Maxine''s students had finally reached bronze stage and had gained just enough skill that they could fight weak essence beasts. She was currently waiting at a parking lot adjacent to a large forested area with Silky and Emily. She had decided to do this expedition on the weekend as to give her students plenty of time to find and fight essence beasts. However Maxine didn''t have Kanisha participate since she started emanating spatial essence as she advanced and would scare away most if not all essence beasts from their group. Instead she provided Kanisha with alot of pouches made of essence beast hide and arachne silk for her to attempt to make a dimensional pouch.It was going to be her final exam, instead of actual combat. It was far more profitable for the girl to makedimensional pouches rather than hunt essence beasts anyways.
Maxine checked the time and she saw that there was still fifteen minutes until the time she told them to show up.I can''t be too impatient. Afterall, I did ask them to show up at eight in the morning on a weekend, so I should expect a few late arrivals.
"Maxine, do you have a moment?" Hellen asked via spiritual sense.
"Yes, what''s up?" Maxine asked.
"I didn''t want to tell you this before because your father wasn''t sure he could do it, but he has created a countermeasure for the ship from the Technological Union," Hellen announced.
"Seriously?! What is it?" Maxine asked excitedly.
"He created two potions," Hellen began to explain, "The first one will temporarily modify the genetic structure of your clone to make it appear that it''s DNA was tampered withor that it is a clone made by a man that didn''t know what he was doing. The second potion will rearrange one of the X chromosones inside of your decoy into a copy of your father''s Y chromosone. Although it won''t be perfect, it should still be enough to trick them. Afterall, altering DNA without damaging the host is nearly impossible, even for someone withyour father''s skill."
"That''s great!" Maxine said ecstatically.
"But there may be a side-effect," Hellen cautioned.
"What do I care? It will only be a side-effect that my clone has to deal with, right?" Maxine stated more than asked.
"Not entirely," Hellen admitted.
"What?" Maxine said in disbelief.
"Your clone and decoy are connected to you by a special link. Although the chances are very low, the potion thatyour decoy willconsume mighthave an impact onyou as well since it contains some of your father''s blood," Hellen explained, "If it does effect you, your Twelve-Headed Hydra King Bloodline will awaken and it will effect both your main body and clone. Typicallywhen two people share an awakening of their bloodlines, they tend to betwins, so they alliance may think that your clone and decoy are twins in that situation."Them thinking my clone and my decoy are twins might work to my advantageif things go to shit. Since I have Turan and uncle Zephyr keeping an eye on me, the Alliance would be less hopefulofcapturing me and devote more of their forces to capture my decoy. Under those conditions, I could fight more easily my way to uncle Zephyr and escape off world with him since I don''t want them to know that I can warp to the shadow world. Although that would mean I would have to deal with the various machinations of the Kavros Clan with my clone, but Emily would know that I am alive. The biggest two draw backs to that are that I don''t know what kind of physical change I will undergo when the Twelve-Headed Hydra King bloodline awakens and that I have to leave Earth.
"How low is very low? Can you give me a percentage?" Maxine asked cautiously.
"Less than ten percent," Hellen responded.Less thanten percent? That''s all?! If it means there is a chance to avoid hurting Emily, it is definitely worth the risk. Hell, even if the chances were at 40%, I would still do it.
"That is a very acceptible level of risk," Maxine said confidently, "Can Guan send me the potions later?"
"Yes, he can and he will include the date at when you should drink it," Hellen answered, "Just be warned that if your Twelve-Headed Hydra King bloodline awakens it will impact you and all of your clones."
"Understood, mom," Maxine said, "Thanks and let Guan know I appreciate this."
"You could show your appreciation by calling him dad," Hellen suggested.
"Not happening," Maxine answered in a deadpan tone before a thought entered her head, "Mom, why is the Twelve-Headed Hydra King has the title King in it''s name? That has been bugging me for quite awhile."
"Oh, that''s a good question actually. It has three cores," Hellen replied and added when it was clear that Maxine was confused, "Beasts, or in extremely rare cases humans, that have three cores with a different kind of energy in each core are given the appelation king or queen. Those with two cores with different kinds of energy are called Lord or Ladies. As for the rest of the beasts, they are called either magical, essence or demonic beasts in relation to which type of energy thatexists within their bodies."Huh? Would that apply to Shadow Lords? Wouldn''t that mean they have two cores containing different energies within themselves? I have the Shadow Lord bloodline so why don''t I have two cores? What about Guan? He is known as the Poison Emperor. Does he have three cores?! That would definitely explain why no one can control him. In any case, I need to find out what the types of cultivatable energy are.
"What do you mean that there are multiple types of energy?!" Maxine asked.
"Did you honestly believe that there was only one type of energy that you could cultivate?" Hellen asked skeptically.
"Yes, actually," Maxine admitted, "What arethe energies that can be cultivated?"
"Mana, ki and essence are the three most abundant cultivation energies in our universe. There are otherones that can be cultivated, but they either require special physiques orare not abundant enough to be used," Hellen explained, "Essence, the energy that you are most familiar with, is the most balanced of the three energies as it provides both a physical boost as well as ranged combat capability. However it isn''t overly powerful in either area, but it has the advantage of being cultivated the fastest. Wizards would be the best word to describe those that cultivate mana. They may be weak physically since mana is more focused on the mind rather than the body, but those that can use it are lethal at a distance or when defending their base. As for Ki cultivators, they have the greatest physical abilities, but do not mistaken them for easy prey that you can attack from afar. Their speedmake it nearly impossible to keep them at a distance."
Maxine noticed that her students were beginning to arrive and she quickly asked Hellen, "Mom, last question. How many cores does Guan have?"
"He has four and he is the only being that I know of that has ever had that many," Hellen answered and she severed the spiritual sense connection.Maxine was stunned from Hellen''s answer. She had guessed that he had three cores since the alliance wanted to control him, but not in her wildest dreams did she imagine that he had four. She tried to understand what possible benefits that having multiple cores could bring. Greater endurance? Or would it be strength? Although I do know that having just three cores would mean he has no weaknesses whether it be in close or ranged combat. As for the forth core, I have no idea what it benefits it gives to Guan.She wasn''t even certain how much time had passed while she thought.
"Mama, I think everyone is here," Silky stated. Maxine looked up and saw that what Silky said was true. All of her students were present and looking at her curiously.Oh damn. I forgot where I was for a second there.
"Sorry, I got caught up in my own thoughts there," Maxine said calmly, "Without further interruptions, let''s begine. Remember your task is to protect Emily, myself and Silky as we trek through these woods.The three of us are playing the role of a non-combatants. Just think of this as one of those super annoying escort quests that often appear in roleplaying games." Her students quickly formed a ring formation around Emily, Maxine and, Silky.
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Maxine pointed in a random direction for her students to walk in and spread her spiritual sense out to detect anything that might be too dangerous for her students.
Directly in their path were six Copper-Fang Wolves. She figured this would be a good enough opponent to test her students against since they had both more numberous and were more powerful than those essence beasts.The wolves charged at them fearlessly as soon as they picked up Maxine and the others'' scent. She could only lament that the essence beasts lacked the ability to guage their opponents'' strength like she could. If they could, they would have fled instead of charged.These critters must have killed humans in the past and think my students are easy prey. Boy are they in for a surprise.
Maxine''s students froze when the Copper-Fang Wolves roared as they came into sight. She sighed mentally, but she knew that something like this would happen. That is why she wanted them to face a small group of weak essence beasts first. That way she could at least save them if things went badly. However she knew tha tthey needed a push to wake them up from their fear.
"Don''t just stand there like a bunch of deer in headlights! FIGHT!" Maxine yelled at them with her spiritual sense since if she used her voice it would be too slow to convey her thoughts.
Maxine saw them quickly snap out of a state of frozen fear and ready their weapons. Two students that prefered bows were too slow to nock their arrows in time. So, four students that used spears thrusted their spears towards the essence beasts almost at the same time when the wolves were close enough, and they managed to kill one of the wolves. Her students with the heavier type of essence armor quickly stepped infront of thespear-wieldingstudents and lashed out at the wolves in an attempt to fend the beasts off. Thatattack had badly injured three of the wolves and the two bow users took the opportunity to kill a Copper-Fang Wolf each. The two injured Copper-Fang Wolves fled in fear after noticing that the rest of their pack were dead.
Maxine nodded her head in approval of their near flawless teamwork and was about to praise them. However the words of praise never left her mouth when she saw that more than half of them started to puke once the Copper-Fang Wolves were out of sight.Yeah, that sometimes happens after someone''s first fight. Combination of fear and adrenaline can be rough if you have a full stomach. Add on to the fact that some of these kids might be squeamish and there will be puking. It would be best to see which one of them can handle the dismantling process now even if not much of a copper stage essence beast can be used.
"Now for the part that most of you won''t be able to stomach. I will show you how to harvast materials from essence beasts," Maxine said once they stopped vomitting and saw them all look at her with confusion in their eyes, "This Copper-Fang Wolf has quite delicious meat and it''s hide can be processed into a wonderful leather jacket or durable traveling backpack. However it''s hide is unsuitable for armor. For anyone that doesn''t think they can stomach this, just act as a lookout while I work."
Maxine walked up to one of the Copper-Fang Wolves and formed a small knife out of her essence. She began to gut the Copper-Fang Wolfin the bloodiest way that she could and heard many of her students that decided to watchvomit again, "See how I am using my knife to part it''s hide from it''s body. This technique is effective even on more powerful essence beasts, but the amount of force needed will definitely be greater whenyou skinstronger essence beasts." She checked on her students and only two of them were able to watch her along with Silky without vomitting. Good, looks like I found two people capable of dismantling essence beasts without loosing their lunch. Emily hadn''t even bothered watching Maxine work skin the Copper-Fang Wolf. Maxine didn''t blame her for it. She was far too gentle to ever be able to do something of this nature.
After skinning the Copper-Fang Wolf, Maxine quickly cut the meat off the bone intosteaks and storedthe wolf steaksin her dimensional pouch. Her students looked at her with awe as the wolf steaks vanished. She turned to them and said, "I bet you guys are wondering where the meat when right? I used a tool called a Dimensional Pouch to store it temporarily. Your classmate, Kanisha, is capable of making one of these things and that is why she isn''t here with us today. Hopefully by Monday, she will have made one. Just keep in mind that the one she makes probably won''t have the same capacity that mine does."
Maxine could detected essence beasts approaching them quickly. She knew that they were attracted to the scent of blood and she was tempted to stay to continue her students training. However there were several bronze stage essence beasts approaching and she knew her students were not prepared to face them just yet. "We need to move. Essence beasts have been attracted by the smell of blood," Maxine said as she cleaned herself off with her essence and her students took up formation around herself, Emily and Silky.
For the next two hours, Maxine''s students demonstrated their teamwork and were near the verge of collapsing when she finally directed them out of the forest. On their way back, Maxine cleaned all of the blood off their bodies using her essence to avoid a scene with their parents.
Once they were back, her students collapsed onto the ground panting and she praised them, "Good job everyone. Your teamwork is nearly flawless and none of you were injured. All you guys need is a little more practice and you won''t need any more instruction from me. However regardless of what you decide to do with my training, do not try hunting essence beasts solo. It''s too dangerous. In any case, we are done for today, so head on home."
None of Maxine''s students simply nodded their heads and stumbled to their waiting parents. However Emily grabbed Maxine shoulder and said via spiritual sense, "You were way rougher on them than you were on either me or Silky."
"I know, but it was necessary. They won''t have anyone to rely on except each other andteamwork needs to be ingrained in their psyche," Maxine answered, "If I am not around, humanity will need strong teams like they are shaping up to be to fend off essence beasts should they attack."
"What do you mean, if you are not around? Are you going somewhere?" Emily asked.
"Not if I can help it," Maxine answered with conviction
"Alright," Emily said with an unsure tone, "We still on for tonight?"
"Yeah, should I sneak in some goodies using my dimensional pouch?" Maxine asked with a smile, "Those movie theaters always charge more than double for snacks." She was going to watch a movie with her mother, Silky and Emily. Maxine didn''t remember what kind of movie, or even the name of it. She just wanted to spend time with those she cared about.
"Maybe a couple candy bars," Emily offered.
"Will do. I will see you there. You best head home to get lunch Emily," Maxine agreed and turned to Silky, "Alright, Silky. Let''s head home and get our own lunch. Mom might be worried since I told her we would be going into the forest."
"''Kay," Silky said cheerfully as they waved to Emily before each of them ran home.
Once they were home, Maxine went to her room and saw a rift appear in the air above her bed.So that''s how he has been able to send me things.A single dimensional pouch was spit out of the rift before it closed. She quickly picked up the dimensional pouch and scanned inside of it. She felt rather confused on what she found. There were three potions instead of just two. Fortunately there was a letter inside, so Maxine immediately pulled it out and started to read it, "Maxine, I was suspiciousthat a Shadow Lord has been listening in while I have been talking with your mother, so I discreetly scanned the mindof that young Shadow Lord following you around to confirm this without hurting him. My suspicion was correct and I discovered that they are the ones orchestrating this whole ordeal for you. Those bastards intend to inform the Alliancethat you are my daughter regardless of the Technological Union''s findingsand they somehow became aware your Shadow Lord Form is unique. They want to see if you will become what they call a Shadow Queen by putting you into adesperate situationto forciblyevolve your Shadow Lord bloodline. However it seems they have every intention of ''rescuing'' you at the last possible moment, but it doesn''t appear that they are aware that your clone is the one on Earth. By the way, don''t use essence cores from beasts to create your clones in the future. For anyone that knows what to look for, that kind of core is a clear indicator that is a clone. Try to use an essence core from a humaniod or create a secondary core outside of your body. As for the potions, the two labeled decoy and clone should be taken by their respective entities, so that the Shadow Lords won''t notice anything amiss. The time they are taken doesn''t matter and the possible side-effects that I told your mother were just a ruse for anyone listening in to the conversation I was having with your mother. The third potion canawaken and fuse your Twelve-Headed Hydra bloodline with the Shadow Lord Bloodline. I made it so that any physical changes will onlyeffect your Shadow Lord Form, but only drink it as a last resort as you will immediately enter Shadow Lord form once you do. Don''t worry about your loved ones on Earth. I will take care of them. I know how much they mean to you." She felt like screaming in rage and frustration once she finished reading the letter.
Maxine took a few deep breathes to calm the rage boiling inside of her at Turan''s betrayal.Why am I angry that he betrayed me? I barely know him and it doesn''t matter if he tells the Alliance about me. That only cements the plan I already have in place. However I hope it''s Turan that comes to my ''rescue.'' Because I will give him quite the explosive surprise.
Maxineshoved all of her feelings of anger to the back of her mind. She still had many things that she needed to do. She still had to prepare a replacement teacher for her school and since her mother will most likely be taking care of Silky once Maxine leaves Earth, she wanted to ensure there was enough money available to ensure her mother''s financial future.