110 The Blood Pact

During the next few days, I managed to figure out the proper way of controlling my energy. The task seemed so simple, after actually learning the method. This didn't require any sort of compression or division, it simply required force. Or rather, a third type of control. The first type was like a stream, the second was a type which compacted my energy. The third type was the exact opposite, expansion, like a bubble.

Once that was figured out, my Aura and the Half Step were remaining. There was an inkling of desire in my mind to try and produce Runes, but my control was simply lacking in that regard. Just being able to release my energy outside of my body, didn't mean I had full control over it. Just like the type of control, the energy acted like a bubble around me. The bubble was big, really big. In order to control my energy well, the bubble had to shrink.

That process alone would take months, if not years. Besides, acquiring an Aura was possible at that stage, and perhaps more viable. On the other hand, my Half Step awaited me as well. With that choice in front of me, the control alone wouldn't be so beneficial to me.

'A new Aura will surely make me stronger. I wouldn't have to rely on that angry Aura to awaken. Equally, breaking past the Half Step would allow me to continue on. My energy would become stronger, and therefore forming a new Aura should be easier too. Both ways are good, the question is, which one should I go for?', I asked myself.

"What do you think? Should I pursue a new Aura, or focus on the Half Step?", I asked the two masters for some advice. "It's up to you, though there are benefits either way you go. I'd say go for an Aura first. You'll break past that Half Step eventually, but your Aura requires time", master Yater replied.

He was right, whether it was a year or two years, I'd break past that Half Step anyway. My Aura was different, since that had to be comprehended. There was no specific time period for that, it could happen tomorrow, or in two years. The more time I spent on that, the better it would be for me. "You are right, an Aura is more important at this stage. I just have to figure out this mood or something", I agreed.

"On the other hand… If you break past your Half Step, you'd have more energy in your command. Besides that, improving your control is also crucial. Additionally, you'd be one of the youngest people to ever break past the Half Step at such a young age", master Irwin added out of nowhere. "Don't confuse her, you fool! She already chose her Aura", master Yater argued.

"With your biased opinion? I gave her a different one, shouldn't opinions be balanced? Who gave you the right to lecture her by yourself, you old fool!", master Irwin argued back. A fight was about to break out between them, and although I'd like to see them kick each other's butts, I decided to stop their arguments.

"I get it, so stop already. I mean, what master Irwin said sounds nice, but does it matter? Who's going to care whether some Anna broke past her Half Step at a young age? Though I have a different question, now that you mentioned it. What was the youngest age of someone who broke past their Half Step?".

"Hmmm, the youngest that I know of was at the age of fifteen. Hehe, i wasn't even alive when that occurred, that's according to the records I've read. Sure, these people would be hailed as prodigies, great talents with bright futures in front of them… Well, a few of them probably had a bright future", master Irwin replied.

"A few of them? That sounds a bit weird. Surely all of them would, or at least most of them, right?", I asked. "Hehe, Humans are jealous, greedy and treacherous. Some of these youngsters were simply killed, because they'd rise to the power eventually. No one wants to give their power away. Being too exceptional can cause you problems, instead of making your path easier", he explained.

"Yes, without a proper protection, these youngsters weren't allowed to develop. Now, some of them were in high standing families, therefore they had necessary protection. You are a high standing individual, right? Your mother and probably others protected you throughout your life. If you were to be born in a village, town or a city, you'd be dealt with, if you didn't choose to submit under someone. The world is cruel, especially this Empire", master Yater added.

"I didn't know people were so… I mean, people should be happy when someone is talented. After all, the adults will pass away one day. Just like my great uncle told me, someone has to replace them", I said. "That might be true, but some people refuse to let go. Anyway, we are about a month away from the border. Everything is in your hands now, we will no longer teach you anything. Just focus on what you can achieve. Whether you choose to approach the Half Step path, or the Aura path. We believe that your training was mostly a success", master Yater replied.

That month passed rather quickly compared to the past. Unfortunately though, my body didn't break past that Half Step, nor a new Aura appeared for my use. Though a bit disappointing, a month wasn't that much in retrospective. My sword basics alone took more than that, yet I wished to awaken a new Aura or break past the Half Step.

Though none of these things occurred, I've gained a bit more control over my energy. That wasn't even a surprise, since an Aura required energy control. Though my focus was on all three types of control. From the two masters' description, an Aura didn't have to rely on one type of control. Actually, an Aura could be supported with any sort of control… That was my guess.

Thanks to that, my energy control saw some improvements. The biggest of them all, had to be the compressed energy control. I learned how to compress the energy inside my fist, and the effect? Well, they stunned even me. Though happy about that, this also displayed how weak my body was. Although my fist might've packed quite a punch, the side effects meant damage to my own fist. The more energy got compressed, the bigger the pain would become. Even with a small amount, my finger bones would pulsate in pain. Any more than that and they'd break.

That was my fist alone, but of course I didn't use fists in combat. I used my sword. Master Irwin told me that attaching my energy or Aura to objects wasn't impossible. That made me wonder, what sort of destruction would my sword cause with that compressed energy attached? Of course, I couldn't release my energy using that type of control, though it wasn't impossible. Practice was the way forward, but time was of the essence too.

On a certain rainy day, the barrier appeared in front of me once more. "Here we are, the Great North, eh? Our deadline is almost up but you did well, Anna. You are no longer a naive kid, who'd shy away from everything. You've grown, and learned a lot throughout your journey. We are proud of you, because you worked really hard", master Yater said.

"Yea, you didn't make it easy, but I can't say there were no positives to the whole experience. I've met two youngsters and even taught them something. Curly wouldn't be here, if not for this journey. Besides, I'm stronger than ever before… You see this Curly? Beyond that barrier is our home. I'm sure everyone will welcome you warmly", I said. "Arf, arf!", she barked, seemingly excited to witness the other side.

"Let us go then. We have quite a distance to cover anyway", master Irwin added. "Wait a minute! Don't you guys need to pass those trials? Hehe, this should be interesting. I'll wait for you on the other side, since this doesn't concern me". The two masters smiled, before taking out some sort of statuette. "There's no need for us to take those trials, since we have this. I'm not sure whether the barrier would let you pass just like that. You are free to give it a try", master Yater replied with a smile.

"What do you mean?", I asked, confused. "As far as we are aware, only your father has that privilege. Not even your mother can pass this barrier without trials, not when she's alone. Your father can bring anyone in or out, that's how you were able to leave without any problems. With this statuette though, we have the same privilege", master Irwin explained.

"Bare in mind, we can't help you during those trials… Hmmm... Actually, that's not a bad idea. Taking these trials will surely give you some experience. Now, if your father somehow set things up, you'd simply pass through without any issue. If not, you'll take the trials", master Yater proposed.

'...Should I? I'm kind of curious about those trials. My dad said that the barrier is concerned with the illusions, and Formations at the same time. Who knows, maybe I'll learn something new. Besides, there's no guarantee those trials will occur anyway…', "Why not? I'm curious about them as well. I'll take Curly with me, since she can spot illusions better than me", I replied, but the two masters shook their heads.

"You can't take the trial together… Unless there's a Blood Pact between you", master Yater explained. "I heard about it, but not much… I'm not so confident without Curly, and father did say those trials can be dangerous... If Curly has nothing against that, I don't see why not? After all, father has a Blood Pact with Frosty", I replied. Curly had no idea what the Blood Pact was, so everyone tried to explain.

Once this was made clear, Curly decided to agree. "You two should have an idea on what sort of pact you want to make. Once both of you are happy, we can deal with the rest", master Irwin said. I wanted Curly to be my friend, a companion and aid. I didn't want to bound her, or make her my servant. Though being able to sense each other like my father and Frosty, would be a great thing to have. We agreed on those terms, and asked the two masters to proceed.

"There are a few ways to make the Blood Pact, but we will use a simple one. Drip your blood into this bowl, once we mix it and swear an oath, both of you will drink some of it. I'll deal with the Formation side of the pact", master Yater explained. "I didn't realise Formations were involved", I said, surprised. "They aren't required, but make things much easier. Don't ask me how this works, because even your father might not know. This is very ancient knowledge, and for some reason works", he replied.

Either way, with our blood mixed inside the bowl, master Yater recited the conditions. Once me and Curly were happy about them, we took a sip of the mixed blood from the bowl. I wasn't keen on drinking blood, but that was the requirement. No weird feelings enveloped me once I did that. Nothing happened pretty much. I felt all the same, and Curly didn't seem to feel any other way either.

"Did it work?", I asked, confused. "Of course it worked, who do you take me for? You don't feel any difference, because there shouldn't be any. I mean, this simply links you together for life. It doesn't make you smarter, stronger or anything like that. You simply can't betray your marten, and she can't betray you. Well, maybe you'll be compelled to help each other more eagerly, since going against the oath will make you feel bad", he explained. "Alright then, in that case we should tackle that trial. Let's go Curly, we've been through worse stuff, right?", "Arf!".