Morning, two days later. As it was time to head to the 43rd Settlement, Instructor Mandu arrived at Inala's house and knocked on the door. He shouted when the door opened, "What the fuck happened to your face?"
"I…succeeded, Instructor," Inala said. Swollen eyes, dark circles like a panda, and a parched face that seemed malnourished, signs that he had been crying for extended durations.
"Succeeded?" Instructor Mandu frowned, "In that…Imagination Art, you mean?"
"Yeah, I became like this due to its effects." Inala said while trembling, "I'm scared to present this."
"Can I see it?" Instructor Mandu asked, "The least I can do is beg for forgiveness on your behalf for wasting the 43rd Settlement Leader's time."
"It's not that, Instructor. I wouldn't be this worried if its effects were lacklustre." Inala excused himself and wore a new robe that he had bought just for this occasion. He slung a compact box-shaped bag filled with enough clay and working tools necessary for the commissions from the 43rd Settlement.
He then pointed at the wide object in the corner, "That's the Imagination Art."
Three metres long and two metre tall. The frame was made from bone, two centimetres thick. On it was a layer of clay, ten centimetres thick. The walls were made from bone to protect the edges of the clay from being damaged.
Finally, two thin slabs of bone covered the top, acting as sliding doors that masked the exhibit. Inala even added a lock on the doors. "The frame, two doors, and one lock, four Spirit Weapons in total, each for a purpose. I have my imprint on the lock and two doors. Please make an imprint on the frame, Instructor."
"Only you can carry the Imagination Art. It's too heavy for me." Inala said.
Instructor Mandu observed it and commented, "You still haven't answered my question. Can I see it?"
"Look at me, Instructor." Inala pointed at his face, "We'll run late if you become affected too."
"Alright, I'll trust you on this one." Instructor Mandu didn't comment after that, "I hope you don't misplace my positive opinion."
"Yes, of course." Inala bowed in response.
Instructor Mandu refined the frame of the Imagination Art, allowing him to carry it through psychokinesis. The duo quickly made way through a wide channel and arrived at the head region of the settlement.
In the herd, the 44th Empyrean Tusk was in the 22nd row, positioned left. To its right was the 43rd Empyrean Tusk. Currently, the two Empyrean Tusks were only 200 metres apart.
By moving so close, each settlement would only have to focus on defending one side.
For the 44th Settlement, they could reallocate eighty percent of their troops to their left. The remainder would be enough for their right side since that side faced the 43rd Empyrean Tusk.
Elites from both sides could assist each other. Moreover, the narrow gap made the Zingers hesitant to attack the region. It was a strategic move.
The herd had formations in place for various dangerous terrains.
Instructor Mandu arrived at a building on the right side of the head region. It was a flat terrace. The edges were grilled.
"Come here." Instructor Mandu said to Inala and stood on the flat terrace. He then bowed towards an old man seated nearby.
The old man glanced at the item in his hand and nodded. A moment later, walls crept onto the terrace, creating a room where even the ceiling appeared.
Followed by a rumble, the terrace—that had become a room—moved in the sky and slowly made its way towards the 43rd Settlement like a horizontal lift.
The entire room was the old man's Spirit Weapon, allowing him to control it. And the distance was well within his range. This was how goods and information were safely interchanged between the various Settlements.
A minute later, the walls of the room collapsed as Inala looked around and noticed that he was on the 43rd Settlement now.
An elite approached Instructor Mandu and discussed.
"It's nearby. Follow me." Instructor Mandu said and brought Inala to a nearby house that had a large hall. To avoid causing a rash to the 43rd Empyrean Tusk, they dared not venture deeper into the settlement.
Hence, all transactions were conducted at the border.
"They're inside." The elite spoke nervously as he pointed at the entrance, "Proceed inside."
"It's on you, Inala." Instructor Mandu whispered as he cautiously dragged Inala into the room, "Be absolutely respectful."
The room spanned a length of thirty metres and a breadth of twenty-five metres. Two chairs were placed at one end.
Ten people stood behind the pair of chairs respectfully. Half of them were at the Spirit Stage while the remainder were at the Body Stage. But even those at the Spirit Stage brimmed with Prana. And by the pressure they exuded, Inala felt they were either at the peak or were working on entering the Body Stage.
The room was barren. A glowing gem was embedded in the ceiling and was the sole source of illumination in the room. Thankfully, it was bright enough.
Inala's attention finally fell on the couple seated on the pair of chairs, a man and a woman, both seemingly in their twenties based on appearance. But the suffocating stench of blood emanating from them said otherwise.
'They have killed enough for their auras to become tangible and paint a mental image of blood and slaughter.' Inala prostrated on the floor, "I greet the 43rd Settlement Leader and Lady Mother."
The Settlement Leader was generally the oldest and strongest in the Settlement, hence his title. His wife would bear the title of Lady Mother. After all, if she was alive long enough whole being the Settlement Leader's wife, not only would she be a master and wield significant strength, but would have also given birth to dozens of children that stood above their peers.
The head of the Mammoth Clan was taken up by a male, but his role was primarily being in charge of the respective Empyrean Tusk, its position in the herd, coming up with defence plans based on the territory the herd was about to enter, and deciding on the Pranic Beast to be granted to the students.
The actual one in power was the Lady Mother, in charge of all logistics, from wealth and resource allocation to even job postings of the elites. Even the housing of an elite and even a master was decided by her.
Moreover, as Mammoth Clansmen children were generally groomed to revere their mothers and spend most of their childhood with her, barely meeting their fathers, all mothers had an iron grip on their children and were gung-ho about their developmental affairs.
And as the mother that had birthed geniuses and nurtured them to become pillars of the clan, she was behind raising the core strength that safeguarded the sovereignty of the Settlement. Hence, the title Lady Mother.
"You have brought about beneficial changes in my daughter." Right as Inala prostrated on the floor, a gentle voice resounded. But the sound was only gentle to hear. In reality, Inala felt all strength leaving his body, unable to even nod, forced to passively hear whatever the Lady Mother had to say, "It seemed interesting. So, I summoned you here."
"Now, why don't we discuss your findings?"