Cyril Sarnath
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Chapter 190
🕑 Added 2023-10-20 18:49:21 +0000 UTC“Torvac.”
Keynes exhaled not being aware he was holding his breath. The same scenario happened to almost everyone but the green-haired woman and Torvac who stared at the space between his feet. It appeared that he had expected it.
Keynes saw the sharp look that Torvac’s partner gave Torvac. Clearly, they had decided to split and enter the competition individually.
“Torvac here,” the Grand Druid intoned. “Decided too late to absorb the Trait of Nature and failed at making a connection with the dream tree. I don’t need to explain to you how important that part of the challenge was. Despite all his effort, Torvac’s result is 0 units per hour.”
That got some surprised reactions but also wicked smiles from several competitors. Keynes and Kora exchanged glances, wondering if the nature of their competition might change over the course of the event. They were forbidden from harming others or destroying any property inside the Inner Sanctuary but would they be permitted to disrupt work of other competitors? It was the question their guardian might be able to answer later on, which Keynes was definitely going to ask.
“However, not all is lost,” the Grand Druid continued. “The mana garden was but the first challenge among several more to come. It was the easiest one but as time progresses you’ll gain a more profound understanding of nature and stronger connection with the dream tree. Don’t underestimate the power of trees.”
The last sentence sounded ominously like a warning. It was also a little concerning that the mana garden was the easiest one. He wasn’t exactly worried about the technical aspect of the challenge but the esoteric part. The existence of the wild spirits opened Keynes’s eyes. Nature didn’t exist in a vacuum. There was another hidden spiritual world and for some reason dealing with nature also included the hidden spiritual world. Keynes couldn’t wait to test it inside a rift. For all he knew, the rifts might not have it.
“Now the 8th placement,” the Grand Druid interrupted Keynes’s inner thoughts. This time he consciously inhaled, knowing well that Torvac’s result wasn’t a benchmark. “Syman.”
Syman turned out to be the man in the mask and black suit with hidden armour underneath. He also retained the strange effect that made Keynes’s attention slide off him and to Keynes’s surprise Syman took the news of his placement with no outward reaction. He just accepted the news like it was nothing. Keynes tried to judge the attitude of other contenders but they seemed ‘uninterested’, which only confirmed Keynes’s and Kora’s suspicions that Syman’s Talent was the culprit here.
“Symon also absorbed the Trait of Nature later than others which set him back quite a bit and he only established the proper connection with the dream tree on the last day of the challenge. It earned him 32 points with no reward from the Father for gaining insight.”
Hmm, 32 units sounds in line with Kora’s result, which means her result may not be above average. I guess there’s no option but to wait for others.
“With Torvac and Symon out of the way, let's focus on those of you who absorbed your traits in a timely fashion which allowed you to gain some insight. That said, from now on, your mana points are going to be augmented by the Father’s reward for insight each of you achieved.”
Okay, so the true competition started here. This time the entire amphitheatre seemed to freeze, waiting for the Grand Druid’s verdict.
“Position 7 was taken by Esme.”
Esme was Torvac’s partner and she didn’t take the news very well. She shot to her feet but the Grand Druid’s response was immediate. His spiritual energy tripled, weighing dangerously over the amphitheatre like an executioner blade.
“These results are the Father’s and they are final. Instead of complaining, be better at the next challenge,” the Grand Druid said and Esme eventually sat down but her eyes stared daggers at him. “Esme achieved 211 points of mana per hour and an additional bonus of 50 points from the Father, amounting to 261 points.”
Kora put a hand on Keynes’s shoulder. Esme’s result was not far away from their combined result, although without points for the insight, which they couldn’t predict in any way.
“To those of you guessing at how the bonus is calculated, you should consider 50 points as the point when you gain verbal connection with the dream tree.”
“How’s something so easy considered an insight?” the green-haired woman asked with a snort.
“It’s not the verbal communication that is the insight but the process of getting there,” the Grand Druid explained. “Albeit the eight of you didn’t need the same amount of effort, the insight you gained was of similar magnitude.”
Keynes tried to decipher the meaning behind these words but decided to ask Alice for help. She wasn’t happy to be dragged away from ‘fun stuff’ but Keynes gave her a direct order, something she couldn’t refuse.
According to her, an insight could be measured but doing so was pointless as each insight was bespoke and intimate. Then there was the issue of how the insight was utilised and seemingly not everyone was efficient at using gained insight, leading to a wasted potential. Specifics were out of Alice’s expertise. In general, the insight was countifable but the number obtained this way meant next to nothing. Hence it was even more confusing what kind of nominal value had 50 points. In reality, the only way to somewhat understand the insight scoring was when Keynes’s and Kora’s turn came.
“At the sixth place we have Theodore.”
The man with the bonded snake.
Theodore nodded, stroking the head of his snake. They appeared content with the placement.
“Theodore achieved 233 mana per hour and 55 points for a gained insight, which can be translated to developing a slightly better verbal connection with the dream tree.”
288 points. Shit. It didn’t look good.
“We’ll be fine,” Kora whispered but Keynes disagreed.
“Now, the top 5.” The Grand Druid’s eyes took in the entirety of the amphitheatre as he slowly pivoted in place. “Evren, 344 mana points per hour.”
Evren looked up and then glanced around as if expecting an attack from all sides. His skittish behaviour was a clue as to what might his Talent be.
“Evern’s insight went beyond verbal communication and put him closer to nature in a very specific way. While I won’t speak of the details of your insight, you should be proud of yourself. This kind of insight would help you in the future. 120 points from the Father.”
That was freaking 466 points. Keynes and Kora had 327 points between themselves. Only from mana but even so, their insight would have been more than 139 points.
Kora reached and grabbed Keynes’s hand. She knew.
“Next on the list.” the Grand Druid turned to them, exactly as they predicted. “Keynes and Kora with an average of 327 mana points per hour.”
So 4th place it is. It wasn’t what Keynes expected, especially with the Trait of Shamanism. He had been sure he ‘understood’ nature and saw beyond the veil of the physical world, so learning that he wasn’t anything special stung a little bit.
“Keynes and Kora decided to follow the hard way, which is a joint competition. That means no exchanging insight, helping each other or sharing resources. It places the two contenders in a difficult spot especially if one of them lags behind.” The Grand Druid’s eyes seemed to bore into Keynes’s and Kora’s skulls. There was magnetism in his glare akin to intimidation but without cruelty and malice. He continued without taking his eyes off them. “Their average insight has earned them 300 points and I can only call it extraordinary.”
For a moment Keynes felt a hint of respect from the Grand Druid. As abruptly as it appeared it vanished and the ‘moment’ was gone. As Keynes shook the stupor off, the Grand Druid had already moved on to the top 3.
“Sophia.”
“You must be fucking kidding me,” the green-haired snapped.
Keynes heard her voice as if only through the haze, his thoughts were elsewhere, searching for god knew what.
That moment, when the druid was staring at me. I feel like he was trying to tell me something, Keynes said in his head.
Maybe, Alice groaned. What does it matter? You’ll just have to do better next time. Not a big deal.
Alice, focus, Keynes snapped.
Fine! No he wasn’t. You’re reading too much into his stupid demeanour, she replied clearly annoyed. Keynes was not convinced. He’d have to ask the guardian about it later on.
Keynes nudged Kora. “What’s her result?”
“370 mana per hour and 260 from the insight.”
He frowned.
“That’s only 3 points better than us.”Keynes groaned internally. That was unfairly close. A tiny part of him wanted protest but then he saw the green-haired woman—Sophia—and the urge went away. She was still fuming about the results but the Grand Druid moved already on.
“Top 2. Edward.” This was the man who seemed to know Keynes upon their first meeting here. As if reading Keynes’s, Edward looked at him knowingly, bleeding a soft smile. “He achieved an outstanding 902 mana per hour and 200 points for the gained insight.”
Holy fuck. These weren’t numbers Keynes and Kora could compete with. Even Sophia looked shocked and her mouth seemed to silently ask ‘how’. Edward took the news smugly and without surprise, which Keynes suspected was a facade.
“Yes, this is a stunning achievement,” The Grand Druid continued. “Showing us how far we can push, how potent nature is. And yet…”
The Grand Druid’s eyes fell on the man who remained, the hermit, Keynes dubbed him in his mind. When Keynes and Kora had come to the amphitheatre, he’d already been here. So it was the same to assume that this man was far more formidable than either Sophia who like him was here before Keynes and Kora but didn’t show an overwhelming advantage over the rest or Edward who with an extremely high result was slower than Keynes and Kora.
“Top 1 belongs to Zephyr. He managed to push the mana per second beyond the limit to 1500 points and gained an additional 300 from the insight.”
The Grand Druid’s words spurred silence. Zephyr’s result was far better than Keynes expected, far better than Keynes thought possible.
Watch him very closely, Keynes commanded Alice. If Keynes wanted to win this competition, he had to be sure he could beat this man, but to do so, he needed to understand how he managed to get almost 5 times more mana per hour than Keynes.
To his disappointment, the Grand Druid didn’t elaborate on Zephyr’s achievement. In fact, the Grand Druid looked annoyed with the top 1. He turned his back on the man and spoke.
“Contenders, once again, congratulations, the next challenge will be announced in three days.” He raised his hands sensing unrest among the gathered ascenders. “Until then, you’ll be granted access to the marketplace where you can trade goods from your gardens and information. Good luck.”
Offering no further explanation the Grand Druid turned into a mass of tentacle-like roots and vanished in the ground.
“Let's head back to the house. We have to prepare for the marketplace,” their guardian said from behind.
“Will you help us this time?” Kora asked. “And can I work together with Keynes on this?”
“Yes on both accounts. I was given provisions based on your placement and will be able to lend you my hand within reason, but do not fear, it will be very useful.”
They agreed, leaving the amphitheatre alongside others.
“We’re being followed,” Keynes said, sensing another ascender approaching from behind. Judging by the exquisite control, Keynes knew quite well who it was.
“Keynes and Kora,” Sophia said aloud.
Keynes, Kora and their guardian stopped, then turned to the woman. She was with her guardian, her hands on her hips, expression arrogant and annoyed. Some ascenders stared at them from other pathways further away.
“Sophia,” Keynes said, matching her tone. “How can we help you?”
She snorted but rained her expression instantly.
“We can help each other.”
“Why?” Keynes asked.
“What why?” she asked. “Why should we help each other? Why you? Be more specific, boy.”
Keynes sighed. He didn’t like her tone, didn’t like her demeanour, her arrogance. They had nothing to talk about. He shook his head and turned his back to her.
“Let’s go.”
“You’ll never beat that fucking hermit,” Sophia said.
“Likewise,” Keynes said.
“And that’s the fucking point. No one here has the slightest chance against him unless we work together.”
“What about Edward?” Kora inquired.
“He got lucky. The only real threat is Zephyr.”
Keynes laughed.
“And are we not?”
She actually considered the answer then her eyes became cold, heralding something unpleasant.
“On your own, I’d consider you a threat.” Her smile was cruel. “As a token of good faith, I share a little secret with you. After the second challenge, we will be permitted to act against other contenders as long as we won’t harm them.”
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