Accepting Nine Masters

A blonde haired boy was walking around the school with no particular destination in mind. Everywhere he went people stopped what they were doing to take a look at the boy. Though he was smallish, he stood out due to the color of his hair and his deep blue eyes.

This blonde haired boy was obviously Mane. He was currently taking a stroll to clear his head. Today was a Saturday, a weekend, so he didn't have to worry about time. He had all of it, at least for now.

His stroll was not quiet for long. The impatient 6th could stand the silence no longer and asked him a question. "Hehe, have you thought things through kid?". Though the others were quiet, they also wanted to know what the boy's answer was.

After the information they had given to the young chap yester night, particularly what the 1st had revealed to the group, they concluded that Mane had to grow stronger. And he had to do so quickly.

Mane was surprised when they told him that he could start training immediately. He was always under the impression that it was only after one's bloodline awakened that they could begin training. Yester night however, he learned something new.

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"That's not accurate little Mane." The 6th spoke, his words gaining the acknowledgement of the others. "In fact, one doesn't need a bloodline to cultivate at all. Hehe, a bloodline gives a person an added boost. After all, when one awakens a bloodline, they will inherit the comprehension of their ancestors. They may also receive a glow. But let me ask you this young one, do you think their ancestors inherited their bloodlines?"

The question of the 6th opened Mane's eyes. The 6th was right. A bloodline gave one the ability to comprehend the laws of their ancestors faster. But what about their ancestors? How did they get their abilities? It was by training!

"It is not surprising that Zandorians think that a stringent requirement for cultivating is a bloodline. But this narrow thinking is typical of many lower worlds. Take yourself as an example. You have not awakened your bloodline and have absolutely no idea what it is. However, you were able to comprehend a time law."

Mane nodded his head at the 6th's words. Indeed, he did not have a time based bloodline. At least he did not know if he did since he had not awakened his bloodline. Yet he had comprehended a part of the time law.

"In fact, there are many geniuses out there who never managed to awaken their bloodlines but had great comprehension towards a particular element, world law, an instrument or a weapon. The 7th is an expert of the sword. I dare say that if he proclaims to be the second best sword user, no one would dare take the first position!"

Listening to the passionate voice of the 6th, Mane was truly shaken. For him to have the confidence to proclaim the 7th as the number one swordsman under the heavens, he had to have a good reason. Personally, Mane waved it off as an exaggeration.

"You don't believe me right?" A soft chuckle came for the 6th as Mane nodded his head.

"There is something you must understand Mane. We will never lie to you. We may keep some things from you. But when we decide to open up, it is only the truth that we will speak."

"Upon attaining the nobility realm, everyone receives a title. It can be anything. But rarely, very rarely, does one receive a title conferring godhood. But not the 7th. He is different. He has a title that puts him above all other sword masters and grandmasters. He was proclaimed as the 'Wandering Sword God'!"

"The 8th is the same. He, just like the 7th, never awakened his bloodline. Though many in the higher worlds know him as an alchemist grandmaster, we know him by a different name. He is the one, who with a blade in hand, slaughtered his way through a higher world to save his son! He is the 'Bloodied Blade Lord'!"

"This is just to show you that even without a bloodline, one can still cultivate to become a supreme existence. It's a pity that for a lower world like yours, there are no cultivation techniques that support the growth of individuals without a bloodline. Even for those with bloodlines, not all of them can get a good technique to support their growth. In the higher worlds, the probability of this happening is extremely low." 

"With your intelligence and high comprehension, it will be a pity for you to wait till you are nine to start practicing. Let us teach you little Mane. That way you will be strong enough to combat the curse mark."

A tired Mane rubbed his temple in resignation as he digested the information he had been given. He may be brilliant but there was a limit to what he could take in per day. He was already exhausted from the day's events. From what had happened in the classroom to his comprehension of a time law and understanding the enemy who had cursed him, he had reached his limit. He decided to sleep on it. He will think about it tomorrow. 

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"Hehe, you promised that you'd give us an answer today little brat."

"I know." Mane pulled his hair in frustration, completely forgetting that he was in public. The strange looks he attracted from others who were watching him as though he was crazy, made him blush. He was tired from the incessant nagging of the 6th. He hailed a carriage and after informing the coachman of his desired destination, he got in and sat down. Now that he was in the carriage, Mane ignored his surroundings, and entered his mind space.

"Kid, you have to make a choice now. Putting Cronus aside, you have other enemies. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you about them. All we can do is to prepare you to face them. It is for this very reason your parents placed us here. We can only offer you strength. It is your choice whether to accept it or not. But remember, your parents have their own difficulties. You have to grow strong, and quickly at that, to help shoulder some of these burdens."

The words of the 1st caused Mane to furrow his brows in contemplation. He knew the 1st was right. He knew that his parents had some issues to deal with. He also knew that it was due to these same issues that their family had been separated. Just like every other person, he wanted his family to be reunited. He knew no one will tell him but he was sure that whatever challenges his parents were facing, they were facing because of him. It may have taken him a while but he had finally made a decision. 

"You are right.I want to grow strong. No, strike that. I have to grow strong! I want to be powerful enough to hold my fate in my hands. I want to see my family reunited and our enemies destroyed. Please teach me, masters." Mane declared in a clear and decisive voice, his face containing a resolution that a normal six year old should not have.

Looking upon the small figure who was bowing down to acknowledge his masters, the mountains were elated. The laughter of the 1st and the 6th was joyful to the extreme. 

"Good, good, very good." As the leader of the nine, the 1st was the one who spoke, "We will teach you little Mane." 

"Rise, our dear disciple."