Divine Beast Ascension

“Oli, or would you prefer I call you Oliver?” Rhyner turned to the young man, pausing his thoughts to ask Oli’s opinion.

“Oliver would be best in my human form.”

“Well, Oliver, you won’t be entering the Institute.

“What?!”

“But you will gain access to the entire Institute library, as well as private lessons with our course directors,” continued Rhyner. “But you’ll only be staying and studying while the Practor Family is still here. They won’t be joining you on your journey back to the Iron Territory.”

“Why not?”

.....

Looking back to Vloz, Rhyner added, “Because the first trip will be only you and Jarrit. Once Jarrit arrives at Iron Town, he’ll take the time to create a teleportation formation linking our cities.”

“... You’re serious?”

“I am.”

Seeing the solemn stares they shared, Oli nodded and asked, “I’m guessing that it’s hard to make such a formation?”

“And incredibly expensive,” Vloz stated, “not to mention illegal.”

“This is not something I would dare attempt normally, so would you like to convince your shadowy friend for me?” questioned Rhyner, brandishing a sarcastic half-smile.

“So... It’s illegal because of the prefectural border?” Oli deduced.

“That’s right.” Rhyner explained, “Without permission from both the prefecture lord and the regional king overseeing both sides of the teleportation formation, making such a thing is completely outside of the law. But he insists that it’s what we do.”

“Okay. So he wants our territory’s linked? For trade, maybe?” Oli guessed. “Then you’ll be sending Jarrit with Vloz after he makes the first half of the formation, and then he’ll be using that formation to return to Trighton City, allowing the Practor Family to travel to Iron Territory without issue?”

“Yup... It’s a ridiculous expense for such a thing, but it’s what he wants. He did mention that trade should be possible if handled correctly though, so we’ll keep that in mind for after the formations are created.”

“Then you’re allowing the Practor Family to leave? Without punishment?”

Scoffing, Rhyner fell back in his chair, “Not only am I giving up the Practor Family, I’m sending you someone to help with bestial-human affairs... I hope you’re grateful.”

“That depends. Are they linked or affiliated with you in any way?”

“They won’t be under my command at all. You’ll be gaining a perennial for free to help you handle the growth of your city and any interactions with humans that could grow too complicated without their help... Aren’t I generous?” Rhyner joked, trying to lessen the self-dealt pain that had been forced upon him.

“Very. Especially since you won’t be taking anything from me. Right?”

Nodding to Oli, Rhyner sighed, “I’m not allowed to inspect, touch, or even ask about anything that you have on your person or stored in your void equipment, which includes any and all techniques or arts you won’t share willingly.”

“Sounds like our negotiations were more effective than expected...” sighed Oli. “Does that mean you got hosed, or were you compensated for this?”

“When all is said and done, so long as what he said is true, then I’ll be happy in the end,” Rhyner stated.

“What else did you two talk about?” Vloz asked.

“I’m guessing you’re asking about Oliver and what happens to him?” Getting an immediate nod from the leopard, Rhyner continued, “Oliver will be getting my letter of recommendation to enter the mortal tournament, but he won’t be staying in Trighton for long.”

Oli nodded as well. “Meaning...”

“Unlike everyone you just defeated, you’ll be leaving for Bore City, the region’s capital. As for what happens after that, I can only guess based on you receiving the region’s approval to enter the tournament. But to qualify on that level you’ll need to be an elder... Lucky for you, getting favoritism from the king will be easier than winning our quadmester tournament.”

“Why so easy?”

“You’ll figure out why real quick after you arrive. But being his favorite will only make things harder for you, though it will let you grow faster, so I guess it’s fair exchange...” chuckled Rhyner. “Qualify at the regional level and he’ll send you to Nightscape City and–”

“Nightscape City?!”

“What’s wrong?” Startled by Oli’s sudden comment, Rhyner looked back at Vloz but noticed the same amount of surprise on the leopard’s face. That being the case, Rhyner leaned back over the desk and carefully inspected Oli’s baffled expression. “Do you know Nightscape City?”

“No,” Oli replied, shaking his head in denial to forcibly change the look on his face. “I’ve heard of a similar city and mixed it up...”

“Similar?” But buying it, Rhyner asked Vloz, “What about you?”

“Well... I don’t know about any Nightscape City in this prefecture, but the old capital of our region used to be called Nightscape City before a new king claimed the region.

“Really? I... don’t know whether to think it’s a coincidence or if that guy’s plan is too detailed to figure out...” All three of them were perplexed by the matter but Rhyner continued his explanation nonetheless, “Either way, after qualifying on a regional level you’ll be sent to Nightscape City, the prefecture capital, for the eventual prefectural qualifier.”

“How long do I have for all this?” asked Oli.

“You’ve got time, though only enough to eat, sleep, and breathe cultivation,” joked Rhyner. “The mortal championship occurs every ten years, and we’ve got a little over three years before the finals of the quadrant.”

“Great... More rushed training... And I’m guessing everyone in the finals will be peak-elders, right?”

“Yup. Anyone under that would never make it that far, whether beast or human.”

“Fun...”

“Well, at least your dark essence is at the mid-adept plane, so do you think you’ll manage?”

Vloz shook his head and spoke up, “I think he’s capable.”

“I’ll become an elder by then, but I’m not sure about peak-elder...” Oli stated openly, keeping his third, most-secret essence in mind, something that man would be insistent about raising.

“Either you try it or we all deal with him. And I’m sorry to say it, but we won’t be able to deal with him,” reasoned Rhyner, getting nervous nods from both Vloz and Oli.