Meanwhile, as Allan was doing his stuff, and destroying the stones. Not so far away, Sarey was resting on the ground with her back against the rock which hid her quite well, but not against the figurine of 36 who was watching her.

“Why so grim-looking?” He asked.

“Just because I am. Alan is improving so fast over such small periods of time, yet I can't do anything but support him from behind. It makes me sad, yet glad for his progress.” She said, sighing from time to time as she did so.

“I can tell that, girl. I can't also see a reason why not to become stronger, albeit not so much like him. That is impossible.” 36 said, hiding his mocking tone in a voice of seriousness.

“Then help me.” Sarey looked at him in with watery eyes that seemed forceful, and 36 already knew what was coming next with this girl.

“Yeah. About that, that is true. There are plenty of reasons, yet no one can become strong just because they want. Strengthening yourself to become like an Immortal is hard unless you gain a Spark, and have a talent.”

“I know... You speak so much sense to me already, yet you always speak as if I have a chance myself. Can't I have a Sparkling before even considering the Spark itself? You talked about it so much today, so why can't I have that as well?” Sarey asked, with at least some hope of having less than directly wanting the whole.

“I told that to you both for a reason, since I figured something out already. But for that to occur, it is probably within the reach of the Diary's makers. They are the ones who found out about the Sparkling and I may know some things later, since I lack some other information.”

“Like what?” Sarey asked in curiosity. “What is even a difference between it and regular Spark?”

“Spark is a spark.”

“I know that... A small tingling feeling at first, before becoming something greater. My former teacher told me a lot about it, and I took it deep into my heart ever since that. Is it always the same?”

“Yes, more or less. Spark in itself is like its name. It evolves and starts with a shimmering energy core within the human body, enabling one to start absorbing the energy of the world, space, and the deep universe. As for the Sparkling you asked about, that is a different case, and I already explained it to you once. Sparkling works with the energy already within the human body which could be extended and strengthened with the body forging methods, but by small margins. Even external things may work, but I would have to test and see how it would work. I lack a practical sense of this Sparkling after all. That is one reason I think the makers of this Diary are the ones who know all about it. They should be the utmost experts on the Body, and they came up with this ridiculous thing. I am trying my hardest to understand it, hoping to achieve something more out of it, for the sake of getting to know these secrets.”

“Hardest!? You speak so much sense. Oh my world, don't get hurt or injured with all this hard work, 36.” Sarey said with pity and a clear mockery, having a clear enjoyment in this conversation that led to nowhere.

36 laughed at her words, finding them exaggerated same as hilarious.

“Heheheheh. Sure. You are getting better at this with each passing day.” 36 would of course not fall over her tries.

“Hmph! So much for liking your student more than his helper. Is there a possibility for me to see the rewards you spoke about as well? You seemed hesitant to tell something.” Sarey asked, changing her sitting position to a relaxed one while leaning her head behind her both hands.

“Why are you asking that?” 36 asked, unsure why it would even matter, but soon, an idea popped into his mind. Anything there in the world of the diary could hold some secrets. 36 though, that even Wisher should have some restrictions on himself. They could involve certain secrets of rewards, and tiers of completion of the exams by the definition of The Ones.

As 36 began aware of this, in the past, he also pondered deeply over the exams and the possible future they could hold. Rewards, as well as dangers they held, went over his head, as only the first year was somewhat clear to him. Although, it wasn't enough to make him comfortable with that knowledge. He viewed Allan to have a certain guarantee of passing, but that also depends on the next course of action that will happen tomorrow or the day afterward.

As for the first examination, it was a trial by combat, but not your regular one, which could be manageable by mortals. This was a fundamental pathway for the Immortals, and The Ones weren't cheap, nor easy on the students. Strength, talent, and hard work mattered much more than some morals or common sense of mortals.

“Are you so curious about the rewards because you believe they could help you?” 36 directly asked, figuring the most likely reason she was asking about it.

“They should, won't they? I want to walk by Allan's side. Is it wrong for me to even hope?” Sarey said, pitying herself and her unsuccessful tries and hopes.

“By his side, or beyond him? I could see some possibilities of reaching much further than him since I know much more.”

“Yea. Yea. You talked to me about it already. Something about how immortal families bred their kids between clans to reach a higher level of bloodline or something. The talent of such kids would go beyond the normal sense of even immortal figures.” Sarey recollected the talk she was underway about 5 days ago.

“Yea. It was to make you understand how incredibly ridiculous this all is.”

“Or how little hope we have over our lives as mortals. Thank you for such kind words...” Sarey said sarcastically.

“Righ... Whatever you say. Do you have at least some topic or question you want to talk to me about? I am already getting fed up with this constant state of your wonders and useless worries. Allan long ago disappeared from my field of vision, so we have plenty of time to talk about whatever you want.” 36 said impatiently.

“He is around a corner from you, outside of your vision. Nothing he does, in particular, is impressive.” Sarey said, unbothered by the least impressive sigh one would see. While doing so, she was finding questions she was curious about, and didn't ask them before.

She did see but did not include the sight of Allan destroying a couple of rocks, in one sweep of his glaive. Those were almost at the same mass as the previous ones he tried when 36 was watching. Sarey was not much surprised by it, as the cluelessness of 36 about it was beyond funny to her.

Although, she managed to keep her face straight and rather asked about what she could.

“Alright. Since you already started with little, how about some examples of things that could help me reach a higher strength than Allan?”

“That? Fine... I promised you such talks before, so I won't hold back much.”

“Much? How generous words. Be careful to rest from your hesitant secrets, or you will lose them. Heheheh.” Sarey chucked as she found his words quite untrustworthy, yet there was nothing she could do.

“Is that so? Let me just say it like this. What is even strength to you could be meaningful in a different way in other things. Even considering the demonic pathways which prey on the primal instincts and bodies of others, it is also a path to gain a tremendous strength.”

“I don't want to hear about that.” Sarey straight-up rejected such an example, without even hearing it all. She heard her former teacher Terg talk about them, albeit briefly. It did scare her young mind back when she was younger.

“It is an undeniable fact to see this whole perspective. It is a part of everything, in the same way as any righteous paths of Sparks within the bodies of Immortals are. They could grow stronger because of their usage of training and cultivation. One could start right away upon igniting their Spark. Using certain scrips, scrolls, methods of all kinds, and begin strengthening the Spark towards the next cultivation levels.”

“I know that example of yours, but you never told me more since you think I will tell everything to Allan. You don't want to overwhelm him or something along those lines.”

“Because you would do it in a heartbeat and I want him to focus, unlike yourself, who is full of mania and helplessness. It's a different case.”

“That is true... Continue.” Sarey helplessly agreed, and this time, she didn't even counter him in her own way.

“That is about what I want to tell you. Clues that could help you are not something that I can give you, since you aren't talented enough for power. You should remain in the supporting role if you feel included to remain in this world. If not, forget this after Allan will grow strong enough to not need you. He is my priority, and you know it!” 36 said sternly, telling her the harsh reality. Not telling anything about the cultivation was completely useless to them at the moment.

“There must be a way for it though. I am confident in your ability to not care about it, so that's why I am so stubborn.” Sarey said, and while doing so, get up to walk in front of 36. ”Did you not tell me something about testing someone's Spark, or Sparkling if they have some chance to gain a Spark?”

“I did? I don't remember it. There are some tests... wait. You know I did not tell you about it!” 36 was lost and told something that he wanted to keep to himself.

“There is, so you see? It is not that hard to talk. What is that testing about? Could you do it for me?”

“You... I need to wait for the yearly exam to get such a method of testing. I won't tell you more until then.”

“Then how about pushing the exam to an earlier day? I think within this end of the year, or the early next year would be enough for Allan to get ready.”

“It's not for you to decide that, Sarey. I am unsure of the numbers, dates, and choices available. There may be some answers tomorrow when will Allan get one major hurdle away. The time that will Allan spent in the book will tell us some answers. ”

“What do you mean?”

“I've got communication with the main artifact soul of the Diary. One which is running the whole place.”

“You don't say. You told me about that Wisher or something. What you said is fine, but is this artifact soul trustful? It sounds so suspicious since it's could be in shackles with those creators of this Diary.” Sarey said as he pointed below the figurine. There was a closed, brown leather-covered book.

“It came up recently and he isn't gaining anything from this, so I see no reason for suspicions. Nothing from the Diary can affect the real world as far as I am concerned and I am not telling him shit like you. Even though, I believe there must be some loopholes that I did not find yet. The time could get shorter for me in that case, and with each passing exam, I may regret not rushing. That is the reason that I want to push the exams as well as you do. Do you understand now? This situation is beyond your means, girl. I meant it.” 36 admitted the truth that he was restraining for a long time.

Telling her now wasn't his plan, but it was in the context of the truth, and Sarey was someone he trusted for Allan's sake.

Sarey could understand and work around this truth by herself, but that wasn't 36's worry. Unfortunately for him, she would remain to do the same, hoping to reach her dreams. Whether it was in a hurry or in a more relaxed manner didn't matter to her, so she will continue with what she did so far. But, she did not know how could do that, and that frustrated her in this bitter reality.

“So nothing changes, as I can't change anything myself. Why won't you consider it more the outside of your focused eyes on Allan? I could help tremendously if the energy would awake within me. I could rush alongside Allan's improved progress. Helping him with anything you want. Isn't it also a part of the Acupoint book you gave me? Energy is important for the performer, as well as the receiver.” Sarey tried to reason with him.

It all came to a single fact: she did not want to give up. It was in her nature to remain stubborn and nothing would change that. Even a disagreement or straight NO to her will do that.

“You are stubborn as always, but you talk at least stubbornly and with honesty. That's like, unlike the forceful lot I knew in the past. I will see what can I do and will consider asking The Wisher about viewing your case. If that will shut your attempts, that is.”

“If that's so, I may thank you in the end, as you would also gain a lot with that. If that's it, I guess that is the end of our conversation?”

“Time is ticking behind me... Let me leave, and figure out how to change your own approach to this discussion. It's getting boring, and you talk of nothing meaningful. Both for me and yourself.”

“And you should try harder, you stubborn wooden fool.” She said with a little hopeful seedling in her heart and shooed 36 away. She wasn't happy or disappointed with this conversation, so she put away her hood, revealing her luscious hair. Stretching a little, she will probably do some exercises today to feel her progress.

There was no need to frown or curse at her fate because she planned to go straight against it, forcing her past the limitations, if that will be even possible.

She would start doing the whole processing of the exercises, trying this new training that Allan did for so long. She would remain to do the spars against Zigmund and force herself to learn much more than ever before. A new spark was beginning in her life, and she would grab it without hesitation.

Sarey glanced around hopelessly. Those stones around her were like the toughest wall before her path. There was no way for her to break through even the smallest rock. Not without the use of weapons, that is.

She could also see Allan pushing and cracking those rocks with little trouble, yet pain, blood, and hard work were in his face. This led her to believe there could be a change, even for someone like her, and Allan wasn't all that different from her. It was the course of life, a talent that was relentlessly honest and sometimes harsh on oneself.

There was a truth and false in such views. Working hard was not always an optimal way in the harsh world of Immortals. Sarey learned the small or vast shortcuts some of the beings in great power possessed. It was part of 36 words today. The materials, filled with rich and abundant sources of energy could strengthen the Immortal's choices and powers. They would be found almost anywhere in the vast cosmos, even in her world, to a certain extent. Be it the part of some old planet, or the destruction of celestial bodies, the energy was unlimited, and one entity which ruled the world of Immortals.

Though, the further the power and cultivating went, it would be harder to require such material. Some could be naturally mined, and their rarity and value were quite obvious.

Such recourses could be used in the corresponding ways within immortal techniques and cultivation. They usually had the look of crystal clear stones in many shapes and forms. They were usually the size of a palm, while the smaller they become, the denser the energy would be, with higher quality and rarity.

One could improve their Spark at the very beginning of their immortal path, and it was a common fact. Unfortunately, such things were meaningless unless you already awakened Spark.

That was the current problem Sarey had and the reason she was always so upset, yet hopeful.

She knew from 36's words that with such recourses, one could start to process the energy quirky, but it had small disadvantages. It was a brief mention. A little one from her former teacher, Terg. If someone tried to force their way with the power and rushed things up, they would implode, or at the best, significantly damage their core and body.

From today's conversation, she put two things together and formed a brand new meaning.

It wasn't a lot, but she appreciated this knowledge. After all, such materials may be included in that pile of treasures hiding in the forest. It was still a big secret, including even Zigmund, and his words to not talk about it under any circumstances. Since Allan didn't know it, there was no need to include him in that.

Though, there may be a time, in not so far future, where will Sarey consider telling it. Maybe it will be the greediness within her, or a hopeful twist of fate will force her to talk about it with Allan, or 36.

Sarey watched him for a couple of minutes from afar with her head filled with all kinds of thoughts. He was forcing himself through the obstacles before him, striking the rocks in all sorts of stances. Fists, knees, and elbows bled, revealing the regenerative power that only he possessed. He figured out a lot thanks to this power that was anything mortal would have.

It was a variable, and even 36 was still hesitant to consider anything with that. Hell, he wasn't even willing to experiment with it, since it involved the Soul-Fire, which may kill Allan if it would destabilize with some experiments.

Still, this power within his veins wasn't something bad, and Sarey was also of that opinion. Maybe, one day, he will learn more about it.

At this point, his injuries could go from a couple of minutes to a few dozen, depending on Allan and his force on them. Regeneration wasn't finite, and there weren't many improvements with the amount of this and the damages he caused.

He stopped after a while, resting against the rock on the ground while caressing his fingers, and felt his body.