Cultivation

"So revenge is what drives you young pup?"

The master's voice brought Ashton back to the present.

"Revenge, and I need to save my mother."

"Your Mother is dead no?"

"Well I am not so sure. My father said in his passage that she was killed in front of him. But when I killed Grant he was raving on like a mad man. He said they had my mother imprisoned by the Clan Head."

"This Grant would have no reason to tell you this if he thought you were going to live. So there is a high chance that your mother is still alive. So your ambition is to destroy the clan and save your mother?"

"Yes. I'll do whatever it takes."

"What if your mother doesn't want her clan to be destroyed? When you go to destroy the clan do you have the heart to kill every man, woman, and child?

"Will you continue the cycle of creating orphans who lost everything they had. Those kids will have little chance of surviving in this world. By sparing the children you create another generation of pain. Are you okay with that?"

Ashton paused for a moment. He didn't think about the kids who will end up like him, driven for revenge against him if he just kills all the men.

"I don't know what I'll do for my revenge but the clan deserves to PAY!"

Frustrated, Ashton growled the last part out. The hatred he felt inside became more powerful and more apparent around him as a thick feeling of dread rose around the room. By instinct Bella had jumped back and pulled out a pair of short swords crossed in front of her. Ashton may be on the first step but she felt very real danger from him.

"I don't know what to do." Ashton said as he fell to his knees, crying.

The heavy feeling of anger, and hatred in the air quickly dissipated. Bella put away her swords, and walked over to Ashton resting her hand on his shoulder.

The master continued with concern in his eyes.

"Don't worry child. I will help you no matter what choice you make.

"If you continue the cycle when those kids grow up they will seek you.

"If you eliminate the clan in its entirety then you will be perceived as a monster for murdering innocents as well as the guilty."

The master sighed and spoke with clear sadness mixed with honesty.

"I cannot guide you on what path to take. You may even find a better option. But what I can do for you is help you explore your gifts and put you on the path of cultivation, as well as give you a home."

"Why would you do all of that for me?" Ashton looked the master directly in the eye with clear distrust.

The master stood up, walked over to Ashton holding his hand out. Ashton grabbed the outstretched hand as he stood back up.

"I don't have a real reason for helping any of these troubled youths. They simply needed help, and I helped. After finishing their time here they are free to leave, or they can stay and help to spread kindness and help others."

"So you get nothing out of it?"

Ashton now looked confused.

"Quite the contrary. Helping others is very rewarding in and of itself. First, it makes me feel like I'm making a difference in the world, second it generates good karma. Who doesn't need good karma on their side?"

Ashton looked over to Isabella for help with this strange old man. However Bella simply shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"The master means what he says. He has never taken advantage of us, and is more like a father figure than some scary grand master of a sect"

Bella spoke with a silly smile and chuckled a bit.

"Okay. I'll put my trust in you, however I do request we have a moment to speak privately without the Fly on the wall."

Ashton spoke while pointing at Bella. With a mock expression of pain, Bella stood and took her leave.

The master swiped his hand, and the door closed behind her.

"Master, my first question is, what is your name?"

"You just now thought to ask my name?"

The master chuckled as Ashton was trying to figure out what to say, with a pout Ashton spoke up

"That's not fair, our conversation didn't really give me time to ask!"

"Yes I know my child. Do not fret, I was merely teasing you. My name is Belross Zul."

"Ashton Silverfoot."

The two shook hands and took seats at Belross's desk

"Now tell me. Why did you want to speak privately?"

Ashton grabbed his pack, took out the book, and the small box he received from his father

"In this book are the instructions left to me by my father, and in the box are a bunch of things to help my cultivation. I just don't know what they are or what they do. Honestly I don't really know anything about cultivation."

"Ah, a blank page, this is actually good news. Did you receive any cultivation techniques?"

"Yes master. My father said there were cultivation methods in the book both for if I awakened the royal bloodline and if I didn't. That brought me to another issue when I awakened instead of having just "beast" or "royal" it was marked with "cursed."

Shock filled Belross's face. He looked at Ashton with a calculative gaze.

"Show me your beast form"

"Uh.. Okay."

Ashton once again reached inside, feeling the beast surging out. Stretching to his full height he then looked down on the older man.

The master observed Ashton, making small circles around him. With curiosity he asked.

"When a beat soul awakens, their owners usually get a great increase in stats, and that increases further when transformed. What kind of increase did you experience?"

Name: Ashton Silverfoot

Race: Accursed

Soul: Cursed Beast (1)

Strength: 24

Finesse: 20

Vitality: 24

Intelligence: 12

Skills:

Bowyer: Beginner

Archery: Intermediate

Survivability: Advanced

Hunting: Intermediate

Perception: Intermediate

Stealth: Intermediate

Sign language: Advanced

Abilities:

Bone Claws: Form claws of bone around your hand/claw Increases Strength

Life Steal: Restore your wounds with the blood of your enemies

Bottomless Stomach: You can eat, and eat, and eat

Ashton shifted a little as a low growl came from his throat

"Uuuggghh not very much. They went up about six or eight points. When changed they go up another sixteen or so for strength, and vitality. Finesse increases by eighteen"

Belross looked very confused, stroking his goatee before exclaiming "Did you gain anything else?"

Ashton's ears perked up 'Bone Claws,' he thought.

"I gained 4 abilities: these claws, life steal, a bottomless stomach, and something called blood lust which makes my perception the highest level possible.

"I also gained an ability called evolution but only accompanied by question marks?." Ashton remarked with clear confusion on his wolfish face.

Belross was taken aback before sitting back down, and pulling out some sheets of paper recording everything. He then pulled out a few books, and began to rapidly flip through them before finding something.

"You're absolutely certain it states evolution?"

Ashton scrunched his now long nose and impatiently declared "Yes! how couldn't I be sure?"

"Don't get snippy with me boy, I just wanted to be certain.

"From what I assume each time you further your cultivation to the next step you will evolve much like a magic beast, and like a magic beast you will definitively change.

"Maybe even to the point of affecting your human form. Have you noticed any difference from before your transformation?"

Ashton reverted and did a few once overs on his body. "Yes I'm a little taller, and a little bit bulkier than before. I assumed it was from the stat increase though."

Belross's eyes lit up before standing up with a start. "Ashton my boy! You have a very unique opportunity laid out in front of you!

"There is only one other recorded case of a cursed beast soul. The very founder of the race of the Accursed. The first werewolf!

"This is excellent. You have a deeper connection with the system of the world. You can pick and choose how you progress as you become more powerful."

As Belross spoke the smile on his face grew larger. Ashton could feel his excitement.

"The system will present you with options once your cultivation increases. Then you pick what you evolve into!"

Ashton stood there stupefied as he had never heard of anything like this.

"Belross are you saying I get interactions with the system?"

Belross's grin grew larger. "Yes my boy that's exactly what I mean! Of course, it will only be at certain intervals. This explains why your stats are so low despite being a beast soul cultivator.

"Okay we need to get you to the second step of cultivation as soon as possible. I theorize at that point your stats will be comparable to other second step beast soul body cultivators.

Ashton's face brightened up and with clear excitement he stated. "Then it's a plan! Quick let's look through the methods and the cultivation crap I have!"

Belross picked up the book and skimmed around until he found the cultivation methods listed in the book before suddenly stopping. "My boy I've found an issue here. You're not going to like this."