Gamodren laughed to himself as they were waiting outside the forest.

“What did you do, Gamodren?” Ceres asked as they were waiting outside.

“Oh nothing. Everything is going according to my plan.” Gamodren kept laughing.

“What plan?” Tiffany asked.

“Don’t worry about it.” Ganodren laughed again, tucking away a wand.

Kyrion arrived a few minutes later, covered in dirt and mud; a highly irritated expression was on his face.

“Did you get the core?” Gamodren asked.

“Yes, but. This spirit forced herself onto me. I didn’t like it, so I ran.” Kyrion’s eyes were quite blank.

Tiffany seemed red-faced while Ceres was planning on finding a way into the forest.

“Kyrion phrasing… Please use better phrasing. What was the spirit that forced herself onto you?”

“Some Undine or whatever. That evil spirit. If you know a good place to dump it, let me know.” Kyrion crossed his arms.

Tiffany looked shocked. “Undine that Undine? Great Spirit of Water, Undine?”

“Yeah, she also kept trying to force this sword onto me after I may or may not have pulled it from a rock. I lost my dagger only to find it after the fact.”

“The great spirit Undine? Ceres asked, a bit puzzled.

“What’s a great spirit?” Kyrion asked.

Gamodren examined the sword as the question went over his head.

“Interesting. It’s got a soul of its own, I can transform it into a weapon spirit and embed it into your core if you want though that risks it no longer being a sword.”

“Doing so would make a better medium for your abilities when you use it to fight. Like how that knife seemed more effective when you had an edge. It could become your main offensive weapon. Adversely you could give it to Ceres, I wouldn’t give it to TIffany however. She already has a weapon spirit.”

“Please use it on yourself, master. I have no need for a weapon.” Ceres said.

“Was this your plan?” Kyrion asked his teacher.

“If it happened it was meant to be. I’m not mad that you captured a great spirit. Might as well use it.” Gamodren seemed a bit too proud of the result.

“What is a great spirit?” Kyrion asked again.

“It is an embodiment of nature itself. So, for example, Undine is the embodiment of water which should mean that your ability over water will become a lot stronger.”

“What can I use this on then?” Kyrion pulled out the lotus core.

“On the tree preferably, this will probably result in another creation ability.”

“Ah. If I use these now would it push me fully into the practitioner ranks?”

“Yes. Which is why I want you to have a fourth spirit first.”

“Can’t I just turn the dungeon into one of my spirits?” Kyrion said plainly.

“You could. It has the earth and order affinity. Order improves the abilities of those you align with and earth complements your other abilities so well.”

“Huh. I’m stronger with friends.” Kyrion grinned happily.

“What is it?” Gamodren asked.

“Give the sword core to Brion. I’m sure he’s tough enough to handle it.” Kyrion pounded his fist into his hand.

“You’re a nice kid. I can get it there and have the process done in a day. Since school has already started and all.”

“I’m already late.” Kyrion scratched his head.

“Don’t worry about it. I want you to make waves when you go in.” Gamodren raised his hands to the sky.

“Now I can literally make waves.” Kyrion raised the hand on his head to the sky.

“Should I be getting a second spirit?” Tiffany asked.

“I’ll see what I can get from the school. Your mana is average in quantity so more than two for you may be pushing it.”

“I see. How much mana does Kyrion have?” Tiffany seemed surprised.

“Too much.” Gamodren replied.

Ceres nodded along. “More than a dragon. That shouldn’t be possible for a human.”

“Not impossible, just rare. I’m sure Jala’s tale informed you on how dangerous that was for him.”

“So he’s had more than two commas?”

“I’m right here you know.” Kyrion said.

“Around four to five, I heard the first one was a year and a half long. After that, you were conscious for a full week before passing out for another six months.

“Huh. I don’t remember that.” Kyrion looked around.

“The Third took place after an incident when you were four, that one was four months long. I met you around that time. After that there was the incident involving snake venom. The final one was in the dungeon. Shortest one yet.” Kyrion raised an eyebrow.

“That’s three years of my life missing… Wait, how do you know so much about me?” Kyrion asked.

“I’m close friends with someone I doubt you could remember, but will meet very soon. Oh will she be angry.” Gamodren stared off into space.

“I don’t remember you. Can you do the core thing with the dungeon so I can get some practice in?” Kyrion scowled.

“Yes. Try to bring the spirit out of your space.” Gamodren ordered.

Kyrion looked into space and couldn’t find the core. He looked closer and still couldn’t find it. It was then he realized that he was looking wrong. Kyrion backed out and saw that the dungeon was enveloping most of the space in the world. He sent it out of its core and watched as the masked man appeared quite confused.

“I was working, you know. What do you want, oh great master?” It said in a monotone.

“I want you to become one of my spirits. Officially.” Kyrion stated.

It laughed maniacally before coughing into its hand. The creature brought its hand to the mask on its face. “I’ll take your offer after you see my true face.”

The spirit removed its mask, revealing a smooth slope, no mouth, no nose, its eyes glowing orbs. It replaced the mask on its face. “Nothing here.”

Kyrion looked surprised. “So you don’t have a face but you do have ears and eyes. How do you eat?”

“I kinda just absorb it. Do you still want me to be your spirit?” The creature said.

“I mean you aren’t going to win any beauty contest but that’s what Issac is for. Your name will be Karl” Kyrion touched it on the shoulder.

“I think I like Karl. It’s a name. May I ask why you came up with that name?”

“You look like a Karl.” Kyrion nodded to himself.

“I see. Then I’ll join your core.” The cube from before hit the ground.

Gamodren picked Karl up and placed it in Kyrion’s back.

Two new channels formed as earth and order mana entered his body, causing the others to compress in response. Eight affinities lined up evenly before expanding to fill his body. He felt his mana veins twisting and compressing into a more efficient form outside his core. Everything felt more efficient, including his brain.

Kyrion could recall information with a lot more ease. Many things didn’t make sense, but he didn’t have time for that now.

“I’m not nine am I….” Kyrion said.

“Oh? What makes you say that.” Gamodren raised an eyebrow.

“A hunch. Time isn’t adding up.” Kyrion furrowed his brows and scratched his chin.

“You may or may not be right. Though comma time shouldn’t count in my opinion.” Gamodren stated.

“Which sister were you talking about?” Kyrion squinted.

“Oh how your mind is growing. Be careful while I am away. I’ll return with some help. I shouldn’t be gone for more than two weeks. I’ll leave the opening of the hotspring to you.” Gamodren disappeared in a puff of smoke along with the sword.

“Your life is dangerous.” Ceres said, looking at the sky.

Gamodren then reappeared behind Ceres.” Oh right catch! A present and tool.” Gamodren tossed the boy a cloth sack.

Ceres turned and swung at the man who just yelled right next to her. Sadly her hand only seemed to touch air.

“What’s this?” Kyrion asked.

“A potential trump card, use your days of freedom to prepare for a potential attack.” Gamodren’s voice told him.

After a minute of silence, Kyrion responded to Cere’s Statement.

“Yes it is. If you want to leave I’m sure you could find somewhere to wait out the coming disaster.” Kyrion said plainly.

“We’re friends. All in this together.” Tiffany looked at the boy whose world was shattering.

“Yes of course. Friends...” Kyrion had a grin on his face and a glint in his right eye.

“Oh no.” Tiffany said.

“Did something happen?” Ceres asked, not knowing what that look meant.

“He’s plotting something.” Tiffany scowled.

That night after arriving at their newly built hotel. That had been catching some attention from the townsfolk as it had appeared out of nowhere. Kyrion looked at a potted plant that he had been taking care of but hadn’t been using.

Ceres, who had quietly followed behind, spoke up. “What are you doing?”

“Making a call.” Kyrion said, tapping one of the plant’s leaves.

A rustling sound echoed in the otherwise quiet room, followed by a click.

“How does this work?” Said a faint stoic voice.

“You put the green bell by your ear and the red one by your mouth!” Kyrion yelled, assuming that his friend had it backward.

“Ah there we go. Hey Kyrion!” Damian yelled into the bell.

“You don’t have to yell when you have it right… So, how is your training?” Kyrion asked.

“This academy isn’t what I thought it would be. Actors, singers, dancers, among other professions, but none of them are serious. They just sit around flirting and playing games with people. There are also very few guys here. I’ve counted six since I’ve been here, one being me and two were teachers. Among those six guy’s none of them know how to use a sword. I have been feening for combat. My teacher is probably the only other blade dancer at the school.”

“They could just be hidden, I’m sure if you mingle a bit and play their games, gathering the info you’re looking for will be possible.” Kyrion cheered for his shy friend.

“So why did you call. I doubt it was just to cheer me up.” Damian’s stoic response returned.

“How dare..!” Ceres stated before Kyrion cut her off with a look.

“Who was that?” Damian asked.

“No one.” Kyrion said quickly.

“Master!” Ceres was aghast.

“Fine. It’s Ceres you’ll probably meet her sooner or later. I am in need of assistance however, how quickly can you get to the town of Belfour?”

“Never heard of that place.” Damian asked.

“Oh right. My friend’s dad just bought it… It’s that town west of the Forest of Purity in the north East of the Tetsan empire.”

“If I leave tomorrow two day’s but I’ll need to get permission first. Tell your people a new hotspring just opened up, with water capable of curing impurities and bringing out your inner beauty.” Kyrion coached his friend.

“Is that true?” Damian asked.

“It’s what my master told me to tell people.” Kyrion shrugged. The only one seeing it was Ceres.

“If it’s true then I may be able to convince my master to schedule it sooner.” Damian nodded.

“I knew I could count on you.” Kyrion thanked his friend, and the call ended.

“When did Gamodren tell you that?” Ceres asked, confused.

“He didn’t say so many words.” Kyrion held up the lotus core and placed it into the tree slot in his core.

Kyrions skin got cleaner. Its light brown color now glistened a bit. His hair gained a shine to it. The cleanliness soon extended to his clothes, cleaning them from the inside out. A lotus bud lay in his hands, which grew as a sweet smell enveloped the room.

“Wow, how does that work?” Ceres said.

He passed it to Ceres and watched as the flower began cleaning her. “Like that.”

“Kyrion… How much are you charging for this?”

“These are pretty easy to make. If placed in the hotspring they are meant to act as cleaners and filters. I also know the location of each one of these so long as it has a little of my mana invested into it. So if it’s stolen then I can just cut it off.” Kyrion told her.

“How do you already know what It can do?”

“Because that’s what Gamodren told me was the minimum of what I could do with this flower if used with my tree spirit.” Kyrion took back the flower and made it disappear.

Ceres looked a little heartbroken by the leaving flower.

Kyrion moved on to the next call pulling this time. His expression seemed a bit worried.

“Hello Master Kyrion.” Said Charles.

“This one knows respect, master.” Ceres said.

“Isn’t this Asela’s line?” Kyrion asked.

“It is, but she’s a bit busy training right now.” Charles responded.

“You don’t have to get Asela involved, but I want you to know that someone is coming to Kidnap me within the week. Leon, the one from the caravan trip. I was planning on inviting all my friends and their teachers for assistance, should things come to blows. Under the pretense of trying out a hot spring that I built in the town of Belfour.”

“The one owned by Adrian Belfour?” Charles asked.

“Yes. How did you know?” Kyrion asked.

“I keep an eye on things. We’ll show up. But I don’t recommend having Asela fight with you this time. So I’ll take her place in that regard.”

“But you’re just a butler?” Kyrion seemed confused.

“A butler to the strongest pirate in the world.”

“So that association makes you the strongest butler.” Kyrion wasn’t buying it.

“I can also train your servant in various etiquette if you so wish. I will also invite your other friends that made it to Norn. We should be arriving in around four days.” Charles told him.

“Thank you Charles.” Kyrion smiled as the conversation ended.

“Wow. The strongest butler. I would love to learn under such a person.” Ceres seemed excited.

“I’m sure you would. Noah, Nico, Asella, Wura, and Kiara, all made it to Norn. It’s funny how things work out sometimes.” Kyrion sighed.

“Why are you surprised?”

“Not surprised, just said that it was funny.” Kyrion rubbed his eyes and waited a minute for his phone to ring.

“Kyrion!” Said a hurt feminine voice.

“What is it?” Kyrion said with a straight face.

“How dare you not invite me to your hot spring party. I thought we had something between the two of us.” The voice seemed distraught.

Kyrion raised his hand to cut off Ceres before she started. “I assume you must be one of Everest’s teachers?”

“My my, you’re quicker than I thought.” The woman said, not answering the question.

“I see, I was honestly expecting him to be the one who called with this line. Assuming you heard the basics from Damian.” Kyrion said.

“Yes, but things don’t add up.” The woman said.

“Someone is attempting to capture and kill me while my master is away. My goal is to set them up and do whatever I can to gain aid. However, I cannot beat an expert ranked spirit master on my own.” Kyrion said honestly.

“So why would I let you endanger my student or me in a stunt like this?” She asked.

“Because the Town of Belfour, will be growing. With the addition of this hot spring along with the sponsor’s finances. I’m sure your group would love to start in such a town, we will also need a large amount of towels and robes for our guests. If I die, the hotspring doesn’t open, and a potential business partner is lost. I’m sure that we could make lots of money together if you’re willing to partner up.” Kyrion told the women.

“Everest said you were a little sly. But it seems you took well to your master’s teachings. Very well, we will arrive tomorrow afternoon.” She said,

“That fast. Well I’ll be expecting you.” Kyrion said happily.

“Most aren’t happy to be expecting us but oh well.” The women spoke. The call ended.

“What was she?” Ceres asked.

“A tailor, don’t think too much about it. Follow me.” Kyrion moved on to the next part of his plan.

Ceres did follow.

That night Kyrion planted the seeds given to him by his master. He was feeding them with both water and life mana. But, much to his dismay, the plants were the hardest he ever needed to grow, requiring more mana than even the trees he created in the dungeon.

“So…you knew this would happen.” Kyrion rubbed his chin as he filled the seeds with more mana than he had, pulling from the world around him. After around a minute of it, he saw that the plants were starting to grow. He commanded them to stop and pulled up a block of earth, adding it to his space before repeating it a couple more times.

Ceres carried an exhausted Kyrion back to his room and placed him on his bed before returning to her room.