rank-1 that some students would encounter obstacles that would slow their progress.

If achieving Rank-1 was akin to walking on a smooth, even path, then going beyond that was like ascending a slope that grew steeper with each challenge one overcame. It was at this juncture that students would truly comprehend their limitations.

With the school day concluded, Ain quickly headed toward the hoverbus station. His destination today was different from his usual routine.

Following the awakening ceremony, Ain had received a message from his mentor, instructing him to visit the Atlas Base after condensing his first spirit ring. Consequently, Ain planned to pay his mentor a visit today.

“Atlas Base” was how the locals referred to the Atlas Corporation’s branch headquarters in Duskfield City.

In the expansive Dawnstar Federation, the Atlas Corporation was akin to a megalith, boasting a history spanning thousands of years. The corporation was engaged in diverse commercial enterprises, research, development, and was renowned for its cutting-edge technological advancements.

The focus of Duskfield City's branch was research, and Ain's mentor held the position of director there.

After some time, Ain arrived at the familiar hoverbus station. He had used this station nearly every day for the past few years, only deviating from this routine after the awakening ceremony.

Walking on foot, the surroundings gradually transformed into a more spacious and sparsely populated area.

Gradually coming into view was a sizable building, encompassing various attached structures. This complex stood within a vast open field of green, portions of which appeared to house greenhouses and research facilities.

The Atlas Base's presence exuded an aura of elegance. Its pure white metallic walls enhanced its scholarly atmosphere.

While Ain's mentor held the position of director, Ain himself was not associated with the Atlas Corporation, at least not formally. Hence, despite his frequent visits to this place, he had never explored this place.

Pulling out his hololink, Ain swiftly sent a message to his mentor before proceeding toward the reception building.

...

Within a sparsely adorned office sat a man donning a white lab coat and boasting long silver hair. As he was positioned behind a large wooden desk, the overhead light cast a glint over his silvery locks. This individual was none other than the director of the Atlas Base and Ain's mentor, Sage Silvercrown.

An array of neatly stacked documents was placed before him. Yet, his focus was fixated upon the holographic screen projecting from his desk. His expression remained impassive as his dark blue eyes rapidly scanned the report displayed on the screen.

"The escort squad responsible for transporting the awakening crystal out of Duskfield City encountered an ambush. Fortunately, the attack was a failure."

"Similar incidents unfolded in a few other cities, with one of the attackers successfully intercepting the awakening crystal. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Sage calmly summarized the report's contents before turning to his assistant, Livia, situated at a smaller desk nearby, sorting through documents.

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Livia's cascading purple hair drew down her back, and her vibrant purple eyes shifted toward Sage. Abandoning her task, she offered her analysis after a moment's contemplation.

"It's been almost a millennium since the Dawnstar Federation last lost an awakening crystal. I'm certain this issue won’t end here. It’s difficult for outsiders to accomplish such a feat alone. I suspect there are deeper implications hidden."

Upon hearing his assistant's assessment, Sage offered a faint smile, voicing his thoughts in a composed manner. "You need to delve deeper, Livia. Do you recall how we lost the previous awakening crystal?"

Livia's countenance showed confusion upon receiving this query, causing her to reevaluate her earlier remarks.

With the conversation reaching its end, Sage averted his attention back to the screen. Moments later, his wrist hololink alerted him to an incoming message.

With a flick of his fingers, the message materialized on the holographic screen before him.

[I'm here.]

Casting a sidelong glance, Sage's lips curved into a slight smile. He then turned his attention to Livia. "Livia, prepare a gift."

"A gift?" Livia, who had been lost in thought, questioned.

"Ain is here," Sage clarified with a glance in Livia's direction before resuming his focus on the screen. In an instant, a white, translucent hand emerged from within him, and began to respond to Ain's message on the holographic screen.

[Come to the office.]

The message was adorned with whimsical ghost-themed emoticons. Sage lowered his head and stared at the white hand. As if embarrassed, the hand suddenly retracted, and a playful voice chirped, "Hehe."

Having comprehended Sage's intentions, Livia asked, "Ain has reached Rank-1? That's quick! I'll be back shortly, Director."

With her words spoken, her form seamlessly dissipated from the office.

Sage cast a brief glance over the remaining reports before powering down the holographic screen. Retrieving a couple of books and a document from his desk, he settled in, awaiting Ain's arrival.

…

Ain had received the response before he reached the reception building. An amused smile tugged at his lips as he encountered the ghost emoticons again. He mused, "It must be Flo."

Picking up his pace, he traversed through the reception building. As the staff had grown accustomed to Ain's presence, he encountered no obstructions on his way to his destination.

Within the main building, an eighth-floor corridor ended in a pair of wooden double doors. This entrance presented a sharp contrast against the surrounding white metallic walls and gray flooring.

Summoning a breath, Ain knocked on the door and patiently awaited his mentor's response.

Soon, his mentor's voice sounded through, "Enter."

Receiving the invitation, Ain entered the room respectfully. He discreetly closed the door behind him before beginning his greeting. An almost reflexive "good morning" nearly escaped his lips – a standard greeting due to his regular morning visits. However, he promptly corrected himself; it was afternoon now.

Mentally amending his words, Ain executed a slight bow. "Good afternoon, mentor."

"Good afternoon, Ain. Congratulations on becoming a Beginner Rank-1 Spirit Tamer." A gentle smile graced Sage's features as he motioned for Ain to settle onto the sofa. He had already risen from his seat behind the desk prior of Ain's arrival.

As an expression of respect, Ain bypassed the opposite sofa and took a seat adjacent to his mentor. "Thank you, mentor. I couldn't have achieved it without your guidance."

Sage didn't broach the subject of Ain's rapid progress, and Ain didn't find it necessary to delve into it either.

Following a brief exchange concerning Ain's life at the academy, Sage transitioned to the main topic. "Ain, I presume you already have some inkling as to why I called you here today?"

Ain nodded in affirmation. Indeed, he had a rough idea. There seemed to be no other reason for his mentor to specifically summon him after he had condensed his first spirit ring. This was also why Ain hadn't expended much thought on the source of his first spirit pet.

Sage's gaze didn't waver from Ain as he extended a document toward him. "Here is a list of attributes. Select an attribute for your first spirit pet, and I will provide you with an Ancient-quality spirit beast of that attribute."

Though Ain was already aware, he was nevertheless taken aback when the long-awaited opportunity arrived.

After receiving the document, Ain refrained from instantly reading it, choosing instead to ask, "Mentor, what is an Ancient-quality spirit beast?"

Aware that Ain would inquire about this, Sage replied, "Every spirit beast possesses a quality, which they can upgrade through evolution."

"Their quality determines their maximum attainable rank. Common-quality spirit beasts can only attain Rank-0. To progress further, they must evolve into Noble quality. This quality permits them to reach Rank-2. Similarly, Transcendent quality enables them to attain Rank-4."

"Beyond these lies Ancient quality. The pinnacle of Ancient quality is Rank-6."

Comprehending his mentor's explanation, Ain finally grasped the division of spirit beast qualities.

Sage gave Ain the time to digest the information before continuing, "Now, take your time in selecting an attribute for your first spirit pet. Feel free to ask any further questions."

He anticipated Ain would carefully study the document, ruminate over his decision, and only then respond. Consequently, Sage reclined into the sofa and began to review some recent research reports.

Simultaneously, Ain briefly glanced through the document, mentally reciting the listed attributes: 'Fire, water, earth, wood, metal, poison, ghost...'

Having reviewed it just once, he rapidly determined his preference and voiced his decision, "Mentor, I've made my choice."