He slowly got up and went to the room where Rhyyth was resting and recovering. The family doctor had come and given him some medicines that would help hasten his recovery. After almost a week all of his injuries were nearly healed all the way. He was still unconscious but that was because Naath had stealthily used his soul arts to make Rhyyth unable to wake up until his injuries healed. While it was clear that he could handle the pain of his injuries, Naath did this as a way to repay him for what he did. Now that he saw that his injuries were almost completely healed he withdrew the wisp of soul energy keeping Rhyyth asleep. The wisp of soul energy when brought into Naaths central soul was quickly taken in by the true void tree and refined but Naath didn't even notice it happen.
Once the energy was recalled Rhyyth quickly woke up and seemed confused about his surroundings. The ceiling did not look like his homes or like the hospitals, it was completely unfamiliar to him. He looked around trying to get a sense of where he was and spotted Naath. He tried to sit up quickly but found himself gasping for air as a result, the pain from his severe injuries lingering ever so slightly. However he persisted and cupped his fist to Naath saying.
“Ah young master, where am I? Did those three harm you too badly? What happened?”
Naath smiled and said “The three from the library? They won't be bothering anyone anytime soon, the librarian showed up and dealt justice fairly. They didn't even harm a single hair on my head, so I took you to my family's home to recover as thanks for your act of kindness. However I feel that this doesn't quite cover it, can you tell me your name and family status? I'd like to help you out in any way that I can.”
Rhyyth’s face scrunched up awkwardly and he looked down slightly gripping the blanket over the top of him. He told Naath.
“My family is long gone, they abandoned me here in this country, they are actually from the Crest mountain country. My aptitudes were poor and I had trouble reading, my family was a large and prestigious one, they considered me a stain on the family name and left me here when I was 8. Two years later after scraping by and barely surviving by doing odd jobs here and there I through a stroke of good fortune met my master who has since passed on. He taught me a cultivation method that relies on knowledge, the more deeply I can understand how an element works and why it works like that, or even its nature and structure, the greater my cultivation in this area would be. I just started cultivating a year ago but 3 months ago my master was poisoned by a magical scorpion beast.
The cost of the cure was far too great and we couldn't afford it, my master in his last moments left me everything he had. I needed to pay for basic things like food and books so I took some odd jobs until I met those three snobbish nobles. They liked having me around because I could help them cheat on exams and things and they would order me around a lot, treating me almost like a slave. I followed them and grit my teeth because they let me into the library where only nobles normally could go and I need the knowledge in order to cultivate. They also paid me reasonably well so I could support myself. This went on for about three months until they saw you in the library and wanted to throw you out. This went against my principles so I initially wanted to just walk out of the library.
My instincts though, the one thing I've always relied on and have never failed me screamed at me to turn around and assist you, young master. The only other time my instinct responded so greatly was when I acted in the event that led to me meeting my master. I know it was stupid and I came pretty close to death, but I trust my instinct above all else! Long story short I have no family, and I only have an inherited hut outside of the city from my departed master.”
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Naath paused for a moment in contemplation thinking of the various ways he could help Rhyyth. After a few minutes he finalized a few ideas in his head and spoke up.
“Well then considering all of that I guess I will make you an offer to repay your kind deeds. Firstly You are welcome to stay at this estate. We have plenty of extra rooms, just pick one out and stay here. Secondly you can be hired as staff for the family, hell, you could be our librarian. If you accept either or both of these offers you will naturally be considered as my brother. I will also be teaching you things that I can confidently say nobody on this little planet knows about even remotely. You can name nearly any element or any force or fundamental of reality and I can give you what to me is a basic introduction.
This basic introduction on this world however may well seem revolutionary to all of you. In any case, you can accept these offers because you did your absolute best in order to protect me and stand by your principles. You are a trustworthy person and I more than welcome you to become a part of the Zhu family household.”
Rhyyth paused for a moment as this offer seemed too good to be true, then Naaths family name registered. He felt like he was suddenly in a daze, the Zhu family was one of the big 12 families and had recently gotten very close to the country's royalty somehow. It was a family that nobody dared to offend, but nobody ever did either, the Zhu family people were known for being kind and upstanding. They helped those that needed it whenever they saw people in need. In fact the Zhu family reputation in the city was almost like that of saints. Now having experienced Naath’s generosity Rhyyth couldn't help but be stunned that this big family that's even close with the royal family really was this generous. He cupped his fists and said.
“Young master, I accept your offers! I will gladly stay and work for the Zhu family household!”
Naath chuckled lightly and said “Good, but don't call me young master, it sounds stuffy. We are both around the same age, just call me Naath instead. Speaking of which, what is your name?”
Rhyyth felt an urge to slap himself for forgetting even a basic introduction. He quickly spat out his name and thanked Naath for his kindness again. The two then talked about the various duties that Rhyyth would be tending to. Not only would he be the librarian, Naath would teach him various things and he was to write them down and store them in the family's library. He would be paid well and able to support himself easily, the Zhu family would provide him with food, work and shelter. Naath would personally teach him things so that he could use his mysterious cultivation art to progress. This was a dream come true for him!
Naath told Rhyyth to rest and then said he had a meeting to attend to and walked out of the room. Naath then made his way down to the family dining area and called for a family meeting. Once everyone was gathered he sat down in his usual seat only to be stopped by his father. He told Naath to sit in the head seat at the table because he was the one who had called the meeting and he had more than earned it this once. Naath felt an overwhelming feeling of joy when this happened and truly felt like he was home. Once he took his seat and everyone congratulated him he started the meeting officially saying.
“You guys are probably wondering why I asked everyone to come here right? Well, I’ve decided to let the family know a few things. First though I need to put up a formation to ensure none of this gets out past these walls. Excuse me everyone and try not to look directly at my soul energy as it forms the formation. My cultivation art is rather unique and my soul is as well.”
With that Naath used his black and grey soul energy in order to form a formation that would keep all sound inside and if any leaked outside it would be obliterated by the grey void of destruction. As a side benefit it would also give anyone who tried to force their way in a nasty surprise. Once this was done and Naath was satisfied he turned back to everyone and began to speak up.