Chương 132: Sage Asura

At that moment, his aura clashing with that of his opponent as sparks and cinders burst out into the garden as they were born from violent collisions, Kite had to allow himself a moment of smug satisfaction, feeling both elation and a bit of pride. First of all, he was pleased that his judgment had been correct; neither of the two core-using silver-rankers seemed to be too much of a fighter.

Much like mistress Withers, who he had fought during his stay in Bastion, Pristine Show of Prowess lacked the flow that Kite had come to expect from decently experienced essence users. The older man, his mouth curled in a snarl beneath his impressively pointy black mustache, fought much like a brawler. The punches he delivered with his flaming gauntlets were no doubt powerful, and the bolts of fire from his floating lantern were plentiful.

But they all felt surprisingly predictable to Kite, and with each moment of their clash, the silver-ranker's advantage lessened as the effects of rank disparity were equalized. And unlike the time when Kite had fought the mistress of the Withers family, he was a lot closer to silver. There was still a notable difference in raw power, but this time it seemed like skill and experience was easily able to close that gap.

And secondly, Kite was very much enjoying his latest, permanent addition to his arsenal, wrought from the final forging to become what the officiator deemed would complement Kite's path, channeled through the concepts he himself had chosen. He struck out with his staff again, but this time the blow was accompanied by another as Carmine Sunrise was also drawn from Kite void sheath, the blows simultaneously striking high and low at the same time to further put the silver-ranker on the defensive.

The blade had been drawn and swung by a pair of spectral arms which had manifested upon the start of the clash. Each of the phantom limbs hovered behind Kite's back, seemingly disconnected, but as one traced their fading forms it was clear that they would have sprung from their wielder, acting as additional limbs rather than flying constructs.

The appendages were the same odd gray of Kite's new tattoos, clearly connected to the glowing light of the markings, and looked like well-sculpted, partially transparent humanoid arms with armored bracers covering the forearms, the ends of their fingers trailing off into strands like wispy smoke. And while they looked spectral, their impact on the world was anything but ethereal.

"Lend a hand, indeed…" Kite thought wryly, the officiator's final words echoing back to him. He had not expected that his prize from the jade-sky gate would come in this particular form, but Kite was not in any way disappointed. WWJS: [Item] Prescient Mantle of the Sage Asura Magical tattoo Bronze rank - [Growth] Legendary Soulbound The Sage Asura sees all, each of its myriad arms reaching out to change fate. Through the forging, let its mantle be bestowed to the one whose path might one day do the same.

[Effect] For an ongoing mana cost, manifest a set of spiritual arms at will. These arms may draw weapons from the wearer's dimensional spaces, and are freely controlled by the wearer. The manifested arms may also use the wearer's special attacks. Attacks delivered through the arms deal slightly reduced damage, but each set of arms has their own cooldown for said special attack. Destroyed arms may be manifested anew for a cost of moderate mana.

[Effect] Gain increased cognitive processing speed and capacity for simultaneous action. Once infused into the wearer and bound to their soul, this item cannot be removed or unfused. No other magical tattoos may be added to the wearer, but this item will persist across ranks and can be upgraded like any growth item through absorbing the right materials.

"You brat!" the silver-ranked man swore, not for the first time during their engagement. His mounting frustrations were made clear as he leapt back, unleashing another gout of flames from an outstretched hand while his lantern familiar sent a new flurry of fire bolts towards Kite's side from a rather transparent attempt to flank.

Heavenglass Protector appeared on one of the spectral arms, projecting its glass barrier to keep the man's jet of fire at bay, with the barrier of Heaven-and-Void warding appearing to intercept the volley of projectiles from the familiar. At the same time, Kite swung his staff once more while the other hand drew Carmine Sunrise, both of the attacks projected towards the floating familiar.

Twin Chakra Implosions and Disrupting Strikes impacted the flaming lantern a split second later, draining mana while dealing both disrupting force damage and a bit of transcendent damage after the lantern's lone boon was extinguished. As this was not the first hit the familiar sustained, the concerted effort finally broke apart the flying spirit.

Spinning in place, Kite relinquished his shield to instead swing both weapons toward his foe, who had leapt towards him with a furious shout upon the sundering of the familiar's physical form. The Pristine elder - at least that was what Kite assumed the man's title to be - was forced to abort the leaping attack, turning into a wisp of flame at the last moment.

While Kite's three vortices were hindering him from teleporting as part of the skill, it still allowed him to escape being hit by more than a grazing blow, the strike flashing blue as more mana was drained. The elder did falter slightly as the stun of Chakra Implosion took effect, leaving less power in the downward, double-handed strike he attempted upon resuming his physical form.

The strike met Kite's raised staff, the odd metal barely shuddering even as the ground beneath Kite cracked and splintered from the redirected force. Even so, his spectral arms were already moving, once more drawing Carmine Sunrise from the void to slash at the elder's now very exposed midriff. Kite let the attack impact the physical, Void-Sunder's-Firmament tearing deep gouges in both the man's fine robes and the body beneath.

A moment later, the rending detonation from within drew a pained gasp from elder Pristine as he stumbled back.

"Yield, and let me leave in peace. Your surrender will only mean less trouble for you down the line," Kite said, spectral arms disappearing as he spoke even if they remained ready to return at a moment's notice.

"Bah, as if I would need to do so for a brat like you, a mere bronze! My pride would never allow it. I will give this my all, boy! You will regret the day you crossed the Pristine family!"

"From the way this is going, I believe that your struggles will only lead to further injury to your precious pride," Kite remarked, spectral arms appearing a moment later as the silver-ranker came at him again. Inwardly, he once more marveled at the clarity with which he now took in the world, which had almost been a little disorienting at first once the final forging had been complete.

While they were manifested, the use of the phantom limbs was instinctual and natural, and the added mental prowess helped to keep them all coordinated. Even so, Kite was still glad that he had taken an hour before exiting the gate to get used to actually moving the arms around, performing some basic maneuvers and katas to see if he could manage without getting weapons tangled up in one another. As he once more clashed with elder Pristine, Kite felt like he could do so much more.

Combined with his equipment and other powers, he felt like his presence was doubled as the extra set of arms lent so much flexibility. And as they could also use his special attacks with cooldowns separate from his own, the effects were already showing staggering flexibility even though it had been a mere hour since he acquired them.

"Just imagine the potential of this…," Kite marveled as he went on the offensive, his barriers blocking a forceful swing while while he countered with his staff and his war fan appeared in a spectral hand to intercept a fiery projectile which the older man had sent flying towards Kite in a wide arc.

There was a downside to it all though, as just having the arms manifested took a noticeable toll on Kite's mana, and that was before taking into account that he could effectively deliver double the amount of special attacks against his target. To most other fighters, the arms would have become something akin to a berserking power; a potent way to increase your offense for a time. But to Kite, with his mana-draining attacks and the three vortices, its duration could be a lot longer.

While he wasn't entirely sure, he believed that if he continued to land his attacks with Chakra Implosion continuously enough and did not use any of his other mana-sinks or had his mana otherwise impaired, duration would rarely even be an issue. Performing more actions at the same time, be they to attack his foe or aid his allies, would let Kite become so much more. He had hoped for potential, and the Queen's trial sure had delivered.

Kite continued clashing with his foe in the dead of night, lit only by the nearby glow stones and witnessed by the mistress and guards of the Pristine family, Whistling Ivory of the Wandering Winds sect and, Kite assumed, the manifold eyes of Wander. And as the indignant protests of the older man became fewer and further apart, the likely victory passed into the realm of certainty.

"Be judged beneath the Efreet's throne!" Flames rose from elder Pristine, rising upward to assume the shape of a grand throne where a vague, fiery silhouette stared down with eyes ablaze.

"You little mongrel, forcing me to go all out. But this-"" Dissolve the patterns of power." Kite's dispelling wave washed over the garden. Whatever flaming judgment that had been on its way was torn apart, but everyone present was taken aback by another, sudden shriek. As the wave did no damage, Kite had not been too particular of the direction in which he had aimed the Ripple of Cancellation.

But as the wave had washed over the onlookers, he was a bit dumbfounded as it also seemed to sweep away the clothes of mistress Pristine. Like smoke caught in a sudden gust, the fine attire dissolved into nothing. The mistress shrieked in surprise and outrage, throwing the onlookers into chaos as she used her considerable speed to try and simultaneously conjure new illusory garments while trying to rip the cloak from a nearby guard to preserve her already lost modesty.

It did not help the situation that Kite's dispelling wave kept her from instantly reactivating the power. As one might expect, this did not improve the already irate mood of Kite's opponent, who turned to him with eyes promising absolute murder.

"You… you scoundrel! I will not forgive this!" He dove at Kite, but was almost directly put back on the defensive as he was met by the strike of a staff and a slashing sword while his blow was harmlessly deflected on a conjured barrier. Then two attacks came his way, then three more as each of the spectral hands drew individual weapons to tear into the elder.

In Kite's magical perception, he saw the elder attempt to channel a burst of mana to one of his flaming gauntlets, as if he was looking to overload the magical construct to deliver a potent attack. But the buildup suddenly stopped, like a river which had run dry in an instant. Pristine Show of Prowess seemed quite bewildered at his faltering spirit, which was not too odd as the Veiled One's Decree had long since scrambled his internal senses.

Therefore, the clash in the Pristine's garden ended with a look of focused consternation turning into surprise as the older man tried to unleash another kind of costly special attack, only for it to consume the absolute dregs of his remaining mana.

"Wha- Why- You-" he managed to groan before his eyes rolled back, unconsciousness claiming him.

"And I believe that this concludes the clash, with Kite as the victor," Ivory said from where he leaned against the wall, politely not looking at the mistress of the house who was busy tying a guard's cloak around herself.

Mistress Pristine seemed as if she would very dearly have wanted to do something more in this situation, but it also seemed that she was wise enough to know that she and her five bronze-ranked guards would not make much of a difference to Kite and the ally he had gained in Ivory through their deal.

"Well, mistress Pristine," Kite said, giving a polite bow.

"I believe that this concludes our business together. As agreed, I will now take my leave. May our paths not cross again."

"The Pristine family will abide by the terms of the clash," the woman answered him stiffly, eyes blazing with indignant fury as she was finally able to start to reconstruct her personal illusions.

"But I will also note that our memory is equal to our name. Certain things will not be forgotten, and there are members of the family who will not suffer insults such as these lightly. Members with true power." Kite was about to retort when he noticed something through his expanded vision, the sharper words replaced with a smile.

"Oh, I believe that there might be a reason to eventually bury this particular incident." At his words, a lone rat came scurrying out of the shadows. It moved faster than anyone might have expected, scurrying up his legs and perching on his shoulder. Wander handed Kite the source of the gleam which he had noticed; a recording crystal. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"It would seem that my friend made sure to record all of this for posterity. I wonder just how much she's got in here."

"Oh, Kite, you should see it! There are soooooo many naked people. And a few very interesting discussions~," Wander began, before seeming to remember something. Perched on its hind legs, it turned to mistress Pristine, who had frozen at seeing the crystal and heard the implications. Wander's body bowed deep as she continued; "I almost forgot to thank the Pristine family for its hospitality. The sweetmeats were especially splendid~."

Her little squeaking voice was surprisingly formal, but Kite thought that it might also have helped that she chose to unveil her aura at that time as everyone in the garden was suddenly very aware of the rats surrounding them which they had previously overlooked.

"Do you know the way out?" Kite asked her, getting an affirming squeak in response.

"Then, inner disciple, I believe that it is time for us to take our leave. Farewell, mistress Pristine," Kite said, turning around and departing before the head of the local Pristine family branch could unscramble her mind from the recent revelations. Inner disciple Ivory appeared at Kite's side a moment later, accompanied by a surge of wind which had allowed him to cross the distance in a single step.

He fell in step with the younger man, stopping only once to bow with the bare modicum of politeness to the mistress of the house before shutting the doors to the garden behind him.

"Well, junior brother, it would seem that I owe you a debt of sorts," Ivory eventually said when they had put some distance between themselves and the garden which had housed the jade-sky gate for so long. Unsurprisingly, the former retainer knew the compound well, and Wander barely had to give any instructions.

"These last two and a half months have been a study in patience. Had the Pristine family not had such political connections, I may have considered challenging them myself for the humiliation they put me through. Seeing their faces and you actually striking down one of their elders a rank above you, even if he was a core-user, will be a memory which I treasure to the end of my days. And that whole thing with the mistress of the house…"

"Thank you, senior brother," Kite said, following the silver-ranker's example in using the informal title.

"I must admit that I was worried that you might see it the other way, claiming fell karma between us for the opportunity that I cost you, at least in a sense." He ignored the comment about the unexpected dispelling. The whole thing felt just a bit too embarrassing.

"You need not worry. I respect the queen's decree in that the gates should be open to anyone with the prowess to possess a token. While most only view them as a keepsake, there are still some of us who are grateful for the opportunity which the queen left for us. Even in spite of the dangers."

"Oh I can confirm that the dangers are very real," Kite said.

"And that they are something which we should discuss in a more… private setting," he finished, nodding to the compound around them. While the two of them could probably sense any person nearby, Kite still wished to be out of there as soon as possible.

"Of course, of course," Ivory agreed. He then directed his gaze more firmly at Wander, one of her rat bodies still seated atop Kite's shoulders.

"And you, honored expert, were you meant to bring our young conqueror out of here if his own means failed?"

"Oooooh, 'honored expert'! I like the sound of that. It sounds so professional! Kite, I like this one~! And yes, I was meant to help bring Kite out in case things turned sour, but he solved it splendidly on his own. Great new arms, Kite, by the way! It's great to hear that I didn't snoop around this place for three months for something minor."

"I will be ever in your debt for the assistance, Wander," Kite said, the rat preening with pride.

"And I will admit that I am a bit apprehensive as to what this 'favor' which I now owe you will prove to be."

"Don't worry about it! I just felt like you didn't have too much I needed at the moment, and are the type of guy who I'd like owing me a favor~. Oh, don't look so scared, Kite! You're a friend! I promise I'll be gentle…~" Ivory came to Kite's rescue at that moment, his brow having gradually creased while listening to the pair talking.

"Please excuse me, honored expert, but did you say that you have been here for three months? In a nearby village then? Or in Orchard maybe-""Oh, no no no. Here! I made myself a nice little burrow beneath the gate. You know, you shouldn't underestimate a good burrow. They really get the job done with that whole sense of security. And then I spent my day enjoying the hospitality of the Pristine's while doing what I do best."

"Which is?" Ivory asked, seeming to dread the answer.

"Well, spying on people, of course. Some people call it peeping, but it's not my fault that so many just waltz around naked or do other naughty things without even properly checking their surroundings. As they say, you never know who might be watching~!"

"But- but I lived here for over two months. And I am a silver as well. You mean to say-""Yep! But don't be too hard on yourself. I am very sneaky. And I try not to peak tooooo much on the people that seem nice. Did you know that one of the bronze-ranked guards - you know the one who wore a flower in her hair every time she thought that she'd be around you - totally has a crush on you? And, I mean, a girl can understand.

You sure do not skip your physical training, and the whole 'training shirtless in one of the gardens among the early summer flowers' really works for you~."

"Braid!" Kite couldn't help the exclamation upon seeing the weaver waiting for them close to the gates of the compound. The departure had been a quiet one, but it was still a relief when the group stepped out into the open fields surrounding the Pristine family compound.

"Braid, this is-""Whistling Ivory," the other man filled in, giving a polite bow.

"Our dear Wander here has already filled me in. I am Braid Spun from Honesty, but Braid will do nicely."

"Another expert?" Ivory asked Kite after greeting the weaver.

"Your backing must be deep! But I don't recognize your family name?"

"Apologies, senior brother, but I have none."

"Then which sect are you all from? I know that certain activities may call for not displaying the sect colors."

"Once again, apologies senior brother, but we have none."

"So you, an outcast, have just conquered the queen's gate, and have a pair of silver-ranked experts assisting you?"

"That's right! We are the fondest of companions~!" Wander chimed in, leaning casually against Kite's head.

"And besides, this is Kite's second time. He's an old hand at these gates now~!"

"Second? Junior brother, is this true?!"

"It is, but as I said it will best be discussed in a more comfortable setting," Kite replied, keeping his voice down.

"Kite is right. Wander, gather yourself. It is time to go!"

"You got it, Braid!" A few more rats exited through the open gates. Then more. And more. And more. They started coming from the compound, burrowing out from the ground, running in from the fields or simply leaping down from the walls in a brown tide. Hundreds of them. Well over a thousand. Some started merging together, and the swarm gradually shrunk until the number of rats surrounding the group like a wide scouting screen were a lot less mind-boggling.

The group started down the road, their passage lit only by the moon above. Ivory had been thoroughly silenced by Wander's words, and seemed content with taking in the group and casting the occasional assessing glare towards Kite as they walked.

"It is a rather odd sensation," Kite reflected aloud after they had covered a few kilometers.

"When I entered the gate, spring had just rolled in. And as I emerge, summer has taken its place."

"You sure were in there for a long time, Kite. Almost thought that we'd have to come in and drag you out. Was it only sunshine and rainbows in there which kept you? A snug little vacation?"

"All in due time, Wander, all in due time," Braid broke in, saving Kite from having to once more remind his friend that they should cover a bit more distance before speaking of the details.

"As things happen, we should reach our agreed-upon meeting place with Walker in a few hours at most, especially if Kite would not mind riding Glint for a while so that we can keep up the pace?"

"Oh, you're right. Sorry," Kite said, a bit abashed as he realized that his walking probably slowed them all down considerably. He had just been a bit lost in the pleasant sensation of being among people again. The carp was more than happy to oblige, and soon the grassy plains dotted with plantations and orchards were zooming by at a blistering pace. Kite rode on Glint's back, the carp's pink scales glittering in the early dawn light.

Braid had produced nothing less than a flying carpet on which he rode with Wander, who had assumed her human form so as to not overload the woven construct. It turned out that Ivory was the only one of them who needed no mount, easily keeping pace as he flew alongside them. After the wing essence, the wind essence was one of the most common sources of flight powers, after all.

"Wow, this sure looks like a nice place! Good choice! A little remote, sure, but still~!" Wander exclaimed as their destination finally came within view; a picturesque orchard of fruit trees with an accompanying small complex of houses. In the early morning light, the summer breeze warm against their skin and carrying the scents of the trees' flowers to them, it almost looked too idyllic to be true.

"I did ask Braid for something remote, and I will admit that you have exceeded my estimations," Kite said honestly.

"How did you even find this place?"

"A man of class knows how to find just the right place. I'll have you know that this place produces both fine beverages and very nice bronze-rank silk, and they were more than happy to rent their guest house to us," Braid said proudly.

"Pardon me, junior brother Kite, but why did you feel the need for such secrecy? Conquering one of the queen's gates should be a great source of pride, no? Surely, any sect in the area would have been pleased to host you," Ivory asked curiously. The inner disciple had not protested the trip even once, unconcerned with the detour, but apparently did not understand the need for it. Kite glanced a bit awkwardly at his companions, before he ventured; "Ah… I have a bit of a… contentious…

history with sects and the gates. While I do not wish to cast aspersions on the Wandering Winds sect, my experience does not make me inclined to view them as sources of shelter. As most adventurers are part of one, this also made me choose not to go to the city looking for a portal courier, as I did not know what kind of alliances that the Pristine family might have."

"I… see. It sounds like you have plenty of stories to tell then, junior," Ivory replied, clearly not understanding what might create such hesitations.

"Is this the location where you will portal out instead?"

"Not quite, but it is where we agreed to meet up with my uncle who will help us return north. Lacking access to water link chambers made us have to go with a more old-fashioned alternative."

"Which is just agreeing on a place and waiting around until the other party shows up~," Wander added helpfully. As it turned out, Braid had not just rented them the guest house of the plantation, but had actually made a significant investment into the business. From the way the local family, who was led by a bronze-ranked woman, almost stumbled over themselves to express their gratitude to the weaver, Kite felt no worry in regards to their choice of meeting spot.

"Ah, excellent as ever," Braid said after taking a sip from a mug of the local brew; a cider made from a blend of fruits that was the local family secret. While Kite had expected to maybe catch a glimpse of the man's face as he drank, it turned out that Braid had continued to add enchantments to the cloth covering every inch of his body. He just lifted his glass and drank through the cloth mask, leaving no stains on the fabric.

"The privacy formations are in place, Kite, so feel free to tell us as much or as little as you want of your adventures." The group had settled down on a veranda in the early day shade, each occupying their own set of pillows around the low table. Kite looked to Ivory, the blonde warrior regarding him with clear anticipation. So far, the man had seemed straightforward enough, but Kite still wanted to give voice to his concerns.

"Senior brother, I hope you will forgive me for asking, but would you mind to promise not to divulge the details about me in this story? I did offer some of the secrets of the gates to you, but will admit that I am reluctant to divulge my own as well." The man had already seen him fight, but there was only so much which could be deduced from that.

"It is no trouble, junior brother Kite. A warrior should be entitled to keep parts of their path to themselves. For what it is worth, you have my word as an inner disciple of the Wandering Winds sect," Ivory said solemnly, laying his aura plain for Kite to sense as he spoke. While words were only just that in the face of greed and auras could be manipulated for those truly skilled, Kite still chose to follow his gut feeling about the man's sincerity.

It did help that there was a rat perched on a railing behind the disciple who gave a pair of small thumbs up towards Kite. When you couldn't trust your own senses, bringing a friend with sharper ones felt like the way to go. So Kite started his telling of his adventures inside the gate, adding most of the information which he and Brook had inferred from the manuscripts that she had procured.

He only left out the exact amount of treasures he had been able to gather and the nature of his prize at the end, only hinting that it was something which became bound to one's soul, useless to anyone else. Ivory asked many questions during the telling, while Wander mostly added dramatic 'ooooohs' and 'woooooaas' in the appropriate places. Braid seemed content to sip his drink and listen, giving off a contemplative feel even through his mask.

"- so while this is only my experience, each challenge being unique, I hope that it can help you in some way," Kite finished, the final statement directed to Ivory who had gotten more silent and somber towards the end. The man answered by rising suddenly enough that one of Wander's bodies, who had idly been playing with his long, blonde hair, was thrown off with a squeak. Ivory then bowed to Kite at the waist, speaking while facing the ground.

"Junior brother Kite, this has been beyond what I expected in worth, and my meager contributions at the Pristine family estate does not come close to balancing out our karma. On my honor as a warrior of the Wandering Winds sect, I cannot let this stand. Please tell me what I may do, be it recompense or service, for me to sever the karma between us." Kite regarded the man for a while, thinking.

Part of him wanted to write it all off, but Ivory seemed to be the type of man who would not let such a thing go no matter his protests. And as Uncle Walker had not yet arrived, his arrival date still unknown, they also had some time to spend however they wished. He had thought that the inner disciple would be leaving soon, but the tried and tested idea struck him, that might prove to not be the case.

"Well, senior brother, while I would not want to be too presumptuous and monopolize your time, your junior brother would always appreciate what advice you can give me. May we trade pointers, so that I may learn from your path?"

"Any word from our people in the city?" mistress Pristine asked her servant, the man bowing as he entered.

"No mistress, and neither from the inquiries we sent to the Wandering Winds sect. The inner disciple has yet to return."

"I see," she replied, her curt tone making sure that the man did not stay a moment longer in her presence than he needed to. Pristine Flower of Eternal Youth sat back, sighing in exasperation only once the servant had left. The illusions covering her face would not have shown her scowl, unladylike as it was, but she had a hard time feeling anything else. This whole travesty was becoming more and more a stain on the family's prestige, and would cost them a lot of face once it spread.

As for the stain to her personal pride... The mistress shuddered, thoroughly shoving the memory away.

"And he still has the recording," she muttered. While she hadn't confirmed what it had captured, she would have to assume it was genuine. And that tied her hands, as taking more action towards this young man might lead to even greater loss of face. But doing nothing would harm them as well.

"There is nothing more to it. I will have to contact Pristine Mirror. Even while she tends to not care too much about things like this, she should be able to see that the family's reputation is at stake. Even though her path is her singular focus, there are still things which the family requires of her." And so, mistress Pristine started writing a letter which would be sent south. Towards the capital.