The grand doors opened with a creak as Itekan stepped inside. His gaze immediately wandered to the walls, which were adorned with several portraits of the sea. To his right, a painting depicted a green vortex spinning with several screaming souls trapped within it, lost in a path of endless agony. Next to it was a Taoist painting of a mountain that exalted itself above the clouds and the heavens. This painting seemed to pull him in, drawing his attention to the exotic birds within it. Each bird appeared to tell a story of its own.
As Itekan walked past the office reception, he couldn't shake the feeling that his most secret thoughts were being exposed, laid bare before unseen eyes. He twisted uncomfortably, but there was no one nearby.
Entering the office proper, he found Kime sitting at his desk, which was piled high with paperwork and documents—so high, in fact, that they formed an unbelievable tower. Itekan couldn't help but wonder how it all managed to stay standing.
"Headmaster—" Itekan began, but was cut off by Kime's raised hand as he finished what he was working on. Only then did Kime give him his attention.
Itekan explained how he came upon the egg and his plans to hatch it, detailing the complications he faced. Kime sat still, absorbing the information, listening intently.
"A 12-horned beak, you say?" Kime mused thoughtfully, "That is very interesting. I believe I had one as well when I was younger. They're soul-bound creatures, their abilities dependent on the type of Spiritual Energy (SE) they consume during conception. This makes them some of the most versatile of spiritual beasts. C was right to give it to you."
"So, what do you think, Headmaster? How do you suggest I hatch it?" Itekan asked, eager for answers.
Kime chuckled, "You say it's been fed SE from its biological parent, a Chimera Ant Queen, from C, and from you... That's—" He paused, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "—a really interesting mix. With that amount of varying SEs, there are only two ways it would turn out. Either it's deformed and unable to use SE, or it becomes a freak of nature, capable of using several forms of SE."
Itekan remained silent as Kime explained, but he had already anticipated most of what the Headmaster was saying. What he needed was the recipe for the hatching process itself.
"Yes, Headmaster, but how do we hatch it?" Itekan asked, his impatience slipping through.
"We— you speak elf," Kime said with a knowing smile. "I cannot be there during its hatching, or there's a risk that my spiritual signature would override yours, and the creature might pair its soul with mine. In fact, even bringing it here could override your bond with the fetus in the egg. While I wouldn't be particularly upset about that, I doubt you'd feel the same."
Itekan understood immediately. Given the enormous difference in cultivation levels, his soul would be purer, and it would be easy for it to overpower the bond the egg had with Itekan.
"What do I need to do?" Itekan asked, his voice firm as he corrected himself.
Kime smiled, his expression warm and knowing. "If I go by what I've heard, the 12-horned beak you have contains SE from its mother, a Chimera Ant Queen, Carpathia, and you. This means you'll need a horned beak's heart, poison from a Chimera Ant Queen, probably some of Carpathia's SE, and some of yours as well."
Itekan absorbed the information, his worry growing. He knew just how powerful the Chimera Ant Queen was—she could have killed him at any time during their fight, but she had spared him, seeking his help for her revenge. Itekan wasn't sure of the exact strength of the 12-horned beak, but considering it had been able to fight the Chimera Ant Queen on a relatively equal footing, it was likely just as strong, if not more so. He had grown stronger, but not nearly strong enough to face a Grade C beast.
Lost in thought, Itekan didn't notice Kime's steady gaze on him.
"It's definitely not something you can handle alone—not yet, at least," Kime said, his green eyes twinkling in the cool afternoon light. "However, I believe there's an event scheduled for the year—a dungeon clearing in the forests surrounding the school."
Itekan smiled at Kime's words. He understood now. The event would provide him with the perfect opportunity to gather the materials he needed while also reminding him that he wouldn't be alone during the excursion. Several instructors, accompanied by their blue-eyed forms, would be with them. Together, they'd be able to deal with a Grade C beast.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Itekan said with a grateful smile, bowing deeply before exiting the office. The dungeon excursion event was in two weeks, and he intended to use every moment of it to grow stronger. He now had a clear goal ahead.
***
Carpathia's encounter with the Chrisom Knights had left a scar on the pride of the entire nation of Tamoru. After the event, they slunk away with their tails between their legs. Upon returning home, Fadex was relieved from his post, his usefulness as a cultivator now gone. The kingdom blamed him for the destruction of the cordial relationship they had built with Rosa Town, especially in regards to Carpathia.
But then, something peculiar happened. A strange guest arrived—one who didn't emit any detectable SE. He appeared to be a normal human, but the oppressive aura of death that followed him made it clear this was not someone they should take lightly.
He requested an audience with the King of Tamoru. The rest, as they say, was history. Within weeks, Tamoru had transformed completely. From the religion they practiced and the god they worshipped, to the changes in their form of government and their increased military might, the nation was unrecognizable. Other envoys arrived in the wake of the first, their presence solidifying the drastic new direction Tamoru was taking. These envoys were publicly appointed as the Apostles of Death, operating independently from the other branches of government. They became lawmakers, enforcers, and religious elders, their influence now spread throughout the nation.
Spiritual Energy -- SE
Spritual Sea -- SS
Spiritual Signatures -- SST