Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water

Chapter 70: Unexpected Possibilities

Lassim stepped closer to the stall that caught Zaphyrella’s interest. The merchant, an young man with keen eyes, noticed Lassim’s approach and gave him a welcoming smile.

"Ah, young adventurer, what brings you to my humble stall?" the merchant inquired, his voice as smooth as the silks displayed before him.

Lassim glanced at Zaphyrella, still drooling slightly, and turned his attention to the items on the stall. Among various artifacts and trinkets, he noticed a small, unassuming box that pulsed faintly with elemental energy. It wasn’t overtly spectacular, but something about it attracted Zaphy’s appetite and he was curious to see what it was.

"I was just browsing, but something here caught my spirit’s attention," Lassim replied, pointing to the box.

The merchant’s eyes twinkled with interest. "Ah, they truly have a good eye, young adventurer, and what a beautiful bird she is too. That box holds a rare item from an elemental plane that was found in the Peridot Kingdom to the west. It contains a piece of bark from a whomping tree that was struck repeatedly by lightning from the elemental plane’s entrance.

That particular elemental plane was mostly a lightning filled oasis of storms, so it would leak a bit of lightning strikes every so often. It is quite a unique piece, I must say. The box itself is also a great tool for preserving herbs, so I’d be willing to throw that in with your purchase if you wish. What do you say, young adventurer?"

Lassim’s interest peaked, he asked about the price, to which the merchant named a sum that was reasonable but not insignificant, 200 mid-grade ESS. After a brief moment of contemplation, and wiping the drool falling from Zaphy’s beak, Lassim decided to purchase the piece of tree bark. It might be useful or at least it would satisfy his curiosity in why his spirit was so enthralled by it.

With the transaction complete, Lassim thanked the merchant and then stepped off to the side of the street to move Zaphy out of the way of the bustling foot traffic.

He then opened the box and witnessed a uniquely bumpy and charred piece of bark sitting in the box’s black velvet interior. Surprisingly, Lassim also felt a strange resonance with the item as he stared at it and touched it. It hadn’t been noticeable until he held it in his hand.

Unable to control herself any longer, Zaphy eagerly got in between him and the box before gobbling up the entire section of bark in just a few seconds.

Then, almost magically, her violet feathers and their golden tips grew a tad bit longer; the gold became more resplendent. The budding crown of feathers on her head also started to grow a tiny, tiny amount, becoming a bit more full.

The transformation only took a brief moment, but it was a curious thing to Lassim. He hadn’t heard of elemental spirits upgrading their power in ways other than cultivation. It’d not been mentioned in any of the cultivation lessons at the academy, the tutoring sessions with Sir Ian, or heard about this as a possibility from anyone else so far.

Lassim, now deeply intrigued by the unexpected development, considered the implications of what just occurred. The fact that Zaphy could gain strength from consuming certain materials was a revelation.

’Can they somehow grow stronger through consuming items they resonate with? I wonder if the market has anything else. Can Mari do it too?’ He pondered if Marinelle, his water elemental spirit, might also have similar capabilities.

Not only could he continue to advance and upgrade their power the usual way through cultivation, but this might be another avenue of power. If his assumption is correct, it might give him something extra to focus on during the journey south. He could spend time finding these esoteric items as a side hobby along the way.

The market, with its myriad of stalls and merchants, suddenly seemed like a palace’s treasure vault waiting to be explored in Lassim’s eyes. Lassim decided to

He rejoined the caravan, where Hallen greeted him with a friendly nod. Noticing his good mood he asked, "Found anything interesting, Young Master Lassim?"

Lassim smiled, the knowledge of the crystals, gems and additional lightning herb in his pouch, and the memory of Zaphy’s transformation warming his heart. "Yes, I believe I did. This market truly is a place of wonders like you said. I also enjoyed seeing all of the items laid out on the rugs. It was different from all of the shops with their goods on selves or in display cases that I’m used to."

Hallen chuckled, "Aye, it’s like walking among piles of treasures. I too enjoy it. You’ll find that most merchants in the smaller towns and cities all conduct business this way. It’s always a fun time when you come across them. Anyways, do you wish to see the handy work of our Rohese family’s Architecture Company?" He thumped his chest, eager to impress the Young Master, before leading the way.

As Lassim followed Hallen towards the newly completed reading garden, his anticipation grew.

What he saw upon arrival surpassed his expectations magnificently. The reading garden was a symphony of natural beauty and architectural brilliance.

The entrance was marked by an ornate gate, with vines intertwining around its metalwork, leading into a pathway bordered by lush greenery. The garden itself was a vibrant tapestry of colors, with flower beds in hues of crimson, blues, and pinks meticulously arranged to be pleasing to the eyes and help soothe the soul.

The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, creating a nice calming atmosphere to the olfactory senses of all seeking solace in the garden while they read.

Central to the garden was a tranquil pond, its surface a perfect mirror reflecting the clear blue sky and the occasional cloud drifting lazily above.

Around the pond, willow trees draped their delicate branches towards the water. Benches made of polished stone were placed strategically under the shade of these trees, offering a peaceful spot for reading and reflection.

The paths, laid with smooth cobblestones, meandered through the garden, leading to secluded nooks and crannies surrounded by flowering bushes and tall, leafy trees. These hedges offering privacy and peace for the readers in each space.

Each corner of the garden was a private paradise, a perfect blend of shade, but just enough light, designed to encourage visitors to linger with a book in hand. Various types of benches, most with shapes more in a reclining position, were placed in each of the private nooks.

Lassim couldn’t help but express his admiration, "Hallen, this is extraordinary! The attention to detail, the overall design and thought you put into it all... It’s a true masterpiece! It perfectly suits a library. I knew our family was good, but even this is remarkable!"

Hallen, along with the other team members who had gathered, beamed with pride at Lassim’s commendation. "Thank you, Young Master. We’re honored to hear such praise, especially from a member of the family that has so much of the Patriarch’s and Matriarch’s affection. We put our all in every project we do, and with our team’s labor of love, we strive to always spread the Rohese family’s great name.

We’re delighted you like it and are honored to hear your commendation."

At that moment, the town’s mayor approached, his eyes shining with pride and gratitude. "Ah, by hearing him call you the Young Master, you must be Lassim. I’m Mayor Eldin. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your family’s company has truly outdone itself. This garden is more than I ever hoped for.

It will be a treasure for our town for generations to come and hopefully help with my reelection in a few years. I’m glad your family was able to complete it for us to enjoy, and so quickly after arriving at that. It was a long waiting list, but it was well worth the wait!"

Lassim shook the mayor’s hand, responding warmly, "Mayor Eldin, the pleasure is mine. I’m sure everyone will be thrilled to see such a wonderful space created for them. It will definitely make a lot of people really happy when they see it, like I have."

After a brief conversation about the garden and the town’s future plans, Hallen gently reminded them of the schedule. "While we’d love to stay longer Mayor Eldin, we must continue our journey to keep pace. We still have a long road ahead and many other contracts to complete in other cities along the way. I hope you’ll forgive us for our sudden departure."

Understanding, Mayor Eldin expressed his gratitude once more and bid them farewell.

Lassim, Hallen, and the rest of the caravan team gathered their belongings and other tools they used for the garden and prepared to leave the town.

As they resumed their journey, the sun was still high in the sky, casting a warm light on the path ahead.

With the library project completed and a successful discovery at the town’s market, the caravan set off once again.

Lassim was ready to feed the other items to his spirits now that he had a chance to sit back and fully observe what other changes might take place for Zaphy and what possible changes Mari might experience.

He took out the purchased goods under Hallen’s inquisitive eyes inside the carriage.