Kyle and Star Genesis talked some more about their lives until they arrived at the Law Well for Minor Earth.
The Law Well did not seem natural at all. There were humongous Formation Arrays that poured Energy into the earth, burning through Energy Stones. There were countless smaller Formation Arrays, which all demonstrated certain parts of the Law of Minor Earth. It looked less like a Law Well and more like a museum.
Looking at this Law Well reminded Kyle of the Law Wells owned by the Array of Stars. The Law Wells here didn't seem to lack in quality compared to the ones owned by the Array of Stars.
Kyle was the only one with a light silver uniform in the entire Branch. His uniform signified that he was a non-standard member of the Shields and Spears. Yet, there were not even normal Shields or Spears present. Over 99.9% of the people wore the green of the Sects, but there were also a few Seekers who wore brown, the color of the Tribes.
The members of the Tribes were all exceptionally talented Seekers. They only went to the frontlines for practical exams, and they didn't need to work for their Merits. The members of the Tribes got access to almost everything that they might need to grow stronger. One of these things was access to Law Wells, but since the stronger Law Wells were only in Sect Branches, they had to travel to them to comprehend them.
The competition between the members of the Tribes was the toughest. There was only a limited number of spots, and only the most talented ones could remain. The number also grew smaller the further everyone advanced.
If a Tribe Member didn't make the cut, they had to find a different place. If they had developed certain talents in Formation Arrays or the creation of Refined Laws, they could become a Sect Member. Otherwise, they would have to join the Shields or Spears as non-standard members, which meant that they could retain their individual identities.
If a Tribe Member managed to become a Unique Sage, they could join a training program for frontline leaders. Most of them became Chief Area Commanders, but some of them also managed to become Majors. Major Sovignor had once been a member of the Tribes, and he had become a Major after going through a long period of training as a Unique Sage and Spirit Lord.
If a Tribe Member managed to become a Legendary Sage, they would join Humanity as a Lieutenant General. Over 90% of Lieutenant Generals had once been Tribe Members.
Alternatively, any Tribe Member could also decide to change their position within the Tribe. They would change from Students to Guides. Only Fulfilled Sages and stronger could become Guides who taught other Sages. Any weaker Sage Guide could only teach Crushers and Primals.
As Kyle saw the Tribe Members, he could feel the difference between them and the Sect Members. The Tribe Members had much brighter auras, signifying their talent and dedication to growth. Yet, they were under just as much pressure as the Sect Members. After all, if they couldn't grow quickly enough, they would lose their position.
Even though Kyle wore a unique uniform within the Branch, nobody looked at him. The Sect Members were busy with work, while the Tribe Members couldn't afford to pay attention to unimportant things.
Kyle and Star Genesis landed in the middle of the Law Well.
"You may look at the Law Wells, but be careful not to damage them," she transmitted. "I will mostly focus on my studies."
"Sure, and thanks for bringing me here," Kyle transmitted.
"It's my job," Star Genesis transmitted as she sat down to retrieve several materials.
As Star Genesis started studying, Kyle went to one of the exhibitions of Minor Earth and looked at it. The exhibition showed how Yang-Earth could strengthen the corrosive effects of Yin-Earth.
After looking at it for a while, Kyle furrowed his brows.
"Yes, it shows how the Energy transforms, but that's not enough. I also need to feel its corrosive effect."
Kyle looked around a bit and saw a couple of pits that transformed Yang-Earth into Yin-Earth, which transformed back into Yang-Earth in a cycle.
Every pit had someone sitting inside it. From what Kyle could see, these pits were for people who comprehended Laws with their feelings.
"You need to spend one Merit for four years in one of these pits. Based on your Emblem, you have the same privileges as a Tribe Member, which means that you don't need to pay for a pit. You can just choose a free one. If there are no free ones, you can buy someone's spot. Everyone here knows at least the Minor Law of Mind, which means starting a conversation with them won't interfere with their comprehension."
"Oh, okay," Kyle transmitted before looking at a close Sect Member.
"Hey, how much for your spot?" Kyle asked.
"30 Merits," the Sect Member answered.
"Per year?" Kyle asked in shock.
The Sect Member opened his eyes and looked at Kyle.
"No, that's a one-time payment. As soon as you're in the pit, it's no longer my pit."
"Oh, okay," Kyle transmitted before focusing on Star Genesis.
"Is 30 Merits a lot for a pit?"
"Standard price," she answered.
"Quite expensive, but sure," Kyle transmitted before focusing on the Sect Member again.
"Sure, I'll buy it."
The Sect Member created a trade agreement with his Emblem, and Kyle accepted it.
After the trade was finished, the Sect Member told Kyle to enter the pit. If the Sect Member left immediately, the pit would technically be free, which meant someone else could jump into it and claim it. Because of that, Kyle had to enter while the Sect Member was leaving.
Kyle took one step into the pit while the Sect Member took one step out.
After another step, Kyle was alone inside the pit, and he saw the Sect Member leaving the Law Well. It seemed like he had already finished comprehending his Law. He just wanted to stay within the pit so that he could sell the spot.
Kyle felt the transformation of Yang-Earth and Yin-Earth on his body, giving him several insights into the feeling of Minor Earth.
After getting more familiar with it, Kyle focused on the exhibitions. His body felt the effects of Minor Earth, while his mind comprehended the logic behind it.
Some time after Kyle started his comprehension, one of the Tribe Members noticed the newcomer. The Law Well for Minor Earth had three Tribe Members, and all three occupied a pit.
The Tribe Member was on the smaller side and carried two small swords on his back. When he noticed that Kyle had occupied a pit, his perception stretched to Kyle's Emblem.
Kyle's Emblem told him that he had the same rights and privileges as a Tribe Member, and when the man noticed that, a small smirk appeared on his face.
"Hey, I'm selling my spot for 25 Merits," he transmitted to a Sect Member who was searching for a pit.
The Sect Member looked with surprise at the Tribe Member.
"Did you say 25 Merits?"
That was cheap!
"Yes, here's the agreement," the man from the Tribes transmitted.
"I accept!" the Sect Member answered.
The trade was complete, and the pit was handed over.
The man from the Tribes looked at Kyle with a suppressed smirk.
The Tribe Members had to purchase spots from the Sect Members, but the same thing wasn't true for other Tribe Members.
Within the Tribe, competition was fierce and encouraged. As long as there was something valuable to be gained, Tribe Members could compete.
The man could feel Kyle's underwhelming aura. At the same time, the color of Kyle's uniform confirmed that he wasn't good enough to be a member of the Tribes.
Taking this spot from the man in silver would be easy!
The author's patreon. If he gets more than 1000 per month, he will increase the number of words in the chapter.
/user?u=27791050