After cleaning out the bandits, it was back to physical training for Kailen. He followed the instructions of Lana, doing sets of footwork together with lifting heavy weights and cardiovascular exercises. The whole day passed quickly for Kailen as he loved to train, the thoughts of strength and power driving him that next step.
The glow of the evening sun warming their faces, Lana and Kailen sat together to watch the sunset. Kailen glanced at the beautiful face beside him before he asked.
"Lana, what was the real reason you bought me and set me free?"
Lana gave him a look, before continuing to watch the sunset.
"Exactly as I have said, I need strong allies to traverse the places I want to go. I set you free because I dislike the idea of compelling you, I want a connection to my allies, not a company of slaves following me around."
Kailen understood her reasons, though he still felt she was holding something back. Kailen continued his questioning.
"And where are these places you must travel?"
"The higher world."
Kailen's eyebrows raised in surprise, though he didn't find it too unbelievable. From what he knew the higher worlds were accessible every ten years, the major sects and countries around the world would gather and choose a maximum of thirty participants to ascend. This was common knowledge, throughout the Physcal Realm every child would dream of ascending to the world of the gods.
"Does my ambition frighten you, dear Kailen?"
Lana asked in a teasing voice, with a small teasing smile on her face. Kailen noticed a slightly longing look in her eyes, but he chose not to mention it.
"Not at all, my goal in life is to strive to become stronger. Only there will I be exposed to true strength."
Kailen looked toward the distant sun with fierce determination burning in his eyes, Lana seeing his look made a relieved smile.
"How long until the next ascension?"
Kailen asked still gazing at the sunset while absorbing qi from the surroundings to rejuvenate and repair his damaged muscles.
"Ten years."
Lana replied before closing her eyes, recalling images of the people she left behind in that place.
"Plenty of time."
Kailen spoke with confidence in his tone, he could feel the improvements in his body just from his short few days of cultivating. Though he knew he had not yet experienced the true powers of this world, he was confident in his determination and grit.
***
It was evening, both Lana and Kailen were back at their floor at the inn. Kailen had spent the last two hours absorbing qi down through each of his torn muscle fibers, each tendon, and ligament. He could feel his strength slowly improving each day, eventually, he would need to start enhancing his body using different types of qi but for now, his body was fine with the natural qi present everywhere.
Kailen's cultivation was interrupted by a knock on the door, he stopped circling his qi and gazed towards the door.
"Yes?"
Lana's face appeared through the slightly opened door, her face brightened seeing him cultivating.
"Ali and I are going into town to eat out do you want to come?"
"Sure, I'm starving."
Kailen replied as his stomach decided to choose that moment to grumble. Lana laughed and marched out leaving him with a slightly embarrassed expression.
After wearing his best clothes, which didn't amount to much. Kailen wore black tight trousers together with a long white shirt which was in fashion according to Ali who bought it for him. Kailen walked out of his door and his eyes brightened at the sight of both girls. Lana wore a similar dress, that she wore the first time they met only this one was black with the shoulders exposed. He was sure she would wear a veil before they left, her pale skin and raven black hair really stood out.
Kailen was entranced and couldn't take his eyes off her, Ali to the side noticed this and pouted.
"You look really beautiful tonight Lana, you aswell Ali."
Kailen said as he finally took a glance at Ali.
"Hmm, so I'm just an afterthought huh..."
Ali said in a disgruntled tone though she didn't especially mind too much, she understood Lana's attractiveness all too well. Ali wore a green dress which exposed her shoulders and much of her legs, together with her blonde hair and green eyes she really did look beautiful.
"Thank you Kailen, you look handsome yourself."
Lana beamed after his compliment, she walked up to him and pulled his and Ali's hands as she marched through the door and into the town.
***
The restaurant they arrived at was a large three-story building with stairs leading to the entrance, there were large windows present where the patrons sat and ate. A delicious smell wafted through the air, Kailen was excited at the prospect of eating such delicious food.
Lana led the three as she walked through the door and approached the waiter who had arrived to welcome us.
"We would like to eat on the third floor please."
"You realize the third floor is for the nobility of the city of Cante."
The waiter replied patiently and respectfully, he realized she was not ordinary by her bearings so he patiently explained.
"I do, and I'm not nobility here but I think this should suffice?"
Lana spoke evenly while presenting a black card with a silver flower design in the center. Kailen had no idea what the card represented but the expression on the waiters' face changed into a look of panic.
"M'Lady, there are no tables available on the third floor at the moment. Viscount Darby and Viscount Mogg are currently taking all the tables."
The waiter's smile trembled as he thought about offending the parties involved.
"Surely they can't have taken all the tables right?"
Kailen asked as he looked around the numerous tables present on the first floor.
"Sir, on the third floor there are only four tables. Hence the current dilemma."
The waiter said with a pitiful look on his face.
"Tell one of them to move and clear us a table, I'm sure they won't give you any problems if you show them my card right?"
Lana spoke with a hint of impatience in her tone. Kailen noted that she was not the patient type opposite to him. The waiter stood silent with a hesitation written over his face, Lana said and stomped towards the stairs.
"I'll just have to greet them myself."
Lana said with a mischevious smile present on her face, which Kailen knew meant trouble.