Cultivation Through Artifacts

After packaging their stuff and leaving the orphanage, Khal and Liza walked back to Moon City.

Because it was already after midnight and they had not enough money to stay in a hotel, while also it was dangerous to stay in the orphanage after what happened, the two had no choice at all, but to stay on the streets and wait until Moon Academy opened its gates and started the enrollment.

Luckily enough, when Khal packed his stuff back in the orphanage he was able to notice that the original Khal saved up a small amount of money. Buying a small amount of food from them shouldn’t cause a problem at all.

But because in this world the money was not a dollar, euro, or any other form of currency, but simple silver, bronze, and golden coins, Khal didn’t quite know how much he had currently.

However just looking at the 5 silver coins he was holding in the middle of his palm, Khal could somewhat guess he didn’t have so much.

“After enrolling into Moon Academy, I will have quite a few things to do. I must learn everything about this world as fast as possible.”, thought Khal calmly, and after putting the coins away, he decided to close his eyes to get some rest.

Time went by relatively fast, and just before he could have realized it, the sun has already risen from the east.

Feeling the gentle light on his face, Khal opened his eyes slowly and wanted to stretch his sore muscles, but before he could have done so, he felt a heavyweight on his shoulder.

“Eh?”

Looking at his left shoulder, Khal realized that Liza was gently resting her head on him, making him to freeze up instantly.

However, when Khal saw Liza’s sleeping face and her napping position which was scarily familiar from his past life, Khal started to relax instantly.

“Sigh… Unfortunately, she is not her…”, thought Khal with bitterness, and with a gentle push, he started to wake up Liza.

“Hey, wake up, it’s time. Let’s get something to eat first then let’s go to Moon Academy.”

Listening to Khal’s gentle voice, Liza woke up slowly and started to yawn. After stretching her arms with a pleasant humming sound, she looked at Khal and stood up.

“Yeah, let’s go. I’m starving.”, said Liza and without any hesitation, she started to walk toward the main street where stalls started to open up one by one.

Khal on the other hand was still sitting where he was, mesmerized by the sight he just witnessed a few seconds ago.

“Well… That was a great sight, not gonna lie.”, thought Khal, as he thought back the sight he just saw but made sure not to show it.

He was afraid that if he does, he would be killed by Liza.

Instead, he just grabbed his bag from his side and after standing up he started to follow her from behind in silence.

Because it was already in the middle of the morning, all the shops and stalls were open waiting for guests to go and buy stuff.

Walking to the closest stall, Khal handed the 5 pieces of silver coins he had to the seller and bought snacks and drinks.

“Here.”, said Khal quietly as he handed Liza a bottle of water and a sandwich, which had only a small piece of meat in its middle.

“Thanks.”, answered Liza with a wide smile as she took over the food and drink from Khal and started to eat.

After eating their humble breakfast, the two didn’t waste any time at all and started to walk toward Moon City’s heart, Moon Academy.

While the Cultivator’s Organization, the Realm Pillar, and anything else including different shops, restaurants, and facilities could be found close to Moon City’s walls, until then Moon Academy was in the very center.

What was even more surprising that the Academy was on top of a small hill, and to top it off it was a beautiful one.

The whole Academy was covered with emerald green grass with colorful trees and small artificial rivers on the sides, while on top of the hill, an extremely massive building could be seen.

The Academy’s modern and breathtaking sight left Khal totally speechless. It was nothing at all compared to the sight he saw the moment he entered Moon City.

He couldn’t even see a single resemblance between the ‘outer’ and interior part of Moon City. Even though he was in the same city, Khal felt like the sight was like comparing a small village to a modern city.

The two were far away from each other as heaven and earth!

The more he approached the Moon City’s center known as Moon Academy, the more the sight became more modern and fantasy-like.

While he was mesmerized by this scenery, suddenly Khal realized that they have finally arrived before Moon Academy’s gate, making him come back from his thoughts instantly.

Right before the gate, an old man in a white ancient robe was standing calmly with his hand crossed before his chest, while looking at them with an expressionless face.

“It seems the early birds have finally arrived.”, said the old man calmly as he looked at Liza and Khal.

“My name is Jas and I will be the one who will decide if you are qualified to step through this gate or not.”

As Jas said this, he looked at Liza and said calmly, “It seems you have both Natural and Cultivation Talent. That is enough for me to let you through.”

“Thank you, Si-.”

“Just call me Jas. I am not that old.”, said Jas calmly as he saw that Liza was about to call him Sir.

“I see. Then thank you Jas!”, said Liza and after a polite bow, she started to walk toward the gate.

Khal seeing this started to follow her too, but just as he was about to cross the gate, he suddenly was stopped by Jas.

“I don’t recall to let you through young man.”

Khal looking at the old man who was completely bald bowed politely and said, “I apologize for my behavior!”

With that said, Khal stepped back and waited for Jas to talk.

Jas seeing that Khal apologized and stepped back instantly nodded slightly and squinted his eyes.

“It seems your personality is right, but unfortunately, I don’t feel that you would have any Cultivation Talent… What is your name?”

“My name is Khal Nevio. I’m here to enroll into Moon Academy!”, said Khal with never disappearing determination in his eyes.

However, the moment Jas heard his name, his expression changed to that of disappointment, and said quietly, “So it is you…”

After thinking for a while, he closed his eyes and started to say, “I see, then, unfortunately, I can’t let you through. It seems you don’t possess any Cult-.”

“That is wrong Sir.”, said Khal suddenly, cutting into the middle of Jas’s sentence.

“Eh? What did you say?”, asked Jas instantly as he looked at Khal before him with a raised eyebrow.

“I said that statement is false. I do have a Cultivation Talent.”, said Khal without a single flinch while he looked straight into Jas’s eyes.

Thinking that Khal was trying to bluff, Jas looked surprised. However, he was extremely clear just what happened a week ago in the Realm Pillar, and Jas knew exactly that Khal failed to obtain a Talent.

As a result, Jas just simply smiled and said, “I see.”

Walking before the gate, Jas looked at Khal with ice-cold calmness and said, “Then prove it. If you can pass me and enter Moon Academy’s territory without getting touched by me, I will believe it. However, if you are unable to do so, you are out of here, without question. Understood?”

Khal hearing this nodded and with a calm smile he said, “Understood.”

“Perfect. Then come!”, said Jas calmly as he lowered his hands next to his body, ready to stop Khal at any given moment.