Faron looked at his new evaluation and saw that his new Tutorial score was a B+ he was shocked. he was hoping to get into C+ to B- territory. Now that his Protocol tutorial level was at a B+ he was sure he could get it to A in the future. But that also meant he had to deal with the other stages that would increase in difficulty. He had 8 more tutorial stages left until his powers and items could be brought out to the real world. Until then he just had to keep his head down. He knew some countries would try and poach him if his information got out even though the entire world was united to grow stronger that did not mean that all internal conflict was done. Rumors he had heard around from HQ from other people were that countries were waging secret wars over locations they felt had tactical importance If a possible invasion happened. From what he gleaned from Marzan, there wasn't much conflict. When he achieved a B- or Legend Rank then he would be allowed to go to the Main Branch Headquarters and start over there. That's when the big leagues started. Shaking his head as if to dispel all the thoughts that were crowding his mind. Faron sat down on the burnt ground and waited for the countdown to finish.
With a blinding Flash Faron found himself waking up in his bed. His wounds healed thanks to the tutorial treating noobs fairly. He got relaxed on his bed for a while eventually going about his morning routine.
When Faron got to HQ and saw Jessie he pulled her aside and asked if he could speak to Ascendant Marzan to go over something they discussed privately before. She pushed for more information out of curiosity but eventually gave up on it. She called her father and 10 minutes later he was at the door smoking his pipe waiting for the class to be over. Faron had gone to leave during class but he shooed him back and just watched. With an Ascendant watching the entire class was more active. Jessie kicked everything up to 11. The other students after realizing what was going on also worked their hearts out. Faron and Ash were the only ones that seemed to be trying hard simply to better themselves while others wanted to make a good impression on Marzan. Classes finished with everyone on the ground breathing heavily as a small robot brought water to all. Marzan walked in and beckoned Faron, Ash, and Jessie over. But before they left, he talked to the students for a few moments. His inspirational words were simple but meaningful.
"Hello sweetie, How has training your daughter been also this troublemaker?" Marzan walked over and like his daughter was still a child ruffled her hair much to her dismay. She knew he was doing this to tease her in front of her students.
"It's going well, dad. Though I think I see why you put Ash in my class. training your kid is tiring. I get the lesson. As far as Faron goes. He is still behind most of the class. But his improvement is extraordinary. I am not sure whether to attribute that to his drive or the protocol. either way, in terms of potential I think he is the third-best student in this bunch. After Trent and Ash." Jessie did not hide anything or care about saying these things openly to Faron. She knew her father, if this was simply business he would not have called her and Ash over if he didn't like Faron. Somehow he came to appreciate this kid. She couldn't figure out why. Her best guess was his drive. But lots of people had driven in her class. Her face scrunched up while thinking when she saw her father give her a sly grin.
"How could my granddaughter be losing to someone in her class? You will have to redouble your efforts, Ash. Don't let grampa down. I won't bring any more of your Gramma sweets secretly to you if you keep lagging." With a little thump sound, Faron and Marzan saw Jessie lightly kick Ash's butt. Laughter soon broke out from Marzan's lips and the rest followed.
"Ok, Faron. I see you called me down. it must be regarding our last discussion. Daughter, Bring Faron to get his basic testing done again. Don't let any of those lab workers see what is going on. Ash, I want you and Faron to start practicing together more. I want you two to be at the top of the class. There is a tournament coming up in 2 months for first-year entries to the protocol that have not surpassed the C+ rank. I have 5 entries, I am hoping to give you both one. But I already have 2 given out to people that came in a bit ago and are on the cusp of B- rank." Marzan exhaled a deep mouthful of smoke that shrouded the four of them as they made their way to the testing area. After a couple of hours, the test was complete.
Jessie, Ash, and Marzan were stunned. B+ from C- in only 7 days. This is some of the fastest climbing in the entire history of the protocol. Not just Here at this branch. There was an innate knowledge that records in the Tutorial didn't mean much. However, this was just too much. He was a freak. As they looked alarmed Faron still knew the truth that in the broader world, according to the "Azure Flame King," He was still a toddler finding his steps. Marzan got on his computer and quickly made Faron's information completely classified even to other Ascendants. Only Sages and above could read it now. After the group talked a bit Faron discussed what he had done with his time—exaggerating a bit telling them that he had gone in every single day. Not counting the three days he was allowed respite thanks to The Azure Flame King.
Marzan took Ash and Faron to a location about 15min away from HQ. A small building that had soldiers guarding it. When he arrived they didn't say a word and Allowed the three of them to enter. Marzan disappeared for about 20 minutes shortly after telling the two to wait for him.
"Faron, how are you doing it? I was given a B+ ranking on my tutorial and grampa told me since it was high enough I should get it to A. I am on level 8 of the tutorial now and don't know if I will be able to climb up in time to make it worthwhile." Ash seemed to be struggling with asking for help as they sat there in what felt like a sterilized hospital room waiting for Marzan's return.
Faron thought about telling Ash about what was going on, He wanted to repay this family that had looked out for him since he arrived. But thought better than to bring up anything related to the Azure Flame King. So he made up a simple story about how when he first entered the tutorial he went exploring and found some writing near a goblin shaman cave. It had details on the tutorial that he was lucky enough to find. He also gave her the route to move her energy when meditating which was similar enough to the "Dragon Who Crawled Through the Mud, Soars into the Heavens" which lets him train in the real world before finishing the tutorial. With a shocked look, she tried it and felt her body starting to heat up from gathering energy. It was much purer here than in the tutorial. She recalled her mother telling her that training in the real world would yield much higher results for some reason. She profusely thanked Faron, promising to bring him out to a meal sometime as thanks.
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"Faron. What you have just told my granddaughter. Never repeat until you are at least a Sage. It is good that I heard the end of your conversation when I did. Ash, you are forbidden from ever talking about this to anyone. This is not your grandfather talking. But the Head of the Headquarters issued a decree for the Main branch Headquarters up north. Faron, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping my Ash, But you have incredibly valuable knowledge. You would be casually killed for it. So would she."
Faron paled at the thought he didn't think there would be such ramifications for giving out the unfinished meditation technique that could only help in the tutorial. But when he sat down and thought about it he realized that this was something that would help any and everyone that did it outside of the tutorial. It was a shortcut that presumably no one else had. Ash and Faron both nodded their head. not uttering a word. Marzan winked at Faron and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry so much boy. You will be fine."
He gave both of them a small metallic identification card and lead them to a back room. There were 12 doors here and Marzan lead them to the one that read "4". The inside of the room what pure white. Bright lights were above and there was a camera that could see every single angle of the room. Closing the door behind them Marzan pushed a button without saying a word.
Ash and Faron both fell to their faces. With no time to brace their bodies gained a tremendous force pushing down on them.
"This is a special gravity room. We have rooms here that go from 2-10 times gravity. In here you will temper your minds and your bodies. You will train in here until I say that you have passed. When you do we will go to the next room. You are receiving special training that most families would bankrupt themselves to get a student into. don't let me down."
Ash managed to get to her feet first followed a few minutes later by Faron. They started with simple walking. Each step was harder than the last. They were left in here for four hours before Marzan let them out.
"Ok, Not bad. You will report here every day after training. When you two can exchange 10 blows at normal speed in a spar I will elevate you to the next room. Also Faron I received this while you were training please sign it."
Faron looked over the contract and saw that while his pay didn't increase There was a special clause in his contract now that stated that The orphanage he grew up in would get $12,500 a month. If he made it to A ranked Tutorial it would go to $50,000 a month. There was also a special reward for Faron. A State of the art house valued at over $15,000,000, Should he achieve an A Rank in the tutorial, complete it and finish in the top 5 at the tournament. With other rewards as of yet to be determined if he placed higher. Faron bowed his head and quickly signed without hesitation. For his family, he would do anything.
Marzan took the contract and had it printed for both of them as records as well as it is in their system. Ash seemed uninterested in this deal. Probably having gotten one of her own. They finished up their business and went outside. Two drivers were waiting and David was one of them. Marzan stopped at the cars and gestured for David to come over.
"Faron, I had people look into your mode of transportation and saw that you are not one to drive yourself, whatever the reason would be. We have officially hired the Driver that you have contacted on a few separate occasions now and elevated him to a personal driver. He got a significant bump in pay and you do not need to tip him. But he will be available 24/7 just for you." David had a look of extreme gratitude when Faron saw him and they both thanked Ascendant Marzan. Ash and Marzan got into their car and went off in the direction of the Headquarters.
"Holy hell kid. I don't know what lucky thing I did but thank you. You have made my life significantly better. Here is my number, Lose the business one. whenever you need or want a ride let me know. Rain or shine. my wife will be ecstatic when she finds out." David did not stop smiling the entire ride back to the Orphanage.
"Faron I can help you when it comes time to move as well. Just give me a heads-up so I can get some friends to help. All they will want is food and beer." With thanks. David drove away.
Faron went in and slumped over on his bed. When he felt a tug at his consciousness. before he could sit upright. He found himself in his Mental realm standing before "The Azure Flame King"
"Faron, The training you have done in that room is quite adequate. Your body is starting to change. You see. Every species in the cosmos has a "Species score" that ranks one's body on a scale of 1-100. It is innate. It does not indicate strength so much as it would indicate your quality. A higher score is better. But in the vast infinite space out there it is also the most difficult thing to raise. it's torturous. The treasures that can help you refine your body also cost more than some Rulers would pay for a planet. One can't raise their species to score otherwise...However. This King has decided to impart this gift to you. My master gave it to me long before your planet was born. It was why I was hunted. Now that you have taken your first minor step. Do not let it be said that I am greedy. The average human from what I can tell has a score of 8 too 9. The Universal Basic is 25. So roughly you are three times weaker than someone with the same Protocol score as you."
Faron felt like after all of this time talking with his master, there were no longer surprises. While this did shock him he was not stunned. Faron reached out and touched the small flame that was drifting towards him. The pain was worse than anything he could imagine. Before he passed out he felt as if every cell of his body was being stabbed by a molten needle.
What no one could see, Was that inside of Faron's body. The marrow of his bones was turning into a deep azure blue.
"Do not let me down, child. Climb higher and higher. Let this King see how you will deny fate with this gift"