He had a new name, Boram Rockboa.
His third master said the name was taken from two people, a soldier and a boxer, great people both.
When his second master sold him off from the quarry, he was worried but also had hoped that life would turn for the better for him. After learning where he ended up and the stories from other slaves, he didn’t have much hope.
He strutted to the slave’s quarters with a piercing inquisitive gaze, as if nothing could be hidden from his eyes. From tens of slaves, he picked him and named him Boram.
A few days later, Boram wasn’t sure if his life had taken a turn for the better or worse.
His third master had fed him and clothed him. His demand wasn’t much, train and fight. Boram could do that. It could be worse, according to the stories from other slaves.
Boram didn’t have much experience fighting. He exchanged fists with a kid that lived next door for a toy and once more during his time in the quarry. Those two instances were the sum of his fighting record.
Suddenly, his third master told him to kill a stone dog with his bare hands.
The first fight was a blur, Boram didn’t remember what he was doing and moved on instinct. He utilized his arms that used to break rocks and defended against the dog’s bite and head-butts.
The dog was defeated, its head caved in. Boram struggled to keep his breath. It felt tiring, strangely. Carrying boulders ten times heavier than this dog didn’t make him sweat so why did he feel so tired now? Blood and death didn’t faze him though, he was very familiar to them. He had seen other slaves die, from sickness or from the barbarity of other people.
Seeing his master’s disapproval, he thought he would get another whip, or verbal lashing if the master was feeling generous. At least Boram was familiar with pain. After much whipping and beating he acquired the skill of creating defenses just before the hit landed to mitigate the pain. He didn’t make it obvious so the foreman didn’t realize. He figured he would need to polish that skill again after a month without use.
“Don’t be sorry. Be better.”
He didn’t get hit but Master Avel made Boram fight a couple more dogs. Boram was determined to fight better. If he didn’t, perhaps he won’t get any food tonight, who knows? Boram didn’t want to find out.
Master Avel fought a dog pack with the dogs’ big boss in it. The smaller dogs that gave Boram much trouble were killed with impunity by Master Avel and his match with the dog boss was awe-inspiring.
He is already so strong, why would he need me?
He also seemed very rich. Otherwise, how could he bestow tens of mana crystals to him like candies? Boram at least understood that one of those mana crystals was worth three gold coins, and he could have a full belly every day for a month with a single gold coin.
The dismantling that followed was memorable, to say the least. He thought he was used to blood but he was wrong. He had dreams of a bloody liver chasing him that night.
One thing he liked about Master Avel was that he expanded his mind. There were many lessons, not only cultivation and fighting pointers but reading, cooking, maths, stories, Boram enjoyed those. When he talked about the map, Boram only then realized how small his world had been.
His life at the quarry was a constant dull and tiring repetition: break rocks, carry boulders, eat, sleep, repeat.
Following Master Avel, it had been constantly new things at the very least. It almost made him remember his life from before he was enslaved.
On a particular day, he saw his master training his swordplay. Boram wasn’t an expert but he felt his master’s sword was very fast as he cut the leaves.
Master really is strong.
Next, he made a stance in front of a tree. Boram disapproved, even he knew that using an axe was better for hacking a tree down. What would a flimsy sword do?
The tree fell and his doubt was cut down at the same time.
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But Master Avel didn't have enough, he wanted to cut down an even bigger tree. Boram wondered how many strokes of an axe he would need to bring it down and how many for his master.
It was then he witnessed Master Avel unleashed his power. Boram witnessed this from a distance with an opened mouth, the blue aura that acted like a beast unchained. Then, the aura changed.
He was an amateur Pathseeker, unversed in the ways of cultivation but he realized Master Avel had done something more than simply emitting his Victa. Master’s aura became refined, no other word was more fitting for what he witnessed.
The tree fell before the incredible slash and Boram felt awe and fear in equal measure.
Before he could put his feelings in order, the pack of silent monkeys swarmed him and any thoughts of contemplation were drowned in the heat of battle.
He must have lost consciousness because when he awoke, he was already back at the camp. He tried to move but the pain made him wince.
“You’re awake? I’ve made some food, eat up.”
“Yes,” Boram picked the meat on the leaf plate. He watched his master while he was eating since Master Avel was doing something strange again. He was making a small monkey sculpture from ice using magic.
As always, he was wearing his new full-face helmet. Boram had never seen what his master’s face looked like. He seemed to be in deep concentration, although Boram only guessed it.
“Mmm? Curious about this?”
“This is an ability that Pathseekers can access at Level 2, to change their innate elemental affinity to something closely related to it. You know that water turns into ice when it's cold, right? That is what I’m doing.”
Boram was silent, what else could he do?
“My affinity is water, since I don't have ice affinity from the start, I need a lot more control and effort to utilize ice properly.”
“So Master can use ice too? What else?”
“I was about to ask you. What else is closely related to water?”
“Ice when water is cold and steam when it is hot,” Boram answered.
“Right. Those aren't all though.”
“Why use other forms? What’s the use?”
“Suppose there’s a monster that is highly resistant to water, or even made of water. If you’re a water Pathseeker, how would you defeat it?”
“Yes, that could work. Or you could use ice, steam, cloud, mud, blood, to defeat it. The Arte you used by changing your element to other closely related elements is called Ixi Arte. The effect is often limited though. If you’re resistant to water then you’re supposed to be resistant to other forms of water, right? That is the case, to some degree.”
Boram remained unconvinced. It seemed a hassle.
“The easiest way is to bring other people that use different elements than yours. That’s why I have you.”
“What can earth change into?” He was curious about his element.
“Metal, magma, mud, and gravity.”
“What’s gravity?” Boram asked about the strange term.
“You’ll understand in due time. It’s a powerful thing.”
“Master, are you urging me to be a Level 2 as soon as possible so I can make those other forms of earth? To use the Ixi Artes?”
“Not really. I want you to rise to Level 2 so you become stronger. Using other forms of your affinity does not instantly make your Arte more great and it comes with a drawback. It is harder to use. Most people just stick to their original affinity and don’t bother with Ixi Artes. Well, they’re not wrong.”
“For adaptability. Eventually, I want to be able to handle all my problems by myself, without relying on other people. But it isn't possible for the current me. That is why I employ your help. I make an effort to that end though. So I’m polishing my Ixi Artes.”
The ice sculpture was now fully formed. Master Avel slammed both of his hands to the ground.
“Ixi Arte — Ice Wall.”
A two meters high and three meters wide wall of ice was conjured into being. Boram saw the sculpture shattered and turned into that wall. Something that small definitely couldn't make a wall of ice that big so Master must be compensating using his Victa.
“Naturally, there’s also an advantage using Ixi Artes, making use of that particular element's good points. For example, ice is good for defending and sealing while blood is the strongest of all water forms for attacking. If completely equal casters are clashing with the same Arte with the same power, one using water and one using blood, then the one utilizing blood would win the Arte clash. Don't ask me why, it’s magic. I don't know everything, it just does.”
The ice wall turned into water again, making a puddle on the ground.
“Water is the broadest in terms of Ixi Arte, it would be a shame if I don't take advantage of it. Though, I would just focus on one or two elements. Too many and it would be a burden.”
Master Avel then turned in his direction.
“But enough about that. Let's talk about you. You have fought a few types of monsters but unlike those before, the monkeys are agile and small. They are hard to hit with your strength and hammer, yes?”
Boram nodded. He was overwhelmed by the sheer number of monkeys in the end.
“It was a bad match for you. With the right technique or Arte they might not matter but you don't have it. Now you know your weakness and strength, let's work on that. I promise you will become a very dangerous person, you will become strong. I don't know what kind of dignity you seek, I can only teach you to become stronger. But it is definitely easier to live with dignity if you’re strong and not powerless. Which is why diligently cultivating serves your purpose and mine. Work hard or you will be left behind. My powers grow stronger every day.”
Boram still didn't know whether his new master would be a boon or disaster for him but one thing he knew for sure, his days would no longer be boring.