Leon, of course, was not aware of Sun's thoughts and was a little glad (and a little saddened) that Jin Li had made a friend in the martial arts school. He was also settling into the school well it seemed. Maybe he wouldn't be so quick to depend on Leon in the future? This thought was not as happy a one as he would assume and Leon knew that it was he that had become dependant on Jin Li for company. He missed him when he wasn't around, even though his overbearing, arrogant nature was sometimes too much when he was.
Pike came for them not long after Sun and Jin Li had woken and handed Leon the payment for his pills; the leather belt and scabbard and the new boots. The boots fitted well and were much more comfortable than his old worn slippers. He wiggles his toes within the confines, a smile upon his lips.
However, his clueless nature reared its head once more, causing Pike more mirth. He overly enjoyed the boy's innocence, was always amused by the widening of his bright eyes when he learnt something new. It began as they were about to leave; Leon hovered in the door of the guest chamber, not quite ready to leave.
"Um, P-Pike," he said, his cheeks staining pink as he readied himself to question with a whisper; "What about the ch-chamber p-pots and b-blankets? They were used." The pink morphed to red as he saw the hints of held back laughter and the rolling of eyes by Jin Li and Sun.
"Don't worry about it," Pike struggled to not chuckle between words. He gently tapped Leon upon the shoulder. Jin Li stopped laughing in an instant. "Someone will deal with it. A first year perhaps."
Leon looked confused so he explained further; "Each school works on the method of supply and demand, you need herbs to practice making pills, the school supplies them in exchange for some of those pills, right?" Leon nodded. "The martial arts students need techniques, pills and cultivation methods, but have nothing to offer the school in return. The school does supply basic and common techniques and cultivation methods in the library as well as through lectures as well as basic equipment to every student, regardless of school. But to earn more, a price must be paid. Martial arts student earn points through guarding, cleaning and later through missions. I believe some of the other schools do the same, but the tasks differ. Your school uses herbs and pills for its payments to tasks. The only time this changes is when the request crosses schools."
"I didn't know this," Jin Lin stated, but then, he never felt the need to learn a new cultivation technique as he had the one passed down from his family. It was likely far superior to any a Middle Realm could offer.
"Jin Li, it was mentioned during orientation," Sun whispered to him.
"I was busy cleaning my sword," Jin Li said dismissively.
"Anyway, there is no need to worry," Pike concluded, shaking his head. The country bumpkin had surely attracted unusual friends, he thought to himself as he lead them to breakfast. As they sat down, he recommended to Jin Li to look at the request board in the outer school when he returned their. "Your cultivation is good as are your skills, but you may still need other things?"
"Such as," Jin Li asked, giving respect to Pike, by briefly pausing the motions of his chopsticks.
"New equipment, pills," Pike named a couple of things off of the top of his head. "The school does not supply either unless you happen to be apprenticed by a specific Teacher. Even a simple clear spiritual pill can cost 20 points."
Leon thought about the side effects of taking certain low level pills and paused in eating his own breakfast. "Don't worry about p-p-pills," he told Jin Li. "If you n-n-need something, c-come to m-me f-first." If he could supply Jin Li an improved version, it would be better for him in the long run, less side effects and sometimes more efficient.
Jin Li was also aware of this, so he nodded, understanding what Leon wanted to say, but arrogantly added; "I never intended anything else." Although his tone surprised Pike, Leon seemed happy with the response, so he said nothing, just smiled. Sun was mired in his own thoughts wondering why Jin Li's servant felt the need to remind his Master in the first place!
Once breakfast was over, Pike guided them to the portals, but turned to Leon and stated; "You should come and watch the Standings, I will ensure you a seat!"
"Thank you," Leon smiled, brightly in agreement. For some reason, this caused Jin Li to grind his teeth in irritation.
The strange pulling sensation brought them back to the outer school, where they were met by a senior student, who looked at the three suspiciously before acknowledging them with the tilt of his head. They left the portal room giving the same amount of acknowledgement to that student as he had afforded them.
Leon turned to Jin Li, as they stepped into the hall and asked; "How long d-does it take to w-walk to m-my hut?"
"It would likely take you the rest of the day," he said with a slight sneer to his words, gazing up at down at the boy and hinting at Leon's weak body. The youth ignored him and simply nodded as he listened, before smiling at the two martial artists.
"Well, I should get started," he said as if it were of no consequence, but before he could take another step, Jin Li grabbed his arm and held him back. Naturally, Sun saw this and frowned.
"Jin Li, why did you stop him," he pouted. "I hoped to exchange pointers with you, Jin Li. You can't be meaning to walk back with him to the alchemist school can you?" Leon's eyes widened wondering if Jin Li actually had that intention, but when he glanced up at the youth's scowling face, he knew this to not be true.
"I had no such intention," he replied, crossly. "This Lord does not need to expend the effort in carrying his body when he collapses in the attempt. I was merely going to suggest you go to the Griffin nest."
"But we came here with Teacher Sagi," Leon replied, thinking that was why they were given such privilege. Jin Li thought about this and decided that the older boy was probably not wrong.
"Well then, let us ask if Teacher Sagi has returned or if there might be another way of sending you back," Sun said, brightly. Leon thanked him, thinking that he was a good person, could not see why Jin Li treated him like air so often. Also he felt guilty about his first sour thoughts about the bubbly boy. He was not aware that Sun just wished to get rid of him quickly.
As it happened, Teacher Sagi was due to give another lecture to the first year students about the side effects of taking pills. This lecture was meant to warn them and let them know that while pills and potions had their place, they should not be taken as substitute for hard work or relied on heavily.
Leon decided that they should not disturb the Teacher before the lecture and instead took a seat hoping to learn something new. He was surprised, as was Sun, when Jin Li opted to sit beside him, even though he continued to scowl as if this was a waste of his time. Sun sat beside his idol quietly, shifting blame for Jin Li doing this and not sparring with him in the arena squarely upon Leon's shoulders once more.
As far as Jin Li was concerned, this lecture was boring. In fact, this was not just in his opinion. A lot of the martial arts students seemed to be thinking much the same. If he had dwelled much on this, he would have realised that there was a common vein; the students least interested and looking half asleep were all wealthy young masters. These students had learned this lesson before or simply didn't care; wasn't that what purifying potions for? While those who stared at the Teacher bored, but trying to seem otherwise were aspiring young Masters, told by their families to listen and respect the Teachers and seniors, but at the same time, had been brought up to think they were special and above others. The small group who were listening attentively either actually liked learning this or were from poorer backgrounds, unaware of this knowledge and aware they needed to learn as much as possible so when they graduate, they can improve their lots in life.
Jin Li watched Leon, one of the latter group, his eyes were sparkling attentively as he took in every word. Did he not know all of this already? He was from the alchemist school after all, this would taught to them as well. Well, he thought to himself, seeing Leon this happy was not unpleasant. He would put up with this boring lecture for now.
If he cared enough to look to the other side of him, he might have found that Sun was in the same situation as him; a bored young master. But he didn't; care, look or find out.
As I have lots of unpublished chapters built up, I am upping releases to 3. Here is Sunday’s first release!
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