Chapter 8: A Matter of Storage

  Leo swung the practice sword through the air, testing its weight once more as he walked back toward the main buildings. The initial thrill of having his own weapon was beginning to fade, replaced by the practical realization that carrying a metal sword around wasn't particularly convenient.

  His arms ached from the impromptu training session with Renzo, and the once light-feeling blade now seemed to grow heavier with each step. Sweat cooled on his skin as the afternoon breeze picked up, making him shiver slightly.

  I should have asked Renzo where to get a storage ring instead of showing off my non-existent swordplay.

  Leo looked around the Academy grounds, hoping to spot either Second Sister or Altan. The sprawling compound seemed unusually quiet, with no sign of any other disciples nearby.

  "Senior Sister!" he called out, his voice echoing slightly against the stone buildings. "Altan!"

  "You called?" a cheerful voice responded from behind him.

  Leo spun around, nearly dropping the sword in surprise. Aline stood there, bright-eyed and smiling, having seemingly materialized out of thin air. Her long braided hair bounced as she rocked back and forth on her heels, hands clasped behind her back.

  "I thought you didn't want to be called Senior Sister," Leo said, regaining his composure.

  Aline tilted her head, her smile widening. "I can change my mind, can't I? After all, I am technically your senior sister. I'm only temporarily giving you permission to call me by my real name."

  She's like the little sister I never had, Leo thought, finding her endearing despite her playful assertions of seniority.

  "Have you seen Second Sister or Altan?" he asked, lifting the practice sword. "I need to ask them about getting a storage ring for this. Carrying it around isn't exactly practical."

  Aline shrugged, her expression carefree. "Who knows? They could be busy off doing their own thing. Second Sister sometimes creates pocket dimensions to study in complete isolation, and Altan goes wherever the wind takes him."

  Just as she finished speaking, a shadow passed overhead. Leo looked up to see Altan gracefully descending from the sky, his robes billowing around him as he floated down with impossible lightness. He touched down on the ground without making a sound, a casual smile on his face as if dropping from the sky was the most natural thing in the world.

  Cool. Not unexpected that people can fly in this world, but seeing it is something else entirely.

  "When can I learn to do that?" Leo asked, only half-joking.

  Altan rubbed his chin, pretending to consider the question deeply. "When you reach my level, of course."

  "Leo's second in line after I learn it from you," Aline chimed in, bouncing on her toes. "I've been practicing my spatial techniques for ages, and flying should be easy once I master them properly."

  "Speaking of practice," Altan said, turning to Aline, "how is your cultivation training progressing?"

  Aline beamed with pride. "Very well! I've mastered a new technique with my spirit bow. Want to see?"

  Without waiting for an answer, she stepped back and formed her translucent bow between her hands. The ethereal weapon materialized from pure light, glowing with inner power. She drew back the imaginary string, and an arrow of light formed, pulsing with temporal energy.

  With precise aim, she released the arrow. Instead of flying straight to its target, the arrow phased in and out of visibility, creating a looping pattern that circled a nearby tree three times before disappearing altogether.

  Both Leo and Altan applauded appreciatively. Aline performed a playful curtsy, clearly delighted by their reaction.

  "Well, I'm off to relax," she announced, already skipping away. "Bye, Alti!" she called over her shoulder, using what was clearly a personal nickname for Third Brother.

  Leo watched her departure with amusement. "She's quite something."

  "She certainly is," Altan agreed fondly. "Now, what's this about needing a storage ring?"

  Leo held up the practice sword Renzo had given him. "Fifth Brother gave me this to practice with, but carrying it around isn't exactly convenient."

  "A storage ring is not an issue at all," Altan said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Are you interested in learning swordsmanship, then? An unexpected choice."

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Leo shrugged. "Renzo and I were training earlier, and he gave me this practice sword. I thought it might be useful to learn."

  "I'm not an expert swordsman myself," Altan admitted. "True sword masters use their blades as extensions of their bodies, merging their qi with the weapon until the distinction between cultivator and sword disappears."

  He studied Leo thoughtfully. "None of us at the Academy are experts in swords, but if you truly want to learn, I can find resources for you."

  "Kaelin could teach you the basics of any weapon you'd like to try," he continued. "Swords, spears, bows, whatever interests you. As a master blacksmith, he understands the essence of weapons better than most."

  Leo's eyes lit up at the possibilities. "That would be amazing! Since I haven't reached Foundation yet, I can't really develop techniques, but I can practice with weapons instead. It would be good to have some way to defend myself."

  Plus, swinging a sword around feels a lot more like making progress than sitting still for hours on end, even if meditation is what's actually changing me.

  "The most important thing is still reaching Foundation," Altan cautioned, though his tone remained light. "Weapon skills are useful, but true power comes from cultivation. You're making good progress with your purification. At this rate, you might reach Foundation in two to three months, which would give you another three months to practice real cultivation techniques before the Emperor's Cup."

  Leo nodded, feeling a mixture of pride at Altan's assessment and determination to meet the timeline. Foundation in two to three months still seemed ambitious, but his progress so far had exceeded his own expectations.

  "You've been practicing diligently," Altan observed, his eyes mischief dancing in his eyes. "How about we go to the city again tomorrow? Take a day to relax and clear your mind. I know the perfect place to visit, just don't tell Second Sister."

  Leo hesitated, a twinge of guilt passing through him. He'd been so focused on the physical aspects of cultivation, the purification process and its noticeable improvements, that he hadn't thought much about how to pursue his own understanding of cultivation using his uniqueness as someone untethered from fate.

  I should be focusing on developing my own path based on my unique qualities, not just strengthening my body. But taking a break might help clear my head.

  "That sounds good," Leo agreed finally. "I could use a day away from meditating."

  "Excellent!" Altan clapped his hands together. "Now, about that storage ring."

  He raised his hand, revealing an ornate ring on his finger. With a subtle gesture, a small vortex of energy swirled above his palm. From within this distortion, he plucked out another ring, this one simpler in design, made of plain silver metal with minimal decoration.

  "Here," he said, handing it to Leo. "This should serve you well for now. Nothing fancy, but functional."

  Leo accepted the ring with wide eyes. "Did you just... take a storage ring out of your storage ring?"

  "Indeed I did," Altan replied with a casual smile.

  "But how does that even work? Wouldn't that create some kind of recursive dimensional paradox or something?"

  Altan waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Spatial magic has its quirks. Just be grateful you won't have to lug that sword around anymore."

  Leo slipped the ring onto his finger, surprised by how perfectly it fit. The metal felt cool against his skin, with a subtle pulse of energy that seemed to resonate with his own growing qi.

  Another mystery of this world I'll eventually understand, Leo thought, examining the ring with fascination. Or maybe not. Some things might just be 'don't worry about it' forever.

  "Thank you," he said sincerely. "This will be incredibly useful."

  Altan nodded, pleased with Leo's reaction. "Consider it your first real cultivator tool. Now you're beginning to look the part."

  The next day, late in the afternoon, Leo and Altan exited from the Academy gates, entering Sunglow City from their usual path. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and gold.

  "Why are we leaving so late compared to usual?" Leo asked, noticing how the shadows stretched long across the path. "Last time we went to the city in the morning."

  Altan's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "It's better when there are more people where we're going. The atmosphere improves with a crowd."

  They walked purposefully through the city streets, Altan navigating the increasingly busy thoroughfares with practiced ease. The evening crowd was beginning to emerge, filling the streets with a lively energy that seemed to invigorate Third Brother.

  "Wait," Altan said suddenly, stopping at a small stall nestled between two larger shops. "We should get refreshments first."

  Leo's eyebrows rose in surprise as he saw what the vendor was selling. "Milk tea? That exists in this world too?"

  Some things are universal, I guess. Humans everywhere love sweet drinks with chewy stuff at the bottom.

  Altan ordered two tall cups of the sweet beverage, complete with dark, chewy pearls at the bottom. He handed one to Leo, who accepted it with an amused smile.

  "Can I get another one?" Leo asked, an idea forming. "I want to test something with my storage ring."

  Altan nodded, ordering a third cup. Leo carefully placed it into his storage ring with a subtle gesture Altan had taught him, feeling the strange sensation of the object disappearing from his grasp.

  "I want to see if the ice will melt while stored inside," Leo explained. "Or if time passes differently in there."

  "Clever," Altan remarked, looking genuinely impressed. "Always testing, always questioning. You have all the qualifications of being an Eccentric Genius."

  They walked through increasingly crowded streets, sipping their milk tea as they walked. Leo noticed that his recent purification practice had subtly sharpened his senses, he could now distinguish individual conversations from the city's cacophony, picking out merchants' haggling and children's laughter where before he'd only heard an indistinct roar of noise.

  Eventually, they arrived in front of an imposing building with ornate architecture. Golden lanterns illuminated the entrance, casting warm light on the passersby. Above the door, large golden letters spelled out a name that Leo read aloud.

  "The Fortune's Favor Gaming House."

  A gambling hall. Of course that's where Altan would take me. Should have guessed from his personality.

  Though Leo had many questions bubbling up, he swallowed them beneath the delicious boba, enjoying the sweet drink as they approached the entrance. The sounds of laughter, conversation, and clinking coins drifted from inside.

  However, just as they were about to enter, a sneering voice reached Leo's ears.

  "Well, if it isn't the so-called genius of the failure academy, looking to lose what little resources they have left."

  Leo turned to see another group of cultivators blocking their path, their eyes fixed on Altan with undisguised contempt.