35 Saintly Smile (2/2)
”Arni- Master might be busy right now, so I think we should just go to the second floor and wait for him to finish. Teacher, I can take this to Master and have him complete it later. First, can you show me the table that he will be getting?” Kurse was still not completely use to calling someone 'Master', especially not a child like Arnin. Xillar noticed this, but decided to ignore it. It wasn't a big deal to him.
'Alright, let me show you where he will be staying. Oh, wait, take this.” Xillar took out a small blade and handed it over to Kurse.
”What is this?” Kurse looked at the badge and saw what was written on it.
'Mark Master Assistant'
”This badge will allow you to assist Arnin in his mark making. Although you won't be making the marks, you will be able to observe him and even get some tips. Who knows, you might be able to become a Mark Master in the future.” Xillar gently smiled towards Kurse. Although he was acting ignorant regarding the bet, he knew that a Moth student had great pride. The being forced to become a servant of some younger would be a great blow.
Kurse was astonished before he looked at Xillar with a grand smile. ”Thank you, Teacher. This is a great gift; I will not let you down.” Kurse bowed quickly, before shoving the badge into his robe.
Xillar smiled when he saw this. The Mark Master department was run by the students, however there were only a few who were able to make marks. Maybe even less than ten in the whole school. If Kurse was able to pick something up by watching Arnin, then that would be a great benefit to the academy.
”Don't worry about it, and just try your best. That's all we teachers want to see.” Xillar waved his hand before leading Kurse out the room.
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Arnin was sitting by the bookshelves once again. The other students saw him, but they decided to ignore him. The previous senior also saw Arnin, however last time Arnin was being rude, so he decided not to interact with him. No one noticed Arnin go up to the third level. The stairs that went up and down were connected, plus they were blocked by a curtain, so no one would know which way a person went.
Arnin was happy to see that no one was going to bother him, so he quickly opened up the manual. The mark making manual was very thin, having only five pages. Arnin was able to quickly read through it and engrave the details into his mind.
The manual talked about a completely different way of making marks. It was very simple and even somewhat disappointing to Arnin. When he first went through the trial, he assumed that the solar essence must be used directly, but that wasn't the case. The manual stated that a person could draw the mark with their own essence and then let it absorb the solar essence. Although this method was smart, it would not allow a mark to be made out of the solar essence. There would only be a small portion of solar essence inside the mark.
Arnin kept scanning through what he read and found out how one would go through with this. While the creator made the mark, they would have to circulate their cultivation, which would allow the mark to absorb the solar essence, similar to how one would absorb the worldly essence, but there was still something that confused him. A normal cultivator is only able to absorb the worldly essence, so how would one allow solar essence to be absorbed?
As he continued to contemplate, Arnin couldn't help but feel that the orthodox method was lacking. If one wanted to cultivate with the stones that had the mark, they would be absorbing the essence of the Mark Master as well, which would bring about impurities.
”This is such a stupid manual. I might as well practice my own method. What a let down.” Arnin sighed before getting up from the ground. He stretched his small body before walking towards the staircase. The book was in his left hand, not covered by anything.
The senior looked at the departing Arnin once more and noticed that he had a book in his hand. His eyes narrowed as he tried to read the title of the cover. Mark Making Manual.
His eyes immediately widened and his mouth opened up. He began to tremble slightly as his steps became unstable. Everyone saw this and couldn't help but look at the senior with worry.
”Torne? What happened?” The others walked over and looked at the trembling senior.
”Look at what that kid is holding.” Torne calmed himself down and began to walk towards Arnin. Everyone else looked at the book in Arnin's hand before they also began to tremble. Torne quickly approached Arnin with a bright smile.
”Hey kid, where did you get that manual?” Torne spoke with a little more caution and respect this time. He wanted to seem polite and favourable so that Arnin would possibly let him see the book.
”This is something that you don't have.” Arnin looked at Torne nonchalantly before continuing towards the stairs. Torne felt bewildered and clenched his fists with some anger.
'I am being kind and polite to you, but you keep showing me the same attitude. You are looking to be beaten up.' Although Torne thought this, he didn't show any ill intent on his face.
”Kid, I know that I don't have that, but I was hoping that you could allow me to get a glimpse of that book.” Torne became even more respectful in his way of speaking. He really stooped down to a boot licking attitude. (Author's note: The 'Kid' Torne keeps using is not an arrogant one. It is a more formal or respectful use. At least his tone is.)
Torne wasn't a Mark Master, but he had always wanted to become one. He was just a Mark Master assistant, so he was only able to help the Mark Masters with collecting and selling stones. Since he had never gotten to see a mark making manual before, he felt jittery when saw one in Arnin's hand.
”You want to see this book?” Arnin looked at Torne once more and couldn't help but smile.
”Of course! It is a dream of mine to be a Mark Master, so I would love to see the manual. Would you be kind enough to let me see it?” Torne spoke gently but he began to move forward, indicating that he would take it. Arnin smiled even more brightly, which boosted Torne's confidence.
”If you really want to see my manual, I don't mind letting you. Not only that, but I can even give this to you.” Arnin smiled like a saint when he looked at Torne. This made Torne even more happy.
'Seems like this kid isn't that bad. Is he actually going to give the book to me? That's great.'
Torne was already in front of Arnin, and he slowly reached for the book. Arnin looked at his face with a smile. Just as Torne was about to finally touch the book, Arnin's smile vanished and he swung his empty hand towards Torne's cheek.
*SLAP*