The First Cultivator

"You look great, Professor!" Abigail said as she playfully knocked his hand aside from doing yet another pointless adjustment of his formal robes. The night of the gala had arrived, and he found himself looking forward to it. Lately, he hadn't wanted to spend time with the herd. The realization of their growing difference was bothering him. Tradition warred with the life of a cultivator. The elder's ever-increasing anger also didn't help. The elder couldn't accept that he wasn't that important anymore. As a result, Nicola had been spending most of his time at his private office, which was the size of a small house. He used the excuse that he wanted to cultivate more. It was a convenient truth as his office was near one of the leylines on which the school was founded. He hoped that once he met up with the herd at the gala entrance, the elder wouldn't make a scene. The kin had to know better than to cause a disturbance that would weaken them in the public eye. Then again, it depended on how mad he got…

Nicola gave one final unnecessary tug on his robe before turning around. Abigail looked fetching in her long, violet dress, which matched her hair. He'd been spending more time with the young woman. It had been… nice.

"Oh wait, I almost forgot," She dug in a small bag for a second before handing him a small brooch. It was the Dageth symbol done in gold and silver. "Here, you go."

Nicola frowned as he took the ornament. It was nice enough, but it was the magic that made him raise an eyebrow.

"What's this?"

"The Headmaster gave it to each of the staff for tonight. It's a special item that hides your mana pool. Tonight is going to be a test run for them."

"I thought mages like to flaunt their power?"

"They usually do, but with everyone starting cultivation, it would be beneficial if mana pools could be hidden. You'll never know how close they are to being a liquid cultivator."

That might be a good defense. Those that are near the first breakthrough could easily be targeted. This would offer some protection. Nicola nodded and attached the accessory, as did Abigail.

"Let's go," Nicola said. "The herd will be waiting for us."

"It might be funny to leave them outside," Abigail giggled as she hooked her arm through his. Nicola imagined the elder with steam blowing from his nostrils, looking more like an enraged bull-kin. He laughed.

"Don't tempt me."

Once they exited the academy, they found a fleet of carriages waiting as other professors and important staff began boarding. This was the event of the year, and it was all for… him. A sense of pride filled him. This was something he'd never get to experience if he had stayed with the Magebane. It had cost him much. Kinslayer. Even that thought didn't bother him much anymore. More and more, he was realizing that the path of cultivation was one often paved with the bodies of others. When cultivation spread through the land, there would be a far greater demand for mana. People would die. The weak would act as the steps for the strong. A vicious grin crossed the kin's face. He would not be a step.

They boarded the carriage and made small talk as the fleet of carriages departed. It would have been just as fast to walk to their destination, but Abigail insisted that the guest of honor had to arrive in style. He was now glad he agreed. It would have been awkward walking.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at their destination. The South Banquet Hall was one of many buildings that comprised the campus of Dageth. A horde of commoners and some less distinguished mages were being held back by security as those of importance walked down a red velvet carpet to the entrance. Nicola winced as he saw the herd was among those who were held back. For a moment, he considered leaving them outside. The thought of the elder causing a bigger scene if he was left out here was the only reason he abandoned the idea.

Their carriage pulled up in front of the carpet after the last carriage pulled away. Their door was opened by a red-headed mage in fine robes who bowed deeply once he saw the occupants.

"Professor Nicola, Welcome!" The man shouted from the prone position. Nicola exited, and the crowd exploded in excitement. He saw that the elder exploded for a very different reason. At least anything he said was overpowered by the roar of the spectators. He gave them a wave as he walked down the red carpet to where the herd was waiting. The elder was furious but didn't appear to be ready to cause a bigger scene. The rest were nervously huddled around him, except for Kelsa, who went to a lot of effort to dress up for the event. She looked rather fetching in an olive-green dress.

"Kelsa!" Abigail waved. Of the herd, she was the only one his assistant seemed to like. She ran ahead and talked with security, who reluctantly let the herd onto the red carpet. Fortunately, the elder didn't say anything. Together, they made their way inside the elder, silently fuming all the way. Once there, a human in official-looking robes saw Nicola and held a hand out to stop them.

"One second, sir," The man said, then strode into the gala entrance.

"Introducing Professor Nicola and guests!" The man

The sheer opulence of the gala was sufficient that it silenced the elder at any implied insult. Nicola managed to avoid gawking like the rest of the herd, but it was a close call. The room was enormous with dozens of crystal chandeliers that slowly spun, reflecting down a twinkling light. Ornate tapestries hung on the wall, many with crests or displays he didn't recognize. The one he did was the most prominently displayed, with a familiar academy in the background, with the symbol of Dageth above it. He walked inside in a trance, taking it all in. On the left was a massive buffet that could have fed everyone outside many times over.

"Impressive, isn't it?" a rich female voice said.

"Yes, it is," Nicola responded automatically before his gaze found the person talking to him.

The woman was around thirty, with a slim figure, luxurious blonde hair, and a seductive figure which her dress was specifically designed to emphasize. Her eyes were so shockingly blue that Nicola didn't think they could be natural. He shallowed hard, as their eyes met.

"My name is Alyssa Van Whitedust. I'm a visiting noble. When I heard of this little gathering, my interest was piqued." She extended her hand flatly toward him, the palm parallel to the floor.

"Professor Nicola," he said as he awkwardly shook her hand. From her bemused expression, he suspected he had done something wrong, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Please join me for a drink. I would love to get to know you more. The Headmaster has been rather secretive lately, but gathering information has always been my specialty." She gently guided him away from the herd, which he was exceptionally grateful for.

"Like rat-kin?" Nicola asked to keep the conversation going.

Alyssa laughed. It was a resonant laugh that pleasantly reverberated around them as they approached the bar.

"I'm sorry for laughing," Alyssa said after a moment. "I didn't expect that. Then again, I should have. Rat-kin are very good at what they do. It is no insult to be compared to them. I have several on retainer for that very reason. No, what I meant was I represent a powerful military faction that is on cordial terms with Dageth. Although friendly, I do keep a close eye on my competition. As such, I am already familiar with cultivators. Many are, but most don't take them seriously yet. They fail to understand the implications or consider it a deception. A thousand years of the belief in absolute mage superiority will take time to overcome. That or a great shock."

She turned to the barkeep. "Two glasses of The Mages folly." The man behind the bar began mixing an elaborate collection of different liquids as Alyssa turned back to him.

"I haven't heard of that before," Nicola said.

"It's a favorite drink of mine. The story goes that it's named after a foolish mage who ultimately took his own life by accident. The man got so drunk that when he cast a barrier spell, he messed up and ended up cutting himself in half. If you believe the stories, that is where most blade spells got their origins. I think it's bullshit, but it's amusing regardless."

Nicola chuckled as a drink was set before him. The bottom half was crimson like blood, and the top was a frosty white. On top was a strawberry, cleanly sliced in two.

"I'm not much for alcohol. As a liquid cultivator, my body purges any toxins."

"Not to worry. I chose this one more for taste. Try it."

Nicola brought the concoction to his lips. It was pleasantly fruity.

"How do you like it?" Alyssa inquired.

"It's good."

They turned their backs to the bar, and Nicola noticed the herd moving together toward the buffet. Only Kelsa seemed confident enough to be alone.

"Your people seemed to be… rather cautious," Alyssa said.

Nicola sighed. That was one way to put it. They looked like a bunch of scared… nulls surrounded by predators. None of them had progressed much down the path of cultivation. They just lacked the drive.

"Something wrong," Alyssa said.

Nicola was about to brush it off, then stopped. He took a drink, then decided, fuck it why not.

"I find myself distancing from them," Nicola admitted. It felt nice to talk to someone about it. It was even better that this person had no connection to him or his life.

"I didn't hear about that. I thought your herd was rather close."

"They are. I'm no longer the same person. The stronger I get, the farther I get from them. They lack the…" Nicola struggled to find the right word.

"Passion?" Alyssa suggested.

"Yes! That's it," Nicola said. "They are prey and always will be."

"Nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs a support structure. They can be useful."

"Useful. Perhaps. We are just clashing over tradition. I'm not sure what I should do, or what I want to do."

"A hard choice," Alyssa said as she stood up. "If you excuse me, I see someone I want a word with." She took several steps to leave, then turned back to him. "There is one piece of advice I can give you. Might makes right, in the mage world. If you are strong enough, then no one can control you. I imagine it is the same for cultivators… or it will be once there is enough competition."

She left him there deep in thought.

***

"Thank you," The man said as the waitress left.

"What do you think, Malus?" Headmaster Rufus asked. The man was Malus Dragonslayer. A ridiculous last name his ancestor claimed after their clan managed to slay a dragon. Generations later, the fools still boast about it as if they had accomplished such a feat. The man was arrogant, and Rufus detested him, but as Dageth's leader he had to stay respectful even if he rather piss in the man's drink.

"A pointless trinket," Malus said as he rubbed his hand through his deep blue beard. He had to do that as his head was cleanly shaven. "I don't understand why you would want to hide a mana pool. It makes no sense."

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"I told you there is something new. Cultivation. Until they are powerful enough, it is beneficial to be able to conceal their progress.

"Yes, this cultivation you told me about. Let me repeat what you've been saying. I should no longer have my mages train in magic. Instead, they should engage in this cultivation you speak of. By doing this, they can no longer cast spells for… how long?"

"We're unsure. At least five years, maybe longer," Rufus said.

"At LEAST five years. During this time, no using magic. They will be defenseless for all that time."

"Not completely," Rufus said. "They can…"

"And during this time," Malus interrupted. "Their mana will become so thick that they won't be able to cast anymore, even if they wanted to. Rufus, how stupid do you think I am?"

Exceptionally, Rufus thought. "I don't know what you're implying."

"If I follow your suggestion, my clan would be defenseless. I'm sure my neighbors would love that."

It might not be such an issue if you haven't antagonized them all.

"It won't matter, I'm sure they will be doing the same thing," Rufus said, hiding his disdain.

"I'm sure," Malus said dryly. "I've become aware of an interesting piece of information. The Stormwind clan recently donated a substantial sum to Dageth for services yet to be disclosed. The same clan that is my business and political rival in many areas. They would be very interested if my mages were unable to cast spells."

Rufus frowned. "It's not like that…"

"Isn't it? So tell me, what did they give you that large sum for?"

"It's private."

Malus chuckled. "I imagine so. Let me tell you how I see things. You have this 'new' magic that just so happens to leave mages defenseless for years. This strange magic that was discovered by a mindless kin."

"Kin aren't…" Rufus protested, but Malus continued over him.

"Before you bring me news of this new magic, my biggest rival pays you an outrageous sum of gold. I thought they were going to hire mercenaries to attack me. Instead, they devise this pathetic scheme."

"They have nothing to do with this," Rufus said as he noticed Nicola wandering about, chatting with a few of his students. As noble scions or the influentially rich, they were all invited. Malus followed his line of sight and smirked.

"Ah, there is your animal now. Oh, and how convenient, I can't feel his mana pool just like all your staff. No way to prove your claim."

"I told you we are testing out a new magical obscuration device. It's just a bad coincidence."

"I'm sure. Then you won't mind if I duel your cultivator, then?"

"Yes, I mind! This is his party. To challenge him here would be exceptionally rude. I doubt he would agree anyway."

"Oh, I'm sure he won't if he's smart. Then again, he's a dumb animal that you are propping up as your fake figurehead. It won't be hard to make him agree," Malus said, striding toward Nicola.

"Wait," Rufus said, but it was too late.

"You! Hey, you stupid animal!" Malus shouted as he stormed toward Nicola. The gala went silent. Nicola turned toward Malus, and Rufus cursed loudly enough for all to hear. Malus smiled.

"Are you talking to me?" Nicola asked as fury burned in his eyes.

"Yes, I'm talking to you. Does anyone else look like a walking carpet? Don't think your little act can fool me. You're nothing but a fraud. Some puppet that Rufus is using. Like anyone would believe that mana is obsolete. What nonsense."

"You're a fool," Nicola said hotly. "A weak fool who has no idea of the peril he's in."

Malus stiffened. "A filthy null dares call me a fool. Then I challenge you to a duel. Don't think that Rufus can…"

"I accept."

Malus paused, then laughed. "You truly are a stupid animal. Then I'll give the audience a good show." Malus turned toward Rufus, a dark smile on his face. "After I'm done with this toy, you will answer my questions."

Rufus glared at him as a space cleared around the fighters, as an excited murmur rose from the crowd.

"BARRIER," Rufus said as a large protective dome surrounded the fighters. "Can I get some others to assist?" Immediately, most of Nicola's students began casting. He had no doubt they were recalling what happened in class.

"Such intense precautions aren't necessary," Malus complained. "I won't cause too much collateral damage." Rufus ignored him and focused on Nicola. He was determined not to miss a single thing.

Malus stretched his back and cracked his fingers as he gave Nicola a pitying look. "You're a fool, kin. I don't know what Rufus promised you, but this won't end well. If you tell me what he has planned, I'll spare you. I'll even let you fuck my cows."

"Very generous," Nicola deadpanned. "I didn't think you would be willing to share your wife."

The crowd burst out into laughter as Malus's face darkened. "I'll kill you for that."

"No, you won't," Nicola said, then addressed the crowd. "Be sure to pay attention, class. This is what it means to face a cultivator."

Malus snorted. "Enough of this game. MAGMA LANCE!" Rufus was impressed. That was a high-tier spell. Despite his nonchalance, Malus was taking this seriously. The burning projectile could easily kill anyone without a barrier active. Nicola slapped it aside. The spell collided with the barrier in a splash of molten rock before dissipating.

"What…" Malus asked, his eyes wide, his mouth open. It was a look that Rufus seared into his memory even as he intently studied Nicola. He'd heard of that technique. The Magebane reportedly could slap spells out of the air. It was one thing to read about. It was another to see it. Rufus swallowed hard.

"Class, cultivators can reinforce parts of their body with ki. In this case, I increased the flow of ki around my arms. This is a basic technique that provides significant protection against concentrated attacks."

Malus just blinked at Nicola as if he still couldn't believe his eyes.

"Please continue," Nicola said in a bored tone. "I want the class to be thoroughly educated before I tear your head off."

Rufus wasn't sure if it was his words or his tone that finally penetrated Malus's stupefied state. The man's eyes hardened.

"MAGMA WAVE!" From Malus's hands, a wave of molten stone pushed forward. The heat was so intense that it melted the stone floor. Nicola stood unperturbed as the wave overtook him, crashing against the barrier. For a long moment, a figure encased in molten stone stood there as Malus panted. That was a low-level siege spell that was usually cast by two mages in tandem. Rufus was momentarily worried, then relaxed as the cooling molten shell around Nicola shattered, revealing the kin unharmed. Only the edges of his robes were singed.

"Area effects are more of a challenge," Nicola said, brushing dust off his robes. "The technique I used was to encompass my entire body in ki. If you have sufficient ki reserves, you can easily withstand this type of attack. However, it's best to dodge as it can exhaust a large amount of ki. In this case, the attack was done by a single mage. I was easily able to withstand this attack."

Malus trembled in fury as the last of his mana surged in his body. "STEEL BODY! TITAN'S STRENGTH! BURNING FIST! GREATER SPEED!" He charged Nicola, his fist blazing with fire. Nicola didn't move as Malus stopped before him, his fist hurling toward the kin's face. Nicola caught the blow in an explosion of fire that did little more than ruffle his robes.

"Whatever you do," Nicola said, his voice growing harsher. "Never." Malus tried to pull his fist back, only to find it immobile. "Ever." Malus's eyes were darting about in a panic, his face sweaty as he tried again to free himself. Rufus didn't see Nicola's hand move the slightest amount. The kin's arm was immobile as a statue. "Get in close combat with a cultivator." Nicola closed his hand. Rufus gaped as Malus's fist exploded in a splatter of gore. It appeared that the man's body spell offered no protection at all.

"AAARRRRHHH!" Malus screamed, tears in his eyes, as he held his newly created stump. His voice was abruptly cut off as Nicola's hand was suddenly there, lifting the man off the ground by the throat. Malus forgot his ruined hand as he scrambled to free himself from the kin's grip. Nicola turned away from him to look at the shocked audience. Rufus imagined his expression matched all the others. Malus was a well acknowledged asshole. Everyone agreed on that. Everyone also agreed that the man was a powerful mage. Not an Archmage, but close. This wasn't a fight. Nicola was treating it as a fucking tutorial on how useless fighting a cultivator was.

"Once you become a liquid cultivator, you have an area around you in which you can freely manipulate your ki. This is referred to as your sphere of influence. In this sphere, you can manipulate anything. For example, I can stretch this man's limbs out straight." Malus's arms and legs suddenly straightened as if he had lost all control over them.

"You can also crush rocks with your power, or in this case… limbs." Rufus blanched as Malus's limbs bent at right angles, then did it again, and again and again. Each limb now had several extra bends in it, each crack echoing in the silent gala.

"Any questions?" Nicola asked. No one said anything. "Good." Nicola's hand around Malus's throat contracted, popping the man's head off like a cork in an over-pressurized wine bottle. "Class dismissed."

Rufus removed the barrier as hesitant servants came over to clean up the mess and offer Nicola a wet handkerchief. Rufus ignored them and went to the bar, where he ordered the strongest drink possible.

"I'll have what he's having," a woman's voice said as the owner pulled up next to him. Rufus glanced over at his new drinking buddy.

"Alyssa Van Whitedust, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Rufus asked.

"I want to congratulate you on your victory."

"What victory is that?"

"Oh, please. I'm not that foolish. The incident with Malus. It was masterfully done. I'm impressed."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Rufus said warily.

"Do I need to spell it out? You invited Malus here. Told him only the necessary parts of cultivation, ensured rumors of your deal with the Stormwind clan reached his ears but not the details, and you even decided to do the test run of your little trinkets today, all so that blundering idiot would get himself killed. One of your biggest headaches gone, all due to his own stupidity."

Rufus didn't say anything then smiled, offering her a salute with his drink.

Alyssa laughed. "I knew it! You sly old dog."

"I had other reasons as well. Although I'm surprised Nicola killed him. I thought he would leave him alive."

"Your Professor is discovering the benefits of power. Right now, no one in the city can challenge him."

"I hope it won't become an issue," Rufus said.

Alyssa shrugged, then continued. "What are the other gains from this?"

"You don't know?"

"I believe I do, but I do rather enjoy explaining things after one of my schemes has succeeded. I'm offering you that courtesy."

Rufus chuckled. "I wanted the other guests here to recognize the threat cultivators pose."

"Mission accomplished. I was already taking the cultivator threat seriously, but this demonstration of yours made things sink in."

"I also wanted Malus out of the way. I assume you know of the gathering of powers I requested?"

"I do."

"Well, Malus would have been a thorn in any plan we developed. Now that a cultivator has easily killed him, the threat will be all the more real. I'd rather have him alive, his spirit crushed by his defeat, but this will work."

"I suppose that will motivate the others to work with you. Dageth is about to have a massive influx of wealth."

Rufus didn't reply and took a long drink. The burning sensation did little to drive away the cold knot in his stomach.

Alyssa eyed him critically. "I thought you would be gloating, but you appeared like a dragon is roosting on the roof. What have I missed?"

"You've treated the kin in your territory well. Treated them like citizens, so I'm not surprised you wouldn't notice it, but most places do not."

"I'm not ignorant of how kin are treated," Alyssa said sharply.

"I know. However, there are at least five other cultivators out there, likely more by now. Each is as strong as Nicola. What do you think an army of them could do to the land? Do you think they would be content to live their lives in a small backwater shithole like Deepmere? Won't they want to take power for themselves? This land was theirs, along with the dwarves, before our ancestors invaded. Fuck, the elves who invaded their land are still alive. Don't you think they will want revenge?"

Alyssa's already pale skin went several shades lighter, and she downed her drink in a single gulp.

"How fucked are we?" She asked after a long pause.

"Very," Rufus said. "I sent some spies to Deepmere after I had this realization. The city is gone. The mists had taken it months ago."

"Another looming problem," Alyssa grumbled.

"Indeed. After finding some refugees, I found out the cultivators took the city, then looted most of the food and marched off with several thousand kin."

Alyssa's gaze snapped to him. "I didn't know about that."

Rufus had no doubt her spies would be roaming across the land to gather any intel on the kin before the night was done.

He downed the rest of his drink before gesturing for another. He waited for the server to leave before he continued.

"I inquired around and discovered that they plundered the Crystal Glade, but left the city of Tram intact. I got a report from a few contacts I have in the area. The city lord's young daughter was traumatized by the Magebane. There were no details, but they concluded she'll live after extensive therapy. Although no one thinks she'll ever be the same."

"Harsh. But I've met that little bitch and can understand the desire to beat the snot out of her," Alyssa said, taking another sip from her drink. "So, the kin took the Crystal Glade? That's a significant loss for Tram. We might be able to leverage that to our advantage."

Rufus shook his head. "I thought the same until I got clarification that they left after two weeks, heading east."

"East? Are they trying to get farther away from the mists?" Alyssa asked after a small belch that she tried to hide, but failed miserably.

"Yeah. I thought so too, but I wanted to make sure. I sent out some spies to track their movements. They changed course after about a week. Then they head straight north. That was the report I got this morning. Of the twelve spies I sent, only two survived."

"Rat-kin," Alyssa said knowingly.

"Rat-kin," Rufus agreed.

"So, enough of the mystery. I don't know the landscape well enough to guess where they were going, so spill it, old man," Alyssa said, her cheeks red.

"I would tell you to go lighter on the drink," Rufus said after taking a deep drink of his own. "But after you read this, you'll need a lot more. I thought it was suicide, now that is far from certain."

"Fuck old man, spill it! Where are they going?"

Rufus looked around. No one seemed to be paying attention, but this was too important to risk. Instead of speaking, he pulled a folded note from his robe and handed it to her.

Alyssa frowned as she unfolded a note. The words turned her already pale skin a light shade of green.

"This… I would say this was insane, but you're right. They might succeed. If they do, they will easily become one of the major powers on the continent. With that much power, they could eventually wipe us all out."

"Our only hope to stop them is for everyone to unite and strike before they can reach a critical mass of cultivators," Rufus said darkly.

"Or have your own," Alyssa said as she looked behind her. Rufus followed her gaze to Nicola. The kin appeared to be staring down the elder of his herd. He wasn't sure what happened, but the site cheered him. If he wanted Nicola to help in the fight, he would have to get him on Dageth's side fully. That meant driving him away from his kin tendencies. There were ways. The kin already had power, so Rufus would shower him with women and wealth. By the time the war started, the kin would be entirely on their side. Until then, he would gather allies and prepare. Most of all, he had to find a way to eliminate the Magebane one way or another.