The combination between the Crimson Fae and the Flamespike Fae wasn't the strongest combination, but it showed Randolf's resolution, and his desire to progress his strength as a Fae Master.
Possessing both an offensive method and a defensive method while still being only a Rank 1 vapour quartz Fae Master was in of itself an pretty good starting point. Although it could still be outmanoeuvred by someone with a movement type Fae, or someone with a long-range ability Fae, it was still good for someone at his level.
Both of the Elders present nodded slightly, impressed by Randolf's choice.
"In the early stages of Fae Master cultivation I thought that they would all be relatively equal in terms of strength and ability, but it seems that Randolf might make things difficult for his classmates....".
"His strength will make him an icon for his fellow classmates. And since he isn't the descendent of an Elder, or the Clan Leader, he will be able to rally some of the other younger Fae Masters in his generation underneath him".
Only Elder Anatol remained silent, not showing a hint of emotion on his face.
He only moved to reset the hourglass, and to call out the next persons name.
"Arthur! You have ten minutes".
Arthur felt the gazes of all the Elders and his classmates on him, that feeling vanishing the moment he stepped through the gate.
His talent was undoubtably lower than the others who awakened a second-tier talent, but his status as the Clan Leaders son was something that they were willing to give face to.
And besides, the chances of Arthur picking the same Fae as them were practically non-existent. Their chosen Fae would complement their own strengths, and how could Arthur, with his Winter Salamander have the same thoughts as them?
Arthur would love to cut them off at the knees and chose the Fae that the others would choose, but stopped himself, glancing around before finding the single Fae that he wanted.
"Found you".
Smiling as he walked towards the shelf with the sleeping Fae on it, Arthur picked it up, holding it at the base as he poured a little water on top of its leaves.
Despite it being dormant, the Fae quickly roused up under the sudden movement and nutrients from the water. Within just a few second, all the water that Arthur had poured on it had been absorbed, letting its slightly dull coloured leaves turn bright, full of life and vitality.
"A Water Leaf Fae. Even though its a Rank 1 Fae, its still extremely rare within a biome like Winter Rain Mountain, where they're usually found. Its needs are relatively simple, give it 10 litres of water a day and it will produce 100 millilitres of Spirit Water. At Rank 1 it can only give 100 millilitres a day, however at higher Ranks it can produce much more than just that....".
Arthur smile grew, and he instantly extended his origin essence forward, letting it twirl around the Water Leaf Fae.
Most Fae would take several hours to refine, especially if they are Fae of the same Rank as the Fae Master, however, all Fae possess their own qualities.
Some soft, like water or sand.
Others raging, like waves or flames.
Some were still, like mountains or glaciers.
This Rank 1 Water Leaf Fae was an extremely passive Fae. It wasn't like the Flamespike Fae, or the Crimson Fae that Randolf picked earlier. The latter was his Origin Fae, and automatically bound to him, while the former was a Rank 1 Fae, with an extremely reserved personality.
Arthur remembered in his previous life, that Randolf needed almost a week to refine this Flamespike Fae and make it his own, however-.
Arthur's smile widened.
"This Water Leaf Fae is lax in nature. It doesn't care so long as whoever owns it gives it water, as such-".
Arthur's origin essence completely engulfed the Fae, draining all of his origin essence from 201% down to a measly 25%. It took just over three-fourths of his entire origin essence to completely refine. And that was without any sought resistance from the Fae.
This, was one reason why he chose this particular Fae.
Arthur remembered that in the next batch of Fae Masters after him, one of the third-tier talents, chose this Fae, in order to gain wealth for himself. His talent was low, and he realised his shortcomings, but with this Fae, could make some money for himself, and possibly prepare his descendents for their own talent awakening ceremony.
Another reason was that with his future knowledge, refining this rare Rank 1 Fae to Rank 2 wasn't impossible in the short-term.
His knowledge about the events of Parachenko Village and Winter Rain Mountain ran out after five years, so his sole goal was to attain a Rank 3 level of cultivation before he left Winter Rain Mountain.
Rank 4 would be even better, but Arthur didn't want to get ahead of himself. Getting from Rank 1 to Rank 2 was the only goal Arthur had for himself in the short-term. His ability to go out into the forest would increase greatly by then, and his gains would only increase the faster he became Rank 2 Fae Master.
At any rate-.
"Oh? Young Arthur, you didn't pick a Fae out for yourself?".
Both of the Clan Elders seemed slightly worried. There was only two chances for these Fae Masters to pick a Fae out from the Clan Reserves, once being now, and the other the day before their graduation.
If he didn't pick one out now, Arthur would be at a disadvantage, and would more than likely lose out in comparison to his classmates. If he lost too much face for the Clan Leader then....
Before Arthur could speak, Elder Anatol spoke up.
"Do not worry about him. He has already chosen a Fae".
Arthur smiled slightly at Elder Anatol, giving him a small bow as he returned to the back of the line. The curious gazes of everyone present seemed to distract them from their conversations, this time, the topic of discussion being the third young master.
No matter what era it was, gossip was always something the Myriad Races loved.
"Arthur chose a Fae? But he didn't walk out with one?".
"Perhaps its really small, like a Earthfinder Fae or a Tiny Strength Fae?".
"Maybe the Clan Leader gave something to help him refine the Fae, and he already refined it inside the Clan Reserves!".
Arthur stood silently against the wall, letting the Water Leaf Fae sit silently within his Mind origin essence sea.
On top of needing ten litres of water a day to function, it also drained 1% of his origin essence sea a day when it activated its ability. The origin essence requirements for such a Fae was extremely low, and a single percent could be recovered in a few minutes.
Origin essence seas replenished themselves over time, usually at a rate of 10% the maximum an hour. However, this was only as a Rank 1 vapour quartz Fae Master.
All Fae Master Ranks were broken up into smaller sub realms, each with their own unique colour and form.
The first sub realm was vapour quartz. An indication that someone had just awakened their talent as a Fae Master.
Second was liquid quartz, when the density of the origin essence became so thick, it replicated liquid. They regenerated 9% of their maximum origin essence sea and hour.
Thirdly was solid quartz, when the concentration of origin essence got to a point where it solidified, becoming something like ice or solid mercury. They regenerated 8% of their maximum origin essence sea an hour.
Fourthly was hadron quartz. This formless state was after the solid origin essence sea started bubbling, increasing its internal temperature rapidly, purifying the origin essence to a point where it existed in flux between vapour, liquid and solid forms. They regenerated 6.5% of their maximum origin essence sea an hour.
And lastly, was zero quartz. After hadron quartz, the once formless origin essence sea would become solid again, unmovable like a mountain after continuous refinements and purifications. The origin essence sea would become like a piece of actual quartz, pure in essence, with perfect clarity.
Their origin essence sea regeneration would only be 5% an hour. However, with every increase in sub realm, the purity of origin essence goes up, theoretically reducing the amount needed to utilise Fae.
Most Fae Masters at the same level wouldn't of masters such precise origin essence manipulation.... however-.
Arthur smiled, watching as his "fellow" classmates went in and out of the Clan Reserve, picking out their first proper Fae.
Once everything was finished, the two Elders nodded slightly before dismissing all of the students.
"Practice with your Fae, gain a closer understanding of your Fae. In one month from now, the first tournament of the new students will begin. The first place winner will be rewarded with a Rank 1 of their choice, with second and third gaining similar benefits. Ranks four to ten will be rewarded with origin essence stones".
Arthur smiled.
All according to plan.