One girl, one boy, and a lot of conflicts.
Elaine the good girl, good grades, rich family, and big house: That's what's on the outside, the inside is much more complicated. 
Ryder the bad boy, absentee father, drug-addicted mom, and bad anger issues: That's what other people see. 
What will you see? 
What happens when one teacher asks Elaine to tutor Ryder and another puts them together for a school year-long project? 
Read to find out and follow the life of these teenagers.
©EmmalethKeathley™

Yuan Ji, Xue Qianxue and Ling Feiyue were once again flying on the Spirit Crane. And of course there was also Xiaobai who was cuddling in Yuan Ji's arms and she was licking his fingers. 
Xue Qianxue saw what Xiaobai was doing and she muttered, "Weird. I don't remember Xiaobai has this habit of licking your fingers?"
Yuan Ji laughed, "Of course she does. She has this habit of licking my fingers for many years now."
Xue Qianxue, Ling Feiyue: ???
They were now heading toward the Five Heavens Peaks where the Emperor Hall Sect was. Before his duel, he was going to see Fairy Ye Chengxi and Shangguan Yan again. He had promised them that he would return just before his duel with the Divine Palace Master of the Hundred Flower Divine Palace and he intended to keep his promise.
While they were on the flight, Xue Qianxue and Ling Feiyue were suddenly giggling as they asked him. "Come on, there is no one else now. Surely you're not that mean and don't want to tell us how you have overcome the Dream Trial? We are your consorts!"
The two great saintesses were now jostling him left and right as they displayed their most mesmerizing demeanors to force him to drop his defenses. 
"Brother Ji Yuan…"
"My dear…"
Xue Qianxue was grinning as she showed him her beautiful exposed thigh, "I've already taken the Dream Trial once before so I can't take it again. So no harm telling me…"
"I don't have 1 billion high grade soul jewels hehe…" Ling Feiyue was laughing softly and pressing her bosoms on his back. 
"How do you beat the Cunning and Ruthless MC?" 
Yuan Ji sighed before he said, "He may be the Cunning and Ruthless MC but he is also a greedy MC."
"Greedy MC?" Xue Qianxue and Ling Feiyue pondered at the same time before they gasped together, "Don't tell me that you have actually tried to bribe the MC? You can actually bribe the MC?"
Yuan Ji chuckled, "I didn't bribe him. I play upon his greed actually. I give him all that he wants." 
Xue Qianxue was extremely perplexed, "That doesn't explain your final fate and how you have managed to temper your soul.  What extreme hardship did you go through?"
Even Ling Feiyue was staring blankly at him.
They just could not understand what was going on!
"Why not I share with you my experiences during my Dream Trial and you shall tell me yours?" Xue Qianxue was winking her most enthralling cuteness at him. 
Yuan Ji of course did not want to tell them that he had shamelessly changed and took over the MC's name, including the MC's 'supposed' consorts for himself. 
He could only say that the MC was an idiot for switching name with him without knowing that he was actually changing his fate with him. Muhaha. But he will keep this in his heart. No one except Xiang Li will ever know this secret of his.
Bai Qianfeng naturally did not come into his mind. It was because she was the Trial Helper and not real. 
"Ji Yuan is always doing weird stuff." Ling Feiyue sighed softly. 
Yuan Ji frowned, "We are not at the Eon Firmament Mountains now. You can stop calling me Ji Yuan now. Remember you are supposed to be addressing me as Yuan Ji."
"Ji Yuan, Ji Yuan, Ji Yuan!" Ling Feiyue chuckled softly, "I like calling you this way." 
Yuan Ji: …
Then Ling Feiyue said to Xue Qianxue, "Sister Qianxue, let me tell you something interesting. Do you want to know?"
"What is it?"
"I tell you how Ji Yuan becomes the only core protégé of his old master, alright? Keke." 
"Alright! Please tell me!" 
Yuan Ji muttered almost incoherent, "My shameful past is not worthy to be brought up." 
"Do you know that his master will only accept a core protégé if his protégés can survive a beating from him for one hour?"
"What?! His old master is so mean?"
"Guess what Ji Yuan did in the end?"
"What he did? Um! Is this the answer? Waa…he bribed his master?"
Yuan Ji: …
"Feiyue, you don't need to tell the whole world about it…"
"What are you afraid of? There is only Sister Qianxue here. If I am in a bad mood then I will tell your other two consorts about it too. Keke." 
Yuan Ji: …
Unknown to Ling Feiyue and the rest, the Abyssal Null Goddess was quietly listening to their conversations. So this is his story? Every day I am learning a little more about him…
"Let me tell you what he did in the Lotus Sword Mansion with me…"
"There was one time that I told him not to take the yellow portal to conserve our profound strength and to take the blue portal to go up to the next level. Do you know which portal he took?"
"He took the yellow portal?"
"Precisely! Sister Qianxue, you are so smart!" 
"He really took the yellow portal? I am only guessing…"
"He told me my suggestion is a wise one to take the blue portal but instead he took the yellow portal. I feel like slapping him that time but alas, I was proven wrong…"
"What happens…��
Ling Feiyue told Xue Qianxue what had happened in the Lotus Sword Mansion Trial.
Xue Qianxue chuckled, "The two of you have so fun in the trials. Let's go for another one together…"
Ling Feiyue smiled shyly, "I had also learnt that we are actually together for the past three lifetimes too. This is actually our fourth lifetime together..."
Yuan Ji: …
Xiang Li, I want to kill you…
Xiang Li was laughing in Yuan Ji's soul sea, "It is all thanks to me!" 
While the two maidens were chatting, the Abyssal Null Goddess was listening intently and there was a burning envy in her eyes. 
"Sister Qianxue, do you remember that time when I ask him to peep at you?"
"That is my most embarrassing moment…yes why?" 
"We have given him specific instructions to follow but he never follows…"
Yuan Ji: …
"Ahem!" Yuan Ji coughed weakly. "Can we please don't dig up the past?"
Xue Qianxue completely ignored Yuan Ji and laughed shyly, "Do you know that at that time I was actually quite afraid. I thought that I was ambushed by a superior saint but it is actually him! His lightless profound art is really not weak at all. Did he practice his stealth a lot by sneaking around the bathrooms?" 
Ling Feiyue giggled softly, "Come to think of that, he seems like a pro when he is walking on the roof and when he is sneaking around. Sister Qianxue, we must be careful when we are around him in the future!"
Yuan Ji looked down from the Spirit Crane and he felt like jumping down from the sky to the bottomless abyss below so that he could hide his flustered face. 
"Sister Qianxue, I forgot to tell you that he had written a poem in the Lotus Sword Mansion just for me. Let me recite it to you. The heavenly smiles of the Goddess Maiden Feiyue is unparalleled, her mesmerizing laughter danced with the gentle winds, fills my heart with her endless delight."
Yuan Ji was muttering almost incoherently, "I am actually not delighted at the moment even though I can see your beautiful smiles..."
Xue Qianxue immediately hit Yuan Ji on his chest, "This is so unfair! I want my own dedicated poem as well!"
Yuan Ji smiled bitterly, "No inspiration and my brain is dead now."
"Why are you so awful to me after you have married me?" Xue Qianxue puffed. 
"Erm, I really can't remember that I am nice toward you before we are bonded together. I thought I was always running away from you instead." Yuan Ji laughed. 
Xue Qianxue pinched him on his thigh as she chuckled, "This saintess here shall teach you how to be respectful to me. C'mon! Recite a poem for me!"
Yuan Ji laughed, "On the wings of the Mystic Crane, the fierce Maiden Qianxue…"
"No!!! I don't like this one." Xue Qianxue was hitting him and she had almost caused the two of them to drop from the sky. 
"What. You are so hard to please…" Yuan Ji lamented. "You know that I am holding Xiaobai now and can't retaliate…"
Ling Feiyue panicky stopped Xue Qianxue, "No fighting on a fragile flight! We may all fall…"
-
-
-
For the next three days, the two maidens had chatted nonstop and they had shared many intimate things. 
The Abyssal Null Goddess had learnt many things about Xue Qianxue, Ling Feiyue and Yuan Ji. She learnt how they had got together because of a poem that Yuan Ji had once wrote and how a maiden who was called Xia Jiajia had setup all three of them to meet on that fateful day. 
She resisted the temptation to revert to her true form and to talk to them. 
She mused to herself. This goddess has been with Ji Yuan for hundreds of moons. During this period, he had dedicated a hundred poems to me. I will always remember the poems that he had dedicated to me in my heart…
All of a sudden Yuan Ji had stood up on the Spirit Crane and he was saying gravely. "We are now above the Five Heavens Peaks now but something is happening below." 
The mountains below were crawling with thousands of cultivators from over a hundred celestial clans!
Then the three of them saw a dreadful sight; a monstrous desolate beast was seen at the edge of the mountains. 
Yuan Ji inhaled deeply, "Epic desolate beast…at least seventh rank…"
There were altogether nine ranks to a desolate beast in the Celestial Realm and every rank had three classes to denote the threatening level of the desolate beast; Primordial, Profound and Epic. 
A profound class desolate beast would always be twice as powerful as a primordial class desolate beast of the same rank while an epic class desolate beast can be many times stronger depending on the species of the desolate beasts. 
The epic class of any desolate beasts was always more dangerous and mysterious that any primordial and profound class. Luckily epic class desolate beasts were not easy to be encountered, were extremely rare and only existed among the seventh rank or higher desolate beasts. 
Unfortunately, even an epic seventh rank desolate beast can be considered to be stronger than a ninth rank profound desolate beast.

Sword Saint Ji Yuan has just breakthrough to the lofty seventh realm saint level after a period of 100 years. When he returns to his celestial clan where he was once the Sword Saint, he has found out that many things have changed.

The worst thing had happened to him; he had lost his beautiful beard and in the Desolate Celestial Fraternity, a beardless cultivator is to be scorned and despised! 

This is actually a xianxia romance story about an unromantic cultivator  who likes his beard and the romantic leading maidens who all hates his beard. 

There are a total of seven celestial levels in order to cultivate as a celestial cultivator; Practitioner, Master Practitioner, Enlighten Celestial, Immortal Celestial, Golden Celestial, Golden Supremacy and Sacred Saint.

-----
As one of the Heroes of the Azuma Empire, Mihara Hideaki had worked very hard to gain his position. Although he was blessed by an Epic Skill, outstanding Skills, and talent, he needed to work hard to polish such abilities.
However, a Hero is not only a Hero because they are recognized as one by the System, but they need to also be considered a Hero to their Empire or Kingdom. A figure who people admire and look up to.
Mihara, before awakening his Heroic Epic, was a musician and an avid writer. He wasn't a warrior, neither served his nation with his strength. He was someone who loved literature and arts and used his knowledge of it to bring happiness and entertainment to people.
At the young age of 26, Mihara Hideaki became a renowned Poet and Musician, his love poems got through all of the ladies of the Azuma Empire, and his beautiful and soothing songs became popular nation-wide. No one in the Azuma Empire wouldn't know about his songs.
With his songs and poems, he managed to inspire people, to increase their morale, and that to see life's brighter side. Even the Empress of the Azuma Empire, Sugita Masami, recognized the man's talent and efforts, and after realizing that it was thanks to his arts that her population was always positive and not so pessimistic, she gave him the title of Noble.
At the age of 29, as Mihara wrote a new poem, strange powers surged from his words, which enhanced the abilities of his beloved family. Not only each of his words, poems, and songs were inspiring, but they also increased the people's statistics, increasing their physical strength, magic capabilities, and even speed and endurance.
Not long after, Mihara Hideaki awakened as the [Hero of Brilliant Poems] and gained the ability to recite and sing beautiful incantations that could turn the tables in the most terrible of wars. His poems and songs increased the power of thousands of soldiers, and with his help, any skirmish or war that the Azuma Empire went through would result in either a victory or a tie.
Because of his age, he was one of the oldest Heroes in the Azuma Empire and became the teacher for the new ones. His status as a renowned Poet and Singer remained, and coupled with the admiration of the entire population, he held an incredible influence in everyone.
Thankfully for the worrisome Empress, Mihara Hideaki is a pure-hearted man, raised by a loving mother and a hard-working father. She knew that he would never use his influence to turn against the Empire or anything like that. This only increased the ties between him and the nobles, and he became someone who everyone relied on.
After the [Heroine of Sakura Storms], Sakura Miwa, and the [Heroine of Alchemy] Izumi Yuko, awakened their Heroic Epic Skills, he became their beloved mentor, alongside the [Hero of One Hundred Slices] Yoshinaga Hiroshi, an old veteran Warlord, the first Hero to have awakened since three hundred years inside the Azuma Empire, they taught the two young ladies fighting techniques, magic spells, and to develop their unique abilities and arts.
And now, Mihara, as one with the power to turn the tables in any battle, was constantly being called for small skirmishes against the Thanatos Kingdom, which happened more frequently.
Although he would never refuse the call for help from his beloved people, he grew worried. These small skirmishes, which only seemed to get worse each week, had never stopped for the last five years.
The Thanatos Kingdom was being too aggressive, overly aggressive.
"A Nation with so many citizens shouldn't be this bloodthirsty," He thought.
Indeed, the Thanatos Kingdom population was immense, being of over five hundred thousand citizens. An amazing number of people in such a harsh world like Genesis. Unlike in Earth, Genesis is a world filled with dangers and powerful monsters everywhere, people gathering in such big quantities was unlikely, unless the nation itself held amazing and powerful individuals to take care of it.
Mihara rationality couldn't comprehend why such a big nation desired to conquer another big nation, instead of risking a big war where resources would be lost endlessly, it would be better to form alliances and negotiate, making both nations held each other in harsh times.
Mihara was a pacifist, and he didn't believe in that war was the only solution to conflicts or lack of resources in a Kingdom.
"There must be other ways… But, how can we convince a Kingdom filled with Demons, whose entire teaching since childhood is to desire strength and raise in power? Their entire beliefs are behind war, bloodshot, and destruction… They only believe that beating the weak is the only way to appease their population hunger" Thought Mihara.
One day, as Mihara was pondering such thoughts, Izumi Yuko, the [Heroine of Alchemy] and Sakura Miwa, the [Heroine of Sakura Storms] were enjoying tea time with him. Mihara was already on his thirties, but he was still single despite his handsomeness, charm, and status.
It wasn't weird for two young ladies to be in love with such a man, even if they were Heroes. Izumi and Sakura were taught by him and Yoshinaga. But of course, Yoshinaga was an old man on his fifties, and already had a family and even grandchildren, the young girls would never see him romantically, only leading their attention to the young and handsome Mihara.
Of course, they were not interested in his status and abilities, they were interested in his character as a person, his life, his hardships, and what made him such an admirable person. They were truly in love with him…
Mihara did know this but was oblivious, he did not desire to fall in love. He was a man that enjoyed being by himself, he said once that his loneliness was what inspired him so much to create such poems and songs.
However, Mihara saw the two young Heroines as his little sisters and loved them very much, in a familiar way. He cared for their safety, and how well they felt. He had grown accustomed to their company. And also slowly learned how they behaved, seeing the growth since they were little girls, it was really as if he were his big brother.
As the two girls tried to cheer him up due to his worried expression, Mihara laughed and then sipped some tea, while eating some small, roasted seeds.
Mihara dedicated himself to enjoy the day and move such negative thoughts for another time. But because of this, he realized something that his future self would have wanted to never know.
Izumi Yuko, the [Heroine of Alchemy], seemed odd…
She was always a cheerful girl that was in love for alchemy and constantly talked about such things, about mixing ingredients, monster materials, creating new potions and bombs, etc.
And in fact, she was just talking about such things right in that very moment. But… something seemed off.
It wasn't her appearance, her attitude, her tone of voice… even Mihara couldn't tell what was that seemed off from Izumi, he had known her for so long, it was almost an instinct as if he were her father, there was something, a little thing in her, that made her slightly different than before. And it wasn't some change of emotions, depression or her mind becoming more mature, it wasn't anything of that, as such things would be natural for a human being to go through.
It was something different, an eerie feeling. Sakura or Yoshinaga never felt such thing and was unaware of Izumi's strange change. However, perhaps due to his abilities, Mihara was able to clearly see something strange in Izumi as a whole.
Of course, he couldn't just tell her straight away what was wrong with her. It would come as odd, and he would end up being cataloged as the weird one. He needed a place where he could be together with Izumi.
He was fearful, something, a strange feeling, dangling in his mind, never stopped. It was constantly telling him that something was off, something eerie and strange was happening to Izumi.
This "feeling" was one of Mihara's special Skills, [People's Journal]. The moment he's able to know a person and register them in his journal, he will be able to tell any changes in them, from their personality to their health. It was an incredibly useful Skill to assess causalities in wars, and even know strange diseases and health problems that healers or medics couldn't normally tell. He could even know how to write even better poems, going by the preferences of the population as a whole.
On Mihara's [People's Journal], where Izumi's profile was, there was something constantly telling him that Izumi had something in her that wasn't there the last time he met her.
Mihara was patient and enjoyed the tea time with the two young girls. In the end, when Sakura was called for some even on her family, which was composed of shrine maidens, Mihara was luckily left alone with Izumi.
"This is my chance," he thought.
Mihara acted friendly and decided to spend the rest of the day with Izumi. He even showed her his new poems and songs and even changed some things according to her recommendations.
As Izumi approached Mihara, he grew warier. For a moment, he lost his cool and his face was stiffened.
Izumi glared at Mihara, asking if everything was okay.
"Mihara san, are you feeling okay? Since this morning that you've been quite strange…" She said, with a worried expression on her beautiful face.
Mihara laughed as he relaxed his shoulders.
"Haha, its nothing. I suppose I'm just getting old…" he said, pretending to be fine.
And just as he was about to resume his poem, from Izumi's neck, a strange, red-colored liquid, appeared. And stealthily moved using strange abilities, slowly crawling towards Mihara's neck.
However, Mihara's senses kicked in, alerting him of something strange.
He jumped to the other side and found the strange slime coming from Izumi's neck as he saw Izumi's expression, clicking her tongue with a frustrated face.
"Tch…" She said.
Wait, tch?
Izumi was a girl known for her adorableness, she would never, said such a thing or do such expressions. There was clearly something off with her as if the strange red slime coming from her wasn't enough of a proof.
"Izumi…? What is… A monster?"
Mihara didn't wait for Izumi to answer him, he quickly chanted a poem about an immovable mountain as a strange shield made out of light and letters appeared around him, protecting him from the incoming attack.
Izumi's red slime pounced with immense force against the letters shield for several times, and after realizing that it couldn't break it with pure strength, it released countless of powerful Fire Spells, setting the whole house in flames.
"S-Shit! Izumi!"
Mihara was blinded by the fire and couldn't see Izumi, he had to escape. By using his superhuman strength developed through the harsh training that Yoshinaga put him through in the past, he escaped.
By using his Skill [People's Journal] and [Mental Mapping], Mihara was able to detect Izumi, who had run from the blazing house somewhere else. Thankfully, Mihara lived alone, so his house being in flames was not a problem to him, he owned riches everywhere, and could easily buy another one if he desired, calling some guards with Water Magic to set the flames off, he ran with all of his might, tailing Izumi.
With his [Superhuman Strength] and the Poem [Tales of a Wind Bird], he was able to increase his speed exponentially and caught up to the fleeing girl. However, what he saw there wasn't normal, the people around Izumi was suddenly attacked by the strange Slime and started to attack Mihara indiscriminately. 
"Brainwashing?! Is this what it used to take over Izumi?! Who is this damned monster?!" he thought, furious.
Mihara couldn't damage innocent civilians, and with his speed and strength, managed to evade their slow attacks, without losing Izumi from his sight.
By activating the Poem [Tales of a Fish that Became a Dragon], he gained the ability to fly like a dragon, leaving a trail of bluish wind behind him, with his flight, he caught up once again to Izumi and confronted her.
"Izumi! No… who are you?!" he said, landing in front of her while releasing countless skills, which appeared in the form of letters made of light.
The letters enclosed both of them in a confined space, and Izumi, without an option, decided to talk.
"It's me, Izumi, Mihara sama… Please, stop being so scary…"
"Don't play with me! You are not Izumi… That thing that was taking control of her body…! Who are you? What are your intentions? Leave Izumi alone!" He said, bewildered by Izumi's words.
"I-I don't know what you are talking about, Mihara sama… You're scaring me…"
"Izumi… No! Show yourself… Or I will have to attack your host!" Said Mihara, with a determined expression. If this being, whatever he was, could endanger the safety of the Empire as a whole, he wouldn't doubt for a second on attacking his beloved apprentice.
Izumi laughed, with a strange, mischievous smile.
"Fufufu… To think that you would go so far… Mihara sama~" She said, as the red slime appeared once again outside of Izumi's body, as a thick tentacle, it didn't have a face or anything, and used Izumi's face to speak.
"You're finally showing your true colors…" armed with his [Legendary] rank relic, the [Scroll of One Thousand Stories], Mihara was in a wary stance, with flashing letters rotating around him.
-----


Please make sure to check out my other novels, I am sure that you will like them! 
Demon Queen Rebirth: I Reincarnated as a Living Armor?! 
My World Traveling System: The Harbinger of Death
Vampire Overlord System in the Apocalypse
Epic of Ice Dragon: Reborn as an Ice Dragon with a System
Epic of Summoner: Supreme Summoner System in the Apocalypse

A young adult man dies from a fever and is reincarnated in a world of swords and magic dominated by a strange and mysterious Game-like System as the weakest being, a Caterpillar! 

Gaining abilities from the monsters that it eats, Kireina uses her sharp adaptability and wits to overcome the odds against her in a world where everyone wants to eat her alive!

As Kireina evolves and gathers a group of followers and subordinates, discover how our protagonist builds a monster Kingdom from zero, in a world dominated by Humans, terrifying Monsters, and arrogant Gods who only wish her death!

In front of her enemies, there will be only two options!
Will you obey me or will you be eaten?

You can check the Illustrations of the Novel's characters in the first Auxiliary Chapter!

https://discord.gg/JmEne5zHdt

*Updates: 1/day, 2 chapters/day in the last four days of the week
*Chapter Lenght as of latest chapters; 2.2k words or more. Cannot bring me to write less. 

-Spoilers Below!-

This story has a monster's main character quickly growing stronger through trials and battles, learning skills, and evolving both mentally and physically. 

There is also a large cast of characters with their own personalities and interesting backgrounds, chapters filled with battles and a lot of teamwork, an ever-growing Kingdom of monsters and demi-humans, and wars against humans and other monsters kingdoms. 

The Main Character quickly gathers strong allies and a warm family, alongside adorable children which she loves more than anything. It becomes a story about a ruthless family of powerful monsters that seem terrifying for her enemies but are indeed incredibly adorable and heartwarming to each other and their Kingdom, which they treasure greatly. 

There are chapters filled with war and intense battles, alongside parts where the main character settles down and has a few days of a carefree slice of life with her family while exploring the mysteries of this ever-growing world filled with gods and powerful beings roaming everywhere. A World filled with countless Realms inhabited by different Gods and their unique flora and fauna, waiting to be explored and conquered. 
------
Known as the Realm Menace, Kireina's power grows stronger and stronger by each day, how will the Realm of Vida deal with such a menace?

Her Chronicles are just starting, but, surely, her appearance and her actions will leave a mark of destruction on this Realm that shall never be forgotten.
------
This story is about a normal person that slowly turns into a devil, a selfish demon, bringing change and destruction to the entire Realm where she was born. 

The MC is not at all a "good villain", neither someone who do "bad things" blindly, but someone that is completely self-aware of its actions and the damage that it causes. Doing them for the benefit of herself and her family. 
------
Taking Advantage of wars between Kingdoms, and crushing the weakened winning side, taking all the benefits for herself, brainwashing heroes to become her servants or heartwarming times with her family, things like these will be very common.

Kireina grows to become very versatile, she can be incredibly ruthless to her enemies and future enemies, and a doting and loving parent to her family. 
------

Original Covers Illustrations made by the amazing Lumi and Sadi_Eve! 

Also special thanks to TrueDawn for helping me out with the edition of the cover! He's an amazing writer check his book; "I Reincarnated as a Stick", it was a big inspiration for me!

What year was the odyssey written?
Most likely written between 750 and 650 B.C., The Odyssey is an epic poem about the wanderings of the Greek hero Odysseus following his victory in the Trojan War (which, if it did indeed take place, occurred in the 12th-century B.C. in Mycenaean Greece).

Comment, Rate, Review without the hassle of bothering are beloved Authors.

I do not own the cover of this book found it online.

The language learning course which tested the ability of the students' minds to read, and comprehend a certain text, acknowledged the variety of literary pieces across the world, expressed one's sentiments, and viewpoints through creative writing, and gave up a speech to the public with a required self-confidence and charisma had conquered the class of Yeats.

"English Time!" a classmate exclaimed.

"Ugh. Why on earth..." Noah said, lying her head onto the armrest.

The teacher had arrived with her male student who assisted her to carry on her stationery materials and left afterwards. 

She expressed her warmest greeting to the class, "Good morning, everyone."

"Gooood Morningggg, Ma'am Rhea," the entire students responded in dullness, deliberately prolonging the words.

"Again, good morning, Yeats."

"Good Morning, Ma'am Rhea! We are happy to see you today!"

The teacher nodded, and commanded them, "Okay, you may now take your seats."

"So Yeats, in this period, we would be having an activity, and I'm sure you would definitely love to hate this one."

The students plastered a counterfeit grin on their faces as they listened to their teacher's introduction. It looked as if their incoming task would be an "easy yet a lazy job" for them.

"You will be composing an original poetry! Isn't beautiful? A form of art of regurgitating all your personal experiences, feelings, aspirations, and showing off your ideals and visions of the world around us by using a piece of paper and a pen. What lies ahead of our future? Who shall be the one to pass this on for the next generation. It's only you, the young ones. As our beloved national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal quoted, 'The youth is the hope of our nation'," Ma'am Rhea Azuela dramatically spoke, and her fists were firmly closed.

Everyone groaned with the exemption of Ma'am Rhea whose energy was trying hard to somehow radiate the entire classroom.

"Hmm... Okay, you only have two options: To create or not to create. My role as a teacher is simply taking down of your grades and morals in your report card. If you want a failing grade, why not? I'll give it to you. Other than that, what does youth always say? You only live once, eh? So, I won't stop you from not submitting your requirement," Ma'am Rhea shrugged.

"Anyways, for those who wished to conform to the task, listen up. Before you start writing, I would love to give a bit of a background about our today's lesson. I'm sure most of you familiar with them. We've known different lyrical poems, epic poems and etcetera. Now, I'll ask you. What is haiku? Anyone?"

"Just give me a gist of it."

Students were staring at each other's eyes, and no one dared to speak. Few were looking at the white board. Most were avoiding an eye contact from their instructor. Some of them were gaping at the outside of the room. Ma'am Rhea whined and continued.

"Guys, you have to talk. Remember, this is an English class. You have to hone your communication skills. How are you going supposed to learn if you don't utilize your mouths? Ha? Come on. No answers are wrong in language. It's more on thoughts and ideas that we should express. You should be engaging more on interaction. And pretty please, let's help each other out. Don't leave me hanging guys, Okay?"

"Now, any thoughts from this group?" she asked, looking at the first row. Ma'am Rhea was about to choose her lucky victim when one of her students raised her right hand, "Ma'am."

"Yes, Miss? What do you think? What is haiku?"

"May I go to the comfort room?" the wench replied.

Some of the senior high students were retaining their soon-to-be-bursted laughter. Ma'am Rhea sighed, and said, "Yes, you may."

The young lass stood up straight, and said, "But, If I am not mistaken, haiku refers to a five-seven-five syllable count in a one three-phrase stanza. It is also originated in Japan."

"Again, thank you for your permission, Ma'am."

The schoolgirl went to the school comfort room, leaving the entire class in amusement. Ma'am Rhea snapped her fingers to get back her little ones' focus.

"That's my girl! She got it right. Finally, someone saved you from danger, eh?" the teacher cunningly grinned, and the student were then relieved. 

"And since this is a surprise activity, you need not to compose a haiku. Still, it is included in your quarterly exams. Instead, I challenge you to write a poem. Freestyle. Whether you want to have your piece that consists of a rhyme, or a regular meter. It's up to you. Make sure it has three stanzas. Do you understand me, Yeats?"

Dassah lifted up her hand up, and called, "Ma'am."

"Yes, Miss Dassah?"

"What would the topic be about?" the student asked.

"Hmm... Good question," Ma'am Rhea nodded, and began considering a great theme for her class's written poetry. Suddenly, a brilliant idea popped up. She smiled and responded to her student.

"It should be based on your personal experience. For example, your bonding with your family and friends. Maybe you want to write about your life as a student, and whatsoever. The sky's the limit."

"So, any questions?"

The class replied, "None."

"Okay. You may now start. And please let me check your composition before the bell rings whether it is done or not. I'll give a plus point and a secret award for those who could create a finished piece," Ma'am Rhea announced, and sat down on her chair to relax her voluptuous legs.

"Ma'am, what is the reward?" one man asked.

"It won't be confidential anymore, if I'll tell you, mister," she said.

The students proceeded writing on their mandatory art work. Creative juices were flooding up inside of their right brains. Tearing papers were echoing everywhere in the section. Loud mental groans from every school teens dominated in the class. Frustration mixed with determination to make a possible masterpiece were obviously transparent on their hopeless faces. Dassah who eventually ended her write-up stood up from her armchair, and submitted it to her English teacher. 

Ma'am Rhea was impressed, and took her ample time to read her three-stanza poem. As she perused Dassah's work, she smiled in delight.

"Miss Quinn."

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"I have a dumb question," the instructor said. She glanced at her unknowing student in mischief, and continued her talk.

" Are you in love?"

"NO WAY, MA'AM," Dassah yelled at her teacher. Her classmates instantly shifted their gaze at the two. She became flustered, and softly spoke, "Umm... Sorry, ma'am. I was just shocked. But, no, I am not, ma'am."

"And what makes you think that I'm uh..."

Ma'am Rhea replied, still smiling, "In love?"

Dassah slowly nodded in embarrassment,"Uh-huh."

"It's just my assumption. It seems the message of your poem conveys about a clichè romance like this love at first sight kind of scene. Ah. Reminds me of my first young love,"  Ma'am Rhea Azuela said, feeling the nostalgia of her past teen era.

"And, what's even more interesting is that I instructed you to have a poem that talks about your life encounters." Dassah's teacher continued.

"Then, I thought I might be wrong, so which is why I asked you."

Dassah again nodded as an abiding servant, and the English teacher spoke again herself, "So, mind if I ask you the story behind this piece of yours?"

"Um... Sure, Ma'am. But, it already says it all," Dassah said.

"It's basically this. I met a guy at a convenience store, and I did not forsee anything that we would see each other for the second time around. And for me, I was happy it happened for the both of us."

Ma'am Rhea could no longer hide her squeals, and let it out without any reservation.

"Oh, ignore my giggles. The story was too cute. But hey, Miss Quinn. This is your prize," she commented, and gestured her to move closer. Dassah came near to her instructor in obedience.

"You'll present it to the other class."

"Ma'am?!" Dassah exclaimed in terror.

"Shh... Don't tell anyone," she warned the young lady.

"But, but..."

Ma'am Rhea smiled, and said, "You may go back to your seat, Miss Quinn."

Dassah heaved a sigh of defeat, and move herself back to her armchair.  Floating her countless regrets of submitting her poem, the young lady had enough of the trap, and let the situation sail by itself.

"If Ziqian [1]had not left for Qingzhou, this would've been his duty," said Zhang Zhen.
"He's the best poet among us."
Chen Tai's long beard swayed as a cold wind blew into the room. "Brother Jinyan[2] is more fit for the courts than myself."
"Are you accusing me of passing the buck?" Zhang Zhen quickly followed up with a challenge. "Well, I can't wait to hear your poem. I'll be sure to have my ears wide open."
As an argument was about to break out, a student of Zhang Zhen's entered the room. He greeted them with a bow before saying, "Xu Cijiu is here."
'Xu Cijiu? Why is he here? Has he finished copying the sage's quote?' Zhang Zhen nodded. "Bring him in."
The student nodded and left. Zhang Zhen stared across the chessboard at Chen Tai and smiled. "Speaking of which, I recently took in a new student, Xu Cijiu's cousin. He's an incredibly talented poet."
Li Mubai immediately spoke up, "He's also my student."
Chen Tai looked between the two elders—realization dawned on him. "The man who wrote the line, 'Fear not a journey of loneliness, for you are not a stranger to the realm'?"
Li Mubai and Zhang Zhen grinned.
Chen Tai let out a howling laugh as he wagged his finger at the two elders.
"What are you laughing at?"
Chen Tai held back his laughter and mocked, "I'm laughing at the fact that you're both blinded by fame and jealousy. Yang Ziqian's name will live on in the poem but you two should stop daydreaming. Beautiful poems are few and far between. Not every poem will end up in the history books.
"That epic poem probably took up all his talent. And now you expect him to come up with two more masterpieces so your names will be remembered? Has the noble spirit in you been swallowed up by greed?"
Li Mubai and Zhang Zhen were silent.
They knew Chen Tai was right about the scarcity of good poems. The man was not even a scholar, and the creation of the farewell poem could have just been a coincidence.
To pin their hopes of being written into the history books on some low-level constable was a tad ridiculous.
"Youping is right. As a scholar, we should be humble. For our names to be written into history, we should walk the proper path instead of seeking shortcuts. We have strayed from the teachings." The two elders folded their hands and bowed before Chen Tai.
"To have a mistake rectified is the greatest deed," Chen Tai intoned as he nodded.
Moments later, Zhang Zhen's student came back with Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian in tow.
The two brothers greeted the room. "We're here to see the teachers."
Li Mubai and Zhang Zhen exchanged a glance—the arrival of Xu Qian was unexpected but welcomed.
"Sit," Zhang Zhen said.
"Ningyan, you came. Is it because inspiration has struck you again?" Li Mubai probed.
Xu Qian shook his head and said, "I'm here to ask for a favor."
"Go on."
Xu Qian told the two elders about the request but hid the fact that it was part of a revenge plot against the Assistant Minister of Revenue. He did however mention Assistant Minister Zhou could be the mastermind of the missing tax silvers and once the inspections were over, it was highly likely that he would punish the Xu family.
"This…" Li Mubai looked over to Zhang Zhen who was equally as concerned. "The academy doesn't allow outsiders to stay over, it's the rule."
Rules were important to scholars.
Before Xu Qian could argue, Xu Xinnian spoke up, "The crown princess often stays over in the academy too."
Zhang Zhen shook his head. "She's the crown princess."
Xu Xinnian nodded. "So the academy's rule applies to everyone but the Emperor's kin."
'This young man hasn't learned anything about tactfulness.'
The three elders in the room laughed.
Xu Qian withheld his giggle—his brother's tongue was as sharp as ever.
Li Mubai shook his head and said, "Brother Jinyan, I can't wait for your student to enter the fateweaver rank."
'That's a horrifying thought.' Zhang Zhen's lips twitched.
Chen Tai was the only person beaming. He looked at Xu Qian and said, "You are Xu Ningyan?"
"Yes." The man who was undercover as a scholar folded his hands in greeting.
"I hear you're a great poet. How about this? If you can come up with a poem that impresses all three elders in this room, I'll allow the women to seek refuge in the academy and personally safeguard them."
Staying in the academy was one thing but more importantly, the elder was promising their safety.
That was the real reason why the Xu brothers came to the White Deer Academy.
A glimmer of hope appeared on Xu Xinnian's face. He turned to Xu Qian and uttered, "Brother…"
He was elated but also nervous. Writing poetry was not difficult—every scholar could string words into a rhyme or stanza. The difficult part was impressing the elders.
Was it really that difficult?
Yes. Yes, it was.
'Poetry? You're asking me to give you poems for free?' Xu Qian did not immediately agree. Instead, he asked, "Any themes? Or do I get to choose?"
The three elders eyed each other. Zhang Zhen said, "The theme is learning."
'Of course they have something in mind. Else, I could just randomly pick one from my memory,' Xu Qian sighed in his heart.
Despite that, he was relieved as the theme was still within his scope of knowledge.
He was reminded of the text he studied in high school titled, On Learning. However, being an essay, it did not fulfill the criteria.
'Through books, you will find grand houses and graceful ladies!'
The proverb came from a famous poem that survived the centuries.
It was known to be one of the essential readings when it came to the theme, learning.
Just as he was going to present the poem, he suddenly remembered the precarious position the White Deer Academy was in since 200 years ago.
'If I remembered correctly, this poem was written by the emperor during the Song Dynasty. It mainly spoke about the merits and successes that came with studying but the White Deer Academy students have been ostracized by the courts.
'When Cijiu passed his exams, he was worrying about which remote town he would be sent to.
'This poem would be a slap to the face for the academy students…'
The prolonged silence from Xu Qian worried Xu Xinnian. Zhang Zhen and Li Mubai stared expectantly at Xu Qian while Chen Tai sipped his tea, an amused smile on his face.
Then, Xu Qian stirred from his thoughts. He folded his hands and said, "Forgive my dullness. Cijiu, please ready the ink."
Xu Xinnian placed the brush, ink, and paper on the table. He prepared a fresh batch of ink and dipped the brush, staining the bristles black. Pulling his sleeve up, he angled the brush, gesturing for Xu Qian to accept it.
'I better not humiliate myself with my horrible calligraphy skills.' The turmoil in his heart was not shown on his face. Xu Qian struck a pose, looking like a scholar rousing the mountains with his words.
"Cijiu, be my brush."
Xu Xinnian nodded obediently and sat down before the table.
"The candlelight burns from midnight to morn.
"That's when scholars should study the most.
"When young, we neglect studies for fun.
"When old, we regret not learning enough."
Xu Xinnian finished writing and put down the brush. He stared at the neatly-written seven-character quatrain and felt a pang of emotions in his heart.
Silence filled the room. Xu Xinnian could feel the lingering sadness of the poem. The three Confucian elders walked over to the table and stared at the end-product.
They studied the words in silence.
The long-bearded elder in black robes found his eyes prickling with tears.
[1] Courtesy name of Yang Gong.
[2] Courtesy name of Zhang Zhen.


Once a police academy graduate—Xu Qian, woke up and found himself in jail. He was to be banished to the borderlands in three days...
Stuck in this inhumane society, his initial goal was just to be a rich man and pass his days in relative safety.
…
Many years later, Xu Qian recalled the events of the past. His enemies and friends were dead, there was nothing of them left but bones.
The rolling Yangtze River flows east as the waves wash away the heroes. 
Success or failure, wrong or right; matters little, it might?
The lush mountains remain while the sun sets every night.


As he locked the door to his room, someone called out to Mazran.
"Hey! Are you leaving for lunch too?" 
Mazran turned to look at the owner of the voice to find a boy his age, with dry brown hair and almond eyes, his face practically a sphere. From a very loving family too it seems. A bit too loving if he might say so. He was all but a butterball. Mazran even spotted three different good luck talismans on his person. Oh.. four talismans. He almost missed the coconut husk knot charm braided into his chestnut coloured hair.
"Are you new here too?" He asked.
"Yes. I'm Mazran Yavis. And you?"
"I'm Parek Jona." He beamed and made to hug Mazran. 
Before he could react Mazran was caught in an iron hug, nearly ctushing him. 
Once Parek let go of him, Mazran retreated from the boy's reach and informed.
"Around here, we greet people with a bow. I don't mind it, but other's might not be as forgiving. I take it you are not from here?" 
"Yup. I'm from up north, Brekanj Lala, in Yuhpi state."
Mazran tried recalling if he had ever heard of Yuhpi. He couldn't quite make it out.
"Where exactly is Yuhpi?" He asked.
Do you know about the Sea of Fara?" Asked Parek.
"Yes. The Bloody Mist. I've heard of it. About two month's ride north of here." Replied Mazran.
 
"Well, beyond it lies Ganba state" Parek made a border with his left hand, continuing, "and behind Ganba" he added, placing his right palm as a wall ahead of the left, "is Yuhpi. It took me a month and a half by dirigible to get here. Its pretty far off."
"What bring you this far south then? It's almost the southern tip of the continent. No schools accept you back there?"
"No. They did but then there was an accident and well you know how it goes? Nothing special really." He said, hinding his embarrassment. And he was doing a bad job at it. There was bound to be a juicy tale behind it. Amd so Mazran prodded him.
"No. I really don't know how it goes. It sure  doesn't seem like nothing special. Tell me about it!" 
"It's a bit embarrassing. I'd really rather not talk about it." Parek replied, his face visibly cringing as he recalled the incident.
"Come on. I promise I won't laugh. Tell me!" Mazran insisted.
"Fine. But you have to promise..." Parek reiterated, just as Mazran interrupted him.
"Yes. Yes. I won't laugh. Just tell me." 
"Ok. So what happened was ...." Parek illustrated his sad tale as Mazran struggled increasingly to hold back his laughter. Until he could hold back no longer.
"Ohhhohoho..... hahahhahaha. Oh goodness! You actually sharted in his face?" Mazran cried out, tears streaming down his face.
"It was an accident alright! An accident. You promised you wouldn't laugh!" He shouted.
"Okay fine. Fine. I'm sorry. But what can I say? That was just too funny." Mazran said, half choking on laughter, his chest almost hurt from laughing so hard. He had even slipped a couple of times as they had made their way down the stairs.
"I'm not going to talk to you anymore. You liar!" Parek pouted.
"I said I'm sorry alright. Can't you please forgive me? I won't do it again. C'mon you're my first friend here. Don't be like that." I asked, putting on a remorseful expression.
"Friend? Really?"
"Yes." Mazran nodded sincerely.
"Okay... but just this once. I won't forgive you if you bring it up again." He yielded.
"But, making such a long journey, even going past the Bloody Mist! You're really passionate about becoming a magus, aren't you?" Mazran said with a glad smile.
Parek beamed a smile that shone like a thousand suns and nodded.
He wasn't the dumb brute Mazran had expected him to be. 
"It's always been my dream. Ever since I heard those old tales of how the Age of Femke ended. All boys out west grow up hearing tales of the cowboys and their boomsticks. But after that ... incident back home, I couldn't well get into one of those ranches. The rumors had already spread around. No one would take me in over there. So my father had to send me here. Even if I can't be a cowboy, at least I can try being a mutant magus." He said, his voice painted with regret.
"About that, I did want to ask you for a while now. What are ranches? And why would the word of a 'ranch hand' bar you from their magisteriums? And those cowboys? What are those? Are they like werepeople? Because you don't look like a ... you know? I mean you're fat alright, but nowhere near a cow." Mazran asked. 
He had had only bad experiences with those filthy animals. Wererat bandits had accosted his father's caravan several times. Why would anyone want to be anything like those vermin?
"Cowboys aren't werepeople." Parek clarified.
"They are a category of magi who use magic through their metal vessels called boomsticks. Do you know cannons?" He asked.
Mazran nodded.
"Boomsticks are like cannons but smaller. They also hold more ammo somehow." He explained.
"So they are not cow werepeople?" Mazran asked, swiping his ID imprint across the inner input panel of the dorm, opening the doors.
"No. They are just like regular magi but they can only use magic through their weapons." Parek answered.
"Then why are they called cowboys? Do they herd cows maybe? Or ride them?" 
"Some do. But most don't. No one really knows why they are called that. It wasn't mentioned in the Epic of Ojewas. But according to legend, the founder of their tradition was a foreign magi stranded on this planar world. He tried to get help and return to his own world but the sacred order branded him a demon and chased him down to the ends of the earth until he learnt to use magic through his own weapon."
"The boomstick?"
"Yes. He developed his powers slowly, in hiding, taking disciples, forming the first ranches as a cover, and accumulated his forces. Then when he was strong enough, he returned and with his 12 disciples and countless followers, he forced the Hand of Femke to near extinction."
"But isn't the sacred order our prime defense against demonkind?" Interjected Mazran.
"Yes. With the fall of the Hand, many extraplanar demons with grudges against the Femke dynasty, invaded the world and lay waste to nearly a third of the continent before the sacred order and the cowboys formed an armistice to rout them out. When all was said and done, the dynasty collapsed, under the great grandson of Lord Femke. That's how the Age of Ojewas, The Free began. It gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. It's so inspiring!" He exclaimed.
It was certainly worthy of being called an epic.
One he'd have liked to read. 
"You said you read it in a book?" Asked Mazran.
"Yes. The Epic of Ojewas The Free. It's a poem." Parek replied.
"Poem?" 
"A very big poem." 
"Do you have it with you, here?" Asked Mazran. 
"No. That's the thing. I forgot it on the airship. Stupid. Stupid." Parek answered with frustration, hitting his head. 
Mazran caught his arm.
"Stop it! I'm sure the library has a copy." Assured Mazran.
"Of course! The library." Parek said.
Turning to see Mazran holding his arm, realization set in, shame following close behind.
 "I'm sorry... about that." Said Parek, "It's... I have been travelling alone for over a month. It's taken a toll. I'm sorry you had to see that." 
"It's fine. Happens to the best of us." Said Mazran, letting go of Parek's arm.
"Come. Let's eat first." He added, pointing to the mess hall just ahead of them.
"You're right. Let's get some lunch first and then we'll continue after." Parek replied.
"What do you think they have for lunch today? Do you think it'll be good? Do they allow third servings?" Parek asked, his mood improving markedly.
"I'm sure they won't starve us. And just look at the dorms. They certainly aren't short on funds. I think the food will be up to par. And today, I have a feeling that we'll be having sandwiches and soup."
"Uh huh? What makes you so sure? Did you go and see the menu for today?" He asked.
"No. I didn't." Mazran replied. Short and sweet. He didn't want to spoil the surprise after all.
"I just hope they have some meat. I really like rabbit roasts so it would be great if they had them. And maybe something sweet. Uhmmmm..." Parek said, his head in the clouds.
"We'll see. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be delicious." Mazran replied, opening the door to the mess hall, beckoning him in.
"Thanks." He said and strolled in, going straight to the counters to see the lineup of dishes.
Mazran closed the door behind him and followed after him, noting the menu provided beside the door. He was right. It was soup and sandwiches.
He walked up to the counter, only to be confronted by Parek.
"How did you know? Are you one of those Agyol psychics? You look very human though? Is it a shapeshifting spell? Or have you mind controlled me?" He barraged Mazran with questions.
Mazran suppressed a laugh as he answered. 
"My father supplied the academy with today's rations. That's how I know. And don't worry, I am fully human. I think the Agyol live further south." 
"That's exactly what a psychic would say!" Parek said with a smirk, playfully pointing an accusatory finger at him.
Mazran returned his smile and took a plate off the counter. 
"Let's eat first. If we dally anymore there might not be any good seats left."
He looked around to see the hall already filling up and promptly followed.
As they sat at an empty table, Parek took a bite of his sandwich, swallowing it with barely a couple of bites.
"You know, you really should chew your food more than twice. It's good for your health." Mazran advised.
"Nah. If I waste time chewing, I'll get full faster. This way I can eat and enjoy more food. You should try it! It's great." He replied before taking another bite, nearly halving the 12 inch sandwich.
"No thank you. I am enjoying it well enough my way." Mazran stared with mounting horror as Parek all but swallowed the rest of the sandwich whole and picked up another one.
Mazran on the other hand put down his sandwich, and picked up the soup, relishing every bite.
As he gulped down a portion of soup, a voice asked.
"Can I sit here?" 
Seeing Mazran preoccupied, Parek stuffed the last of his second sandwich into his mouth and answered, 
"Shore, hab a sheet!"
Mazran finally looked up to see a tall girl with hair of bright yellow gold, and face the shape of a half made raisin, put down her plate.
She flipped the chair around and sat down to eat.
"I'm Parek. This is Mazran." Parek introduced us to the newcomer. 
"Vilaya." She reciprocated.
"So, Vilaya, are you new here too?" Parek prodded.
"Uh huh." Came the answer.
"And where are you from?" Parek continued.
"Lwesa, Haj territories." She replied.
"You really don't like to talk huh?" Parek said.
"Don't bother her, Parek. If she doesn't want to talk that's her choice." Mazran interjected, having swallowed his soup.
"No. I don't mind talking. I just don't like to talk when I'm eating." Snapped Vilaya.
A silence descended upon the table as Mazran took another gulp of his soup and Parek played with his food.
"Why not sit with the girls there?" Asked Mazran, breaking the awkward silence.
"Direct aren't you? But sure. I'll tell you." She replied her tone dull and flat, "Look at them. Like chatterbox here," she said, poking Parek with her spoon, "they just love to talk. With food still in their mouth. Not a moment of peace with them. And now, this watermelon here is making me rethink my choices."
Mazran looked at Pareks striped light green tunic and pants and chuckled. He really did look like a watermelon. 
Parek glared at her at took an aggressive bite out of his sandwich, only to choke on it.
Mazran snorted in laughter, soup exiting his nostrils.
Vilaya took another bite mirroring his smile.
Wiping the soup off his face, Mazran rushed over to Parek's side, thumping his back to relieve him.
"Thanks.... kh... water." Parek gesture at the jug in the center of the table and Vilaya poured him a glass.
"Sorry about that." She said.
"Don't be. It's my fault I choked." Parek replied.
"I'm done." Said Mazran. 
"Hold on. Let me just.." Parek added, taking the last bite out of his sandwich.
He followed Mazran over to the dispensal tray.
"To the library?" Asked Parek.
"To the library." Replied Mazran.
"Can I come too?"
Mazran flinched as Parek jumped in shock.

Mazran wanted to become a magus since the day he was saved by one. Hydapset is burdened with glorius purpose in a secret war for the free multiverse. Jarl joins the sacred order to get revenge on the demon that killed his family. All struggling to survive the uncaring void of existence. As magic regains its glory, what changes will the world go through? And how will the three of them rise to face the challenge?



Chapter 50 

 
 

What Makes Varanasi Holy? 

 

To the Hindus, the Ganges is a sacred river, and any town or city on its bank is believed to be auspicious. But Varanasi has a special sanctity for legend has it that this is where Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi stood when time started ticking for the first time. 

The place also has an intimate connection with a host of legendary figures and mythical characters, who are said to have actually lived here. Varanasi has found a place in the Buddhist scriptures, as well as the great Hindu epic of Mahabharata. The holy epic poem Shri Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas was also written here. All this makes Varanasi a significantly holy place. 

 

Varanasi is a veritable paradise for the pilgrims who throng the Ghats of the Ganges for spiritual reward—deliverance from sin and attainment of nirvana. The Hindus believe that to die here on the banks of the Ganges is an assurance of heavenly bliss and emancipation from the eternal cycle of birth and death. So, many Hindus travel to Varanasi at the twilight hour of their life. 

 

The City of Temples: 

 

Varanasi is also famous for its antique temples. The renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a lingam—the phallic icon of Shiva—that goes back to the time of the great epics. Skanda Purana by Kasikanda mentions this temple of Varanasi as Shiva's abode, and it has withstood the onslaught of various invasions by Muslim rulers. 

In addition the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, there are other famous temples in Varanasi. 

 

The 8th century Durga Temple, situated on the RamnagarPandav road, is home to hundreds of monkeys that reside in the nearby trees. 

 

Another popular temple is the Sankatmochan Temple, dedicated to the simian-god Hanuman. 

 

Varanasi's Bharat Mata Temple is probably the only temple in India that is dedicated to the 'Mother India.' Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, it has a big relief map of India carved in marble. 

 

Another relatively new temple is the Tulsi Manas Temple built in honour of Lord Rama in 1964 at the place where Tulsidas composed the Ramacharitmanas, the vernacular version of the epic of Ramayana The walls of this temple adorn the scenes and verses depicting the exploits of Lord Rama. 

 

Kasyammaranammukti (death in Kashi is Liberation of souls), thus goes the much proclaimed proverb in Sanskrit. Death in Kashi or Varanasi is a blessing for a devout. The Ghats in Varanasi symbolically represents the five diverse elements or PanchaTattwa that constitute the human body. The Ghats in Varanasi are the doorsteps of heaven by visiting these Ghats. Showing the divine cosmic roads, the Ghats in Varanasi India have been constructed in transcendental dimension measuring 12th Zodiacs x cakras of body thus 98. 

 

Varanasi or Kashi is also called the Abode of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu Mythology, the first ray of light after the creation of this Universe fell at Kashi, thus sanctifying the land. The Ghats in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh are the perfect spots where divinity can be sighted face to face. 

 

As thousands of Sadhus along the Ghats raise their sacred vessels or Kailash, to offer prayers to the newly risen sun, the foremost spark of the morning sun also seem to pour his blessings for the entire humanity. The Ghats are the Centers of a whole lot of religious activities. Pilgrims gather in large numbers to take a dip in the sacred river, offer their prayers and seek the blessings of the sadhus and sanyasis. 

 

The River Ganga flows beside the Ghats and it is from the middle of the Ganga that one can get the best view of the Ghats while enjoying boat rides. Thus stands the Ghats in Varanasi, older than traditions and impressive beyond imagination, inspiring humanity down the ages. 

 

Dismantling of dilapidated bungalow at Graveyard. 

 

In due course of time, the old building owners wanted to dismantle their building which was adjacent to this grave yard, as they wanted to construct new building. On one fine day, they dismantled the old building. The building was razed to the ground. The ghosts and devils which stayed in this old building shifted their base to an unknown place. From then onwards, there was no ghosts and devils used to attempt the dead bodies alive, in spite of the scientist and the Doctor making effort for the “alive dead bodies”. 

 

Local people were happy to note about the disappearance of the ghosts and devils from this grave yard. 

 

In due course some years, due to the cities developmental activities, this grave yard was shifted to another faraway place. Many new buildings have come in this old grave yard place. Many people have purchased the land in this grave yard and constructed their own houses in this grave yard in view of this area became very costly and Center to the heart of the city. 

 

Finally, there seems to be no ghosts or devils in any grave yard in the city, as observed by many people. 

 

 ------------------ 



STORY-LINE SYNOPSIS
(WAR Paranormal Urban Fiction and Paranormal Day)

PART- I

An evil “King Kong Raj” who rules in a Planet called “King Kong Raj Planet”. He troubles and tortures all the people in his Planet and robs all their gold, jewelry and diamonds. People of that Planet fed-up with his rule.  This evil King has his own army who frequently robs and tortures people to gain an upper hand for this evil King. This evil King had some super-natural powers and  also maya, mantra, tantra by virtue of his staunch Prayers to Sun God. He even creates a big evil appearing thing, called “BING THING”, which cannot be killed or destroyed by anybody until the evil King Kong Raj gets killed. Maharshis and Rushis of this Planet also were tortured with cruelty. This Kings hefty soldiers and army rapes women, enjoys, robs and even destroys their properties. The battle is through Sword Fights, Dagger Fights, Arrow Fights and Fights with Maya (Illusion) and with the BING THING too.

An opponent group leader “The True Hero”, by name Vishal always tries to defend people and fights against this evil King Kong Raj many times, but in vain.  The Hero has the full support of the Maharshis and Rushis in this Planet and also Queen’s Angels
Angels of the nearby Planet called “Queens Planet”, and the Sun God also support “The True Hero Vishal”, who is a staunch supporter of the Sun God and Maharshis and Rushis. Vishal gets the blessings of all the people of the planet, Maharshis, Rushis, Queen’s Angels and the Sun God. 

In the long “save our souls” battle at the evil King’s Planet, the evil King Kong Raj ultimately gets defeated and dies. The True Hero Vishal also gets severely injured and dies. Vishal takes rebirth at the Earth as per the blessings of all the Maharshis, Rushis, Queen’s Angels and the Sun God. The True Hero Vishal becomes a Doctor.

PART II
Vishals takes birth again on Earth. The story of Vishal starts from his childhood and he becomes Physician and a Doctor in a family.

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