Recent

They chatted along the way, and Eshmund learned that both Halita and Teagan came from the same hometown – Luxe Baleu, a place famous for its perfumes. He recalled seeing perfume vials from Luxe Baleu being sold at Carlan’s shop. “Do your families specialize in the perfume and scent trade?” Eshmund asked. Halita nodded. “Yeah, our families have been in the trade for generations. In fact, Baleu was named by our ancestors.” Eshmund smiled. My friend Carlan would probably get along great with you two, he thought. Before long, they arrived at an auditorium that could seat around 200 to 250 students. Most of the seats were already occupied. Based on his earlier conversation with Halita and Teagan, he guessed the large attendance was due to the class attracting a diverse range of students – both cultivators and non-cultivators. This was also an open class, meaning even senior students could join. A series of subjects were taught throughout the year, and the same series would be repeated in the next cycle. Students were required to pass an exam before advancing to higher-level classes. At the front of the auditorium stood the instructor – a middle-aged man with streaks of silver in his hair. He held a parchment scroll in one hand and appeared to be injecting elemental energy into it. Soon, he hurled the scroll into the air, where it unfurled and floated, displaying a glowing diagram of a simple formation.

“Welcome, new students. Today, we begin with the fundamentals of formations, magic circles, and runes – the pillars of structured energy manipulation.” He gestured to the diagram. “A Formation Master utilizes formations to shape, amplify, and direct elemental energy. By arranging natural or crafted magical components in specific patterns, we can create invisible force fields, traps, defenses, or even energy-gathering structures.” With a tap on the floating parchment, it expanded, revealing more diagrams of formations and magic circles from different angles. “Magic circles function similarly but are often temporary or single-use. They serve as the foundation of formations but require an external power source – whether it be spiritual energy, elemental energy, or embedded spirit stones. The key difference between a magic circle and a formation lies in permanence and complexity.” The writings and images on the parchment shifted with another tap of his finger, like a slideshow. The new display highlighted various symbols and carvings of different shapes. “Runes, on the other hand, are the language of formations and magic circles. They encode intent and serve as the commands’ that determine how energy behaves. Some materials conduct energy better, while others act as amplifiers or stabilizers.” The instructor turned to the students. “To understand formations, one must first grasp three key elements: structure, material, and energy flow. Now, let’s begin by analyzing a simple energy-gathering formation.” He then displayed multiple energy-gathering formations alongside several magic circles. “Do you notice the similarities between these two?” he asked. “They all use runes,” one of the more inquisitive students answered. “Correct,” the instructor replied. “In fact, talismans work on the same basic principles as formations and magic circles, but they are designed to be more portable for single or limited use. Think of them as pre-made formation plates, but with one key difference – talismans contain stored elemental energy, allowing you to carry them around and activate them instantly when needed.” “The writing system we use in daily life actually evolved from these rune shapes. Some words and letters can even be used to craft talismans. That’s why many talismans are written in common script.” “A single letter might be a combination of two or more runes. Fascinating, right?” The students listened with keen interest, some nodding their heads enthusiastically like woodpeckers. “This simplified energy-gathering formation collects elemental energy. Notice the spiraling arrangement here, here, and here,” he said, tapping on the display. “Now, here’s an extremely simplified version of the same formation, drawn as a magic circle. See the spiral rune here, here, and here? It’s the same principle,” he explained, smiling at the class. “Whoa!” the class exclaimed in awe, finally grasping the point. The instructor certainly knew how to capture the new students’ interest in the subject. Eshmund found the lecture fascinating, and before he knew it, time had flown by. He promised himself to attend this class again, noting the timetable outside the auditorium to make sure he wouldn’t miss it. “That was a really great lecture,” Teagan said. “Yeah, the instructor made it seem very easy,” Halita replied. They were still discussing the lesson when Eshmund’s stomach suddenly growled in protest. He hadn’t eaten much that morning, and now that the excitement of learning about formations had settled, hunger hit him full force. “You guys know where to get food around here?” he asked. “The sect’s diner, of course!” Halita said cheerfully. “Come on, we’ll show you,” Teagan added, leading the way. Eshmund followed them to a large dining hall bustling with activity. The aroma of roasted meats, fragrant herbs, and sizzling dishes filled the air. Long tables stretched across the room, occupied by both chatty younger disciples and silent, composed cultivators enjoying their meals. A large sign at the entrance caught Eshmund’s attention: “Meals must be exchanged using Sect Contribution Points. Prices vary by dish.” He frowned slightly. He knew his personal token had initial points for new students, but he hadn’t checked yet. Stepping up to the menu board, he saw a variety of food options: Spiritual Beast Roasted Meat – 30 Points Herb-Infused Spirit Rice – 15 Points Mystic Lotus Soup – 40 Points Basic Cultivator’s Meal – 10 Points Regular White Rice + Lamb and Bok Choy Stir-Fry – 1 Point ………… Some dishes even had descriptions – boosting stamina, enhancing energy recovery, or improving concentration. Regular mortal food was available too, though the selection was limited. “I don’t understand the rate of contribution points yet. Is that expensive?” Eshmund asked. “Well, 10 points is 1 silver coin, so yeah, it’s quite expensive, but it’s worth it,” Halita said. “Even high-level cultivators eat here.” Eshmund raised an eyebrow. “They don’t need food, do they?” “They don’t, but where’s the fun in life if you can’t enjoy good food?” Halita grinned. Teagan smirked. “Besides, food prepared with spiritual ingredients has benefits even for them. It’s not just about taste.” Eshmund sighed, glancing at his contribution token. He was about to check his balance when Halita suddenly tapped hers against the payment array. “Done,” she said. “You didn’t have to – ” “Relax. We’re merchants,” Halita said, waving off his concern. “We know when to invest in people.” Teagan chuckled. “Think of it as a welcome gift.” Not one to refuse free food, Eshmund let it slide. They soon found an empty table, and their food was brought over – steaming plates of roasted spirit beast meat, fluffy herb-infused rice, and fragrant lotus soup. “Here, try this. It’s really good,” Halita said, adding a piece of the 30-point meat to his plate.

Eshmund, unable to refuse in time, thanked her and accepted it. He took a bite, and his eyes widened slightly. The meat was rich, tender, and bursting with flavor, unlike anything he had eaten before. The rice carried a refreshing herbal note, and the soup spread a comforting warmth through his body. “Alright,” he admitted after swallowing. “This is definitely worth it.” Teagan grinned. “Told you.” As they ate, Eshmund made a mental note – he needed to earn more contribution points. If not for anything else, at least for the food. Once their meal was done, they left the diner. Halita and Teagan, both staying at the dormitory, had martial arts lessons later, so they had to part ways. Eshmund finally checked his contribution balance. There were 200 points in it. “It must be Teacher who added the points,” he thought. Two hundred points equaled twenty silver coins – a huge sum for a non-cultivator like him. “I’ll have to thank him… and I’ll need to gather points on my own too,” he mused. He had to be careful with his purchases. The next step was gathering supplies for the herb garden and then acquiring materials for his personal projects. A visit to the different sect departments and shops in the business district might be necessary. Navigating the sect was quite easy since there were signboards and arrows. He found the marketplace in no time. His first stop was a general store, where he hoped to find fertilizers and silk cloths for the herb garden. A woman in her forties, wearing green attire, looked up from measuring a sack of powdered fertilizer. “Ah, a new face. What do you need, dear?” “Hello, I need some fertilizer, mineral solutions suitable for high-grade herbs, and a silk shading cloth – preferably green or gray to protect delicate plants from the sun.” She arched an eyebrow. “You’re tending to plants? That’s rare. Usually, only the Alchemists’ herb garden workers take care of plants.” “I’m the new guy they took in for the herb garden,” Eshmund smiled slightly. “Oh? So Muhsan finally found someone. He’s been fussing about it for quite some time,” she said. “Yeah, he’s my teacher. I like plants, so he took me for the job. I’ll also be learning martial arts from him starting tomorrow. I’m not a cultivator, though.” “Oho… What does it matter, as long as we contribute to the sect? Most of us who work in the sect aren’t cultivators either. With your help, Muhsan can actually focus on his cultivation. I think he found the perfect guy.” “Yeah, not being a cultivator means I can focus more on the herb garden,” Eshmund agreed. She nodded approvingly and gathered the requested items. “This fertilizer is well-balanced and works for most spiritual herbs. The mineral solution enhances root absorption. As for the silk cloth, we have standard, reinforced, and alchemically treated options. The latter is best but also costs the most.” “Standard will do for now. I’ll probably be seeing you a lot. By the way, I’m Eshmund. Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too. You can just call me Aunty Mina,” she replied with a smile. She measured out his requested amounts and packed them into cloth bags before totaling the cost. “That will be eighty points.”

Eshmund used his garden token. Aunty Mina took it and made a writing gesture on a rectangular clay tablet that sat on the table. The tablet reacted, glowing with a red light that revealed intricate patterns of a magic circle on its surface. She then placed the token at the center of the magic circle and waited. Soon, the light on the array turned green. She seemed very accustomed to the process, while Eshmund, on the other hand, watched curiously. The process seemed similar to the card payWave method he remembered. “Thank you, Aunty,” Eshmund said, reaching for the token she was handing back to him. He thanked her before leaving the shop. “Come again and good luck,” she said. As he left the store, he thought about his own contribution points. While the garden’s needs were covered, his personal projects required more resources and points. He didn’t know how much he would need, so he decided to add more points using his silver. He made his way to the Contribution Exchange Hall, a place where disciples could receive task rewards and trade personal wealth for contribution points. The hall was lined with counters, and several disciples stood in line. When his turn arrived, a clerk glanced at him and asked, “Task reward or exchange?” The clerk seemed to have spoken to many customers, so he kept his sentences brief for efficiency. Eshmund took out the silver notes he had from his space pouch and placed them on the counter along with his identity token. “I want to exchange 40 silver coins for contribution points.” The clerk counted the silver and calculated the exchange. “That’ll get you 400 personal contribution points. Five points will be deducted for our service, so 395 points will be credited to your token,” he said. Eshmund nodded. The clerk repeated the same action Eshmund had previously seen at Aunty Mina’s store. Checking that his balance had been credited correctly, he then walked around to see what the other shops were selling. There were many interesting things he might use in the future, but for now, he had to forget about them. Not finding what he currently needed in those shops, he proceeded to the Weapons Department. The Weapons Department’s shop was bustling with disciples browsing shelves filled with weapons, armor, accessories, and other strange magical items. A large counter at the back displayed formation plates, neatly arranged by function and complexity. Approaching the counter, Eshmund caught the attention of the vendor, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and a keen gaze. “Looking for something specific?” the shopkeeper asked. “Do you have a formation plate that gathers lightning energy?” Eshmund replied. “I need one that’s adjustable – I want to control how much lightning it absorbs and how much it releases,” he added. The shopkeeper stroked his beard. “We have adjustable plates that absorb lightning energy from Lightning Stones, if that’s what you mean.” “Sorry, I’m a new student. What are Lightning Stones?” Eshmund asked. “They’re a type of Spirit Stone that contains lightning energy. Spirit Stones come in different elemental types, and the ones rich in lightning energy are called Lightning Stones.” “Oh, I see. I’m still getting used to the terminology,” Eshmund said. “Spirit Stones are expensive, right?” “One thousand contribution points or 100 silver coins each. Lightning Stones are even rarer, so their current price is 1,500 points.” “That’s too expensive for me,” Eshmund replied with a sigh. “What are you using them for? Maybe I can help you find a more affordable option,” the shopkeeper offered. “I need to experiment with a new herb-growing method that requires a constant but controlled supply of lightning energy to a raised bed. Since I don’t know the exact amount needed, I need an adjustable setup,” Eshmund explained. He didn’t recall any units of measurement for electricity in this world, so he wasn’t sure how to explain it in technical terms. The shopkeeper thought for a moment before selecting two formation plates. Holding up the first plate, he showed Eshmund the intricate patterns carved into its surface. Eshmund recognized some of the shapes from his earlier class – spiraling runes intertwined with lightning symbols. “This plate continuously absorbs lightning energy from the air and releases it here,” the shopkeeper explained, pointing at the output section. “But the amount is minimal and unreliable since it depends on the ambient energy. The output is stronger when the surroundings are rich in lightning energy. Alchemists and crafters usually pair this with Lightning Stones for a steady supply.” “The amount of energy it releases can’t be controlled, which is why this second plate comes into play.” The shopkeeper lifted the second plate. It had a similar rune structure, but in the center was a large, intricate spiral – almost like a Fibonacci Sequence Spiral. A small marble-like component rested on the spiral and could be moved along its path. “If you connect the output of the first plate to this marble using Spirit Spider Silk Thread or a similar conductor, you can control the amount of lightning energy released. The farther the marble is from the output point, the lower the energy flow,” he explained. Eshmund immediately understood. The second plate functioned like a variable resistor, regulating the energy output. “How strong is the lightning output from this formation?” he asked. “Hard to say. Alchemists usually measure and adjust it using their Spiritul Sense. But under normal conditions, without Lightning Stones, the output of this setup is strong enough to knock out an average adult,” the shopkeeper replied. “That’s not the most precise measurement,” Eshmund thought, “but it should be enough to charge the battery.” “I’ll take both plates and the Spirit Spider Silk,” he decided. The vendor nodded, retrieving a bundle of fine thread from the counter behind him. “Good choices. These are commonly used by alchemists and artificers. If it doesn’t work for your needs, you can return the plates within three days for a replacement – provided there’s no physical damage.” “If you’re looking for efficiency, you might want a stabilizing array to prevent energy fluctuations,” the shopkeeper suggested. Eshmund considered it but ultimately shook his head. “Maybe later. How much for these?” “Three hundred contribution points for both plates and the silk.” Eshmund handed over his personal token. By now, he was familiar with how the payment arrays worked, but he still watched the process with interest. After verifying his balance, the shopkeeper wrapped the items and handed them over. “Be careful when setting these up. If misaligned, the energy flow might become unstable.” Eshmund nodded, carefully placing the plates into his storage pouch before heading back. As Eshmund made his way back, he passed through the bustling marketplace once more. The area was filled with the chatter of vendors and customers, the air rich with the scents of fresh produce, spices, and sizzling street food. Stalls lined both sides of the stone-paved path, offering a variety of goods – herbs, fabrics, tools, and even magical artifacts. He stopped by a butcher’s stall, where fresh cuts of meat hung from sturdy wooden racks. A burly man with a thick beard greeted him. “Looking for something, lad?” “I’ll take some raw chicken,” Eshmund replied.

The butcher quickly wrapped a portion in waxed paper and handed it over after weighing it. After paying, Eshmund moved on to a fish vendor, where rows of freshly caught and preserved fish were neatly displayed on ice and wooden trays. The vendor, an older woman with a sharp gaze, was expertly gutting a fish as she spoke to another customer. “Salted fish, right? How much?” she asked when Eshmund approached. “Just enough for a few meals.” She wrapped the fish in a cloth and handed it to him after the exchange. Next, he made his way to the vegetable stalls, where baskets overflowed with leafy greens, root vegetables, and vibrant fruits. He picked out a mix of fresh produce – carrots, onions, leafy greens, and a few sturdy tubers that would last longer. As he gathered his supplies, his eyes landed on a smaller stall tucked between two larger ones. The vendor there was an elderly man with a weathered face, arranging packets of seeds on a low wooden table. A simple sign read – Common Vegetable Seeds Cheap & Fresh! “Planning to start a garden, young man?” the vendor asked, noticing Eshmunds interest. “Something like that,” he replied, picking up a few packets. He chose seeds for common vegetables – cabbage, radish, beans, and some herbs that could be useful for both cooking and minor medicinal purposes. “Good choice. Easy to grow, and you’ll save on food,” the old man said with a knowing nod. Eshmund paid for the seeds and carefully stored them in his pouch before continuing his walk back to the herb garden. Having his own supply of fresh vegetables would help cut down on food expenses in the long run. It wasnt much, but it was a start.