Chương 119: Glimpses of Growth

"Student, I am still very disappointed in you leaving early, as you at least possess a modicum of potential. I would even be willing to consider your little outburst as a mere mistake; youthful frustrations and all that. Surely, a show of proper dedication could even have me consider a more lengthy arrangement -""I am quite sure, teacher," Kite said, giving a shallow bow to show at least a modicum of politeness where he stood at the door, the chill of winter a stark contrast to the warmth inside the dojo.

"Don't be insolent, boy. I am still mistress Shore to you-""No, teacher, you are not. I named you correctly as that is just what you will be in my memories; a teacher, and a temporary one at that. And when I step through these doors, consider our business as concluded." Unassailable Shore furrowed her brow, her annoyance clearly on the way to becoming anger once more. The human woman looked to be around forty, which for a bronze-ranker meant that she was much older.

Kite had always thought her very striking since they first met, but over a month in her presence had tarnished that sentiment.

"You brat! You think that you can just waltz out of here after humiliating me so? That you are better than me, even though you've barely stumbled out from your little iron-rank cradle? Clearly, I was mistaken, and it is time to correct that. I, Unassailable Shore, chal-" Her angry outburst was cut off by the sliding doors slamming shut, Kite having turned his back to the small dojo and started making a new set of footprints across its small yard.

At the small wall which ringed the little remote compound, Kite tapped the bottle at his waist.

"Little beaty, I would please ask you to wake, as it is time for us to take our leave." Glint shot out from her little habitat at great speed, making a couple of swirling loops through the gently falling snow and taking in the white plains around them, a village on a hill visible a bit off in the distance. Sensing the unspoken question through their bond, Kite once more looked back to the little dojo behind him, its doors remaining shut, before he deftly leapt onto Glint's back as she grew to her full size.

"That the door still remains closed shows a lot about my former teacher's lack of trust in her own path after our little… disagreement," he said, donning the hat he had been gifted by Uncle Walker just after ascending to bronze rank. Its enchantments quickly started to ward of the falling snow and the slight nip of the chill air as Glint started accelerating.

"Choosing to end this little venture early was probably for the best. Suffering through certain kinds of company when there is little left to learn would not have been the wisest choice. That would be more sacrifice than I am willing to do.." Kite chuckled as he felt a wave of concern and irritation from his familiar, bending down to pat her glittering scales.

"Oh, don't fret. While frustrating, it was not for naught. I did pick up enough to at least get a foundation in the way of the shield, and ideas of my own for improvement. Parts of her way, at least, as I assume that there are many paths to walk when mastering that art. But please, little beauty, let us be off back north towards Gilded with haste. The others will probably be happy to see us return early."

"Little singer, where do you hope for your songs to guide you?" Serene did not flinch or otherwise falter when the presence of her goddess entered the sacred song, the deity inserting herself so subtly and perfectly that it felt like she had always been a participant. Which Serene supposed that Song, goddess of that very concept, always had been.

"My lady?" she asked, also weaving her words and intent into the melody she was singing alone in her small room in the residential parts of the temple complex. Around her, the lengthy and intense focus had made Serene's fourfold aura resonate to the extent that a perceptive observer would be able to see the air shudder." The future, little singer. Your song has grown so much since you were first led into my church, silenced and afraid. It is a beautiful thing, full of potential to become something extraordinary.

Should you wish for it, you could find yourself singing in my most magnificent cathedrals across the world, weaving your voice together with those capable of the purest melodies."" Your words humble me, great Song. This lowly one is not worthy."" But the clarity and intent of your voice tells me otherwise, little singer. What once marred your soul, you have learned to bear and made your own. Turned it into strength. And even after getting the closure you longed for, you still partake in the songs of battle. Why?"

"Because of my dear companions. Keeping them as safe as can be through your hymns is a purpose in and of itself."" But is that truly what you want, little singer? For how long? Do you dream of silver rank? Or gold and even beyond? Do you truly want to remain only as their support? Or find a place where you will be front and center, your song heard by all?"

"My goddess, is that your will?"" I wish for your song to grow, little singer. To join my grand chorus, maybe even take a place in its forefront. But a choice of coercion is not one of harmony. I simply wish for you to consider what you want going forward. And of what you can become, depending on the path you choose. Reflect on this, little singer. Sing the songs of meditation, and the answer should come to you in time."

Kite regarded the hole in the world, the shorn stump beneath it proof that the tree which occupied the space in which the aperture had eventually been opened had not fared too well. The opening was surrounded by groups of Magic Society researchers discussing, arguing or using different instruments and rituals to study the aperture, all of them bathed in its even, yellow light. It was a stark, clear shade of the color, one found in paintings rather than nature.

"How much longer did they believe it would last?" Kite asked Will, who was just returning from having conferred with one of the researchers.

"At least another day, I'm afraid. So we will have to practice patience," the elf replied, joining Kite to look at the opening.

"To think that traces of the holy wars still linger to this day in the very fabric of reality here in the region." The astral space in front of them was one of the sometimes occurring temporary openings of the odd dimensional sub-realms. While most astral spaces around the world were stable, there were still regions where the so-called dimensional membrane was still unstable enough for these temporary spaces to form. They never lasted for more than a few days, and rarely had any resources of interest.

"And to think that the queen managed to make artifacts enough to tame them, at least temporarily," Kite mused, thinking of his last adventure with the jade-sky gate. Their conversation was interrupted by Dragonfly's return, the woman seeming a lot more happy and relaxed now than when she had left the camp, Serene in tow.

"Now that was just what I needed. The pack was even bigger than I'd dared to hope," she said happily, remnants of the battle with the nearby monster pack still visible on her armor which was still mending itself. She looked to the researchers.

"Any idea of how long we will be here to guard them? While it was interesting enough to get a glimpse inside, there really wasn't anything special in there, except for the creepy lighting."

"They said at least another day," Kite shared, patting Dragonfly's shoulder consolingly as she deflated.

"Patience, my ardent Dragonfly," he said.

"Guarding our fellows from the Magic Society is important. They might be on the verge of discovering truths about the very fabric of reality."

"More like argue over whose name goes first on whatever they're supposed to write after this is called," Dragonfly argued.

"Surely-" Kite began, but was interrupted by Serene.

"Dragonfly is right. At least two of the groups are arguing over that very thing," the priestess stated, the group chuckling as it was Kite's turn to deflate.

"Then would you all mind helping me practice again?" Kite asked, his companions agreeing as they took positions around him. Heavenglass Protector appeared on Kite's left arm, the shield feeling a lot more comfortable these days. He assumed a ready stance, and then waited. As usual, Will made the opening shot, a glowing javelin appearing to strike at Kite from the side, who fluidly took a step to interpose his shield.

Dragonfly was next, having brought forth a small axe from her pack which she animated to fly towards Kite in a whirl, forcing him to spin yet again to interpose the metal and glass bulwark. Serene joined in as well with rippling sonic bolts, and the practice session continued as Kite's friends started to find their own tricks and rhythms to their weak attacks. As the intensity and complexity increased, with the three starting to move around and circle Kite, he had to step up his skills.

He began using only the shield itself, then combined it with the barrier from Heaven-and-Void Warding, then also activated the shield's own projected barrier to endure the barrage of projectiles.

"You've really gotten better with your shield lately, my friend!" Will exclaimed without pausing his attacks.

"I am glad that the time with your last teacher wasn't a complete waste."

"I still think she sounded creepy, especially when she started to come onto you and wouldn't take no for an answer," Dragonfly added with a look of disgust.

"That would be like your parent making a move on you. Disgusting! I'm glad you just thrashed her and were done with it."

"Not everyone has the same close relationship to their teacher as you, Dragonfly," Will noted.

"While I do think it distasteful, it is not unheard of for certain teachers to expect more… intimate… acts of their students. Truly shameful to add such a stain to the proud tradition of mentoring."

"I will admit- that it was- quite satisfying to leave," Kite said, words coming more clipped and spread out and the pressure upon his defenses increased.

"Had she had more to give, I might have considered enduring a while longer, but she started requiring a higher level of dedication than I was willing to give. Mostly to the path of the shield, as she quickly started insisting on me dropping other pursuits to give it 'proper dedication'." Kite had to pause for several seconds as his friends became more coordinated, and he suspected that Serene was managing said coordination through her projected voice.

"But yes, her more and more transparent suggestions that I was to share her bed did play their part."

"Still, to challenge and beat your teacher in a duel on the spot… Truly, the Pathbreaker has earned his name," Will noted.

"Lecherous characters, beware!

"Well, it turned out that her having remained a bronze-ranker for over four decades was not just due to the selfless pursuit of teaching," Kite noted, attempting to start weaving in projected attacks to dispel some of the more telegraphed projectiles.

"The strength of her path was actually quite disappointing when put to a true test." After that, Kite was forced into silence as his beleaguered mind could simply not handle the strain of talking while doing the practice. Eventually, they quit practicing when everyone in the group had spent around half of their mana, making sure to conserve enough to be able to fight off any sudden monster attack. This left them seated around their heating lamp, still watching the researchers go about their business.

His eyes once more lingering on the aperture, Kite couldn't help but smile faintly as a thrill of excitement mixed with a bit of fear made themselves known when he thought about the future and, hopefully, him once more taking on the challenge of the jade-sky gate.

"Still, patience, little Kite," he chided himself, his mind making its best impression of Uncle Walker.

"There is a time for tempering and a time for trials and tribulations." His gaze also lingered on his friends who, with the exception of Serene, sat in companionable silence.

"And time for companionship and warmth." This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Come here, little Raven! Come to brother!" The little girl, now close to nine months of age, remained seated a meter away and did not move in the slightest. Her onyx eyes regarded him with the somber, unhurried judgment only small children could manage, and Kite's best attempt at an inviting smile turned a bit crooked, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Do not fret, little Kite. She is always like that with people she hasn't seen in a while. Give her some time, and she'll soon be crawling all over the place," Auntie Crow noted where she sat nearby, her hands and animated hair busy with yet another formation plate.

"Oh, but your brother has yet more tricks up his sleeves," Kite grumbled.

"Glint, if you please? I believe it is time to fight cuteness with cuteness." At his mental prompt, the carp floated out from her bottle, remaining small as she approached the sitting baby. Raven shifted her focus, following the pretty carp as Glint flew small circles around the child, although her motions were gentle. As it turned out, gentle enough that a small hand reached out and grasped the carp firmly.

To her credit, Glint accepted the handling as Raven took a firm hold of the fish with both hands, and eventually managed to turn her around to look at her golden eyes and wiggling mustaches. Then, it happened; a small bubbling laughter broke from the little child, unhindered and free. Kite's heart sang with the sound, ever so pleased that he had been able to facilitate such a joyous response, even if he certainly had help. Turning to Crow, he smiled.

"See, auntie? Brother Kite can-""You'd better look again, dear," Crow only noted, amusement clear in her voice. As he actually focused his attention on the child again, he winced a bit at the reproachful, suffering look in Glint's eyes, as Raven had turned the fish around and glomped onto her side with a toothless mouth. Adelaide looked quite pleased as Kite and his companions turned in the large stack of finished contracts, starting to go through them even as she spoke.

"Oh, this is great. You've almost ended gyrmling season all by yourself, from the looks of it," the elven functionary cooed.

"I'll be back soon with your payment."

"Before you go, I'd like to retrieve four awakening stones from the vaults too," Kite said, Adelaide nodding.

"Of course, I'll take you there after we're done here." While waiting Dragonfly spoke up.

"It seems like we've cleaned out a lot of the relevant contracts. Shall we take a few days to relax and let some more accumulate?"

"That would be appreciated," Will said.

"Mother and father have complained that I am barely home these days, so I'd better give the familial duties some time and attention."

"And I will always find duties to occupy me. The song is eternal, after all," Serene agreed.

"Then it seems that we have a plan, but I still hope that you can find the time to come by the guild hall. Our up and coming members always appreciate your guidance," Kite said, his friends nodding their agreements. They dispersed after dividing the rewards from the completed contracts, Kite following Adelaide deeper into the basement level of the administration building.

"Which ones do you want to retrieve?" Adelaide asked as they had gone in through the checkpoint and its security array, standing in front of the numerous small vaults where members of the Adventure Society could store more precious belongings or pay a fee to have them sent to another branch with one of the semi-regular portal couriers.

"Root, growth, serenity and flow, please," Kite said, Adelaide retrieving the selected treasures.

"They sure have been working hard," the elf said while she closed up the vault.

"It has been a long time since the iron-ranked deliveries and far-flung hunts were completed at this rate. No wonder that they are earning their stones."

"So far, I am very happy with the investment," Kite agreed.

"While it has only been just under a year since we founded the guild, it feels like so much has happened. And with Worth Transcending Gold joining our ranks, we have a little more stability in our roster."

"Oh, the former sect member? I hadn't pegged him for the courier type?"

"He isn't, at least not in his power set," Kite confirmed.

"But he is dedicated to the area and seems content to remain for a time. He has been a great help in combat training, and even though he isn't outspoken by any means, he seems to get along with the rest just fine."

"Huh, I see. I'm just surprised that he didn't join the Victorious Sunset sect instead. They did snag many of the former members that were deemed competent."

"I actually asked him that as well," Kite said as he walked beside the functionary to return to the ground floor.

"Do you want to know what he answered?"

"Do tell."

"Felt better. Purer," Kite said, speaking in the curt low voice.

"Those were his exact words."

"A direct man. I like that. Tell him to come get more contracts from me. Makes my work a lot easier now during the final stretch."

"Oh," Kite asked, stopping.

"Is it already time? Your term of service is done?"

"It is," Adelaide replied, excitement clear in her tone.

"Taking on some additional duties last year paid off, so I will actually take my leave at the end of summer, once I can manage to schedule the portal out. The society is paying for the latter though, as part of the contract. Otherwise I wouldn't be splurging my hard-earned funds on it." She must have noticed the slight hint of sadness in Kite's expression, and her excitement became a bit more tempered.

"I will admit that I will miss my favorite group of locals though. You and yours have helped a lot to make my job here easier, and I will do my best to repay the kindness to all the functionaries I will meet in the upcoming years. Foster positive karma, or whatever you locals tend to call it. But… I am just so ready to finally get on with it. To improve and have adventures of my own.

Seeing you work your way from a green little iron-ranker to a locally known and almost infamous bronze-ranker has really lit that fire in my heart."

"I… understand," Kite said, doing his best to perk himself up.

"And I am happy for you, Adelaide. But I will miss you. You have been a constant since I came to Gilded, and with you leaving as well, it feels a bit like those early days are truly left behind me soon. They say that nostalgia comes with age, but I can already feel it having sunk its claws into my heart." The pair continued walking, as Kite asked; "But I don't think you've actually told me your essences? What kind of path do you hope to walk? If you don't mind sharing that is?"

"Oh, not at all," Adelaide said, the cheer back in force.

"As I wasn't deemed important enough within the clan for essences in the first place, the Adventure Society became my best shot at actually gaining the essences I hoped for; life, crystal and gathering."

"Those all sound quite beneficent to those around you. What is the confluence?"

"Vessel," Adelaide said, almost having stars in her eyes.

"I just got the next to last stone a few days ago, and I'm giving prayers of thanks to Fortune every day, as I couldn't be more satisfied with the result!" As Adelaide animatedly explained her powers to Kite, he couldn't help but agree; an armored healer creating more crystals floating around the battlefield to gather and distribute life energy did indeed sound most helpful.

"You know, if you happen to be looking for a guild-" he ventured with a gleam in his eyes, only for Adelaide to interrupt him.

"Oh Kite, that is very sweet, but also a resounding no on my part. Do not get me wrong; had I been staying I would have joined in a heartbeat. But my powers are based on me fighting with a proper team around me, and cooperation in these lands is simply way too unreliable."

"Well, I had to ask," Kite replied with an unrepentant smile.

"But as I said, I am happy for you, Adelaide of clan Ruizic." The pair had once more found themselves near the entrance, and Kite bowed to her, hands cupped.

"While I am sure that we will meet again before you leave, I still wish for your path to take you to the heavens and beyond."

"Thank you for your assistance in tempering my path," Kite intoned, bowing to his opponent.

"I thank you as well," the young leonid man opposite him intoned, mirroring the bow. Kite suspected that he was around the same age even though his race's natural size made the leonid tower over everyone present.

"I will admit that I had my doubts when rumors about the so-called Pathbreaker reached the Wayward Wind sect, but it appears that there is some truth to the tales."

"If you do not mind me asking, isn't the Wayward Wind sect located south of Convergence? If so, then you have traveled far."

"That is correct, although it is closer to the verdant lands of Orchard. I am not surprised that you have heard of our might," the leonid said while puffing out his chest in pride.

"When I heard of you, I felt that I had to go on a journey and prove such rumors wrong. But for me, an inner disciple, to lose to someone from such a backwater? Truly, the heavens know how to test me." While his words might have been meant as an insult, Kite sensed no hostility in them.

"You are a fierce and skilled warrior, Singer of Storm's Pride, and an honor to your sect." Kite acknowledged honestly. The leonid had fought with discipline and passion, unflinching even as Kite had sundered his magics and negated his flaming attacks. From earlier experiences, Kite had expected some derision or accusations afterwards, but neither the inner disciple nor his silver-ranked escort had shown any sign of taking offense so far.

Through his expanded vision, Kite had even seen the older human man give the occasional nod as the two fought in one of the dueling arenas up on the Seventh Peak, as if evaluating the bout.

"I am quite unsure if many of my fellow brothers and sisters would agree with you, but it is an embarrassment I will have to bear. As the heavens saw fit to show me, my skills are in need of further tempering," the leonid replied, retrieving the agreed upon prize of spirit coins which had been the prize Kite had asked for.

"But know this, Pathbreaker, that I will find you in the future, so that our paths may clash again."

"Then it shall be so, Singer of Storm's Pride. May your climb towards the heavens be fruitful until our paths cross again." As the leonid left with his escort, the pair apparently already discussing and evaluating the bout, Kite shrugged helplessly. This was not the first challenger who had come seeking him out as his new name had started spreading, but it had been the one who had traveled the furthest.

"Oh dear," he murmured under his breath, foreseeing that this might not be the last such challenger either. As he saw the thin, misty rain part before the enchantments of his hat, Kite couldn't help but shudder a bit as he imagined its cold clamminess gradually creeping into his clothes.

"The early winter weather around Basion surely leaves a bit to be desired," he said to Glint, seated atop his familiar and waiting in line to enter the city, even though he knew that the carp felt quite at home in the drizzle. After a quick stop at Peony's house to drop off more materials and collect his share of their earnings, Kite found himself in front of a house he had never visited before; a sprawling apartment building which should house at least a dozen households.

It was well kept, situated up at the Sixth step, and even had a small reception area where an older woman dressed in plain but proper robes greeted Kite.

"Greetings, visitor. I have not had the pleasure of seeing you before. May I inquire which tenant you are to visit?" While she was polite, Kite got the distinct feeling that she would not just let anyone go traipsing around the building.

"Greetings. I am to visit Still Brook in Blooming. Her letter instructed me to find her at this address."

"Ah, I see. Mistress Brook did forewarn that she might expect company, although you are a bit earlier than she expected. You will find her door on the third floor, at the westernmost part."

"Thank you," Kite said, bowing politely before making his way into the building and up two flights of stairs, Glint curiously looking at the old but well-maintained interior. A piece of calligraphy adorning one of the walls in the stairwell caused Sage to stir within Kite's aura, but he still moved past it towards his goal; a sliding door at the end of a walkway. Beyond it, Kite could feel a familiar iron-ranked aura. He rapped his knuckles against the door while using his aura to announce his presence.

He felt the aura within startle slightly, and then got to follow some kind of scramble throughout what he assumed was a small apartment, embarrassment roiling out from the spirit of its human tenant. A minute later, Brook opened the door, somewhat flustered.

"Kite! You came! And earlier than I expected," she said while trying to get her auburn hair wrapped up into a more proper bun. A moment later, Nudge came flapping to perch at her shoulder, giving Kite and Glint a chirp of greeting.

"When the sage calls, the vagabond answers," Kite said, looking over Brook's shoulder into what he assumed was her new residence.

"And I see that the sage now lives in a palace of her own."

"Oh, I-" she blushed, realizing that she still had him waiting at the door.

"Please, come in." A little while later, the pair sat down at a low table in Brook's rather cozy apartment. There were several shelves housing a plethora of neatly organized books and scrolls, and Kite also noted many different kinds of wood carvings which adorned the place.

"It is a pleasant apartment you have found for yourself," Kite noted while Brook poured them both a cup of tea.

"Its atmosphere is very much aligned with its tenants, even if the wood carvings surprised me."

"I'm glad you like it," Brook said with a small smile.

"Leaf has made the carvings. While it started out as a spur of the moment kind of pastime, he has grown quite proficient."

"I can see that," Kite said, admiring a decent replica of Nudge which adorned a nearby shelf.

"What made you finally take the step to find a place of your own?"

"It… just felt right. I earn a lot more money these days, and I could well afford it even after the cost of monster cores."

"And your mother had nothing to do with it?" Kite asked, and eyebrow raised in amusement as Brook squirmed a bit.

"She… might have influenced it a bit," she admitted.

"Mother is very nice in so many ways, but as I have become older, I have come to desire my own peace and quiet. Peace and quiet she does not always respect. But please, how have you been doing? How is little Raven? I bet that she is the cutest little one to have walked these lands." They spent an hour with idle talk, updating each other of what had passed in their respective lives during the six months since Kite had last visited.

Brook had been promoted to the position of librarian, being one of two to work directly beneath the same old man who had mentored her before. Otherwise, her life seems to have been a lot calmer than Kite's, her essence powers progressing slowly but surely with the help of monster cores. He was happy to note that she still seemed to be practicing the meditations he taught her, as her aura was decently controlled for a core-user of her level.

"But you wrote that you had found something which I might find important?" Kite eventually asked.

"At least that was what you said in the letter." Brook got surprisingly somber at him broaching the topic, her eyes and aura hinting at complex feelings on the matter.

"I believe that I do. But first, I have a question for you, Kite. Which I hope that you will answer me honestly."

"I… will." Kite said, halting a bit at the gravity in her words.

"Then, please tell me, why do you wish to challenge the jade-sky gate again?"