Chapter 8 Part 2 of 4 (Patreon)

In nine months, Erik and Rugrat’s growth was monstrous. Xun Liang and Weebla watched them as they practiced in the training dungeon.

Their movements, which had been jerky and unsure before, now moved with a grace born of new instinct. Attacks came in from every direction as they sweated to counter it all.

Fire increased the strength they were able to use in a moment. Earth allowed them to heal and recover from their fatigue, keeping them in peak condition. Mana another limb to move them as they needed, turning it into a dance of blurs and cracks as blows tore through the air.

Rugrat shifted mana, turning it from shields, into weapons and restrictions, controlling the flow of the fight. It seemed alive under his control.

Erik’s fists cracked out; lightning no longer danced on his skin as his knuckles hardened at the last second before impact. Striking a golem, taking out a knee joint, twisting, striking a shoulder joint. His attacks were quick and destructive, each aimed at a key weakness of his enemy, disabling them before their bodies could recover.

“They have a greater control over elements and mana now, restricting them worked well,” Weebla said.

“They needed time to learn their elements and mana. Having the threat of the Telarri only sped things up.”

Erik and Rugrat were dodging and even counterattacking some of the attacks that rained down on them, each dealing with five Telarri at the same time with their eyes were closed.

“They have been working on whittling down their opponents instead of defeating them outright. See how Erik is targeting their bodies, hitting them at points that will create the most amount of damage over time. Rugrat is using spells all over the place and has integrated in the use of elements. Still, he is better suited for range, but he can at least defend himself in close. It’s reversed with Erik.”

Weebla turned her head to the side. “Someone has come to the training reception,” she said.

“Ughh really? I was hoping for more time.”

“I don’t think he’s here for you.”

“Really? What for?”

“It’s a proctor.”

They frowned at one another. “I’ll go and take a look.”

Xun Liang stood up and went through the teleportation formation. The Proctor was looking around the place and seemed confused.

“You—” The man’s mouth opened and closed as he stared at Xun Liang. He wrung his hands together, not quite knowing what to do

“You’re not looking for me, so who are you looking for? And none of that bowing crap.”

“S-Sir, I’m looking for two men.” He rushed over clasping his fist. “They might be hiding nearby, intending to harm you!”

“What are their names?”

“Erik West and Jimmy Rodriguez, but he goes by Rugrat most of the time.”

“Yes, and what of them?”

The man smacked his lips, his voice regaining its strength. “They are from the lower realms, sir, from the Alva Empire, and they are acting as gatekeepers.”

“Gatekeepers. Oh, I guess that they were just fighting the people that were trying to take their positions.” Xun Liang looked up at the ceiling and frowned. “I thought they would try and climb the ranks. I know it was all I thought about when I was younger. They’re training demons, but hmm, yeah, they might just not care about the ranks. Their gear from Alva is already high tier.”

Xun Liang rubbed the side of his head and sighed. “Ahh, these professional fighter types. I’ve not run into their kind before.”

“Sir, do you know of them?”

“You’re going to have to promise that you will not tell anyone that I am here or what I am going to tell you?” Xun Liang’s words made the man drop to his knees.

“I will say nothing!”

“Good.” His lighthearted tone returned. “Then what do you need with my two students?”

“S-Students?” The Proctor looked up with wide eyes.

“Yes, they needed a bit of kicking around but they’re shaping up nicely. I guess they must not care about the rankings in the Academy, they are very low key and humble.”

The blood was quickly draining from the man’s face.

“So what did you want?’

“I uhh, there has been a challenge against them. A retest by another student and supported by their history teacher.”

“That is not what I was expecting.” Xun Liang sighed. “Why are things always so complicated. Fine, I will tell them. It should give them some more pressure to deal with, hmm. Maybe I should make it a goal of theirs to fight their way up the ranks? You said that he was at the eight thousand rank, right? Wait, is he fighting both of them or just one of them?”

“Both of them at the same time, it would be fairer that way.”

“Well how would the ranks be sorted out? Would they both take his rank?”

“We—”

“You didn’t think that far because you don’t think that they could defeat your fighter. I think you should put some thought into it.” Xun Liang started to pace. “If they are to challenge people one hundred ranks higher than them with their five challenges, they can go up five hundred positions in a month. They might need to increase their cultivation some to compete with those in the higher ranks, could get them into the team fights.” Xun Liang sighed as he muttered. “Then Master is going to kick my ass for making them fight all the time, need to leave them some time to learn from the library. Wait.”

Xun Liang stopped. “Where are they from these two? You said Alva right?”

“Yes, they are its Emperors.”

“Didn’t Alva create that alliance that is spreading throughout the lower realms?”

“Yes.”

“Urgh, give me a minute, Eli’keen gave me some boring report,” Xun Liang paced, looking at the ceiling and tapped his chin. “They defeated an alliance of sects that attacked them and rebuffed attacks from a group in the Seventh Realm.” He closed one eye and clucked his tongue. “Used that to take over cities, build up alliances, create trade. Are you sure that they’re the leaders?”

“Yes sir.”

“Huh, must have some good assistants, those two are idiots.” Xun Liang snorted.

“It is said there is a council that runs things, but they are all elected, so it could not be them.”

Xun Liang’s eyes moved back and forth, pulling information together.

“Erik and Rugrat care about ability over all else. I could see them overlooking personal power for people’s abilities in other places. But then having elected officials that control their empire. Everyone gains power by taking it in the realms.” Xun Liang clapped his hands. Startling the Proctor. “Well, this is great. I’ve been reading about this Alva, they created a newfound peace in the lower realms. They’re spreading information and teaching across the realms in a way the Associations haven’t been able to in the centuries they have existed for. People have stopped fighting for what they can gain in peace over war. Huh, and they’re still humble. Well, mouthy when I train them, and stubborn bastards but good people.” Xun Liang cleared his throat at his ramblings. “You okay? You look rather pale and sweaty?”

“It is nothing sir,”

“Okay. You’re sure? Erik could take a look at you and get you healed in a moment. He’s a good healer.”

“Ah, I do need to pass on the challenge to them.”

“You got the papers?”

“Yes sir.” The Proctor pulled out the scroll. Xun Liang pulled it to his hand.

“I will pass this on to them and not a word of where I am.”

“No, sir.”

“Oh, and if you could pass me information on what’s happening that would be great, save me sneaking around the campus and the cafeteria.”

Xun Liang turned and headed back towards the teleportation formations.

“Guess I’ll have to focus on their training together sooner now.”

***

Erik barely heard the whistle, newly ingrained reactions driving him for several more seconds, taking out two more golems, restricting their movements, a destructive punch here, a kick there, almost living flame burning through a joint.

He breathed heavily, scanning around him, all senses and his domain working in combination. It felt like a lifetime ago he had been this alive. He breathed, calming himself and flipping back the switch as he rolled out his shoulders, walking out of the sparring square.

“Was just starting to get into the groove.”

Rugrat laughed. “Thought we’d be in there for a few more hours.”

“Telarri time?” Erik raised an eyebrow, unable to hide the grin on his face. His fear had turned into respect. They were powerful beasts and smart. Each time he went in, he felt that he was fighting a new group, smarter than the last. Always a level higher than him in elemental and mana utilization.

You don’t get stronger fighting against weaker opponents.