Competition

Chapter 32 Competition

It took a little over an hour to reach the arena where the Clan Trial was being held. Marcus had informed Aiden that the Arena was actually only used to hold the finals. The Sommerset Clan was a huge family organization that dwarfed the Moore Family where Aiden had grown up. Each cultivation level was grouped together to undergo individual competitions beforehand, so only the best juniors were here at the arena stage. The point of holding the finals here was evident, juniors who performed extremely well had the opportunity to show off in front of the clan elders and potentially get chosen as disciples or even just get extra rewards. 

When they arrived at the venue, Anton led Marcus and Aiden through a more secluded channel to keep away from prying eyes. They came to a large enclosed room that overlooked the arena, this was where the elders watched the Trial from. As soon as they entered the room, Aiden immediately felt everyone turn and train their sharp gazes on the three of them. The pressure was overwhelming as each of these unfathomably strong cultivators scanned over them with concentrated and serious sights. The only familiar face in the room was Marcus' fourth uncle, the elder who had carried them out from the forest after he and Marcus had just met. Everyone else was unfamiliar to him. The pressure that seemed to squeeze him suddenly receded and Aiden watched stunned as the previously serious faces of the elders in the room broke out into bright smiles. The oldest man in the room, who seemed to be sitting at the most important seat, suddenly stood up. 

"Marcus… You've recovered! Good, good. I knew the heavens wouldn't be so unfair!" The old man's voice was slightly choked under the waves of emotion that he held back, and he moved swiftly across the room to give Marcus a strong hug. A rare smile also stretched across Marcus' face as he returned the embrace. Aiden also realized at this time, that perhaps another reason why Marcus wanted to come to the Trial, was to show off to his elders! After years of being sick and weak, he finally got to show off his talents just like any other ordinary junior of the family. Aiden remembered that Marcus was only twelve, his indifferent nature and extreme capability made his age seem obscured normally. Now, surrounded by his loved ones, Marcus seemed to briefly act his age. 

Pulling away from the embrace slightly Marcus spoke to the old man holding him, "Grandfather, I would like you to meet someone. This is Aiden, an extremely talented Alchemist who saved my life during the last training mission and healed me and gave me a chance to cultivate. Aiden, this is my Grandfather, the current Leader of the Sommerset Clan." Aiden wasn't too surprised at the old man's identity, but having identical pairs of emerald green eyes staring at him was a bit intimidating. He stepped forward under the sight of those green eyes and frantically wracked his brain for the appropriate etiquette with which to meet someone of his station. Eventually, Aiden decided to try a bow. His knowledge of etiquette turned out to be abysmally low, so he could only try what he did know. 

"Hello, sir," Aiden barely managed to not stutter in nervousness, but as lowered himself to bow a wall of air stopped him.

 A voice rang out clearing up his confusion, "Alchemist Aiden, you do not need to bow. You have performed a great favor for the Sommerset Clan, and I, Cassius Sommerset, do not take that lightly. The reward is as stated, one hundred thousand gold. Ian, go prepare it," proclaimed Cassius Sommerset.

 "Grandfather, I can handle the reward myself. Aiden is my Alchemist and I will be responsible for him," Marcus interjected with a frown.

 "You repaying him is your business, and my reward does not conflict. The hundred thousand gold has long been announced as the reward for your condition, it would be unfair not to give it to Aiden," Cassius replied calmly to his grandson, before returning to his seat and gesturing to the two of them.

 Aiden was very happy that when he got dressed this morning he had worn a handsome black robe that had golden oak leaves embroidered around the hem. The solemn color was appropriate for meeting elders, and black went well with everything so there was no need to worry about looking strange. In fact one of his favorite robes was a vibrant green, but when he had worn it Marcus gave him a strange look. Aiden felt that red and green were a wonderful match, regardless of what anyone else may say.

 After they took their seats, Aiden was introduced to everyone in the room. They were; Cassius who was Marcus' grandfather, Elmira a severe looking old woman who turned out to be Cassius's younger sister, Horatio an older man who was Cassius's cousin, Elaine who was Horatio's wife, Faustus who was Marcus' eldest uncle, Iris who was Faustus's wife, Juliana who was Marcus' second aunt, Cole who was Juliana's husband, Ophelia who was Marcus' third aunt, Lucas which turned out to be the name of Marcus' fourth uncle, and Silvia who was Marcus' sixth aunt. 

Those were just the elders who were currently at home, some like Portia, Cassius's wife, were out leading juniors to gain experience. Aiden tried his best to memorize everyone's name and family rank. He wasn't sure how high their cultivation was, and he certainly wasn't going to ask Marcus in front of everyone. Once introductions were over and everyone had settled in, the matches in the arena were getting ready to start. 

Starting the competition off were the finalists of the Skin Like Jade realm of body tempering. Aiden watched as a couple serious looking dumplings walked onto the stage. These kids had just started their cultivation journey and their martial arts were still in a young state. However, these kids still approached their match with a certain seriousness and gravity. The elders in the room all appreciated the matches with smiles on their faces. It was always fun to see youngsters trying their best, not to mention how cute the little five year olds on the stage were. 

Their matches ended quickly and eventually one excited looking kid was left panting but victorious. His little face flushed as he frantically waved to his parents in the crowd, jubilant after his victory. The next few levels went by just as quickly, and soon it was the turn of the Washed Marrow fighters. Aiden straightened up seeing this. Both he and Marcus were making preparations to break through to the Washed Marrow stage, so watching the difference would be enlightening. 

The Hardened Bones stage of the Body Tempering realm consisted of using aura to violently temper each bone and create microfractures throughout. Then using aura or perhaps auxiliary medicines, to heal those fractures and strengthen the bones. This was a long or short process depending on how pain tolerant you were. Some bones like the pinky toe were no problem, others like the skull could be dangerous. 

After all, inside your skull was a soft and fragile brain that any excess aura leakage could cause immeasurable damage to. Aiden only had his hand bones and skull left to temper, he needed to be absolutely sure before attempting his hands because any damage could affect his dexterity and subsequently his ability to perform the Rising Phoenix Palms. Marcus on the other hand, only needed his skull and a few neck vertebrae. 

Once they were ready to attempt the skull, Aiden had concocted a potion that would guard the brain against any aura leakage. When he had announced this potion, the eyes of both Anton and Marcus lit up. Between Hardened Bones and Washed Marrow was a huge watershed, many warriors could never break through due to the fear of death or they died trying. Aiden's potion solved this age-old problem. 

Marcus had immediately distributed the potion to those of his forces that were preparing to break through and the effect was immediate. His private forces had ushered in a wave of Washed Marrow warriors where once had been a large number of Hardened Bones warriors who had little hope of breaking through. Now these warriors were reinvigorated and rushed into their training with greater enthusiasm. The morale was at an extreme high knowing that their young master had access to some powerful alchemist. 

Two young men stepped out onto the stage, they looked to be about seventeen or eighteen, clearly geniuses in their own right. One of the men wore a sky blue robe and had a long sword sheathed at his waist, the other wore a white robe and had two short swords. The two bowed respectfully to each other before drawing their weapons, waiting for the referee to call match start.

 "The one in white is from a distant branch, his name is Peter Sommerset. He is well respected in his branch and has grown rapidly. With his talent he will probably move to the capital after this Trial. The one in blue is my cousin Valen Sommerset, the second son of my eldest uncle. He is getting ready to break through to fortifying organs after this trial," Marcus leaned over to inform Aiden of their identities. Aiden hadn't been in the Sommerset family for long and what little time he had spent here had been cooped up in the alchemy room. He was completely unacquainted with the other Sommerset family members.