A Crow's Dream of Clear Skies Chapter 4

A Crow’s Dream of Clear Skies -- Chapter 4

 

[Three weeks later, Nine Gates Pits]

“Yeah, run Crowley!” Shen Lao gloated, wearing his newly purchased white battle robes commonplace for a monk specialization.

His two demon's souls...o...b..ted his body, shining with bright yellow. One was a young ten-year soul and the other a hundred years – both retrieved from killed Ragnaroks of varying age.

Using his ten-year, Shen Lao shot an arrow of light into the rock face inches from Jasper’s face.

“Give me a break!”

Jasper ran for his life, scurrying through the maze of pillars and rubble of the Academies arena, nicknamed the pit.

In the three weeks, it’s been since he’s received his affinity, Jasper has yet to choose a path for his cultivations – As such, he deemed it counter intuitive to hunt for his first demon soul, leaving him defenseless at the level ten plateau.

Me and my big mouth. If only I hadn’t provoked him. No! Too late for this thinking right now.

He found a crevice in the rubble and slid into it.

I’ve narrowed it down to three cultivation paths in the past three days.

Shen Lao was twenty-five meters away.

Since Lightning affinity is an all-purpose affinity, I must choose a multipurpose cultivation – that limits my choices. I’ve already decided my specialization considering the circ.u.mstances.

Fifteen meters.

The first choice focuses on speed of cultivation, reaching a prominent level at a substantial speed. The second focuses on an average speed but has a berserk like component.

Ten meters.

I must stop hesitating! The third!

He crossed his legs, folded his arms, and focused his mana like he usually would, pooling it into a vortex. He then added his affinity to the mix, churning in the bright violet till it was well mixed.

Shen Lao stopped in his tracks as a bright light emitted from the cracks of the debris. Jaspers voice leaked with this light, whispering words in a tongue unknown to him at unimaginable speeds. Syllables began to blend, mix, blur, till a chorus sounded and the rubble lifted and Jasper floated amongst it, mana materializing in violet strands swaying about.

This show quickly pa.s.sed and Jasper dropped to the ground, catching himself on a foot and hand.

“Fools House of Chaos is the name of this Cultivation.”

Courtesy of my previous life’s visit to Archangel Michael’s private library. Never thought the Archangel was such a collector of chaotic things.

“What was that just now, Crowley?” Shen Lao jeered.

“Truth be told I don’t have demon souls. That was me performing the awakening ceremony for a cultivation technique.”

“Preposterous!”

It was common sense that it would take a time for the body and mind to adjust to the awakening of a cultivation, let alone be able to function in battle. Then there’s the fact that he doesn’t have any souls to activate skills. Though, Jasper seems to know something more than common sense.

Sparks of lightning flickered across his body, tickling his skin till he felt the power surge from head to toe. He looked down to inspect his new power. This was the simple infusion of mana into one’s muscles to accelerate reflexes and strength.

In my last life, this would have been wind.

Clenching his fist, Jasper looked to Shen Lao who raised his hand, summoning a volley of light arrows.

He charged, dodging one after another at the last second – all near misses. The last arrow whizzed past his shoulder and he stood afore his compet.i.tor.

Shen lao threw a series of jabs and hooks with light gathered in his fists and feet – his second ring. Jasper received each blow with flawless blocks and counters.

His opponent’s next move was a round house – he ducked and struck his inner thigh, strafing to his back and delivering a formidable side kick between the shoulder blades.

Shen Lao fell forward into a roll and recovered himself.

“d.a.m.n you Crowley!” He charged.

“Moron!” Wide eyes looked to the barrage of light arrows fully encompa.s.sing the two.

Is he planning to kill us both?!

Reflexively, Jasper pushed his body, overloading his muscles with mana.

I’ve got to be quick!

In a split second, he kicked Shen Lao out of the danger zone then readied an attack. Jasper put his palms together, face up and thumbs touching ripples of purple mana began to manifest about his body.

The Arrows were seconds away from piercing his body.

“Jasper!!” Galle and the others shouted, running onto the field.

He focused harder manifesting a spotty barrier around his person, just as the lash back began set in.

Aww! It won’t fully cover me! Wait, that’ll work. I must predict every path.

Small disks sporadically appeared over his body, intercepting and shattering the arrows – preventing a Jasper kebob.

He dropped to his knees, weak from the mana fatigue.

I’ve used too much, huh?

“Jasper, you’re not gonna die are you.” The cold toned Diva seemed concerned for once, having read his sickly expression.

“I should be fine, I stopped all the light arrows, didn’t I?”

Galle knelt down beside him, “That’s not quite true. You missed one and it’s about to expire.” He alluded to jaspers calf.

“A d.a.m.n.” Jasper stumbled into his vest pocket with hands shaking from the mana fatigue. A small tin fell into the dirt afore him.

“What’s this?” Sir Galle asked.

“A salve I made that should be enough to stop the bleeding.”

He opened it up gasped, “Its bright green.”

The sound of shattering gla.s.s came from the light arrow as it dissipated into thin air and blood rushed out of the puncture hole.

“Just apply it. Before I bleed out. Please, Sir Galle.”

“Understood.” He took a dollop and slabbed it on the puncture wound sealing it.

Jasper hissed with pain, biting his lip as the salve solidified like cement at a moment’s glance – soliciting another gasp from the audience of cla.s.smates.

Shen Lao still lay on the ground unconscious.

Galle eyed the unconscious bald boy, “Shen Fei, check your brother’s condition.”

“Sir.” He promptly replied.

Jasper coughed up at few specks of blood into his hand.

I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay conscious.

“My foot connected with the right side of his ribcage. I didn’t have time to hold back, nor the experience to do so. Three or four of his ribs are probably broken.”

“Broken?!” Shen Fei shouted. “Like this brother will be hospitalized for at least a month, even with our family’s best medicines.”

“Sir Galle.” Jasper carefully turned to sit on his b.u.t.t, careful of his calf.

“Yes?” He ran his fingers through spiked strands of auburn.

“How much is left in the tin?” He eyed the small tin still in the palm of Galle’s hand.

“Maybe a third.”

“Rub a thin layer on the right side of his chest. Go ahead and use the rest.” He gave the careful instructions to Sir Galle as he quickly stood and walked to where Shen Lao lay.

With that taken care of, Jasper turned to Shen Fei, “I expect thirty gold in repayment for the medicine – should me nothing compared to the medicines you would have purchased.”

“Y-yeah.”

Am I being too nice to the Carnitines? No, perhaps this will const.i.tute a favor later down the road. Besides, I need the cash for what comes…

He gripped his head.

“Can’t… Keep… Conscio-” He fainted and was carried to the infirmary by Jing John like a sack of potatoes.

[Several Hours Later, Nine Gates Infirmary]

“It’s remarkable how quickly the wound on his leg healed. But to use such an art in a pit match?” A wise male voice spoke.

“I know. And have you looked at the flow of mana in his body?” The soft voice of a woman responded.

“Why yes, I have. He seems to be in a state of meditation, even whilst he’s unconscious. Marvelous!”

“Oh, he’s waking up.”

Jasper sat up a bipedal hairless cat and a doe woman surrounded by demon souls. Jasper looked shocked for a second, but then recalled school doc and nurse.

The Hairless cat was a tall man who underwent a beastification with a cat spirit. The spirit being stronger than most resulted in a full beastification of his head in its ugly light skinned entirety. He bore six of the souls making him a Spirit King between level 61 and 70.

On the other hand, the doe woman was a lot subtler. She bore brown velvet doe ears and white freckles – accenting her vibrant red hair. The other four souls were hers, making her a Spirit Leader at 41 to 50.

“I’m Doctor Whiskers.”

“And I’m Nurse Bambi.”

“My names Jasper. It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I must be going. It’s already past the end of the school day.”

Jasper stood, forcing himself through the pain against the two’s warnings.

“The fatigue will likely affect you for another day or so, you should just stay home. I’ve already informed Sir Galle.” Doc Whiskers informed.

“Understood.” He shuffled out of the infirmary and stumble to the stables where tucker carried him home.

[The Following Day, Just Outside the Governor’s Residence]

“Thanks’ for dropping me off, Olivia.” He turned to her, sitting on the seat of the horse drawn cart.

“Anytime. I’m on my way to pick up some things for lady Martha. When would you like me to pick you up?”

“In two hours, I should be done negotiating.”

“Okay. But, really? With the Governor?”

“Don’t worry about it. And don’t tell Mother.”

“Yes, yes.” She agreed to his terms and mushed the horses down the cobble street.

“Now then.” Jasper turned to the large oriental gates of the Governor's estate and nonchalantly approached the decked-out guards.

“Halt!” They crossed their spears. Both were Demon spiritualist with fusions. The left had fur hand his arms were longer than normal. The right was scaled with a forked tongue.

“I’d like an audience with the Governor.”

“Excuse me? Do you have an appointment?”

“Code prima, green tail.”

They looked to each other. The lizard spoke, “He’s just a kid.”

“Rules dictate we can’t deny him an audience.”

They nodded.

“This way.” The lizardman directed Jasper.

He opened the gate and pa.s.sed Jasper along another guard, giving him the same code.

Jasper was then led up to a conference room and told to wait a few.

A time later, Governor Fashi walked in with his long white beard and traditional robes.

“A boy?” He seemed at a loss for words.

“Please sit, Governor.”

The old man cautiously sat across from him and clasped his hands atop the table. “Who gave you that code phrase?”

“Unimportant.”

“What?!” He slammed his fist on the table. “Little boy, I will have your head!”

“Index seven two beta three, I believe that’s the cities ledger of black listed dealings. Am I wrong?”

“I’ll kill you where you stand!” He drew a knife.

“Wait a second, Governor.”

He stopped, having climbed halfway across the table. “What.”

“Think about it. I’m just the puppet. It is under my instruction that if I die, this information – and more – is to leak to the public.”

“What are your demands?” He slid back into his chair.

“An all access sales permit under the name Jasper Crowley.”

“Is this your master's name?”

“No, it’s mine. Master said he will have me in the limelight at all times; sticking to the shadows himself.”

“I don’t know what use it’ll be when the Carnitines have a hold on the economy.”

“Oh, I plan to fix that.”

The old man sent for a man to fetch the doc.u.mentation who hastily returned with a unsigned doc.u.ment and, prepped and ready. The Governor signed it, rolled it, put it in a small cylindrical ornate tube and handed it to Jasper. The Governor then stood, concluding the ‘meeting.’

“Governor Fashi, before we end this.”

“Yes?” The old man seemed disgruntled.

“You hold various grudges against the Carnitines, yes?”

“That is true.” Intrigue floated into facial expression.

“Can I look forward to your support in the future?”

“Kid, if you can manage to humiliate one of their branches, I’ll consider giving you my backing.”

“Can I have that in writing?”

“Hmm? Uh, yeah. I guess.” He had jotted it down on a sheet from the pile of papers and handed it to Jasper.

“Thanks Governor Fashi.” He rolled it up and put it in the tube next to the permit then escorted himself out of the Estate.

Olivia was waiting outside with the cart waiting. He then hopped on next to her.

“Everything go smoothly?” She asked with concern in her voice.

Boy, this timid girl wouldn’t survive a day on the streets.

“Yup, just one last stop.”

“One last stop? But it’s almost suppertime.”

“I already informed mother we’d miss it.”

“Oh…”

“So, if you were a merchant that just got turned down by the Carnitines, what bar would you go to, to mope?”

“The cheapest one probably; and within walking distance from the nearest inn to the Carnitine trading house.”

“Precisely. I’m thinking the slovenly maid.”

“As you wish, Master Crowley.” She whipped the reins.

[Momentarily at The Slovenly Maid]

“d.a.m.n Carnitine Trading Company!” A man slammed his tankard on the table; he was brawny and large like a bear.

“I know, how dare they!” The second was scrawny and a.n.a.logous of a coyote.

“We just can’t sell our stock at those prices!” A third wailed, with a long beard resembling an orangutan.

Jasper had been eyeing the table of merchants as he grabbed a drink at the bar. Relax, the thirteen year old is grabbing a gla.s.s of juice, but it may beseech you to know the drinking age is fourteen.

With gla.s.s in hand and paper in his vest pocket, he walked over to the table.

“I heard someone shouting about the Carnitines.”

“Yeah, they’re ripping us off…” The Orangutan looked the thirteen year old up and down. “Oh, what do you want, kid.”

“Would you like to trade your stock through the Black Feather Trading Company?”

“Kid, everyone knows the Carnitines have a monopoly on the cities trading.”

“Yeah, they’ve bought up every sales permit in existence.” Another moaned in defeat.

“What if I told you, one was within reach?” Jasper pulled out the tube, popped it open and displayed the permit with official markings and insignia.

“I-impossible!” The second shouted.

“SHH! It’s obvious you’re no ordinary merchant child. What’s your Master’s terms?”

“A partnership.”

“Explain.”

“Anyone can sell their good through the Black Feather Trading Company at a twenty percent flat tax. Merchant picks their sales price.”

“That’s amazing!” The second cheered.

The third ran his hand through a thick white beard, “It’s perfect. No merchant could say no if they could set their own pricing. Even at twenty percent. Lately the Carnitines taxes to operate a stall have exceeded our profits.”

“So, this leaves a eighty percent margin for production and profit!” The coyote seemed excited.

“That leads me to my next proposition. If said merchant were to man the Black Feather’s stalls and work for the trading company, your tax will be reduced to ten percent.”

“Hahaha.” The first laughed. “This kid’s master has devised a system where he doesn’t have to even hire any workers. It’s a merchant’s guild of sorts.”

Precisely. This idea was given to me by the advance economies of the dwarven world. Their merchant’s guilds are far ahead of this time.

“We’ll be starting tomorrow. Bring your friends and acquaintances. Vermilion Square is where we’ll set up.” Jasper took the last swig of his juice and stood, heading home.

[Next Day, Vermillion Square]

“Yo, Kid!”

Three men stood afore a modest convoy of merchants, rolling their merchandise into the square. Jasper sat on the edge of the square fountain next to Tucker whom coiled nearly halfway around it.

“Where’s your Master? I presumed he’d be here to set things up.” The orangutan asked, halting the convoy with a hand sign.

Jasper stood and took a bow, “Guild Leader of the Black Feather Trading Co, Jasper Crowley – Nine Gates Demon Spiritualist 1st year at age 13.”

“Heh. Stop messing around kid. Where’s your master?” The Coyote faced merchant rushed, anxious to make a profit.

Tucker curiously watched with three eyes from beside the fountain, laxly laying his head on the cobble street.

With an annoyed sigh, Jasper presented the sales permit once again – this time pointing to his name. “I am heir of the Crowley household, and it is my responsibility to turn a profit for my family. This is my sales permit, if you do not believe me and will not respect me as your Guild master, there is no place for your wears in my shops.”

“Where do you come off-” The Coyote was cut off by the Orangutan.

“We three brothers of trade except Guild master Crowley. The Crowley name has but two after the death of Jonathan Crowley. Martha, and their son Jasper. This cannot be a mistake.” He bowed and his brothers of trade hesitantly followed.

“Thank you, gentlemen. What are your names?”

“I am Xing Xing.” The Orangutan went first.

“My name is Lang Su.” The Coyote waved with his fingers.

“And I am Xiong Hao.” The Bear resembling man crossed his arms gallantly.

“To business. Set food at the north end, weapons at the east, house wares to the south, and all others to the west side. Let’s take hold of the square.”

“With ease.” Xing Xing acknowledged, “You heard him!” He spoke to the others.

“Old man Xing, you’re in charge till I get back, fill a crate with my share and keep it to the back of your stall. Have a man run every hour to collect the tax.”

“Why are you leaving me in charge? You’re the guild master, not me.”

Tucker stood and walked behind Jasper.

“From hence on I bestow you with Vice Master with a 7 percent tax rate as compensation. Deal?”

“Sure, no problem, but where are you going?” He cautiously eyed Tucker.

“To school. If you need me I’m in Building C, Cla.s.s A.” Jasper turned about and leapt using his spirit power to land atop Tucker with ease – riding off to another day at school.

[Nine Gates, Cla.s.s 1-A]

Jasper sat in his chair waiting for the instructor. He was early due the requirement of being at the market at the crack of dawn, but as his cla.s.smates flowed in, eyes began to follow him.

“Jasper.” His attention turned to the spike headed teacher. “Come forth and test your soul level.” Galle removed a two-inch diameter white sphere.

“Aight.” Jasper was looking forward to testing his level to see if he was close to the bottleneck.

He walked down the wooden steps, all eyes on him, and graciously accepted the orb.

With a hint of mana, the orb turned purple and displayed a number in a cloudy center – “10”.

“Level ten already?” Jasper surprise was only exceeded by his cla.s.smates.

“He just cultivated for the first time yesterday, that impossible!” Diva stood, knocking her chair over in disbelief.

“It’s not impossible, just improbable.” Sir Galle piped in. “As I’m sure most of you started at level two or three due to innate skill, it’s likely this is the same.”

“But so much?” She detested.

“I guess so, ice princess.” Jasper stuck his tongue out.

“I’ll have you know-”

“Now, now.” Galle stopped their bickering. “As you should know it’s time for you to collect your first demon soul so that you may advance. You should be able to handle a hundred year; the rebound should be minimal. I can set you up on the roster for student teams to go to the hunting grounds if you’d like.”

“No need.” Jasper shook his head.

“N-no need? Do you plan to go alone?”

“Yup. Nonnegotiable.”

The cla.s.s gasped as he returned to his seat.

Standard instruction resumed with the occasional gossiping over Jasper. He brushed it off and waited for the school day to end so that he may return to reap his profits.

As Galle left the room and Jasper began to head out the door, Diva followed him.

“Peasant Jasper?” She snottily asked.

“How may I help you, ice princess?”

“I wish you’d stop calling me that…” She muttered.

“What was that?”

“I presume you’re going to the hunting grounds for your ring?”

“No, I won’t find what I’m looking for there.”

“Won’t find what you’re looking for?” She finally caught up to his side – strides stunted by heels – as they walked through the courtyard.

“The hunting grounds only hold up to hundred years. I’m gonna go hunt a thousand year.”

“A thousand year?! Does the peasant have a death wish?!”

“Not so loud. I’ve already decided on this.” He sighed.

“Isn’t a thousand year a bit too strong for a peasant who just entered school?”

“That’s why I need to go shopping for some things after taking care of business. Wait, why are you so curious.”

“I ah…”

“Just tell me, I already have a guess.”

“I just hit level ten last night and was wondering if I could tag along. We could back each other up.” Bitterness left her tongue.

“So fast? Although I’m not surprised… Huh, very well. I wouldn’t mind the company.”

“O-of course it doesn’t have to be a thousand year.”

“I know, the mental shock would probably leave you lifeless.” They reached the stables and Jasper started strapping the saddle on Tucker.

Diva ignored the comment and silently marveled at Tucker.

“What kind of equipment do you have prepared?”

“I- well… I have a… nothing.” She twirled her hair, embarra.s.sed.

“Ice princess is wealthy, yes?”

“Well, yeah. I guess.”

“How much spending money are you willing to spend on equipment?”

“About…” She paused and thought for a moment, tapping her foot. “200 gold.”

200,000 Stars?!? She has more than I thought.

Keeping his composure with Tucker now strapped in, “Would you like to go shop for some equipment with me after I do some errands? You’re welcome to accompany me on my errands; it should only take me a few.”

“Uh- sure?”

“Tucker, if you will.” With Jaspers command, the green giant knelt. “Ladies first.”

“I get to ride him?” glee flowed into her eyes as Jasper helped her on.

He effortlessly jumped atop the saddle and sat behind her, wrapping his arms around hers so that he may hold onto the rim and keep her in place at the same time.

“Ready princess?”

“Yeah.” Diva muttered, embarra.s.sed.

Tucker stood up, knocking Diva back against Jasper.

“And we’re off!”