Chapter 80: Pranic Echo (2/2)
”Don't be disappointed. That is just an ordinary stone without much prana in it or too minute for you to hear its echo. Since you have just awakened your gift, it's completely normal, and so don't be discouraged if you are not able to hear the echo of all things,” Old Zi explained, seeing Arion's disappointed expression.
”Oh, so the amount of prana an object has also matters?” Arion asked as he suddenly felt as if things made sense.
Old Zi answered, ”I am not an expert in this field, nor do I have this gift. But as far as I have learned, it does matter, but which all factors it exactly depends upon, you would have to ask an expert with this gift. I really hope you can find one you can trust in the training school you are going to enter.”
Arion nodded, ”I hope so too. But for telling me all this...thank you, Master,” Arion said in a grateful tone as he crossed his palms and bent his back.
Old Zi warmly smiled, ”Not at all, Arion. It is my duty as your master to make sure you surpass me and also live long enough for that. Who would want their disciples to have something bad happen to them at an early age, especially in our world?”
Arion then thought about the important thing he had been keeping in the back of his mind and asked, ”Master...I actually wanted to ask something.”
”Go on.”
”Is there any way for a quasi-Defier like me to earn some money on my own? I feel that I should learn to be independent of now on so that I can hone my survival instincts and learn how to do certain things alone,” Arion eagerly said.
Old Zi became thoughtful as he stroked his beard, ”Hmmm, of course, there is. In fact, just like you, there are many youngsters out there who have money problems and have to earn on their own to support the development of their Defity.”
Arion became excited, knowing that there was indeed an opportunity.
But his zeal was put on hold when Old Zi continued in a serious tone, ”But this involves taking part in a dangerous thing where your life could be endangered in case an accident happens, only if you are not strong enough. For a quasi-Defier like you, this is the best way to earn money while others are not worth your while since it involves menial jobs which wouldn't earn you anything, especially when you have training to do.”
Arion was confused and asked, ”What is this dangerous thing?”
”You have to fight in the Zero Arena, a place where young people near your age fight each other as a way to hone their skills as well as earn money at the same time. In fact, I was planning to make you fight later on when you are ready. But since you seem so eager, maybe after I train you for a few months and so I can think about sending you for one of those fights based on how you perform during your training,” Old Zi said with a narrowed gaze.
Arion was happy that there was indeed a way to earn good money, but at the same time, he felt feverish thinking about the fact that he could earn money by fighting others. He had no idea why but he just felt his adrenaline pumping in his body when he thought about fighting when before he was someone who avoided any sort of battles unless it was necessary for his survival.
Still, he wanted to know something and asked, ”But why is it dangerous? Is it because we have to fight to the death?”
Old Zi shook his head, ”Not that dramatic, and killing is forbidden since we don't want potential Dreadslayers dying before they could even participate in the Ironheart test. But the participants can decide the stakes by themselves and even put precious items on the table as a bet on themselves. Other than the severe injuries one can sustain in the fight, the more devastating thing that can happen to the one who loses is losing the items they had put on the table.”
”Some have even lost their entire savings out of desperation or because they got too excited from winning too much because of which they broke down before they could even participate in the Ironheart test. That's why it is called the Zero Arena because the loser will lose everything they earned just from a single loss.”
Arion now understood what the main reason was for this arena to be so dangerous and said, ”So we are basically gambling on ourselves or betting on ourselves to win the fight. And just like gambling, we could get addicted and get carried away?”
Old Zi nodded, ”Things can get dangerous not only because our physical well-being is at risk but when our mental fortitude is at risk as well. To participate in the Ironheart test, being in good physical health is just one of the most important conditions, while the other is having a strong mind and willpower. So, if you mentally break down before the test, then you are as good as dead. That's why I want you to be prepared well before you participate in this arena.”