As dawn was soon to creep over the horizon, the last bits of moonlight lit the expansive windows of the Rohese estate. Lassim awoke to a room, lavished in opulence but imbued with a comforting sense of tranquility, that was unfamiliar yet welcoming.
He had spent the night at his grandparents' insistence. He still didn't quite feel much of a strong connection to the pair, but he was enjoying the love and attention. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, he felt refreshed, the bed was unbelievably soft compared to the one in his cultivation cave. His mind was clear and his body invigorated as if the hugs and love had recharged a special part of him.
Rising early allowed Lassim a quiet moment to himself, a brief interlude of peace before the day's obligations. He dressed quickly and made his way to the dining hall, where surprisingly Frederyc and Elisa were already awaiting. They were familiar with the academy's schedule so had assumed he might be awake early, so they had the chefs prepare earlier than the usual morning meal at dawn.
Breakfast was a light affair, shared amidst casual conversation that contrasted the extensive topics covered the night prior. They spoke of his studies and the day ahead, their interest genuine and their advice thoughtful. As he bid them farewell for the day, Lassim couldn't help but feel a deepening bond, a connection to his Rohese lineage that was becoming increasingly integral to his identity.
Arriving at the classroom just before Elder Linara arrived, today's session was dedicated to addressing the students' queries in a forum style questioning, as she mentioned at the end of the last lesson.
A student raised a hand, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Elder Linara, how do we strengthen our bond with our elemental spirits to enhance our cultivation?"
Elder Linara smiled, her eyes reflecting the wisdom of years. "Strengthening your bond is akin to nurturing a friendship, but also raising a child. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to listen. Your elemental spirits are not just tools but partners. Communicate with them, respect their nature, and your bond will deepen, granting you greater access to their power. You must teach them at first, but eventually they will awaken their own knowledge when they raise in power. This will allow them to mature extremely rapidly from just mere children to full grown adults that can act on their own to an extent."
Another student, a young man with an eager gleam in his eye, asked, "I heard from one of the older students that our elementals can evolve? Is this true?"
"Indeed," Elder Linara responded, her tone encouraging. "As you grow and increase through the different spirit stages, not only does your body evolve and adapt to the increased power, but so too do your spirits. Their evolution is a reflection of your own journey, a mirror to your personal growth. If you favor techniques that increase your defense, you might find your elemental spirit gains a set of incredible armor or they become a create that has remarkable defensive capabilities. This symbiotic relationship is what allows cultivators to reach heights unimaginable to the ordinary. The first evolution will occur at the end of the Spirit Growth stage and every stage beyond."
Another hand shot up, belonging to a student with a puzzled expression, "Elder Linara, why do some spirit warriors exhibit physical traits related to their elements? Like, my mother has leaves in her hair and smells like morning dew. She also has a bit of a green aura sometimes."
Elder Linara smiled, pleased with the question. "An excellent inquiry. Yes, as a cultivator's bond with their element deepens, it's common to see physical manifestations. These can range from auras to more tangible traits, like enhanced agility for wind cultivators or a certain sturdiness and sheen to their skin for those aligned with metal. These are signs of harmony between the cultivator and their element, a reflection of their understanding and respect for the natural world."
The class was rapt, hanging on every word as Elder Linara elucidated the complexities of cultivation with an elegance that made even the most intricate concepts accessible. Several more students raised their hands with various questions and concerns. Even one student asked if she was single, which quickly turned into him being smacked on the head and told to focus harder on cultivation.
With the lesson concluded, Lassim found himself amidst his friends, Sirium and Lustria, their steps leading them to the academy cafeteria. The casual atmosphere was a welcome change from that of the of classroom, allowing them to talk freely.
As they settled into their seats in the academy's bustling cafeteria, Sirium and Lustria turned their full attention to Lassim, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
"So, you just vanished yesterday without a word," Sirium began, leaning forward, his interest piqued. "And now you're telling us it was to visit the Rohese estate? That's quite insane."
Lustria nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with anticipation for the story. "Yes, please do tell. We were worried when you disappeared so suddenly, but this is even bigger news!"
Taking a deep breath, Lassim launched into his tale, "I didn't plan on it, honestly. After our lesson with Master Kale, I received a letter—it was from my grandparents, Frederyc and Elisa Rohese. They invited me over to the estate, wanting to finally meet me."
Sirium's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, your grandparents are Roheses? As in, THE Rohese family known for their insanely high valued architecture? Commissioning the Rohese family to design, let alone build, any sort of store or estate is incredibly expensive. My father commissioned them for a few of our flagship merchant stores and it moved mountains of high-grade elemental source stones"
Lustria's spoon paused mid-air, her shock evident. "And here we thought you were solely a Vanthar. But a Rohese? That's...wow, Lassim, that's incredible. But also, doesn't that make you insanely wealthy?"
Lassim chuckled, a bit self-conscious. "Yeah, it was a surprise for me too. I've always known about my connection to the Rohese family through my mother, but I hadn't grasped the...extent of it, I guess. Their estate is something else—vast gardens, beautiful architecture, all emanating their connection to the nature element. It's like stepping into another world."
Sirium whistled, impressed. "I've seen the stores they built for my father and they were so well balanced and perfectly fit the aesthetic of the neighborhoods in a noble way. Also, the academy's elemental gardens were designed by the Rohese family, weren't they? Their work is everywhere."
Lustria's expression softened, a blend of awe and understanding crossing her features. "It must have been quite the experience, meeting them. That's legendary in it's own right, and to think you're part of that legacy..."
Lassim nodded, a sense of pride mingling with the overwhelming newness of it all. "It was...overwhelming, but in a good way. They welcomed me with open arms. It felt like I was finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing."
The trio fell into a contemplative silence, the magnitude of Lassim's revelation settling around them. Sirium and Lustria exchanged glances, their initial shock giving way to a supportive understanding.
"Well, regardless of which family you hail from, you're our friend first," Sirium said, clapping Lassim on the shoulder. "But I won't lie—I'm looking forward to seeing how this unfolds for you."
Lassim smiled awkwardly, "You say that...." He continued and explained the warmth of his grandparents' welcome, and the revelation of an upcoming noble party in his honor.
Sirium and Lustria listened intently, their reactions a mix of amusement from Sirium and concern from Lustria.
Lustria's response was a bit personal, her voice soft. "My parents host a grand birthday party for me every year, but it's always just family. I don't have much advice on larger gatherings, I'm afraid. I'm not as outgoing and don't have much advice to give you."
Sirium responded offering insights from his experiences in merchant family meetings. "I've been to hundreds of these types of business tycoon meetings with high nobles. Most are stuck up, but always trying to curry favor with my father. The guests usually always offer some sort of gift to me when meeting me for the first time. It's kind of nice. I think it might be similar for you since you're the latest Rohese and they're just so overwhelmingly powerful. You should share with us if you get anything good." Sirium gave a wink before continuing, "So, yeah, just be yourself. And, uh, watch out for the matchmaking. I don't know about your grandparents, but my grandmother is always on about setting me up with someone," he said with a resigned sigh, the annoyance clear in his expression.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Sirium half-jokingly warned Lassim of potential arranged marriage proposals.
Abruptly, Lustria's reaction was immediate and confusing, her voice sharp. "You must refuse any offers, Lassim! Don't let them pressure you into anything," she declared, stood up and leaning over the table with merely a few inches between their faces, a surprising intensity in her words.
Lassim, stunned by the passion in her outburst, could only nod in agreement, a silent promise to fight back against any unwanted offers. Lustria, realizing her sudden display of emotion, blushed deeply and retreated into her seat, her gaze fixed on her plate, her earlier confidence replaced by a shy reserve.
The moment passed, leaving an awkward silence in its wake. Lassim, noticing her blush and how her face was nearly touching his a moment ago, also felt a bit burning in his cheeks.
Lassim broke the silence with some reassurance, a chuckle, and light joke, "Haha, uh, sure I'll make sure to turn away any enemies!"
The moment passed, and Lassim could feel his friendship with them both growing.
As lunch came to an end, they went off to the mission hall to plan their next adventure for the afternoon. A simple mission of culling some of the SI2 and SI3 beasts inside the academy's forest, earning them 4 points per set of 3 trophies collected.
The academy's routine continued, the lessons with Elder Linara and Master Kale, and the shared meals or missions with Sirium and Lustria became the calm before the impending whirlwind of introductions and expectations. Finally, the day of the party arrived.