"Do you now intend to steal away my alchemist's recipe for this so-called 'improved' beast calming pill?" These words spilled naturally from the sharp, sword like tongue of a certain irrepressible Martial Artist. All this banter and friendly overtures in his mind was useless. Just get to the point already! His fingers itched to grab the handle of his sword. While he could in no way beat these old men with their much higher cultivation, did not mean he could not wound nor distract and allow his Leon to escape their clutches!
"While I don't deny my curiosity about it," Volun replied, honestly, disrupting Jin Li's train of thought, "I didn't actually come here to ask about it. It's a mere coincidence! Although naturally I would like for Leo to share his recipe, I wouldn't force him to do so. Even if I wish to speak on behalf of the weak-willed beasts that could be saved should the recipe be made public rather than benefits for myself or the school. No. In fact, you, young man, should know why I am here. Or did you forget the last request I made of you?"
"Tch," Jin Li indeed had forgotten. It had not been in his best interests to remember it after all.
"What's d-do you m-mean? What request?" Leon piped up, curiously.
"I wanted to find out who had carved these charms." Volun had not taken the small fish charm from the Coeurl cub, the little one was depressed enough without his toy being stolen away. Instead, Volun had happened to notice that delicate Butterfly charm hanging from the low boughs earlier and scooped it into his possession. Just like the fish charm, there was a strange symbol carved into its wing. Two things he'd noticed about this; the symbol was different to the one in the little fish charm and the spiritual essence within it was concentrated about the symbol. Perhaps the symbol was the key to holding the essence within the wood?
"Th-that is m-my w-work," Leon admitted, for he felt as if he had no reason not to. "It's a sm-small hobby. D-did you want m-me to c-carve something for you? It won't b-be as g-good as those who c-carve thing f-for a living, though."
Such innocent eyes despite the oppression this youth had suffered while he had studied here and despite the overly protective yet arrogant noble-son behind him caging him in his grasp. Volun couldn't help but find this child adorable.
"Hmm, actually, I was wondering how you managed to carve spiritual essence into the charm." He voiced aloud.
"Huh?" Leon looked very confused.
"What are you trying to imply?" Jin Li sneered. He had actually noticed the spiritual essence in the charm, but never thought much of it. After all, the jade and crystal carvings that he had encountered before hold spiritual essence within so what was the difference? Admittedly, for him to come in to contact with crude wood carvings, Leon's were the first.
"You don't know how you have managed such? How extraordinary!" Volun's expression of amazement was clear to see upon his face, leading both youths to think they had missed something.
"Leo," Teacher Sagi came forward to explain. "Wood usually cannot contain spiritual essence within itself once it is cut from the tree. And yet, these small charms you have carved do. It's quite beyond imagination."
The Healer had been sitting quietly through this exchange, looking quite thoughtful. "May I?" He asked suddenly, reaching out for Leon. "Take your pulse I mean." Leon shuffled out of Jin Li's grasp and moved respectfully towards the man. Two fingers lightly pressed down upon his wrist. "You have a Star root."
"Star root, really?" Volun couldn't help but express his disbelief. The Healer felt the same way. The Star root was not anything amazing, in fact it was considered teriary root, trash root. That the youth has been able to not only cultivate to secondary level, but also make advancements in pills, carve charms containing spiritual essence, create such a flourishing garden of richly scented herbs is so beyond expectation, that it has turned the impression of one with his root upon its head. This root, that should only effect the vessel of its owner, was perhaps far more than it seemed. There was no guarantee that the boy would have flourished as well in other schools as he had here, despite the clear setbacks he'd experienced and thus it could be seen that he also had the luck to have fallen onto the path that helped him to begin to fulfil his potential.
"It is recorded that Leo does indeed possess this root and no other," Teacher Sagi confirmed. "Were it not for his determination and ability to cultivate despite the root, his application to attend the school likely would have been rejected." Sagi sighed while thinking of this reality. Thank goodness that had not been the case.
"This Lord still demands to know what your plans are for my alchemist," Jin Li interrupted, feeling as if clarification had not been yet made. "Know this. This lord will not stand back and allow you to take advantage of him."
"This Institute was founded on the principle of increasing the abilities and strengths of the students that come to us," Teacher Sagi began, reciting what could be found within the history and principals of the Ascending Mountain Institute. "Our founder had been witness to too many potential talents dying before securely setting foot upon their paths. Jealousy, fear, hatred, wanting to eliminate 'threats' before they took root or simply removing seen obstacles to another's own climb to greatness; our world is full of traps and tribulations. Some would say that without these personal trials, one could never rise to obtain immortality, but the reality is that oftentimes, this survival of the fittest, revenge killings and such like, it is just an excuse to murder others, stealing lives and treasures within the fallen's hands.
"Of course that is not to say that there are not people who must be dealt with, such as demons upon the devil's path or those who wish to interfere with mortal lives and politics, but killing a child because he was more impressive than one's own blood... the Founder could not accept such dealings in the Cultivation world. So he formed this school. He felt that should he be able to nurture those talents until they were less vulnerable and more able to take care of themselves, then that was a good thing. But he also knew that he could not protect everyone, especially once they have left the Institute to find their own paths in life. He also knew he could not be wholly benevolent, for it costs money to run the five schools, hence why there are many students who could not be considered 'vulnerable' and those without tolerance, those lazy and unworthy still often walk within the grounds of the Institute.
"However, you, Leo are here and while you are here, we, your Teachers, will seek to protect you and that which is yours to hold in secret or to share. Of course, we are not so pure as to claim that we have no interest in your recipes and talents for various reasons. But we will not steal them from you either."
"Aptly put!" All turned to notice a man of average height, but not average girth standing behind beside the small hut. His dark beard was neatly trimmed, yet still impressively long.
"Headmaster?!"