Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 65: A Familiar Face

Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 65: A Familiar Face

The tall golden grass of the Hurin Plains swayed lightly with a cool breeze. The various Exalt beasts were moving around and grazing on the fields. This would be the epitome of serenity if not for the rough sounds coming from the river.

The source of the disruptive noise was Oscar's heavy breathing and bursts of sound from his movements.

For hours, he's repeated the same motions. First, Oscar took a stance, ready to strike. Next, his face tensed up as he bit his lip, and veins covered his face. Finally, he punched the air with a fist enveloped in Ein, creating a loud boom.

The force from his fist blew away the air, which scattered the tall grass in front of him. A line of exposed dirt extended out from his feet.

"It's almost three weeks now. But I can't properly enter the 'Ein Awaken' state." Oscar sat down to drink water and wiped the sweat from his brow.

After several days of constant practice, Oscar could get past the pain to focus his Ein on his knuckles while absorbing tiny hints of Ein. But this was a shallow attempt of 'Ein Awaken' similar to his first tries at 'Reis Awaken'.

"Although I'm not absorbing the same amount of Ein as I'm using in my attack, the small difference is less Ein used and more in my reserves. Also, the increased precision and focus of my Ein will make my attacks more effective."

Oscar hoped to use the 'Ein Awaken' in short bursts for each of his attacks and spells.

But the downside to this worried Oscar. He was neglecting his exalt advancement while working on his Anima and 'Ein Awaken'. He hadn't progressed much as a Middle Apprentice Exalt.

"Everyone else should be trying to advance to Greater Apprentice Exalt. By the time I'm back, most of them should be there. They'll be farther ahead of me than they already are."

Oscar grew silent.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the tall grass and bared its long fangs toward Oscar's neck with astonishing speed.

'Makeshift Ein Awaken'

A fist landed squarely on the top of its head, smashing it against the dirt. Its head was squashed into a pulp as its skull cracked open.

Oscar's fist of concentrated Ein made short work of this creature. He stared down at the beast that tried to ambush him.

It was a large snake with bright gold scales, matching the color of the grass. Its long fangs protruding out of its mouth leaked out a green liquid.

"A Grade One Yellow Jacket Serpent. Its strength was only about the peak of Lower Apprentice Exalt. Sorry, but choose your opponent wisely in the next life. However, I thank you for your gifts."

With a small knife in hand, Oscar dismembered the serpent without a look of disgust. The serpent's fangs were drained of all their poison and removed. Its scales were carefully separated from the body.

Oscar put away all its organs and bones into separate bags and held its raw meat in his hands. He washed the blood off in the river and started a new fire, cooking the serpent meat.

His mouth began to salivate from the delectable aroma of the cooking meat. The meat of Exalt beasts was tastier than normal animals. They also contained small hints of Ein.Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished on no/vel(/bin(.)c/o/m

Oscar devoured the snake meat, chewing it with glee. The meat wasn't tough but soft and juicy.

The meal of snake meat and Ein satisfied Oscar. This was a great lunch before he had to leave. He packed up all of his things and took down his tent.

"It's been a long time. I can't keep holding onto these materials and beast parts. Tufall City should have some stores that would accept them." Oscar put on his full backpack and went on his way. "It's too uncomfortable. I'll have to return weekly from now on."

He recalled the direction he came from and ran until he hit a tree with one of his markings. From there, Oscar followed along from landmark to landmark until he finally saw the long road cut off on the border of the plains.

"Nice to be back to safety. But I'll be back out in a moment." Oscar bitterly laughed. This trip of his was not meant to be relaxing.

Along the way through the road, he spotted others approaching his direction. They were heading toward the Hurin Plains.

Oscar took a small glance at them, and they glanced back. But both parties looked back toward their front and continued on their journey. There was no purpose in needless fighting.

The large gates of Tufall City finally came into view. Oscar felt an imposing presence pressure him; the same presence observed him when he left the city.

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The fabricator in charge of this place had three stars. He must be quite a master.

Oscar stepped inside and was assaulted by the suffocating air. It was mostly composed of smog.

"Who is it? Hello?" A person came out. They wore the same outfit as the fabricators in the Blue Ocean Pavilion, with a helmet with a large visor and tubes on its side.

"I'm here to sell some materials." Oscar took out the various items from his backpack, including the serpent's bones, fangs, tendons, and skin.

"Oh, nice stuff you got here. The serpent's tendons are great for bowstrings." The fabricator handled each item with care, appraising them.

"How much can you give me for them?"

"They're all in good condition and neatly packaged. I can give you two gold for them."

Oscar's eyes opened wide in shock. He never thought selling Exalt beast parts would yield quite a haul. He did know it was lucrative, but not to this extent.

"Thank you!" Oscar exclaimed.

"I should say thank you for the new materials. Come back if you want an armament or to sell more things." The fabricator put away Oscar's sold goods.

Outside, Oscar almost leaped in joy from the amount he made. With this much, he can take care of his parents without worry.

"To the alchemists!"

He rapidly ran until he found a store. Unlike the smithy, this one looked very classy and refined. It had gilded doors and a roof of gold. The walls looked like marble stone. The sign above said 'Sara' Elixirs - 3 Stars'.

Inside, a receptionist warmly welcomed Oscar. She had a pleasant soothing voice that made a person feel comfortable.

"Welcome to Sara's Elixirs. I am Dolly; nice to meet you."

"Hello, I would like to sell these." Oscar took out vials of blood and other liquids, bags of organs, and some herbs he managed to find.

"Wow, the Yellow Jacket Serpent's venom, this is a nice find. Thank you." Dolly smiled.

"It's no problem." Oscar saw Celestina's smiles too much to the point he was resistant to these kinds of smiles from others. "How much can you give me for them?"

Pouting that her usual enchanting smile did not affect Oscar, Dolly appraised each item and said, "Three gold for these."

Oscar made a fist on his side from excitement. "I'll take it!"

"Here you are!" Dolly gave Oscar three gold coins and put away the materials. "Have you considered making a membership with the Alchemist Guild?"

"A membership? But I'm not an alchemist." Oscar asked.

"Not an alchemist membership but one for customers. A membership with the Guild would provide you with discounts when buying from a certified alchemist. The higher the membership, the more perks you get."

"I didn't know there was a system like that."

"The Fabricator Guild also has this system. But they don't advertise it too well since their heads are usually stuck in the dirt."

Oscar felt some hostility toward the fabricators from this receptionist. He did hear about a rivalry between fabricators and alchemists but thought it was nonsense.

Either way, this membership was interesting.

"I suppose I'll go check out the guilds."