Two days had already passed since I left the Beast Hall. Hence, I'd been able to achieve an in-depth knowledge in the Way of Beast Taming after having refined the knowledge I'd acquired of beast taming from the Beast Hall's Book Collection Vault, through constantly going through the library of informations in my head.
Roy no longer shared a room with me. Uncle Ramsey had finally prepared a room specially for savage beasts, as he'd promised me he would. This also goes to say that my new savage beast, Little Wolfy, did not lack an accommodation as well.
When I got back from the Beast Hall two days ago, and relayed the news of me beating those princesses to a duel and officially becoming a beast tamer, the whole house was struck dumb. Still, it only added to my "prowess" — well, as a genius, I can't really help it.
About those two maids the other day, I'd finally been able to cremate my hypothesis. With the Eye of Insight being able to see through all façades, I was able to see vividly, their true nature. Indeed, they were cyclops (one-eyed beings) using some form of disguise art on themselves. But one thing was clear, my cousin and uncle weren't oblivious of this fact.
At the moment, I was seated legs-crossed with the spirit stones I'd earned from Lu Peng, earlier. Reciting the method Teacher Kira had explained to me when I inquired about how to make a breakthrough via usage of spirit stones, in the Channel of Ancient Reality, I began to drive my spirit essence in accordance.
'Gugu Gugu!'
Sounds reminiscent of boiling water could be heard from my body. Expecting this stage, I continued absorbing the spiritual energy from the stones.
I felt my senses becoming clearer and clearer.
I'd already used four stones out of the thirty spirit stones, before the spirit essence seemed to have come to a bottleneck at Transient Mortal realm.
Also expecting this, I took out one more spirit stone and absorbed with all my strength.
"Break!"
Driving my spirit essence as I pushed for a breakthrough, I was more than excited when I finally felt a crack inside me, as though a new life was coming out from an egg.
'Weng!'
I was finally a shoulder-high Transient Mortal realm primary stage cultivator! The experience was even more exhilarating, than the first.
One must note that the Cultivation Deciphering realm — also known as the Unleashed-talent realm — was just a basic realm that one mutated into after going through the custom of visiting the Arerat, for the newly Gifted.
Mutation, in this sense, did not just end with the phrase. There was even more to it. I could sense that my physical strength had increased by two folds!
What made me more stupefied was that, despite applying a casual force to lift away a nearby teacup, it shattered into smithereens. It was as though that "casual" force had become an "overpowered" force.
It was clear that I still needed some time to adapt to my newfound strength.
During the past few days, I'd been able to gather quite some knowledge about this world.
The Phantom Dynasty, as already mentioned, was divided into three great empire-like kingdoms; the Acorn Valley, Dwindling Mountains and Magnificent Spirits.
Each of these kingdoms has nine cities and powers within them. It was for this reason that people like Lu Peng and the others were tagged "princesses". They came from powerful clans that had establish their own powers in the Acorn Valley.
The current city where Uncle Ramsey resided (where I'm currently living) was called the Desolate Grounds, it was also where the Changfu Empire's Princess Chang Fei came from. Lu Peng came from Tianxuan Empire in the city of Fallen Swords. Quinfeng Empire, where Feng Wu came from, was in the centre of the Jade City.
Putting away the miscellaneous thoughts, I picked up another spirit stone.
"Continue!" I muttered under my breath.
Transient Mortal realm primary stage...
Transient Mortal realm advanced stage...
Transient Mortal realm expert stage!
I tried pushing further, but it seemed I'd reached a cap, for now. I'd used six spirit stones, all in all. I stowed away the remaining twenty-four spirit stones back into my storage ring.
Checking on myself, I realised a few changes. I could feel every single animal within forty to sixty metres from me. Not like I could tell what any of them were doing, but I could make a rough count of their overall sum.
I shook my head in awe. In the past, I could only perceive animals around twenty metres at most. Yet this... It was clear that the breakthrough to Transient Mortal realm was the cause. My blood bubbled in agitation.
'What else had improved?'
I began to access myself. To my astonishment, my skin uncouthness had become transient, leaving me with a fresher and smoother one!
"Cultivation seems to be a struggle with the heavens," I muttered in deep thoughts.
For my skin to become smoother just from making a few breakthroughs, just how'd I be in the future? A goddess?
I was still ruminating over these things when I suddenly heard a voice from outside the house.
"The Acorn Master seeks an audience with the newly appointed beast tamer!"
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Acorn Master?"
I hurriedly stood up after a few contemplations, before deciding to go out.
Opening my door, I realised that even Dorothy was coming out of her room.
"Hey Steph, I think you've got a visitor," she said.
I nodded before walking to the front of the main hall of the house where visitors waited.
Seated on a mat was the Acorn Master sipping tea leisurely from a mug, and beside him was a young man. I didn't even have to etch my memory before a name fell out. Young Master Jaiden.
Since my uncle wasn't home due to his being a businessman, Dorothy and I had to welcome them warmly. The fact that they were already in this room meant that the guards had personally welcomed them. Being esteemed guests, not less was expected.
"To what do I owe this visit?"
After exchanging some greetings, I finally raised the question that'd been running in my head since their arrival.
"Hahaha, you sure are a curious person. Well I won't cut around the corners then!"
Dorothy and I exchanged quick glances.
"I heard about how you were able to successfully clear the 1-star Beast Tamers Examination in a short while, and how you were even able to tame the savage beast that every 1-star beast tamer who underwent the examination were unable to tame for quite a long while; the copper-fur wolf."
I nodded shyly. Not like I was actually cornered to do so, but I just had to put on an act of a good girl. Remember that saying of first impression? I actually think second impression one gives is more important.
He chuckled, then continued.
"This is actually sign that you've got a wonderful keenness towards the Way of Beast Taming. In truth, in a week time from now, the City of the Gifted would be recruiting Primary Gifted talents. The objective is to sieve top-notch geniuses of all races into the Junior Academy of the Gifted. Since you've got some potentials, I came in hopes of convincing you and your cousin to give it a try. You're a 1-star beast tamer, and Dorothy is a 1-star thaumaturgist."
I was stunned... completely. I really wasn't expecting this. I came here for the holidays... or probably to unleash my gifts, but surely not for this.
On the other hand, Dorothy seemed to have been struck by a thought, and a frown etched across her forehead.
"Junior Academy of the Gifted?"
Her wings fluttered, and her eyes made a slit.