Early in the morning, when Dimm woke up, he found that the doors of the room he was given to have his night rest was swung open. He looked to his right side and saw two elfin girls standing, blushing.
"Isn't it improper to come into any room without knocking?" Dimm asked furiously. "What if I was doing something private?"
A voice answered him from outside, approaching closer.
"You see, we did that. But, you must have been very tired," Minxx said, taking off the crown she wore on her head and handing it over to one of the elfin girls.
"Uhm... I used to be very conscious even while I sleep," Dimm tried to argue.
"Thank goodness you used the phrase, 'I used to'. In yesterday's case, you slept like Morpheus was in charge of you," Minxx said and paused for a while. "Alright, hurry up now, we have a lot to achieve today."
"Okay, but not with them inside the room," Minxx said, pointing at the two elfin girls. "Including you."
When he said this, the girl that Minxx had handed over her crown to brought it to her.
"My queen," she said, handing out the crown.
"I won't be using it today; keep it well till I am back," Minxx said and made for the door with the elfin girls behind her.
"Wait, I don't get it. Are you—?" Before Dimm could finish asking his question, the door slammed in front of him.
"Now I get the reason I didn't have to be introduced to the ruler of the village. I understand all the fuss from yesterday now. She is the queen of this village," Dimm noted, with his hands akimbo to his waist.
"It's a good thing, for me," he said, releasing his hands from his waist, heading to the bathroom by the side of the room. "I guess I have to get prepared."
***
"I will be introducing you to our cultivation base today," Minxx said, walking alongside Dimm down a field path.
"Okay, time to let me know of this cultivation. But, can't you at least tell me some important things I need to know about this game? The system I awakened? That monster I had fought, how is it a guard?" Dimm asked all at once.
"Those aren't meant to come from my mouth," Minxx said. "Dear Minxx only has business with introducing you to the cultivation system to help you increase your stat abilities."
Dimm shrugged. "Yet, again, making up excuses..."
"I am not making up excuses. I'm only trying to follow formalities," Minxx explained.
"Formalities? Until I'm not able to make it? Is that when the formalities will be over?" Dimm asked, sounding furious.
"Uhm..." Minxx muttered, signaling Dimm to bring his head closer, down to her reach.
When he did, she reached for the ear and said with a hushed tone. "I hope you don't try to create a scene here. It will be to your disadvantage. Just do as I say."
Releasing his ear, with a twitch on it, she began to move again.
They walked the rest of their path in silence until Minxx stopped, beaming with a smile on her face.
They had reached the field, and here, it was alive with activity. Dozens of elfin girls dressed in flowing garments of emerald and silver were scattered across the open space of the field. Each of them assumed a different position.
"What are they doing?" Dimm asked, only to realize Minxx was not on his side. She has moved closer, further away from him.
Dimm continued to observe the environment. Some of the girls sat with their legs crossed on a raised stone platform, their hands spread sideways in intricate gestures as a faint glow surrounded them.
Others stood in dynamic stances, their feet remained firmly planted on the ground while their bodies vibrated with energy. A few others hovered inches above the field, with their eyes closed and their bodies wrapped in shimmering auras of various hues.
Dimm took a moment to understand what was going on, but it was beyond his understanding. So, he braced up and ran forward to where Minxx stood.
"What exactly are these girls doing?" he asked, his gaze shifting from one person to the other.
Minxx smiled knowingly. "They are cultivating. And each of them is doing that according to their affinity and level."
"Yes?" Dimm asked, indicating with his hands that he needed an explanation.
"The position in which they take channels their inmate energy refines their abilities, and increases their strength. Some of them cultivate their bodies, others cultivate their souls, and a very few cultivate their spirits to gain enlightenment," Minxx explained.
She waved her hand toward a group of elfin girls who seemed to have noticed her presence.
"Those are Body Refiners. Their focus is mainly on strengthening their physical endurance, increasing their speed, and solidifying their raw power.
Minxx stated and pointed to another group who stood on their feet. Their arms were raised, and their palms faced the sky as snake tendrils of blue light surrounded them.
"They are Energy Manipulators. They can refine the flow of essence within them and control the various forces of nature."
"By forces of nature, do you mean wind, water, fire, and earth?" Dimm asked.
"Yes," Minxx affirmed. "They control the forces to enhance their abilities.
"Oh," Dimm said, his eyes catching sight of the floating cultivators. Unlike the others, their presence felt otherworldly, as if detached from the physical world.
"And them?" Dimm asked, pointing to the floating cultivators.
Minxx smirked. "They are Soul Cultivators. Unlike the first two, they tend to strengthen their connection with spiritual forces. They can absorb abilities—illusions, mind control, even foresight."
'Just like my devourer system?' Dimm thought.
"Not really. That system is only meant for use with your fellow game players. Or, any being that has a relation as to the game," Minxx said, with her voice lowered to almost a whisper, loud enough for Dimm to hear.
"Huh, how did you know what I thought?"
Minxx only giggled and folded her arms. "But here's the part that concerns you the most. You won't be training like them."
"What do you mean?" Dimm asked, confused. "Not like I intended to do as they are doing."
"You will. You must," Minxx said before her voice dropped to a teasing tone. "Your method of cultivation is... different."
"Different?"
"Yes. You are meant to gain power through dual cultivation," Minxx replied.
"Dual what?" Dimm blinked.
"Dual cultivation," Minxx repeated, walking a slow circle around him.
"Unlike them, your strength grows through a unique exchange of energy. You will have to form a bond with a cultivator, to absorb her cultivated essence and refine it into your own. This is where your own system will come into play."
"Wait. Are you saying I have to—" Dimm was interrupted immediately. His expression clearly was that of confusion and apprehension.
"Relax," Minxx said, chuckling at his reaction. "Dual cultivation doesn't mean what you think it does. I mean, it's not unholy. It's just a sacred practice that allows two cultivators to merge their energies, and amplify their growth."
"So, it only means that I will get stronger depending on the strength of my partner."
"Exactly," Minxx confirmed.
Dimm exhaled sharply. "Sounds like another complicated trade-by-barter system to me."
Minxx ignored his protest and turned back to the field. "Now, listen. There are five levels of cultivators present here, and each of them will contribute to your development in different ways."
As she continued her circular movement around Dimm, she extended her fingers, counting them one by one.
"First, the Initiates. They are beginners, focusing on mastering the basics of energy circulation."
"This will be the first group you are expected to form a bond with. Training with them will help you stabilize your foundation and increase your stamina. They will also grant you an ability that will lead you through the other groups."
"The Second group is called the Adepts. They already have refined abilities and started harnessing them to absorb elemental forces."
"When you train with them, you will awaken affinity to elemental energies and enhance the control."
"You mean, I can have control over the elemental forces earlier?" Dimm asked.
"That's what it looks like, but that's not exactly what it will be if you're not able to awaken the ability with the first group," Minxx replied and continued.
"The third group is the Ascendants. They have already gained advanced cultivation and can merge their physical prowess with spiritual perception. Cultivating with them will improve your ability to sense and manipulate energies in precise ways."
"The fourth is called the Masters. They have begun transcending mortal limitations, almost like immortals, but that's because of the ability they possess."
"More like the literal infinite evolution?" Dimm asked.
"Yes. But, you can't compare power gained through cultivation. Your potential will reach new heights." Minxx replied and continued.
"And the last group. "The Paragons."
"Hmm. I've read of Paragon cultivators. They possess divine abilities. I don't know if it's applicable in your own context," Dimm contributed.
"Of course, it is. They are the rarest and strongest among us. If you ever reach a level where you can cultivate with a Paragon, your strength will be beyond imagination."
Dimm crossed his arms, deep in thought. "So, you're saying… the stronger my cultivation partner, the stronger I get?"
Minxx gave him a sly grin. "Exactly. But don't get ahead of yourself. You're still an Initiate."
Dimm scoffed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Work my way up."
Minxx gestured toward the field. "Good."
Dimm smiled knowingly before asking. "Will it be a bad idea to start the cultivation with the queen?"
Minxx immediately kicked himself hard, throwing him to the ground. "I pitied on you."
"Sorry," Dimm muttered. "I only meant to ask, what level of cultivation have you reached?"