Chapter 15: Insights of the Martial Path

Uzman slowly came out of the meditative trance. When he stood up, he immediately stumbled by taking a longer stride than he intended. He chuckled. It would take a few hours to acclimatize to the new strength. His body felt stronger, faster, healthier, and very hungry.

He retrieved two rations of Mama's second helpings from Chef Jethro and started eating. ‘Master, I have succeeded, and would like guidance on the training forward.’

‘Already? I am surprised; it takes longer to gather the necessary insights to take the first step into your path.’ Master Khalid answered sounding surprised.

‘What do insights have to do with condensing Chi? Uzman asked confused.

‘The Martial path is about harmonizing your body, mind, and spirit to transcend your natural limits. Your mind through your conscience must be aligned with what your body seeks to achieve. The first bottleneck for many cultivators occurs at the Meridian stage as they cannot bring their bodies into harmony with their aspirations. To break through into the Tempering rank you need to start investigating your need for strength. You must have advanced into this investigation to succeed. This information is not granted to trainees as it would color their reasoning. They are more likely to remain true to their path if they do not realize it is tied to their ascendance.’

‘What about the way to advance in the tempering rank?' Uzman asked curiously.

'The tempering stage is one of pain. You must model your body to be capable of using large quantities of Chi. Your Chi must continue condensing until it is made of crystals. This will allow you to store higher quantities of Chi and improve control. There are two ways to achieve tempering. You can rely on pills but never achieve a perfect temper. Or you can put yourself into situations where you get hurt and heal. In your case, I suggest that you follow a hybrid method of getting injured and using pills. Another important difference for your case is that you will need to awaken your blood. This will drastically increase your regeneration, strength, and control over your elements.’

‘What exactly does awakening blood mean, and why is it different for me?' Uzman snapped. He was annoyed that Master Khalid was keeping information that he considered relevant secret. He did not see how knowing about the need to clarify his path could hinder his growth. In any case, he thought it would hasten his progress.

‘Easy there little dragon- Ahem, see what I did there? I did not want to discuss your heritage this early. However, you have impressed me and I hope what I tell you will not change your resolve. The Dragon Fire Clan was the founding father of all the clans. Seraphiel in her wisdom selected the dragon clan for the gift of wizardly due to dragon blood coursing through your veins. It has been diluted many times over but still provides an unrivaled innate understanding of fire.'

'Seraphiel was looking for the strongest warriors who could stop the domination of demons on this plane. The dragon fire clan was renowned for its fighting skills and will. They had remained free roaming the northlands and culling beast waves and surviving multiple attempts of subjugation by the ruling noble clans. Additionally, some of them manifested blue fire that could cut through everything and was a good counter to the dark demon fire. These were known as true descendants. being a true descendant requires a high degree of strength in the dragon bloodline.'

If a wizard was present they could easily awaken their bloodline granting blue fire to the gifted members of the clan. They would have to journey to the dragon realm and retrieve a vial of a soul-stage dragon. In your case, I have a portal stone that will take you to the dragon realm to awaken your blood. This will be a trial to prove you are worthy of their legacy. If you pass the test, you will be provided with a vial of elder dragon blood which will awaken your latent capabilities. I suggest you undertake this trial after three months of intensive tempering to improve your chances of survival. Only when you transcend the advanced settings of the training golem will you be ready. So work hard.’

Uzman remained silent contemplating this turn of events. He had come to terms with the idea that he was a member of the Dragon Fire Clan. What he had not anticipated was the knowledge that one of his distant ancestors had been an actual dragon. To add insult to injury, he had to undertake a trial to prove his worthiness. He did not mind the trial or the risk. What galled him was that the information had been kept from him. The trials that Uzman had faced had made him introspective. He did not make decisions quickly or rashly. He waited until he had calmed down to talk to Master Khalid.

‘What other information are you keeping from me that may be relevant? Maybe something closer to –You are the descendant of a dragon by the way or, you need to define your aspirations to advance?' Uzman wanted to portray all the annoyance he could master into the book. He felt that he could strangle the book if it would portray his anger at Master Khalid.

‘Pah! The impatience of youth. I will inform you all you need to know when you need to know it. It changes nothing. Your path is at it was. As it has always been for others. Be ready in three months. You will journey to the Dragon plane where your blood will be awakened.

Uzman returned to the Academy angry and flustered. He rationally understood that Master Khalid had lived for many centuries which may skew his perspective about time. Knowing a course of action was rational and accepting it were two different issues.

Uzman arrived to find that he had been evicted from his room in the first cohort. To maintain his room and rank, he had been expected to face challenges weekly. In his absence, 150 points had been deducted for each week of failed challenges. Since he had been gone for two and a half months, he had lost 900 rank points. His current standing was in the fourth cohort. Having ascended to Rank 2, he was not worried about regaining his position in the Academy. Hell, he fancied his chances at winning against Ishraq.

Uzman found Lady Tameria and Kenzo in the training pavilion. The two had become fast friends at the Academy. They were both strong fighters with the same affinity. As a result, they shared most of the classes. Additionally, they were both daughters of political leaders and could thus talk statecraft and cultivation on an equal footing. As Uzman watched, Lady Tameria jumped into a flying crescent kick which was easily evaded. Kenzo responded with a spinning backfist and Lady Tameria escaped using a backflip. The training was more showy than practical.

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For air augmenters, their speed helped with keeping away from each other but such techniques would not work against say, fire or vapor. The dance continued with rapid parries, thrusts, and counterthrusts until they mutually disengaged.

“Hello ladies, looks like you are enjoying yourselves,” Uzman said in greeting. Two sets of eyes turned to look at him.

“The prodigal son returns” Kenzo shouted smiling.

Lady Tameria seemed more reserved in her greeting. “We worried about you.” Lady Tameria admonished. “You are not indestructible, you know. There are people who miss you” The three friends started talking animatedly catching up on events.

Uzman noted that neither of them had managed to advance and remained in the final stage of meridian opening. He remembered the need for insights needed to make a breakthrough but took Master Khalid’s advice to remain silent on the issue. Lady Tameria invited them back to her place for evening tea which they gladly accepted.

Jurdur, Fatima, Lady Vesta, and Vinko joined them in Lady Tameria’s house just as they were starting to take their tea. The sitting room had become a little crowded with 7 students crammed inside.

“Have you heard? They have just announced that the top ten fighters in the half-yearly challenges will be given an opportunity to enter an artificial training dungeon.” Vinko stated excitedly.

“Wait, what is an artificial dungeon and why is this a good opportunity?” Uzman asked.

Every person looked at him as if he had sprouted another head. “It is a training room with different simulated challenges, there are beasts, demons, puzzles, and endurance exercises. You get resources for killing the beasts that can help advance your cultivation.” Lady Vesta answered.

Uzman could understand why such an opportunity could be useful. He needed to challenge himself to grow and temper his body.

“The best part is that you cannot die as the formation transports you out in case of killing blows,” Vinko added.

Uzman mulled about the new revelations. He had not been particularly enthusiastic about the coming tournament as he was not vested in the cohort he was placed in. However, the addition of the dungeon would provide an opportunity to test himself in a low-risk environment. The dungeon run was closely monitored to ensure that students did not die from the injuries inflicted.

Did you fight anything interesting? Uzman was abruptly drawn from his musings by Jurdur nudging him. ‘Ah, ah, what was the question?” “I asked if you fought anything interesting this time” Jurdur replied.

“I almost forgot, I met the most exquisite creature you can imagine. Picture this: Luxuriant black fur that seemed to glow on a seven-foot frame, a golden white mane over a leonine head. 4-inch long nails the color of polished onyx- “Now you are just bragging, there is no such creature” interjected, Vinko.

“I have heard legends of a creature called a grillion that may match that description. It is said that its meat is very expensive and is served as a rare treat and that its fur is used to make robes for nobility. However, they are found far to the east past the demonlands.” Kenzo said looking at lady Tameria.

“What, are you serious? Lady Tameria asked as she studied Uzman face closely. Uzman continued grinning enigmatically, like a magician at a trade fair about to pull a rabbit out of a hat. Uzman sighed indolently as if to appease the curiosity of a pesky child and reached into his pendant and withdrew a small gremlin.

The room exploded into aggravated laughter as the students eyed the ugly creature. Lady Tameria who was sitting next to Uzman punched him lightly on the ribs “You! I almost believed you.” She snorted in indignation her lips curling up in mirth.

“Actually, I will need more space for the grillion; we can go outside on the grass” Uzman stated.

“If this is a prank, we will make you suffer,” Jurdur said ominously as the students trooped outside.

Uzman extracted the grillion placing it on the floor. Even in death, the creature looked majestic. The commotion had attracted other students who came closer to see what the big issue was. All the students were silent as they stared at the magnificent creature.

“What is going on there?” An authoritative voice thundered.” Uzman turned to see Master Jones and the Headmaster striding towards them purposely.” Ah, I have been informed that you had arrived by the matron, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you do not belong to this cohort” “Master Jones said gloatingly looking at Uzman.

The Headmaster did not comment as he was staring at the grillion lying on the grass outside Lady Tameria's house. “It is a long time since I last saw one of these, and in still perfect condition.” The Headmaster exclaimed. “Where the blazes did you students find such a creature?” the Headmaster asked.

The students looked at Uzman. “I killed it in the Rank 2 zone where I have been training.” Uzman stammered.

“That is very reckless of a student in the first rank. But I suppose we cannot expect more from you." Master Jones stated derisively.

The Headmaster stared at Uzman searchingly. “Congratulations, you have beaten the ascension record by a number of days depending on when you reached Rank 2.” All eyes turned back to look at Uzman drawn from the grillion in open-mouth stupefaction. Master Jones looked most surprised, now taking his time to stare at him like a specimen for dissection. “It seems he has ascended, but I still can’t make out his affinity.” He stated in puzzlement.

“I came here to admonish you for neglecting your training; however, it seems I was mistaken. We were mistaken. Your kind of training is paying dividends and our only wish is to raise strong warriors. Ha! At this rate, you may be one of the youngest elemental cultivators by next year.” The Headmaster said happily as if he had been instrumental in Uzman progress.

“The cooks will be very interested in the grillion, I can purchase it on my authority for 5,000 points, or you can take it to the resources store. Both meat and fur are rare resources and will fetch good coin at the market. Make time to see me in the course of the week, I need to hear about how you came about it and your ascension.” The Headmaster stated and then vanished abruptly.

“Do not think your growth in power and good fortune exempts you from following rules. You do not belong to the first cohort anymore. You should go to the third cohort for your room until you win back your place here.” Master Jones stated with finality as he left.

Many of the gathered students congratulated Uzman on his rank achievement. He could feel an underlying thread of jealousy and envy from many of the students. “Rank 2!, I knew I should have followed you,” Jurdur stated, next time you are not leaving me behind.

"You also need someone to watch your back.” Kenzo agreed looking pointedly at Jurdur. “Don’t worry guys, I will share with you the resources from my foraging, I found a lot of herbs and killed many beasts. For now, I need to go to my new cohort as well as take the herbs and animal parts to the resources center. Just before Uzman left, Ishraq approached him. I would like to talk to you sometime and trade pointers when you are available.” He stated formally. Uzman nodded promising to create time for the Zeta noble.

“The vultures have started circling.” Lady Tameria stated icily.

“What do you mean?” Uzman inquired.

It was Kenzo who answered as Lady Tameria just shrugged the question off. “Your rapid advancement through the ranks will attract the noble houses to you. Another reason that the great houses send their scions is to make connections and recruit potential candidates. Once you achieve the elemental cultivation rank, you will automatically receive a nobility charter. You will be required to choose one of the noble houses to be their retainer or pledge yourself to one of the legions of the Imperial army.”