182. Variations in Cultivation
The sun is about to set and what is more beautiful than observing a magnificent ball of light sinking over the horizon while gazing through it on a window of a huge airship peacefully floating above the clouds.
Clay could not help but take a deep breath as the image of the sunset is imprinted in his mind. If only he could request for a cup of tea so he could further enjoy the scenery.
“Alright, listen up.”
Clay’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard someone shout and when he turned to see who it was, he saw a bald man in fifties walking towards the central area where his fellow peers who have passed the trial are currently gathered.
“My name is Rod and I’m the captain of this ship. In about two minutes, we will arrive at Erindal City and let me be the first one to congratulate everyone for becoming an official Mage Apprentice.”
“Yes!”
“Hooray!”
“Finally!”
Clay watched as everyone celebrated and cheered.
Of the seventy-two participants, two-thirds failed and looking at his fellow peers, half of them have bloodied bandages and a few with missing limbs.
“As you all know, this is just your first step in becoming Mages. Earlier, we gave everyone a tag containing your initial Merits and I am sure you already know what it is for and I know you have been instructed to immediately exchange them for Beast Spirit Essence but let me remind you that the people who told you so has no power or influence within this lands. As future Mages, you are bound to dictate and rule.
If you exchange them for Beast Spirit Essence now, then you will be losing on opportunities. Some of you may be lucky but it is only a matter of time before you get kicked out.
In about one minute, this ship will descend and for those who have not changed their mind, surround the token with your mana so we may prepare for a safe integration.”
The bald man’s voice was solemn as he looked around.
Clay let a sigh and observed everyone. Even those with severe injuries, they all have imbued their identity tags with their mana.
Clay is still clueless as to what this Beast Spirit Essence is but if he were to guess, it probably is related to the flame-like object he had lately noticed on powerful mages including the captain and it baffles him why this bald man is sincere in reminding them to not exchange their initial Merits with Beast Spirit Essence. Recalling Kraus’ words, he must exchange his initial Merits to Spirit Essence but now it makes him curious what merits are for.
“Should I ask this bald man?” Clay muttered to himself and since time is running out, he cleared his mind of any hesitation and injected his mana into his identity tag as well.
*Tish!!!
There was a tremor and shaking when the airship landed.
“Outside are maids and butlers prepared by the school. For the next seven days, their task is to tour you around the school. If you change your mind, they will help you take the right path. On the eight day, we will meet again to discuss about your future.” The bald man gave his final instructions then stood on a corner and let the newly accepted students exit.
One by one, everyone stepped out and when Clay finally had a view outside, he was captivated by his surroundings.
Similar to the prestigious Oxford University from earth, they bear resemblance in terms of architecture. If not of these unknown trees with flowers that looks like lampposts, he will suspect he is back on earth.
(You, follow me.)
(I shall serve the master.)
(I choose you to show me around.)
(I’d be delighted.)
(I like your style. Follow me.)
Clay looked to his right. He was expecting everyone to rush out again but unlike their initial behavior, everyone was calm and slowly approached an area where at 24 maids and butlers are all properly lined up and picked their aide.
Clay waited and let everyone picked their assistants and watched everyone entered the gate and when it was finally his turn, he smiled at the last remaining butler and made a slight nod to sending the man an obvious message.
“This humble one is called Dirk. My family has been serving Erindal for generations.” The butler approached Clay and introduced himself.
“The name is Theodore. Is it too early to bring me to the place where they perform the Beast Essence integration?”
Dirk was not surprised the first instruction is about Beast Essence integration. Most scribes will do the same thing. “We had been informed that the young master has low resistance against Foreign Mana. There will be some minor formalities we needed accomplished before you can safely absorb an Essence. Should everything go as planned, you can integrate with a Beast Essence within a week. Please follow me so I can bring you to where you can choose which Beast Essence is to your liking.”
Clay was obedient and followed Dirk from behind. He thought they will forcefully implant a Beast Spirit Essence into him and submerge him into a medicinal tank similar to what the headmaster did at Lacra Academy but it appears he was wrong.
As they were walking Clay activated his Godly Eyes and observed Dirk’s mana circulation. While Dirk is only a butler, he felt the same ripple emanating from him like the bald guy earlier.
“I knew it.” Clay mumbled.
When he was observing Kendricks, he was surprised to find out that there were five extra Mana Nodes around Kendricks’ Mana Heart and when observed closer, it is directly link to the flame-like object residing at the center of circulation.
Dirk though on the other hand has the same flame-like object but he only has three extra Mana Nodes forming a cubic triangle around his mana heart.
“Can senior explain why must a Mage integrate with Beast Essence?”
Dirk stopped his tracks and look at Clay. He had been doing this job for so long and this is the first time he encountered clueless one.
“Young master, the real reason not everyone can become a mage is because of their ability to expand their Mana Pool. Unlike other races, we humans in particular need external assistance to increase our mana capacity. Technically, anyone can still become a 1ST Circle Mage but compared to someone who integrated with an Essence, they will have ten times more mana capacity. On top of that, the spells casted by Mage who had integrated with a Beast Spirit Essence will be more powerful depending on the Beast Essence they integrate with.
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There are other benefits as well say for someone like you, integrating with Beast Spirit Essence can propel your cultivation immediately to 1ST Circle Mage without arduous and risky preparations”
Clay listened to Dirk’s explanation. He has an idea that he is being sent to a Magi School but he is still clueless for the most part. At least everything is making sense now. It would even explain why those who had been severely injured chose to get one.
Contemplating from what he knew so far, the bald man has said about their days in the academy being numbered, he reckons that staying at this school is even more difficult than the admission itself. Relating that to what Kraus told him that they will meet again in six months, it means there will be a performance evaluation within that period and not everyone will pass and most probably including him.
With everything said, he was primarily sent to this school only to obtain a Beast Spirit Essence and become an official 1ST Circle Mage, be kicked out then later serve the military.
Clay is not completely against the idea for as long as he can get to see his family again but since he is taking the path of Mage anyway, he may as well learn more about it.
“Will I be able to replace the Beast Spirit Essence in the future?”
“Yes you can but it will have to wait until you reach 3RD or 4TH Circle. In fact, most of our teacher had already replaced their initial Spirit Essence with a stronger one. In fact, the day of Master’s Trial opening is nearing and if an apprentice doesn’t exchange his initial merit points to a low level Essence, they might get a chance to directly integrate with far stronger Beast Spirit Essence.”
“Thank you for answer my questions.” Clay humbly expressed his gratitude. He wanted to ask about Master’s Trials but he might sound too annoyingly ambitious especially for someone deemed talentless.
“No need to thank me young master. It is part of my duty for the next seven days. You can ask me anything.”
Clay did not know if Dirk is being sincere but it won’t matter as they will part in seven days.
“Is it too late to retract my decision to exchange my Merits for a Beast Spirit Essence?”
“You have seven days to make a decision.” Dirk pause then took out a pamphlet from his pocket and handed it over to Clay. “You have 1,000 initial Merits and that contains list of the common items you can exchange it for. If you notice, you get discounts by using your first 1,000 points. These Merits are like currency used in trading and can be accumulated through missions.”
Clay was impressed with Dirk’s ability to guess his next questions. Worthy indeed from some who had been serving Erindal for generations. Not that he wants to change his decision but he is curious why the bald man wanted them to reconsider.
Clay opened the pamphlet and skimmed through the contents.
Category 1 Beast Spirit Essence: 10,000 Merits (90% discount when using initial Merits)
Hortus Potion: 1000 Merits – 50% chance to breakthrough to 1ST Circle Mage. (100 Merits when using initial Merits and a maximum of three)
Elevated Hortus Potion: 1000 Merits – 50% chance to breakthrough to 2ND Circle Mage. (100 Merits when using initial Merits and a maximum of three)
Minor Healing Potion: 100 Merits (10 when using Initial Merits)
Growth Type Minor Healing Potion: 300 Merits – used by 2ND Circle and below (100 Merits when using initial Merits and a maximum of two)
Tier 1 Elemental Wand: 15 Merits
Tier 2 Elemental Wand: 150 Merits
Tier 3 Elemental Wand: 500 Merits (100 Merits when using initial Merits)
Grade 1 Spatial Ring(12 x 12 x 8): 1000 Merits (90% discount when using initial Merits)
Elementary Spell Book: 100 Merits (90% discount when using initial Merits)
Intermediate Spell Book: 1,000 Merits (90% discount when using initial Merits)
Upon seeing the contents, Clay gave off a serious look. Just looking at the Hortus Potions and Intermediate Spell Book and Tier 3 Elemental Wand is more than enough as starting package.
Having lived near a Spatial Tear for the past 12 months, he already has an idea how strong the monsters being spewed by those unstable Spatial Tears and the strongest he felt was can be subdued using a Tier 2 Elemental Wand.
As he looked at the items on the list, he is beginning to have doubt and may change his mind.
Clay muttered to himself, “Just how rare Beast Spirit Essences are?” Surely he is not the first to consider that using the initial Merits is better.
“Does senior has any idea how the school is able to obtain so much Beast Spirit Essences?” Clay inquired.
“Our school specializes in farming mutated Nivella Worms as Spirit Essences as they are the easiest to grow. Not only are they efficient but they have the least mana consumption.”
“Does that mean there are other types of Beast Spirit Essences?”
“Of course there are but it is almost impossible to find one outside Magi Schools. Even the weakest type of Spirit Essence must live in an environment where mana is in abundance. But, if you are lucky enough, you might have the chance to participate in entering the Master’s Trial. That’s where everyone upgrades their Spirit Essences.”
Clay is in deep thought. During his past life, there exist Essence Flames which can be integrated into one’s cultivation. Similarly, this world has Beast Spirit Essence. He still does not know how different mana cultivation is but one thing is certain. The process of drawing power from his unformed Mana Heart is the same when he exerted force from his dantian during his past life. There are glaring differences but from his observations, mana cultivation shares basic principle with cultivating Spiritual Qi.
“And would you know how long does a magic beast form Spirit Essences?”
“With proper care and sustenance, at least 10 to 20 years, otherwise a beast can live a hundred and would still be a regular beast.”
Clay looked at the pamphlet one more time. He already had already formulated a plan but there is just one problem.
Elemental Armor Set: 500 Merits
Elemental Melee Weapon Set: 500 Merits
Forging Equipment Set: 500 Merits (100 Merits when using initial Merits, Free Materials included)
Basic Inscription Package: 500 Merits (100 Merits when using initial Merits, Free Materials included)
Basic Brewer Package: 500 Merits (100 Merits when using initial Merits, Free Materials included)
Miscellaneous
Personal Residence 1 Year Stay: 100 Merits (4 Years Stay when using initial Merits)
“There you go!” Clay silently exclaimed. His biggest problem is privacy but if he has his own residence, it will not be a problem.
“May I ask this kind sir to accompany me over to the Trading Hall?” Clay made up his mind.
The warm smile on Dirk’s face was replaced with serious look upon hearing Clay’s words. Normally, they would convince new scribes to hold on to their Merit and advise them of the most optimal way to utilize them but knowing Clay has low resistance to foreign mana, he is not against the idea of exchanging merits to a Spirit Essence.
It is true that Clay has a chance to pass promotional assessments and become an official Mage of the school but the truth about Erindal is that they only value Mages who have better chances of upgrading their Beast Essence.
Personally, he would rather have Clay exchange his merits to an Essence and fail but at least Clay would have a fine life in the secular world rather than being treated as a nobody in the future.
“Gladly.” Dirk did not make any further comment and led the way. Suppose he could engage Clay in a serious conversation, would a boy actually be able to take his words to heart? Seeing that Clay will lavishly spend his merits now, he believes that Clay may not even make it after the initial assessment.
Clay silently followed. He did not need to read Dirk’s thoughts to understand that this butler is against the idea of him spending his merits into something else. While he appreciates the concern, he is confident with his actions.
Recalling Kraus instructions, he should find a senior who hailed from Royal Military for assistance but having understood he can nurture his own Beast Spirit Essence, then there is no need to wait six months before joining the ranks of official Mages. He will rather move on his own. Once he obtains strength, he may even go back home himself.
The halls of the school is wide and while it is mesmerizing to walk around the campus, Clay ignored everything until he was brought to an office.
“If you’re not here to trade, please get out.” A grumpy old woman busy looking at a folder and did not even bother looking at her visitors.
“A new batch of Apprentices came today and this young master here wishes to trade his points.”
The wrinkled grandma put the folder down and stared at Clay.
“Give me your tag and tell me what you want.”
Clay took of his necklace and placed it on the table.
“I want a personal residence, 1 Hortus Potion, 3 Grade 1 Spatial Rings, Basic Inscription Package, a Tier 3 Wand-Wind Type, and a Mana Pathway Awakening Potion.”
“The Awakening Potion is free so that will be 700 Merits. Anything else?” The old woman did not have an ounce of hospitality as she spoke.
“I want to know how much would it cost to commission someone to bring me a non-lethal magic beast with a functioning beast core.”
“There are rabbits scattered around the campus. If it doesn’t suit your taste, post a mission. Ten Merits fee to post a mission and minimum of 100 Merits form of reward.”
Clay was dumbfounded when he heard rabbits. To be reminded again of his first beast encounter, he almost laughed just hearing its name.
“May I post a mission to have someone bring me a plant category magic beast? If possible, Fire-Element thriving on water, no poisons and nocturnal. I think that’s all I need.”
“That’s 950 Merits total. Your butler will bring you to your residence and your items will be delivered to you.” After scanning Clay’s tag, the old woman returned back the necklace and said, “Now, if you have nothing else, please excuse yourselves.”
“I thank this senior for her time.”