5 Making A Friend?

Enzo was currently being led by the bald guard down a massive corridor. Mazu continued to carry the mysterious man, or rather, Enzo's master, on his back. As they furthered down the path, Enzo couldn't help but marvel at the fine craftsmanship of the School's interior design. The walls were indented with beautiful markings, seemingly chiseled by the finest artisan. Enzo almost wanted to go up to the wall and feel it's grooves, however he controlled himself, he's a School of Initiation disciple now, he must act like one.

Leaving the corridor, they came across a new area. A massive peristylium courtyard filled with artificial vegetation. Numerous people clad in disciple uniforms were currently either sparring or meditating. Very few lied enveloped within the shade of those tall synthetic trees, reading the School's manuals.

Taking a break from their walk, the bald headed man thought it'd be good to explain some things to Enzo. He looked over and said,

"This is our School's Yard of Reflection."

"Yard of Reflection?" Hearing what the bald man said, Enzo couldn't help but wonder what that was.

"Yep, this is where disciples from all over the school can meetup and exchange insights or just practice alone," The bald man clarified, "Usually there'd be more disciples training here, but all of them are currently at Winterville for their quinquennial sparring match."

Hearing the bald man's words, Enzo couldn't help but ask,

"Winterville? Is that like Coalfell?"

The bald man chuckled,

"Sort of. Winterville has been our Schools' adversary since its founding. As they have much better land, their disciples have many more opportunities to receive elemental rhinestone. They are also built right next to a desolate zone, so we can only assume their training is far from the conventional."

Enzo was in a daze hearing all of this new information. What was elemental rhinestone? What was a desolate zone?

Seeing the look on Enzo's face, the bald man was about to answer when Mazu interrupted,

"Ao Han, let me explain it to him."

Setting down Enzo's 'master', Mazu looked at Enzo while saying,

"Elemental rhinestone contains energy sought after by all of us elemental practitioners! Each one is invaluable and should be used thoroughly as to not have its energy be wasted!" He expressed each word with emotion and used hand gestures as to make sure Enzo fully understood this stone's value.

"Do you understand?"

"..."

Seeing Enzo still in a daze, Mazu started to get a little frustrated.

Seeing the look of discontent on Mazu's face, Enzo could only say,

"Umm, I actually don't really know the basics to all of this. I'm only a beginner, this talk about stones and energy, I don't know how to do all of that."

Hearing the words of the other party, Mazu and Ao Han looked at each other in confusion.

'Did his master not teach him anything?' However, they simply remembered how young the boy was and thought that he just recently got his master's acknowledgement. Ao Han looked at Enzo and said,

"I see, well, I happen to have a spare Core Consciousness manual you can borrow as I have long since reached the pinnacle of that stage. It is in my living quarters, I'll deliver it to you later today after we show you to your room."

"Ah, okay, I'll thank you in advanced then!" Hearing how generous this man was, he couldn't help but be a bit embarrassed receiving such a warm welcome upon entering the School.

"No problem, no problem, I'm always willing to help a trainee improve their skills!"

Ao Han simply waved it off while smiling, he then nodded to Mazu before saying,

"Alright, let's get you to your quarters, we still have to get back to work!"

With that said, Mazu was just about to pick up Enzo's 'master' when a cold voice penetrated their ears. Even those sparring and meditating in the Yard of Reflection had to temporarily stop due to it's sheer accent.

"Why aren't you two at your post?"

Recognizing the voice, Ao Han and Mazu shuddered a bit before lowering their heads and pleading,

"Elder Jao, we were only showing this boy here the way to his quarters. We will head back to guard right away!"

Walking in from the back of the yard, Elder Jao harrumphed,

"Hmph, two one star core consciousness disciples actually dare to leave their post unattended, aren't you brave? Do you think I wouldn't notice?"

"Elder Jao, we wouldn't dare to!" Ao Han and Mazu said simultaneously.

If Chung were here, he would definitely recognize this Elder Jao as the man who gave him the answer sheet for the School of Initiation recruitment test and the man who wanted him to find elemental rhinestone from the cave in village three.

Seeing Elder Jao walk in, many disciples in the Yard of Reflection backed up and some even made their way to the various exits around the yard. Some disciples even sighed at their bad luck.

"Why did he have to show up now of all times? I was almost about to break into the Core Guiding stage! Doesn't he know this is a training ground!"

"He's as strict as always. Can't he go a day without causing trouble?

"I'm returning to my quarters to meditate, I can't concentrate knowing this guy is nearby."

Just like that, the Yard of Reflection nearly became empty. Some stayed to see what Elder Jao would do, while others couldn't be bothered and left for their quarters to further their training.

"Hmph, what could be so important that you two would disobey my rules and leave your post?" Walking closer to the two, his eyes narrowed before saying,

"If the reason for your defyment isn't to my liking, you two will be punished for disobeying the School rules!"

Tears threatened to fall from Ao Han and Mazu's eyes. Weren't we just helping a noobie get used to the School? When did it become breaking your rules and getting punished! Did you have to be so unreasonable?

Ao Han was just about to say something when Enzo stepped forward and said,

"These two friends of mine here were simply escorting me to my living quarters! I'm new here and don't exactly know-"

"INSOLENCE!"

Elder Jao leapt forward and with a slap, Enzo went flying and collided with a nearby wall. A loud thud was heard as he fell into unconsciousness.

Ao Han and Mazu stood with their mouths agape. We just met this boy and he already got killed! Could he not see that this person wasn't one to offend? If you stayed silent then maybe he wouldn't notice you and you could have lived, but you just had to say something. I know you meant well and wanted to stick up for us, but trying to reason with this unreasonable person isn't possible!

"A tiny ant dared to interrupt my conversation. That act alone is deserving of death." Brushing off his hand Elder Jao said,

"Because I'm feeling kind of good today, you two will return to your posts and stay there until the rest of the School returns from Winterville, and also, dispose of those two corpses behind you. `I'm off."

Saying that much, Elder Jao turned around and walked leisurely through the yard as if a king taking a stroll through his kingdom.

With frowns plastered on their faces, Ao Han and Mazu looked at Enzo slouched against the yards' wall and his 'master' by the entranceway.

"It's simply unfortunate this boy died just like that. Even I don't think I could survive a slap to the face like that, especially while unprepared…" Ao Han lamented at the boy's bad luck.

Mazu similarly shook his head in regret while saying to Ao Han,

"What should we tell this boy's master when he wakes up? He should be extremely disappointed to hear his disciple getting killed in front of him while unconscious."

"We'll have to tell him the truth, no sense in hiding it…"

Walking towards Enzo, Ao Han was about to grab hold of his arm when he heard a groaning sound.

"Arrgh.."

Pulling his hand back in shock, Ao Han was stunned by the sight before him. He stuttered slightly,

"Y-you're still alive!?"

Opening his eyes in a daze, Enzo looked around but could only see a hazy blur. What happened to me?

"Mazu get over here, this boy is still alive!" Ao Han called for his buddy's assistance.

What? The boy survived a slap from Elder Jao!?

Leaving Enzo's 'master' he ran over to stand next to Ao Han and looked at Enzo. Enzo twitched slightly before trying to stand up, only to fall back down. He glanced up while saying weakly,

"Ao Han is that you? Can you help me up?"

Ao Han knelt down to help Enzo up. He looked at him and said in amazement,

"To survive a slap from someone at the peak of the Core Guiding stage, just how tough is your physical body!?" Ao Han was struggling to wrap his head around what just happened. He could tell that Elder Jao didn't hold back, why would he? If it were anyone else, even someone who was in the same stage as Elder Jao, they would definitely have to use their full strength to block his attack. This kid hasn't trained at all, yet he only got knocked unconscious with a small bruise. His master must definitely have an eye for talent.

"I don't know, but I don't like that guy." Enzo had a look of scowl on his face. Seeing Enzo's face, Mazu jumped in to warn him,

"Don't get any ideas kid, no one likes Elder Jao, but he's one step away from getting his third star, so no one can touch him. Besides, you haven't trained a day in your life!"

Like a bucket of cold water being poured on his head, Enzo calmed himself down.

"You're right, I'll just get to my room first, and look at that manual you two told me about." Walking forward, he realized that Ao Han and Mazu weren't coming with him.

"Are you guys not coming?" Enzo questioned.

Ao Han had an apologetic look on his face while Mazu said,

"Sorry kid, we really can't take you to your quarters anymore. If Elder Jao finds us still not at our post, his punishment will really be too much for the both of us…" With that much said, Enzo looked slightly disappointed. Ao Han could only give him directions,

"You're room is right next to Lucid Lake, you'll see the room, it'll have the number 55 above the entrance. Just leave this yard through that exit and keep going straight…" While giving directions, a lone disciple who watched the commotion earlier walked over. He had a single star on his chest and spoke with a smile.

"I can help you guys take him to his quarters."

Seeing who it was that came over, Ao Han said happily,

"Ah, Kaiden! Thank you, I'll definitely pay you back for your help today!"

"It's no problem, I'm happy to help this young boy here who can take such a strong hit head on!" Kaiden laughed it off and walked over to Mazu.

"Is this the boy's master? Let me carry him for you so you don't strain your back!"

Seeing who showed up, Enzo could only smile and shake his head,

"I'll have to thank you for helping me!"

"Haha, it's really no problem at all! I'll carry your master for you, what's your room number I'll lead you there right now! I, Kaiden Lawil, may not be the strongest when it comes to core power, but when it comes to the School's layout, I am number one!"

Enzo laughed at this guys words while saying, "I'll be staying in room 55!"

"Ah, room 55 you say? That's by our Schools Lucid Lake! A great room indeed for a great person, let's head out! Ao Han, I'll see you later my friend!" He waved at Ao Han with Enzo's 'master' on his shoulder whilst grabbing Enzo's arm and pulling him towards the yard's exit.