A few days later, Vae came back. I had to witness another emotional scene when Vaela saw Ushha. She was ready for the worst as she couldn't find her in the forest.
The reunion was, however, short-lived as Ushha had to go on her two months training the next day.
It was high time for me and Zala to return to Baruba's house and start the second part of our training.
Neeg and Kruhd were really discrete. They weren't even in egghead most time. I didn't know they were orphans. I would have doubted it. Neeg will have to pass the ceremony next year and Kruhd the following year. Then it will be Yurim, Rorm, and Wolftheeth's turn.
...
In the following months, I learned a lot, not only about my profession but about the world itself as well. Baruba told us that the world we live in is called Eous. And we are currently on the Asha continent. It means green in an ancient language. Why is that the case, you would ask me. It's because the Asha continent is populated with mostly green intelligent species. There are, of course orcs, but also goblins, trolls, dryads, archmantis... But we orcs don't come from this continent. We migrated a long time ago.
The continent isn't attractive to races who use magic because it doesn't have a high density of mana. Mana can be found everywhere, in the air or the ground, and what attracts those species the most is a land overflowing with mana like the continent we originate from.
Each time Baruba talked of this continent, his eyes were shining, but for some reason, he didn't want to talk about it. Hell, he didn't even share its name as if pronouncing it would curse us or whatever!
Baruba gave us a lot of tasks to do. I had even more symbols to memorize. I needed to know what they meant and how to combine them with others and draw them perfectly. I didn't count the number of hours I took to draw them. From what I gathered, it was only the start. The symbols looked at first like an alphabet where you connect them together to make sentences, but the more I studied them, the more I had the impression it was part of greater symbols. It's a strange feeling I had but I was as sure of this theory as I have green skin.
Then came the day when Baruba showed me the drawing of a true tattoo. It was far more complex than what I was used to. But I recognized the different symbols on it, and I was able to guess what it was used for. It could increase our speed greatly when activated. It's an ability tattoo.
Abilities tattoos are different from tribal tattoos. They don't generate ovzgûn and consume a greater quantity of it compared to tribal tattoo skills. Then another point is that you can't use the best Abilities tattoos from the start. You need to adapt them to your tribal tattoo level. The tribal tattoo starts at the rank 0, and as time passes, you gather more energy in your tribal tattoo till it becomes fully saturated. Then after going through certain conditions, it's able to evolve and rank up. One can only hold ability tattoos of the same or lower rank. But while the tribal tattoo can improve on its own, it's not the case for ability tattoos Meitatù is needed. He will modify the tattoo so that it can have more energy and thus be more powerful.
That day, Baruba told me what being a meitatù meant.
" As you know, a meitatù is a master who draws ovzgûn symbols on people. But if it were only this much, we would simply tattoo shaman. No, a meitatù is a scientist specialized in ovzgûn and intent. They aim to improve their art to the peak. Most meitatù research on making and improving ability tattoos. Each of them strives to make a tattoo that'll make them famous. But the best of them have the dream to make a powerful tribal tattoo. But hardly anyone succeeds. So most try to improve those that already exist and that how many variants of a tribal tattoo exist."
" Are you trying to make one yourself, master ?"
" No, what would I do of a tribal tattoo ? I'm not interested in creating my own tribe. Too much trouble. I'm more of a lone wolf. But if you are interested, I encourage you vividly. The more famous you become with it, the more amazing my legend will be."
It was the start of spring, and I was fed up with drawing symbols. I was really excited when he showed me the tattoo. I believed I could finally start doing the real stuff, but my hopes were soon crushed.
" Since spring is here, and there is not much left for you to learn in symbols at your level, you can learn how to make the ink we use for tattoos."
" What ? I believed I could start making tattoos. Besides, I still have some ink you gave me for drawing the ovzgûn symbols ! You can still give me more, no ?"
Baruba laughed.
" I'll never give you my precious ovzgûn transmission ink to let you draw some weak and useless tattoos. The ink you got is a simple one that can only be used on paper. The one used for tattoos is one that needs strong vitality so that it can let the ovzgûn flow freely in it. For that, you'll need blood and some special plants."
I was disappointed. I really wanted to start experiencing it.
" Besides, you are not ready. We need to forge your intent. But it's something we'll only be starting this summer."
" My intent ?"
He sighed
" Be patient. You'll see this summer after the Nayum's ceremony."
"Alright, but I think I would learn how to make ink before the end of spring, no ? Unless you don't provide me with the blood."
"I will give you the blood since you still can't fight, but don't underestimate its difficulty. And Who said it would be the only task I would give you ? "
"What do you mean ?"
" Did you forget you also wanted to learn how to make masks ?"
"No, I didn't," I said, slightly widening my eyes as I lied.
"Hmf, let me ask you a question. Do you know what kind of materials you need to make a mask ?"
I thought for a good minute before answering.
" I think it depends on the mask you want to make. You can use pretty much everything. It can be bones, feathers... but the materials the most usually used are metals and woods."
" Good answer. Then you should understand you'll need many different skills to create a good mask. You already know how to sew. In the next two years, I will teach you how to sculpt, forge, hit, cut anything you may need to make your mask."
...
The months passed quickly. Ushha was very busy with Ulga. Zala had her own task to do as well.
I learned how to make ovzgûn transmission ink.
Soon time for the annual ceremony came.
Neeg had to go and try to pass it. We were really surprised when we learned he wouldn't be the only orphan participating. Kruhd decided to go as well.