The Growth of a Titan

56  Chapter 56- Crazy For A Different Reason

Sol wasn't actually from the Barbarian Race so he did not know who Mar-Dule was. But from the looks of it, he must be really well-known.

Just when Sol was trying to think of an excuse as to why he didn't know him, Mar-Dule huffed a plethora of copium and said.

"Haha, you must be from the Outskirts. I heard tribe members who live out there don't really come in contact with the main tribes. Haha, that must be it, that must be it."

Sol forced a smile at Mar-Dule's words but he did not deny them. If he was mistaken for being a Barbarian so much then it would be better to go with it than revealing his identity.

To be truthful, Sol didn't know how people would react if they were told he was from the Ibbian Mountain Range, or as the Arkadians called it, the Demonic Forest.

"Anyway, it's okay if you don't know how great I am, I'll just tell you! But first…"

Mar-Dule glanced at the disciples Sol knocked out and said in a low voice.

"I really have to sing your praises. You first knocked out the victim and only then the bullies, all in secret. You didn't show any bias in your actions. With that, those people from the Irregular Dharma Pavilion won't look for you to get revenge or take out their anger on that poor disciple. I applaud your method of stopping this conflict."

Mar-Dule gave Sol a thumbs up.

"I-"

Sol was about to deny that he really did anything special, but upon hearing Mar-Dule's last sentence he couldn't but froze.

"W-What did you just say? That last thing."

"Hm? I just said I admire how you resolve that conflict. It was better than going over there and beating them up, which from the looks of it you could have easily done."

Mar-Dule then began glancing at Sol's body with twinkling eyes. Even going as far as to poke his chest and torso.

Feeling Sol's muscles, Mar-Dule eyes widen and he began poking Sol some more.

Meanwhile, Sol was too deep in his thoughts to pay Mar-Dule any attention.

'Is this what Master meant? That there were other options to resolving conflicts than with violence or killing?'

Sol felt like he was about to grasp something, but it slightly slipped away from him.

But Sol didn't give up, perhaps the reason why he couldn't grasp the meaning behind his Master's words was that he was too inexperienced. He didn't know about the world and his worldview was still too narrow.

He knew his Master didn't want him to turn into a mass murderer on his path to revenge, but what other options were there?

'However, how did Master know I would meet with something like this?'

"Brother Mar-Dule, do things like this happen often?"

"What, do you mean the strong building the weak? That's the norm in the cultivation world, if you don't want it happening to you then you need strength, and as much of it as you can obtain."

After saying that, Mar-Dule continued to examine Sol's robust physique.

Sometime later, Sol sighed and came out of his thoughts.

Mar-Dule was still poking at his body, and Sol couldn't help but see his Master in Mar-Dule.

'Hm? Like Master…??"

"Ah!"

Sol suddenly cried out in surprise and he looked at Mar-Dule with suspicion.

Mar-Dule having been frightened by Sol's cry leaped back in shock.

"Damn, that scared me, was I poking you too hard? I wasn't using that much strength though."

"Ah, it's not that, I just thought of something."

Before Mar-Dule could ask what that was, Sol change the subject and instead asked.

"Brother Mar-Dule, can you tell me where the Alchemy Pavilion is on this mountain? I don't really know where anything is and I need your help."

Mar-Dule blinked and watch as Sol cupped his fist before bowing.

After a while, Mar-Dule shook his head and said.

"The Alchemy Pavilion is not on this mountain."

"It's not? Then where is it if not in the Academy?"

Sol was really confused, he had seen his Master fly here.

Mar-Dule hearing Sol couldn't help but burst out laughing. His large belly trembled and he tried not to fall over.

"I-I'm sorry... ah, what's your name?"

"My name is Sol."

"Haha, I'm sorry brother Sol, but I wasn't laughing at you. I just find it funny that you think the Martial Alliance Academy is merely this mountain."

Smiling, Mar-Dule continued.

"This mountain is only the Administrative Mountain in the Academy. This is where new disciples are registered and where disciples can get things such as disciple robes, as well as collect their monthly allowances."

Sol's mouth hang open when he heard that.

"So, this large mountain isn't the entire Academy? Then how big is the Academy really?"

"Massive."

Mar-Dule said, finding Sol's innocence and lack of knowledge a little endearing.

'Seems like he isn't used to these things. I can sometimes forget there are people like him who first start out not knowing anything about the cultivation world. However, his strength is the real deal.'

Mar-Dule patted Sol's shoulder and then pointed at the large hall nearby.

"You see those teleportation circles? Five of them lead to one of the many mountains in the Academy."

Sol looked at the dozens of teleportation circles and he realize Mar-Dule was not exaggerating when he said the Academy was massive.

"And I should add that compared to the others, this mountain can just be called a small hill."

Sol could no longer feel shock at this point, he was numb with surprise.

"But if I were to try and explain the whole layout of the Academy to you, including the numerous faculties, I could speak for an entire day but I wouldn't be able to finish. And I myself have only been here for a month so I'm not too familiar with the other Pavilions and their faculties asides from my Runes and Formation Pavilion."

"Oh, there is a Runes and Formations Pavilion?"

Sol's eyes lit up.

"Haha, that's right. And most of our Barbarian tribes have come to join this Pavilion when they enter the Academy until it's essentially ours. Think of it as the force in Academy that represents our Barbarian Race. The other Races have a Pavilion like that as well. You should join us after you visit the Alchemy Pavilion, you'll definitely fit in there more than the other Pavilions!"

Sol nodded.

"Alright, to get to the Alchemy Pavilion all you have to do is head to one of its five teleportation platforms and use your disciple token to activate it."

"Ah, brother Mar-Dule I don't have a disciple token."

"You don't?"

"No, I only have this, but I don't think it's a disciple token."

Mar-Dule looked down at the jade slip Sol took out and saw the name Young-Hwa carved on it.

His expression immediately changed.

"This-Aye, so you're a specially recruited disciple of the Alchemy Pavilion?"

Mar-Dule suddenly shook his head before he looked at Sol with a pitting expression.

Sol had a bad feeling rise in his heart when he saw this, but when he asked what was wrong with the Alchemy Pavilion Mar-Dule didn't say anything, just that he'll find out soon enough.

"Ah, but I'll say this brother Sol, the Irregular Dharma Pavilion might be well known for being crazy because of their irrational acts of violence, but the Alchemy Pavilion disciples are crazy as well, just for a different reason."

As Mar-Dule said this, Sol could see a frightened look in his eyes, like he was recalling a traumatic experience.

That bad feeling couldn't help but increase in Sol's heart.

"Well, since you haven't registered as a disciple yet you probably should right away. For now, I'll just help you out with mine." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Thank you, brother Mar-Dule."

"Haha, there's no need to be so polite, we can be considered friends at this point."

Sol smiled at that before he and Mar-Dule headed for the large building, which Sol soon found out was called the Teleportation Hall. They were on every mountain in the Academy.

After Sol climbed onto one of the Alchemy Pavilion teleportation platforms, he realized there were specific positions for disciples to stand on to be teleported. Each of the teleportation platforms we extremely large so about sixty to a hundred people could fit on one.

After observing the platform a bit, Sol turned to watch Mar-Dule activate some mechanism in his green disciple token before the space around him began to warp.

"Brother Sol, hurry up and get a disciple token so we can chat. Hopeful we'll see each other again so we can exchange contacts."

"Haha, I will, and thank you again brother Mar-Dule."

Sol was then teleported away as Mar-Dule waved at him goodbye.