Chapter 17: Preparations

Chapter 17: Preparations

Soft footsteps on the second floor caused them to both glance toward the stairs as Bella walked down. A smile crossed her face when she spotted Chance, and he couldnt help but marvel at the stark difference just a few days had made in her attitude.

On the other end of the coin, faint anger toward Vex and what he had made Bella do to try and protect others from him bubbled in Chances heart.

You woke up! Bella exclaimed. How did it go?

I know my Essence, Chance replied. Its Karma.

Huh. Thats interesting, Bella mused.

Pete said the same thing.

Well have to look into the records and see if theres anything we can get for Chance to reference, Pete said.

Yeo poked his head out from the second floor. Chance is a Karma cultivator?

Yeah, Chance said. I hope we didnt interrupt your cultivation or anything.

Nah. It was boring, Yeo replied, sliding down the banister and forcing Bella to step out of the way to avoid getting bowled over. So, now that youre all meditated and bored, you ready to do something more interesting?

Right to it? Chance asked. I mean, I just finished cultivating. Shouldnt I pause or rest or something first?

Why? Cultivation is rest if you do it correctly, Yeo said. Its combat practice that tires you out.

Chance looked to Bella, who gave him a one-shouldered shrug. Hes not wrong. Did you have something else you wanted to do instead?

I mean, Id love to see more of the city, but given what has happened every single time Ive gone out, I think some more training might not be a bad idea, Chance admitted. One second. Ill go grab my urumi.

He jogged upstairs, grabbing the blade and the bottle of healing pills, then headed back down to his team.

Right, Yeo said, studying Chance. This will be difficult to practice with, wont it? You need a lot of space to use it properly. Not as much as my kusarigama, but more than most close range weapons. I guess well just work in the front of the Whiteheart house.

Where everyone can see, Bella added, her lips turning down. We need to get better private training areas as soon as we can.

Once Chance is a little more comfortable with his abilities, we can take the ranking exam, Yeo said. Come on. I want to get started.

They all headed outside. Luckily, Shikari Lane was fairly empty, as it usually seemed to be. It was far from private, but at least there wasnt an enormous crowd watching.

Before we get to sparring, you should just swing that thing around carefully, Yeo said. Get a feel for it, you know? Its been a few days since you last got to test it. Maybe just start with seeing how long it is when extended?

Chance nearly mentioned hed already gotten some use out of it in the alleys before he stopped himself. He cleared his throat and nodded, flicking his wrist. With a series of clicks, the urumi expanded to its full length.

It was roughly three of his bodylengths when fully released, from Chances estimate. He flicked his wrist again, causing it to whistle back together.

Is Yamish causing that somehow? I dont think I snore. Im pretty sure I dont. I hope.

Chance blushed. Whoops. I had no idea.

Its fine, Yeo replied. Reminds me a bit of my old man. He snores a lot too.

You know, it might not be a bad idea to take the test pretty soon, Bella said. We dont need to get ranked super high to start off, but Id really like to start getting some real jobs and making money.

Not to mention we need to learn how to fight together. Thats an entire skill on its own, Yeo said. What do you think, Chance? Feeling comfortable?

Chance rubbed his chin. I guess. Tests were always really stressful for me, but if you think Im ready, Ill give it a shot.

What did your test involve? Yeo asked Bella. You did take one, right?

Mine was a bit special, since I was just working on my own. Gibson gave it to me directly. Bella cocked her head to the side in thought. It was mostly a demonstration of how well I could fight. We sparred for a little, then he asked me to do several things with my Essence.

I still cant do much other than make the gold mist, Chance said. You think hell be okay with that?

Considering it seems to give terrible luck to anyone that isnt using their aura? I think he should be fine, Yeo said. Lots of people become Shikari by focusing on techniques over their cultivation.

Then lets let Pete know were ready to try to take the test, Chance said, steeling himself. If he was already fighting monsters with Yamish, he was pretty sure he could deal with an introductory exam.

Its in two days, Pete said, poking his head out of the door. Sorry, I was eavesdropping. I usually am. And, for what its worth, I believe youre all ready as well. The exam is just meant to ensure that youre capable enough to defend yourself from the lowest level threats in the city.

Great! Yeo exclaimed. Sounds like we need to get a celebratory dinner.

Shouldnt those wait until after weve actually accomplished something? Bella asked.

Bah. Weve had gramps cooking for the past two weeks. We need to go out and get something fancy, Yeo said. No offense to his cooking. Its good, but going out just feels different, you know?

Nothing wrong with a little bit of a pep up, Pete said with a chuckle. You might as well go have some fun.

Im not opposed to it, Chance said. But, I will say that were two for two in running into trouble every time we go into the city.

Youre two for two, Yeo corrected. Its only happened to me once.

Ive gone into the city many times without running into difficulty, Bella added. It was just the day we ran into each other, really.

Great, Chance grumbled. Im a bad luck charm.

More like a luck charm. Yeo clapped him on the shoulder and grinned. Excitement is fun, and youre still alive. That means youre good luck!

Luck or not, Bella said, Im getting hungry. Shall we?