Chapter 119: Discussing Terms With Celaine
Mira went back to her normal routine with Maria except this time she had books to study. Mira figured that she'd spend the night reading and going through the books while during the day she'd train and cultivate.
Mira also began to think about the Trial after she heard that the tournament is over 2 years away. She didn't know if she should make a deal with someone or multiple people and send them to the Trial. Sure it would make them stronger, but is it worth it? The cultivation benefits weren't amazing, but what was truly beneficial were the first 10 stages and the rewards. The body tempering that the trial provides is truly amazing if you have the skills required to make the most out of it. It could also help improve their fighting style a bit as well. The only downside is that it'll take almost exactly 2 years depending on how fast you can complete the Labyrinth and the Poison Stages. Plus, Mira believes that the trial is better for those in the Qi Condensation Realm rather than the Foundation Realm.
The only person that Mira was considering sending there is Celaine since she is the most talented and is only Stage 5 Qi Condensation. She should be able to finish the Trial at the Peak of the Qi Condensation Realm and with the rewards from the Trial, be able to advance to the Foundation Realm. Mira believes that she'd be at least 5 times stronger going through the trial and advancing rather than staying here.
The only problem is that Mira isn't going to tell Celaine about this for free and also she won't get to spar with her for a full 2 years. After thinking about the pros and cons for a couple of minutes, Mira decided that she'd just ask Celaine.
After their last sparring session, Mira asked Celaine to come back with her to her home. Celaine was very nervous about what Mira wanted to talk about, but she hesitantly agreed since even though Mira liked to torture her, she was rarely wrong.
After Mira, Maria, and Celaine made it back to their home they sat down to have a discussion.
"I have a proposition for you, kid. What if I told you about the place that Maria and I used to get so strong, would you want to go?" Mira asked with her arms and legs crossed as she stared into Celaine's eyes. This pose only added to the pressure Celaine was currently facing.
"I... Umm... I-I don't know. I guess I'd be somewhat interested." Celaine said in a meek voice as she avoided eye contact.
"I can take you to such a place, but there are several problems. It will take almost exactly 2 years to complete and I won't be taking you there for free. This place will temper your body to the max and you should be able to advance to the Foundation Realm by the end of it as well. There are other benefits, but I don't want to ruin all of the fun. If you are trying to learn another profession, then you'll have to hold off another 2 years. Though it's not like you can't start learning after another 2 years." Mira explained to Celaine with a slight smirk. Though this just made Celaine shiver whenever she looked at Mira.
"I-I'm o-only talented with the Saber, so learning those other professions proves very difficult for me. I only want to get stronger for now. W-W-What are your terms?" Celaine asked as she trembled. She seemed to be interested in such a place.
"I want you to devote 20 years of your life to me after you leave the Sect." Mira said which shocked both Celaine and Maria. They were sure she'd ask for Spirit Stones or materials or something, but she actually asked for this! Why? What's her goal?
"I don't mind telling you why. You have great battle sense and your affinity with the Saber is top-notch. This kind of talent is very rare. The only problem is that you are too meek and weak-willed. I want to push you to your limits so I can spar with you. The better you are with the saber, the more I can improve with my scythe. Maybe I'll even be able to comprehend a Scythe Dao by using your talent as a catalyst. Those are my terms, there will be no negotiations. Decide." Mira explained, but this only further shocked both of them. Celaine didn't think that she was that talented and Maria didn't think that would be Mira's goal.
"C-C-Can I have some time to think about it?" Celaine didn't know what to choose. She didn't really want to hand over 20 years of her life to Mira, but at the same time, this might be her only chance to receive benefits like this.
"No! You don't have time to wait! I'll only give you 30 seconds until I remove the offer and you lose this chance for good! Choose!" Mira increased the pressure and forced Celaine to decide.
Celaine's brain started racing for the next 30 seconds as she thought about the pros and cons. Most of it had to do with how Mira would be treating her for the next 20 years. But no matter how she thought about it, Mira's strength is truly admirable and if she could reach that level of strength and higher by doing this and following Mira for the next 20 years then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
"Okay! I'll do it! I'll devote 20 years of my life to you for this opportunity!" Celaine closed her eyes and agreed to it.
"We'll leave in a couple of days. I suggest you stock up on Rank 2 and Rank 3 Rejuvenation and Blood Pills. Maybe some rations while you're at it. It will be a long and tortuous 2 years so prepare yourself. If you are still meek and weak-willed like you are now, you'll only end up dead or worse." Mira said with a faint smile while Celaine just nodded repeatedly, barely paying attention to what she said.
"Now go prepare." Mira said as she kicked her out. Maria then turned to Mira with a complicated expression.
"Is that the only reason you want her to follow you for 20 years? I feel like there's something else to it." Maria said with a hint of doubt.
"There are several more reasons that I didn't tell her. One, traveling alone or with only 2 people is very dangerous. A third person will significantly reduce the burden if we ever face a large group or a strong enemy. Two, you need to find a proper master to teach you how to properly use a sword during your stay here at the Sect. Having Celaine with us will further your skills as well. Three, she is incredibly talented and it'd be a waste to let such a talented person go. Four, she can also help train those women that I saved. Having Celaine with us will only bring me countless benefits at no cost. Sure, she will need Spirit Stones, pills, and various things but I don't intend to caudle her for 20 years. She'll have to get those things on her own." Mira explained to Maria with an expression that looked like she just won the lottery.
Maria just stared at Mira with a complicated expression. Didn't she just scam Celaine? How is this even okay? Maria could foresee Celaine's next 20 years being filled with harsh training, killing, and cultivating nonstop and couldn't help but release a sigh for her. Maria also felt that this 20-year deal wasn't as simple as Mira just said. If what Mira just explained to her is true, then there is no way she'd let a gem like her slip after only 20 years. That 20 years might turn into 100 or several hundred. Yup, Celaine's future looks bleak.
A few days later, after Mira finished sparring with the other disciples she found Celaine.
"Are you ready?" Mira asked and Celaine nodded her head.
"Good, let's go. If the Elders ask where you went, I'll tell them that I sent you somewhere to get stronger. With my speed, it shouldn't take us more than a day or two to get there. I'll also be taking Rhydian with me as well." Mira said to which Celaine just nodded slowly.
The two of them plus Rhydian then left the Sect as well as the city surrounding the Sect quickly. Celaine then jumped on Mira's back and she started sprinting in the direction of the Trial with Rhydian running next to her.
After a little under a day's journey, they finally made it to the Core Region of the Dark Moon Forest. Mira found the small cave entrance after a few hours and took Celaine into the 'ruins'.
Celaine found the whole place amazing and also creepy at the same time. Everything was in perfect condition, but there were no signs of life. But the place was truly extraordinary.
After walking for about 30 minutes looking for the Caretaker, they finally found him. He frightened Celaine quite a bit because she's never seen anything that looked like him, but Mira explained that this golem-looking guy takes care of the place and is also in charge of a trial here.
"I've brought another person to take part in the trial." Mira said to the Caretaker while he just nodded his head and took Celaine to her room. The Caretaker explained a bit about the trial and told her to get some rest before they start tomorrow. Celaine nodded her head and decided to settle down in her room.
Mira then found the Caretaker to ask him about Rhydian. After Rhydian showed him her wings, he was a little surprised but also didn't know what to think.
"I've never heard of or seen any winged-wolf before so this is a first. I don't know what type of species it is nor do I know anything about it." The Caretaker said briefly.
"I read somewhere that there was a winged wolf that came to these lands called the Golden Empyrean Winged-Wolf. Do you think she could be that?" Mira asked and the Caretaker paused to think.
"Golden Empyrean... Golden Empyrean... AH! Yes! I've heard of my masters mention such a species before, but even they said that it was only spoken of in legends. They weren't sure if it was true or not. This little wolf might be a member of that race, but I've never seen one so I wouldn't know. But Rhydian is gold and is a Winged-Wolf so I'd say it's pretty likely that she is part of that race of beasts. You're quite lucky." The Caretaker said while Mira nodded, but she was sneering in her mind.
'Lucky? If anything, I deserve something like this after all of my years of torture and shit luck.'
Mira left the Caretaker to go find Celaine and give her a word of advice.
"I'm about to leave, but I'll leave you with a word of advice. If you want to get the most out of the next 2 years, kill everything you see and don't hesitate. Don't be in a rush, but you only have a little over 2 years before the tournament. So if you want to participate in it as well as the Secret Realm then do as I just said. Kill everything and don't hesitate. I'll come back in 2 years to pick you up." Mira explained then left with Rhydian to go back to the Sect. Celaine was a little confused but just nodded her head.