“Thank fuck, they’re backing off!” Jack said with a relieved curse after just a handful of minutes, the Blood Ravens playing it cool enough, slowing down and flying back around with a final wave of a salute before heading back.

  Marsha flashed a weak smile. “Maybe they were just giving us a, um, honor guard? It makes sense, right? We did just sign a major treaty with them and give them a hundred million in gold?”

  Yuki shook her head with disbelief. “You actually gave them a hundred million of your personal fortune, Eric. You might be arrogant as fuck, but now I know why Elonia thinks so highly of you. You really would do anything for your family.”

  “Of course,” Eric said with a wink. “I am an arrogant fuck, and I would do anything for my twin.” He then turned to give Marsha reassuring smile. “You could be right. Maybe it was their version of an honor guard,” he allowed. It would be so easy to believe… it’s what they all wanted to believe.

  It’s what anyone without Universal Translator and his particular social and perception gifts would naturally believe.

  But he had seen happy freckle-faced girl’s teasing smile more fitting of an anime free-spirit’s instant camaraderie than a veteran of hundreds of battles and who knew how many missions involving intrigue, infiltration, and darker shit still. Not that he had any room to talk when it came to tearing off the mask and pulling dark shit…

  But he had seen the cold, calculating look in Leely’s eyes, right before she lowered her visor, knowing damn well in that moment exactly What The Other Party Wanted, and it wasn’t to give him a night he’d never forget.

  But who the fuck was he to judge someone a moment’s ire when they realized Eric had played the absolute fuck out of them? Centuries old veterans who were both smart as hell and determined as anything to get ahead. Men and women who had had the fierce gumption to break through what he sensed for most was an absolutely insurmountable hurtle between the upper reaches of White-tier to Bronze.

  The difference between an eternal 7-point per level classer and a 49 attribute point per level Bronze ascender with access to monstrous powers far beyond the typical White-tier anything.

  Even if not quite beyond what the deadliest of Contenders could pull out their asses, as Eric could personally attest.

  But it was clear as day that the Blood Ravens were veteran classers and survivors who would do whatever it took to advance, excel, and achieve their hard-fought goals. Whatever they might be.

  Yet just as Eric and his crew were leaving, the echo of a territory’s ascension had coursed through him. A chalice of potency he had already sipped, once and never again, as he granted his sister his most priceless territory treasure beyond New Arcadia itself… was still enough to rip free the protective mantel cloaking his Tier 2 Ascension Facility. A priceless prize this mercenary company could have held out for billions… or never surrendered at all, forcing countless millions of desperate souls to swear lifelong fealty, or maybe a cut of everything they ever earned, to their guild.

  Eric could only imagine the thoughts that had flickered through the mercs’ minds for at least a few seconds… before they gave their farewell pursuit and headed back the way they had come.

  “I’m sure it was just a friendly sendoff. What do you think, Morlekai?”

  They exchanged mirthless smiles, neither believing it for a second.

  “I think, Boyscout, that we’d all better watch our backs and plan a new route home.”

  Alice, gave a solemn nod, though the haunted look in her eyes reminded Eric just how high a stakes game they were playing.

  He winced, feeling a sudden spike of shame.

  He was gambling so much on a handful of flimsy sheets of paper.

  A single miscalculation was all it would take to send a handful of relatively low or even zero level classers, and all their hopes and dreams, straight to oblivion.

  Because he was being a greedy, cocky fuck. And if he were really honest with himself, he shouldn’t be allowing this diplomatic envoy in the heart of peril, no matter how seemingly tame on the surface, to happen at all.

  He swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing the words out. “I’m sorry, guys.” He shook his head. “I’m risking all your lives pushing for deals that could get you killed, and it’s just not worth it.”

  Jack snorted. “What the fuck are you talking about, Eric? You pulled off the biggest win we could hope for, backing up our play with your own money!” He shook his head with a bemused smile on his features as he slowed the levi to a saner speed. “Man, I was an asshole giving you shit about heading to the bank, wasn’t I? Sorry about that.” Intent green eyes looked through the rearview into Eric’s own.

  “Seriously, man. You did us a major solid, and I’m not going to forget it.” He smirked. “You said we were close buds in whatever timeline you popped out of? Hell, maybe I believe you now. Sure as fuck, wierder shit has happened since the world went crazy, so you better believe that when we get to the academy, you can crib my notes any time you like!” He said with a chuckle. “Not that I’m any kind of student, but yeah, I definitely got your back, the upcoming semester, you better believe it.”

  Eric swallowed, not expecting the flush he felt creeping up his cheek, or the teasing look Alice was giving him.

  “Careful, Jackie boy, too much praise will get to Boyscout’s head.”

  “And maybe he earned it,” Yuki admitted, looking back at Eric with an oddly assessing gaze. “Seriously, what you did was absolute badass, looking that captain radiating so much fucking killing intent right in the eyes, your lips curved with an I-don’t-give-a-fuck smirk, just like you did in that movie! Just like the fucking protag about to wipe the smirk off whatever baddie the director’s about to have him fight.” Her smirk hardened. “Which was kinda beyond stupid, because this wasn’t a movie scene. That was a monster that could have killed you in 0.5 seconds flat. Which is scary as fuck, because we all know who would have been next.”

  Eric’s awkward smile turned to an apologetic wince. “I know. If my stupidity had gotten me killed… that would have been the end of everything for our crew. I’m sorry about that, Yuki. Seriously.”

  Yuki snorted. “Are you fucking kidding? The excited chatter my favorite employer slash friend slash party leader in the world is giving me is off the charts! Me and Jack and Marsha too are now officially New Arcadian nobles, this counting as our one major sacrifice and donation for the sweetest country in the world that we kinda needed to do on our own for Elonia to reward us, and boy, we’re talking rewards in spades! Can you say personal city manors?” She chuckled. “I’ll bet she’ll even give you a castle, Jack, if you ask nicely.”

  Jack happily tapped the gearshifts he was now controlling effortlessly. “Nah, I’ll pass! I used to be a medieval history buff. I know how much work those things were to maintain, and even if Elonia gives me a full staff, I’d far rather the low maintenance lifestyle of living in the capital where the action and the fun is, than overseeing a few thousand farmers and tradesmen and falling in love with one of the local girls and having a blissfully quiet life that drives me crazy in about two weeks’ time.”

  Marsha bit her lip, while Morlekai and Alice exchanged amused smiles.

  “I wouldn’t mind a castle,” she quietly said before flushing prettily as the wind from their once more open-air levi blew Marsha’s hair in the increasingly peach-scented breeze. “I’d kind of like to be a princess… or a lady-in-waiting? Someone elegant noblewoman that everyone can look up to.”

  Morlekai chuckled. “It seems joining your diplomatic envoy was definitely the right play to make.”

  “Our Boyscout has all sorts of juicy connections. I think it’s time we made our splash into high renaissance society, Brother,” Alice concurred.

  Yuki tapped Eric’s knee. “So… yeah. You did good, Eric. Damn good. And we owe you, and we’re not going to forget.” She furrowed her brow. “But maybe don’t act quite so cocky and sangfroid next time? Because all it takes is one low-IQ orc who can’t see the big picture to call your bluff, pull the trigger of his flintlock, and that’s it. Game over. No takebacks.”

  “Because those things fire musket balls that are basically ten gauge slugs,” Eric said.

  “Exactly. Have you seen those Self-tube videos of people actually firing muskets at realistic ballistic dummies? A head shot really can tear your skull clean off, leaving nothing but a spurting jaw behind, just like in a fucking zombie movie! Unlike modern high speed low mass bullets where casualties meant injuries forcing you out of the action more than instant death… back then, any hit meant getting your head or limb blown off, or your entrails obliterated, assuring an incredibly agonizing death. Any shot that hit at close range was probably lethal, even if they didn’t have nearly the range, accuracy, or firing speed of modern infantry. I mean… obviously.”

  Eric whistled at Yuki’s oddly animated description. “No, shit. I’d have to be some kind of cocky bastard to goad orcs to the point that they’re actually firing those things right at me, wouldn’t I?”

  Yuki nodded animatedly before her features tightened. “Why do I think you’re silently laughing at me?”

  Eric gave an innocent shrug.

  “This isn’t a joke, idiot. We reset. Even the stupidest classless musket-wielding orc could easily kill any of us.” She stole a glance Morlekai’s way. “Anyone who wasn’t a prince or princess of darkness, I mean.”

  Alice and Morlekai smirked at that.

  “Princess of Darkness. Has a nice ring, doesn’t it, brother?”

  Morlekai nodded.

  Marsha squeezed Eric’s hand. “Jack and Yuki are right,” she said, soft brown eyes gazing into his own. “You were kind of awesome back there.” She gave him a warm smile. “Even if classes aren’t your thing, you really do shine where it counts, Eric Silver.”

  Eric winked. “Remember all those stories I used to bullshit you with regarding background deals and cutthroat negotiations?”

  Marsha swallowed. “Yes?”

  He shrugged. “It was pretty much exactly that. Keep your cool, don’t show an ounce of fear or let yourself be intimidated while playing down their own offers and threats and playing up your own.”

  She blinked at this. “That’s all there is to it?”

  He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Well, it’s important to appreciate what exactly the other party wants, what they’re desperate for, even if they don’t say it, and make sure you can meet their needs. Your negotiating position is a fuck ton stronger if you know they’re dead broke with a mountain of debt knocking at their door, their entire economic empire about to crumble, then if they’re up thirty million that they keep in cash and highly liquid investments. In those cases it helps if you know the whereabouts of, say, a portfolio of sugar baby pics they really don’t want their wives and the media getting a hold of, and you have the power to make it disappear for good.”

  He cracked a ruthless smile. “But most of all, if you got a few good bodyguards at your back to make sure impulses are kept in control and you can pull out briefcases full of unmarked bills and digital accounts full of zeroes… you can make almost anything happen.”

  Marsha blinked. “So you would, what, intimidate, bribe, and extort whoever got in your mom’s way when she was carving out her real estate empire?”

  “It would be more accurate to say I was her wingman. But you get the point.”

  Yuki’s eyes widened. “Wait, So all those tabloid stories were true?”

  “Pretty much, yeah.”

  Yuki frowned. “They didn’t paint a very pretty picture of your mom, Eric.”

  Eric chuckled. “I know, right? Until suddenly changes of ownership happened and they did.”

  Yuki whistled, before giving Eric an odd smile. “I think your mom and my uncle had a lot in common.”

  “I know they did.”

  Her eyes widened at that, a certain something flickering behind her gaze. In that moment it was just them. He didn’t hesitate to accept the party invite she gave him.

  “Did we know each other… back then?”

  Eric gave a slow nod, knowing exactly what she meant.

  Her cheeks flushed. “Shit.”

  He winked. “But seriously, who gives a fuck? Past is past, and we’re here in the present, netting ourselves an awesome future.”

  Her caramel complexion darkened. “I don’t know if it’s that simple, Eric. I’m… not exactly proud of my past shit.”

  “Seriously. It doesn’t matter. We were both puppets. We cut our strings, and now we’re free. The end.”

  She blinked at that. “I guess that’s one way of looking at it,” she said aloud, before turning to gaze with wide-eyed wonder at the sight suddenly before them as they crossed from Ashland to Picksonville.

  “This is incredible!” Jack whooped.

  It was sentiment Eric knew they all agreed with, as the air now filled with the exquisite scents of peach blossoms now perfuming the air. The warm summer light gave everything a golden tint with glorious Fire aligned Spiritual Energy even greater than Ashland had.

  All of them in the levi were rendered breathless by the majestic sight of an entire grand forest of giant peach trees rustling in the breeze.

  And every last tree was covered in fragrant peach blossoms of fiery sunset hues.

  It was a sight that brought tears to Eric’s eyes.

  It was finally happening.

  The first step of what would be a crop of spirit peaches that could rekindle the fires of youth, cleanse meridians, and boost the cultivation of hundreds of thousands if not millions of people.

  One day.

  Then Eric saw it, the building that would change their entire strategy.

  “Jeezus TH… are you guys seeing this?”

  Jack’s awed words underscored Eric’s own thoughts as they caught sight of what was suddenly rising beyond the clearing, beholding a massive multistory pagoda that soared so high that Eric had to crane his neck, the grand sky-blue eaves providing shade to the whole clearing.

  “The fuck! Look at all those people!” Yuki hissed as they passed the last of the gently rustling trees into the heart of a grand courtyard.

  The air rang with the shouts of hundreds of martial artists in training all assembled in rows with weapons in hand, going through disciplined katas before the cool sky-blue eyes of a senior cultivator wearing hanfu robes the color of a windy day, snow white beard and eyebrows blowing in the breeze.

  Eric blinked to see a character straight out of his favorite manga… yet he was no fool. He sensed a potency and a presence strikingly similar to the elders of the Feng Ren sect that he had encountered in the rift that had catalyzed so much growth in him. A rift where he had bested a dragon, defeated an abomination, and plucked a colony ship free of the mists of improbability. A realm where he had bargained for the rights to cultivation techniques with which he had hoped he might one day found a school.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Perhaps one very much like the one an awed Jack was now pulling to a stop before all of them captivated by the sight of hundreds of orcs amongst the assembled, so many whirling wickedly sharp guandao like they actually knew what they were doing.

  Then Eric caught sight of who else was wearing the robes of a student, eyes bulging as all their plans turned to sand, Elonia’s proposed treaties unlikely now to hold any weight at all.

  “Fuck, it’s not just orcs! There are elves and humans and so many girls… girls with horns! And very large… yeah,” Jack noted with a quick glance a scowling Yuki’s way.

  “What kind of manga fantasy bullshit is this?” Yuki snapped at the sight of a full two hundred beautiful young women with carefully strapped robes who moved with such a fluid grace with their ko-naginatas that it seemed as much dance as martial art.

  Eric, cheeks flushing as much by how exquisitely graceful his Milk Maids looked as for any other reason said nothing at all.

  “Shit, Boyscout. Are those elves I see training? Alongside the orcs!?!”

  Eric, at a loss for the anomaly of elves training with the exact same weapons as his Milk Maids across from the orcs without a single hostile glare passing between the groups, just shook his head.

  “What the hell is this?” a dismayed Morlekai hissed, fists clenched tight, hating the orcs almost as much as Eric. “Those two races are mortal enemies!”

  Morlekai’s words echoed oddly in the sudden silence as the elder on the silvered steps leading to the grand pagoda abruptly clapped his hands.

  Instantly, every single disciple of all races halted their training, hundreds of weapon butts slamming to the ground in a resounding crack, everyone now standing at attention before bowing as one before their cool-eyed master who was descending the steps with his hands behind his back at that very moment.

  Then he was leaving the steps entirely, stepping on the air itself, it seemed.

  Unified Perception Check: Successful!

  Then Eric blinked, realizing the man was walking not so much on air as the element of Wind. Which was one and the same… yet somehow, not entirely.

  The man’s eyes seemed to go over every student he passed as he steadily made his way toward Eric’s levi… An awed Jack having long since stopped his car, all of them leaving it to stand respectfully beside their vehicle.

  “Are we really doing this?” Yuki whispered as the white-haired elder approached.

  “Doing what?” Jack hissed.

  “About to get confronted before some manga character in the middle of a freekin’ cultivation academy?”

  “Quiet,” Eric hissed, positioning himself in front of his friends, before giving the approaching elder a respectful 45 degree bow, eyes not leaving the man for a second.

  “Eric, you’re not actually the fucking lead!” Yuki hissed. “Step back for once. This is my operation!”

  Eric slowly shook his head, knowing he’d pay for it later by Yuki’s glare.

  Yet he could all too easily sense the power of the seemingly diminutive elder approaching at a deceptively fast pace, no matter how slow his steps.

  And Alice’s angry utterances made it clear that he wasn’t the only one.

  “What the fuck is this pressure, Morlekai?”

  Yuki’s curse turned to a gasp. “Oh fuck, not again.”

  Eric caught the cool, measuring eyes of the elder approaching, then shook his head.

  “Please control your aura. Half-step mortals are among us.”

  This earned a snort from the elder approaching.

  A snort that became a gust of Wind that roared violently, sending Yuki, Marsha, and Jack slamming into Alice and Morlekai who wall stumbled to the soft grass on their butts.

  Eric’s hand tightened on the hilt of a blade suddenly in existence on his hip. “You risk breaking bones with your posturing, elder. I will say this one final time. Mortals are present. Have a care.”

  The elder scowled, as did over half a thousand disciples now most definitely glaring Eric’s way.

  “And yet your aura, boy, is no greater than those children who have suffered no worse than a blow to their overweening pride. Yet, somehow, the Wind doesn’t affect you at all.” The elder’s scowl turned to an odd smile. “You have adopted classic Wind Cultivation into your martial stance. I see it in your every movement. And your blade… ah. What a fascinating artifact.”

  Eric huffed as the elder advanced no further, shifting his stance and lifting his hand from the hilt of a blade he most definitely had not been intending on instinctively summoning around hims hip. And the weight of it… shit. Not good for his cover, if certain people had half a clue.

  Yet the bemused elder’s affable persona immediately shifted to the imposing presence of a half-step Bronze.

  “You have the pleasure of addressing Elder Weifeng of North Wind Academy. Now tell me, outsiders, why are you here? Do you seek to enroll in our academy? To test yourself against our disciples? To learn our secrets? To prove yourselves worthy?”

  Eric took a steadying breath, thoughts racing as he took in the entirety of the multiracial forces that had clearly embraced the living tale that this cultivation academy had become.

  Which could only mean one thing.

  Eric gazed intently at the elder. “This isn’t your academy. Is it.”

  Weifeng gave him a pointed look, before he flashed a calculating smile. “It is under my stewardship.”

  “But it was formed by another. Formed by one who can compel fate to his will. One who can shape the story of reality sufficient to unify four races; orc, human, elf, and faerie maiden, to train as one under his… or her banner.”

  Weifeng snorted with laughter. “You think the gods walk among us, then?”

  Eric slowly shook his head. “Not a god… a Contender.”

  The elder’s eyes widened.

  “Eric!” Morlekai hissed, he also sensing the sudden buildup of Qi.

  But Eric didn’t budge before the stony-eyed elder no longer playing at being the eccentric old man.

  “I take it there’s absolutely no reason for us head to Dairyland, Queensland, Silvergrove, or Solaris, is there? They’re all consolidated under your master.”

  “Eric, what the fuck, man? I can’t understand a word you’re saying!” Jack hissed in growing anxiety. “Can you, Yuki?”

  Yuki scowled. “They’re speaking some Chinese dialect. That’s all I know.”

  “Wait, seriously? This cat picked up Mandarin when he wasn’t rehearsing for movie scenes?”

  Eric ignored the byplay, Universal Translator working so smoothly that he hadn’t even noticed the shift, yet thanks to his gift and perhaps his high Scholarship, he had no problem understanding both the words and the mindset that came so naturally to speakers of this language.

  But still… between the threats he sensed overhead and his sister’s alarmed Interface message, he was well aware of how precarious the situation had just become.

  - Eric! Queensland’s fallen! What the hell happened? Wait… when did this happen? What’s going on?

  “I would see your master, Elder Weifeng. We have business to discuss.”

  Weifeng’s aura flared, earning a gasp and cry from the others behind Eric. “You seek to challenge my master? Then you will have to best me first, boy.”

  Eric’s heart began to pound with exhilaration, no matter how outclassed he might be at that moment, facing a true master who was the farthest thing from a bumbling old fool.

  “Nice blade,” he said, lips curling in a fierce grin as he beheld mithril he knew as well as anyone alive on earth. Before forcing himself to step back, easing the killing fury he felt roaring through his blood.

  “But I have no interest in cutting down the only cultivating instructor I’ve seen on this entire planet, one tending to a flock of over half a thousand students of four different races.”

  Weifeng’s glare held Eric’s gaze for long moments.

  “I would think you the most foolish of boys, daring to hold mithril no budding novice as you appear to be could properly lift, let alone use… a tool you deserve to be stripped of before being humbled as the lowest of outer disciples who must learn and earn his place… yet not once have you flinched, before pressure or Wind.”

  Elder Weifeng huffed, crossing his arms. “So I will ask you one more time. Why are you here?”

  Eric reached his hand back, Yuki fortunately savvy enough to slip him the document he needed to see.

  “We’re actually a diplomatic envoy. We’re here to offer your master terms of…” His eyes widened as he quickly scanned the Dominion Interface message his sister had sent him. “We’re here to offer them the opportunity to join the Sylvan Alliance as an honored Champion and Lord with autonomy over all regions you have so far claimed, save for Queensland, with tithe and responsibilities to be hashed out when your…” He sighed, closing his eyes. “When your master meets with Queen Elonia Silver in New Arcadia.”

  That was when he felt it, amongst the curses and cries of dismay from his friends, no less than a third of the disciplined rows of aspirants also stumbling to one knee, bracing themselves on their polearms as Eric felt a sudden surge of spiritual energy flooding in from the peach grove that soon became a massive wind of Spiritual Energy whirling into the massive pagoda.

  Eric’s eyes widened as Weifeng’s lips curved in a satisfied smile.

  “It is done.”

  “Eric! What the fuck just happened?” Alice cursed when all three of his original companions had slumped over in a faint.

  “It’s not over yet,” Morlekai quietly noted, Eric dipping his head in agreement. If anything, the whirlwind of Spiritual Energy continued to grow as the entire pagoda radiated a silvery-blue glow.

  Eric lowered himself in a warrior’s crouch, pretty sure he knew what had happened.

  “Eric?”

  “I think we just had our first Bronze-tier evolution.”

  Morlekai’s crimson eyes widened. “Shit!”

  Eric paid no further mind, all his focus now on the figure dressed in hanfu robes robes of sky-blue silk making his way out of the pagoda entrance, all his students flowing into an effortless, perfectly choreographed kowtow as he did so.

  “Honor our master!” Weifeng roared, eyes lit with the embers of fanatic devotion. “For he has Ascended!”

  Eric felt a twist in his gut as flawless features radiating perfect health and poise gazed fondly at his people. Before abruptly turning to meet his own, locking stares with Eric across the courtyard.

  Eric felt a twist in his gut.

  There was no mistaking the potency of the Spiritual Energy now radiating from the young man, his high cheekbones, wide almond brown eyes and silky dark hair speaking of his mixed heritage, just as the mithril blade at his hip spoke of commonalities as well.

  And then, so fast that Alice and Morlekai could barely register, the youth who couldn’t have been older than 16 effortlessly raced through the air to land before his suddenly kowtowing second.

  “Master, I can sense the strength of your ascension. You have achieved Pristine Cultivation!”

  “Only thanks to your wisdom and guidance,” the youth said. “Now please introduce me to our guests.”

  “Of course, of course, master!” He turned to glare at Eric and the others. “You have the pleasure of addressing Earth’s future emperor, Lord Richard Li, the first cultivator to ascend in all of Terra!”

  Eric’s dazed companion were gazing at the beaming youth with looks of disbelief.

  “Eric! What the fuck are they even saying?”

  The strikingly handsome youth had the grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry. I’ve been so used to speaking the Hidden Kingdom dialect that I forgot not everyone automatically understands it. My SiFu was congratulating my ascension, and was about to invite you all to celebrate the occasion.”

  Alice blinked at this. “Wait! You can speak English?”

  This earned a soft chuckle. “Of course. I grew up in Manhattan.”

  “No shit! So I’m guessing you must be a Contender like Boyscout, here?”

  Richard raised a polite brow. “Boy scout?”

  Morlekai dipped his head Eric’s way, and he was now most definitely scowling. Because Eric realized he recognized the youth with the friendly demeanor and deadly sharp eyes all too well.

  He found himself rubbing his wrist in memory of ghostly pain long forgotten, ears ringing with the remembered crack of a non-regulation heater against the back of his wrist in one of the few youth HEMA tournaments he had lost. It was a perfect shot, causing a hairline fracture and forcing Eric out of the competition, no matter that he had been ahead in points for most of the tournament. Yet all it took was a few matches for Eric’s almost perfect victory to be snatched from his grasp. Unable to participate in the final rounds, Richard Li managed to sweep longsword, saber, and sword and buckler... and Eric hadn’t even placed.

  The silken-robed youth gazed at Eric thoughtfully before his features lightened in a disgustingly cheerful smile.

  “Wait… your Eric Silver. Elonia Silver’s brother, right? And you’re a fellow Contender? I guess it is a small world!”

  Eric rubbed his brow, doing his best to suppress his irritation, knowing this was neither the time nor the place. “Correct. Congratulations on your ascension.”

  Richard’s eyes twinkled. His laughter was the warmth of a summer day. “Indeed, I can’t tell you how wondrous it is to wake up to a storybook isekai adventure, only to find that far from the bitter grim horror I knew to expect, it was actually as storybook wondrous as I hadn’t even dared to hope! All my favorite author’s assumptions about the best ways to cultivate with a pristine foundation were nothing less than the truth! And when I stumbled upon this peach grove and unlocked a quest to bring back a lost academy and unite four broken tribes… I knew that I was walking in the steps of destiny!”

  His eyes were bright with wonder and fiercest satisfaction as he clasped a trembling Weifeng’s hand. “It is only thanks to my mentor that I was able to ascend so far, so quickly, with a pristine foundation!”

  “No, master!” Weifeng sobbed, now speaking in perfect English as he kowtowed before the younger man. “It is because of your own efforts that you ascended, beloved leader. It was only through your perseverance, dedication, and skill that our school was saved and peace brought to these lands!”

  Richard gazed fondly at the academy before him, eyes actually tearing up as he took a deep inhalation of blossom-scented air. “Truly, I feel as if I woke up to a fairy tale of a dream.”

  His gentle smile turned to solemn resolve. “And I will feel no shame for my blessing, for all that I sense the chaos and turmoil that still dominate so many lives. So it is now my mission to spread the secrets of cultivation, ascension, and serenity to all who are worthy, all who would dare to embrace the teachings of North Wind Academy and help gift enlightenment to the entire world.”

  Eric furrowed his brow, yet his Know The Score and What the Other Party Wants perks made it all too painfully clear what was happening.

  “Eric, what kinda shit is this kid sprouting? What’s his angle?” Alice querried in their interface.

  “Nothing. He has no angle. This fucking innocent idealist who managed to achieve fucking Bronze clearing already tame White-tier areas means every idiotic word coming out of his mouth.”

  Eric cleared his throat. “My sister, Queen Elonia Silver, is both impressed with your accomplishments and very interested in welcoming you into the fold of her kingdom.”

  He sighed internally when Richard’s smile faded.

  “To be fair, Eric, I now hold six territories, and my interface just made it clear that your sister only holds one. I have nothing but respect for my fellow brother and sisters survivors, but I won’t be treated lightly.”

  Eric dipped his head. “Fair point. And it sounds like your storybook conquest, or hero’s tale, went as smoothly as a dream, which is incredible and awesome. So let me ask you this… what’s your next step?”

  Richard frowned momentarily. “Now? Now it’s about doing all I can to fill my Bronze-tier core and ascend the ranks.”

  Eric dipped his head. “Exactly. You’ve basically had a perfect run and ascended to Bronze after unifying a half dozen territories, and congratulations on making something of those orcs and having elves and Milk Maids by your side as well. And Terran survivors also being welcomed into the fold? Impressive as heck.”

  Richard beamed at that. Eric spoke on.

  “Point is, the most exciting part of your tale seems to be over, doesn’t it? You don’t have any immediate quest to grab you by the nose and lead you to rapid advancement… I mean, do you?”

  Richard sighed, shaking his head. “Only one that I have no hope of completing.”

  “Exactly. Now, you can either sit in relative quiet and cultivate quietly for years… but if you want to get ahead faster than that, you’re going to have to forge yourself in the crucible of combat. Not in nice low key White tier regions where the average level is fifteen or twenty… but in Wild Orange tiers… which are rapidly ascending to Red Tiers where we’re talking about level 100 critters. And I’m not exactly sure how powerful you are as a newly ascended Bronze, but I can tell you that Red Tier creatures often swarm in packs. And if you’re not ready? Yeah… you definitely want to be ready.”

  Richard dipped his head. “Thank you for the concern, friend Eric. I will do my best to be careful.” He tilted his head curiously. “Master Weifeng made it clear that the protective blessings of my sanctuary will fade just as soon as I achieve Bronze, and I’m given to understand as well that Contender challenges are not as uncommon as one would hope, yet you haven’t challenged me. Is it because you .wish for me to join your party and adventure with you?”

  Eric flashed a genuine smile. “Actually, it’s for something arguably better. How would you like to join Mistridge Academy and unlock the Primal Arts that could allow you to tap into the elemental plane of Wind itself and boost the power of your Wind Arts beyond belief?”

  And as simple as that, Eric felt the world shift.

  “What the hell, Eric?” Alice hissed, Eric himself stumbling back as Richard suddenly seemed to glow.

  Eric felt a discomfiting mixture of wonder and dismay as the boyish uncertainty Richard had revealed up til now was replaced with absolute certitude and a confident demeanor worthy of a king. Or perhaps, someone who had found his true calling.

  Surprisingly, he paid Eric the respect of a full 45 degree bow.

  “Master!” A horrified Weifeng choked out.

  Gentle eyes filled with wisdom twinkled with a smile. “Fret not, dear Weifeng. That which had been hidden is now clear to my eyes. The Wind of eternal change has swept aside the fog of doubt that had been clouding my mind.

  Eyes that were now clear blue locked with Eric’s own. “I accept your offer. I would very much like to join Mistridge Academy.”

  Eric blinked past his mental whiplash. “Um… sure. That would be awesome. Alright, as for your territories…”

  Richard held up his hand. “It’s alright, Eric. I’m more than happy to discuss the particulars with Elonia.” His eyes twinkled with excitement, and Eric didn’t like the too bright smile gracing the youth’s features. “I can’t tell you how many times I fantasized about playing the hero in a movie where I saved a princess who looked just like, well, you know.”

  Richard had the grace to blush, as if only then catching himself speaking aloud. He shook away the awkwardness. “Alright, let’s go see your sister.”

  Eric blinked. “Really?”

  -- Eric! Great News! Richard Lee has agreed to negotiate terms of unification! This is Wonderful! He’s the first native cultivator to achieve a Bronze Core! He even surrendered Queensland to me free and clear, as a sign of good faith! He will be such a great addition, I can tell already! Thank you, Eric! Thank you so much!”