Chapter 6

"A spirit beast is an animal that learns how to cultivate. Just like human martial artists, they absorb the spiritual energy of the heavens and the Earth in order to become stronger. The difference is that while humans store all of their energy in the dantian, spirit beasts don't have a dantian and can only absorb the energy into their bodies. Not only are they more difficult to kill than regular wild beasts, but their flesh is good for martial artists because it contains some of the energy a beast absorbs while it's alive." While Emily was talking she had a smug look on her face. She then directed that look to Ash, almost as if saying, "Although we have similar talent, I'm smarter than you!"

Ash ignored her look and thought to himself, "Is this what martial artists get to eat every day?" Thankfully he hadn't spoken aloud again. Ash looked over the table one more time before breaking away from the group and going to sit down. Already at one end of the table, the Mayor was sitting down while the opposite end was taken by Miss Glaze. Once everyone sat down, Ash realized that there was one extra chair that no one was sitting in. At this time there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" The Mayor said. The door quickly opened to show a tall figure covered completely by a worn, brown robe. The mysterious person walked over to the Mayor and stood slightly behind him. He then proceeded to bend down and whisper something into the Mayor's ear. The man was quiet and Ash couldn't hear what he said, but the Mayor's face quickly underwent a change.

"Miss Glaze..." The Mayor said. "I've heard already. Let's head out to take a look. Children, you must all follow and watch closely." Miss Glaze got up and left towards the door. The Mayor followed behind with a worried expression on his face while the children followed along curiously. Upon reaching the outside of the Mayor's house, Ash took a look around. Unlike before, the Mayor's yard wasn't empty. There were a group of people all standing in front of Miss Glaze and the Mayor. All of these people were wearing light blue robes embroidered with silver. All of the robes were the same except for the person in front. His robe had a small silver tree on his left chest over the heart.

"Explain yourself, William." Miss Glaze spoke with a cold tone. "You know that I'm the escort for these children. You have no business here. You may leave now." The man named William was tall and robust. His robe was tight, almost as if his muscles would burst out. He had a head full of long dark hair that moved slightly even when there was no wind. Like Miss Glaze, he also had very intense and penetrating eyes. Upon taking a closer look, Ash saw that the man William bore some similarities to Emily Silvertree. Not knowing if it was something that ran in the family or not, they both had striking green eyes.

William looked over the crowd of children until he spotted Emily. When he saw her, there was the slightest hint of coldness in his eyes. "I have no issues with you being their escort Lori, but my daughter will be returning with me. Unfortunately, there are some family matters to take care of at home. Come now, Emily, let us return and I won't be angry." At this point, on Emily's face was an expression of dread. She looked back and forth between her father and Miss Glaze with almost pleading eyes. Miss Glaze sighed. "William, she does not want to go with you. In that case, you won't be taking her away from here."

"You don't have the power to stop me, Lori. If I want to take my daughter away today, no one can stop me." While William spoke, an imperceptible aura started to gather around him. The people behind him also got into a battle stance, although there was no aura around them. William's aura kept gathering until his hair started to gently float up followed by his robe.

"Only a mid-stage foundation establishment. I admit that last year, I might not have been able to stop you from taking her away, but..." As she trailed off, Ash could feel a pressure come off of her that felt stifling. Unlike with William, her hair and robe did not float. It was almost as if she was concentrating her power inwards. William saw Miss Glaze release her aura and was shocked. "Don't tell me... late foundation establishment?! How did you break through before me?!" Mixed in with the shock on his face was now a hint of anger.

"I don't mind telling you, of course, but only if you can beat me." Miss Glaze chuckled and then released the aura that she had been focusing inward. Ash felt as if the temperature had dropped about ten degrees. Tsk. "Lucky breakthrough. You might be able to stop me here, but I'll let you know something. If I don't bring my daughter home today, I won't be the only one who is angry. The head of the Donald family in Goan City has already proposed a marriage between her and his youngest son Jive Donald. Either she leaves with me or you face seeing the wrath of the Donald family." William continued to stare intensely at Miss Glaze, although at this time, he had already removed his aura. "I have no concern over whether or not the Donald family is angry. I work for the Mayor of Goan City himself. So long as she doesn't want to leave and it is still my duty to escort these children, she will remain under my protection regardless of who interferes. Now, you may take your leave."

"Very well. Men! Let's go!" William's eyes narrowed to slits as he barked. As he turned around to leave, Miss Glaze also wiped away her aura letting the pressure and temperature around them to return to normal. "Let this be a lesson to you all." Miss Glaze said. "A single level of power difference can be the difference between heaven and earth. The world of martial artists is one where the strong rule and the weak are eaten. The winners are always right and the losers are the villains. This is the world that we live in. Everyone go back inside and resume your meal please." Afterward, she left towards the door.

The other children, having felt the same auras, were just now breaking out of their stupor. Only a few of the children were still clear headed. One of the children was Evan Wilhelm, and the other was Emily. Last but not least was Ash. Contemplating, Ash figured that he wasn't as affected by the aura possibly due to his reincarnation. He had read stories on Earth about when reincarnating, your soul would merge with the other becoming more powerful. Ash wasn't able to tell how Emily and Evan weren't affected. Emily and Evan also noticed each other and Ash and were surprised as well.

Being the only ones not coming out of a stupor, they were also the first to come into the house. Upon entering the dining room again they only saw the mayor and not Miss Glaze. "Mizz Glaze told me she had to go and alert the Mayor of Goan City about what had just happened. She should be back soon. Once the other children are in and Miss Glaze is back we shall start eating!"