Devotion and Victor practically sprinted towards their dorms, almost mad from the news they had just received.
"We only have one month! One month to break through! Where do we even start?" Devotion spat out, panting.
"I don't know! We'll have to research! How can we pass that barrier to Second Rank?" Victor replied.
The two of them spent some time panicking, hyperventilating, and throwing questions at each other than neither had the answer to.
"Alright, we have to calm down for a second. Let's collect our thoughts instead of screaming nonsense at each other. We need to come up with a plan." Devotion said, attempting to calm the two of them down. One month really wasn't a lot of time.
"I understand that, but I also understand the fact that we are totally fucked! I have no idea where we can even start!" Victor threw up his hands in frustration. "Damnit! We had so many plans to rise, yet the barrier to Second Rank is going to cut that off?!"
Victor reminding them of their plans made Devotion think of something. "We did have so many plans! They involved using two sects to rise to power, right? Let's use that other sect! The Mechanism Sect! I'm sure that the Duke could help me if I asked, and I'll share that knowledge with you!" Devotion shouted.
Victor's eyes lit up. He nearly shouted with excitement. "Perfect! Go, do it now! We can't wait a second later! I'll do some research on my own while you're gone, just in case." Victor spat out between his hurried breaths. "Hurry, go, go!" He said, shoving Devotion out the door.
"Alright, I'm going. Good lu-" The door slammed in his face before he could finish. With that, Devotion practically sprinted towards the Mechanism Sect. Victor was right. They needed to hurry. There was not a lot of time.
Devotion quickly found himself at the front gates of the Mechanism Sect, shining in their monochrome coloring. There were two suits of armor in front of the gates, stationary like guards. Devotion remembered them from his first visit. Sure enough, as he approached, the one on the right whirred to life, demanding answers.
"Halt, trespasser! What purpose have you to enter these sacred walls?" It asked.
"Let me see the Duke. He told me you would let me through next time." Devotion said, impatient. He really didn't want to deal with this thing today.
Instead, the suit of armor laughed manically. "You idiot! You think I would believe such a foolish lie?! How many heathens before you have tried to claim the same, only to unleash unspeakable horror once within? Too many to count! No, I will not allow this! I will alert the Duke himself of your lies, then you'll be humiliated!" It laughed.
"Please do call the Duke." Devotion said, sighing in relief. At least the Duke would come and let him in. The less time he had to argue with this guard, the better. He was already in quite the rush.
After some time, and awkward silence, Devotion heard the sound of the Duke's moving cart rolling to the front of the gate. The Duke stood on top of it, just like the first time Devotion saw him, his long, flowing blonde hair blowing as the cart moved and his thin moustache glistening in the light. He had to use some real strong hair gel for that to stay so shiny, Devotion thought to himself.
"Ah! Devotion! Let the boy in, guard. He's with me. I thought I told you to remember his face! He's always a welcome guest here." The Duke spoke out, his voice deep and booming, yet excitable. Devotion realized that this Duke really reminded him of a circus barker. Not in his dress, but in his demeanor, and how he spoke. It always sounded like he was selling something.
"Now, what could I help you with? Have you come to an answer with my offer?" The Duke asked, opening the gates for Devotion.
Devotion stepped through and shook the Duke's hand, as an act of respect. "I have not yet made a decision with your offer. I have thought very, very hard about it, I just am not sure what to do yet. However, I have come to ask some aid from you." Devotion explained.
"Drop the pleasantries, my boy, whether you join this sect or not does not concern me. All that concerns me is you at least attempt my methods of cultivation!" The Duke interrupted. "Now, what aid do you request of me?"
"I'm sure you heard the news this morning. The Summoner's Guild is opening the Interspatial Secret Realm in one month, and only disciples of the Second Rank are able to enter. I, and my acquaintance, need to reach the Second Rank soon. I was hoping you could give me some guidance." Devotion asked. He knew it was a big favor, but he had no choice.
The Duke began to laugh. "A valid thing to ask for my aid with, my boy! Let me ask you a question before I answer: have you read those volumes, tried anything with them? Reached any inspiration?" The Duke asked.
"I had an idea. A friend of mine has a protective talisman he no longer needs. It is small, only the size of a sheet of paper, but nearly indestructible. I had an idea for a type of vest that has the talisman on it, and moves it into the way of danger. That way, you would be nearly impervious to body attacks with small, sharp weapons, as the talisman would be moved in front of the blow at the last second." Devotion explained. He left out that it was a page from Rydel's notebook, only lying and calling it a protective talisman.
The Duke's eyes shone, hearing Devotion explain his ideas. "Wonderful, simply wonderful! I knew you had a gift for it, that idea is simply brilliant! Read those volumes well, and I will teach you how to use Conjuration to create specialized materials. However, I understand you are pressed for time, so that will wait. Take this other volume, it's not something your sect will give you so easily. This contains an advanced breathing technique to help reach the barrier to the Second Rank. You will have to figure out how to break it on your own, for everyone's path is different, but this will help you reach it. Good luck, and take care!" The Duke said, leading Devotion out. As he walked away, Devotion saw the Duke click his heels and cheer in joy.
Devotion quickly rushed back to his dorm, stowing the volume in his interspatial ring. He already had an even better view of the Duke. He seemed like a decent man, and Devotion was much less apprehensive towards him already.