Chapter 6

"Thank you master", Olivia bent down, assuming the kneel that a disciple used to respect his/her master. She was recognizing Aeger as her master, an allegiance not taken lightly.

"There is still a long way before you can call me that.", Aeger told Olivia. "First, go practise that manual for a week, and if you have any questions, I will be here for the remainder of the month."

Aeger understood that he was in a financial crunch, and had to hunt a few magical beasts so that he could start supporting his new 'disciple'. He left the next day in the morning, greeting the guard, and to the depths of the forest. It was going to be a tough day ahead.

He started sensing the surroundings, looking for a large signal of energy, which would signify a powerful beast. But a magical beast was rare near a town as the town would have protectors who would regularly kill the magical beasts near them. The fire monkey was a rare exception because the protectors wouldn't even sense it. Only through luck could you come across a heavenly fruit and a young beast.

Suddenly, Aeger's eyes lit up. There was a herd of magical deer rushing his way, and clearly, they were running after something. As he approached the deer, he could see a tiger, all of the beasts were rank 1, signifying that they were rudimentary magical beasts. Aeger started going on a rampage, and apparently, he and the tiger had an understanding between two predators - they would leave some for the other. The tiger didn't want to mess with Aeger, and Aeger was too lazy to bother.

After killing about a dozen deer, he proceeded to the skin, and store the meat and horns of the deer. A few hours had passed and Aeger was finished; he returned to the town and was stuck in a predicament. The butcher could not afford the deer, as only nobles would eat them. Aeger was crestfallen. He was giving up hope when he heard a voice behind him.

"Five gold coins for each deer, skin, meat, horns and all"

Aeger turned back. A day of hunting and carrying deer had dulled his senses and he had not even bothered to check his surroundings for anything other than killing intent. There stood a young lady, clearly of nobility as she had an attendant and a butler.

"So, do we have a deal or not?"

Clearly, she was arrogant, but Aeger was too tired to care. He handed the deer and collected 60 gold. This was more than enough to last him a few months, but that was if he wanted to live life as a mortal. A cultivator would burn cash for resources, for weapons and techniques. That was why independent cultivators were rare.

He strolled around looking at the nightlife for a few hours and retired to the inn. He took another room in the inn and called for Olivia to stay there.