~
“How was your day, Little Theron?”
“It didn’t rain today.”
A chuckle came from the beautiful middle-aged woman.
“You know, only you like the rain so much.”
“I’m not sure why. Most Mancers have the ability to avoid getting wet. That shouldn’t be an issue.”
“People like to see the sun. You know, your future wife might like seeing the sun, too. You should be more accommodating.”
“Maybe I will marry someone who likes the rain, too,” Theron said with a smile.
“You never know. Someone you hate just might become your wife. Someone you love with all your heart might not be the one for you.”
His mother smiled. Her little boy was already 12 years old today, and she felt like she was seeing that adorable little look less and less these days.
“All a mother means is that the love of your life could come from the most unexpected of places. So you should treat every woman you meet well, or else you might give her ammo to blame you for a lifetime. How would my little genius feel about never winning an argument again?”
Theron’s confused look vanished as he smiled.
At that moment, he didn’t really understand. But he found what his mom said funny, so he laughed.
His mother smiled a knowing smile, and then her visage began to fade.
Then a familiar tragedy played itself out.
~
Theron’s eyes flashed open, a chilling blue being pulled out from them.
He exhaled a slow breath, feeling out the changes to his body.
’I need another two days
This was the longest it had ever taken him to recover from any training. His body simply had nothing more to give.
’We should be at 98% of the herbs recognized by now… we are close
The old man had been unexpectedly helpful. His garden had quite a few of the herbs that Theron was missing, many of which he used to brew his teas. As such, Theron was able to match them to his memories quite easily.
Now he was close. There should only be about four or five scents he was missing. Then he could complete the deciphering.
’The fact that that old man had so many of the herbs in his garden means that this place should be quite local… but I wonder
Dean Thistle, if he was looking for the jade, hadn’t shown any signs of it to Theron, at least. It was still possible that he was, or…
’Did Yonowai keep it a secret?’
It was highly likely. From what Theron could tell, Sigil was Dean Thistle’s true successor, and Yonowai was more so an afterthought. Neither father nor more-talented son seemed to show much heartache over the loss either. ꞦＮȎ𝐁Ë𝓢
It was possible that Yonowai wanted to keep these things to himself. In that case…
Where did the Verdant Bloomstone come from?
’Luminescent Moon Sect.’
It was the most obvious conclusion. Yonowai must have become wrapped up in something related to the Sect and it eventually led to him coming into the Verdant Bloomstone.
Theron had already been forced to shift some of his plans to incorporate the Sect. If the Verdant Bloomstone led him back there as well… then maybe he might come into a little bit of luck finally.
’The question is… are the Nightgales and Thistles so interested in the Sects because they’re powerful pawns to be played, or is there something else the Sects have that they want…?’
Theron came to his answer quite quickly as he pushed himself up slowly to begin his recovery before classes.
If the Sects were such easy pawns to manage, they wouldn’t have to use such roundabout methods. He couldn’t help but wonder if Yonowai had managed to pull the wool over the eyes of his own father and brother this time.
’It seems I’ll have to see what that “bully” and Yonowai’s good friend know.’
He doubted Sawyer would know much of anything. But Kai… Yonowai seemed to trust him more than usual.
There was a good chance he had let something slip to this good friend of his. Now it was just a matter of finding an opportunity.
’There is another possibility Theron thought with narrowed eyes.
Maybe the Sects weren’t here because of the influence of the Thistles or Nightingales, but rather because of a small nudge.
In which case…
**
Theron walked into the Nightingale Pagoda. He had almost 400 000 bronzes in his possession, and that didn’t include what he could gain by liquidating the Silver Resonance Breakthrough Pill and Echo Pill that were both in his possession.
A familiar attractive middle-aged woman noticed Theron immediately. She bolted ahead faster than she should have been capable on her heels, appearing before Theron before he could even scan the region properly.
“Young master Theron,” Starra spoke enthusiastically, “it’s nice to see you again so soon. What can I do for you today?”
Theron gave her a gentle smile. “Today, I’d like to see if I could enter the Fourth Level of the Pagoda.”
Starra was a bit taken aback when she heard this.
All Nightingale Pagodas had nine levels to them. The first three were for those of the Bronze Resonance, the middle three were for those of the Silver Resonance, and the final were reserved for those of the Gold Resonance.
Entering a level higher meant better treasures to pick from and better resources. But the Nightingale Pagoda didn’t allow people to flout their rules so easily.
If you wanted to enter, you would have to display some extraordinary skill that could compare to those of said cultivation level.
Starra had a good impression of Theron, but from his actions, he seemed a bit naive and… airheaded? He liked to comment about things he didn’t understand casually all the time. But this sort of client, given how good his commissions, she also couldn’t afford to offend.
“Young master, this…”
“Bring me to the Mana Control test,” Theron said simply.