Capítulo 27: Chapter 27: Magi Selection?
Waking up, Luck casually got up and walked out of his room. He noticed how the sun still hadn't risen yet, as the damp smell of soil permeated the air. It had been raining last night.
His body was so used to his strict routine in the Sanctuary that it had formed a habit of minimal sleep.
Not wanting to wake anyone up, Luck exited the house as he wandered around the village.
Around 2,000 people live here.
In these early hours, not many had woken up. Luck only spotted a few people walking about during this time.
Luck eventually stumbled upon the training grounds of the Scorpion Warriors. They were currently all practising their strategic formations and spear attacks.
In front of them was Sivo who was leading them.
Luck also noticed that in the distance, there was another warrior group. The people there were sparring with each other, using sabers instead of spears.
Luck guessed that the person leading them was the tall, burly man who had a terrible scar running down his left eye. He was at the silver stage.
Though, they didn't seem to be taking their training seriously.
As Luck got closer to the Scorpion Warriors, Sivo spotted him, beckoning him to come over.
"Luck! You're up early."
Luck walked over as he said, "Hey Sivo. I was just exploring the village."
"Haha, I see!"
"Vel, you are in charge! Practice the offensive formations! Make sure none of them slacks off!" Sivo commanded one of his men as he walked up to Luck.
"What do you think? Interested in being a Scorpion Warrior?" Sivo grinned.
"Nah. Those guys over there seem cool though." Luck spoke jokingly, pointing at the saber-wielding warriors.
Hearing Luck's words, Sivo showed a slightly unhappy expression as he said, "You shouldn't get involved with them. They are our village's fighters. They are all barbaric and bloodthirsty mongrels."
Luck had a thoughtful expression. He had only said that to probe them. He then said, "Aren't they part of the village? And aren't you also a fighter? You don't seem quite fond of them..."
Sivo helplessly sighed, "Yes... but they are truly arrogant. You should already know that for a village to promote its size, a tournament every 3 years occurs in the Myriad Glades. In this tournament, all the villages round up their strongest men to battle, and if you perform exceptionally well, great rewards as well. All of them have surpassed the soldier rank — they are all warriors and that man with the scar is already at the master rank. He's truly a formidable genius even when compared to other villages. After all, he's only two years older than me! On average, unless one has immense resources, normally someone reaches their 30s before they become a master, and that's if they diligently train like their life depends on it!"
"Hm, I see." Luck mumbled.
'So a bronze stage practitioner is called a warrior, silver stage is called a master and gold stage are titled grandmasters in the mortal world.' Luck thought.
He could get a gist of this village's situation then. It seems the Scorpion Warriors held an inferior position compared to the village's fighters. From Sivo's displeasure of Luck saying he wanted to join them, he guessed that it wasn't an uncommon decision.
The Scorpion Warriors are constantly risking their lives outside the village to hunt for beasts. As for them, they were not even taking their training seriously as they likely weren't forced to hunt beasts. Furthermore, if someone strong emerges in the Scorpion Warriors, they would likely choose to join the village's fighters.
After understanding everything, Luck just lightly laughed and reassured Sivo, "Haha, don't worry. I was only joking. After everything that happened, I don't want to experience more bloodshed and battles."
Seeing Luck's expression, Sivo smiled. "That's good. It's a shame you won't join the Scorpion Warriors with your strength though, but no matter. At least you're not joining our rivals!"
"Haha, I might just join them to annoy you." Luck grinned.
"You brat!" Sivo laughed, rubbing Luck's head.
After a few more minutes of talking, Sivo went back to training.
Once Luck finished exploring the village, Luck walked to the Chief's abode.
As he arrived, announcing his entry, Luck opened the flap as he saw Village Chief Kanu in the midst of handling a map of the Myriad Glades.
Spotting Luck, he paused as he said, "Oh, Luck. Is there anything you need?"
"Sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to ask a few things..."
Seeing the child's serious expression, Chief Kanu nodded as he said, "I see. Then please take a seat."
Luck nodded as he took a seat in front of the village chief. He then spoke, "I would like to ask about... people who wield supernatural powers... beings that can manipulate the world itself..."
Chief Kanu showed a strange expression as he replied, "What of them?" Signifying that he understood what Luck was saying.
"When my village got attacked by those bandits... I had run deep into the forest, however, they were chasing me. I was badly injured by them and when I was about to die, a mysterious person in a cloak had arrived when I was about to get killed and used fire to burn them all down! He even gave me something to heal all my wounds!"
When those words left Luck's mouth, Chief Kanu sucked in a breath of cold air.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "You truly are a lucky child... to gain the favour of a celestial being. Haha, your name is truly fitting."
"Celestial... being?" Luck muttered.
Chief Kanu continued, "Child, before I became a village chief, I had been an extremely ambitious person, wanting to be the strongest in all the lands! But I would soon realise how insignificant I was in this world..." He laughed at himself before saying,
"I had wandered out of my village and had eventually been a grandmaster knight for Golden Gate's main city. This is why we can sell our items there. During my time travelling the world, I had met only a few celestial beings, however, they are all powerful and mysterious. These celestial beings are unfathomable. I had witnessed their strength firsthand as a commander of an army. With a wave of their hand, hundreds– no! Thousands were killed! It was utter destruction!"
Luck showed a shocked expression. Of course, inwardly, he didn't really care. He's seen what true destruction looked like in his memories.
"Does the Myriad Glades have any celestial beings?" Luck asked.
Chief Kanu simply chuckled, "Haha, child, do you think that they are cheap grass? We are in the mortal world, they have no interest in a backward place such as this. Even the great villages would immediately submit themselves and try to curry favour if they met a celestial being."
'Hm, this chief is very experienced. He's not a complete frog-in-the-well. I had prepared myself to not find any information whatsoever.' Luck thought.
"Then is it possible to become a celestial being?" Luck asked curiously.
Chief Kanu simply sighed. This child was simply too naive of the world. However, he knew that not many were as experienced as he was. He was over the age of a hundred and still had a few decades left in him. "Child, becoming a celestial being is like ascending to the heavens. To try and become one, I don't meet the requirements nor know how. However, I heard near the Black Iron Kingdom, Celestial Beings have been sighted there for a few years. They seemed to be selecting promising talents of the mortal world. Due to this, the Black Iron Kingdom suddenly had an influx of people. Millions of people go there to try and meet their requirements, but out of all those people, not even 100 are picked."
Luck showed a strange expression. 'Black Iron Kingdom... It's likely an organisation finding disciples.'
Seeing Luck's expression, he spoke, "Child, I know that expression as I used to be just like you when I was younger. One's ambition is as high as the heavens when one's horizons still have not been broadened. But do not get your hopes up. Just because you are so young and at least at the master rank, the requirements of celestial beings are much more different and strange than you could possibly imagine."
Luck sneered inwardly, 'Old man, I'm probably someone who's more knowledgeable of these celestial beings than this entire continent combined.'
Seeing how Luck's expression wasn't changing, he helplessly sighed. Only when they experience countless setbacks would a youngster's ambition falter. But at this moment, it was as tough as steel. The old man knew that Luck had already set becoming a celestial being his goal.
Sighing, he said, "If you truly want to try and meet their requirements, you should prepare to go to Black Iron Kingdom soon. Those celestial being's selections are held every four years. The next one should be happening in three months. As you saved my grandchildren, I will give a hand for you to pursue your ambitions, whether you succeed or not."
Village Chief Kanu felt that Luck becoming a celestial being was basically impossible. However, this is better than Luck leaving the village on his own accord and severing ties with them. Once he fails the selection, he will bring him back. This child was too much of a genius just to rot away in the world. This way, the child will still view their village favourably.
"Three months..." Luck mumbled, before curling his lips. This time was suitable. Luck planned to participate in this selection to become a disciple of their organisation. He was sure an organisation would have a magic catalyst to become a magi.
"Thank you, grandpa Kanu. If I become a celestial being, I will surely repay you!" Luck spoke, his expression beaming with joy. Although he was merely acting, he did feel slightly grateful despite understanding the old man's intentions.
When he grows stronger, he may help this village on a whim. It was not like he was some cold-hearted individual, he had many emotions: anger, envy, indifference, lust, joy... these emotions are what gives him a sense of being and purpose. If he was merely a hollow shell with no emotions, what was the point of striving to be stronger?
After talking with the old man for a few minutes to get more details, Luck left.
He was going to stay in this village for two more weeks before departing. Black Iron Kindom was 700 miles from this forest — around two months by carriage. The initial requirement to be tested was to be at the age of 10 to 20.
Due to the vastness of participants, a big screening will take place. After all, if millions were to be tested, it would take way too long.
...
Six days had swiftly passed.
Near a waterfall, Luck sat cross-legged on a rock illuminated by the sunlight — his eyes closed and face expressionless.
Luck regulated his breathing as his body was as still as a statue. After two hours, his eyes slowly opened.
His eyes were slightly misty as if in a trance before he slowly regained his clarity. Luck was consolidating the memories of Azikul. The singular soul fragment was nearly fully digested.
He was forcing himself into the dream world, living Azikul's countless experiences. Luck estimated he only needed two more days before he digested the soul fragment completely.
Luck's lips curled into a smile. With so many experiences being relived, he kept getting more information about magi: some trivial and some extremely valuable.
The main pursuit of magi is to be stronger, live longer and to understand and manipulate the verities of the universe. As Luck didn't have a magic catalyst to take his first step as a magi, he had no way to touch upon the mystic abilities of magis.
However, after nearly devouring the soul fragment, Luck gained some complete knowledge towards something that doesn't require being a magi to practice.
A rune master!
Luck had already met with two of them, the red-eyed man and Lord Thel. He already had a vague understanding towards them — some runes could be used to make things hidden and others could be used like an energy bomb, detonating and exploding!
Since the memories are from a much more ancient time, this magi occupation may have changed titles, but they should fundamentally be the same.
Rune masters can utilise unique ingredients and materials to engrave magic formations and runes upon weapons, armours, objects etc. They can strengthen equipment by engraving a rune on it, or provide unusual effects to objects, creating relics.
Why Luck didn't have to be a magi to practice this occupation was because it didn't require magical energy!
Instead, it required a different kind of energy, one each living being possesses.
Soul power!
With the memories of a being that has experienced 10,000 years of trials and tribulations, exploring the world and making countless enemies, Azikul was practically a lone wolf. Thus, he had to find a way to get resources for himself.
Magis had many occupations, with two of them being particularly famous and highly respected: rune masters and alchemists. These two occupations required immense talent, resources and trial-and-error to gain any success. Furthermore, one has to be innately gifted towards it as both require soul power, something decided upon birth.
Despite the harshness of the requirements for these occupations, if you have the necessary talent, both these occupations are very lucrative. You could practically shower in gold each day and it would still not be a drop in the ocean to your wealth!
Being a rune master or an alchemist was perfect for Luck as his soul was very powerful. Of course, Azikul had more knowledge towards rune masters, thus Luck was also going to be a rune master as well.
With the residue of an Archdemon merging with his soul, his soul was practically part Archdemon, gifting him the ability to devour other souls. His soul was unique, but it didn't mean he would win against every other soul. Azikul's circumstances were special. Due to being sealed for 500,000 years, his soul was at its weakest state.
If he were in his peak state, even with his soul, Luck would be instantly suppressed and killed.
As Luck was devouring Azikul's soul, his soul was being rapidly strengthened, inadvertently increasing his soul power. If a magi were to estimate his natural talent, they would definitely be impressed!
Luck wanted to try and create a rune. As he was using no magical ingredients, the results would be elementary at best — the effects abysmal and with no practical capabilities.
But this would suffice so he can take his first step as a magi. Moreover, he could use this to merge his memories of a rune master's theoretical knowledge to himself. As he was in a different body, it would still take time for him to reach the level of Azikul.
He would assimilate the memories and adjust them to his current capabilities and body, solidifying his foundations as a future rune master as he becomes a magi!
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