Meeting an Expert

I can't wait. Today is the day the I will meet an expert. The one that manages to bring his house with him everywhere he goes. I can't help but picture an expert spawning a palace out of nowhere. Then suavely inviting us to have tea while chuckling.

The spider did say that everyone in this world uses magic somehow. I guess this guy specializes in space magic. Either that or he is just really strong. Quite like the dwarf with his forging pseudo-space magic.

You know how in cultivation stories… All the badass legendary characters all create their own sub-realm. This is kinda weird when you think about it. There is no way they all wanna be architects.

Also having a gold palace hidden in the void is kinda weird. Why would you bother so much if no one will see it? Or more accurately these things are always for legacies.

I mean, the original owners will be already dead by then. What's the point? Wouldn't they rather show off their wealth in the real world? Do it while they are still alive. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

Then again, I understand if it's an evil cultivator. You know, one that has hidden traps in his palace. You make it seem grand and nice…. When someone accepts your legacy …BAM soul possession! Or something I don't know.

I wonder if I am about to meet that kind of legendary character. I'm so hyped!

[So how did that expert come to be able to do that?]

"This tiger doesn't know. But this tiger will make sure he tells teacher!"

I guess that rules out a supreme expert. Otherwise, he wouldn't be that confident. So I'm about to meet some guy specialized in space magic. Should I get close to him?

That is a main character type of power. Who knows if he's one that will accomplish grand things Should I just ask about the sea of consciousness thing? I could shamelessly beg him to teach me magic too.

Seriously space magic sounds op as fuck. Oh? You are hiding in your lair? Would be a shame if someone happened to open a portal right above it. You know one that leads to a volcano.

Oh? You are protecting yourself within a barrier? Would be a shame if someone were to send you in space. Have fun floating for all eternity until your mana runs out.

Oh? I owe you money? Would be a shame if I were to just disappear.

Oh? Enough examples haha. Still, space magic sounds really strong. I guess it would depend on the limitations.

What if transferring living things doesn't work. What if there is a maximum size to the portal? What if there is a maximum distance to the link? All things to consider. I maybe am getting ahead of myself right now.

"We are almost there, teacher!"

Nice!

"This is it, teacher!"

Finally, we reach…. nowhere in particular.

There isn't any kind of specific landmark here.

[You sure?]

"Hey old thing, are you there?"

Oh? Some sort of old monster. A friendly one it seems since the tiger is being so bold with the nickname.

"Oh? If it isn't the tiger and the bear cubs? What brings you guys here ….and who is this following you?"

"Greetings! This man is our esteemed teacher! He is wise and …"

[Hey there, nice to meet you.]

I say that, but I have no idea where our interlocuter even is. This is wild. Is he using some kind of voice projection technique? Is he talking directly in our minds perhaps? This is awesome!

"I'm down here young ones. What brings you here?"

Then the ground in front of us shakes. The vegetation falls off the back of a huge …. tortoise. A goddamn motherfucking tortoise. I really hope there is a plot twist to this. Of course, a tortoise would carry his home with him! What is he supposed to do? Remove his shell?

"Teacher wanted to know how you carry this shell of yours around!"

He gives me a strange look. Of course, that is a weird question.

[*Sign* You told me there was an expert carrying his home wherever he went. You never said it was a shell!]

"Oh…"

"Hahahahahaha the younglings are just like that. If you don't tell them clearly they won't understand."

Seems he is pretty understanding. Then again tortoises are renowned for living long lives. Perhaps he has seen many of these situations play out already.

"So, young one, why exactly did you want to know about that?"

[Yggdrasil gave me a seed to use as a home. Apparently, I can store it in my sea of consciousness, but I don't know how to.]

"A personal gift from Yggdrasil?! Wow! This is impressive! Who are you exactly to be shown such favor?"

[If I had to say, Yggdrasil's pupil. Well he only guided me in casting one spell.]

"Right, he is in slumber right now. This is normal. Do not worry about it."

[Thanks.]

"Now about your problem, perhaps I could be of help."

[You know something about this?!]

"Yes, but also no. You see there is something fundamentally different about most people here. In the outside world, many have established ways of training. This, in turn, makes progress easy and lets the newcomers benefit from the experience of their seniors."

[Is it not the case here?]

"It is not. Yggdrasil has always pushed for individual development. One should find his own path and push forward. While this method is extremely more arduous it does have the advantage of producing true experts."

[So what you are saying is that I need to find my own way to use magic?]

"Exactly. You need to figure out how you yourself understand it. Only then can you achieve greatness."

This is actually enlightening. That is both reassuring and worrying. On one hand, I do not have to worry too much about experimenting. On the other hand, I won't be able to rely on others. My success will all depend on my own efforts.

Is that why the spider taught me in such a way? She wanted me to gain enlightenment on my own? Is that also why the old ghost trained me the way he did? Pretty sure he's just a sadistic teacher.

What about the dwarf leaving me to my own devices? Either that or he just couldn't be bothered. This raises so many questions!

Did I just find myself a reliable senior for once?!