Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 190: Return to the Ravine

Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 190: Return to the Ravine

Atop the mountain, the skies were clear and showed countless stars. Great Elder Robert, his eyes ever closed, reviewed some documents while waiting for the trial to end. It was unknown how exactly he read the documents without opening his eyes, but no one thought to ask because of fear.

Ava Jones ate a delicious stew, courtesy of the Pavilion while watching Oscar and Mary figure out the Snowbell Fruit's location at the ravine where they teleported. Her lips curled slightly. 'You finally realized it, my rash niece. As Jones, we must understand the laws and rulebooks, including the implied and precedents. It should have been obvious at the start, but you ran so fast without carefully observing.'

Her body relaxed after seeing Mary's progress would not be impeded.

"Ah!" Elder Dustin's elderly voice cried out in shock. "I understand now."

"What is it, Elder Dustin?" Ava Jones said, but she sighed inwardly at the old man's antics. In front of Great Elder Robert, she had to maintain appropriate manners and behaviors.

Elder Dustin's many wrinkles increased with his outburst, and his hands trembled on the table. "I finally understand why that student, Oscar, has extraordinary physical power and why he was able to destroy the artificial cores. He has the power of Reis."N/nêw n0vel chap/ers are published o/n n0v/e/(lb)i(n.)co/m

"Reis?" Ava Jones didn't know what Reis was. Only a few in Draven's generation knew of it because of Draven's presence, but it wasn't odd for anyone else to be unaware. "What is Reis?"

Elder Dustin coughed with excitement. "Reis is a power that runs opposite to Ein itself. It is the complete mastery of pure physical force that wreaks devastation."

"There's such a power in this world? Why isn't it more known? Our students can be stronger if they learn it." Ava Jones thought about Oscar's previous battles and knew this Reis was a powerful tool. But she had no idea of its dangers. Dangers that made Reis a nightmare.

"It's not so easy." Great Elder Robert opened his eyes to quell the excited Ava and chastise the elderly Dustin. "The initiation into Reis itself is harsh. One must learn 'Awaken' for Reis to even use it properly. But the issue comes when they use it. The Reis coursing through their body, mainly the heart as the core, can destroy oneself."

"Couldn't that be solved by teaching it stronger Exalts?" Ava Jones asked.

"No. It is tougher to handle Reis, especially its more intricate techniques at a later realm. However, the worst is higher realms mean higher risks when using Reis. Higher realms also boost physical power, but your heart is still as vulnerable as ever." Great Elder Robert said solemnly. His hands held together on the table. "That is why most users of Reis usually die before the Marshal Exalt realm. The causes are overuse of Reis, or their heart has been worn down after many uses. It's like a countdown to your demise."

Ava Jones remained silent for a moment. Reis's revelation and its risk were enough for her to understand why it wasn't so widely taught. Exalts lived long, so no one wanted to have an unknown timer on their life. "What about Oscar? Is he also going to die like this?"

"His body had been forged well, and he's been through extremely tough training. With luck, he may last until he's a Knight Exalt. Though, perhaps that asshole has a plan for that." Robert felt Draven was crazy but knew that despite his madness, Draven had a plan. 'The progression in Adamasreis is fast. Draven started Reis as an Elite Exalt, so it took him quite a while. The reason he's still alive even as a Marshal Exalt is something I'd never do for Oscar.'

He exited the cave and saw a bright morning greet him with clear skies and zero snowfall. The ground was still blanketed by snow and ice, but the air was fresh and not as frigid as before. However, Oscar frowned upon seeing traces of blue frost appear on his hand; he retreated inside and got the Frost Orb to accompany him.

Oscar roamed around the general vicinity near the cave, glancing around from time to time, looking for something. His eyes lit up when he saw many large yaks wandering around the forest. These yaks were similar to the Tri-horned Buffalos of the Hurin Plains; they were Exalt Beasts that gathered in large herds.

"Sorry, but you came just in time." Oscar bowed his head and approached them.

Mary woke up. She felt more refreshed than ever, but her face fell after seeing Oscar missing. "Where did he go?"

"Right here." Oscar returned with a large yak over his shoulders. "You took a while to wake up. I've already drained this guy; let's eat some brunch."

Mary nearly drooled, seeing the yak roasted over the flames. The succulent juices and fat from the meat sometimes cracked, letting out a savory aroma. Oscar cut out a piece and handed it to her.

"Thank you." Mary munched on the meat and almost moaned from how tender and delicious it was. In a matter of moments, these two hungry students devoured the large yak to the bone.

Oscar felt the meal was heartening and filled his hungry bone with renewed life. These Exalt Beasts of the tundra had particularly fatty meat thanks to the thick layer they had under their fur. He cleaned up the remains and killed the flames.

"Let's head out to the ravine and see if the Snowbell Fruit is over there." He packed up his things and was ready to head out.

"I'm almost certain it is." Mary looked sure of herself.

The two returned to the ravine, thanks to the map and retracing their steps. The familiar sight of the mounds of snow that filled the ravine came into view. This was where the avalanche forced them to run away and into the forest without taking a closer look.

Thanks to the Azure Feather, they could levitate over the large mounds of snow and reach the top of the ravine.

Oscar scoffed at the green glow that welcomed them on top. "It really was here."