4 TEST OF STRENGTH

<<URION'S POV>>

WITHOUT POWER, changing the world is something that anyone cannot even imagine. Chasing supremacy is an unending pursuit of all kingdoms in earth; clans in kingdoms; descendants in clans. No one escapes the circle that decides the fate of humanity.

Every living being's fate rested on their own hands. It is up to oneself if he will desire to stay in place, to go down, or to ascend higher. At the end, this choice will determine the position and power that will secure one's offspring for the future generations.

Master placed his clenched fist on his lower lip. He might be contemplating whether he will teach me cultivation or not. I know that I cannot defy his decision but all my hearts are praying for the best course. Master should be well-aware that I already need to start cultivating in order to catch up.

He turned his back on me, walking forward in the pebble pathway architectured with multiple spirals. Master must not want to show his face while thinking. He must be considering this matter with the utmost care.

Fifteen minutes passed. Master is still not giving his verdict. We are just walking and walking around the couryard-if my count is right, this is the third time. The ambiance is getting heavier every time we step forward as if it is showing master's critical thinking about this matter.

He told me that he will give anything I want but I will understand if he will not favor my request. Besides, I do not even deserve this wish. I had done nothing after all. If I must receive something, it is surely body pain and scars.

"Tell me, Urion," Master Gideon uttered in quite heavy tone. Master must be searching for a reasonable explanation to answer my request. "Why would you like to learn cultivation now? For the powerless? Why not asked earlier? This is the first time you mentioned this matter."

As expected from Master Gideon... Though—because other ideas clouded his sense of judgment, I must set the sun in his mind after all. Filled with certainty, I replied, "After the mess I had done, I will not be surprised if someone suddenly assault me. Everything will only be used for self-defense. If the door of revenge is worrying you, rest assured that I already closed and locked it away."

"Self-defense? Or you'll wait for the opportunity to take revenge without being confined by the rules?" Master Gideon surely holds his doubts on me, making me feel unease. I did not expect that his head will be as hard as his stony muscles. "Be honest in me, Urion. You know that I am standing as your guardian. Your decision will reflect in me."

We had been together for nearly two weeks now. We do talk; usually argue; laugh together. I even thought of him being a father to me sometimes. I was happy about it since it is my first time to experience fatherly care beside Uncle Makabe. Though, him doubting me is new.

Yet, Master Gideon is right, and his thought is reasonable. What I will be doing will serve as an iron ball chained on master's feet. He must be worried that I might drag him down. Just like how things work, no one will desire to lose power in this kingdom.

"Honesty and loyalty are the only things I have to give to master. I will not dare to stab master's back," I said with conviction, folding my right hand on the air, "If my mouth spit lies to master, the gods of all heavens and earths may struck me with lightning right now."

Turning his face with no hint of favor, master gazed at me as if he was examining my whole. Is it possible that master possesses a magic to see through the hearts of people? Even if he does, I have nothing to worry. I stood firm, waiting for his judgment.

"Master can forget about his promise. Any decision of master will be taken with gratitude," I said, bowing head. "Do not be troubled by your words. You can take them back as you please."

The armor of master stopped clanking. Thus, I kept my posture, standing firm on my ground while Master Gideon was turning himself to me. Despite being three-to-two meter away from him, his shadow covered my whole and probably, even the land behind me.

Suspicion sparkles in master's gaze. My words might not be enough for I already let go of his hands once. Trusting a failure is surely hard to do. I lowered my head in frustration.

Forgive me uncle... Ashiya if it will take longer than I expected. I cannot come to your defense right now—and I do not even know when can I.

However, will I be able to achieve true strength if I start late? The oracle is already at his 80th year but his cultivation is still far from reaching the third class. How can I surpass other people if I'm moving like a slug?

They said that the new generation will always be a stronger version of the previous one because the old knowledge are passed. However, it will not always be true if the new generation will not apply this knowledge.

The eyelids of master seemed to get heavier, glaring at me. Did I say something wrong that offended him? I cannot help myself, involuntarily twitching my right cheek. I awkwardly grin, eyes closed while scratching the back of my head.

"'You can take them back as you please,' you said?" Master Gideon asked in which I responded with a bow. That is kinda hard that I needed to reject my own heart. Yet, if it is for the goodness, who am I to stand for a selfish wish?

"My choice will always be master's direction," I uttered. Crap! Why my tone is so disappointed. It is hard to deal with this freaking emotion of mine!

"Learning to hide yourself is a great weapon to victory," Master Gideon quipped, shaking head on me, "You still want to change this kingdom but you do not know the basic. You really still need to run miles to reach you desired destination."

I do want to learn and be stronger. I will not muster the courage to request for master's teaching if I am not. However, they are right for saying I do lack a lot of elements. I am hundred-percent empty to begin with...

But this emptiness of mine will soon be filled with power, knowledge and strength. One day, I will stun this kingdom for raising a mighty combatant in me. Yet, this fantasy is just a daydream right now as long as I cannot take my first step... First step is already blocked by master's decision.

A man's pride is by keeping his words. For a commander, not wantin—

"Stop looking down of yourself! You are taking me too lightly, Urion. I am not a feather that can be taken by the wind easily," Master Gideon declared.

I am rather confused on what Master Gideon said. It was not concrete to say either he agrees or not. Lending him my ears, I need to know more to determine what he is trying to point out.

I do not like guessing!

"When I said it, I will do it! We keep our words; this is why we are called man," Master Gideon explained with conviction, arms crossed. How great! Master will teach me then. I misjudged master's stream of thoughts. "I'm not stopping you if you desire to. However..."

After hearing a favorable statement, the worst word to hear next is that "however" or anything alike. Everyone knows that the next line will be something that may cancel the favor or make things harder to earn.

No issues on making things harder to earn. At least, I can prove that I am deserving for it, unlike the pampered clan descendants who only like to be spoon-fed. As long as it will not cancel my training entirely, I will accept it with all my hearts.

"...I am not really the most qualified teacher when it comes to the cultivation of the soul energy," Master Gideon humbly confessed. If that is just the however, it is such a little thing. Right now, I do not need the great one but only the willing one.

Besides, what will I do to an unwilling teacher? Staying with those kinds will not bring out the best in me after all. Only those who put hands on my shoulder will be able to give every essential instruction for me to climb the pinnacle of my strength.

"That is not a problem, master," I replied, beaming. "As long as you are willing to guide me, that is more than enough reason to be taught under your instructions."

"Okay. But I'll remind you that my soul energy cultivation had only reached elite silver-rank, not a spar to my physical cultivation," master uttered an excuse. He surely wants me to lose interest in his teaching: a true man hiding intentions. "In fifteen years, that's the farthest I reached in expanding my soul sphere. No lies. No jokes."

"It is fine," I said, smiling awkwardly.

"I'm telling you this not because I don't want you as a disciple, or to teach you cultivation-didn't I say to you that I'll accept you as one?" Master Gideon added with him surprisingly lowering his head. Master! You are shaming yourself. "I want you to be stronger—way, way stronger than I. You might fall weak in my teaching; I cannot allow that to happen."

"It is definitely fine," I said, sighing. "But if it really worries you, I will be happy to let this pass. I do not want to worry you."

Widened eyes, Master Gideon took a deep breath, holding it for ten seconds before releasing it. Then, a bloody aura rose, covering his entirety. It was a tremendous power that rocks started floating. Is master demonstrating his power by now? It is the first time I witnessed this level of intimidation but it felt like the second.

"This is the burst form of my aura... And now, the killing form," master remarked as he charged more soul energy into soul force, darkening the shades of his aura. It expanded in a flash like tentacles crawling underneath my feet. My legs shivered. Hearts skipped beats. I can smell the stench scent of blood. I felt that I will be killed anytime.

As soon as I kneeled down, master calmed his aura. That power is not just an elite silver-rank! How could that be possible? Master will not lie just to escape from my request! But how is he in the silver tier? My face frowned in disbelief and confusion.

"That surprised expression of yours can be read easily," Master Gideon remarked which I processed slowly in my mind. My whole can still feel the bloodlust of a mad murderer. "I'm really on the silver tier. What makes my intimidation tremendously frightening is my cultivation technique. It so happened that my soul sphere is supported by brute force, making it looks stronger."

He is saying that physical attributes compensate for his weak soul energy cultivation. To think that master will be training under that technique, he was truly guided well. If only he can empower his soul sphere to a higher level, only god knows how destructive he could be.

Yet, Master Gideon used the word "looks stronger" which puzzled me. I can say that his soul force can be enough to make a foe unconscious upon the impact. However, I am not sure how strong it is when used in fighting.

Fu! I must not be distracted about this right now.

"Now, I want to test your strength first before teaching you cultivation," master remarked, capturing my eyes. A trial? "One must have a stable body first in order to cultivate soul energy. Let me assess if you already had that capability."

I do lack with the basics, according to Master Gideon. Physical strength is a portion of this after all. Surely, no one can move higher without learning the things below.

"Let us begin, master," I said, stretching my neck—snapped.

"You're living too much as a kid. You should not be excited because I tell you," Master Gideon said, coughing with right hand covering near his mouth. "I will not teach you unless you pass my assessment... And I am not giving a handicap to anyone even to kids like you."

It is hard to analyze my winning chances since I am not sure on how will master assess my strength. He does make it sound difficult but that will not dim my hopes. I will give everything I got to prove that I am worthy to learn cultivation.

"Keep that fire burning ablaze in your eyes. You need that fighting spirit later." What? Did I hear 'later' from master? No way! I need to wait then. "I have someone to talk to first. I'll meet you up before the sun goes down."

If master will be meeting someone, the person might be at the utmost importance. Master was looking at the gate after all. He will be leaving soon to personally visit someone. Master's schedule is going to make me wait.

"Do not sighed. You're showing to much of yourself," Master Gideon stated, glaring at me which sent shiver down my spine. "You might be being yourself right now but ourself will sometimes destroy plans and good fortune."

"Sorry master," I pleaded.

"How many times have you said sorry?" Master Gideon asked in a cold tone. In estimation, my sorrys are too many that I already lose count. "Next time, say 'I'll learn'."

"I'll learn from it now, master," I replied, bowing heads. Right now, all I can do is to wait patiently. There is no bearing in being impatient.

"Much better," master said, turning himself to the exit. "Learning, or having the will to learn from mistakes is much better. It is the completion of one's repentance."

When master was a meter away from the gate—four meters away from me—, he threw a crumpled paper on the air which I jumped just to catch it between my two hands. He then said, "While I'm not around, get those out for me."

"Huh?" I unwrapped the brownish paper and read the texts on it: fire stones, green shards and molten rocks. Why does master asking me to get these? He might have no time to go to the market. "I shall buy them as soon as possible, master."

"Do you know how much these minerals' cost in the marketplace?" Master Gideon asked, standing firm; blocking the center of the gate's pathway. "You may not know but it will cost ten-thousands of silver. You will not have that much money to buy them."

I am puzzled. It is true that I have no money, even a penny... But the Fotia branch had storeroom for it. Yet, why I have none? I was about to ask master a question but he bid his farewell. Now, I do not know how will I be able to cross out this list.

Without money, I will not able to get anything...

Or I could!

A jolt of realization sparked in my head. Master was not pure muscle all along. He really can think sometimes and give a hard time. Regardless, the test of strength—so, this is the beginning of my trial!

>/~•~\<