Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 188: Which Technique to Submit?

“I didn’t say that. I’m only saying that wielding massive greatswords isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse,” admitted Oli. “Why not use a regular greatsword? I’m sure your family could train you better with that and it’s something a bit easier for a kid your size.”

“But if I can use a bigger sword, why wouldn’t I?” argued Pauller.

“Then you’ll have to take that up with Leon and your grandpa. Do you have any more questions or can I get back to training?”

“Ummm...” Pauller thought hard, searching for another question to prolong the conversation and help his training. “Is there a trick to condense essence faster?”

Laughing again, Oli enjoyed the simple mindset that Pauller boasted. “Hmm... Not really. You’ll just have to visualize your essence gathering at a single point and take it slow at the beginning. At first, it would take me a few minutes to condense a hammer.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah, really. But once I mastered creating the exact hammer I wanted and could make it without much thought, I practiced speeding that up until I eventually could form a hammer with just a thought.”

.....

“Wow... Then I’ll take it slow too!” shouted Pauller. “If you made it slowly first, then I can make it slowly first too!”

“Good, not hurry back to your training. If you don’t train a lot, then you’ll never be strong enough to wield your giant greatsword,” joked Oli, opening his courtyard gate. “Remember, no bothering me for an entire sun. If you need help, go talk to Leon, Johan, your uncle, or your grandpa.”

“Thank you, Oliver! I’ve got to go train now!”

The preteen sped off, darting toward the training grounds with newfound anticipation swelling behind his youthful grin.

Glad to be alone, Oli locked the courtyard gate and his front door. Finally, Oli entered teh lounging area and sat atop a cushion while a figure emerged from his shadow. “So, there are only two things left to do...”

“You haven’t yet inspected the battle arts?” Vloz asked.

Shaking his head, Oli took out three scrolls. One-by-one, Oli scanned over their contents and only smiled at one of them. “These two may come in handy for the frogs back home, but they’re not too useful for me.”

“And the other one?”

Smiling back at the leopard, Oli turned the scroll around to show it off. “This one’s not bad. I may be able to use it for the tournament.”

“Will you be able to master it in time? You’ve only got one sun,” commented Vloz. “Then again... this is you we’re talking about, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“So long as I don’t tweak the art before the tournament, I should be able to use it within a sun. After that, I can adjust how I see fit.” Storing the scrolls, Oli took in a sharp breath. “Now, there’s only one thing left to worry about... providing a technique for the institute.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to give away your father’s technique for free? Or Rathe’s?” Vloz joked.

Shaking his head, Oli stated, “I can’t give those up, for multiple reasons. Apart from giving them a free perennial-grade or king-grade technique, it would also attract too much unwanted attention. I’m sure the institute would keep it a secret so the public wouldn’t know, but what about the teachers? If they knew I already had perennial techniques and arts, how would they treat me? I’m sure it would be nice and help me live the high-life, but wouldn’t that also attract unnecessary pressure from the higher-ups? It could likely lead to me being forced into working under them.”

“I’m glad you’re thinking as clearly as ever,” remarked Vloz. “Then do you have any ideas? Or are you desperate for my thoughts on the matter?”

“I’d appreciate a good discussion, or at least for you to spitball some ideas...” groaned Oli, recognizing the playful tone in Vloz’s voice.

The Leopard sighed and layed down. Thinking calmly, Vloz asked, “What about your hammers?”

“What about them? They’re a battle art, not a cultivation technique.”

“True, but don’t you have a cultivation technique that they could technically pair well with?”

“What do you mean?”

Rephrasing his thoughts, Vloz stated, “Don’t you have a technique that works hand-in-hand with that hammer battle art? An old, elder technique that someone abandoned in order to accept a better cultivation technique from your father?”

“Oh... But wouldn’t that be too different compared to my essence nature?” asked Oli.

“True, but what if you only used your hammer and that new technique throughout the tournament?” Vloz answered. “If whenever you used earth essence was only for your hammers and that new art, then presenting that cultivation technique shouldn’t cause anything more than curious doubts. Then, if people ask about the matter, say you’re trying to grow out of the technique and searching to make a better one yourself.”

“That’s brilliant! I knew you were always a genius, Uncle Vloz!”

“I’m sure you would’ve eventually reached that same conclusion. I just wanted to make sure you reached it sooner than later so you don’t stress about it during your training.”

“Then, can I ask you to inscribe the technique?” Oli asked, passing it over to Vloz without waiting for the answer he knew was coming.

“Of course. It will give me something to do while you’re busy cultivating. And don’t forget to–”

“I’ll concentrate on the new battle art first,” Oli stated, finishing Vloz’s sentence. “Don’t worry, I’ll have it done in no time.”

Oli immediately allowed his mind to sink into his soul jade. Now inside his own courtyard, his nightly training would be much better hidden to the rest of the Practor Family. And it also allowed him the utmost privacy for extended cultivation while Vloz carefully took out a blank, parchment scroll along with some ink. A small pad appeared from Vloz’s void choker, one shaped perfectly to a single claw with a quill fitted on the other end. Both the leopard and the gorilla became engrossed in their practices, forgetting momentarily about food, water, and the rest of the world.