Chapter 55: The Alternate Pool

Chapter 55: The Alternate Pool

Sakura

Cold water rushed over my head, cleansing away the black tar like substance. The impurities my body had built up over years of mortal living had been forced out.

Youre in the immortal realms now. Rayce said from the other side of the wall that partitioned us away from one another. The bath was a small addition to the cultivation chamber, a needful one that a very wise person had built into the design. Next time you advance, you wont have the same problem with the black stuff.

Really? I asked, or tried too, as the water rushed over my head again. I gagged as I tasted the awful stuff as it was cleaned off my body.

Ha, I made that mistake too. Dont talk until your hair and face are clean. I had to fight off the urge to retch for several seconds until more clean water had built in the bucket over my head and tipped it over, washing me again. For what its worth, im proud of you.

I made an annoyed sound, but I had learned my lesson. No talking until I was finished with the bath.

I know, I know. Im your little brother. But still, from what you said you had a road block I didnt. I might be closer to Gold than you are, but you had to work twice as hard to get where you are. Now that stumbling block has been removed, I'm sure youll be at gold at nearly the same time I am. Maybe even before. So . . . Yeah. Im proud of you big sis.

I made a non-committal thankful noise, and that seemed to placate him.

Do you want me to bite him? I can make him sleep. No harm to him, just a nap. Sky said in my head. He was being playful, I think.

No, hes just being sentimental. He's, you know, being himself.

Remember, the sleeping venum is there for annoying pests. If youre sure hes not one, then I will trust you. But we should find someone for you to bite soon, so you can test your fangs.

I couldnt help but smirk at our internal conversation. It was so different from my conversations with King. The giant turtle was always so proper, protective, and willing to commit violence at the drop of a hat at the slightest hint of dishonor or threat, it made actual deep conversation somewhat rare between us.

Now that I think about it, maybe him and Sky are not so different. But Sky was willing to trust me, willing to let me make my own decisions without constant second guessing. Which seemed to be the turtle's favorite pastime.

I would like to meet this King, he sounds . . . interesting. For prey.

I couldnt help but smile. I think youll find him much more than mere prey. Hes a Gamera, my families name sake. A powerful creature, with both fire and wood mana aspects. You might be farther along in your cultivation path, but he has a potency about him that is undeniable. You saw him in action, he took on three silvers alone for almost a minute while only being Steel.

I will see for myself. Steel you say? Is that not harder than silver?

No, thats not what I meant. Silver and steel are metals, yes. But they are also ranks, steps along the path of the Dao. I felt Sky in my mind, rooting through some of the memories and thoughts I willingly offered up for his perusal around cultivation rankings, and systems.

First theres the Foundation stage. Those without any core to speak of are born at that stage. Then there is the Metal Realm. Copper, Iron, then Steel. From the Metal Realm you grow into the Immortal Realm; starting at Silver, then Gold, and finally Jade. From the immortal realm you ascend into the Noble realm starting at Knight, then Barron, Count, and then Duke.

Is that all? Are there more steps?

Yes. The Monarch Realm. Duke, Prince, King, and at the very peak of all cultivation is Emperor. But so few have ever even reached Monarch, that few count it as an actual realm for most people to atain and rather the auspices of the select few great spirits. Like, well. Like my father.

Oh? Is he a King then?

A pang of annoyance ran through me at that. It had become a sore spot of some contention in our family letters. My father could, should really, have challenged for the southern throne five years ago. But he chose not to, instead accepting exile for all of our house.

No. He is a Duke only. Though he might be a Prince now. Mothers letters hint that he might have advanced, but wants to keep that a secret.

I didnt think my pronouncement of pride would be that off putting, Rayce said, and I realized I had completely forgotten to respond.

Oh, sorry. Was speaking to my new companion. Hes a chatty one.

The snake?

Yeah. He wants me to test out my new Technique.

So it was a technique. I remember someone mentioning it might have been.

Yeah. Ill show you, if you want to spar later.

Cant. Taking a group to challenge one of the two Gold Lords this afternoon.

Oh? Youve already conquered the silver ones?

Yup. If . . . If you had done so, youd be welcome. But, its for inner sect members only.

I turned off the water flowing to the bucket, and dunked the last from the bucket down on my shoulders where I had lathered soup to get the last vestiges of the blackness off my skin. It washed the soap away, and finally I felt clean again.

I dried off, and donned a robe, then entered the chamber again. Thanks. I think I'll be trying the Silver Lord tonight then.

Really? On your own?

No. Ill have Sky, my new snake companion, and King with me. That should be more than enough allies to take on a peak silver. Dont you think?

Hmm . . . Maybe. Let me send the hounds with you just in case.

No, thats alright. Theyre your friends. They should be with your party.

John and Mathew might be Westerners, but theyre not bad guys. Really. Rayce had gifted his two lesser celestial hounds, who were having trouble growing at the same rate as both him and Rex were, to two of his friends from the Western Human Kingdom. They were the sons of some noble trade house, whose parents wanted stronger ties with their eastern trading partners.

Theyre friends with you, and noble enough to attract the attention of celestial hounds. Of course theyre good guys. But . . . im not interested.

What do you mean?

Im not interested in them. Stop trying to set us up. Rayce blinked at me for a moment before a boyish grin and reddish blush crossed his face.

That obvious huh?

Clear as driven snow at noon, little brother. I sighed. Between you and mother, id be having children rather than walking my path.

The thought of children had crossed my mind. Being a mother didnt seem like such a horrible thing. It was honorable, noble even, a sacrifice to be sure, but a fulfilling one for many. But I would live a very, very long time now that I was in the immortal realms. Hundreds, if not thousands of years. I had time.

We just dont want you to be lonely. Youre . . . well, youre always alone.

It's weird, King grumbled.

Yeah, it's a bit distracting. Can you save it for the other snakes please?

I, Sky, will do as I please. But I will consider small walking girls' requests.

Call her by her name. Sakura.

I, Sky, will do as I have said. As I please. Turtle.

My two companions began bickering and I tuned the arguing out, refocusing on what I was there for.

Sect Leader Wu Zin was on the far side of the surprisingly large courtyard. A few scribes from the sect stood around him, offering him information or looking things up on their magical stone tablets that somehow connected with the vast archive of scrolls and books in the sect's library. I had only seen them being used a handful of times up close, and they always reminded me of smart tablets from back on Earth.

Not that I ever owned one. But the advertising on billboards always made them look so useful. Maybe I could get one, once I'm in the sect properly. That would be interesting. I began walking towards the group of leaders, when a smell hit me like a ton of bricks. The smell of cooking meat.

Food! Sakura, please?

What is that smell? It is like meat, but . . . better. Is this a human invention?

I smiled. You reverted back to your normal speech sky, thank you. And yes, youre smelling seasoned and cooked pork. Well get some after we register with Wu Zin.

It didnt take long to get registered. Or to get moved up to the front of the line. Are you sure it's alright? I asked the scribe who the sect leader had pawned me off on.

Oh yes. This will be your first attempt. Every sect member's first attempt gets first priority. It is a special day for you young lady. The squat, balding, slightly overweight but happy looking man beamed at me genuinely. After today however, it will be far more difficult for you to get on the roster. It's usually scheduled out two or three days in advance.

Oh. Alright, thank you Master Scribe.

Ah, thank you for the honorific my lady. But I am but a journeyman in my craft. Still, here you go. The token for the tower. Once you and your party are ready to challenge the Star Lord, simply place the token on the door at the base of the tower.

I bowed respectfully, took the token, and then . . . stood there awkwardly.

Yes. Is there something else I can help you with?

Is a group necessary?

Few find the support of friends a hinderince in the trial. And it is customary to have someone you trust guide you through your first attempt. Do . . . do you not have a guide, my lady?

I shook my head, and tried to fight the rising blush off my face.

Well, then you are in luck. There is almost always a pool of individuals who hope to get taken on by a group who are short a member. The alternate pool has, oh lets see. . . six people today. Here are their names. You may take a group of up to ten with you into the trial, though it is recommended that you take a balanced group of somewhere around four to eight. Any more than that and the Star Lords tend to increase the difficulty out of annoyance. Which is fine for those who wish for a new challenge. Less so for your first attempt.

He pointed me towards where the pick up pool had been congregating. Conveniently, by the food carts.

***

Sky wrapped himself around half a cooked cow atop King's shell, while King munched happily on nearly a bushel of seasoned seaweed that the cart had on hand. While they contented themselves, I found the group of six other students.

Hello, I said as I stared at the group awkwardly. They were chatting happily among themselves. Sharing jokes, sharpening swords, or doing other work at one of the many small tables set up for eating. Hello, I said louder and a couple of pairs of eyes looked my way.

I froze.

Being the center of attention was not something I enjoyed. Ever. In either life. But I screwed up my courage, and tried again.

Hello fellow students. I said louder, and this time they all stopped, and stared at me with awkward, confused, or amused expressions. Um. My name is Sakura Gamera, I will be attempting the Silver challenge today. For the uh, the first time.

Several members of the little group rolled their eyes and turned their attention back to their meals. Not a nursemaid, one of them said. Good luck, but I'd rather eat than hold your hand on your first attempt, another one said. Only two of them still looked at me, a fourth was listening, but had gone back to sharpening his blade.

I was hoping that a couple of you might be interested in making the attempt with me. My initial gitters were starting to evaporate, and annoyance took their place. But I can see some of you are too cowardly. Those of you with guts, and who know how to show a little common respect, are any interested?

Someone slammed a mug down, a chair was pushed back from a table. The standing woman glared at me. She was the one who said she didnt play nursemaid. There was rage in her eyes.

Girl. You might have a noble name, but you clearly lack their tact. Say one more thing like that and I'll make you eat your teeth.

The ground shook, as King came up behind me. Threats. I dont like threats. Sky appeared at my feat, and slithered up my leg and onto my shoulders. Half a second later he showed his fangs to the world in what was clearly intended to be a threat poorly disguised as a yawn.

Ha! Better sit down Lai, before she hands you yours in a necklace. a larger woman in thick heavy armor said. She was the second speaker, the one who had wished me luck. Lai, clearly recognizing the wisdom in her friends words sat.

Not like I actually wanted a fight today. Jets not feeling well.

Threats and disrespect, no matter how powerful you are, are no way to make friends. Little Princess. The man sharpening his sword said, never once looking away from his work. That being said, I heard you took on four silvers, including that bitch Taitha all on your own. And lived. Is that right?

Yes. I bit her, and Sakura stabbed. Good fight. King proclaimed, a hint of wistfulness to his voice. Good fight.

Not the way I heard it, Someone else said. A man in dark purple robes who had been one of the two listening to me, said. She got her ass handed to her hard. In the healing house for over a week.

I deflated slightly. I am not good at making friends.

No, no you are not. Sky added helpfully.

Youre right. I lost that fight. And . . .

Taitha was laid up right next to her for three days as I heard it. The swordsman said. If you can do that, while fighting off three other silvers, as peak Iron? I want to see what you can do now that youre Silver. Consider it. . . morbid curiosity.

The swordsman stood and nodded. He wore light armor, his sword required the use of both of his hands, and was long and wickedly curved. Ill go with you. Names Regi. And this is my brother, Modgi. He motioned towards the purple robed man. And our sister, Tedgy. He motioned to the other one who had been listening to me. She carried a giant bow on her back and her arms were toned and muscular but not at the expense of her femininity.

Their parents have a rhyme they seem to enjoy, Sky said wickedly into my mind. And I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking.

I would welcome you. I bowed slightly. To all six of you. I apologize for my words. I am . . . not good at making friends easily. I meant no offense.

Yes you did Lai said, but her angry expression fell to passive neutrality. But you dont mean it now. Water under the bridge princess. Good luck on your first attempt.