《Reaching for Diamonds》


 Prologue

    The Empire of Deller is well known for its cultivators. This is true for every Empire in the world, but everyone seems to believe their cultivators are somehow better. Whether by fire or frost, earth or sky somehow everyone is capable of reaching within themselves and searching for that primordial spark. Now, this is somewhat underselling the difficulty of cultivation itself, for instance the climate one is born into as well as ones ancestors can change the outcome of their initial spark. Many commoners were born with fire in their heart, only to have it torn away by bitter winter winds. Not to mention, cultivation is a hard road. Many people start on the road to cultivation only to realize they lack the fortitude for such a daunting journey. Nobody can guess who has the will to continue, geniuses are rare if not non-existent. There are three separate branches of cultivation: Mind, Body and Soul.


    Mind cultivators are typically smart and level headed, they work primarily in politics and academia. Mind cultivators are known for their ability to twist the natural laws around them. In other words, Magic. Now if you were to ask a Mind cultivator about his magic he would start off by saying that Magic is a misnomer and that what he does is in accordance of the natural laws of the universe. He would then go on to speak at length about things that only other Mind cultivators would understand. Mind cultivators are an insufferable lot, but then again that¡¯s just my opinion. When one starts to cultivate the mind they are said to be an ¡°Observer¡±. Most academic observers stay well out of conflict and only enforce the laws when they must. Though, the observers that insert themselves in politics are a very different breed. They are the authors of the law. Regardless, they are just as insufferable as the academics. Observers wear their brand on their face, typically the eyebrow. What is a brand you ask? Patience. We will cover that later.


    Body cultivators are brutes. I don¡¯t say this in a negative way, in fact most Body cultivators would be proud of the term. To say that they are typically not intelligent would be wrong, as there are many intelligent Body cultivators that could have become observers. That being said, most body cultivators are single minded individuals that think with their weapon. They tend to be hot headed, but are very loyal. Body cultivators are known for their ability to strengthen their bodies through training. Whereas observers are long winded of their self-explanations, body cultivators will typically tell you that they in fact don¡¯t understand how or why they are able to do the things they do. Personally, I like them. When one starts to cultivate the body they are said to be a ¡°Warrior¡±. Warriors make up the majority of armies, as well as guards and personal security. This of course is a generalization. Warriors aspire to be many things and one can find them to be in a multitude of stations. Warriors wear their brand on their wrists.


    Soul cultivators are rare. They are typically reclusive and introspective. There are two specific types of Soul cultivators: Priests and Anchorites. Priests tend to congregate with other believers of their religion, whereas Anchorites are nomads that follow no set religion. Anchorites believe that every religion has its purpose. Soul cultivators are known for the healing of the Mind, Body and Soul. Like observers, Soul cultivators use magic, though they are typically tied to a certain religion/god. When one starts to cultivate the soul they are said to be a ¡°Cleric¡±. Clerics are some of the strongest cultivators in the world. There are legends of Clerics able to bring back the dead. Whether that be rumor or truth one thing is certain, Clerics are important. For the most part Clerics will use their healing magic for monetary gain for their church or their own. Clerics wear their brand on a medallion around their neck.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Brands are worn by nearly all cultivators. That being said, one can cultivate without wearing a brand. The reasons for wearing a brand can be different for each individual. Whether it be for social standing or for pride in one¡¯s cultivation. For instance a citizen without a brand will typically be looked down upon by other cultivators. I don¡¯t agree with this sentiment, but that¡¯s just the way of the world. And it can be a harsh world, especially for those without brands. The work of non-cultivators, or ¡°Noc¡¯s¡± as they are often known, can vary between hard labor, banking and sometimes politics. A farming family can be elevated by a member of that family becoming a cultivator. Just as a banking family can lose a stronghold in business when they have multiple generations without a cultivator. A brand of a warrior will look different from that of an observer or cleric. This is because they follow a different process. There are three levels of cultivation for each breakthrough.


    Observers follow the gemstone path. This is a term coined in the beginning by the very first cultivators as a way to describe what happens to their mind when they cultivate. Is it a great name? No. They were uncivilized folk and they did the best they could. Citrine, Carnelian, Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Diamond. When one first becomes an observer they are said to be a first level Citrine cultivator or ¡°First Citrine Observer¡±. A first citrine observer has his or her mind awoken, but the path is hard and perilous. Many lose their sanity chasing the Diamond peak. By the time one awakens to the gemstones they have usually leaned their first bit of magic. The magic one learns is not set to rank, but more of who one has to teach them. Different universities teach a myriad of class of magic. One tends to specialize, but there are others who attempt many branches.


    Warriors follow the metal path. This term was coined to explain the changes one¡¯s body would go through when training on this path. Again the name leaves one wanting, but does its job explaining the basics. Bronze, Iron, Steel, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Diamond. You may be wondering why this path is called the metal path when it also has gemstones. Don¡¯t overthink things. The real reason is because the lower three paths are considered beginner to amateur. These ranks hardly see battle between other cultivators. The experts and Masters are ranked in accordance. A Sapphire warrior fighting a Sapphire observer can be fought to a draw in theory. This is a generalization of the ranks of course, a Sapphire observer has the power to kill a Ruby warrior in the right circumstances and vice versa. Warriors use techniques that pair with their cultivation level. There are countless techniques and no one technique is known to be the best. Every technique has its strengths and, ultimately, its flaws.


    Clerics follow the colorful path. This name again does little to explain the intricacies of the path in question. Yellow, Orange, Violet, Blue, Green, Red and Diamond. Diamond remains as the peak of cultivation and therefor carries over with all paths. Diamond is what everyone reaches after, it is the stars in the sky. One could say that Observers and Clerics have a similar path. This is true, except for the styles of magic they learn. Where an observer builds mental fortitude to cast higher tier spells, a Cleric has to temper the soul. Any and all healing magic takes a toll on the casters soul. The firmer the soul, the deeper the magic.


    The Empire of Deller is just a small part of the world, one could say it¡¯s just a corner of civilization. On the four great continents there are a total of six Empires. The Deller and O¡¯Bret Empires reside on the continent of Finth. Decades of war have constantly changed the landscape of their respective territories. The Smith Empire and the Stone Empire make up the continent of Corvora. Whereas the Reiner and Luther Empires reside on the continents of Heltia and Ambrinia respectively. Our story begins on within the Deller Empire. In the City of Rosewood, otherwise known as the ¡°City of Silver¡±.

 Chapter One- The three

    In a corner of the continent of Finth, in a city known as the ¡°City of Silver¡± fifty children aged twelve to eighteen sat in straight back chairs. The wood worn over years of use. Books stacked neatly on the tables ranged from the strategies of war to the economics of the Empire. Maps covered the walls except for a chalk board in the front. Fifty children currently arguing about what cultivation was the best. This was a common argument, but was nonetheless pointless.


    A tall man with Dark brown eyes stood staring out over his class. His dirty blonde shoulder length hair was pulled back into a braid as if to accentuate the studded gems that dotted his left eyebrow. Three sparkling purple gems. In his hands he held a wooden rod. Four foot long and as thick as the handle on a long sword. Its ashy brown wood showed signs of abuse. Looking out over his class he shook his head. He knew this argument well, he even participated when he was a child. It could go on for hours. Gripping the rod in his hand he stepped up to the nearest table.


    WHACK!


    The sound reverberated around the room. Everyone in attendance stopped arguing and immediately turned to the front. Backs straight and heads held high. This is a sound that everyone knew all too well, the sound of their instructor losing his patience.  The tables were arranged by age group. Twelve to fifteen year olds sat at the furthest table, sixteen and seventeen year olds sat at a middle table, and the third and final table seated the eighteen year old student¡¯s right near the front. The class had a total of fifty students, only five of which were eighteen.


    As a student aged their level of growth would be apparent. Thus, one could find the most students sitting at the furthest table. When a student¡¯s growth would stagnate the city school would send them to continue their education at home. This was basically the city telling them that they would never be a cultivator. Many children would then find a job or work on the family farm. The amount of children able to cultivate after being sent home was few. Seeing that he had their attention he raised the wooden rod again, wind whistling as it fell at high speed.


    WHACK!


    The second sound was deafening. The first time he smacked the table was to get their attention, the second time was to hold it.


    ¡°Once again you devolve into arguing. If you¡¯re going to argue at least do it over the right material.¡± The instructor yelled with a deep booming voice. A thin child with a smirk sitting at the furthest table spoke out, ¡°Mr. Stokes, isn¡¯t it true that observers have the most powerful magic?¡± A few of the children could be seen either shaking their heads or nodding in agreement.


    ¡°We¡¯ve all learned of the types of magic that can be learned to a lesser extent, let me ask you, would you rather have the ability to burn your opponents to the ground, leap over the enemy line with blades so fast that the human eye can¡¯t see them or save a friend from the brink of death?¡± murmurs could be heard throughout the class, everyone seeming to have their own thoughts regarding what would best.


    ¡°That question is hard to answer sir¡± a different child spoke up, this child was one of the five sitting at the front. He wore dirt covered clothes that marked him as a farmer¡¯s child. ¡°If one could actually choose their destiny I would assume most would choose to be a cleric. Although I have stepped onto the path of the warrior I would give anything to save a loved one¡¯s life¡± He nodded as he finished as if signifying the importance of his words.


    ¡°Thank you Lynn¡± Mr. Stokes said as he turned back to look at the thin kid at the back. ¡°The path you walk is yours alone and if . . . IF you awaken to a talent, you must put all your effort into that talent. Nurture that spark, for it is the only one you will be given¡± He said slowly.


    The importance of his words punctuated with the silence that followed. Every kid in the class began to think about those words. A single spark, one that could be extinguished if left unkindled for too long. Their introspection was abruptly interrupted with three deep chimes from the central clock tower. ¡°That is all for today, remember to meditate tonight, don¡¯t let that spark disappear. Only you can keep it alive¡± Mr. Stokes said as he walked to the front of the class, opening the door.


    Fifty students rushed out of the classroom. Out of these fifty students, only three were on the path to cultivation. This was a relatively low number, as it could be said that one out of every ten students would awaken to a path. Three students was a low number, but these three students were extraordinary. Three students on three separate paths.


    Of these three students one was a farmer¡¯s child. He grew up on the outskirts of Rosewood tending to the fields every evening. His muscular arms were testament to his hard work. He had a scar running the length of his left arm, a reminder from youth of the dangers the forest held. The tallest of his class, standing Six feet and six inches. Many of the taller students were clumsy, but he walked with a grace not usually seen in such a tall teenager. Almost as though he were born tall and had time to adjust. He wore two bronze bracelets on his right wrist. The metal twisted around itself many times. The two bracelets signified that he was currently a second bronze warrior. Just a beginner in the path, but at eighteen years old considered to be well above average. His homespun clothes stained by dirt over the years from tending to the crops. One of three, Lynn Wright. As he walked down the steps to exit the building he cleared the final 5 steps in a quick jump, landing with a heavy thud next to a short girl with long blonde hair.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°Sissy, why didn¡¯t you speak up at the end? You of all people should know the power clerics hold¡± He asked, looking down into the beautiful girls sky blue eyes. She glanced up with a smile on her face. ¡°It isn¡¯t my place to decide which cultivation is the most important, Lynn. I think we all can agree that they each have their merits.¡± With that she turned and started walking towards the city. Lynn quickly sped up to catch her.


    The second of the three. Long blonde hair trailed behind her in golden wisps. Eyes the color of the midday sky that always held a hint of a smile. She had olive skin seen often in those from Eastern Ambrinia. Her family were refugees from the Lutheran wars that battered the continent for 20 years. Although she herself was born in Rosewood, her parents and grandmother remember the war with clarity. As she walked down the dusty streets the sun bounced off the medallion on her chest. The silver medallion had a single yellow stripe down the middle signifying that she was a first yellow cleric. Her clothes pristine, without a hint of dust. Colorful robes, loose and flowing as often seen from those hailing from Ambrinia. One of the three, Cecilia Pitera.  As she looked down the street she noticed a boy with his nose in a book. Walking straight for the corner of a building. A smirk could be seen creeping up her face.


    ¡°Mikel, look where you¡¯re going before you break your nose¡± Cecilia yelled, as she continued walking onwards.


    ¡°Maybe it would straighten it back out this time¡± Lynn interjected, laughing to himself. Falling in line behind Cecilia. ¡°A little bit of pain can be a great teaching tool, you know¡± Lynn said under his breath to Cecilia.


    ¡°Thank you Sissy, I can¡¯t seem to put this book down.¡± Mikel said as he changed directions, walking towards the other two.


    The last of the three. A skinny young man, with dark brown skin. Standing six feet tall. Always known to be carrying at least three books on his person. The dark skin made it clear his ancestors came from the Corvora Empire, though the past six generations have called Rosewood home. Lines crossed the top of his forehead from years of contemplation. In fact, when he reads he is known to have a scowl permanently on his face as though he is contradicting the very thing he is reading. A very smart young man, like his parents and those before them. On his face rests a pair of silver glasses, this is important if only to prove his families wealth. Only the upper class can afford such luxuries. His family runs the second largest bank in Rosewood, Sheed and Sons. Over chocolate colored eyes rests two beautiful yellow gems. Piercing his left eyebrow to signify that he is a second citrine observer. The last of the three, Mikel Sheed. When he finally broke through on the observer path he was told that he could forgo the gems. This was his initial plan until his parents forbad it. It had been three generation since the Sheed family had produced a cultivator and they were already slipping behind their competitors. To appease his family he pierced his left eyebrow with the first gem followed soon after by the second.


    The three cultivators continued to walk towards the center of the city. The buildings they passed were mostly stone, though every once in a while they would pass a wooden building. The city of Rosewood was one of the more affluent cities, as the silver mine produced a majority of the silver for the empire.


    The city sat at the northern peak of the continent, with a port connecting to the Red Sea. To the north was the Rosewood forest, stretching all the way to the coast. In this forest all manner of beasts and monsters could be found. Many new cultivators attempted pilgrimages within the forest to train and look for ruins. This was the current plan for the three cultivators that were now walking side by side down the streets of Rosewood.


    As they passed the city library Mikel finally glanced up from his book ¡°Hey, I need to stop in here and get this book back. I¡¯ve had it out almost a week.¡± He said, turning to the other two.


    ¡°No problem, I need to get back and help dad. He hasn¡¯t been feeling well and I don¡¯t want him overdoing things. I¡¯ll see you all tomorrow¡± Lynn said, with a wave he walked toward s the southern part of the city.


    As the other two watched him leave, Mikel looked down at Cecilia ¡°I¡¯m worried about him. When we leave he won¡¯t be able to help his parents on the farm. I think it¡¯s going to be hard for him.¡±  He said with a frown on his face.


    ¡°He knows it will be difficult, but he¡¯s looking towards the future. The stronger he gets, the more his family will benefit.¡± Cecilia said, staring towards the back of Lynn. ¡°I¡¯m going to stop by the temple before I head home. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow Mikel.¡± She said with a wave, at that she continued walking deeper into city.


    As Mikel stood there in front of the library, he pondered just how difficult it would be for him to leave his family. Whereas Lynn¡¯s family would lose a vital member of their farm, Mikel couldn¡¯t say for sure he was really needed at the bank. In fact, Cecilia often helped her family at the market. Perhaps he was the only one that wouldn¡¯t be missed. With a shake of the head he turned and walked into the library.

 Chapter two - Old man Ben (M)

    As Mikel walked through the entrance to the library he looked up and marveled at the paintings just in the doorway. No matter how many times he visited he was still in awe at the beauty of the architecture. The head librarian was a well-known observer and adventurer. Having made it to the emerald stage, he was one of the top cultivators that still lived in Rosewood. There were many paintings and trinkets he had accumulated before his retirement and he gladly loaned them to the library for the masses to see.


    The smell of old parchment and dust always had a calming effect on Mikel. As he walked up to the main desk he asked softly, ¡°Freya, is the old man in?¡± As she looked up and saw him, a smile blossomed on her face, ¡°Yes, give me one moment Mikel. I will go see if he is available.¡± She said as she turned around and walked through a door behind her.


    The desk was made of a black wood that drank in all the light in the library. It was from a rare wood found in the Rosewood forest, and probably cost more than most homes. The old man had put a lot of his personal wealth into the library.


    Minutes later, with a chuckle, a tall man with alabaster skin walked out of the door followed by Freya. ¡°Mikel, it¡¯s good to see you again. I figured that book would take you at least two weeks to digest.¡± He said, a look of amusement on his face.


    As he stood behind the desk, the multiple lamps in the library caused a glint off his eyebrow. Two emerald gems sat above his right eye.


    ¡°Old man, once again you underestimated me.¡± Mikel said with a smirk.


    With a small smile the old man looked into Mikel¡¯s eyes. ¡°Confidence is good, but it can be deadly.¡± He said in a solemn tone.¡± Come, let¡¯s test your knowledge¡± said the old man. Waving for Mikel to follow, he led him into a room to the side of the main desk. This room was the head librarians office and personal library.


    As the old man took the book from Mikel and placed on the wall the cover could be seen, the title was ¡°Travelling the Rosewood Forest¡±. Once he had the book in the proper spot he started peppering the young man with questions, ¡°How many square miles does the Rosewood forest cover?¡±


    ¡°Five thousand three hundred twelve and a half. Or roughly three point four million acres¡± He answered quickly.


    ¡°What are the most common non-magical creatures found in the forest, starting from class small to large?¡± The old man shot back immediately.


    ¡°The brown tailed squirrel, silver-mist wolves, and the Rosewood brown bear¡±


    ¡°What should be your first concern upon setting camp?¡±


    This question threw Mikel a little, as he was expecting the next question to be about magical creatures. They were very dangerous and a high concern. ¡°Shelter from the elements and creatures.¡± Mikel answered after thinking for a second.


    ¡°Not clean water?¡± Asked the old man.


    ¡°We both know I can create clean water, and food should not be a problem with my bag¡± He said while patting the satchel at his side.


    ¡°Did you not hear me earlier? Over confidence can be your death.¡± The old man said, shaking his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m not being overly confident. I know my skillset and therefor I believe that shelter would be the most important thing.¡± Mikel said with a perplexed look on his face.


    ¡°What would happen if you were incapacitated or, heavens forbid, killed? Your companions would be without clean water. You¡¯re an observer, you have to think of all the possibilities.¡± He lectured.


    ¡°Ben, I understand. Water, then shelter, then food. Although we won¡¯t be staying in one place for long, I think you¡¯re right. I shouldn¡¯t assume anything when planning.¡± Mikel said, knowing the old man had his best interests at heart.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Old man Ben sat down at his desk glaring at Mikel. As he tapped his fingers on his desk he chuckled to himself. ¡°I know you¡¯re trying to placate me Mikel, but please remember that anything can happen in the forest. It is a dangerous place and men far stronger than you have been broken in its depths.¡± He said with a serious tone.


    Mikel nodded, looking properly chastised. ¡°I know it¡¯s going to be dangerous Ben, but I¡¯m ready. I can¡¯t advance while sitting in the safety of this city.¡± He said with a determined face.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Old man Ben started, ¡°It¡¯s a stifling atmosphere and I can¡¯t believe so many are able to break through here. You know, the place where I started my journey made the forest look tame.¡± He said, his eyes staring off into the distance.


    ¡°Anyways . . . ¡°Ben said with a shake of his head. With that the questions continued, with Mikel answering each one with little pause. This continued on for about twenty minutes, when finally Ben smiled and sat back in his chair convinced Mikel had a good grasp of the material.


    ¡°I have one more thing to teach you before you leave.¡± At that he stood up and walked over to one of the bookcases, rifling through he finally found what he was looking for and sat it in front of Mikel. ¡°This is a spell I have been holding back, until I felt you were ready. Page nine, go ahead and copy it into your spell book¡±


    Looking down at the book that sat in front of him, Mikel noticed the worn leather bindings. His breathe caught in his throat. This had to be the old man¡¯s personal spell book. All the other spells Ben taught him had been from basic spell books from the empire. They were fine spells, but very rarely contained evocation.  Mostly he had learned abjuration or conjuration magic to this point, with a select few transmutation.


    With shaking hands he opened the book and started to slowly flip to the ninth page. As the page fell to the one he was instructed to turn to, he noticed immediately that it was evocation. The formula for range, the equation for force and trajectory all taken in by Mikel. ¡°So I will be able to create force projectiles? This could be a lifesaving spell, thank you Ben.¡± Mikel said as he looked up from the page.


    ¡°I will give you one hour to copy it, I must get back to my work.¡± Old man Ben said as he stood to leave, but before he left he looked at Mikel ¡°That page only. The other spells are well above your capability and I will not have your death on my conscience. I know you to be trustworthy, do not break my trust.¡± He said, and with that he exited the room.


    It took Mikel less than thirty minutes to copy the spell into his own spell book. The two books looked nothing alike. Mikel, having just started his journey into the observer ranks, had a brand new leather spell book. Enchanted to withstand dirt and water, it looked immaculate. Ben¡¯s spell book on the other hand had seen 40 years of adventure and it showed. The cracked leather and burn marks on the exterior was testament to the hardships Ben had seen. ¡°This is a spell book of a legend.¡±  Mikel thought to himself, wondering if one day his book would be as priceless.


    Eventually Ben returned and placed the book back into its place. With a few more words of warning and encouragement he showed Mikel to the door. ¡°Come see me again before you three leave, Mikel.¡± He said as he reached out and patted Mikel on the shoulder. ¡°And return those books before you leave today.¡± With a chuckle he waved and went back into his office.


    After returning the books and chatting for a few minutes with Freya, Mikel left the library and continued walking home. Walking through the city without a book to distract himself he actually made good time. Finally he walked up the steps to his home above the family run bank.


    After some pleasantries with his family he locked himself in his room and started to cultivate. Laying his spell book on the ground in front of himself he took up the lotus position and then closed his eyes as he began to meditate. Like Old man Ben had taught him he pictured his upper dantian.  Yellow and gem like, much like the citrine pierced through his eyebrow, he saw the various links from his dantian to his brain. New synapses forming since the last time he cultivated. He started to circulate his mana through the newly formed synapses, pushing them further on their path.


    After a full hour of this he opened his eyes and smiled. Looking down at his spell book he opened it to the new spell that Ben had given him. He spent the next thirty minutes studying the various intricacies of the spell, when finally ¡°Ok, here we go¡± He said, pumping himself up.


    He held his hand out in front of him pointing at the wooden chest sitting in the corner of the room and made the correct symbols with his hand. White energy began to build up on his palm for a few seconds before


    WHOOSH!


    THUNK!


    CRASH!


    Three white balls of energy shot forward towards the chest. The first of them slamming into the wooden chest and splintering the side, but the last two veered off course and shattered the window as they could be heard slamming into the wall of the building next door.


    ¡°Oh shit¡±