‘Is… is Lord Aksai talking to me? Have I been selected?’
The girl was too stunned to speak after hearing Aksai’s proposal.
For the first few seconds, she didn’t think that Aksai was talking about her.
It was only when Aksai waved his hand and created a gust of wind that gently pushed her forward from the crowd did she realized that Aksai was indeed talking about her.
The young girl did not understand why Aksai wasn’t taking her as his disciple or what being an apprentice really meant. But she knew she would regret it if she said no at this point, especially when many others in the top 30 hadn’t been selected by any of the island owners.
‘I’ll get selected as an apprentice first. I can then make Lord Aksai accept me as his disciple. Hehe,’ the young girl thought, clenching her fists in determination. She then looked at Aksai with reverence before replying, “I… I accept.”
“Good. What’s your name?” Aksai smiled at the young girl and asked. Even though he stood on the raised platform, quite a distance away from the young girl, she could hear his voice loud and clear as if he were standing right in front of her.
“It’s… it’s Ivy Elbak, my lord,” Ivy replied, bowing to Aksai.
Ivy Elbak was a petite girl, around 14 years old, with a slender frame that hinted at both resilience and agility. Her skin was a warm, sun-kissed shade, suggesting that she spent much of her time outdoors. She had long, wavy hair the color of dark chestnut, which framed her delicate face and cascaded down her back.
Her eyes were the most striking feature: a vivid green that seemed to reflect the very essence of nature. They were large and expressive, filled with curiosity and a hint of determination. Her eyebrows were slightly arched, giving her a look of perpetual curiosity. A few freckles were scattered across her nose and cheeks, adding to her youthful charm.
Ivy’s attire was simple but practical, suitable for someone accustomed to physical activity and outdoor life. She wore a plain tunic and trousers made from sturdy, earth-toned fabric, and a pair of well-worn boots. A small pouch hung from her belt, likely carrying basic supplies or personal trinkets.
“Ivy,” Aksai addressed. “You can come to Shamrock Peak and look for Shuan, who will let you know the basics and what is expected of you. He’ll also arrange your accommodations and provide your monthly cultivation resources.” Aksai settled the affairs quickly before sitting back in his chair.
The other participants among the Top 30 expected Aksai to select them next. However, when Aksai sat down and did not show any further interest, they began looking at Ivy with jealousy. They felt Aksai had done them an injustice by selecting someone not in the Top 30.
However, the participants didn’t dare raise their complaints to Aksai. Aksai had developed a quiet persona in the eyes of Emerald Cove’s denizens, but his actions during the purge to eliminate the previous island owner’s influence were still fresh in their minds.
With the disciples chosen, the top 30 performers were awarded their prizes. They received access to varying cultivation techniques and Spirit spells tailored to their aptitudes, along with other valuable cultivation resources.
The awards included rare herbs, elixirs, and Spirit stones, all aimed at fostering their growth and development as Spirit cultivators.
Because Ivy wasn’t in the top 30 participants, she didn’t receive any of these rewards. Yet, she still garnered significant attention from the audience simply because she was the only person selected by the island owner, Aksai.
The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration from the island owners, affirming their commitment to nurturing young talents. As the evening sky turned a deep shade of indigo, the crowd began to disperse, and the young cultivators now carried the weight of their new responsibilities and the promise of a brighter future.
Aksai watched as the girl he had chosen mingled with the other newly appointed disciples, her excitement and determination evident.
***
A few days later.
Shamrock Peak.
Aksai led Ivy to his vineyard, the rows of vines stretching out under the warm sun, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. “This is where we grow the Spiti berries for Bacchus’ Blessings Wine,” he said, gesturing to the vines. “Today, I’ll show you how to use Spirit spells to ripen and harvest them.”
Ivy watched closely as Aksai extended his hands towards a cluster of berries, murmuring an incantation. A soft green glow enveloped his hands, spreading to the vines and the berries.
Gradually, the berries swelled and darkened to a deep, rich purple, ready for harvest. Aksai picked a cluster and handed it to Ivy. “Feel the energy,” he instructed. “Notice how the berries pulse with Spirit essence.”
Ivy held the berries, marveling at the subtle vibration of energy within them. “It’s incredible. He did it so easily. Was… was it really a Spirit spell or something else,?” she whispered.
Next, Aksai led her to his Spirit garden, a lush area filled with various plants, each one radiating a unique aura. “Here we grow 1st and 2nd order cultivation resources,” he explained. “Watch how I use Spirit spells to harvest them.”
He demonstrated this by focusing his energy on a herb known for enhancing cultivation speed for low-stage Spirit cultivators. With a few intricate hand movements and a softly spoken spell, the herb glowed and gently uprooted itself, floating into Aksai’s outstretched hand. “It’s essential to channel your wood-element spells precisely,” he said. “Too much force and you damage the plant; too little, and the spell won’t work.”
Ivy mimicked his actions, her hands glowing with a faint green light as she concentrated. Slowly, a nearby herb responded, lifting itself from the soil and drifting towards her. She caught it, smiling with pride. “I did it!”
Aksai nodded approvingly. “Well done. Now, let’s move to the Spirit farm.”
They walked to a sprawling field where various Spirit crops grew, each one demanding different conditions. Aksai pointed to a patch of shimmering blue grains. “These are Moonshade Grains. They require a delicate balance of moonlight essence and water-element energy.”
He demonstrated a spell to enhance the grains’ growth, his hands weaving complex patterns in the air. “You must control the effects and efficacy of your spells carefully,” he said. “Too much essence and the crop will wither; too little, and it won’t mature properly.”
Ivy practiced the spell under Aksai’s watchful eye, adjusting her energy flow until she achieved the right balance. The grains glowed and grew more robust, their energy intensifying. “Perfect,” Aksai praised. “Now, remember, each crop has specific needs. Pay attention to their color, texture, and the feel of their energy to determine what they require.”
As they traversed the farmland, Aksai provided detailed information about each crop, their requirements, and the signs indicating their needs.
‘How… How does lord Aksai know so much? It’s almost as if he has a book opened right in front of him all the time that tells him about the crops,’ Ivy thought to herself, amazed by the extent of Aksai’s knowledge.
She made mental notes, absorbing everything Aksai said. She realized that Aksai was training her not just in Spirit farming but to take up his responsibilities in his absence.
By the time they returned to the starting point, Ivy was thoroughly impressed. “Your knowledge is astounding, Lord Aksai,” she said, admiration clear in her voice.
Aksai smiled gently. “It’s essential to pass on what we know. You’re showing great promise, Ivy. With dedication and practice, you’ll master these skills in no time.”
Ivy felt a surge of determination. “I’ll do my best, Lord Aksai. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” Aksai replied, looking out over his land with a sense of satisfaction. “Now, let’s get to work. There’s much more to learn.”
Aksai planned to train Ivy in everything she needed to know to manage his Spirit farm.
He intended to provide her with the right cultivation resources, tools, and even a group of rental farmers to ensure the farm was well cared for in his absence or during periods of long cultivation seclusion.
He also planned to create a few Array Formations that could store and distribute evenly his druidic powers. By assigning Ivy as the controller of these formations, she could act as a druid without actually being one.
This way, the mysterious Spirit bloodline powers would be perceived as Aksai using some mysterious formations. By allowing Ivy to control the Array Formations, he wouldn’t need to worry about his Spirit farm requiring his constant attention.
Aksai also taught Ivy how she could delegate some of her tasks to the rental farmers. He also advised her to ask for help from Shuan and Ruan whenever she needed to manage the large estate.
At first, all of Aksai’s instructions were too much for a 14-year-old girl like Ivy to digest.
However, she was a determined Spirit cultivator from Dadangar. She decided to quickly get accustomed to Aksai’s Spirit farm, hoping to eventually be selected as his disciple in a few years.