Chapter 50: The Chosen Path
Mordiggian proved to be a very different teacher than Arc.
Arc’s training sessions had gotten Yuan used to practical exercises and the occasional attempts to make him figure out technique intricacies on his own; learn how to learn, in her own words. Mordiggian instead preferred detailed and in-depth explanations while happily answering Yuan’s questions in a clear and concise manner. He was, in short, someone more interested in teaching theory first rather than jumping into practice.
Yuan couldn’t tell whether he was always this way or whether the subject matter demanded that kind of approach. A gardener had to select the right seeds, set up feng shui-powered fields to maximize levels of elemental qi concentration, and then provide proper nourishment.
The lesson bored Yuan to death.
Cultivating spirit-fruits and herbs demanded a patience and gentle touch he just didn’t have. When Mordiggian taught him a few Barrier setups that could maximize what the qi plants could absorb, Yuan’s first thought was how he could apply them in battle. He spaced out during half the lesson in spite of his sincere attempts to listen.
Yuan was starting to believe his intuitive understanding of techniques—which Gayak outright called prodigious—was limited to combat applications.
Meanwhile, Holster proved extremely adept at the field. Mordiggian invited her to attend his lessons, which she followed with a lot more assiduity than Yuan himself. She not only learned Mordiggian’s Barrier arrays on her first try, but swiftly improved upon their designs to increase qi concentration by five percent; a feat that delighted her teacher.
She’s picking things up so quickly, Yuan thought with pride after he observed her refresh a spirit-tree’s with the right Barrier. It makes me wonder how she would do without her Human Pillar restrictions.
Unfortunately, Mordiggian couldn’t do anything on her behalf. “I can offer her the same solutions I gave you, Gunsoul: rebirth as a normal girl or a better reincarnation. I’m afraid only the likes of the Flesh Mansion Sect have the knowledge to repair her core without outright disabling it.”