A New Light

Chapter 18

As Mister went farther down the line, the higher their levels were. Even if not by much. Now the only thing on my mind is how was he able to guess all our strengths accurately.

When it finally got to our line, the fourth line, the person at the very front made the ball glow a very faint red, almost pink. Knowing from the people before him that he would pass, he gave shouts of joy. If anyone were to pass by, the would think him to be insane. As the turns went down the line, I found out that the color shown has nothing to do with your level. From my observations, the level should be shown from how bright, and maybe how much your color fills the ball. It was also very difficult to tell how well you had done, because Mister only told you if you failed or not and wrote something down on a sheet of paper with a blank face.

When it was my turn, I was actually very excited. If I didn't get an above passing score, then I would be very disappointing. After all, I spent the entire night cultivating. I raised my hand to touch the ball, but my hand didn't even get to move an inch before the ball lit up. It skipped over red, orange, and yellow and went straight to green. From there the color would quickly change. Blue, purple, silver, gold, platinum. Looking at the ball I was very satisfied, the color was very pretty. Proud, I look over to Mr. Ruthlock. He stared at me for a second before sighing. Huh? Was it that bad...

I heard him mutter something underneath his breath, pause, look up at me, and then announce I passed.

For the rest of the day, he gave very "extreme" physical training. Everything we did had weights included of course. We would sprint for 30 minutes, and then add 50 pounds. Push-ups for 30 minutes. Add 50 pounds. Pull-ups for 30 minutes. 50 pounds. Sprinting again. 50 pounds. Even boxing for 30 minutes was included, and the kick-boxing to finish up the hour. All in all, it was very entertaining to watch everyone. I was positive that they would start scolding me for running circles around them because of their expression. However, they didn't, they completely ignored me...

The day passed quickly and I realized that I had taken out all of my weights. Pouting for no reason really, I make a mental note to have a blacksmith make some more. In the middle of half paying attention and half making mental blueprints, I hear my name get called. Going up to Mister to receive a new book, I get given a box instead. Opening the box right there I am greeted by a pitch black key. I blink once. Then again. Everyone else was given a book, manual, scroll, or rock, but I was given a key for who knows what.

Mr. Ruthlock lets me stay confused for a while with a small smirk on his face. He looked around the forest, then looked at me. "This is a map. When you want to cultivate go here and insert the key." He showed me a map just smaller than the size of the box and placed it with the key. "If you remove more than 5 an alarm will ring." He stared me down with serious eyes, but I couldn't pay attention to those eyes, because of what he said. Things...what things? The cultivation rocks?

Giving him a playful salute I run on the tops of the trees when the dismissed class. Assuming I wouldn't run into anyone, I brought out the map and followed it to a library. I pull at the door over and over before remembering that I was supposed to insert the key. Feeling like I'm doing something shameful, I swiftly enter and lock the doors again. When I feel secure again by knowing I am by myself, I gradually take in the entire room. It gave off a very royal and important feeling with many, many stairs and stories. Not sure where to start, I open up the first scroll that had the strongest aura on the first floor. Perhaps I should learn all of the first floor then move onto the second? Becoming very troubled I try to think how I would find the time for the entire room. Even if I brought them into my space to learn the few hours from the night won't be enough... Just as I was contemplating, the speakers of the building started, " This is your Headmaster speaking. By now all of you students should have started cultivating, or some other type of strengthening technique. All classes tomorrow will be called off so that you can prepare for the tournament on Saturday. Do not be disappointed if you do not make it into the top 20, for this is simply a learning experience. I wish you the best of luck."

Even if I don't like that old man, I still thank him for giving me the opportunity to learn all of these cultivation methods. If I did this in my space, it would be over 200 hours to read 4,000 techniques. Due to not really being familiar with this topic, I thoroughly read through the first scroll. In my mind, I had thought that I would have to learn some kind special technique, but in actuality after you read it there was something like a surge.  It was a very overwhelming chain of power that would try to merge into you, but attempt to destroy you at the same time.  It was very startling and I wasn't prepared for it, so when it happened I panicked. It took a good 5 minutes for me to get in under control and completely merge the power into mine.

Learning the scroll's technique didn't directly make my cultivation level rise, but it helped make gathering strand of mana easier. After I got the hang of learning, all the manuals, books, and scrolls on the first floor were quickly learnt in less that 10 minutes per technique.  The second floor took 15. And the third floor took 20. When I started in the beginning I told myself to learn all of the manuals, books, and scrolls. That changed when I found out some of the methods were very weak and unnecessary. Such as the Blowing Leaves technique. These kinds I simply skipped over.

On the third and highest floor, there was a manual locked up in chains and guarded itself with a thick killing aura. Thinking it looked powerful, I tugged it free of the chains and opened it. After the first sentence entered my eyes, I dropped it from shock.

I might not update for a week or so because of going on vacation.