Gleam Karma Cultivator Isekai

Chapter 10: Obligatory Ranking Chapter

Pete chuckled. Well, we all have to start somewhere. Yeo, you seem fairly confident in your skills. Well talk about that later. For now, though, how about you just help me get Chance up to speed?

That was the plan, Yeo said. So, where are we starting?

Why dont we take a look at that mist of yours, Chance? Pete asked. Try to form a shield. The most important thing when youre new is to be able to defend yourself.

Chance nodded.

Thank you.

Heat burned in his chest as the magic came to bear, forming into a glimmering wall before him. Pete examined it, cocking his head to the side.

How curious. Are you imagining that the shield is solid?

Yeah, Chance replied. But the only form I can seem to get my mag ah, Essence to take is this mist.

Thats fine. Not every cultivation path is going to lend itself toward making physical things, Pete said with an encouraging smile. And you might also just not be far enough along its path to solidify something yet. Do you know what your Essence is?

Not a clue. I think its got to do with luck, though.

Yeo poked Chances shield. Some of the wispy energy gathered around his hand and he waved it off. Then he picked up a rock.

Hey, what are you

Yeo threw the stone at him. It flew past Chances shoulder and bounced off the wall, coming back in a beautiful arc to land straight on top of Yeos head. The boy cursed, staggering back while Chance burst into laughter.

Thats what you get! You could have at least warned me. I told you it was some sort of luck.

Petes eyebrows raised. That was quite the turnaround. I was expecting a tiny nudge, not a complete reversal of an attack. Chance, how are you feeling?

Fine. Why?

Not tired at all?

No. Should I be? We only just woke up.

Using Essence tires you out, Yeo said. The more you use it or the stronger it is, the faster youll run out of energy. Thats why I was saying youre going to start eating a lot. Youre pretty new, so youve probably only got a few good moves in you before you konk out.

Well, I do feel this burning in my chest whenever I use magic, Chance said.

Thats the Essence refining your body, Pete explained. Whenever you draw on Essence, it strengthens your body and burns away the impurities in it bit by bit. The less impurities you have, the more youll be able to channel your Essence and the stronger of a cultivator youll become.

Not just that, Yeo added. Impurities basically stick to each other. Like attracts like, you know? So the more impure you are, the harder it is to get rid of it.

What happens if you do get rid of all of it? Chance asked.

Thats incredibly difficult, Pete said, leaning on his staff and smiling like he was talking to an optimistic child. Most people never do. We pick too much impurity up in our life. Hypothetically, if you get rid of all of it, your aptitude for channeling Essence goes up by an enormous amount. Youll grow stronger at an incredibly increased rate, youll be resistant to gaining impurities again, and your Essence will be more responsive to what you want it to do.

Dont worry too much about it. Yeo punched Chance in the arm. Ive heard some really unlucky people have choked to death as their bodies were spewing out their impurities. It isnt all good.

Chance paused. Wait, what?

When someone manages to purge all of their impurities, it usually comes in a large rush of foul-smelling bile, Pete said. It can go on for quite some time, depending on how impure their body was. Dont concern yourself over it. I dont mean to discourage you, but since youre from Earth, your body is likely completely riddled with impurity. Youve never channeled Essence, so itll take you a long time and much more work just to catch up with many of your peers.

Ah. Thats what you did for me, Bob. Thank you. Never would have thought a stale Cheeto was the key to a perfect body.

Dont look so down, Yeo said. Well get you in fighting shape in no time, dont worry. I dont care what youve got to go against.

Yeah, Chance said with a grin. Dont worry. Im not about to give up.

Nor should you. To be honest, you seem to have incredible control over your Essence already. Far more than I would have expected any new Shikari to have. Its incredibly uncommon to have that much control over it before youre even a Foundling.

Thanks, Chance said. He decided it probably wasnt a great idea to say the reason why he had said control. Not yet. And Foundling?

Pete chuckled. Its a rank. Has Yeo told you about them yet?

Just that were basically unranked.

Right, you arent officially full Shikari yet, Pete explained. There are ten ranks in addition to Apprentice within the Shikari order. Foundling, Squire, Knight, Baron, Earl, Duke, Lord, King, Saint, and God.

Makes sense. Are there any actual concrete differences in the ranks, though? Like, how do you know which one someone is?

At its core, your rank is based on your cultivation how much of your Essence you understand. The Shikari have exams and tournaments where they can officially increase your rank, but thats all really just formality. If you cultivate enough and have gathered sufficient Essence within you, youll go up a rank and everyone would know.

So someone could hypothetically be as strong as a god, but still ranked as a Foundling?

Yeah. The Shikaris influence doesnt extend off Centurion, and there are more than a few off-world presences roaming around that have more strength than either of us could comprehend. There are many names that people use for ranks outside of Gleam, though the most common is just numbers, Pete said, running a hand through his white hair as he seemed to remember something from long ago. Before you ask, youll know when you rank up. It is not an experience that is easily missed. To be honest, you arent truly a cultivator until you become a Squire. Everything changes after that. You cant use pills, with the exception of healing pills, until youre a Squire. Same with special cultivation techniques and thats just barely scratching the surface.

What do you mean? Chance asked. I thought everyone that can channel Essence is a cultivator.

Eh. Its more like theyve got the potential to be a cultivator, Pete said, waggling a hand back and forth. Foundlings havent gathered enough Essence in their bodies to truly unlock their powers. When you do, youll know. Its slightly different for everyone, and its best I dont tell you exactly what will happen, but Ill say this pay attention when you go from Foundling to Squire. Youll see something that will guide your path for the rest of your life.

If Chance hadnt already been interested in cultivation, that would have caught his attention. Since he was, that only made him even more curious. He really wanted to push Pete for more information, but if the old man wasnt going to tell them specifics, there was probably a reason. Reluctantly, he nodded.

What else is there, then?

There are pre-established methods to using your Essence in an optimal way called techniques. Many Shikari use them to fight, and your ability to use techniques can also influence your rank. You can also make your own techniques, but I wouldnt even worry about that until youre at least Baron ranked. Anything earlier and youll just be wasting your time.

When you say techniques you mean like special moves? Chance asked, trying to hold back a laugh. Ones where you yell the name out when you use it?

Yeo grinned. You got it. My dad is a huge technique user, and it rubbed off on me. Theyre really quite useful. Dont laugh too hard, Chance.

Sorry. I didnt mean to insult, Chance said.

Its important to note that there are three normal paths to power for a cultivator, and any good Shikari will utilize all three, Pete said, raising three fingers. Cultivation is the first and most important. You understand the basics there. Techniques are another, but I would argue that the third Aura is more important, even though it isnt quite as flashy or interesting.

Aura? Chance asked. Like the energy around you?

Exactly, Pete said. Aura is what protects you from the Essence of other cultivators and monsters. Its essentially your resistance to being changed by someone elses Essence, whether through physical or other means. You cant see it yet, but youll eventually develop the ability as you cultivate.

Its also the most boring, Yeo muttered. And theres no good way to train it.

You can tell Yeos aura is weak because he was affected by your mist. You dont have a lot of Essence in it yet, so only someone with a weak aura would be caught in it. You can train your Aura through meditation. It naturally grows as you cultivate, Pete said. Aura control is often what ends up deciding battles. If youre attacking something, but your Essence cant even touch it, youre going to lose.

Chance nodded his understanding and Pete clapped him on the shoulder.

Theres a lot more to cultivation than what weve covered, but a lot of it is best learned on your own.

And techniques are still the coolest way to use your powers, Yeo added, scowling at Pete. Once you get good enough to spar against me, Ill show you some of them. Otherwise, youll just have to wait to see me use them against a monster.

Not that either of you will be fighting a monster anytime too soon, Pete said sternly. He thumped his staff against the ground. I dont know how things were done outside Gleam, Yeo, but there are rules in this city, and theyre here for your safety. Until youve taken the Ranking Exam, no hunting.

I figured as much, Yeo said with a weary sigh. How long until we can take it?

Youre welcome to take it whenever you want, Pete replied. Just keep in mind you have to take it as a team, and if you fail, you cant try again for a month. Dont get too jumpy, or youll cost yourself a lot of time.

Right, Yeo said, turning to Chance. We need to get you a weapon and start training, then. Maybe some really easy techniques as well.

Ive never used anything like that before, Chance warned. Im not sure how quickly Im going to pick up using something like that.

Dont worry. Weve got a very talented Battlemaster, Pete said. Hell take a look at you and get you started with a weapon, which will lend itself to techniques once you get good enough with it.

What are we waiting for, then? Yeo demanded. Lets go!

***

Nothing. You cant use any of the weapons in this room.

Chance, Pete, and Yeo sat on a bench inside a massive armory beside the training fields. Weapons of every sort covered the walls, ranging from crossbows to massive battleaxes. A large, scar covered man by the name of Jagg stood before them, his arms crossed and a frown plastered across his bearded face.

What? Yeo exclaimed. That cant be right. Anyone can use at least something. Maybe he doesnt have the training yet, but

None of the weapons Ive got out. Jagg shook his head. I am confident. He lacks the spirit for them. That usually isnt the case with Earth arrivals most of them have a drive to use one of my weapons, but this boy has none.

Hey, that isnt true, Chance protested. I want to fight!

Jagg cocked an eyebrow. He grabbed a dagger from the wall and handed it to Chance, who took it and held it awkwardly in front of him. Pete and Yeo grimaced.

Okay, that looks pretty bad, Yeo admitted. But he can learn.

Anyone can learn how to use a weapon. But I would not trust his or your life in the hands of a man who does not connect with his weapon.

So what does this mean? He cant use a weapon? Yeo asked.

No. He cannot use the weapons I have here, Jagg said. You do not listen well. Fix it. I can feel an affinity, but its strange. Wrong, almost. Also boy, why do you have an aptitude for bricks?

Chance cleared his throat. Never mind that. I dont want a brick to be my weapon of choice. Wait, how did you know that?

You used one as a weapon. I can feel it, Jagg said, tapping Chances shoulder. Your words lie, but your body and Essence does not. Now, come. Draw on your Essence and see if it pulls you toward anything.

Heat welled up in Chances chest, enveloping the rest of his body as he brought the golden mist to his fingertips. He glanced at Jagg expectantly.

Ask it to guide you, Jagg said. Theres no guarantee itll work, and I already have a weapon I think will fit you in mind, but if the Essence has already chosen, then it will make things easier for both of us.

Chance examined the magic pooling in his palms. Hed yet to see it actually guide him anywhere, but perhaps a little luck wouldnt be remiss. Pressing his lips together, he tried to picture it leading him toward something that he could use to protect himself and his teammates.

It also wouldnt hurt if it was cool, but that really isnt

The smoke slipped between his fingers and pooled on the floor before slithering toward a door in the armory. Chances eyes widened and Jagg chuckled.

Thats a strong connection. How long have you been cultivating? I havent seen such responsive Essence in a while.

Uh a few days.

Jagg stared at him. Right. Earth. Is your path a very combat focused one? Perhaps I completely misread you.

Im pretty sure this is all because Im all pure or whatever, but Im not about to go blurting that out.

Its got something to do with luck. Maybe this counts? Chance hedged.

Perhaps, Jagg answered with a grunt. He followed the trail of Essence and pushed the door open, walking inside the room it led to. The three of them waited in silence as the large battlemasters grumbles echoed out of the room hed entered, joined by the clang of shifting metal.

A few minutes later, he walked back out, a bundle of oiled leather in his hand. It was a little longer than the length of Chances forearm, and the hilt of a plain metal sword stuck out of the back.

Your weapon is a sword? After all this? Yeo asked with a laugh. Whyd it make him dig through a bunch of stuff first?

This, Jagg said, unwrapping the oiled bundle to reveal a sword that ended in a flat, sloping edge akin to a razor blade. Is not a sword.

Upon closer inspection, Chance realized that thin, almost invisible lines ran horizontally along the blades length.

What is it? Chance asked.

Jagg set the oilcloth aside and took the weapon by the hilt. Follow me.

The battlemaster led them out into a small training field behind the armory. It was a surrounded by a small fence that kept them hidden from prying eyes. He walked out into the center, then held a hand up.

Dont get any closer. This is not a weapon I have spent much time learning how to master. My skill with it is not sufficient to keep you safe should you mistakenly enter its range.

He flicked his hand. With a series of crisp clinks, the sword whipped out. The segments of the blade came apart, connected together by two thin metal wires that ran through the weapon. Jagg spun the snakelike weapon and it whistled through the air around him, shimmering in and out in a terrifying and graceful dance.

The links of the blade twirled around Jagg once more before he snapped his wrist to the side and it retracted, snapping back together in less than a second. Chance gaped at Jagg.

My Essence thinks I should use that? Ill cut myself in half before I end up hitting someone else.