Chapter Forty One - I meet a new Teacher

Leon had managed to memorise the first couple of pages before his Teacher returned to collect him, but he still couldn't understand the script that followed. He tried to explain things to the older man as he resealed the book and placed it on the dusty shelf. Still, despite him not being able to read the entire thing, those first pages were enough to benefit his current cultivation.

Teacher Sagi looked thoughtful for a moment then declared; "I wouldn't worry too greatly upon this.  It's clear to me now that the book is more of an artefact left behind by your predecessors.  You'll likely come to understand it when it is time.  But it does look like I best find a better place for it to be stored so you can access it in the future.  I'll speak to the Headmaster."

With that, he led Leon back through the portals and out of the library.

As they stepped outside, Leon dusted off the dirt upon his white coat, but fortunately the dust fell off with ease and didn't leave obvious marks.  The air had cooled further as the sun began to set; the winter days were especially short in the mountains.  A series of Mage globes were flickering to life about the tall building behind him as well as softly glowing at certain points along the length of the bridges.  Leon could even see a trail of ones he hadn't noticed before appearing in the canopy of forest trees upon the alchemist's mountain slope. Presumably, they lead back to the school pavilion; Herb Hall, Food Hall and the like.

"Greetings!  Isn't this Leon? And Teacher Sagi!" A jovial voice called out and Teacher and student glanced up, following the sound to the bridge that extended its reach to the ridge leading to the martial arts school.

Two men stood upon the bridge now empty of students, one had a broad grin upon his face and the usual casual air about him as he strode forward to greet them. This was Teacher Corvus, Sun's Master and younger brother to Teacher Corne, Pike's Master. Honestly, apart from the shape of the man's jawline and narrow eyes, there was not much about the two brothers that were the same. Teacher Corne had an air of intimidation and discipline; his eyes were narrow with seriousness and not a hair would be out of place when it came to the dark hair on his head nor the neatly trimmed beard upon his jaw. Corvus, in comparison, had eyes narrowed with mirth and his wiry curls would come loose from his top knot and be left to dance within the wind. Sometimes he would be clean shaven and other times he'd reveal several days of scruffy growth upon his jaw, but he never seemed to care much about it either way (unless his cute student happened to mention something).

At this time, he had company, a youthful looking man with a willowy appearance, tall and with long, obsidian hair captured in a white jade crown. His face was oval and cheekbones high, though not prominent beneath the somewhat sparkling pale gold skin. He wore a long silk coat of indigo blue, with generous sleeves and narrow cuffs over robes of a similar colour. All were finished in patterns of silver and white, the ones on the coat happened to be large cranes flying about long, ornate blades. The man's dark eyes revealed a wisdom that seemed out of place, hinting that his age did not actually match his appearance. However, Leon was now a little more used this world where age really could not be calculated by the lines on one's face and didn't think much of it, except for becoming aware that this man was not a student.

As if to clarify this, Teacher Corvus introduced him. "This is Jian Juren, Teacher Jian. The Headmaster asked me to show him around parts of the school. Jian Juren, this is Teacher Sagi and his student Leon of the outer alchemist school." His name was not the usual of East Xulaphrey and hinted from the West continent. However, that was not something rare in this school, just uncommon.

The tall man bowed, though his hands remained clasped behind his back as he did so, while Leon gestured more respectfully, cupping his hands before him as he should. Teacher Sagi bowed as well, but his was a little more shallow. "Which school will Teacher Jian be based?"

"For now, this.. I will be staying at the inner martial arts school," the man replied. His voice was almost melodious in pitch, but held some amusement in its tone. "However, my lectures will be for all schools and I'll likely be a frequent visitor to the inner alchemist school."

"Oh?" Teacher Sagi couldn't help but question. "For what reason?"

"Ah, Teacher Jian happens to be a specialist when it comes to poisons," Teacher Corvus mentioned lightly as if it were of no import.

Seeing Teacher Sagi's expression turn sour, Jian Juren gestured in a peaceful manner. "Do not worry," he chuckled, "I will not be teaching the children any harmful poisons. I happen to know many diversionary pill recipes as well. After all, alchemists are generally not known for being able to protect themselves. It is simply that I happen to visit the school for personal reasons and the Headmaster asked me to teach the students about such matters in order that they are better prepared for the future."

Diversionary Pills were also often known as Trick pills in certain circles and were not the sort to be digested, but rather the sort to be thrown to the ground or crumbled into the air. They could create all sorts of distractions from smokescreens to disgusting smells or loud noises. However, they were not that popular in East Xulaphrey; combative Cultivators tended to prefer to rely on their own abilities, while support types tended to be protected by them in exchange for their pills or knowledge. This arrangement, though, would not work well for everyone and who knew if the protection offered would be reliable if the protectors were pressed to make life and death decisions? Only the most prominent alchemists and scholars might have more surety.

As for poisons, excluding the types made by evil and demonic Cultivators and mortals for nefarious reasons, there were many types in the wild produced by beasts or plants. Simple panacea's taught in school could only detoxify certain types, it was better to know what to avoid and have knowledge of different poisons in order to seek a true cure if necessary.

Teacher Sagi nodded, agreeing with the Headmaster's reasoning. Alchemists and alchemy students were known for being weak. Unless they could latch on to a strong thigh such as a Sect or had a good family background, they were vulnerable to abuse or worse once they left the protective atmosphere of the school. Hue had a reasonable background, despite being a bit slow of mind, plus he had his twin brother, a beast tamer and other strong relations. Stygar was an orphan, but sly and also very close to Hue. He would likely not suffer in the future.

However, Sagi worried for young Leon, especially considering his youngest student's situation and ability. It was true that he had Jin Li and that one was apparently from a background with deep roots, but those roots were not on this plane, so who knew what Leon might suffer in the future. It would be good to know that he had some ability to protect himself as well.

"Then I might impose on Teacher Jian," Teacher Sagi mentioned, "and ask if you couldn't teach a few things to a select group of outer school students as well." Not only Leon, but there were a few reaching the age of graduation who might benefit from learning a new thing or two.

"I should think that this would be of no problem," Teacher Jian agreed.