Chapter 16: Children Facing a Tiger with Sticks
Jurdur accompanied Uzman to the resources center to aid him in trading the herbs and animal parts. Similar to the last time, he pestered Uzman about his training in the forest and the many fights with beasts he had faced. This time they did not find Madam Zubiya. When Uzman placed all the herbs and animal parts on the counter, the assistant could not properly evaluate the value of the items asking them to come back when Madam Zubiya was present. Just as they were about to leave, Madam Zubiya came to the resource store panting.
”I am lucky to have caught you. The Headmaster has just informed me that you have a grillion and that I should offer you value.” She exclaimed excitedly. I might decide to purchase it for myself to have a tailor make me a fur coat. Let us see it. She ordered.
Uzman placed all of the items he had brought on the counter again, this time including the grillion.
“Ah! A stellar specimen, there have been speculations that it has gone extinct. You must be very lucky.” Madame Zubiya said as she started cataloging the various items and providing a running total. The entire haul was valued at 7300 points. “Congratulations, you have officially broken the resource value of any student in recent memory. Oh and congratulations again for being the youngest Rank 2 in the Academy.”
The duo exchanged some of the points for an assortment of pills that were available at the resource store. Uzman took several tempering pills and healing pills while Jurdur took an assortment of meridian opening and firming pills for the Northerners.
Uzman went to the fourth cohort rooming enclosure to look for his new house. The matron was very supportive and quickly allocated him the last room in the U-shaped enclosure. The room was comparatively smaller than those in the first cohort. The carpet was dull and the wall trappings were worn out. For some reason, Uzman felt more at home in this ‘meek’ abode as compared to the opulent first cohort rooms. At last, he decided to take a long well-earned sleep. Cultivation and advancement could wait for a day.
Uzman was dragged to a Leadership and Governance class by Lady Tameria the next day. He had enjoyed the few lessons he had attended. Master Elmore was an interesting instructor and his acerbic comments cut through commoners and nobles alike.
“Today I want us to discuss the relationship between the various levels of government and the role of a cultivator. In the last lesson, we determined that Tanga operated on a hierarchical structure where the Imperials sit at the top of the leadership chain followed by the three great houses. The next level of leadership includes the barons that are retainers followed by the minor landed nobles. All of these structures are supported by the strength of cultivators.”
“What makes a cultivator follow the rules of the nobility? To put it into context, suppose strong cultivators banded together and rejected the status quo, how would order be restored?” Master Elmore asked opening the discussion for the lesson.“Prazard, I can see you are raring to answer.”
“The nobility would band together and root out the rogue cultivators”
“Good, anyone wants to expand on the answer? You, next to Tameria, and identify yourself." The instructor pointed directly at Uzman.
“I believe the nobility would band together to protect their shared interests; the interests of keeping others under their heel,” Uzman answered sardonically.
“Correct, but we could do without the disdain or commentary.” Master Elmore retorted in the expected acerbic tone.
“Does this mean that all cultivators are beholden to nobility? In a hypothetical situation, suppose a commoner or Northerner became the strongest cultivator rivaling the guardians of myth. How would they be kept in check?”
This time Ishraq answered. “The strongest cultivators known in Tanga are part of the noble houses at various stages of the Mind Rank. Once a commoner achieves the Third rank they immediately become nobles making the point moot. As for Northerners, it is improbable for them to surpass the entirety of the Tanga nobility. Additionally, it has been proven that the guardians were just a myth.” He stated with authority.
“Would the scholar Ishraq enlighten us on who and how it was proven that guardians were a myth? If so, who created the artifacts that require multiple elements such as the formations keeping beasts confined?” Kenzo asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“All children learn that guardians are myths and stories told to children. Maybe, in the north, they accept myth as fact.” Ishraq answered, evading the crux of the issue.
The class continued in this vein as the Instructor asked leading questions to fuel the debate. At the end of the class, the only outcome was that the students were challenged to confront biases even though no consensus was reached. Uzman thought this was a clever way of teaching by exposing stereotypes and allowing open discourse challenging dogmatic beliefs and stereotypic conditioning.
Uzman accompanied his friends to the first cohort training pavilion as he had promised an exchange of pointers. He also wanted to keep his word to Ishraq. The first sparring session was against Jurdur. Uzman was excited to compare the capabilities of a Rank 1 and 2 cultivator.
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Jurdur moved to attack moving fast with a straight punch aimed at his chest. Uzman augmented himself with earth to mirror Jurdur as it would provide a more appropriate comparison. Uzman easily stepped away from the punch and cuffed Jurdur on the side of the head lightly. Jurdur had been too slow. Even when channeling earth, Uzman could see Jurdu'rs attack as if in slow motion. Jurdur reset his stance and threw a roundhouse kick aimed at his shins. Uzman decided to allow the kick to connect. The kick was a nuisance and felt like a light tap.
“Wait, can you hit harder than that, I want to test something.” Uzman informed Jurdur.
Jurdur stepped back and kicked with all of his earth-empowered strength. The kick connected soundly but still did not bother Uzman much. It seems that his strength had gone up by at least a factor of 10.
“I think this will not work; I don’t think you can hurt me easily unless you have a weapon.” Uzman stated with finality. “ Maybe I can try sparring with the three of you.” Uzman said motioning for Lady Tameria and Kenzo to join Jurdur in the ring.
This time the fight was more interesting but not overly difficult for Uzman. He weaved easily between the attacks from Lady Tameria and Kenzo while keeping Jurdur in his sight. The two ladies were trying to harry him incessantly from the side allowing Jurdur to slip behind him.
Uzman ducked under a kick by Lady Tameria, pivoted sharply, and punched Jurdur who was sneaking behind him. The light punch sent him staggering back. This created an opportunity to turn to the left and block a vicious punch from Kenzo. He held the leading hand, pulled and swept her off her feet.
“Jezub’s horns! It is like you guys are children attacking a tiger with sticks. I can’t wait to advance to Rank 2.” Fatima stated as she watched from the sidelines.
Uzman was surprised by the strength and speed of his body. He moved easily and could predict the attacking patterns of his opponents. He would need to challenge stronger opponents if he was to learn his limits or challenge the entire first cohort. The training session was useful for the other students but did nothing to help Uzman understand his capabilities. He played a defensive role trying to weave and bob through the various attacks. This approach had been necessitated by a stray blow that had clipped the side of Kenzo’s head knocking her out. Uzman had to restrain himself until he was aware of his Rank 2 capabilities.
Ishraq joined the training pavilion as they were about to conclude the session. After taking a few minutes to observe, he decided there was no need to face Uzman at his current strength.
As the tournament neared, Uzman went to meet with the Headmaster as he had been requested. This time, the Headmaster was accompanied by Master Razmin who had been summoned for the meeting.
“Thank you Uzman for agreeing to meet with us. Your progress honors this institution. However, your case is unique as neither myself nor the other Masters seem to identify your affinity conclusively.” The Headmaster stated, phrasing the statement as a question.
“I am an air practitioner primarily, but have some low affinity with other elements,” Uzman answered vaguely. He did not want his ability to wield all elements to be known unless it became absolutely necessary.
“If I may interject briefly, the reason that determining your affinity is necessary is to provide you with an appropriate mentor. As one of our most talented students, the institution would like to offer you specialized training. I hope you can see how this would be problematic without an affinity that can be definitively determined.” Master Razmin added.
“I am honored by your faith in my abilities. However, I find myself growing faster when training in isolation. Like I have stated I am an air practitioner but do not know how to prove it.” Uzman countered.
The Headmaster nodded along with this statement and then asked. “Can you at least tell us about your training routine? It may help us optimize our own methods. A lot of information was lost during the purges and this institution is committed to documenting the different cultivation methods.”
"I was lucky to receive a repelling formation from my family that I use to create a safe zone in a high Chi environment. I think the environment has been the main reason for my advancement.”
“So, how can we help you in your training? The Headmaster asked.
“Actually, there is an issue I wanted to discuss with you. Earlier this week I trained with members of the first cohort. I was too strong for them and I could comfortably handle five of them. As a result, I am wondering what will be the relevance of taking part in the training dungeon selection tournament. Additionally, I do not see how the challenges to determine housing apply to me given my current strength.”
The Headmaster thought for a moment before replying. “I can see how taking part in the selection tournament would be a waste of time. However, we cannot just allow you to be selected on a whim. I propose that you engage in a series of three exhibition fights with second-year students who have recently achieved Rank 2. This will show that you are not being favored.”
Uzman was happy to accept those terms excited to match pointers with worthy opponents. “The last issue I wanted to discuss was the process of paying my Academy fees. I have of late come into some fortuitous events and can afford the fees.”
The Headmaster looked at him strangely, his eyebrows rising to his hairline. “Have you now? I will not delve into your secrets, though you seem to have more than your fair share. The money can be paid to the Academy Steward who collects coins for the institution. If you have no other issues, I will see you at the tournament.” The Headmaster concluded with an arched eyebrow.
When Uzman returned to his new room, he placed the zafu mat on the floor and started meditating. He thought about the nature of the fights in the training pavilion. He tried to focus on his Chi and will it to move it to the surface. Master Khalid had informed him that at Rank 2, he could project his Chi to the surface and create a protective layer. He could force his Chi to flow to the surface but was unable to create a shield.
'Master Khalid, I am having challenges in projecting my Chi to form a shield. I can will it to the surface but it does not coagulate into a shield. Additionally, I am not sure whether I am expected to convert it into an affinity or not.'
'Hmmm, I can see how that would pose a problem. Having command of many elements will make your shield more durable since you can use threading to reinforce it. However, that will require a lot of practice. Since you are telling everybody that you are a wind practitioner, you have to create an air shield. You have to run air Chi through the large surface skin meridian and envision the shape of the shield. It should respond to your will. Gaining mastery involves forcing the elements to obey your will. You need to practice extensively to achieve it. You need to start with exercises of bringing your chi to the surface and converting it to the appropriate affinity quickly. The more this process becomes instinctual the more likely you will succeed.' Master Khalid advised.