Taking a Master(1)

The Castellan continued speaking, oblivious to Lance's scheming joy. His face suddenly turned dead serious. His whole body suddenly emanated waves of authority replacing the casual look that he had had till now.

"I have a very important question to ask of you. You do not need to give me an answer now, you can take as much time as you want to think about it. There is one last thing about wishers that you need to know: all wishers are not alike. All wishers can use the energy they absorb through cultivation, but some wishers can also use energy from other sources. In your case, at this stage you can also use the energy stored in your fat cells and muscles although it places an immense load on your body. The ability to use these special sources are called 'Quirks'. Quirks come in many shapes. Some can use the elements to some degree basing on their cultivation. Some can even use the gravitational energy in a location. Although these quirks may seem overpowered, the key lies in the fact that only energy in proportion to their cultivation level can be accessed. This can also be done by regular people who have connections with those aspects. Thus, they do not offer a very significant advantage.

Over all my years, your quirk is something that I have not seen or even heard of. If carefully nourished, I believe you will reach the level of those 3 paragons. I cannot yet tell you more details as they would only serve to muddle your path of cultivation.

What I am reaching for is the fact that I would very much like to accept you as my disciple. If you do, I will immediately give you the resources of a personal disciple. You just need to know that this is the highest level that an initiate can reach on this station. Also,-"

"Please accept me as your disciple, master.", said Lance, bowing. He did not need to hear more. The man in front of him had not hesitated to save him at any cost. His manner of speech and his sheer depth of wisdom had impressed Lance since the beginning. He was someone who trusted his gut, and his gut was telling him that this man would truly use all means at his disposal to nurture him. Thus, he accepted in a heartbeat without needing to hear the rest.

The Castellan was a bit startled. Mostly in such situations, initiates with high potential would wait for him to finish and and ask about other options. They knew that he was not the only one at his level on the station. Others who had average or below average INs would be the very picture of gratitude.

Such an image of grace and self-confidence was rarely seen.

"Are you sure? You are new to the station, so you might not know that there are others on the station who are at my level. Some are even more skilled than me in some areas. Some might even offer you more resources. Don't you want to take some time and evaluate your options? As you are a wisher, all of them would be eager to accept you.", said the Castellan after raising Lance up by his shoulders. He still held him as he asked this question.

"Yes, I am sure. All of that might be true, but my gut tells me that you are my best choice. So, please accept me, master. I am aware of the traditional custom of kowtowing to ones master, so please let me give my first kowtow to you, master."

Lance tried to move back and kneel but he was held fast by the Castellan.

An ecstatic smile spread across his face as he said, "I did away with kowtows centuries ago. This is my way to accept a disciple."

Saying so, he pulled Lance and hugged him tight.

Lance was bewildered by the sudden gesture. They were the very image of an awkward hug: one man holding the other tight, the other man just standing, arms dangling with no idea what to do.