Chapter 146: Chasing Greater Heights

Although Nisha had only a short time to think things through, her increased spirit cultivation also improved her reasoning, memory, and intuition in general.

Unico had already expressed his approval, hence his considerations should be of a similar notion. Seeing both of her teammates express concern convinced Lisa about their analysis. When she considered the harsh fight they went through before the elf literally speared one to death with a single throw, Lisa also felt surprised at how much confidence she had gained from a single fight.

The group rode the initial momentum and ambushed another pair of [Stone Wooled Sheep] and a single [Bronze Fleece Sheep] that got in their way. Through their cooperation, neither Lisa nor Unico suffered drastic injuries aside from some small muscle pains from the exertion. Naturally, the dragon took it upon herself to deal with the second-ranked monster. While it looked like cooperation between a strong warrior and her contracted monster, Nisha began the fight with pretending to charge her throwing skill again and heavily wounded the brownish ram in one exchange before ordering Accalia to finish the struggling monster off.

Her two friends and Little Lia showed great progress when they repeatedly fought the monsters, especially the wolf. Compared to the earlier shallow wounds and little injuries through the hard wool, the lithe animal now had many more vicious moves in her arsenal. One of the previous [Stone Wooled Sheep] had its neck broken and twisted apart in one brutal jolt. Going for the joints, veins, and tendons with sharp claws as often as possible, the golden wolf perfectly displayed her vicious nature.

Combined with their previous harvest, the group accumulated 155 contribution points, almost the same as slaying a third-ranked monster king.

Currently, they rested under a big and ancient oak tree, soaked and battered from the last battle against a pair of first-ranked [Stone Wooled Sheep]. Nisha left the monsters for her friends, choosing to watch with her beast. Without the least bit of squeamishness, the elf had sliced off the ears to prove their kills and now stuck around to watch out for sudden assaults by roaming groups.

“It’s really unfair, you know? How come we almost run ourselves ragged, whereas you look still as fresh as when we started? Is there such a big difference between our abilities?”

The increased self-confidence did wonders for the shy blonde girl. Instead of staying in the background and barely participating in the conversation, she now actively took the initiative to start topics or discuss events. This made the elf happy as her friend gradually came out of her shell.

“In theory, yes. You are still at the peak of the first-aura rank. On the other hand, I am almost a complete rank higher, and I have different racial traits as well.”

Now the dragon had to force a smile. Although she had not lied outright in either case, she was vague on purpose. Instead of being almost a rank higher and having different traits, therefore assuming a high or close second-rank elf warrior, Nisha was, in truth, a third-middle-ranked dragon. She did not compare the girl to Unico either.

“A forest is not as suited for humans, and I can use less energy for the same task. Don’t worry; when you break through to the next rank, it will become easier for you as well. Just keep practicing; it won’t be hard. Plus, the warrior trip this time is tailored to increase your cultivation. Reflect on the fighting experience; draw out the essence and use it to break through. That’s my advice, at least.”

Nisha found herself smiling unconsciously. The experience she imparted to her friend sounded like a lesson, yet, it came from the heart. Reminiscing about the time she hunted and lived along with her three dragon siblings deep in the Wilderness, every day was a struggle. To find something to eat or defend their territory from intruders, the scaled beasts never lacked opponents.

Similarly, the elf now faintly sensed a coming breakthrough thanks to the confrontations on this trip.

Truthfully, it surprised her how easy progress in cultivation seemed. The different students attended the [Royal Academy] for several turns with the hope of achieving the early third-rank in either aura or mana before they graduated. This would guarantee them a bright future as officials or leaders among their generation, yet, a young girl barely in the first turn had an imminent breakthrough to the late third aura rank coming. If the older students heard about it, they might spew blood and faint on the spot.

“That’s true. Only after going through real combat did I learn how different it is compared to exercising and wielding a wooden training sword. Right now, my aura is consolidating and growing like crazy. Killing a monster for the first time has been quite harsh, but I also feel mentally stronger now. If it were a desperate situation when I had to do it for the first time, maybe I’d fail to hold on. In a way, I already reaped great benefits without the reward from the academy.”

Lisa beamed and reclined against the massive tree. The ancient roots gave her support, and her disordered breath slowly returned to normal. Circulating her aura, the blonde girl recovered faster than normal.

“How about you, Unico? Did you gain something as well?”

Facing her inquiry, the young man had long since recovered as well. Nisha had not said anything, yet his cultivation had already eclipsed the late first-rank and stepped into the second. Therefore he recuperated faster than Lisa.

His slightly purple skin gave him a basic demonic charm, a wicked luster accentuating his fine features and noble bearing.

“Contribution points are fine for me.

No, just a small joke. I’m thankful for the trip as well so far. Real combat experience is valuable; it’s only that I have killed some monsters before.

While we were still in our kingdom, my father often took me traveling, which led to our carriage being attacked several times. When it was time to clean up the battlefield, I also went through ending a few barely surviving monsters, so this is not as new to me.

Nonetheless, standing on the front line and fighting is completely different from just killing them. Similar to Lisa, my aura shows faint signs of rising. Maybe the next few trips will allow me to elevate to the next stage.”

Toying with the dagger in his hand, he explained with the usual half smile and never-changing expression. Every time Nisha looked at him, he had this look like a mask.

“Ah, that’s a different story, but I’m also glad to hear that you weren’t shocked as badly this time.”

She listened with great interest. The blonde girl cherished the friendships she fostered in the [Royal Academy], as the daughter of merchants in an environment filled with the descendants of nobles and officials, she always worried about offending others and standing out. If any of the profligate sons or vicious daughters of minor nobles, much less the truly elite nobility, had an issue with her, Lisa would suffer harshly in the future. Thankfully, she found Nisha and Unico, becoming a part of a team; it turned a potentially hellish situation into a good experience.

“Haha, you praise me too much. When I killed a monster for the first time, I was so nauseous that I threw up and had to rest in the carriage for the rest of the journey.

Cultivation is still a personal process; only now did the fighting experience and encounter benefit me. In my opinion, we made great progress as a group.”

In tune with his mellow and cordial character, Unico humored the blonde girl and relayed his tale.

“We should give Nisha a bit more of the points when we turn in the proof. With Accalia, she did at least half of the work, right, Lisa?”

With the break between their monster fights, Unico suddenly raised the topic of distribution. Since they had not agreed upon it beforehand, it did not matter at the start. Now, they had a sizeable amount collected, especially considering that they only had three members on their team.

“What are you saying; we are a group. Little Lia is part of my fighting strength like your dagger technique is part of yours. Since we cover for each other, sharing the gains is only natural. No need to argue; if you don’t agree I will give the rest away or spend it on nothing.”

Her adamant refusal astonished both of her teammates. Benefits brought the most groups together, and no one hated a bigger share. The elf, on the other hand, never hesitated to give them the same profit as herself.

“That’s not proper, is it? Even without your monster, you have the greatest strength among us and contributed a lot more. It’s not odd to pay a greater share to the stronger fighters. I think you should take more, too.”

Lisa bit her lip and unconsciously looked around to see if she could spot the golden scaled wolf. Accalia left a deep impression on her and made her yearn for her own contracted monster.

Of course, the beast had far too much instinct and inborn talent to be seen by an amateur. She stayed out of sight, roaming the periphery and tracking down any trail left by crossing monsters.

“If you hire two workers for the same job and both can complete it, will you pay one more than the other? I’m just pointing out a hypothesis here. I know it’s not the same for us, but I do hope that we will continue to group for similar outings in the future. Maybe there will be a time when your strength eclipses mine. Treat it as an investment for the future, if that makes it easier.”

From the start, the dragon had never coveted the contribution points or other material rewards from the warrior trip. They might benefit her or make other activities in the academy easier, but they could never replace a strong friendship.

“I think I have a hard time imagining that. Nevertheless, if that’s your will, we will handle it that way. On the one hand, we’re not done with the excursion yet anyway, and on the other, it’s the strongest opinion that counts. Let’s wait until we get back before deciding how we split the contribution points.”

Unico helplessly shook his head while Lisa silently agreed.

“That’s the right mindset! Who knows where the path of cultivation will take us, or how far we can go on it? In my opinion, there is no end to growing stronger, and someone will always be more powerful. As long as we stay friends, we can help each other out on the way to reach the pinnacle.”

Nisha expressed her impression of martial cultivation, especially about the top of the pyramid. Let alone the vagabond at the [Royal Academy], which she could not see through with her [Spirit Sight], there were also Gabriel and Bael who must have far superior strength, to the point of ascending to godhood.

In a way, it had already revealed the fact that the ninth-rank was not the end to the dragon. She faintly looked forward to the time when she transcended it herself.

“You’re right; cultivation is a never-ending process. We will have plenty of opportunities to help each other out as long as we progress at our own speed.”

For a short moment, the customary smile on Unico’s face seemed genuine.

“Don’t say it like that. We’re friends, so why count who owes who? Benefits shouldn’t matter between us.”

Lisa grinned like an imp and retrieved her weaponry, ready to fight once more.

“When we get back to Thurgau, I’ll take you to my parent’s shop eventually. I’m sure you will like it; maybe you can profit a bit from my old folks and get a discount.

All adventurers love going there occasionally.”

Apparently, it took Lisa a moment of courage and bravado to add the latter half when she confirmed the friendship between them.

Previously, she always avoided talking about her background.

“Really? It must be a famous place, seeing as how you want us to buy the specialties there.”

Nisha felt mischievous and refused to let the blonde girl off. Little Lia found something in the meantime and informed the dragon through their spiritual contract, though the information had little meaning currently.

“Of course. Not that I am bragging, but it’s a really good store; maybe you have heard of it. It’s the [Golden Cauldron], an alchemy store. Potions, pills, recipes, and equipment, we have it all.”

The poor girl blushed and knew how it must sound to her team. To attend the [Royal Academy] meant that a huge background stood behind each of them. Unico came as the exchange student from the twin kingdoms, meaning that he was elite among the potential candidates.

Nisha shared how she had gained the qualification to attend via a scholarship through the [Seven Stars Church], which, in turn, signified that she either had a connection with the higher clergy or was a radiant talent, which would suggest that she would take a high office as a spiritual leader in the future, especially since she had great cultivation already, as well as a deadly skill.

In any case, compared to her own origin as a merchant’s daughter, they had a brighter future ahead of them.