Chapter 19: Tian Ke and his Aunt
“Oh? Tian Yue? Yeah I think there is a person by that name here. Hold on. Let me contact her first.” After saying this he took out a transparent crystal. Neither Feng Wu nor Tian Ke had ever seen such a thing before. Their curiosity was piqued and they looked on with bright inquisitive eyes.
“This is an image-transmission crystal. It uses the alignment of energy waves to facilitate communication between two parties. * You can tell by the size, color and energy fluctuations of the crystal that it"s better than average. In fact it can hold several hundred connection signatures.”
[notes]
Feng Wu and Tian Ke looked on with their mouths slightly agape. They shared the same feelings about the crystal - it was mysterious and fun! They paid close attention to the old man’s hand holding the crystal. Suddenly the crystal showed the image of a slim figure in white clothes.
Tian Ke immediately recognized the person. “Aunt!” There was no reply from the crystal though. The old man spoke a few words out loud and the image of his aunt appeared to become excited. Shortly after the image disappeared altogether.
Turning to Jier Tian Ke asked, “Brother Jier, how come we couldn’t hear anything.
“It looks like the crystal has three modes. Private mode, which only allows the owner access to the crystal’s audio and visual content. Audio only, which allows outsiders to listen in on the audio. Visual only, which allows the visuals to be shared. Which mode to use depends on the owner.” It was obvious the old man had only allowed them to see the visuals but not hear the audio connection.
“Tian Yue will be out soon. You guys can wait here.” After saying this he closed his eyes and fell asleep, completely ignoring them.
Fifteen minutes later a slender white figure ran towards them. When this figure saw Tian Ke, she immediately went over and embraced him in a tight hug.
“Tian Ke! Why did you come to find Auntie? Did something happen?” Tian Yue knew what a sensible child Tian Ke was, so he wouldn’t have come unless something big happened.
“Ah!... Aunt...wooo wooo” Tian Ke had been holding back his tears for a long time. Upon seeing his aunt it was like a dam burst and he was overwhelmed. He cried unabashedly in her arms.
Tian Yue held her crying nephew certain that a major event had happened. “Don’t cry. Be a good boy and come home with your auntie first.” Tian Yue didn’t think it would be proper to air out family grievances on the front steps of the school, so after thanking the old man she spoke to her nephew. “Let’s head back and you can tell me all about it.” She was about to lead Tian Ke away when he spoke up.
Tian Ke sniffled before saying, “Wait Aunt, this is Feng Wu. It’s thanks to her that I was able to find you. Without her I don’t know where I’d be right now. And this is Big Brother Jier. He’s been very good to me and Feng Wu.”
Although Tian Ke was really happy to see his aunt again he didn’t forget about Feng Wu who had brought him to his aunt. She was the one who comforted him when he was afraid and protected him when he felt endangered. She also spent her own money to feed him and transport him. All these things had left a strong impression of her in his little heart. She was like a sister to him, second in importance only to his aunt. Although he had yet to acknowledge all the things she did aloud, he would never forget her kindness. At this time he formally turned toward her and spoke with sincerity.
“Sister Feng thank you. Thank you for taking care of me and bringing me all the way here. Big Brother Jier, you too, thank you for taking care of me. The journey here was long and hard. Why don’t we go to my aunt’s house and rest for a bit?”
It was only after listening to Tian Ke speak that Tian Yue realized there were two other people beside him. Looking up she saw a girl with dark colored hair and eyes, reminiscent of someone from the ancient eastern countries. Next to her was a beautiful young man in a red magic robe. Judging from his red eyes and hair he was probably a fire magician.
Magicians tended to wear the colors a.s.sociated with their elements because it gave them a closer connection to that element. For example ice magicians tended to favor white, water magicians favored blue, gold magicians favored gold, and so on and so forth. This boy who dressed entirely from head to toe in red could only be a fire magician.
The dormitories at Xingguang Academy were very strict. Only students and teachers were allowed to live on campus. Because of this Tian Yue and her husband lived off campus. The house was only one street away from the school so the group made their way over there in short time.
Tian Yue’s home was a two-story western style house with a yard in the back. There were a profusion of flowers planted in the ground and a swing set for children to play on as well. She used her key and unlocked the door, letting the other three come in behind her.
Upon entering they could see that although the furnishings weren’t particularly high cla.s.s, the place was clean and had a refined yet welcoming feel.
Tian Yue invited Feng Wu and the others to have a seat. Just then little bun started crying. He rarely ever cried, only making a fuss if he was hungry or if he had to do his business. Tian Ke turned to Feng Wu and reached out with his arms. She promptly handed little bun over. At this point it had become a conditioned reflex on his part and a habit on hers.
"Here."
He took a look inside little bun"s diaper and after seeing some squished brown nuggets proceeded to take off the diaper, wipe clean little bun"s bottom, and smoothly packed him into a new diaper.
Tian Yue looked on her mouth opened in a small “o” surprised at the proficiency of the action.
Once dry and cleaned little bun happily stopped crying and Tian Ke handed him back to Feng Fu. She brought him to her chest and made little bubbles with her mouth to amuse him. He seemed to never tire of this simple game and could play at it for days.
“This child…” Tian Yue finally spoke up.
“This is Feng Wu’s baby. He doesn’t have a name yet but we call him little bun..” It was obvious that Tian Ke really liked this small baby by the way he replied.
“Eh! This is child is Feng Wu’s?!” Now Tian Yue was really shocked. Although she could see that the baby resembled Feng Wu, she couldn’t see any resemblance with the red haired boy.
The baby had dark eyes and blonde hair. Just from one glance she could tell the baby was of mixed blood. Feng Wu looked so young and tiny, she couldn’t be the mother of this child could she?
“How old will you be this year?” Maybe she’s just a very youthful girl in her twenties who just happens to be small? Tian Yue tried to find a reasonable explanation for the sight in front her.
“I’m fourteen.” Feng Wu answered.
“What?! You’re only fourteen!” Tian Yue’s voice was nearly a shout. She isn’t some youthful looking adult. She really is a child!
Chapter 20: Admissions Test
Jier was also surprised. Although he thought she looked pretty young he didn’t think she was that young. He’d expected her to be sixteen or at least fifteen, but definitely not fourteen. s.h.i.t that’s too young!
“Did you really give birth to this child?” Tian Yue asked, just to clarify and make sure they had the same definition in mind.
It wasn’t unexpected that Tian Yue would be doubtful, even Jier thought the whole thing was pretty dubious himself. Feng Wu was the kind of ignorant person who would declare herself a mother of a child without realizing the actual implication and true import of the word, at least when it came to the biological sense. Really, who would believe her?
“Yes.” Feng Wu wrinkled her brow remembering how painful it was when she went into labor.
The others stopped doubting her when they saw how serious her expression was.
“Where is the child’s father? Is he not with you?” Tian Yue asked.
“I don’t know.” Feng Wu shook her head.
Tian Yue looked at the girl with pity in her eyes, feeling very sympathetic towards her. This child must have been deceived by an unscrupulous man. To think that there could be such a despicable person in the world. In her heart she had already built up an elaborate backstory about the drama and scams Feng Wu must have fallen prey to. Perhaps she was a neglected wife who was abandoned by her loathsome husband. Aye… poor child.
Although Jier didn’t go so far as to make up fanciful stories about Feng Wu, he was of the same mindset and didn’t think too well of the man that hurt her either. “Feng Wu, rest a.s.sured if you ever see that man again, just tell me. I’ll definitely help you teach him a lesson.” For sure. A sc.u.mbag like that, how can he deserve to live?
Feng Wu, “...” What’s going on? What should I do? I don’t understand.
Tian Yue turned to her nephew after satisfying her curiosity about Feng Wu. There were a lot of questions she wanted to ask him. “Tell me what happened.”
Thinking of all the things that happened after his father pa.s.sed away made Tian Ke really sad, but he still retold the story.
When Tian Yue learned about her brother’s death she couldn’t contain the anguished sob that broke out. As the story unfolded she was more and more shocked - Tian Ke’s treatment, the village ma.s.sacre, it was all shocking!
The room was filled with the cries of the two family members. They cried and consoled one another for nearly half an hour. Finally Tian Yue’s tears dried leaving behind just the streaks on her face. With red rimmed eyes she looked at Tian Ke and said, “You, stay with your Auntie. Auntie will take care of you OK.” She held him in her arms and kissed his forehead.
Tian Ke buried himself in his aunt’s embrace and cried his little heart out. He was only six you know. It had all been really hard on him!
That night everyone had dinner together. Since two of them were going to take the entrance exams for Xingguang Academy it was decided they would all stay over for the next three days and wait for the results together.
Later that night they met Tian Yue’s husband, Lan Wei. He was a tiny plump man of about thirty with a peppy energetic almost imposing aura about him. He was a very good tempered man who pretty much left all family decisions up to Tian Yue. Having Tian Ke live with them and having guests over was not something he minded at all.
Tian Yue and Lan Wei had two children. A son named Lantian and a daughter named Lanyue. You could see how much he loved his wife just by looking at the name"s of the children. *
[notes]
For the next few days Feng Wu and crew stayed over, very much enjoying the hospitality. Lan Wei cooked many delicious dishes for them and from the quality it wasn"t hard to see how talented he was. It was no wonder he was head chef at Xingguang Academy.
Finally when the day of the entrance examinations arrived everyone went down to the school to see Feng Wu and Jier take their a.s.sessments.
Feng Wu went to line up in the queue for those interested in swordsmanship. She was surprised to find Jier standing in line with her instead of in the one for magicians. “Jier, why are you lining up here? Don’t you need to go to the to the one for magicians?”
“Don’t need to. I’m so awesome I’m exempt from it.”
Those around them easily overheard Jier’s words, inciting admiration and envy in some while others looked on with hate in their hearts. A few though glanced over at him with calculated resolution in their eyes.
Feng Wu didn’t have the same intense reaction as those around them. She simply complimented him with, “You must be very powerful then,” before returning her attention to the line.
Feng Wu had picked up a lot of information about the school from Tian Yue in the past few days. She knew that there were sometimes exceptional students who qualified to enter without having to go through the entrance examinations. These special cases were reviewed by the faculty on an individual bases. If they were deemed to possess the abilities, the strength of character and grace of luck, then they were allowed to bypa.s.s the entrance a.s.sessment. Without a doubt these students were all outstanding in their own ways. Feng Wu knew this so she gave Jier the praise he deserved.
Jier was quite pleased. He felt that Feng Wu was a woman with foresight and understanding, after all being exempt from the a.s.sessments was no small feat.
The test for the magician cla.s.s was very different from the swordsmen cla.s.s. A magician’s talent level was determined by the speed he or she could cast a spell. The faster the speed the higher the innate talent. Magicians were roughly divided into twelve levels. As long as they kept striving forward and didn’t flounder, they would be able to reach the level of “G.o.d.” At Xingguang Holy Academy the minimum requirement was a seventh-level caster. Anyone below that was not considered.
Aside from innate talent, luck was another important factor to consider. Given the opportunity a magician could even defy the natural order of things and become a transcendent being, a “G.o.d” even. Luck played an important role in this unpredictable future.
In order to enter the school, prospective magician students had to pa.s.s two out of three tests. On top of this they also had to have the right mindset. If their mental state was not strong enough, then it would be useless even if they had the talent. Without the will to keep pushing forward they would never be able to reach for greatness. Therefore in order to enter the academy magicians had to either have the magical talent and the strength of will or the luck and the right mindset.
The Swordsmen cla.s.s on the other hand was nowhere near as complicated, nor did they have a ranking system. All they had to do was use their strongest strike to force a stone to light up. If they were unable to do so then they had to to take the second and third a.s.sessment, pa.s.sing both would allow them entry, but failing either would mean automatic rejection.
Xingguang Academy only opened enrollment once every three years so the crowd of people gathered to take the a.s.sessment was an astoundingly big and numbered in the thousands. People from all over the continent came, ranging in age from from ten to fifteen.
The school had an unusual rule: one person, one a.s.sessment. Which basically meant a person only had one chance at getting into the school. No one who failed the a.s.sessment would be allowed retake it ever again.
Many dreamt of entering the school but few succeeded in doing so. The a.s.sessments were simply too hard for most people. Out of the thousands that came for the a.s.sessment only a few hundred ever pa.s.sed. The average from prior enrollments was about 300 with 380 being the highest ever enrolled in a single session.