It's been two years and five months since Kioxe had joined the School of Zen.

These days, he had been feeling a bit lonely as his big sis had gone to the annual fighting competition between all the schools in Xenodan.

It was pretty important for all teens at the age of sixteen through twenty one to showcase their talents. With the School of Zen always placing third within the competition, it was about time that they would take home the second or first place position back home.

Kioxe could only meditate in his room and wait for his big sis's big victory. With a sigh, Kioxe couldn't help but miss the time when he was meditating upon the lap of his big sis. Her warmth had really lit up the fire deep inside Kioxe to try much harder than any kid his age. So in just two years time, he had reached upon the second stage of septem. As for the third stage, he felt that it was very near.

Kioxe could still recall the moment when he jumped up in joy and had kissed his big sis on the cheeks due to the moment. Touching his lips, he couldn't help but hide his smirk beneath his hands.

As for his second septem, he had refrained from choosing a septem to the seniors' surprise. Kioxe had wanted to plan out and wait as he wanted to make sure that whatever he chose as his septem would be critical to his control prowess. The seniors hearing his answer were okay with it and decided to not take him out to the annual septem searching.

As the third stage was drawing near, that had signaled the end of Kioxe's stallings. He would have to fuse with his second septem or be unable to get to the third stage.

Luckily for him, the annual school wide septem search was today. He had consulted with senior Dorang and senior Beltur on which septem to find during their search and had come to a conclusion. He would fuse with the mantis shrimp or greater wax moth. These two creatures gave remarkable abilities in which humans could never attain unless they fused with it.

Kioxe had only known about these two creature after Senior Dorang suggested what would be the most hardest to fuse, but the most beneficial. Fusing with things that were so beneficial would only hurt a person's soul energy cultivation. But since Kioxe was so close to the third stage, even if he never made it to the fourth stage, he'd be an outstanding septem user with the use of these two septem.

Since Kioxe was going to go look for such specific creatures, he had decided to get help from his roommate. Kane would be able to tell the movements of creatures and if he were to locate something that had a similar shape as described by the books, he would immediately notify Kioxe.

With the guidance of half of the seniors at the school, a quarter of the students ranging about a hundred had decided to go on this year's annual septem search. The reason for so many students to go to this year's search was because it would be at the forest of Kalini right next to the ocean. With a trading port added in, you could get almost any creature or weapon. Truly, this year's septem search was really grand and Kioxe knew it was because of him. With the help of two of the seniors who were assigned to take this year's disciples out on the search, it wasn't hard to get it right where Kioxe needed it to be.

The forest of Kalini actually took a week for the school to reach. At first, everyone was bored to death as they sat for a week upon a wagon, but once the forest was in sight, it did not matter. With excited faces everywhere, it wasn't long before everyone jumped out of their wagons and ran like mad.

It was as if in such a large forest, someone would go and steal away their targeted septem. It truly was a sad thing. As for Kioxe, he didn't worry much as long as he had Kane.

"Where should we camp? It's almost sundown since we arrived so late." Kane asked.

"How about Kalini port first and see if we can rent a room? I've got the money so it'll be my treat. Now if we are able to find the two creatures I asked about, I'll give you the promised platinum coin." Kioxe suggested.

To get Kane to help him on his search, Kioxe had offered up a platinum coin. Since Kane would always dress plainly and seemed to always beg for food from others, it was pretty obvious that Kane came from a poor family. Though it's also because he is poor does he use his septem so well. There's arrogance from time to time when he jokes around, but it was due to Kane's hard work that he able to become so calm and collected.

"During the way, tell me if you pick up any moths. It may just be the greater wax moth I'm looking for." Kioxe reminded Kane.

“Don’t worry Kioxe, my echolocation abilities are better than you can imagine. I’ll tell you whenever I find a moth.”

It didn't work out very well though as Kane would say, “There's a moth over there Kioxe.” Every few seconds they walked through the forest. They had found some atlas moth, luna moth, comet moth, pea moth, and the mung moth but had yet to find the greater wax moth. There truly were a variety of moths as the two headed towards the trading port of Kalini.

The city was bustling with people from all over the continent. There were some that were even from the continent of Veron and Keshiktas. It truly was a successful trading port.

Going through the marketplace, Kioxe spotted all sorts of weapons. From glaives, to axes, to katanas, to spears, they pretty much had it all. Though there was one really cool weapon that Kioxe fancied. It was called a cestus. It was a glove with sharp blades knives sticking out it. Kioxe could totally imagine himself as he shredded everything in his way. Seeing that it wasn't much but only a few gold coins, Kioxe bought it. Kioxe's parents really were rich as they had saved up to over a hundred platinum coins.

Right when the two spotted an inn that seemed to accommodate their guests well, a man cried,"Selling adamantium! Selling adamantium! The highest bid win! The current bid is ten platinum coins for this adamantium buckler."

"Will you look at that....adamantium! That metal is the hardest metal in all of Xenodan. It's virtually indestructible! Only something like diamond or adamantium itself can hope to even scratch that buckler." Kane couldn't help but admire the adamantium buckler.

"Little do people know that I have a diamond sword other than the seniors and big sis." Kioxe laughed at the thought.

"Hmmm....though a shield made of adamantium. Although it's not much, every single ounce of adamantium is very valuable." It was then that Kioxe's eyes gleamed with longing.

By the time the two had arrived in front of the auction, the buckler had already reached an astonishing price of fifty platinum coins. Fifty platinum coins was the same thing as comparing it to Zabudi's annual taxes from 10 million people. It truly was set at an extravagant price.

Calmly waiting, Kioxe them cried out in a calm tone,"75 platinum coins!" The faces of everyone present became ugly. No one was able to compete and when they saw that it was just a seven year old kid who yelled it out, they felt relieved and complained that kids should not be allowed to make pranks.

It was when Kioxe went up on stage and hand over 75 platinum coins did everyone become petrified. The auctioneer became quite quiet as the kid whom yelled out 75 platinum coins really did have the money. In no time at all, the auctioneer handed over the adamantium buckler.

"Was a pleasure of doing business with you young man." The auctioneer cheered inside as he was able to get more than he bargained for.

Giving no time at all for the people to realize what was happening, Kioxe quickly left the scene with Kane and rented out a room at the inn they saw before.

"My god....how are you so rich..." Kane stared at Kioxe intensely as if he was a money making machine.

"My parents gave it to me." Kioxe gave a sly smile as he went to his bed and admired the cestus and buckler.

"You should *yawn* go to sleep Kane, we've got another long day ahead of us." Kioxe reminded the boy as Kane stood there with jealousy in his eyes.

"How can the world be so unfair...." Kane bitterly cried inside.

Author's Note:

Will he find his desired septems or will he go home empty handed? Stay tune on the next septem searching adventure woot!

And as always, hope you guys enjoyed! :D