Divine Beast Ascension

“Hmm... I’m not entirely sure on that one. Hurman would know better than me since he actually attended the school and was a rising star that the higher-ups watched closely,” admitted Keldon.

Sighing again, Oli asked, “So there’s a chance? Then again... I guess that’s why Hurman was more open to trading earlier...”

“What? You traded techniques with Hurman?” Keldon immediately pounced on the topic. “I’m willing to trade techniques too, including the perennial technique I finally purchased.”

“Perennial grade? But you’re not even an elder, are you?”

Keldon shook his head. “Not yet, but very soon. I’ve been busy adjusting my essence nature to the new technique so ascension is taking longer than I would like. But the technique is genuinely perennial-grade, better than anything Hurman would offer.”

Suddenly, Oli broke out in laughter, getting a strange look from Keldon. “It’s not that I can’t trade for it, or Vloz either, but I would need to see the technique before I’m interested in trading for it. We can’t have me overpaying with a technique that’s clearly better.”

.....

“What if I include battle arts? I have a perennial grade art you may like...” Keldon teased.

“Is it dark or earth-based?”

“No... But I’m sure you’d like to have it for future trades and the like. As an elder bloodline beast, you should have telepathy, right? Then you’ll be able to memorize it and share the technique via telepathy like veteran elders and perennials. You won’t need to lose the original manuscript like other adepts and inexperienced elders,” reasoned Keldon. “Doesn’t that mean techniques and arts unaffiliated with you are still valuable?”

Impossible to argue with a proven fact Oli chuckled, “I’m open to trading, but you’ll need to match my technique’s value with added arts or an additional technique.”

“Don’t assume my own cultivation technique is so terrible! Take a peek first, but only a peek...”

A scroll appeared in Keldon’s hands, as did a sly grin on his face. Unfurling the scroll ever so carefully, Keldon teased Oli’s eyes with the title of the technique and the first few lines of the description.

Living Ember

With flames nigh unquenchable, increase your vitality and stamina as...

Keldon quickly rolled the scroll back up before Oli could finish reading the first excerpt, clearly testing Oli’s patience as a deal-maker. “Worth trading for, right?”

“Perhaps... I’d still prefer to inspect it properly before making a deal,” answered Oli. “So your affinity is fire... I’ll keep that in mind.”

“If Oli won’t trade for it, I will,” Vloz spoke up, exiting Oli’s shadow while they’re inside his private courtyard. He speedily drew a small formation in the ground and used his essence to activate the small silencing formation. “That should be acceptable, right?”

“Of course! I’m fine if you’re both wanting to trade for it.”

“If Vloz is that interested, then I’ll let him have it,” Oli replied. “It may be alright, but I’m not feeling it. I’d rather hold onto my techniques. Be right back...”

While Oli left toward the kitchen area in search of a small hand pump for water, Keldon steeled his nerves in preparation for negotiating with the strongest person he had ever met face-to-face. “So, Vloz, what will you be offering?”

“I’m willing to offer you a fire-based, perennial-grade battle art.”

Keldon didn’t show it on his face, but his heart skipped a beat. “I thought you used dark essence?”

“I’ll have you know that I’m the one who rounded up all the techniques and arts inside the Iron Academy, including the entire third floor of our library, which is dedicated to perennial-grade techniques and arts,” Vloz stated, catching Keldon off guard. “I can offer such techniques and arts for nearly all common essence types. So, would you prefer fire-based or a different essence type?”

“I think fire-based would be fine, though I’ll only accept a battle art if it perfectly compliments my technique.”

Vloz asked, “How about I throw in an elder-grade battle art? Two for one and you’ll be able to wield them while I’ll only be accepting your technique to enhance our library upon my return.”

“... Let me inspect the techniques to verify how they affect my nature.”

“I need to share them via telepathy, so I’ll share the elder-grade art completely. They both came from the same human bandit, a magic-user like you, so if one is applicable to your technique then both are,” replied Vloz, giving in without backing down.

“That’s fair. Show me the art.”

Oli returned with a glass of water, his third fill after downing the first two rounds in one go each. He came back to find a slight smile on Keldon’s controlled face.

“I’m willing to make the trade,” Keldon eventually responded, “but only since it’s you, Vloz. Consider it a gift of courtesy since I’ll eventually be in your care.”

“Thank you, Keldon.” Vloz bowed his head while passing the second art telepathically and accepting the scroll with his tail. However, that scroll was plopped into Oli’s lap. This left Keldon startled but Vloz chuckled, “As an honorary member of the Iron-body Gorilla Clan, I’d like to offer this technique to my clan’s young master.”

“But–”

“After he’s memorized it, then I’ll be taking it to Iron Academy. But there’s no need to rush back just yet, so why not?” Vloz reasoned with a cheeky smile.

Keldon sighed, somewhat defeated. “I suppose that’s fair...”

“Thanks, Uncle Vloz!” Oli laughed, reaching out to stroke the leopard’s soft fur. “I’ll have it back to you before the sun ends.”

“Not so soon, Oliver. You should focus on training and boosting yourself in two suns you have before the tournament,” Keldon spoke up. “Right, Vloz?”

“That’s true, but I believe Oli will have enough time for both,” chuckled the Leopard, enjoying the calming sensation of his fur being so carefully petted.