Interlude: Stars

Since she was young Katrina had always been talented in the art of stargazing. In the Celestial Academy in Alrer, she had been hailed as an unrivaled genius by many lecturers. It wasn't difficult to see why; Where many needed a lot of time to predict the trajectory of a star, Katrina could do so with relative ease.

The unfortunate thing was that her destiny star is a dim star, showing misfortune. According to many great stargazers she'll meet a tragic end within the next hundred years. For cultivators that live for thousands of years it is very tragic indeed.

In all those years Katrina always gazes at the stars in a bid to change her destiny. Yesterday she saw a star heading towards her own destiny star, on course for a collision. If nothing unexpected happens the star will collide with her star today, it was up to her to repel it.

That morning, before breakfast Katrina started conversing with her daughter as usual. "Today I'm going to meet a kid," She said.

Sitting opposite, Tila looked at her saying nothing, but Katrina could see the disdain in her daughter's eyes.

"I am not going to use a trap like last time," she grimaced recalling that time with Yamato. "Unlike my good disciple that is affected by soft and hard tactics, this kid is an unruly one. I don't want anything too yet I fear pushing away..."

Tila still said nothing making Katrina to sigh. The girl had became a mute since her father died, only throwing a word or two occasionally. Even Katrina is at her wits end not knowing how to cheer up the girl.

"Anyway I am worried about this kid, his star holds too much misfortune yet something else to, an opportunity for me. I am curious about this opportunity but it is risky. I am already this pitiful what if he rubs more misfortune on me?"

Two months ago before meeting Yamato Katrina had already foreseen it. She saw a bright star heading towards her star the night before she met him. Yamato's star held immense fortune that's why she readily accepted him as her disciple.

At that time after coming to the Human Realm Katrina's star was bleak and dying, showing that she's at the end of her fortune with no hope of making a comeback. Perhaps in a few years she'll die here with no grave. But since meeting Yamato her starlight had strengthened. Now when she gazed into the sky, even though dim, her star is one of those bright ones.

But that also demands a question. If a star of fortune could share its fortune then a star of misfortune can also share its misfortune right? Katrina didn't want anything to do with such a person.

An hour later Katrina slowly walked out of the wooden house and into the woods. She took the footpath Yamato takes every time he comes here. Her pace was neither slow or fast.

Ahead a blond boy was crouching in the middle of the footpath studying a barely visible coil of wire that passed through the middle of the path. It was a trap Katrina made to alert her about troublemakers. It was well concealed for anyone to notice it they must be quite cautious and observant.

Still despite all his caution Zack didn't notice Katrina at all until she was standing right in front of him. He looked up, startled he fell back on his ass.

Katrina smiled in amusement, "Did I startle you?"

"Yeah," Zack said sheepishly. Then he rose to his feet and grinned the next moment. "You are that alien woman... are you Yamato's master?"

"Why would you say that?" Katrina lifted an eyebrow.

"Where else would Yamato find a master? Besides, he suddenly started acting strange after we first saw you,"

Katrina paused for a moment before saying, "What if I am this Yamato's master, what would you do?"

"I want you to take me as a disciple too!"

His words immediately frightened Katrina; her star has just started glowing again why would she associate herself with someone like him?

"Impossible," she said.

Zack looked shocked for a moment then asked, "Why?"

"Because I already have a disciple and don't have the time to teach another,"

"Can't you teach us together?"

"No,"

"Please esteemed one!" Zack suddenly fell to his knees. He'd seen how fast Yamato is getting stronger and felt that this alien woman might be his only chance to to take control of his own life. "I need to get stronger. If you help me I'll never forget this kindness!"

Katrina looked at him with a frown then her gaze softened. In him she could see so much of her past self. Back then no one had helped her, if it is like this she could risk dimming her destiny star to extend a slight helping hand. But she wouldn't do it for free either, this kid might be useful in the future.

"I won't take more disciple... but I can pass you a technique," She said finally after some thought.

"Yes...!"

"However this technique is not conventional. You might be scorned by the world if you practice it are you sure?"

Zack looked up suddenly, his eyes firm. "Compared to this life of suffering and humiliation, I can accept any pain. For my sister let the world judge me, can anyone understand my pain?"

"Very well," Katrina sighed. She's not above using a naive kid as pawn but it made her feel like a villain. But she also has her pain, has someone she wants to protect by all means so she firmed her resolve.

"Get up," She said. Zack quickly rose up to his feet looking at her with expectation. Waving her sleeve a book appeared in her hand.

Seeing how the book appeared mystically, from thin air, Zack's face showed surprise. "Spatial ring?" He asked.

"You are quite knowledgeable human boy," Katrina rolled her eyes. Thinking of how ignorant her disciple is by comparison, she felt disgruntled. She tossed the booklet to Zack then added, "Once you follow this book's instructions you will become very powerful in a short time. Your human realm don't discriminate on cultivation methods but you better hide your origin at all times just in case,"

"Yes master,"

"I am not your master, if I accept you as a disciple I fear you will damn me with your misfortune,"

She left the rest unsaid; there's someone dragging him down, if he could let go of that person his future might be better. But if he holds on...

Katrina turned around and left. Zack was left standing alone in the middle of the path, he clenched his fist and looked down at the red booklet, his eyes shinning with resolve. "Laura wait for me," he muttered.

He looked at the direction the alien woman disappeared towards, his gaze fierce. "You won't regret helping me!" He said then also turned around and left the area.

The forest was silent once again.