Chapter 1: Worried

(2nd moon, 3rd day, 460 Lu)

As Alphonse slammed his shudders closed he heard a knock at his door. Alphonse reluctantly walked to the door and opened it. "Remember the founding feast is tonight!" Min Li said as she handed a folded piece of paper to Alphonse. "Leader Xiao Shi said to give that to you, he said it was important to your training, as well as health." Min Li said as she walked away.

Alphonse closed the door and opened the note. "Congratulations on finishing your reading course. I wanted to let you know that at the feast you may eat as much as you want, I have noticed you take very little food from the supplies you are given, which is not very good for you, it will stunt your growth as a cultivator, as well as a person. Next, we have our inner sect disciple test once a year exactly one month after the founding feast, be sure to train as much as possible until then as I have high hopes for you! I expect to see you at the feast! -Sincerely, your sect leader." The note read.

{He seems to be worried about you.} Prism stated.

'More like worried about whether or not I will be able to do work for him in the future.' Alphonse responded bluntly.

{I suppose that may be true, but I do agree with him, you need to eat more if you plan to become stronger, at least until you are fully dependant on spiritual qi.} Prism said.

'Yeah, yeah, I know.' Alphonse responded as his door was knocked on once again. Alphonse walked back to the door. "Who is it?" He asked.

"It's me!" Sarah yelled through the door. Alphonse opened the door slightly.

"What?" He asked. Sarah sighed as she held up a bamboo box.

"I was wondering if you wanted something to eat, you never really have much food and it looks like you never even touch your food so I brought you something to e-." Sarah said.

"No thanks." Alphonse responded swiftly.

"Hey! I worked hard on this!" Sarah responded with an angry tone.

"You should eat it... Food is a commodity." Alphonse said.

"A commodity I have a surplus of, you're allowed to eat you know!" Sarah said with an energetic tone. "You're not being forced to limit yourself, in fact, everyone's telling you you should eat more."

"I know... Some habits are just harder to shake..." Alphonse said.

"Are you saying that not eating is a habit?" Sarah asked. Alphonse opened the door a little more and poked out his head, then nodded. Sarah sighed. "It's unfortunate, I'm already full from my breakfast and this is a lot, it'll go to waste." Sarah said as she looked down.

"Fine... If it'll just go to waste, then I'll eat it..." Alphonse said as he looked away from her.

"Good. I'll put it on your table then." She said as she looked up with a smile.

...

"Why is it that every time you've entered ever since you finished teaching me to read you inspect my living space?" Alphonse asked.

"It's to make sure you are doing well." Sarah said as she looked intently at a shelf. "Why are the number of pills increasing instead of decreasing?" She asked. "You have been cultivating, right?" She asked in an interrogative voice.

Alphonse nodded. "I am third step physical enhancement." Alphonse said.

"And how are you doing mentally?" She asked as she investigated Alphonse's physique for injuries.

"Aren't you being a bit nosy?" Alphonse asked.

"And what if I am? I just don't want you to get hurt or be in a bad place..." Sarah said as she backed away from Alphonse.

"Whatever... Just go, you'll see me tonight anyway." Alphonse said as he motioned to the door.

"Fine. But you aren't getting away from me asking questions later!" Sarah said as she left.

'She acts like she's trying to be my mom.' Alphonse thought to himself.

{She's just trying to show that she cares about you.} Prism said.

'Well she could care a little less...' Alphonse responded. 'Hey, Prism, got any new abilities?' Alphonse asked.

{I have gained the ability to increase the rate at which you absorb spiritual qi.} Prism said.

'Seriously, your notifications could use a little work, when did you gain it?' Alphonse asked.

{Three months ago.} Prism stated.

'So for the three months I've been properly training, you could've just straight given me a boost?' Alphonse asked.

{Affirmative.} Prism stated

'Tell me when you get abilities dangit!' Alphonse said angrily.

{I cannot promise that.} Prism responded.

'Whatever, I should get ready for the feast since I'm not allowed to run away.' Alphonse thought to himself as he ate, then left the house with the bamboo box. He walked up to Sarah's house and placed the box on the doorstep, then knocked. Immiedetaly Alphonse walked away, hoping not to be seen as he continued down the dirt path.

After a while, Alphonse made it into town with fifteen cowry shells to his name. He continued walking around, looking for a stall that has cheap items. {If I remember correctly, there was a need for everyone to give an ingredient for the final portion of the meal which is to be eaten last, yes?} Prism asked. Alphonse nodded.

As Alphonse's search continued he came to a sudden stop and a chill went down his spine. 'I'm being followed.' He thought to himself.

{Do not alert them to your awareness, instead make them follow you to somewhere you can catch them off guard.} Prism suggested. Alphonse took the advice and went into a small alley. After a few moments, Sarah came around the corner.

Alphonse walked up to her. "Why were you following me?" He asked.

"I... Have no idea what you are talking about." Sarah said as she looked around.

"You aren't a good liar." Alphonse said. Sarah sighed.

"Fine... I followed you because you don't go places often and I wanted to make sure you didn't get lost..." Sarah said as she lowered her head and looked away.

"I won't get lost, so go home." Alphonse said as he began to walk away.

"But I don't wanna, plus I have to shop too, so why don't we shop together?" Sarah asked.

"I'm trying to find something cheap, I'll probably wind up going to places you don't want to go." Alphonse said.

"How much do you have?" Sarah asked.

"Fifteen." Alphonse responded. Sarah became shocked.

"Did you never earn any money?" Sarah asked.

"I never left home, what do you think?" Alphonse asked in response.

"R-right... You can take a sect mission later, but for now, take this." Sarah said as she held out a pouch. Alphonse shook his head.

"Fifteen is enough, I just have to be smart with my spending and get lucky." Alphonse said. "I mean... My luck has been sub-par at best in this life up 'til a few months ago, so I should at least have some good luck, right?" Alphonse asked rhetorically.

"Whatever... Just let me come with you, please." Sarah said as she put the pouch away.

"No." Alphonse said.

...

"This looks pretty cheap, doesn't it Alphonse?" Sarah asked excitedly.

"I don't think celtuce is a good vegetable for the final dish..." Alphonse said.

"What about these yams?" Sarah asked as she pointed to another stall. Alphonse shook his head.

"Those aren't very high quality, let's check out that stand." Alphonse said as he walked ver to a different stall with an old man behind it.

"Welcome, will you be buying?" The old man asked. Alphonse didn't answer.

"We're taking a look first." Sarah said. Alphonse continued looking, then noticed something.

"How much?" Alphonse asked while pointing to a seed.

"Ah, that one's not for sale, I forgot to take it off of the stall." The old man said.

"How about this then?" Alphonse asked and pointed to a lotus root.

"One cowry for five." The man said.

"I'll take five." Alphonse said as he handed the man a cowry. The man took the Cowry, then took a sack and put the lotus roots in it. The old man looked at Alphonse, who was looking around the rest of the table, then placed the seed in the sack.

"Here you are." The old man said.

"Why'd you put the seed in?" Alphonse asked.

"It wasn't for sale, but I decided to gift it to you." The old man said. Alphonse took the sack and placed four more cowry shells on the stall.

"Think of that as a gift as well." Alphonse said as he walked away. "Sarah, I finished shopping, you can get what you need now." Alphonse said. The rest of Alphonse's afternoon was spent shopping with Sarah, who was indecisive.