82nd of Season of Air, 57th year of the 32nd cycle

“Newstar, we are beyond the point where you can just say you owe me another favor, and I will not reveal a secret like that to you, nor anyone else, without getting something of equal or greater value in return.”

Newt nodded. He had asked Dandelion for advice on how to keep using fire-aligned spiritual energy for longer periods of time. He had changed his approach, asking humbly, the way Dandelion asked Elder Frostgrave, but the man still refused.

There was only one secret Newt knew that was valuable enough to set the slate clean, but he did not know whether he should share it. Or even how to do so safely. Elder Frostgrave could be listening into their conversation.

What if I mouth it without saying the words? Will that help?

“Senior, watch this.”

‘I know of the location of a tenth realm core.’ Newt’s lips moved without making a sound.

‘Never speak of that again.’ Dandelion mouthed back immediately, and Newt’s blood went cold. The man knew. There was no delay, no shock, no hesitation. Newt was certain Dandelion knew of his greatest secret, but remained quiet about it, and did not eliminate him to make sure the magma dragon’s core remained a secret. He knew right from the start.

‘Your information is valuable,’ Dandelion continued mouthing, ‘and it is prudent you shared it like this, even though I believe nobody is listening and this inn guarantees privacy. But you should never tell anyone about this ever again. A tenth realm core is a calamity. Even the grand sects would do whatever is necessary to acquire one.’

‘But I didn’t even mention its location?’

‘It is in the mine you worked in, obviously. The information you just shared is priceless and worthless at the same time. Keep it to yourself, otherwise you might wake up dead one day.’

Dandelion wiped his face with his palm, shaking his head.

“Fine, I will explain. I will also teach you how to use the spear and the sword, but you need a heavier spear than what you have currently.”

Newt should have been elated. He was not. Something about Dandelion’s gestures put him off. He agreed too easily.

Maybe I just expected more of an argument? Or maybe that he wouldn’t trust me?

“My method is useless for everyone who does not cultivate all elements.” The disappointing words crashed on Newt like a mountain of rocks, but Dandelion kept talking despite Newt’s defeated face as they exchanged invaluable, worthless information.

“I have made runic arrays which convert one type of energy into another. I have a full cycle, and I can just stop it when the energy is in the state I need, and draw that energy into my body.” Newt hardly listened to Dandelion when a single overly stressed word grabbed his attention again. “But, before I developed that solution, I relied on a crutch, which could prove useful to you.”

Newt once more focused, waiting for Dandelion to continue.

“I made reservoirs of specific energies I used the most and drew the energy from them when I needed it. I can teach you the runic configurations which will make such zones in your spiritual realm.” Dandelion scratched his stubble, looking into the distance. “That said, I still have no clue how to evaluate your favor. The weapon training I mentioned will last one week, until you leave. Whenever I am not busy with Elder Frostgrave, I will do what I can to guide you and help you improve.”

Newt frowned.

“Don’t you mean until we leave?”

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Dandelion shook his head. “I am staying another week to help Swiftbeak, then I will head deeper into the empire. I plan to settle in Glory City, the seventeenth prince’s city.”

“You won’t join a sect?” Newt was certain Dandelion’s plan was to enter a larger sect and grow, but apparently that plan had changed.

“No. I will remain a wandering cultivator until I reach the sixth realm. We might never meet again, but if we do, I hope we remain friends?” Dandelion spoke without hesitation.

“But why? Didn’t you say joining a large sect is safer?” Newt struggled to understand the sudden and massive change in Dandelion’s plan.

Am I making a mistake?

“It is. For someone like you, it is a place to grow and learn from a mentor. You can learn how to properly use books and many other fundamental tricks, which you lack. But my method is different. I read, and through practice I mold the theoretical knowledge into something which suits me. It will be a great path for you too, one day, when you have enough experience. I said you are a genius, and I mean it, you are much better at this than I am. My only advantage is time and experience. Without those, I would not have even considered restarting my cultivation, and I would have been a mediocrity. In a sense, I have you to thank for all of this.”

Newt had no idea what Dandelion was talking about.

What do I have to do with you gambling with your life and starting over?

Even though Newt did not have the answer to that question, Dandelion seemed sincere enough, and he kept his secret all this time, waiting for him to share it first.

“Thank you, Senior. Is that why you were willing to do all those favors for me?”

“In part,” Dandelion admitted. “In part, it is because I wish to be your friend and ally, if you would have me.”

Dandelion reached out with his hand. Newt stared at it for a moment, before taking it.

“Gladly.” He smiled, finally understanding that he had made a true friend.

A week passed in a flash. True to his word, Dandelion taught Newt with sword and spear, and even borrowed a heavy glaive, which Newt found much more to his liking than the slender spear of his clan.

While his friend was busy, Newt read books in the Formation Scribes’ Guild, deepening his understanding of runes and runic arrays Dandelion had suggested he should use to cultivate his third realm.

But like all good times, it had come to an end.

The seven of them stood at the Thunder Ridge’s eastern gate. Elder Frostgrave looked at Dandelion with appreciation, Everlast and Puresnow with a mix of emotions Newt could not name, while the two other disciples seemed puzzled both by their master’s expression and those of their fellow students.

Dandelion gave a half-bow. “Senior, thank you for everything.”

“You have also given me a lot to think about,” Frostgrave’s smile turned flirtatious. “My offer still stands, if you wish to join my harem, my door is always open to you.”

“Thank you for that as well, Senior.” Dandelion kept a straight face, while Newt and Elder Frostgrave’s disciples turned away, their faces burning, wild thoughts and images galloping through their minds.

“Everlast, Puresnow, take care,” Dandelion continued as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. “I hope our paths cross again, and that we get to go on another interesting mission in the future.

“Newstar,” Newt kept his gaze down. For some reason, his relationship with Dandelion had transformed into something he could not describe. He knew the spark which started it was when he admitted about the tenth realm core, but he did not understand what had changed. Was it him or Dandelion or both?

While he was staring at the surprisingly clean cobbles, massive bear-like arms wrapped themselves around him, and Dandelion drew him into a hug.

“Survive all the troubles heading your way. Crush them all.”

Newt felt tears welling up. He had not cried when he left his clan, but parting with Dandelion…

“Aren’t you supposed to tell him to stay out of trouble?” Elder Frostgrave ruined the moment, and Dandelion released Newt.

“He is seventeen, heading into a big sect, with nobody to guard his back.” Dandelion tousled Newt’s hair, and somehow it reminded him of the way his father used to do it. “Kill them dead if you need to.”

Newt finally looked up, and met the gaze of a man bigger than life, his white teeth shining in the sun.

“Stay safe until we meet again. All right?”

Newt nodded, and Dandelion turned around, heading back into the city.

Newt bit his lip. He hesitated, then shouted.

“Senior!”

Dandelion turned around, and Newt regretted calling out to him. Shouting in the middle of the street was so embarrassing.

“You stay safe too! We need to compare notes when we reach a higher realm.”

It was a stupid thing to say. Newt was certain of it, but he did not know what else to say. He could not say how much he bonded with the man in such a short period of time. Dandelion was a big brother, a father figure, a solid rock he could rely on, wreathed in a halo of inhuman charisma.

“Sure thing, kiddo.” Dandelion laughed and left.