Spirit Grass

The morning air was crisp and carried the scent of dew-laden grass as Lassim, Sirium, and Lustria made their way from their cultivation caves to the Cultivation class. The anticipation of what the day would bring excited them. They'd attempt their first mission after the lesson was over.

Elder Linara had described her class on the first day to be known for their practical approach to cultivation, leaving students with insights to resonate and explain the mysteries of their personal cultivation techniques. Today, the students could see on the board that the lesson was promised to hold a session focused on meditation and element sensing, a foundational skill crucial to their development as cultivators.

As they settled into the classroom, a serene peace filled with the gentle hum of elemental energy, the students found spots on the soft, earthen floor where their desks previously were. Elder Linara had clearly changed the room's layout from the previous lesson.

She stood at the front, her presence calming, as she began the session with a short introduction to the day's focus.

"Today, we'll explore the depths of our connection to the elements. Understanding and sensing the elements around us is not just about power; it's about harmony between you and your elemental spirits," she explained, her voice soothing yet authoritative.

"I will observe your ability to sense the elements and to connect with your own spirits now. Please take a moment and calm yourselves. Meditate in peace." The room fell silent as the students closed their eyes, each entering their state of meditation.

Lassim, surrounded by his peers, felt a hesitation bubble within him. His recent advancements had catapulted him into uncharted territories of power, and the thought of exposing even a sliver of that in a classroom setting was daunting.

Elder Linara, sensing his discomfort, approached him. With a gentle, knowing look, she whispered, "You're exempted today, Lassim. Observe, and reflect." The relief that washed over him was tinged with a sense of isolation, but he understood the necessity of her decision. He was thankful that his super advancement from yesterday would be hidden for a bit longer. 

As the meditation session progressed, Elder Linara moved among the students, offering advice and insights tailored to their individual experiences. The room was a symphony of subtle energies, each student's aura mingling with the elements in their own unique dance.

"With that, today's lesson is finished. Consider my words and remember to obtain some techniques from the library. It seems several of you have good ones from your families, but a few of you could use the higher grade ones we offer. Please complete some missions and work towards improving yourselves. I'll see you again in two days where we will hold an open forum to answer any questions or doubts you may have."

As the session came to a close, a sudden, sharp light emanated from every student's jade bracelet, casting the room in a flickering glow of urgency. Murmurs of confusion and curiosity filled the air as the students, guided by the glowing summons, gathered in the entrance courtyard.

The academy's entrance courtyard, usually a place of tranquil passage, buzzed with the anxious energy of the assembled first-year students. Their whispers and speculations were abruptly silenced as a figure descended from the sky.

Vice-Headmaster Evelyn, her presence as commanding as it was graceful, floated down to stand before the gathered crowd. Her gorgeous curves playfully swaying as she made her descent. The elegance of her descent was such that, despite the more frivolous attempts of some students to peer indiscreetly, the wind itself seemed to guard the dignity of her figure underneath that tight-fitting dress, swirling her robes in a dance that thwarted any ill-intentioned gazes.

"Students of Myriad Spirit Academy," Vice-Headmaster Evelyn began, her voice clear and resonant, magically reaching the ears of every attendee without the need for shouting. "Today, I come before you with an announcement of paramount importance. A change, both in tradition and in the trials you will face as part of your journey here."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the sea of young faces, each alight with a blend of excitement and apprehension.

"The trials for ranking, one which you've yet to be informed of all of the details after your initial ranking trial, and a cornerstone of your development and recognition within the academy, will no longer be an annual event. Instead, the Headmaster has decreed that they will now occur every six months." A collective gasp and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"But that is not all," she continued, her tone taking on a graver note. "The trials from here forth will transport you to a realm far beyond the ordinary—a private elemental plane, maintained by our academy, that houses captured and weakened abyssal minions."

A murmur of disbelief and thrill coursed through the students. The very air seemed to thicken with a mix of fear and anticipation.

"Within this plane, you will be tested against these minions. Your task is to defeat as many as possible. This will not only determine your ranking but also prepare you for the realities of the dangers our world faces. Remember, the abyssal minions you will encounter are weakened, but they are not harmless. This trial will be a true test of your skills, your courage, and your determination."

Elder Linara, who had silently joined the assembly, caught Lassim's eye, offering him a subtle wink—an unspoken message of encouragement and perhaps, a hint of shared secrets.

As Vice-Headmaster Evelyn concluded her announcement and the crowd began to disperse, a buzz of conversation erupted. Sirium, Lustria, and Lassim formed a tight circle, their expressions a mix of worry and exhilaration.

"Actual abyssal demons... even if they're weakened, it's going to be a real battle," Sirium said, his usual calm demeanor giving way to an edge of excitement.

Lustria's eyes sparkled with a blend of fear and determination. "It's a chance to prove ourselves, to truly test our skills. But we have to be careful, and we have to be ready."

Lassim, feeling the weight of his unique situation even more acutely now, nodded in agreement. "I plan to still keep my rank as number one, but it's a challenge we'll face together. And it starts with preparing, beginning with our mission to collect Spirit Grass. Let's make our way outside the city to begin."

Leaving the academy for the first time since their arrival marked a significant moment for Lassim, Sirium, and Lustria. As they stepped beyond the familiar confines of the Myriad Spirit Academy, the bustling life of Myriad Spirit City unfurled before them. The city streets were alive with vendors peddling exotic goods, cultivators showcasing their skills in the chance of being hired, and the din of daily life in a city that thrived at the nexus of the mundane and the magical.

Their journey through the city, under the watchful gaze of towering guards, led them to the grand city gates. These gates, etched with ancient runes, stood as great barriers to the city, separating the known from the dangerous wilds beyond.

Once outside, the trio navigated their way through the verdant outskirts, where the forest stood firm and the air was thick with nature elemental energy. It wasn't long before they stumbled upon their target. Their first patch of Spirit Grass, the delicate, luminescent blades humming with elemental energy, a common ingredient useful to alchemists to create wonderful potions and cultivation pills. They carefully collected each stalk, mindful of the points that would be awarded for every ten they gathered.

Their search was not without interruption. Occasionally, elemental beasts, their powers ranging from SI1 to SI2, emerged from the depths of the forest or were already hovering over, protecting the plants for their own use. These creatures posed minor challenges to the trio. Taking turns each time, they used and practiced their burgeoning abilities. They easily dispatched these creatures, ensuring their journey was largely unimpeded.

Hours passed as they traversed the forest, the sun tracing its arc across the sky from noon to dusk. By the time they decided to head back, their magic pouches were laden with 270 stalks of Spirit Grass—a testament to their careful gathering skills and the rich bounty of the forest. This haul was enough for them to claim the reward for nine bundles each, a significant achievement for their first venture outside the academy they thought.

With their mission accomplished, the trio made their way back through the city gates, their spirits high as the light of day faded away.

Upon reaching the academy, they headed straight for the mission hall, where they turned in their stalks of Spirit Grass at the receptionist desk. They each earned 90 Academy Points each. Not enough to purchase another martial technique token, but worthy enough of their efforts. This would be a small step towards their goals. 

"See you both tomorrow!" Lassim said as he bid them goodbye whilst heading towards his rank 1 cultivation cave. 

Surprised, Lassim noticed a slightly older boy, possibly 10 or 11 years old and more muscular than him, sitting in a meditation pose in front of his cave. 

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"You're Lassim right?" The older boy asked. 

"Yeah, why?" Lassim responded.

"Here you go," With a respectful bow, the boy extended his hand, revealing a letter, and continued, "Now inject your mana into this separate form as your signature to confirm your receipt of the letter." The boy commented and passed Lassim a sheet with a golden box for him to press his mana injected finger against. The form's letters glowed with a sharp brilliance for a brief moment after he placed his finger in the box. 

The boy added, "Thanks for confirming. Whoever sent it to you sure was wealthy. I earned 15 academy points just for sitting out here for a couple of hours. Talk about easy. Anyways, I've got to run." He bowed and then sprinted off into the distance. 

In Lassim's hands was a letter that seemed to pulsate with a gentle, inner light, its edges tinged with a soft golden glow that spoke of the magical essence infused within its fibers. The parchment was of a fine quality, thick and slightly textured to the touch, suggesting it was made from a rare type of tree known for its affinity with elemental energies.

Sealed with a wax emblem that shimmered with a holographic sheen, the seal bore the intricate sigil of the sender—a mark of their status and power. The wax was not just a mere sealant but a magical ward that ensured the letter's contents remained secure from prying eyes, only to be broken by the intended recipient.

The seal was one he easily recognized, for it was the symbol of his mother's family—The Rohese Family.