Chapter 3: Instruction and Opportunity
"The Awakening trial consists of two separate parts: the awakening of one's core and determining your affinity." Zho continued to pace in a horizontal line in front of the class. Kantan glanced at Lyra and wondered what affinity she would end up with. Each person had an innate affinity that their chi would be the most effective with. A fire affinity did not mean that you were required to develop a fire core, it simply meant that you would be more powerful with one. Conversely, that same fire user would find manipulating and cultivating a water core very difficult.
"The first part of the challenge will require you to fight in the clan dungeon. Only once you have reached your limit will you have the chance to awaken your Chi." Zho came to a stop and eyed the class with a raised eyebrow. "The demons within the dungeon are powerful, but manageable for the average human. As long as you stay on the first floor you should be able to handle any threat the dungeon throws at you." Kantan felt a small ball of fear settle heavily in his stomach as he processed the information.
Each year multiple groups of students and clan potentials entered the dungeon in an attempt to collect power and wealth. Each year there were clan members who would not return, consumed by the dungeon for their failure. Kantan shook his head slightly to rid himself of the nerves, falling back on the cultivation technique to balance himself. "Anything you recover when you exit your trial is your's to keep, though any subsequent dungeon runs will be taxed by the clan."
A student's hand went up, and elder Zho stopped with a slightly annoyed expression. "Yes, you may speak."
"If we awaken our cores, would be able to continue to the second floor?" the student was tall and lanky, sporting chestnut brown hair in a messy mop atop his head. Kantan didn't recognize him aside from the occasional classes he had seen him in over the years. The clan was small compared to the rest of the clans in the kingdom, but it was still much larger than the average town. There were quite a few people Kantan was sure he'd never consciously seen before that were taking the same classes as him.
Zho scoffed slightly in response to, "If you progress to the second floor, you will surely perish. Core or not." the student looked down in embarrassment, prompting the teacher to continue. "The second floor will require you to have invested chi into your body to survive, the likes of which you will not be able to complete while enshrouded in demonic essence. Do not forget that having a core does not make you invincible, if anything it will make you more vulnerable in the dungeon." Kantan nodded at that information.
Chi was a powerful tool, but it had its drawbacks as well. While you had Chi, you were faster, stronger, and more durable than the average person without a core. When you ran out of Chi though, you would find the after effects of chi usage leaving you fragile. His grandfather's words replayed in his head, reminding him to run if it meant survival.
"In order to aid you in your trial though, we are giving each of you a special talisman." The instructor raised a thick slab of ornate papers from within his robes, each runed with expert calligraphy. "Should you find yourself on death's door, or unable to awaken your core, simply remove this from your person and you will be removed from the dungeon and receive immediate medical assistance based on your clan standing. The only other exit from the dungeon is to complete the floor and find the exit portal."
Kantan felt a wave of relief at hearing that he had a way out that wasn't through the floor boss. Ensuring that he could make it out alive as long as he maintained awareness of his condition throughout the trial. With a backup escape in place, he couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement creep into him. This would be his chance to prove that all of his training wasn't worthless. With a glance at Lyra, he could see that she wore an intense expression of focus. As if sensing his gaze she turned to him and grinned a full competitive smile. He could tell right then that the first one to awaken their core and make it out would be the victor between them.
Lyra had always been competitive, whether it meant running to their next destination or training in the sand pits, she wanted to win. It was part of what drew Kantan toward her like a moth to the flame. She pushed him to grow and adapt while making it seem effortless at the same time. If anyone had a guaranteed chance at awakening their core, Kantan knew it would be her. Tension shot through his neck as his nerves screamed at him that he was in danger. His instincts drew him to look toward elder Zho, who was staring at him with an intense gaze.
An invisible pressure pushed down on his shoulders as his teacher spoke. "I would hope that the information I am giving you is interesting enough to warrant your attention young Korellion. Ensure you do not disappoint me." As quick as it had appeared the pressure vanished, causing him to sit up right faster than he intended to. Zho's aura had pushed him almost into a bow under the intense weight. Kantan felt a surge of frustration course through him, but he clamped down on it. Getting angry at a clan elder would not help the situation.
"Sorry elder." Kantan bowed intentionally this, hoping that Zho would drop the matter.
Elder Zho sniffed and raised his head, "Good, now where was I? Oh right, the trial. After you have awakened your core, you are expected to clear the floor and exit without the use of your talisman. Doing so will ensure your place as a Soul Warrior in our clan." Coming to in front of the center row, Zho clapped his hands once. "Now that I have informed you of the requirements, we will discuss common demonic beasts found within the first floor of the dungeon."
At the end of class Kantan found himself at the butt end of a quarterstaff, his last sparing partner standing over him. The bell rang signalling the end of class today, and coincidentally the final sparring session. His opponent, average in height and build had the distinct advantage of range over his own hand to hand fighting style. It had been almost impossible to get into his opponents range, as the quarterstaff allowed for quick rotating strikes while leveraging the length of the staff to increase its damage. He knew he would have more than a few bruises, but his grandfather would help him recover.
Kantan nodded to his opponent, and sat up with heavy breath. Lyra made her way over to him, her two wooden short swords in hand. She had taken up a dual weapon fighting style, which fit her competitive personality. "I see you did well, not a scratch on you!" He laughed, and then regretted it as his side had received more than one hit in that last fight. "That last guy sure knew how to twirl a stick, it hurts to breath."
Lyra giggled warmly before freeing up her hand and extending it to him. "Well maybe if you knew what you were doing you could have prevented a couple of those bruises." He accepted the help up to his feet and came face to face with her. Her eyes were dilated with adrenaline and she was breathing slightly heavy. Somehow she made even fatigue look enthralling, and he could tell they both reeked of sweat.
"I guess your right about that, though I'm not sure how im supposed to close the gap on a ranged opponent. Each time I closed in on him the other side of the staff would clip me faster than I could react." He scratched at his head, trying to analyze his shortcomings in the fight.
Lyra interrupted his thoughts before he could get to far into them though, "Don't go getting all broody on me Kantan, especially since I have something to show you." Kantan looked to her, seeing playful eyes beaming back at him.
"Oh? What would that be?" He watched her skeptically, remembering the last time she had shown him something. A small shudder ran through him as the memory of running from a herd of angry pig beasts was brought back to the forefront of his mind. "I don't think I want to tick off any spirit beasts tonight."
She waved her hand dismissively, "Oh its nothing like that. Go home and clean up, then meet me at the northern edge of town. Trust me it'll be fun! Oh, you should bring food too, we may be a while."
Kantan's eyebrows shot up with the rise in his curiosity, "Gone awhile eh? I hope you're not trying to abduct me." He joked, but began walking down the steps of the school.
Lyra turned to him and winked playfully, "As if that was the worst thing that could happen to you. If not you then maybe I'll kidnap one of those suitors my father is always trying to set me up with." She turned with feigned deference, before giggling at him.
He couldn't help the slight flutter of his heart at the thought of her being set up with some random suitor. "Is he still trying to marry you off? I thought you had told him off about it."
She sighed in frustration, "I did, and what do I find when I come home a few evenings ago but some stone core in the clan militia with a minor relation to one of the clan's elders." She threw up her hands, her voice gaining in volume. "My father told me that it would be some great 'honor' to marry someone who was solidly in the stone core stage. As if that was the only thing that mattered."
Kantan winced slightly at the mention of her attempted suitors was a stone soul, the second stage of Cultivation. Awakening your core put you in the first base rank, granting you increased speed, durability, and strength. This made you stronger than any unawoken person you encountered, as long as you had the Chi to spare. As soon as you ran out of Chi you were essentially a normal person.
Reaching Stone soul would reforge your body with the power of your soul, giving you the permanent benefits of Chi empowered physical traits. It was at this point that you would train to utilize your Chi externally in the use of special abilities and attacks. If the men her father was attempting to wed her to were already Stone Souls than he would have no chance to court her himself.
Lyra seemed to notice the change in his demeanor, her voice becoming bubbly as she jumped around him. "Don't you worry, I told my father off and sent the man packing. If anyone is going to choose who I marry it will be me when I'm good and ready." Kantan felt his mood improve some, and was about to speak when she stopped at a fork in the road. "Don't forget to bring some food, or we'll both be going hungry." She flashed her trademark smile at him, "You wouldn't want a lady to go hungry would you?"
Kantan was left with red cheeks as she quickly twirled and began walking down the left pathway. He wanted to respond with something cool, but found his stomach fluttering and couldn't think of anything witty. She always did know how to make an exit. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he turned and patted his cheeks in determination. With that he began to walk back down the pathway toward his grandfather's house.
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Dradraen
Dradraen This will conclude the chapters for the first day of posting. I will be posting more of the chapters i have stockpiled until I reach a near up to date state. The goal is a chapter per day ranging around 1000-1500 words to keep things consistent. If the novel is doing well, I can look to write some more bonus chapters.
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