The group had already been traveling for over a week.
During this time, the nine men had already encountered many creatures. Sometimes there were even fierce fights, but due to their coordinated work there were no serious losses, only wounds.
They also agreed that if they came across an animal that had a valuable body part, they would split the proceeds of the loot. But it would be upon their return to the Border Beast City. There were also situations when one of the group accidentally saw a valuable plant or a piece of rock of value. In such cases, the found item would remain in the personal possession of the finder.
Luck could also be considered part of the master's power, it was like a talent, it didn't depend on you either. You were just born with it, it was just luck. If you found something on your own, it was due to your luck, not a general contribution, like in the case of fighting against a beast. That's why everyone thought it was right that there was no need to share in such a case.
Just at that moment, Kai noticed a large piece of energy stone not far away, which was about the value of six ordinary stones. For an ordinary warrior from the Border Beast City, it was a pretty good find, someone should have worked for a week for something like this.
- Why? Why are you so lucky, you've found something valuable several times already. I can't find anything! - Kashi was childishly indignant.
It pissed her off that Kai sometimes found something. Since he seemed to be about her age she got competitive. She decided she had to beat him. But somehow it didn't work out... Which really pissed her off.
- It's not luck. You can be lucky once, but not many times. If you see me finding things all the time. Don't you think it's just because of my ability? And anyway, luck without effort is useless...'' Kai said lazily.
"The causelessness of Luck, there is a second law. It is impossible to grasp the causes and effects of the manifestations of the universe, as if everything is solved by throwing a dice with an infinity of edges, which gives birth to the most incredible patterns.
The eternity of the Will, is the third law. All living and non-living things have a will, it is like an immaterial essence that sets in motion all the laws of existence." - Kai repeated in his head.
"To find luck, one must constantly try, the more one tries, the greater the chance of finding success and luck. It's foolish to lie idle and hope that a golden mountain will fall on your head... Similarly, without luck, trying becomes just banging your head against the wall. Only when Luck and Will are combined will they bear fruit! In the Essence Sphere, the laws of Luck and Will were even more primary than the law of Life and Death..." - When Keshi remembered about luck, Kai sank into his thoughts. He often pondered over the laws he had heard from the Essence Sphere long ago.
This girl was too energetic, and active. In a week, he had already grown tired of her. Especially when she mistook him for an opponent, it became simply unbearable. Kai was a bit annoyed by such people, so he constantly approached Rogue and Solina with Hiki. He enjoyed socializing with them much more.
Having already passed a week, all the guys in the vanguard didn't mind Kai's presence. Since during this time he had warned about hidden attacks and prevented possible damage more than once. The whole group had long appreciated his abilities.
Kai had found various good items because of them, and now his ring was already filled with twenty stones worth of energy. He was already satisfied with this journey, now he was just thinking about it.
"I already have enough valuable items, plus I'll get paid fifteen stones upon my return, and there are still beast parts. This sortie was definitely worth it. Hehehe" - Kai pondered cheerfully in his head as he walked beside the two girls.
"But the most valuable thing I got was the book of the Masters of the Array! Thanks to Fabian, I was able to read it briefly and understand the main points. Gotta keep practicing." - Thought Kai with a smile.
In the last week he had read all of Fabian's book. And little by little he started practicing energy control, following the techniques from the book. He realized it was the only thing he could do right now. For drawing, he needed some simple ready array near him to try to copy.
Fabian already had a student, he wouldn't be showing Kai any arrays or exercises. And after examining the array on the identification plate, he realized that the array was too complicated.
Realizing this, Kai decided to focus on training in control. As well as, maximizing the number of 'lint' he could perfectly control.
"We need to learn how to control a dozen of them. And when I return to the Border Beast City, I can already start copying simple arrays... Perhaps the Array Masters Association might have something to look into." - Examining the energy on his finger, Kai tried to control the four 'flecks' already.
Since he saw each of them as real, learning to control them was much easier than the others. He didn't need any guidance.
"Now I'm beginning to understand... First I need to learn to control the movement. "Then control the density of the energy I put in. And finally the meaning I put into it." - Looking at his finger, Kai reasoned.
The last part was the most difficult. For an ordinary person, only by drawing an element, it was possible to understand if he had put the right meaning, that's why teachers were needed. That meaning was essentially the writing that Kai saw. Once he saw the array element, he would just need practice to repeat it. Just a bit of practice to put the same meaning in.
"It can be considered that Array Mastery is divided into three stages. In the first, you have to repeat the pattern of the array. Basically, it's always a circle with various symbols and geometric figures with hieroglyphics inscribed in it.
The second level, however, is that each of these elements of the overall pattern, must be written with a clear number of "flecks" and their clear characteristics. In order for the energy to flow properly, there must be clear paths of lint, their smoothness and density.
And the very last and most complex level, is the meaning that must flow in the energy..." - Kai was now structuring all the information he had read in his head.
"Those who see the Array Mastery for the first time think that the main secret is in that beautiful big drawing. But it turns out that it is already the final part... Everything starts with the right energy, which moves through clear channels and then it all merges into the overall drawing! How did people come up with this craft in the first place? It certainly couldn't have been figured out just by trial and error..." - Kai finally began to realize the depth of this art.
- Brother Kai, what do you always do when you look at your finger? - Hika asked sweetly.
- To be honest, I'm doing something stupid. I borrowed from Mr. Fabian's book on the Mastery of Arrays, and after reading it I'm trying to repeat the methods described there... - he paused and continued, - It's of course useless without a Master, but what else can I do on a journey. I can't always admire you, so it might get boring, hehehe. - Kai laughed slyly.
He used to tease the two sisters, and they were used to it. In fact, the girls liked Kai's words very much. Because in their essence they carried the idea that they were very beautiful. Almost every girl is pleased to hear compliments in her direction. Especially, in the manner of giving compliments, Kai had his own bold style.
- Hey! How could such beauty get boring? Hahaha. - At this moment, laughing, Solina said.
- I prefer to savor beauty a little at a time, especially one like Sister Solina's. - Winking said Kai.
- Eh boy, what will happen when you grow up... - Roga said heavily, it seemed he wanted to learn how to talk to women like that too.
Continuing to laugh and talk the group moved forward. Mr. Fabian estimated that they had about another week and a half to go. Kai decided to concentrate fully on increasing the number of 'cooties' he could control for that time.