Twelve hours had passed, but two of the suns were still visible on Gilead, giving the planet a continuous daylight system for 75% of the year and a strange twilight night for the remaining 25%. Where only one sun was distantly visible and 5 moons took turns appearing seemingly 12 hours apart. This period was known as twilight because of the angelic glow that would appear on the last moon rise before the cycle repeated itself.
The village chief had come today, to see Hittan and unlike his other visits, it was clear that today he had a purpose.
"Hittan, my boy. It's time we had a serious conversation about the village and the role you'll play."
"Okay. What troubles you, grandfather?"
"Hittan, you seem like an old soul and it is for that reason I know this conversation won't be lost on you."
"I appreciate that grandfather."
"Well let us start with why this village is in the middle of nowhere with no neighbours in sight. We are the only surviving descendants to the ancient rulers of this planet and star system, Gilead. I'm sure by now you've heard of this and you'll hear of it once more when you leave the village after the Coming of Age ceremony. Outsiders say we are "monsters" that descend upon poor human villagers to take the most beautiful woman, or the most handsome man, away to sacrifice them, eat them or wed them.
The truth is, humans are our best hope to maintain the last line of defence as they make the most ideal partners. But this is never done by force and we stay hidden because the danger to our world remains unseen. And it is better to have them guess about our true strength."
"I understand, keep my origin a secret, at all times."
"Yes, this applies especially for you. Because there is another myth about the village that is, in fact, true. It is about you and it says that in this village lies the King of Godbeast, a White Diamond Dragon Phoenix. So you must take special care not to reveal this to outsiders, as it may cause you countless trouble, especially if you aren't strong enough yet."
"I will follow grandfather's advice."
"Good. Now, in the upcoming Coming of Age ceremony, it is simply a confirmation of your Godbeast Sign, Mineral Purity level, Strength Capacity and Practical Strength."
'I remember these test from my previous life here and how it was only viewed by the Elders and only they knew the results.'
"These tests are private with only the Elders and your parents being invited as spectators. Clearly, this is meant for the security of the clan, but we do not restrict you from sharing your results. Though I would be careful whom you share this information with."
"Understood."
"Based on your performance you will be taken to the Sky Element Academy for training geared to your level and mineral requirement. As for what exactly the test consists of I have no problem sharing as there is no way of cheating the results, not that you would."
"Of course not grandfather, I will never do anything that shames my parents or you, in this life. This I promise you."
"Very good! Okay, the Godbeast Sign test is simple, you will be presented with the mineral element of each Godbeast and whichever resonates with you is the result. Mineral Purity is an impact resistance test, where you will be bombarded in every direction to see at what point you will take damage.
I assure you, you will not die unless you push too far beyond your limits. You may potentially face all ten levels of bombardment at varying degrees of impact.
Strength Capacity measures at what percentage above your rank can you handle and is a pressure bearing test. Practical Strength measures your combat readiness degree and can be seen as a survival test and this one requires you to train and have sparring matches. So I advise you to find a sparring partner to help with this area, as it is key in the decision process, to send you to the Academy in the end.
…...
"Mother, I'm back."
"How was your talk with your grandfather? Do you truly understand your situation?"
"Rest assured mother, I understand perfectly well."
"Do you have a sparring partner already?"
"I do, but if necessary, may I ask you for assistance?"
"Certainly, but you have half a year to train and I know you have been training over the last few years on that cliff of your in the woods."
"... Mother, it's not nice to spy on your only beloved son."
"Hehehe, okay, go find that sparring partner of yours and hopefully they can take your punches better in time."
…...
"Edan, you're here early."
"My Father spoke to me about the Coming of Age ceremony and stressed that I need to increase my training. I was hoping you would be my sparring partner over the next few months?"
"I was hoping the same. How about we get started right now?"
It goes without saying that fight experience was not something that Hittan lacked. As he could be compared to any one of the village Elders in battle experience. What he really wanted was to teach Edan his Phoenix Dance technique which included a set of Fist styles mimicking the Phoenix beak strikes, Phoenix Fist.
…...
"I can go again! Hittan, I will land one blow on you if it's the last thing I do today on this cliff!"
"Come at me."
Edan came rushing in using only strength and wild leg and arm movements. While Hittan stopped all unnecessary movements and waited until the last moments to move out of the way or moved in the same direction as Edan's attacks.
Woosh! A right cross was sent at Hittan's chin and with a head slip to the right followed by a full body rotation using his left leg to thrust. Hittan then delivered a left-hand strike to Edan's ribcage, but at reduced power, sending him back 5 steps before he could steady himself.
This time Edan did not wait before he quickly charged back into the fight with a wild roundhouse left kick. The kick carried enough force to break the arm of an ordinary human. But upon approaching Hittan's right shoulder he gracefully stepped forward minimising the total force aimed at his shoulder while raising his right arm with his elbow facing forward, guarding his face. Moments before the impact Hittan formed a fist with his left hand and lowered his centre of gravity and sent another fist strike to meet Edan thigh.
Bang!
Edan was left tumbling to the floor clutching his thigh.
"Damn it Hittan! I thought you were holding back!?"
"I've held back 75% in that strike. But what you're feeling now is the concentrated strike of my Phoenix Fist."
"What?"
Hittan held his hand in clenched position but his index finger half protruding as if knocking something.
"This Fist technique is meant to be used with the Phoenix Dance stance. As you can see the dance combines the quick turns of the Phoenix in flight to avoid hits and compact movements to attack. The Fist technique targets the joints and pressure points of crystal structures.
This technique is hard to beat in a close combat situation and when mastered…" Hittan gestured to Edan as he walked towards an igneous rock that bad protruded the ground.
"Watch me closely, see how I focus the energy of my element to one specific point, my finger. Now it's not that simple to focus your elemental energy if you don't even understand one aspect of it. But watch…"
BANG!!
The bolder suddenly had a small finger size hole present on it. Which was quickly followed by an angular fracture line stretching across the surface.
CLINK
The boulder was split cleanly along the fracture line that had spread from the finger size hole.
"One strike! But how?"
"Force, element understanding and mineralisation are the keys to 'mineral limbs'."
"Are you saying that you can mineralise your finger and limbs!?!? WHAT GOD SPARK LAYER ARE YOU AT!?!"
"Naturally I'm at the Quartz Rank, Dao Lord level - Upper Mantle Layer, like you."
"Boss, I knew you were strong but how can you do that!? How do you expect me to do it when you're the first I've ever seen practice a skill above his rank?
"I guess I'm like a 'genius', hahaha! But don't worry, with a genius like me teaching you it won't be hard! Anyhow, it's time we continued the sparring match. But this time I want you to start watching closely and predict my moves by my body hints before counter-attacking. Come at me."
…...
"Hittan let's call it a day, for now, I'm exhausted!"
"Okay. Edan, since your mother is from outside of the village as she ever told you about the Academy, Sky Element?"
"I'm sorry, but she told me very little. But what I do know is that students there are the best of the best from all twelve sub-continents. Also, the students must be at the Topaz rank or higher to apply."
"So that's the reason the Coming of Age ceremony takes place at Topaz Rank?"
"I'm not sure about that. You would have to ask your parents or grandfather to confirm."
'In my previous life, I had gone on a rampage before the Coming of Age ceremony. So I have no memory of any of this. But at least my intelligence hasn't left me from before my rebirth. Even as a Land Dragon I could achieve mineralisation before reaching Elemental rank. So that's how I know Edan can achieve the same.'
"Okay, let's head back for today."
"Yeah, I'm pooped and that calm cool face of yours is irritating me! Hahaha, how can you be so refreshed after putting me through the wringer!?"
"It's simple, I've done more good deeds today and God rewards the Meek and the Humble!"
"Humble my ass, Mr genius, same time tomorrow!"