CHAPTER 34 - Reasons

"Master, why did you ask him to retrieve those tokens that you yourself gifted to those people? And wouldn't it take him a long time before he can reach the third rank in all three states? Isn't this test too difficult for him?"

Renna asked her Master as she wondered about the intentions behind his actions. She had managed to reach Rank 2 of prana cultivation but improving her Body and Soul cultivation proved to be increasingly difficult. As she also needed to balance the three, she could not rush and try to increase any one state.

Having experienced the difficulty, she felt that given five years, Azyl might have a chance to reach rank three if he had the support of a huge amount of resources. But as a normal student, he might nor even manage to reach to rank three in ten years. That was too long of a period for her as a young child. She was only two years older than Azyl and had been following after her master for a year now.

She also recognized his attitude and knew that he would not use such a method to turn down Azyl. He was actually being serious by giving him such a difficult test which befuddled her.

"This is not a Test, Renna. I already consider him a disciple of mine. But unlike you, I can't bring him away from this place. He is different from you and following me at such an early age might not be the best choice. The test is a form of teaching and learning for him." Master Eden explained patiently when he saw the confusion on her face.

"Azyl has not left his village for more than a month and his experiences are far less than what you have experienced. He lacks the ability to be cautious and make sound decisions. His naivety needs to be tempered. You might have also observed it, but he lacks a drive to work and carries an easy-going attitude. By my side he might be able to improve and get stronger at a quicker rate, but it would be at a cost. And that would be his innocent nature. I hope that by staying in the academy he does not lose that and can find the right balance between childlike innocence and adult-like wisdom."

Renna was astonished when she heard her Master's reasoning. She continuously nodded her head in understanding. She might not have understood everything that her Master said, but she could tell that his actions were for the sake of Azyl and he was thinking far ahead. Feeling deep admiration for him, she then asked him,

"What if he falls in a dangerous situation? I don't think the Academy would look out for a student who isn't in the Elemental class. And if Master wants him to develop on his own, he will definitely find himself in tough situations."

"Even if it isn't a test, without any difficulty there would be no meaning to this. And with the notebook by his side, it will be the same as me being their. But he does not need to know that. I'll observe him as he improves and help him if the situation asks for it."

Once more Renna was amazed by her Masters efficiency and meticulousness. But then she wondered aloud, "Doesn't that mean you are technically fooling him?"

"Hahaha, he doesn't need to know that. This will be a secret among us both and let him try his best in the coming years. And if you really think it will take him that long to reach rank three in all states, you might be proven wrong. As he Elder Sister you should work harder to set a good example. His raw talent for cultivation even surpasses you. Now go and take rest, you will have to practice with him tomorrow again. I want to teach him some basics before he goes back to the Academy and you will have to help me out in this regard." Master Eden smiled at her and then he disappeared from his spot.

Renna looked at his spot in a daze for a while before she got up and walked into the cave to rest for the night.

.....

Two years ago, Renna had qualified to enter the best academy in the Eastern Grasslands province.

She was a talented young girl, who had great ambitions and a yearning to become better and climb to the top of the world. Belonging to a Noble clan located in the Phoenix city, capital of the Eastern Province, she had grown in an environment that fostered competition. And from a young age she had worked hard to stand out amongst her siblings and others.

Her desire to do her best enabled her to reach the top five of the initiation test in her batch and successfully get into the Elements class. She did not particularly want to be the best amongst all. All she desired was to see a higher peak every time she reached the top of the path that appeared in front of her. She wished to keep improving and get absorbed in the world of magic around her.

The path of cultivation had been open to her since a young age. As she was from a Noble clan, she started practicing the techniques that they inherited from the age of ten. Her fascination with cultivation made her fall deeply in love with the process and led her to work hard to keep improving.

Thus it came of no surprise to herself when she all of a sudden decided to quit Academy and follow after Master Eden to pursue even greater heights. It was because she saw a peak that was farther than what she could have ever imagined in her life.

One fine day when Renna was out in the Marshes to complete a task that was handed out to students as part of an excursion activity, Master Eden had appeared out of thin air in front of her. She had been scared out of her mind and instinctively reached out for the smoke alarm by her waist to call for reinforcement. But the man in front of her immobilized her with a wave of his hand.

Only after realising that it was a human she had calmed down a little.

"I have been observing you for a month now kid and I believe you are suited to become my disciple. Accept me as your master and you will be able to walk on the path of cultivation further than anyone else you have ever known." The man was straightforward in his request and wasted no time in beating around the bush.

The words that came out of this guy who had appeared in front of her baffled her. But taking a second to analyse the opportunity behind the words, she immediately made a decision.

"Show me some proof to back your words. I don't want to accept any random person who pops in front of me." In her heart she had already accepted this person as her Master and would fall down to her knees if he turned around due to her rudeness. The manner in which the man had appeared in front of her had convinced her. But she just decided to act headstrong for a change in that moment.

And what happened was something she would not forget for her lifetime. Ten seconds later she bowed down to Master Eden and accepted him as her Master.

He assured her that he would take care of all the issues regarding the Academy on her behalf and she just had to inform her Family about her decision.

Later she learnt from her Master a lot about the outside world, outside of her Nation and the reasons due to which the Elementalists had come to their Nation. She had learned a lot following after her Master, about her own innate talents and special Techniques that suited her. Everything that she needed to move forward in cultivation was provided by her Master and at this point, he was like her family. A father that she admired and respected very much.

Knowing about her Masters straight forward attitude, she had been really shocked when he had been so roundabout in accepting Azyl as his disciple. It was totally different from how he had approached her. It was the first time she saw this side of her Master. But after listening to his reasoning, she realised he was like this all the time. It was just different people bought out his caring and meticulous side in different ways.

And that was how she met her Master.