Fates Parallel Chapter 34 - Presentation (Patreon)

She pads gracefully across a snowy field, leaving no tracks in her wake.  The scene is familiar, though the perspective is somehow different. The field is stained red with blood, but there is no traveller—no campfire. Instead, the plain has become a battlefield in which hundreds of creatures fight for supremacy.

The cat turns its head from the battle in contempt—the fools don’t even realize she’s already won. Not that it matters. None of them will ever be whole again, and neither will she—even if she consumes every last one of them. No matter, she’s perfect the way she is.

The cat stalks through the battlefield unseen, occasionally snagging a small prize just to keep up appearances. She stops at a frozen pond to regard her reflection, and Lee Jia’s face stares back at her. Naturally, it’s her face even if it isn’t her.

She might be perfect, but her human reflection leaves much to be desired. While the cat has accepted that the human’s form will never truly be hers, that doesn’t mean she’s willing to dwell in such an imperfect vessel. Without being able to leave it, the cat's only alternative is to improve the vessel.

With a small effort, the cat steps a bit more firmly, leaving the faintest imprints behind it in the bloody snow. Now, her reflection need only follow the footprints to become greater. Satisfied with it’s work, the cat curls up and takes a nap.

Lee Jia rubbed her eyes blearily as she woke from the strange dream, and most of it was already fading from her memory. She remembered the field of bloody snow, seeing her reflection in the ice, and a strange set of movements that reminded her of a martial arts technique.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to practice random techniques that she thought of in her dreams, but there was something oddly compelling about it. She resolved to meditate about it later as she crawled out of bed and stretched.

Eui was already up—probably she’d never gone to bed in the first place. Neither Jia nor Eui had to sleep much anymore—only a few hours each week—but Jia enjoyed taking the occasional extra nap. She wandered over to her wardrobe to get dressed.

Before donning her uniform, she regarded herself in the mirror. She had purchased one, not out of vanity, but on Eui’s insistence that she should at least know what she looked like. In truth, Jia still had a bad habit of neglecting her personal appearance, much to Eui’s chagrin.

Jia had changed significantly since joining the academy, and even now she barely recognized herself. Her original tan had disappeared entirely, and all of her scars and blemishes had given way to perfect, silky smooth skin. Thanks to proper nourishment and training, her frame had filled out quite a bit as well. She’d never have the amazonian physique of Takeda, but she was no longer the sorry bag of bones she had been when she arrived, either.

The part of her appearance that she paid the most attention to was her hair—mostly because Eui wouldn’t leave her alone otherwise. It had grown out a bit since the winter, but Jia had decided she liked the style that Eui had initially given her, and asked her to trim it back. Her hair had lost some of its natural frizziness at some point, and seemed more healthy than she could ever remember it being. Jia quickly ran a comb through it to tame some of the bedhead. She didn’t try too hard, though—Eui would give her hair a proper brushing later whether she wanted it or not.

Satisfied with her appearance, Jia finished dressing and went out into the living area of the tiny dorm she shared with Eui. She found her best friend and roommate sitting on a couch, fiddling with a knife and reading through one of the manual transcripts Jia had borrowed from Dae.

“Good morning, Eui.”

Eui didn’t look up as she acknowledged Jia’s greeting.

“Morning, lazybones. Did you sleep well?”

“Had a weird dream, but I can’t remember it.”

Eui raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jia.

“Then how do you know it was weird?”

Jia shrugged, unable to come up with an answer. She took a seat on the couch opposite Eui and felt a sensation of completeness as her domain merged seamlessly and automatically with Eui’s. It had been unsettling the first few times that had happened, but both girls had gotten used to it by now.

Eui eyed her as she produced a steaming meat skewer from her ring for breakfast.

“You’re going to get fat.”

Eui’s voice in her mind had also become an everyday experience. They had discovered that their psychic link worked as long as they were close enough for their domains to combine. Jia didn’t stop chewing as she responded.

“I don’t think cultivators can get fat. I haven’t seen a single fat person here.”

“Well at the rate you’re going, you’re definitely putting that theory to the test.”

Jia swallowed her food and stuck her tongue out at Eui.

“Maybe I just want to enjoy the ability to have food whenever I want for once in my life.”

Eui shook her head with a sigh, knowing she’d never win that argument. Instead, she shifted the topic to more practical matters.

“When’s our next sparring session with Rika? I think I’ve made a breakthrough on the next form of Six Arms, and I want to try it out on someone who’s not completely impossible to hit.”

They had discovered that sparring with each other was useless now—their link allowed them to instantly predict every move that the other made. Jia looked askance at Eui.

“Isn’t that technique super deadly? I don’t know if you should be using it in spars.”

Eui just shrugged.

“It should be fine if it’s Rika. I’ve gotten a lot better at controlling the intensity of my attacks.”

“If you say so. We’ll probably get together for sparring after Ienaga’s training tomorrow. For today, we’ve got more of Hwang’s experiments and then they’re supposed to be introducing the new instructors.”

Eui grimaced at the thought of Hwang’s endless prodding and testing. He’d become a lot more enthusiastic about studying their cultivation ever since their breakthrough to the second stage, and had gone into a complete frenzy when he heard that Dae’s master, Do Hye, was going to be arriving at the academy soon.

As annoying as being treated as a test subject was, Jia didn’t actually begrudge the old Magus his studies. He had actually been very helpful in guiding their cultivation, which had stalled significantly ever since their breakthrough.

Since winter, both Jia and Eui had made significant strides in learning and mastering their techniques, but had made almost no progress in cultivation. Their domains allowed them to absorb spiritual energy absurdly fast, but the majority of the energy taken in that way seemed to just vanish, and they didn’t understand why. On the other hand, traditional meditation seemed to be painfully slow compared to before.

Hwang’s studies had helped them to understand some of the differences between their new form of cultivation and the traditional disciplines. First, they could no longer train in one discipline at a time—their cultivation bases had been unified into a singular whole. Second, the measurable improvements—such as their rate of healing or their memory—had improved beyond what would be expected for their level of cultivation. Hwang called it a half-stage improvement, and surmised that it likely impacted the less measurable improvements as well.

His final observation had been that the most significant difference was the evolution of their aura into a domain. A domain was not a foreign concept—most cultivators in the xiantian stages would develop one eventually. Hwang had demonstrated this by using his to completely suppress Jia and Eui’s. The unusual thing about it was that they had developed one so early.

Normally, the second stage of mental cultivation was mana comprehension. By meditating on the nature of their auras, they would learn to control its size and even temporarily alter it’s elemental makeup. Their domain was completely different and much more complex than a regular aura, and beyond the fact that they intuitively knew that everything within it was ‘theirs’ on some fundamental level, they didn’t really understand it at all.

Magus Hwang theorized that the key to their new cultivation lied in learning to understand and control their domains. They would need to meditate not only on what the domain was and what it did, but also on their own natures. If everything in their domain was theirs, what was it that defined ‘them’?

It was a complicated and esoteric concept, and Jia had a very hard time wrapping her head around the problem itself, let alone finding a solution. So for now, they let Hwang continue prodding at them while they worked on perfecting their techniques.

---

“You’re certain you won’t allow me a chance to analyze your linked state?”

Lee Jia shook her head at Hwang’s persistence. They had just finished another session of testing, and this wasn’t the first time he’d asked—it wouldn’t be the last, either. She was beginning to regret their decision to confide that particular secret to him.

“Sorry, Magus. We promised each other that we’d focus on cultivation while linked like that.”

Privacy was hard enough to come by when their thoughts and emotions were so open to each other, so they took what little they could get. Besides that, it was still a little unsettling to completely merge their consciousnesses like that.

“A shame. I’ve studied a few cases of dual—er, joint cultivation before, but none quite like what you describe. It’s rather fascinating, and it might hold the key to advancing your cultivation.”

Lee Jia hesitated for a moment, but Eui stepped in—she was much better at denying figures of authority.

“We appreciate the help, Magus, but I think that’s something we have to figure out for ourselves.”

Hwang Sung heaved a disappointed sigh.

“Very well. It’s probably too late anyway. If I started research on the subject now, no doubt that snake would swoop in at the last moment with some brilliant insight and take all the credit.”

Lee Jia chuckled a bit at Magus Hwang’s griping. He had not made his rivalry with Dae’s master secret, and he was not pleased to hear that Do Hye was going to be joining the academy as a new instructor.

“Speaking of which, I should prepare for the assembly. You’re dismissed, girls, I shall see you at the central courtyard.”

Jia and Eui bowed before leaving Magus Hwang’s cluttered lab and heading towards the center of the campus. The assembly was an event that would double as an introduction of the new instructors, and an initiation for the new students that had arrived with them. Apparently, among them was Dae’s master, Do Hye, who she had heard so much about.

“I wonder what he’s like? Dae’s master.”

Eui glanced sidelong at Jia and shrugged. Jia ignored the brief pang of jealousy she felt from Eui—she knew her best friend could be a bit possessive.

“No idea. Magus Hwang makes him sound like a literal talking snake, and Hyeong makes him sound like a walking apocalypse.”

Jia giggled at that. Hyeong had ‘warned’ them about his master in a panic a week ago, talking about how he tended to bring chaos with him and treated people like pieces in a big game.

“Haha, yeah after all that it feels like the real thing can only be disappointing. How much trouble can one person cause?”

“Ugh, Jia, don’t tempt fate like that.”

Jia chuckled as Eui slapped her on the shoulder. Soon, they arrived at the central courtyard, where a significant crowd had already gathered early for the assembly. After briefly scanning the crowd, Jia saw Eunae and Rika standing together and moved towards them. Rika waved as they approached.

“Hey guys! Yoshika’s here, Eun-eun.”

“I can see that, Rika. You know I’m not blind, please stop acting like it.”

Lee Jia shook her head at Rika’s mischievous grin. The nickname ‘Yoshika’ was something she called Jia and Eui—apparently an alternate reading of their names put together in Yamato—and for some reason Eui was deeply embarrassed by the nickname.

Pretending Eunae was blind was the latest and most effective in a long series of attempts by Rika to annoy her normally unflappable roommate. It didn’t help that Eunae’s tendency to either keep her eyes closed or avoid eye contact made the lie more convincing.

“Hi guys! Rika, are you ever going to tell me why Eui turns into a tomato whenever you call us that?”

Rika smirked as she eyed Eui’s blushing face and shook her head.

“Mm, nope! You’re gonna have to work that one out for yourself. Are you excited to meet the new instructors?”

“I guess. I’ve heard a lot about Dae’s master, so I’m curious about him. Whoever’s coming from Qin has to be better than Elder Qin Zhao—you know he’s refused to train Eui and me since our breakthrough? He said we’d failed as cultivators.”

Eui scowled and crossed her arms angrily.

“Actually, he called us worthless degenerates who had failed as cultivators and insulted the ancient traditions.”

“...yeah, that.”

Qin Zhao had seen through the unique transformation of their cultivation bases, and had easily surmised how they had both changed in the same way at the same time. He had not been pleased, and the news of Yan Zhihao’s death had only added fuel to the fire of his fury. He had all but disowned them as disciples and refused to ‘waste his time’ teaching them any further.

Eunae shook her head in bemusement and propped her chin up in a palm thoughtfully.

“I don’t understand why Elder Qin is one of the deans here. Ostensibly, the entire purpose of the academy is to develop interdisciplinary cultivators, but he seems to be entirely against the idea.”

Rika scratched her cheek with a reluctant expression on her face.

“I don’t really know how to say this, but I think he might just have a problem with half-spirits. After I awakened I was allowed into his regular lessons without any problems.”

Eunae nodded with a sigh.

“Meanwhile, he’s not said so much as a word to either Hyeong or myself, despite our own breakthroughs. It’s a wonder he ever trained you at all, Jia.”

Jia frowned as she tried to understand the inscrutable motives of her former spiritual arts teacher. She didn’t get far before Qin Zhao’s voice rang out through the courtyard, silencing the crowd.

“Greetings, disciples. This assembly has been called to introduce a new group of instructors who will be teaching supplemental lessons on various arts which are complementary to cultivation.”

There were five figures on the raised platform. Lee Jia recognized the three instructors she already knew—Elder Qin Zhao, Master Ienaga Yumi, and Magus Hwang Sung. Next to Ienaga stood a stocky, grizzled looking old man with leathery tanned skin and ruddy cheeks. He seemed decidedly underdressed compared to the other instructors, wearing only a loose shirt and pants that demonstrated his muscled physique.

Next to Elder Qin stood a man best described as—round. Eui shot Jia a knowing glance as they found a clear answer to the question of whether cultivators could be fat. The pudgy man seemed to strain the limits of his robe, and his friendly smile was a stark contrast to Elder Qin’s permanent scowl.

Hwang stood alone, looking rather annoyed as Ienaga stepped forward to introduce the first of the new instructors.

“Master Murayoshi is a respected blacksmith and one of my own mentors. He will be teaching lessons on artifact production and enchantment.”

Murayoshi bowed in response to the introduction, seemingly satisfied with the curt presentation. Jia was beginning to suspect where Ienaga had gotten it from. Elder Qin Zhao stepped forward to begin his own introduction, but was interrupted by the rotund man speaking up for himself.

“I am Elder Yan Hao, of the Great Awakening Dragon Sect! My specialty is herbalism and alchemy, and I will be imparting my wisdom onto those of you who are worthy and interested. I look forward to seeing the sort of talents fostered by Lord Elder Qin Zhao’s excellent care.”

Lee Jia’s blood went cold as the man introduced himself. Yan!? If he hadn’t named his sect she might have thought it was a coincidence but this person was definitely related to Yan Zhihao in some way. She rubbed the invisible ring on her finger self-consciously—Elder Qin wouldn’t tell Elder Yan about it, would he?

Before she had a chance to worry any further Magus Hwang stepped forward and began to speak.

“The final instructor was supposed—”

His words were cut off by a deafening roar that shook the very earth. Above, the source of the sound revealed itself to be some kind of dragon, it’s serpentine form circling above the courtyard. Suddenly, the creature dove headfirst into the stage in front of Magus Hwang and exploded into a brilliant flash of white light.

When the light cleared, a man stood where the dragon had landed, his arms outstretched. He wore similar blue mage robes to that of Magus Hwang, but with an ostentatious gold accent that managed to make Qin Zhao’s robe look humble. His head was bald, and dark green scales could be seen along his neck and head. His reptilian eyes flashed as he addressed the crowd with a wide grin.

“Rejoice, students! I am Grand Magus Do Hye, one of the architects of this academy. The formation which protects and empowers this place was created by me, personally—one of my finest pieces of work, if I may say so. It is my great pleasure to announce that I will be personally teaching an advanced class on formations, enchantment, and alchemy here at the academy!”

Magus Hwang’s grimace was shared by nearly everyone on the stage as Do Hye went on, unperturbed.

“It is a rare opportunity to receive direct tutelage from one as powerful as me. I stepped down from a position of great status for the sole purpose of attending this academy as it’s top instructor. I recommend that each of you take advantage of the chance before I am inevitably called away for some greater purpose. Should you be interested you can sign up for my classes by registering with either my apprentice—”

Belatedly, Lee Jia realized that two other figures had appeared on stage with the Grand Magus as he gestured towards a miserable-looking Dae.

“—or with my new secretary, one of the new students who will be inducted today.”

Lee Jia froze as her eyes fell on the man standing on the other side of Grand Magus Do Hye. There, looking almost as annoyed as he had the last time she’d seen him was Tae In-Su. The man who’s place in the academy she had stolen months ago.