"Now students, last question before we end today’s lesson, who here has not heard of Cultivation?" Asked a tall man with balding hairline while holding a big ruler in his right hand.
Silence permeated through the classroom. Thirty kids that were laughing and playing around were now sitting in their place, listening intently while some exchanged looks of confusion.
"Umm” Hesitated one of the little girls “We do not know ,Mr.Algous.”
Noting down mentally the loudest troublemakers in today’s class, he started “There is no definitive answer yet what exactly is the end goal of cultivation, but the process alone is very important to today’s society. “
He paused for a bit looking around at the somewhat dumb future of this land and continued “Everyone knows there is sun, moon, wind, rain and fire. A strong cultivator has control of those aspects and can change the day into night, call the wind and summon the rain, disperse the fire with a wave of his hand and so on.”
The kids started gasping audibly one by one.
The teacher continued “When they reach a certain plateau, commanding the elements is the least I can actually describe them with.”
At this point, the kids started to react - mostly staring unbelievingly at their teacher or in shock.
Some had clenched their teeth from excitement and other few were in a daze.
“You might know from your parents, that tomorrow is a special day. All of you will undergo awakening and have your potential and future prospects evaluated by a special existence -The Four Winds Sect’s envoy. “
He paused, looking sharply around at every single kid, in vain effort to make them understand how important was what he is about to say.
”You might become a cultivator. Your future can be shaped by a few of his words. It is an opportunity you have to grasp.”
Twelve rhythmic chimes from a bell resounded from a far. Taking a look through the windows, the teacher let the kids go “Class is over and don’t drink any elixirs before tomorrow’s examination is completed.”
The class cheered happily in unison and started getting out of the classroom one by one. Only a single kid was left in the back, reading a picture book.
He was so focused at the book, that he did not hear any of what his teacher said earlier at all.
Without hurry, Mr.Algous packed his books and cleared out his tools and then circled at the back of that kid.
Thinking about it, this kid is much like his classmates- a ten-year old kid, full of energy and empty dreams. Only differences being where he puts his energy, his crumpled clothes and lack of uniform showed that he was here by the grace of someone else.
Looking at him being dazed by the two-page spread depiction of Mountains and Rivers, he smiled.
“David, it’s about time you understand your position. Everyone here has someone pay their tuition. Except you.” He said while placing his left arm on the book tightly and quickly yanking it away from his student hands.
“I-I know principal Algous.” Stammered David “That’s why I give everything I can to surpass them”
He kept looking at the book, until it was put away. Then he turned around and realized, only he was left in the classroom with his teacher.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
With a sudden harsh tone that could rend steel in half, Mr. Algous turned over to David “Our little bargain comes to a close tomorrow. Don’t think about running away from it, David.”
David’s mind jolted and his legs turned soft in his seat “I know teacher, I will prove it to you my efforts weren’t for naught.”
“Good, then let’s quickly recap the most important bits you have learned so far. I don’t want to be the laughing stock a long side you tomorrow.” He says while going towards the wipeable board at the front of the classroom.
Picking the chalk, he starts to rapidly write questions one after the other.
“What is the name of the world we reside in?”
“Why is it named such?”
“Where are we located?”
“Who lords over this land?”
“What is Awakening ceremony?”
“What is Cultivation?”
“What are the main directions of cultivation? Is the Awakening ceremony related to that?”
The scratching sounds from the chalk were echoing through the near-empty classroom. They were not stopping.
“Who is the progenitor of Human Cultivation?”
“What are stages in Cultivation? How many are known?”
At this point, he let out a half-smile as he thought about that smartass behind him and added the last question.
“What is a Divine art?”
Putting back the chalk to its place, he turns around to take a look at the gawking face of little David, then he walks to his own chair and sits there. “You have 10 minutes to verbally answer all of them correctly. Especially the last one. No buts.”
Hearing that statement, David groaned, for he knew what would happen to his hands when The Great Ruler would be applied by his strict teacher for any wrong answer.
Thinking a bit about every question, he turned a bit to feel more comfortable, focused on the left half – ear of his teacher and he brought the confidence from his heart to his mouth.
“We live in the Eight Extremities World. The name comes from the combined threat of all Dead zones located at each of Mankind’s furthest borders. The main directions of cultivation for us, can also be said to be known as the method of Eight Extremities.”
Taking a deep breath and organizing his thoughts, he continued reciting from memory “We are located on the Igal island, on the southern periphery of the Raging ocean, which completely surrounds and locks the land of Central Plains.”
He was getting more and more calm as he continued with the answers “Our territory is under the influence of The Four Winds sect, known as being strong Hegemon and impartial towards both good and evil, only acting out based on external threats or the change of the world.”
He paused for a bit and continued “The Awakening ceremony calls upon the natural force of the world, manifesting the gifts present in every human differently. The results can be influenced by the will of the one who conducts the ceremony and the one who is experiencing it”
“Cultivation is the practice of surpassing the limits on your Self. The zealots claim it’s to serve under God, while Heretics say the goal of Cultivation itself is to become a God.
Regardless the goal, it begins the same way - by accumulating different virtues in your body, building the foundation and starting to walk on your own path”
At this moment David stopped talking and took a textbook out of his small backpack and started turning the pages until he found what he wanted. His finger moved slowly as he carefully read aloud each word on the page “The Four Astral directions: Soul, Mind, Consciousness, Spirit. The Four Heavenly directions: Essence, Body, Presence, Will.”
He lifted his vision from the textbook and again faced Mr.Algous “The Awakening ceremony is a formation catalyst to erupt and form a virtue coming from the strongest natural strength present in the one being Awakaned.”
His eyes radiated a zealous look, as he began narrating what little was known about the next question “The Progenitor, the Sovereign of Primordial Beginnings is said to have created Cultivation itself. Not just the method of advancing as a human, but the methods of all other races are derived from his cultivation path.”
“It is accepted that the major stages of cultivation are clearly divided into 9 stages, depending on the system you use, methods and names differ with each other.” At this point his momentum stopped and started again to ponder about the last question. His focus went from behind the Teacher’s half-ear to staring at the ceiling.
It wasn’t like it was the first time he was asked this question. He just had no idea how to respond to that.
“This old fox again with this question. Worst case, he beats my hands blue and lets me go, best case I give him a random satisfactory answer and skip on the punishment” Thought David. His hands were fidgeting, trying to calm himself.
“Young David, if you wish to enter the world of cultivation, you need to hide what you think more thoroughly.” Algous said while cracking his fingers. The sound of it send cold sweat over David’s back.
The principal picked up The Great Ruler, the biggest nightmare of all the kids in this little town and started walking slowly over David’s location.