Ceres

23

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The next day, Old Na and Ceres were once again talking inside a room and over some tea and biscuits.

"Ceres, I did agree about you entering that Evergreen Garden once you passed Old Pang's test and the entrance examination. However, I never said that you will have to enter right after you passed Old Pang's test."

Ceres knew that it was still early for her to enter a school. Although the age requirement of schools is 10-15 years old; the younger the student is, the more gifted he is. We can say that people who can sense and control spiritual essences are not that many particularly those with attributes. A person that can practice magic is already someone of high status in the society and much more if it is a child since the potential for growth can be much higher. Old Na didn't want Ceres to attract a lot of attention. She was still young and also, the ancient array only opens before the Great Magi Conference which will be held three years from now. The Great Magi Conference is the intra-kingdom competition which happens every five years while Winsterein kingdom's competition happens every three years. Given the time frame, Old Na wanted Ceres to enter Evergreen Garden in a year or two. The reason is that she has to have a more solid foundation and stronger spiritual body and essence to protect herself from others. Also, the ancient array will open after two years and the only students who may enter are those who are qualified to participate in the Great Magi Conference. Ceres only needs to get a spot and enter the array and that's it.

As Old Na explained to her everything, she quietly listened and remembered it all.

"Whether you can pass this test or not, you will be training under me. Then, we will have to spend some time to look for that Space Mage in order for you to receive his teachings. Also, I warn you that the Space Mage is eccentric and there may even be a chance that he will not teach you anything. The time frame for our lessons will depend on your ability to grasp my teachings. If you want a higher chance for survival specifically in that school while you are still not strong, you have to learn both time and space within these two years. If not, I will not permit you to enter that school. I think you understand what I'm saying. No matter how strong you think you are, there will always be another person stronger than you. I only wish that you can be free to do whatever you like and that no one will be able to control or hurt you."

Ceres knew about the scarcity of rare attributes. She also knew that rare attributes are sought by numerous forces that the only way to survive is either hide or be strong. This is precisely why she understood Old Na being protective of her. If she is not strong enough, she will only die.

Anyway, her main goal was to gain experience and become strong. The only thing she is worried about was her brother. If he knew about what happened to her, it could disrupt his training and the other family members may also use this opportunity to ruin him. She couldn't, of course, let anything harm her brother: the only living person who truly cares about Ceres.

"Can I request something?"

"Go ahead."

"Can you help me go to Soaring Dragon and meet my brother? I am worried that if he knew what happened to me, something bad would befall him."

Old Na thought that this girl is too much. She would already be taught by experts and yet, she still requests such irrelevant things. On the other hand, Ceres thought that the safest way to contact her brother was to request a formidable and legendary figure such as Old Na. Although she also has other plans if Old Na refused, this is still the best and safest way given that she is still far from being considered strong.

"I will not promise that you will meet your brother but, I will try my best. The most that I can do is probably to allow you to pass on a message to him. Soaring Dragon is also not a school to be trifled with. It is one of the known contenders in the Great Magi Conference. They diligently train their students and any hindrances may be eliminated. After you leave for the Hunts household, I will get some information about your brother. This old man is so tired that even if he wants to live peacefully, you still have the nerve to trouble him with such things."

"You did not have to agree on it. I will just find other ways."

"Like infiltrating the school? And you plan on doing that with Evergreen Garden, too?"

Ceres nodded and even though she was serious, Old Na couldn't help but sigh.

"You! Don't ever think about doing that! Didn't I tell you that those schools are places that you can't afford to offend? What should I even do with you?"

"Teach me. That is what you should be doing, right?"

Ceres really lacks respect when it comes to Old Na. This is what the old man thinks and feels.

"Before I teach you anything, you must first strengthen and enhance your spiritual body and essences. Make sure that you'll be able to triple your spiritual essence so that we can start with your training!"

OldNa's talk kept Ceres for a half day on that certain room. Finally, afteragreeing on some things, Ceres went out with Gil.  -tbc