Decision

The next aspect of cultivation that Ben understood was the Elemental Affinity. Most martial spirits had associated elements which would affect the affinity of the cultivator for that element. Rarer spirits sometimes had more than one associated element. Skills associated with elements could be performed more effectively by a person who had more affinity for the respective element. Technically, anyone can learn any skill associated with any of the elements, but their efficacy would decline as per his or her affinity. Hence cultivators usually concentrate on skills matching their affinity. The various elemental affinities were also grouped based on rarity of occurrence- the common elemental affinities to fire, water, air, wood and earth; the rare elemental affinities to lightning, ice, metal, poison and wind; the ultra rare elemental affinities to light and darkness. Metal, wind, poison and ice were variants of the common elements earth, air, wood and water, where as lightning was the unique rare element with no relation to any of the common elements. As for the ultra rare elements, he could not find more information.

All this information about cultivation only served to increase Ben's anxiety as he could not be sure if he would be able to awaken a martial spirit. In case he could not awaken a martial spirit, he would have to live his life as a mortal, at the mercy of others. His goal of attaining power would be lost even before it got underway. His father had been a powerful cultivator, the most powerful in the family and even in Verdant City. His martial spirit was the Blue scaled Basilisk, a mythical creature with both poison and water elements. So many in the family expected Ben to have a powerful spirit as well as powerful parents usually gave birth to powerful progeny, but exceptions were also seen. As there was no information available about his mother, there was even higher chance of him acquiring a lower tier spirit. His father had left the family to travel the world when his power had begun to outgrow that of his peers in the city. About two decades later he returned with Ben, who was just an year old. About 3 years ago, when Ben had turned 6 years old, conflict had broken out between the Silvesters and Falors, a smaller family, who were trying to gain a foothold in the city. It had started out as small skirmishes, but quickly escalated into in all out conflict. The Falors stunned everyone by bringing in 2 powerful cultivators from the capital, intent on deposing the Silvesters. The conflict ended in the destruction of the Falor family, but the Silvesters lost Raymond who succumbed to his grevious injuries. It was a serious blow to the family's power, but they had survived the ordeal, albeit with heavy casualties. Ben still remembered one of his last conversations with his father before his death, where Raymond advised him about choosing a weapon. He had wanted Ben to choose a weapon to start training. Ben eventually chose the sword, practicing swordplay diligently so as to heed his father's advise. He had grown proficient with the sword, over the last 3 years of training such that there was no one in the youngest generation of the Silvesters who could match him with a weapon. Still, anxiety over his fate was present, clouding his thoughts. He had tried to plan ahead in case of the worst scenario, but yet to make any headway.

The sound of footsteps nearing him brought him out of his reverie. He turned to see Oram, his attendant approaching. " You have been thinking for quite a while now, Young Master", Oram noted. Ben smiled sheepishly, he had wasted an hour reminiscing. He then followed Oram into the house for breakfast.

"The allotted allowance for this month has decreased again", Oram informed him as he finished his meal. Ben frowned. This house was once frequented by many in family to seek help and favor when his father was alive, but the stream concerned well-wishers had steadily declined in the months since his death. The allowance given to him every month also started dropping recently. He had sold off some his father's trinkets to supplement their allowance, but now he had to find another way. "It seems like I will have go to Misty Forest after all", he mused. "Young Master, it is dangerous for anyone other than cultivators to enter the forest", Oram reminded. "Don't worry, I'll only be hunting in the outskirts of the forest. I can sell the pelts and other parts of the beasts for some money", he reassured. He went to the courtyard again, to resume his training. An hour later, Oram approached informing him that his uncle had arrived wanting to speak to him. Ben hurried to guest room to meet his uncle Richard, his father's elder brother. Richard was the second son of Allistair Silvester, his grandfather and current Patriarch, Ramon being the eldest and Rupert the youngest. He was also one of the few people who still visited him these days. He entered the room to see Richard lost in thought, stroking his thick beard. But he immediately noticed Ben approaching. He smiled softly," How are you doing Ben". "Good, as always uncle Richard". Richard seemed unconvinced, but didn't probe again. "I wanted to let you know that this year's preparations for the awakening ceremony will begin next week. You are required to attend. No excuses", Richard's gaze was determined. "I understand ", Ben sighed. Richard smiled, gave a pat on his shoulder and left. It seemed as though the next few weeks would be a lot busier.