NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34: First Lesson [1]
The sun cast a faint orange light on the vibrant heart of Eldengrove, marking the beginning of a new day.
Finally, the organisers invited them to the Cultivation Highland for their first class.
Zmey found living here better than the tavern, but the difference was minimal.
Like the gamers at the tavern, the guys here as well engage in activities that later lead to a hell of a noise.
Over the past few weeks, they have forged strong bonds, and most of them have made friends with one another.
They fenced off their living unit from others in the east of the sanctuary. The settlement style was a clustered type.
Outside the dorms, a cobblestone path led to them.
Grasses grew in sparse patches over the ground, with a well located a few metres from the exit gate.
Large wooden doors reinforced with iron bands guarded the entrance to each dorm.
The staff arranged benches in the compound to seat the occupants.
The rooms were basic dormitories with minimal furnishings. Small windows let in gentle morning light.
They had shared sleeping quarters with sturdy wooden bunk beds. In the backyard of Zmey's dwelling stood the oak tree around which Nero often found solace.
Zmey sits inside on his bed, tucking the linen bedding around himself. And would engage in deep thoughts. Thoughts about the past, present, and future actions.
This current life might be deceiving him with his newfound motivations.
But he couldn't afford to do the same thing to himself. He's here now; yet, there was a fleeting chance this silent peace would last long.
Before he knew it, he had grown fond of flipping a coin while he thought, after staying indoors for a few more days.
A coin with head and tail, offering two choices... right?
Zmey was arm-crossed on his bed when he heard the distant noise. That of his neighbours, for sure.
He flipped the casement of the small, high window by his side. The limited natural light greeted his face. Next was the distant huddle of everyone around the noticeboard.
He cast a long glance at them. He creased his brows as he tried to read the content on the board. But the abrupt shifting of the guys disallowed him.
He glanced left, then downwards. The other three bunk beds were empty, and even the lower one of his was empty as well.
As he was about to dismount from the bed, the door creaked open. A long shadow stretched inwards.
Zmey froze at the edge of the bed, glancing to the left.
Nero dashed in. He almost screamed out of his throat, "Zm..."
He paused as he saw him already looking his way.
Zmey mumbled, "Mm?"
Nero said in excitement, his fists clenched tight to his chest, "Guess what!? We finally are having our first practice at the Cultivation Highland today...!"
A hint of a smile flashed across Zmey's face. He jumped to the ground. He let out a gentle sigh.
Then he glanced at Nero. And he replied in a soft voice, adding a gentle smile to it:
"We will know what we're up against today, then. Let's get dressed up."
Nero whispered to himself with delight. "Yes!"
He turned his back, inching closer and bending before a chest. He unlocked it.
He pulled a long glance at it afterwards; he couldn't deny the fact that he was so eager to take the class today.
'... How long has it been since I was this eager? What a day today is.'
In less than fifteen minutes, the living quarters became less crowded. Spatters of water painted the cobblestone floor in places.
The newbies fetched water from the well and rushed to bathe.
Among the diligent ones were Zmey and Nero. They emerged from the upper floor of their dorm, descending the stairs in red long jackets.
As they walked to the gate, Zmey noticed some others. They were fumbling with their jackets and discussing things.
For even Nero to be doing the same in silence beside him, maybe he was the only different one. The type that keeps his excitement deep in himself.
Before they exited the three-metre gate, Zmey glanced at the noticeboard.
Also to the essential information he had got beforehand, he read a line that went as follows:
'... We will hold a pre-gathering to raise our salutes high in the sky for a fallen warrior.
Zmey pondered over who the warrior in question was.
The students shivered while passing a towering mountain without being aware of it.
Then, they descended a slope. It had slippery shrubs that at least had received the backsides of one male newbie tamer.
The soothing environment they had dwelt in had caused it. Talk about the fragrance in the air as well.
It was now obvious that the recent location was around the Peak Mountain. It bathes in immense energy, without question.
And their current one should be around the Hot Spring Mountain.
Thus, their next final destination should be the Cultivation Highland. Besides... the orientation said the mountain divides the path between the cultivation spaces.
As most had assumed, they reached a particular cave's mouth after walking over more than a kilometre. Many had sought a rest on their way.
To Zmey's dismay, they were metres from a cave's mouth. He noticed there were few people nearby.
Also, there should be over five hundred, excluding the nobles. They are all heading to the same destination.
Well, they must have got inside before them.
"That portal leads to the Cultivation Highland, I suppose," Nero mumbled, glancing at Zmey.
Zmey nodded his head in response. They inched closer.
The exterior of the cave was black, climbed upon by green ivy plants.
The jagged slopes of the rocks dominated the surroundings, along with towering trees.
Zmey's irritation grew as he sensed someone dragging their shoes on the ground. This made a scratching noise.
But he didn't mind that. Not everyone would have the same manner.
Closing the gap to the portal, they stepped inside.
....
Zmey, Nero, and a few others arrived in the Cultivation Highland. In the distance, middle-aged men and women stood in sparse clusters on the terrain.
Nero's eyes glanced around, his jaw dropping in astonishment. Zmey didn't realise when he uttered "wow".
The other students, on rolling hills and floating islands, were in awe. So were those on cliffs, valleys, and plateaus.
Damn... How could such a beautiful place exist?
"Oh goodness! Isn't that a crystalline flower!?"
"Golden-leafed trees even exist! I can't believe this!"
The voices of some of them echoed through the expanse.
The Cultivation Highlands were limitless. They had hundreds of terrains, with lush greenery and other vegetation.
Clouds hung thick between the terrains. The sky was blue with many moons at distinct positions and glowing constellations.
Waterfalls cascaded into the suspended clouds. Also into serene lakes deep below the clouds.
Mist drifted through the land.
As a matter of fact, flowers glowed with twinkling lights. Some lone terrains had carved monoliths atop them.
Crystal bridges connected them. Altars... and even structures that no one had a name for ranged across the wide, beautiful world.
Zmey stood mesmerized by the waterfall, marveling, 'Rainbows forming in waterfalls... what a magical sight.'
A faint, ethereal piece of music played in the distance.
Nero clasped his waist, his eyes unsettling and his mouth closing in a sudden manner. He finally glanced at Zmey. "Do you think we're in the right place?"
Zmey chuckled.
"Why not? Someone must have created it using the architectural magic they told us about. I suppose the Peak Mountain should be more good-looking than this."
Nero chuckled back as well, stressing his back. "Well, sucks we aren't nobles..."
Just at that moment, someone materialised high in the air. Their presence grabbed everyone's attention. They were standing as straight in the thin air as the new faces stood on the ground.
The figure, a bald man in a red jacket like theirs, appeared in the air. He crossed his hands behind him, glancing at every lower part with his eyes like a predator in search of prey.
Nero, through his field perception ability, saw red fumes burning all over the man. It let him see and denote a sorcerer's magic and rank.
Only those with that ability could see such things.
As the man inched forward and backward, pathways lit up underfoot. Some held their breaths as he observed them with intense focus.
He burst into laughter without warning.
Astonished murmurs grew. This man first appeared as a strict one, and now he seemed lively. What's the purpose of this drama?
"Hello, everyone. Welcome to the rumoured Magic Sanctuary, the only one the world has.
We have a simple aim: to turn humans into powerful, relatable soldiers. Since you solved the riddle at the Awakening room's entrance... and emerged through the mirror, your life has changed.
You are no longer a cowboy or country girl struggling with a past you can't confront. If you can endure my training and lessons, and achieve high grades, you will confront it.
I, Magnus Alaric, Archsage of Mystic Arts, will be your instructor starting today. You, my students, must seek perfection as cultivators to get high grades.
So, follow my instructions. The Magic Sanctuary might be a practice zone before you grow old with the true dark world.
But your actions here are akin to your success as the avenger of your course of interest. Your past.
If you are ready to serve under me, show it with a tight salute!"
His right fist, clenched in a tight grip, pressed against his chest just over his heart.
His left arm swept behind his back. His hand rested on his waist. The motion spoke of both control and tradition. The salute was as fluid as it was commanding.
The students felt a new resolve after his words stirred them. They pressed their right fists to their chests. Then, they swept their left arms behind them in a show of respect and readiness.
"Yes, Archsage Magnus Alaric!"
"Will you now raise a tighter salute for the world's hero... who sacrificed everything he had to conquer our enemy!? Show your respect for the deceased legendary Beast Tamer, Silvan Ferox!"
Curiosity and concern flickered on Zmey's face as he gazed at the man. His brows twitched with a subtle movement. He gazed at the man.