The surrounding children broke out into surprised whispers, with several of the older children looking at Loch with envy and anger. Loch was too shocked to take in the other children's reaction. Seeing the poised man bowing before him, Loch couldn't help but feel the heat rising into his cheeks, as he felt flustered. Tobias lifted his head from his bow and tucked his hat under one arm. As he gazed at the wide-eyed boy before him, Tobias couldn't maintain his serious face and felt his lips tug into a small smile. "Why do you appear so surprised to see me? Surely you don't think I'm so uncultured to not even come and thank the person who saved my life?" Tobias asked, his face taking a stern look, but a sign of laughter twinkled in his eyes.
Finally gaining his voice, Loch replied in a rush, "Of course not. I... Just didn't think you would come so soon, that's all. You had so many injuries. I... thought you'd be at home healing for a long time, but I'm glad to see you're okay." The children eavesdropping all let out surprised sounds after hearing the short conversation. Many imaginations ran wild, as they gazed at the clearly highborn man talking to a small, thin child, clearly of a much lower status. As they tried to piece together the reason why Loch would have been in the position to help anyone, almost as a group, they all subconsciously leaned closer towards the duo.
"Ha! You say I was injured? Boy, you should have seen the state you were in when I brought you back." Tobias barked a laugh, and a genuine smile of affection sprung on his face. He took a large stride toward Loch and firmly patted the young boy on his bony shoulder, making Loch feel as if he was a nail being hammered into the floorboards. Although the pat felt heavy, Loch was also surprised when he noticed it didn't actually hurt. Tobias didn't take notice of Loch's sudden reflection and continued, "You shouldn't worry about us Hunters lad, even compared to those muscle-brained Knights's we heal quite fast given some time to rest and the right potions." If the surrounding children were a little surprised and bewildered by the conversation of the man and Loch before, they were all now in utter stupefaction at hearing the man's identity.
Even though the children were not the ones who came into contact with the truly powerful of Empyrium, they had all felt collectively that their horizons were significantly broadened by the other adults they had seen this morning. Meeting a sorceress and knight all in one morning, they had already felt as if they had used up their capacity for surprise, but now in the presence of another storybook character. And even witnessing him casually converse with one of their number and thank him for some apparent heroic act on his part left many of them feeling dizzy. It appeared the day had held a little too much excitement for the young gathered in the hall. The only person in the place who didn't appear surprised by the current event, besides Tobias and Loch, was Jonesy, who was standing behind the pair. He looked like a person who had suddenly found enlightenment, as if a large question that had bothered him for a long time had finally been answered, especially after he heard what Tobias said next.
So, lad, besides personally thanking you for your actions last night, I have also come for two reasons. One is to gift you an actual reward, as a simple thank you does not do you justice. But before I do that, I've something else to ask you. I believe Mother Leanne already knows about my intentions." Tobias looked around at all the wide-eyed children and looked at Loch with a smirk, "Shall we head to somewhere a little more private for a chat? I also imagine you have a few questions of your own, too." Tobias asked. Loch's heart began to accelerate as his mind began to race with thoughts. Although he did have questions he was dying for answers to. The moment he heard Tobias say 'reward', he couldn't help but think about the iron bits he was given yesterday when he simply gave the man directions. Compared to that simple task, when Loch imagined what he could possibly receive after literally saving Tobias's life, he was left in a silent stupor. 'Silver coins? No, maybe even… Gold?' Loch was too busy fantasizing about having a fist full of golden coins, and he hadn't realized his breathing had increased almost to the point of hyperventilating.
Tobias looked at the boy and wondered if he was suffering some sort of residual side effects from his Nightmare awakening last night. Considering the duration and eventual surge in aura he had witnessed coming from the boy's awakening, Tobias thought it was actually reasonable if he wasn't at full capacity. Jonesy moved up to Loch's side after he noticed the boy's continued silence. He couldn't help but grin a rueful look when he saw the dazed look his friend was giving into the empty air. Jonesy recalled the many times this friend of his getting lost in the sudden thought of profit when he had given him a couple of the small creations he had made at the Tinker's workshop. He had told Loch that if he sold them for him at the free market after Earth day, he could keep a quarter of the sale. Jonesy found his friend losing himself in daydreams for several days before the market, which only cleared after he finally sold the contraptions and received the small bounty of three iron bits. Jonesy would have called his friend a money grubber if not for the fact that he had only ever seen Loch spend the little money he had acquired on things for others, never himself.
Jonesy nudged Loch in his side as subtly as he could, as he didn't want to embarrass his friend in front of the supposed Hunter. Which he knew was an occupation Loch had idolized for as long as he could remember. Loch snapped out of his daydream in a flash, and almost as if he was afraid Tobias would renege or disappear like a wisp of smoke all of a sudden, he said in a rush. "Talk! Yes, let's talk. Ummm, come to my room. It's this way." Loch then started to speed walk, which was closer to a run, towards the front door of the mess hall. Jonesy couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh when he saw Loch hadn't even turned to see if the Tobias had followed him and was already out the door. Jonesy looked at the bewildered man and said in his usual calm tone, "You'll have to forgive my little brother, he, as well as most of the others here, have had quite the morning. Loch shares a room with me. I'll show you the way." Tobias gave the steady broad-shouldered boy, leaning against a crutch, an appraising look for several seconds and with a small nod, he replied, "Then I'll be in your care, young man. Please."
Jonesy limp walked towards the door after Loch, followed by Tobias who matched his stride to not outpace the slower boy. Squirt, who was his usual quiet self, also joined them, walking right next to Tobias and giving the older man an inquisitive smile. He kept looking the Hunter up and down, never looking ahead, but apparently never felt trouble finding his footing. Tobias didn't take much notice of the silent, staring child at first, as he was accustomed to people of lower society gazing at him after hearing of his identity. He, however, started to focus on the odd smiling child as even when they started to climb the stairs towards the second floor. The boy never broke from his observation of Tobias and climbed the stairs effortlessly, his feet finding easy purchase. 'What on the holy Earth is up with this kid?'
Jonesy also noticed the staring Squirt and admonished the boy once they reached the second floor. "Stop it, Squirt. You know it's rude to stare at people for too long. I'd thought you'd grown out of it." Squirt stopped his perusal of the Hunter and smiled at Jonesy instead. Squirt then made a couple of swift hand gestures towards Jonesy, which Tobias couldn't see as he had done it in the man's blind spot. Reading the hand gestures, Jonesy's calm face broke into a contemplative expression. 'He slithers like a snake? What the hell does that even mean?' Jonesy wasn't left with much time to ponder as, after a short walk, the trio soon arrived at their dorm room door. Standing in front of the door was an embarrassed-looking Loch, with his head hung down. His previously combed hair now looked slightly unkempt and fell in front of his eyes, covering half his face.
Jonesy was worried that the dapperly dressed man would admonish Loch, as it was quite rude to run off on what was an apparent guest. The older boy's worries went unfounded though, as Tobias simply approached the boy with a laugh and ruffled Loch's sandy hair. "Well, aren't you going to invite me in lad?" Loch peeked up at the man and, seeing he didn't appear angry, he returned a sheepish smile and opened the door, signaling Tobias to enter first. The Hunter strode in, his eyes sweeping all around the room, taking in all the small details with just a glance. A loud squawk drew his attention to the bed closest to the door on his right. Where he found a midnight-colored Raven, lying atop a pillow. The bird had its wings extended to either side like some kind of dark angel, and its talon feet kicked the air as if it were running in its sleep.
Loch entered the room alone and closed the door. Jonesy had whispered to the boy that he would wait outside with Squirt so they could talk in privacy. After Loch entered and saw the state of his companion atop his bed, he couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. His already red face gained another shade darker. "Jack! I've told you not to rub your feathers on my pillow, it takes me ages to get the smell of worms out of the cover." The bird woke with a squawk and shot into the air. It fluttered around in circles for several seconds, its beady eyes roaming everywhere, apparently trying to gather its bearings. After spotting Loch and his unhappy expression, the bird dive-bombed and landed on the boy's shoulder. It rubbed its beak on the boy's shoulder, giving what Loch always thought was a bird's attempt at puppy dog eyes. Even though he tried to give Jack a stern face, he couldn't help the small chuckle at seeing the bird's obvious attempt at groveling towards him.
Tobias watched the interaction and couldn't help letting out a small chuckle at the sight, bringing the attention of the boy and bird back upon him. "You've got quite the companion there. Seeing him again now reminds me that I don't just have you to thank, but your little feathered friend as well." Tobias, with a seriousness that Loch misinterpreted as humorous, bowed at the raven upon his shoulder the same way he had done before Loch in the hall below. Jack looked at the actions of the man and swept its own wing in an odd rendition of a bow in return. Tobias then walked over towards the bed Jack was previously laying atop and sat down, patting the spot next to him. Loch took the hint and quickly walked over, taking a seat at one end while Tobias occupied the other.
"Alright lad. Let's first get down to something we didn't really have much chance to do last night. Introductions. I'll go first." Tobias said after Loch sat down and then continued, "My full name is Count Tobias Grimstone. I am a Silver Badged Hunter and under the direct employ of The Cabin of Empyrium as a Deathstalker." Loch's face was utterly blank as he just stared at the man sitting next to him. Tobias smirked at the look and then pointed at the boy. "Now it's your turn." The boy hung his head and stiffly replied, "My name's Loch." Tobias waited for the boy to continue, but after several seconds of silence, he realized Loch had finished his own introduction. Tobias looked over at the boy with chagrin and couldn't help asking, "Just Loch. That's it?"
Loch shrugged his shoulders and replied with a little heat in his voice, "Just Loch. What do you expect of an orphan? There is nothing else to me." Tobias looked over the boy and couldn't help reprimand in his mind, 'Just Loch my soil ridden ass. I'll let you keep your secrets for now, boy.' Instead of saying what was on his mind, Tobias instead replied in a dry tone, "Just Loch you may be but as a Hunter speaking to another, it is rude not to identify yourself. Although you don't have to tell the person your exact power level, when meeting another on the path of cultivation who had clearly stated their own, it is classed as rude in Human society to not at least identify your cultivation path." Loch raised his hung head and gave the Hunter a truly puzzled expression for a whole minute before a look of hesitant realization soon replaced it. 'Wait. Is he saying... I'm a... No, it can't be.' Loch was having a battle with himself, as several puzzle pieces that had bothered him since waking began to fit together.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying? I'm a Hunter? But how? I don't understand. Was it because of the dream? Was it real? But that makes little sense. Soil it! Why does it never make any sense?" Loch finally said, with the last words said through gritted teeth. He was now staring at the Hunter with a fiery gaze, as a weighty sensation rose from Loch's body subconsciously. Tobias tried his best not to show a change of expression, but the sudden oppressive feeling rising from the boy made even his hackles rise. 'How on Earth can he already call upon his Aura? And why does it feel as if his left arm is once again sucking the Aether out of the room?' Tobias had to resist the temptation to call upon his own aura to resist Loch's. With the hair rising on his arms, the middle-aged man could feel a charge suffusing the room.
"Calm yourself." Tobias finally snapped; his voice wasn't loud, but it echoed in Loch's head as if he had been struck with a hammer. The rising static in the room disappeared in a flash, leaving Loch suddenly gasping for breath and in a slight daze. Rubbing his forehead with one hand, Loch looked back at Tobias, feeling lost. Tobias, seeing the boy regain his bearing, muttered, "Looks like we'll have to start your training as soon as possible." "Training?" Loch asked, but Tobias simply replied with a flick of his hand before he said, "That's not important right now. First, let me explain a few things to you. I originally wanted to get into this later, but I can almost feel your gaze burning with questions. Children, so impatient."
Loch had the reasonability to look slightly embarrassed after hearing the Hunter's words but didn't stop staring at him expectantly. Tobias moved around a bit on the small single bed, getting into a more comfortable position. He took several seconds as if he was gathering the necessary words. Loch finally sat in a more relaxed bearing, patiently waiting. Tobias finally stared into Loch's eyes and said the words Loch had always dreamt of hearing, "First things first. Yes, you are a Hunter, and yes, it is in direct conjunction with what you experienced last night." Loch almost jumped up in excitement and looked as if he was about to start machine gunning questions at the older man, who stopped the boy with a stop hand gesture before pointing back at the bed with a stern expression marring his features. Loch retook his seat but was almost bouncing on the spot as he stared at Tobias with shining eyes.
"What you experienced last night is what we Hunter's call the Nightmare Awakening. Something that all Hunters must go through to awaken their Totems. Others on their own path of cultivation call it the Heart Demon trial, and others have a different name for it. It's all the same, though. We Hunters call it the Nightmare because, well, it's a nightmare. It is brought on by the activation of two conditions: first, your core has to naturally reach awakening, and then you must consume a Nightmare potion. There are different levels of Nightmare potions. The higher the grade, the better your core's foundation, which makes it easier to pass the bottlenecks at the start. The higher grade of the potion also makes the Nightmare trial a lot harder, though. Your Nightmare, for an unprepared potential Hunter, was especially hard and very dangerous, but with the condition you were in last night, we were left with no choice." Tobias explained. He let Loch digest the information for several minutes before he continued.
"I won't go into the finer points right now, because without certain other information, you won't understand and it's not necessary right now for you to either. What you went through, though, was a trial of your heart. You had to face your inner fears. The potion helps to conjure the appropriate scenes within your mind's space. We can get into more of that later, though. Let me backtrack. By your confused face, I see I'm going to have to take baby steps." Tobias explained and then went silent as he pondered where to start.
Tobias couldn't help letting out a deep sigh and say, "This is why we usually don't allow children to cultivate below thirteen." Regathering his already waxing energy, Tobias continued, "Alright, I guess I'll just start with the basics. Mother Leanne has already told me that you have next to no common knowledge in regards to what it actually means to be a Hunter, or in fact what cultivation paths are in general. Which is something I still find baffling, considering these are things children your age should have already learnt about. But I suppose the reasons for you missing general knowledge is neither here nor there now." Loch was slightly confused by the older man's words but taking the hint from earlier, he didn't interrupt and just focused all his attention on the man's following words.
"Hunters, Knights, Sorcerers, even Fiends all follow what we call a Path. There are technically many types of sub-paths, but they all fall under the three main Cultivation Paths. The first is the Body Path, which is the main cultivation path for prospective Knights, even though all cultivators generally dip their toes in the body path. This is technically the easiest path to cultivate, especially at the start. Body cultivators generally find the first three milestone Tiers quite easy to pass through, but after that, it becomes a lot harder to break through the next milestones. To cultivate the body path is to cultivate pain. Without a lot of hard work and the use of many precious resources to temper yourself, rising into the higher Tiers of the body path is difficult." Tobias said and then paused. He couldn't help but smirk when he saw Loch had his hand raised in the air as if he was in a classroom.
"Fine, I see you're about to burst, so just ask your question. But this will be the only question until I finish the rest of my explanation." Tobias said, with Loch lowering his hand and asking in a rush, "What's a Tier mean? Is that like you saying you're a silver badge, Hunter? Like your Tier is silver?" Tobias smiled at the boy and replied, "Good question. And the answer is technically no. Silver Badge is my rank at the Cabin and doesn't exactly equate to my Cultivation level. Once someone activates their core and steps on their path, we classify them as Awakened Tier One. And after surpassing each significant milestone on their path, they will feel a rise in power, which will mean they will be classified as a higher tier. Just so you know, each major realm on the path technically has three milestone Tiers. But we will go through the major realms and what they signify at a later date. For now, do you at least understand what a Tier means?" Loch nodded his head, while his mind spun with questions about why none of the stories he read ever mentioned anything about levels and instead just always called the certain heroes, Knight or Hunter. He didn't dwell on it, though, as Tobias began his explanation again after seeing him nod.
"The next major cultivation path is the mind path. I'm sure you can already guess it, but this is the main path for sorcerers. This path has always been the most peculiar and is almost only able to be walked by people with a special talent for it. Although all cultivation requires hard work and diligence, the Mind Path relies a lot more on talent than the other two. Ascending the Tiers for some appear effortless on the Mind Path while for others it takes a much longer time for no apparent reason, at least in my understanding. The many mysteries of the Mind Path are not widely known, and Sorcerers are not one's known for their transparency. Now, the next cultivation path is the most important for you, as it is the sole domain of the Hunters. Our main path is called the Bloodline Path."
The words seemed to resonate with Loch after Tobias said Bloodline Path. He felt as if something inside his stomach had begun to stir, like he had a group of butterflies flying around inside of him. "Some say the Blood Path is a combination of both the body and mind paths, but for the ones treading on this road, it is something else entirely. There are also others, like the Church of the Earth, that say our Blood Path is the same as the Fiend Path, but that's just their ignorance. We technically do share some similarities with the way Fiends cultivate, but I could say that both the Body and Mind Path do too. We all harvest cores. It's just the way we use them is different. Anyway, none of that is relevant." Tobias shook his own head to stop himself, as he was too used to debating with what he called stubborn fools when it came to their Paths.
"Back onto the Paths. All three, especially at the start, follow generally the same direction in their cultivation. The first step is to awaken one's core, then learn a cultivation technique to control your Aura so you can absorb the natural Aether from the Earth and turn it into pure Aether to nourish your core. Ah! I said no questions until I'm finished or else we will be here all day." Tobias interrupted Loch, just as the boy had raised his hand into the air again, a question clearly burning upon his lips. Loch lowered his hand with a dejected look that Tobias clearly ignored.
"So, a Cultivator's core, which is also known by a couple of other names, like the church of the Earth call it a Seed, but it all means the same thing. As far as I'm aware, every Human's core is found within their stomach, just above their belly button. All Humans are born with a core, but they differ in size and shape, which usually equates to someone's potential upon their chosen path. For the majority of the population, their cores will resemble a walnut-sized clear stone. We classify this as a Clear Grade Core. This is the lowest aptitude for cultivation and the people born with this will find it a lot harder to progress on their path. Next is Colored Grade core, it is similar in size to a Clear Grade but instead of being see through, their cores will instead be filled with a multicolored light, as if a trapped rainbow is within their core when they are first awakened. You will find a majority of low and mid strength cultivators with this core." Tobias paused his explanation to cough several times before retrieving a flask from within his jacket, taking a swig before he continued. Loch saw an emblem engraved on the flask, but Tobias put it back in his pocket so quickly that he didn't get a good look at it.
"The next step above a Colored core is what we call a Solid grade core; this is a lot rarer. These cores are usually a lot bigger than the other two, being the size of an apple, and instead of holding multiple colors, they will be of one solid color, which will usually indicate that person's natural talent in a specific element. It is not relevant at the awakened stage, but after that, it will help the cultivator reach greater realms far more easily. Now, there is one more core grade. This one is different from the other three, as it is not a clear indication of potential and is merely an outline of the possible power held within one's blood lineage. This is also what separates a Hunter from other cultivators. We at the Cabin call it the Totem Core. There is also another name for it, though, which is the Progenitor Core, but no one besides the ancients of Aegis call it that. I possess a Totem Core, and so do you, Loch." Tobias said, placing one hand on his own stomach before pointing at Lochs.