Life Giver

Back at the academy, Casmir had been asleep for nearly an hour in a recovery room nearby to the arena, not because he was particularly tired but because of the shock his body and mind had experienced at the end of the test.

In that final moment when Casmir realised he could do nothing to control his own life, Casmir felt a unique coldness and loneliness.

Similar to those who had experience a life or death experience before, Casmir's life flashed before his eyes uncontrollably. Yet when his thoughts drifted to those he loved, Elena, Rose, his family, Casmir felt a spark of warmth that ignited a Will to survive inside of him.

This Will to survive and the guidance of the Life Body Cycle allowed him to tap into his hidden strength and gave him that unique state of mind needed to perform 'Will Resonance'.

Unfortunately at the same time, this state drained Casmir's body of energy and the shattering pain from his arm being torn apart by this new strength completely exhausted Casmir mentally.

However thanks to instructor Brails treatment, Casmir's body had completely recovered. All Casmir needed was to rest and reenergize his body and mind, which was relatively easy for him thanks to the Life Body Cycle and the Minor Body Cleanse.

Other people might require a full nights sleep before they recovered fully.

"..mmh.." Casmir mumbled subconsciously as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable sleeping position.

Zaya was sitting nearby looking at a small table in front of her, on this table was the leather armour that she had been wearing. It was her tribes tradition to wear such armour in public battles but now that the test was over Zaya was relieved to be able to take it off.

She had complex feelings towards her tribe's traditions but those thoughts were disregarded as she heard Casmir grumble.

Zaya quickly got up then walked over to Casmir's bed, she had waited patiently for Casmir to wake up and upon hearing Casmir mumble to himself once again she lost all patience and prodded him awake.

"Hey.. Wake up Casmir.. are you alright?"

Casmir reluctantly opened his eyes at the sound of her voice and when the light reached into his eyes he suddenly remembered what had happened.

His upper body shot up as he questioned Zaya in a groggy and fatigued voice.

"Zaya!.. mmh.. What happened..? Where's that Boar..?"

Zaya smiled when she saw Casmir acting foolishly, she pulled a chair closer and sat down very casually.

She even rested her feet on Casmir's bed before she started to explain what happened to Casmir, naturally she didn't mention anything about the poisoning because neither she nor any of the students were made aware of that matter.

As Zaya explained everything, Casmir's eyes opened wider as his thoughts cleared and he recalled what happened in the last moment before he fell unconscious.

Casmir raised his arm that he used to throw the spear and quietly look at it as he tried to remember that feeling he had when he felt his life being threatened.

"'Will Resonance'?" Casmir questioned Zaya.

Zaya too looked at Casmir's arm curiously, just seeing it reminded her of the powerful strength that erupted from Casmir's body. She would be lying if she said that she didn't want to understand that strength, so in the end she stared at Casmir in slight envy.

"Do you know how you did it..?" Zaya asked in a low yet expectant voice

Casmir might not be aware of it, but insights into 'Will Resonance' were very valuable to cultivators and Zaya didn't want to miss this opportunity.

"Well.. I felt like I was going to die, I was cold.. and then warm. I just wanted to kill that Boar and survive.. my whole body felt tingly like when you cultivate for the first time... Then a wave of vibrations spread through my body... and I drew that wave into my arm when I threw my spear..." Casmir explained slowly as he etched those feelings into his memory.

He then thought for a moment before giving up explaining "After that all I remember is pain."

As he finished Casmir quickly got up and out of bed, his clothes hadn't been removed however they had been cleaned, curtesy of Instructor Brail. At his level using his Qi energy to remove any dirt from Casmir's clothes was a simple matter.

Zaya lifted her feet off of Casmir's bed when he got up, she watched as Casmir began thrusting his arm forward repeatedly, clearly trying to replicate his spear throw.

Casmir adopted a training stance and closed his eyes as he did so, Zaya didn't interrupt him but she watched him quite closely just in case she could learn anything from his movements.

Casmir repeatedly practiced 'throwing' a spear but he made no progress, then it struck him.

Perhaps it was something to do with the Life Body Cycle?

Casmir activated the Life Body Cycle, enhancing his senses, then he practised again.

The Qi energy flowed through his body and the Life Body Cycle helped him understand this process and control his body to a greater degree.

Again and again Casmir practised 'throwing' his spear, Zaya sitting nearby eventually lost interest. She didn't know whether Casmir would eventually be able to replicate the state of 'Will Resonance' but for now, it didn't look like Casmir would be able to.

Zaya even reminded herself of something Instructor Brail mentioned when he was bringing Casmir to the recovery room.

''Will Resonance' isn't something easily learnt, many cultivators have spent years training themselves until they grasped this state. Even higher level cultivator's need to spend time trying to understand it, 'Will Resonance' does not come through strength, but control and understanding over ones body and Qi energy.'

But just as Zaya reminded herself of this, something strange happened.

A small wave of Qi energy was suddenly released by Casmir's body that caused the hairs on Zaya's arms to shoot up.

Casmir froze still like a sculpture with his arm extended outwards in front of him, a joyful smile appeared on his face as if he had been enlightened to some secret.

Naturally Casmir had just succeeded in replicating the 'Will Resonance' state, he wasn't injured this time because Casmir had been controlling his strength. He wasn't in a life or death situation that forced him to use every ounce of strength he possessed, he was simply trying to slowly replicate that unique state.

Zaya looked at Casmir in shock, that small wave of energy that had passed over her shocked her because it was the same feeling she felt before during the test.

However Zaya wasn't the only person who noticed Casmir's success.

Standing just outside the door motionless, her arm stretched out towards the recovery room door having previously wanted to enter the room, was Master Bluefire.

Her usual cold yet elegant face seemed ever so bright at this moment, a pleased smile hung on her face as her eyes shined with anticipation.

Without a doubt Master Bluefire knew how hard it would be for Casmir to replicate the 'Will Resonance' state, she also knew just how beneficial it would be for Casmir's future.

Just as Zaya was going to furiously question Casmir about how he entered that state, Master Bluefire walked into the room.

She immediately walked over to Casmir with a wide smile on her face, she stood in front of him examining his every detail before she spoke.

"Very good Casmir! Try again, let me see how much you can display." She said expectantly.

Master Bluefire then stepped back a short distance before waving her hand creating a chair made of light behind her, she then sat down on it and gazed at Casmir like a cat watching a prized fish.

Casmir was obviously shocked by her sudden arrival, he wanted to question her for a moment but realised that was a poor idea. Instead he choose to try and ignore her presence and focus on the 'Will Resonance' state, he was still revelling in the feeling it gave him and he didn't want to stop until he completely understood how to enter this state.

Casmir closed his eyes again, activated the Life Body Cycle and began repeatedly 'throwing' a spear. Casmir couldn't enter the 'Will Resonance' state very often, after all it took him nearly 10 minutes of repeated practice before he succeeded in replicating it once.

Master Bluefire was very patient though, she happily watched Casmir as he practiced and she even create a second chair of light for Zaya to sit on. She was in a very good mood right now and even took this chance to talk to Zaya in an almost warm voice.

"Relax, I'm Master Bluefire... You did very well in your test earlier. I know that you're Josena's sister so I assume you are Dahr Kandar's daughter too?" Master Bluefire suddenly said.

Zaya was naturally confused when she saw this pretty woman in a blue dress enter the room but when she saw Casmir follow her instructions and then create a chair of light from nothing, Zaya knew this woman was only someone she could respect.

Zaya was naturally alert to this woman's actions, even when Master Bluefire invited her to sit with her she was reluctant and anxious at the woman's motives.

But the moment Master Bluefire identified herself, all Zaya's anxiety faded away. Zaya had been told by her father that Instructor Redfire's family was relatively close to her tribe so they could be trusted.

"Yes, he is my Father... Can I ask how you know Casmir...?" Zaya said politely as she straightened her back, changing her posture from one of vigilance to one of respect.

Master Bluefire clearly noticed the change in Zaya's attitude but she did not care about it, she lifted up a small wooden box she had been holding and handed it to Zaya.

"He is my student... This is a gift from me as congratulations for passing my brother tests and helping my student." Master Bluefire said quite naturally.

Zaya received the box and gave her thanks before opening it and looking at the object inside.

It was a dagger, notably plain to the point Zaya was confused about its quality, yet its deep obsidian colour gave the dagger a slightly mysterious feeling.

Master Bluefire saw Zaya's confusion but simply said.

"Take it to your father... Now if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to Casmir alone."

Zaya didn't need to be reminded to closely follow Master Bluefire's instructions, she quickly stood up and thanked Master Bluefire once more before she started to leave the room.

"One last thing Zaya..." Master Bluefire said just before Zaya left the room.

"You're a good training partner for Casmir and I would like that to continue.. but I would rather you didn't inform anyone of my students.. talents.." She said with an almost innocent smile as a subtle cold aura was released from her body.

Zaya felt a chill go down her spine as she looked at Master Bluefire, she gently nodded before leaving, swearing in her heart not to say a word about Casmir's talent with 'Will Resonance'.

Casmir who was practicing, stopped at this point, he gave his master an awkward smile as he spoke.

"You don't need to threaten her.. She's been a great help to me.."

Master Bluefire scoffed at Casmir's advice.

"Hmph, what do you know? I've already watched a recording of your tests, you barely passed them all. If you were half as good as that Zaya girl you never would have been injured." She said in annoyance.

Casmir rolled his eyes and subconsciously retorted quite casually, completely forgetting he wasn't in the company of the more amiable Zaya.

"Ah yes but then I wouldn't have gained any insights into 'Will Resonance'..." Casmir said with a smile like he was showing off, unfortunately this smile rapidly warped into an anxious expression as Casmir saw Master Bluefire's reaction.

Her previously happy smile had deferred itself, replaced by a cold and unforgiving expression.

"So you like feeling smart? Remind me again, how much of the reading I gave on refining have you done yet?" She said coldly with mild interest.

Casmir coughed lightly as he avoided eye contact before saying "None.." in a quiet voice.

"Oh? Well I suppose I should help teach you then, might as well start now." Master Bluefire said with an cold smile.

Casmir wanted to protest but Master Bluefire brought out a small watch shaped device that caused Casmir to reel back, this device was the shock device Master Bluefire had used to keep Casmir in line before.

After it was taken out, Casmir no longer spoke back to Master Bluefire.

Master Bluefire made Casmir continue practicing the 'Will Resonance' state until he managed to succeed in achieving it a few more times. She didn't want Casmir to forget his insights into this state so she told him he needs to practice it every day, making sure to activate this state at least once a day.

For now, Casmir could only achieve this state by relying on the memory of his life or death situation but as he practised more he would learn to activate this state on command.

After a short period of practice, Master Bluefire began instructing Casmir on some basic principals of refining.

She didn't intend on truly teaching Casmir everything about Refining at this time, she only wanted to remind Casmir that his combat cultivation that he had been training for the last two weeks was not the only aspect he must continuously train in.

In a few days time the academic term would start in full for new students, Casmir would begin to learn about cultivation from a more fundamental aspect.

Half of his time at Heldan academy would be spent in the Qi studies class, cultivating with Zaya and Balon, while the other half would be spent studying biology, learning about the fundamentals of life so that he could further his understanding of the Lifeless Plague.

Although Casmir hadn't been focusing on it recently, advancing his knowledge in order to find a cure for the Lifeless Plague was his true goal.

And to that end, outside of the academy Casmir would learn from Master Bluefire about Refining, a discipline geared towards understanding the fundamentals of Qi energy and applying them to objects.

The fundamentals of cultivation, the fundamentals of Qi energy and the fundamentals of life.

Three deep pools of knowledge, one of which was sufficient for an individual to spend their entire life trying to explore and yet Casmir needed to grasp them all if he wished to achieve his goal.