{Edited} A Merchant's Odyssey: Chapter 16 (Patreon)

AN: Edited chapters do not count toward monthly quota's

Chapter 16: A Coward’s Wisdom

“Excuse me.” Sebastian put on his best polite smile and stopped a passing teacher. “I’m looking for a man named Yu Xiaogang. Would you happen to know where I could find him?"

The woman paused, looked over Sebastian's clothes, then lifted her chin. "Grandmaster does not meet with civilians."

Sebastian's smile turned strained at her obnoxious tone. "There seems to be a misunderstanding. I'm not a civilian, but a Spirit Grand Master." Sebastian flared his two rings as proof, earning a raised eyebrow from the woman.

"And I'm a Spirit Expert." She flared three rings with a superior air and held out a hand expectantly. "Let me see your license."

'License?' Sebastian's brow twitched. 'Lee didn't say anything about needing a license.'

He coughed into his fist. "I seem to have left it at home. Is it necessary just to meet Yu Xiaogang?"

If anything, the woman’s look became even more disgusted. “The Grandmaster does not meet with unaffiliated spirit masters.”

'This bitch.' Sebastian's fingers twitched beneath his sleeves as he maintained his polite smile. "I've come a very long way to meet with him; could you please point me in his direction?"

The compulsion charm spread invisibly to cover the woman’s head, and her eyes grew foggy. “Of course, the Grandmaster’s office is in the east…east…east…" The woman blinked, and the compulsion faded as she narrowed her eyes and looked closely at Sebastian.

Keeping his composure, Sebastian tilted his head in concern. “Is something wrong, Miss?”

The woman likely scanned Sebastian for signs of Soul Power use before she eased up and shook her head. "It's nothing. If you wish to see the Grandmaster, please remember to bring identification next time. You can schedule an appointment with the administration department on the west side of campus."

She carelessly pointed in one direction before visibly dismissing him and walking away with a mutter about needing more sleep.

'That's concerning.' Sebastian's polite mask faded as she left. 'Magic worked just fine against Lee and his brothers before I even had a Martial Soul, but none of them were above Level 20. If my Soul Power is almost at the level of my Mana, then it's likely my magic will have diminishing returns against stronger ranks.’

Sebastian wanted to grow his soul enough to help ease the cap on his Mana Pool, and while he could tell it was working, he was still a few levels off from them equalizing.

‘At least I got her to give me a direction.' Sebastian looked east across the large academy campus. 'If only magic had a point-me spell, I suck at finding things.'

Slipping his hands into his pockets and putting on his best natural Ignore me, I'm supposed to be here air that he cultivated during his time at Hogwarts, Sebastian casually walked along the path. 'This place is pretty big.'

It wasn't even half the size of Beacon Academy in Remnant, but most of the buildings were multi-storied with rich marble tiles and tall glass windows. 'Must be some noble-style school.'

Sebastian grumbled at starting his journey in a village. 'All I got from Lee was directions to the nearest city; they didn't even have a map for me to steal.'

The Spirit Hall branch in the village was just a small building with barely anything to it. ‘It’s no wonder they wanted to mug me.’

Despite his displeasure, Sebastian knew he was lucky to have started where he did, in the outskirts of the western part of the continent, where Spirit Beasts were weak enough for a trio of Level 10-15 Spirit Masters to be able to protect a village without issue.

Only when he reached Nuoding City did Sebastian get a better idea of the world he was in.

It was somewhat of a medieval society, yet it was highly advanced in some areas thanks to cultivation.

With the addition of Martial Souls, society progressed in various arts with half the challenges humans on Earth faced, such as agriculture, with Martial Souls taking the shape of farming tools.

However, it was also held back by a lack of innovation to do things without focusing on Soul Energy, like inventing mass-produced farming tools everyone could use.

Nobility and the wealthy still held the power of knowledge and resources over the working commoners. Still, the laws depended on whose territory one lived under.

Sebastian couldn't say anything about the two major empires that controlled the northern and southern ends of the continent. Still, from what he heard, Spirit Hall, which controlled the western portion of the continent, was the best place for commoners to thrive.

'It's rare to see a Theocracy so beloved by the people without enforced religion.' Sebastian mused. 'They clearly worship some form of divine figure, but from what I could see, it was not being shoved down the throat of anyone who listened.'

Churches and buildings dedicated to Spirit Hall's people kept the peace and spread their belief, but it was mild.

Sebastian had even seen someone curse out a preacher for getting in his way, and the priest just cursed him right back without coming to blows. ‘It was quite civil, in all honesty.’

Nuoding City was clean and orderly, with happy and healthy citizens going about their lives.

No one batted an eye at Sebastian asking casual questions.

People were happy to answer and speak their minds about Spirit Hall or the surrounding nations. The common consensus was that life was better under Spirit Hall than in the surrounding nations.

They took in anyone regardless of status, and apparently, that was the secret to their success. They had the martial might to claim territory without the two larger empires being able to squash them.

The only issue Sebastian ran into was that Spirit Hall kept its collection of knowledge behind closed doors, with only members able to access it. 'It's not like they made it hard to join, but I'm not much of a joiner; I've got my own shit to do.'

Thankfully, he caught wind of a non-Spirit Hall associated scholar who was apparently renowned for his wisdom. ‘Number One Scholar? What kind of title is that? What the hell does number one mean? Are scholars actually ranked here?’

Sebastian didn't know what that meant, but he knew a scholar had to have a library, which was his goal.

The east side of campus held a trio of identical three-story buildings surrounding a large courtyard, currently filled with students going about their lives. 'I guess these academies are a combination of Elementary and Middle school. I wonder if they have higher education somewhere else?'

“Hey, Kid.” Sebastian spotted a student in more worn-down robes and waved him down. "I'm looking for the Grandmaster. Would you happen to know what building he's in?"

“What’s it to you?" The likely twelve-year-old looked him over. "Are you part of the staff? Shouldn’t you know?”

“I’m an old friend.” Sebastian flashed a smile and rolled a tic-tac-sized gold nugget between his fingers. “And I have a meeting with him.”

The kid, laser-focused on the gold piece, pointed to one of the buildings with zero hesitation. "He's in building three. I don't know what office, but you can ask his apprentice. He's that guy over there with the blue hair." 

Said blue-haired kid was taller than the rest and easy to spot as he talked to an animated girl with a lengthy pigtail who looked about the same age.

"Introduce me, and this is yours." Sebastian barely had to blink as the kid turned around and waved.

“Hey! Tang San! Come here!”

The blue-haired teen looked up and blinked in confusion, but he still got up and walked over.

“What’s up, er… Fang, right?”

“Yeah!” The kid smiled at being recognized. "This guy is looking for Grandmaster. Do you know what office he's in?"

“You’re looking for Teacher?” Tang San narrowed his eyes slightly. “What for?”

“He says he has a meeting with him.” The kid shrugged and looked over at Sebastian. “Is that enough, mister?”

"Yeah, thanks, kid." Sebastian flicked him the gold piece, and the kid happily waved and ran off. "Sorry about that, I'm a bit lost around here. No signposts, you know?"

Tang San’s wariness lessened as he chuckled. “I know. It takes a bit to get used to where everything is.” He waved a hand and turned toward building three. “I can show you to Teacher’s office.”

"Thank you." Sebastian followed behind the blue-haired teen who sent an apologetic smile to his female friend. “Did I come at a bad time?”  

“What?” Tang San sent him a confused look.

“Was that not your girlfriend?” Sebastian sent the kid a wink. “I know how annoying it can be to be interrupted.”

“No!” Tang San flushed. “Xiao Wu is like a little sister to me; we're not dating."

“Ah, my apologies.” Sebastian was taken aback by the mature reaction. “You two seem close.”

“We’re best friends.” Tang San smiled. “And we’re all we have.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Sebastian nodded in understanding. “It can be hard without parents around, especially having to care for a sibling.”

“I’ve gotten used to it.” Tang San shrugged, not seemingly bothered by it. “Xiao Wu can be a handful, but I’d protect her with my life.”

“A respectable mentality.” Sebastian nodded in approval before noticing something in the crowd behind them. “Er… Tang San, was it? I think your sister just got in a fight.”

The blue-haired boy stopped and looked back with a sigh. "I left you alone for barely thirty seconds, Xiao Wu.”

“Do you want to go help her?” Sebastian’s lips twitched in amusement, a feeling of nostalgia crossing his mind as he recalled how often Nym got into fights. “I can wait if you want.”

"No, it's fine." Tang San waved it away as the pigtailed girl punted a kid nearly a hundred feet away. “She’s not in danger. It should wind down in a minute.”

Just as he finished speaking, lights shone from the crowd as Martial Souls and Spirit Rings were unleashed.

“You were saying?” Sebastian chuckled as he took in the various abilities the children were using. 'They have an easier time naturally using their Martial Souls than Wizards using magic, as well as being far younger than when Huntsmen typically awaken Aura.’

“She can handle herself.” Tang San’s face scrunched up in clear annoyance, but Sebastian could tell he wanted to rush off.

“Just go.” Sebastian leaned against a doorpost and flicked a finger. “Don’t let your girl fight alone.”

"She's not my girl." Tang San flushed again but gave him a grateful nod. "I'll be right back."

“Don’t keep me waiting too long.” Sebastian waved as Tang San shot off, his eyes narrowing. ‘That kid was giving me an uneasy feeling.’

Sebastian always trusted his instincts, and while the kid showed no signs of danger, he made Sebastian curious.

‘Things only make me curious when there’s a mystery to solve.’

Tang San appeared in the crowd in the blink of an eye, reinforcing his body with Soul Power to move faster as a gauntlet of some kind of blue plant appeared around his wrist and forearm.

Sebastian’s eyes lit up. ‘His control of Soul Power is immaculate. There wasn’t a single leak in his energy output.’

Mana and Aura control took time and effort to train for efficient use, and Sebastian saw the same issues in these cultivators, with most of the kids in the crowd wasting energy like broken faucets.

But Tang San was a calm pond.

‘Is it talent or effort?’ Sebastian always respected hard-earned skill and knowledge; even with the Unspeakables he wanted to kill, he would respect their skills and gain enough tools to crush them without looking down on them.

Arrogance was not something he would let be his downfall.

The blue-haired boy performed a series of highly impressive acrobatics to dodge various attacks, spreading blue grass threads through the ground and entangling dozens of students at the same time.

‘A restraint ability?’ Sebastian watched as the trapped students began to sag. ‘Poison as well? That’s a dangerous combination.’

The girl flashed through the crowd with a broad, battle-hungry smile as she kicked and tossed kids like they were going out of fashion.

Yet what really caught Sebastian’s eye was how Tang San flicked pieces of iron from his sleeves to take out anyone about to blindside the girl. 'Phenomenal spatial awareness and accuracy.’

The fight was over nearly as quickly as it began.

Tang San spent a minute sternly lecturing his sister until she got teary-eyed, and he started apologizing. ‘Poor bastard.’ Sebastian shook his head. ‘The kid better learn how to deal with women soon, or he’s fucked.’

It took another minute of consoling before Tang San rushed back, not winded in the slightest. "Sorry for the wait!"

“No apology necessary.” Sebastian smirked and waved toward the building's interior, letting the kid take the lead. “You did well back there.”

“It was nothing.” Tang San rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Xiao Wu can’t help stirring up trouble when she gets bored.”

“You left her alone for less than a minute.” Sebastian pointed out.

“She…” Tang San trailed off awkwardly. “Gets bored easily.”

‘What a sucker.’ Sebastian patted the kid on the shoulder. “Hopefully it’s just a phase.”

"I wouldn't bet on it." Tang San headed up to the second floor. "She's been like that since she was six."

“That long?” Sebastian raised a brow. “She’s what, fifteen now?”

“Eleven, actually.” Tang San corrected. “We’re the same age.”

Sebastian nearly missed a step. ‘What the fuck? These kids are eleven? Do they know what eleven-year-olds look like? I was barely a garden gnome at eleven.’

A grimace crossed his face. ‘Does Soul Power increase growth rates? No, the rest of the kids looked their age; what the fuck?'

Sebastian had to mentally curse twice just to keep his reaction controlled. “I see, well, I’m sure she’ll grow out of it in a few more years.”

“I can hope.” Tang San chuckled, missing Sebastian’s internal shock, and stopped by a door. "This is Teacher's office."

He knocked.

“Come in.” A slightly raspy voice called out.

"Teacher." Tang San greeted the man by the desk with a bow. "A guest asked for you, so I brought him here."

"Is that so?" The man turned wary eyes on Sebastian. "I don't recall having a meeting set up for the day."

“My apologies.” Sebastian tore his hungry eyes away from the walls filled with books and stepped forward. “The academy staff was making it difficult to set up a meeting, so I took matters into my own hands."

Sebastian took in the man labeled Grandmaster.

Standing around five-foot-nine, with shaggy white hair, deep eye bags, a thin frame, and an aura of weakness, yet the man’s eyes were bright with a spark of intelligence and cunning.

"Oh?" The man shifted to face him, and Sebastian didn't miss how Tang San stepped into his blind spot almost silently. "And what could you want with me that you would avoid decorum? I asked the staff to make it difficult to see me on purpose."

“Why else?” Sebastian quirked his lips, needles flowing under his jacket to intercept the kid if he acted. "You are the man spoken of as the Grandmaster by the populace. The Number One Scholar and Philosopher, Yu Xiaogang.”

Sebastian noticed the man’s face twitch at the title. “As a fellow scholar, I wanted to see if we could exchange information and grow from each other.”

“You’re a scholar?” Xiaogang’s eyes softened slightly. “You must not be from around here if you would use my title to my face.”

"Why is that?" Sebastian tilted his head. "The citizens of Nuoding City have the highest praise for you.”

“That’s…” Xiaogang had a pained expression before he sighed and waved a hand. “Tang San, please back down.”

"Yes, Teacher." Tang San reappeared by Sebastian's side and slid a blade back into his sleeve. “My apologies, Sir.”

“Think nothing of it.” Sebastian internally scoffed at the kid. ‘If you made my Aura protect me, I'd knock you out and erase my existence from your memory.'

Outwardly, he smiled. "It’s perfectly normal to protect your loved ones.”

Tang San’s lips curved upward, as if Sebastian had said something he felt strongly about.

“He can be a bit overprotective sometimes.” Xiaogang chuckled and held up a fist to cover his rough cough. “It’s been a long time since a fellow scholar sought me out for an exchange. Please sit." He waved to a pair of chairs beside the window. “Tang San, please prepare some tea.”

“Yes, Teacher.” Tang San bowed and headed for the kitchen.

“You have a good apprentice.” Sebastian commented as he took a seat in the surprisingly comfortable chair and crossed a foot over his knee. "I witnessed him participate in a squabble in the courtyard; he has phenomenal energy control.”

“I can’t take all the credit for that.” Xiaogang looked proud as he took the other seat. “He’s a prodigy born with Innate Full Soul Power; his growth would have been set even without my help.”

Sebastian knew the term from the book he had taken from Lee.

Innate Full Soul Power referred to kids who were already at Level 10 when their Martial Soul was awakened.

“Is that so?” Sebastian mused. “I always assumed there would be a difference in essence absorption speed between cultivators. Are you saying that those with Innate Full Soul Power would shoot up the levels faster than those born with less Soul Power?”

Xiaogang's eyes lit up at the question. "I believe so. I've used my time at this academy to keep an eye on students with different starting points, and I've been able to confirm my hypothesis. However, it still depends on the cultivator's discipline. A child born with a golden spoon can still have their talent turn to dung if they don't practice diligently."

“Perfectly understandable. Hard work is the core of intelligence or strength.” A hard flash passed Sebastian’s gaze. “Only those born without talent would understand the value of progress through effort.”

“Haha, I couldn’t agree more.” Xiaogang was all smiles now as he leaned back and gestured for Tang San to drop the tea tray on the coffee table. "I can’t tell you how relieving it is to hear that from another scholar. Where did you study?”

“I’m a bit of a self-study, I’m afraid.” Sebastian smiled wryly. “I had issues with understanding my Martial Soul and chose to pursue my interests in outskirt villages with weaker Spirit Beasts using the books my father had left me when he passed.”

“You must have suffered.” Xiaogang gave him a sympathetic look. “I too understand how difficult it can be to have a troublesome Martial Soul; they are not all made equal, and are often mocked if they are not directly appealing to combat."

Tang San poured the tea and nodded in agreement. "I too would have been lost without Teacher's help."

“Ah, that gauntlet of yours.” Sebastian nodded at the young man. “It was quite a deadly combination. Restraint and poison, a match made in heaven.”

Tang San smiled and held up his hand as his gauntlet reappeared, made entirely from blue grass. “I was born with Blue Spirit Grass as my spirit, a trash spirit.” Xiaogang’s face twitched at the title. “It ate away at me for a while, but Teacher helped me see the worth in my spirit.”

“I just did what any teacher should do for their apprentice.” Xiaogang’s voice grew heated. “There is no such thing as a Trash Spirit, only trash users. With the right guidance, knowledge of one’s ability, and proper Spirit Rings, any Martial Soul can bloom.”

"A wise sentiment." Sebastian nodded in agreement, accepting the teacup with a grateful nod. "And one I can fully agree with."

"Then please allow me to welcome you…" Xiaogang paused. "I apologize; I don't believe you introduced yourself."

"How rude of me." Sebastian pressed his hand to his chest and bowed his head in greeting. "Please call me White; I'm afraid my father was a bit eccentric and named me based on his favorite color."

Sebastian knew his actual name would stand out too much. With all the Chinese names thrown around, blending in with a simple name like 'White' was easier than 'Sebastian'.

"It's not the oddest name I've heard." Xiaogang chuckled and raised his cup. "Please call me Xiaogang; I dislike the title I’ve been assigned.”

“Which one?” Sebastian smirked. “Grandmaster? Number One Scholar? Or Number One Philosopher?”

Each title had the man wincing further. "A play on words, I fear. An old acquaintance with some political reach had the name spread many years ago. It led many civilians to come to me for advice, and before I knew it, everyone was using my titles as if they were deserved. But to any respectable scholar or cultivator, they know it's more of a joke."

“You are wise, Teacher.” Tang San defended firmly. “Anyone who would mock you is a fool.”

An odd fierceness laced Tang San's words, and Sebastian could have sworn he felt a hint of his instinct flare. 'Better to not insult Xiaogang in front of this kid.'

“We are only ever as wise as we allow ourselves to be.” Sebastian interjected calmly. "The line between genius and madness is thin, and only those who dare to walk it can push the boundaries that others believe are divine laws to satisfy their view of reality."

Xiaogang’s eyes widened as he gave Sebastian a respectful look. “Indeed, White. Very well said.”

“Forgive me, I ramble occasionally.” Sebastian waved a hand, casually disguising his diagnostic charm.

“Not at all!” Xiaogang smiled brightly. “It’s a genuine pleasure to discuss things with someone so passionate. Please, tell me where you would like to begin.”

“Well, to be fairly honest, my knowledge of general Spirit Beasts and Spirit Rings is where I lack the most.” Sebastian admitted freely. “My time was sadly taken up in other areas, and I never had the time to pursue the subject further. By the time I was ready, I found that the only places with such information were locked in Sects or Spirit Hall libraries.”

“Ah, yes.” Xiaogang looked as annoyed as Sebastian. “The restriction of vital information can be quite vexing. I can understand why you sought me out.”

“It’s not right for Spirit Hall to restrict knowledge like that.” Tang San cut in with a troubled expression.

"While I agree on some levels." Sebastian didn't like being denied knowledge, but he was a hypocrite when it came to himself. "It also seems that Spirit Hall is far fairer to the people than the other factions."

“You would side with them?” Tang San looked at Sebastian oddly. “I thought you were annoyed with them.”

"I'm independent. And I am, but those are for my own reasons." Sebastian explained patiently. "From what I've understood through word of mouth, in the Star Lou and Heaven Dou empires, it's quite difficult for commoners to even have their Martial Souls awakened.”

“What?” Tang San was shocked. “How can that be true?"

“He’s correct, Tang San.” Xiaogang cut in with a complicated expression. “Despite my issues with them, I must agree that Spirit Hall has improved the lives of the common people to a far greater degree than the empires. Further, cultivators like yourself can freely enroll in Nuoding Academy on Spirit Hall's gold, with no strings attached.” He shook his head sadly. “The Empires would never support that.”

“I… I had no idea.” Tang San looked down with a thoughtful expression.

"Never take things at face value." Sebastian commented, sipping his tea after his diagnostic charm had reported no poison. “Any faction will have bad apples; I even had some Spirit Hall members try to mug me when I was passing through a village the other day.”

“Did you kill them?” Tang San asked with open curiosity.

"No." Sebastian didn't care if the kid was a sociopath; he and Neo were no different and would kill for lesser reasons. “They were just idiots, and if I killed them, the village would lack protection from Spirit Beasts.”

That was a bold-faced justification, and Sebastian knew it. ‘I could have set up some temporary magical defenses until Spirit Hall sent some more people, but meh, I promised Neo to try and stay out of trouble.’

“I never thought of that.” Tang San admitted, frowning at himself, but his teacher just smiled in appreciation.

"Always think through your actions, Tang San." Xiaogang lectured. "Every action has a consequence. If you can live with or handle the consequences, you will never regret an action.”

“I will try my best, Teacher.” Tang San bowed his head in respect. A bell rang through the school, and Tang San looked up with regret. "I'm afraid my break is over; I must return to class."

"Your studies are important." Sebastian nodded, inwardly pleased to get the odd kid to leave. “Thanks for all the help.”

“I apologize for my original weariness.” Tang San bowed his head to Sebastian this time. “It was educational to hear your words.”

“Off you go, Tang San.” Xiaogang waved toward the door. “I won’t be writing you a late note.”

“Of course, Teacher.” Tang San paid his respects and rushed off.

“He’s an interesting kid.” Sebastian commented as the door shut.

"A straightforward child; I sometimes fear he's too direct, but he has a good heart." Xiaogang chuckled and covered a cough.

“I couldn’t help but notice…” Sebastian trailed off to see if he could learn anything and was rewarded with Xiaogang’s eyes narrowing.

“You sensed it?”

“Indeed.” Sebastian let the silence stretch for a moment before continuing. “He has a strange form of Soul Power moving to his hands and eyes.”

“Oh.” Xiaogang’s expression eased once more. “Yes, he practices some form of martial arts. The application of such always took my interest.”

‘Did he think I would ask of something else?’ Sebastian raised a brow. “Did you teach it to him?”

"Oh, heavens, no. I'm afraid I've never had a particularly strong body." Xiaogang chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I assume he learned it from his father. I try not to pry out of respect.”

There was another reason, but Sebastian didn't feel the need to push. "Perhaps he'd be open to sharing if I asked? I'm always interested in new approaches to Soul Power usage."

“Is that your focus?” Xiaogang asked in interest. “You didn’t mention what you spent your years studying.”

“Ah, yes.” Sebastian pulled a pouch from his inner pocket; one he had made the night before with Egyptian Runes written and powered by Soul Power. “My focus lies in the written form of Soul Energy and how it interacts with various Spirit Rings, Martial Souls, and the natural world."

“Is that…?” Xiaogang trailed off with wide eyes as he accepted the pouch and reached in up to his elbow. "You made this?!"

“I did.” Sebastian smirked. ‘Who knew my Panda’s claws would be as capable of drawing Egyptian Runes with Soul Power as my previous Goblin Silver carving needles were with Mana. There’s so much I want to play with.’

“This is amazing!” Xiaogang was on the edge of his seat, examining the pouch in detail. "You actually crafted an Essence Tool! The art was lost centuries ago!”

"Are you sure?" Sebastian asked in confusion. "I saw several Essence Tools in Nuoding City, especially around Spirit Hall. Those Essence-Sensing crystal balls seem quite fragile. They can’t be that old.”

Xiaogang examined the pouch thoughtfully. "I may have been mistaken. Perhaps the knowledge is simply restricted."

He didn’t look happy to realize that.

“It might be for the best.” It hurt Sebastian to say, but he knew it was true. “The things one can do with such an ability could destabilize an authoritative body in economics, and the benefit it could bring to a military party is a serious threat.”

“But…” Xiaogang trailed off once more and seemed to sigh with wry acceptance. “I find myself repeatedly unable to argue with your logical viewpoints.”

"We call that wisdom." Sebastian commented humorously, drawing a laugh from Xiaogang. "However, back to the point of our discussion, I wish to further my studies on my subject, but I find myself at an impasse due to my lack of knowledge on Spirit Beasts and Spirit Rings."

“Well, for that, I believe you’ve come to the right place.” Xiaogang raised his head proudly. “Like yourself, I’ve had to face challenges with my Martial Soul, and I have been unable to pass the rank of a Spirit Expert. So after hitting a wall, I focused on my studies and dove into the correlations between Spirit Rings and Martial Souls." He waved a hand at the various shelves of books. "Most of my material is self-written, so I apologize if I can’t offer corresponding opinions.”

“Not at all!” Sebastian smiled brightly. “I’d appreciate whatever you could share.”

“Only if you share your own research.” Xiaogang replied in tune.

“I believe this is the start of a wonderful friendship.” Sebastian reached into his pouch for his cigars. “Ah, is your cough a symptom of something?”

“Nothing to be concerned over.” Xiaogang waved it away. “I’ve had this cough for my whole life.”

“Well then, perhaps this could help.” Sebastian changed his target to a box of thin red cigars. "These have a natural herb mixed into them that can soothe the lungs and help you breathe easier."

While preparing for his deal with Roman, Sebastian went on a little bit of a spending spree and got quite a few variations of wizarding cigars.

“Truly?” Xiaogang eyed the box with hopeful skepticism. “I’ve tried many things to no avail.”

“Consider it a leap of faith.” Sebastian smiled with a twinkle in his eye. “Who knows, you might just want to keep trading me for them.”

“If they work as you say, I just might.” Xiaogang reached for them without thinking, missing Sebastian’s hidden smile.

'I need to strike a deal with the manufacturers back home; if I can get a steady supply, I can start gathering resources from this world with little effort.’

There was nothing addictive about wizarding world smoking products, but that didn’t mean one couldn’t get addicted to a flavor.

And with Xiaogang’s first puff and breath of genuine enjoyment, Sebastian took his first steps to introducing a brand-new product to a world that hadn’t ever known such enjoyment.

0000

Three weeks had passed since Sebastian arrived at Nuoding Academy. Outside of a few nightly visits back in Remnant to keep Neo appeased, he spent all his time in Xiaogang's office or the adjoining study the man had gifted him.

Sebastian had spent the time thoroughly tearing through the man's notes on Spirit Beasts, and he had to fully admit that the man was, if not a genius, at least a thorough note-taker because his books were absolutely filled with details on Spirit Beasts that would have taken centuries to accumulate.

For example, one book described the Devil Vine, a few-decades-old plant-type Spirit Beast that camouflaged itself as a Romanti Snake, a millennia-old poisonous Spirit Beast.

It grew by a centimeter every year until it reached the rank of a 1,000-year-old Spirit Beast plant, and by measuring its length, one could tell the exact year of age its ring held.

He also learned that Spirit Beasts did not necessarily have to live for thousands of years to gain strength; they cultivated their bodies, bloodlines, and Soul Power by absorbing natural treasures, consuming other beasts, and through age.

According to records, Spirit Beasts could live for millennia without issue. In contrast, humans, even in the Level 90 range, could at most live for a few centuries.

'It must be due to their physiology.' Sebastian guessed, and Xiaogang agreed with the theory. 'Soul Power might help prolong life, keeping cultivators looking young for over a century, but Spirit Beasts also cultivate their bodies. It's a balance.'

The concept made Sebastian frown as he considered his own situation. ‘I might have overlooked my physical shell.’

After the first week, Sebastian repaired the internal damage he gained while discovering the method for acquiring Spirit Rings with a God’s Tear and returned to the forest to hunt. Still, he quickly found that he had approached a limit at Level 25.

‘My Mana and Aura are finally equalized and supporting each other, but it’s only widened my cap; it still hasn’t cracked the shell.' Sebastian could only grow his Aura and Mana the natural way until he found a solution. ‘I might need to improve my body as well, but how do I do that? Start working out?'

It became another focus of his studies and his search into Spirit Beasts, with mental Spirit Rings being his focus, of which he had found over a dozen thanks to Xiaogang’s help.

In the weeks he'd been there, Sebastian had spent any time he wasn't studying debating with Xiaogang on whatever theory crossed their minds. 'The man truly is a philosopher, but unfortunately, our opinions differ in a few key areas.'

It wasn’t enough to cause a rift, but Sebastian had come to an unfortunate conclusion. ‘He’s a coward. He fears taking risks to progress and has been stuck at his bottleneck for decades.’

It wasn't an insult, just a statement of personal opinion.

The man made a few token efforts to get past his level cap before giving up and focusing his studies on Spirit Beasts, thinking he could work with his Martial Soul instead of looking for new avenues.

'I find it hard to respect a man who gave in to his fate without fighting.’ A grimace crossed Sebastian’s face. ‘If I have to listen to another moping, depressed tale of fate, I'm going to stab him.’

Sebastian didn't hate the man; he still respected him as a scholar.

But while Sebastian appreciated the man’s help in his own efforts, he had repaid him in kind with a taste of Egyptian Runes.

He didn't hand over a complete dictionary, but he gave the man a few runes and explained their uses.

If Xiaogang could make use of them, then that was up to him. 'Even with Soul Power, there was a reason runic mages were so rare back home. The control of mind and energy needed to use Egyptian Runes sent countless curious wizards to early graves.'

And that didn't mention Tang San, who kept triggering Sebastian's instincts. ‘That kid has issues.’

In the time he'd been there, Sebastian had asked the blue-haired boy about his odd energy technique, and since then, the kid had been on edge around him. 'I swear he looked like he was considering killing me before he felt ashamed of himself and apologized.’

“I apologize if I offended.” Tang San bowed his head.

Sebastian looked up from the book he was reading, coat unbuttoned as his hair fluttered from the breeze coming through the open window. “Come again?”

The kid kept his head bowed as he spoke. "I wish to apologize, Mr. White. I considered you a threat to my teacher and jumped to thinking of how to remove you."

"Ah." Sebastian rubbed the side of his head with an awkward expression. "That's quite honest of you, kid." A bit weird, to be frank. "But it's not wrong to want to protect your loved ones."

Tang San looked up with a bright smile. “I’m glad you understand, Sir. It is refreshing in a way.”

“Sure, sure.” Sebastian waved him off and tried to focus back on his book with a mutter. “My woman tries to stab me twice a date.”

“Huh?” Tang San blinked in confusion.

“Nothing.” Sebastian chuckled. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

It wasn't the kid's sociopathic thought process that bothered Sebastian; it was how, other times, the boy's thoughts wavered back and forth with simple comments that exposed his lack of forethought.

‘He’s incredibly naïve while having a direct personality that takes things at face value and convinces himself that he’s righteous. A very dangerous combination.’

With that said, the kid was still a kind boy and was practically wiping the floor for his sister, whom Sebastian learned wasn't related by blood, before she could even take a step. ‘Their mutual crush is cute; I’d watch the eventual confession with popcorn.’

Sebastian never got an answer from the kid about his weird techniques, but through observation, he found himself interested in the kid's skills with hidden weapons, as Tang San explained, hoping to make him lose interest in his weird energy.

The way the boy could use minimal movements to use weapons on his body was an expression of art that Sebastian could respect. ‘I might use a form of magical telekinesis to control my needles, but there is something to the sheer body control needed for his skills. Hm…body control…’

Sebastian felt an idea wiggle up there but pushed it aside for the time being. ‘I won’t gain much else from staying here.’

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?” Xiaogang was saddened to see him go. “My progress these weeks has been greater than the last few years.”

"Sorry, Xiaogang, but I have other commitments I must honor." Sebastian smiled apologetically and turned to his apprentice beside him. "Take care, Tang San. I wish you and your crush well on your journey to that Academy, Shrek Academy, was it?"

“I will, Mr. White.” Tang San bowed his head with a polite smile. “And as I’ve told you many times, Xiao Wu is my sister.”

“Of course.” Sebastian shared an amused look with Xiaogang. “Keep her safe, and remember what I told you.”

“To think of the consequences before I act. To not take things at face value without questioning both sides.” Tang San replied with a thoughtful look. “I won’t forget.”

“Good.” Sebastian turned back to Xiaogang and extended his hand. “In my hometown, friends shook hands on greetings and partings. I hope you’ll consider me a friend.”

"Of course I do!" Xiaogang quickly gripped his hand and shook it. "I'll have advanced my studies in the written language you shared with me by the next time we meet."

“I’ll be happy to check your progress at that time.” Sebastian nodded and stepped back. “Until next time.”

“Safe travels, White.” Xiaogang waved.

“Come back soon.” Tang San said by his teacher's side as Sebastian turned and left through the gates of Nuoding Academy.

Only when he was a distance away did Sebastian’s eyes go deadpan. 'I'll stab myself before I come back here. Neo’s perky tits, I need a drink that’s not bloody tea.’

Sebastian beelined for the nearest bar.

Chapter End.