Maria followed Mira to the Cultivation Cave and it didn't take them long to reach it. Elder Sue greeted Mira but noticed that she was with someone. She recognized the robe that the disciple next to Mira is wearing and was glad that it seemed this person was a Core Disciple. Maria walked up and greeted the Elder.
"Hello Elder! I'd like to enter the Cultivation Cave!" Maria exclaimed and Elder Sue nodded.
"Sure. It also looks like you are a Core Disciple, so you get 2 8-hour sessions per week. I'll give you an entry token and once you exceed 16 hours then it will kick you out and you won't be able to gain entry again until the token resets next week." Elder Sue explained as she gave Maria a token. Maria's eyes shined brightly when she grabbed the token and immediately wondered how it worked.
"Do you know how this token works?" Maria asked curiously and Elder Sue just shook her head.
"If you're asking me how the token itself works then I have no idea about the specifics. All I know is that there is an array surrounding the Cultivation Cave itself and that once I activate one of these tokens, whenever you step in the array the token activates and a timer starts for your specific token. Nothing will happen unless you exceed the time limit. Once that happens, the array will drag you out of the cave and you won't be able to enter until the next week. If you want specifics on how this is done then you should ask an Array or Inscription Master." Elder Sue explained and Maria marvelled at how amazing this world is. Mira was also slightly surprised by this as well. It is a fairly ingenious way of keeping track of everybody's time in the Cultivation Cave. Though she didn't have to worry about this.
They walked in together, chose their cave, and began cultivating.
8 hours later they returned to their room and Maria was truly amazed at the progress she had during her time in the Cultivation Cave.
"You're right, Mira! That cave is amazing! I definitely need to find more opportunities to use it if I'm going to keep up with you!" Maria yelled happily when they reached their rooms and Mira said something shocking.
"Well, you might get that chance sooner than later. For the unarmed combat training that I'll be doing next week, I'd like to offer an incentive to do well. I'd like the reward to be a session in the Cultivation Cave, except if the person who owns the token loses then they have to give it to the person they lost it to. I don't know if they'd get an extra day or two days with it or maybe just unlimited uses until the owner loses it. I don't know what would be fair, but even just one day should cause some strife between the disciples." Mira said to Maria, seemingly hinting at something. Maria seemed to catch onto the hint as well. This is also forcing her to get better if she wants to be able to keep up.
"You've been training me for a little over 6 months now! I refuse to hand over such a treasure! Okay, Mira. If I can keep the token for the entire time, will you take a day off with me? After we both reach the Foundation Realm, of course!" Maria asked with hope in her eyes while Mira just rolled hers.
"I haven't even gotten it approved. And isn't the reward of the Cultivation Cave enough for you? Plus, I have no need to take a day off." Mira said coldly, but Maria seemed adamant.
"No! Knowing you, it'll definitely be approved! I only want the Cultivation Cave token so I can keep up with you! I just want to follow you and if you get a lot stronger than me, then there is no need to have me around and you'll just leave me until I get stronger! Plus, I will make you have an enjoyable time! You surely won't be disappointed!" Maria said strongly to her with fire in her eyes. It seems Maria's spirit was set ablaze. Mira just smirked at this, if she was going to go this far then she might as well make it a bit more challenging as well.
"Very well, but I will have to add one more condition. I'd like to see how strong your resolve is, so if lose even once then I forbid you from following me. But I'll give you a heads-up. Celaine seems like she has talent in fighting. Who knows? Maybe she'll declare that she wants to follow me while I leave your ass in the dust. Hehe." Mira snickered as she was truly telling the truth. If Maria did manage to lose even with them having 1 on 1 sparring sessions every day, then she would keep her word.
"Ah!" Maria felt like she just got tricked! She felt anger welling up inside her, this anger was directed towards herself for being so stupid. But soon this anger ended up being transferred towards Celaine.
'Fuck you Celaine! I'll never give Mira to you!' Maria exclaimed in her mind like a jealous lover.
Maria went to her room to continue cultivating while also meditating on her unarmed combat sessions with Mira.
***
Mira kept going to the Cultivation Cave for 8 hours per day, while Maria was only allowed to go the next day. Maria and Mira spent some of their free time sparring and the rest of their time was spent cultivating. Sometimes Mira would entertain or answer any of Dominique's questions about the world or just silly things like what is Mira's favorite thing to do? She just wanted to get a bit closer to Mira, but what Dominique looked forward to the most was nighttime because that's when she got to sleep next to Mira while she cultivated or studied the books that Elder Kendra gave her.
Almost a week went by and it is now time for Mira to spar with one of the Elders to prove her combat ability. Over this past week, Mira felt her getting closer and closer to Stage 9 Qi Condensation. The Foundation Realm is within reach and just thinking about it made Mira's blood boil! She also had those pills from the Trial that she can use once she enters the Foundation Realm and Mira can't wait to take those and then continue training her body!
But now was not the time for such thoughts as Mira was making her way towards the arena where the tournament was held last week. Once she made it to the large arena, she entered the stage and saw hundreds if not a few thousand disciples. It seems like the Elders and other Disciples were able to spread the word of this fight and gather most of the disciples. Once she made it up on stage, she was greeted by Elder Kendra who seemed to be the announcer or judge of the fight, and another Elder that started to radiate a battle intent as soon as she saw Mira. Mira walked up to the two of them.
"Good of you to make it today, Mira. As you can see, we've gathered quite the crowd as everyone wants to see their new teacher and how capable she is. I'm also looking forward to a splendid match between you and Elder Bridget here." Elder Kendra said with a sincere smile. The person standing next to them seemed to be Elder Bridget, so Mira just nodded at the two of them while Elder Bridget couldn't take her eyes off of her. Mira's gotten used to this by now and just stood still. After a while though, Elder Bridget spoke with a loud laugh.
"Hahaha! It's nice to finally meet you, Mira! You're truly a sight for sore eyes, ain't ya!? I'm very much looking forward to our match! I've heard ya call yourself a Grandmaster in unarmed combat! I'm here to see if ya can live up to such a title! Hahaha!" Elder Bridget said like a crazy person and Mira started to get a headache. She truly hated people like this. They'd always bother her endlessly with idiotic nonsense! Mira could only hope that this Elder doesn't do this, but she started to have a bad premonition of an incredibly tiring future. Her thoughts were interrupted when Elder Kendra started speaking to the crowd, announcing the beginning of the match.
"Welcome, Disciples! Today is a big day as one of our new disciples will be sparring with Elder here to demonstrate her skills in unarmed combat not only to you all but also to us! If she meets or exceeds our expectations then she will be your new teacher in unarmed combat for a few days every week! We've already had a glimpse into her skill and have started to learn and value how useful this style of combat might be for all of you! So be sure to watch closely! The Elder she will be fighting today is Elder Bridget! She's one of the Instructors and Masters in teaching you all how to fight and use a sword! Mira will be sparring with her while only using her body, no weapon, while Elder Bridget will have one match using her sword and another match without it. I'll also be asking Elder Bridget to limit her cultivation to match Mira's to make this a more even fight since she is in the Core Formation Realm and Mira's only in the Qi Condensation Realm. The fight will begin when both fighters are ready!" Elder Kendra explained announced to the disciples as all eyes were on Mira.
Mira and Elder Bridget made their way onto opposite sides of the arena and the Elder took out her sword and limited her cultivation to Stage 8 Qi Condensation. This didn't change that much as her body is still incredibly strong due to her high cultivation base.
"Why don't we make a small bet, Elder?" Mira said with a slight smirk.
"If I can beat you in both matches, then how about you fulfill a request I have for my training with the disciples?" Mira suggested as she walked to her side of the arena.
"Oh? What request do you have?" Elder Bridget said with interest.
"You'll know when I win." Mira said nonchalantly. At least when it comes to people like Elder Bridget, they're usually incredibly stupid in anything other than fighting. Mira set out the bait and the Elder was already hooked when she asked that question.
"Hahaha! Very well! I'll accept this bet! This is getting more and more fun! Hahaha!" Elder Bridget said with a loud laugh.
Soon they both reached their side of the arena and both of them nodded their heads towards Elder Kendra, signifying they were ready.
"Fight!"
Elder Bridget dashed out immediately and charged at Mira. The Elder kept her blade close to her chest so Mira couldn't take advantage of any large swings.
Mira also shot out towards the Elder and would strike as soon as the Elder went for a slash. As soon as the Elder went in for a slash, Mira instantly closed the gap, grabbed her sword hand's wrist and the opposite leg. Then used the forward momentum of the Elder to grapple her, throw her over her shoulder, and slam her on the ground. Mira then immediately put the Elder in something similar to a Rear Triangle Choke, where she wrapped her legs around the Elder's neck and restricting her sword arm while trying to disarm the Elder. With the Elder's cultivation, it would normally be impossible to remove her sword with Mira's limited strength, but as Mira put in all of her strength into the choke while prying off each finger she eventually removed her sword and continued to choke out the Elder. If the Elder wasn't in the Core Formation Realm then she'd be incapacitated right now, but doing this was currently impossible for Mira. The Elder struggled to get out, but with her strength lowered and her lack of knowledge in this field she had no idea how to get out, and struggling aimlessly only made things worse for her. Soon she just gave up and decided to give the win to Mira.
"You win, Mira! Now, let me go!" The Elder roared with a hint of anger, amazement, and frustration.
"Winner, Mira!" The judge announced and Mira finally let go.
The Elder didn't say anything and just grabbed her sword, stored it, and rushed back to her side of the arena. Mira also walked back to her side of the arena and waited for the match to start.
"Fight!"
The same thing happened as before. They rushed towards each other, except this time the Elder didn't even get a hit off before Mira grappled her and put her in a choke. Once again, she struggled to try to get out, but her efforts were futile.
"Argh!!! You win again, Mira!! Dammit! What the hell are those moves?!" The Elder roared in anger and frustration again as she lost the second match even faster than the first.
"Winner, Mira!"
Mira let go of the Elder and stood up. Elder Bridget also stood up and stopped limiting her cultivation. She turned to Mira and stared at her with a complicated face.
"What's your request?" Elder Bridget muttered under her breath as she was still fuming at both losses. She didn't even get to fight! She just got taken down immediately!
Mira just leaned over and whispered her request in her ear. The Elder just sighed and nodded her head.
"Fine. I'll allow it. But only because I recognize how powerful this style of fighting could be and if you allow me to join in on some of the sessions!" Elder Bridget said and Mira just nodded her head.
Elder Kendra also just sighed as she approached them as well.
'Mira is truly too hard to deal with. She's already gotten 2 things out of us and she's only been here a week! I'll have to warn the other Elders to handle things with her carefully and never make a bet with her!' Elder Kendra thought to herself as she stood in between the two of them.
"As you can see, Mira's skill is truly amazing! She was able to take out Elder Bridget with only 1 move! So, you can at least look forward to having an amazingly skilled teacher! I'll now let Mira make an announcement to all of you!" Elder Kendra said as she looked over towards Mira who just nodded her head and walked up a bit.
"I expect to see you all here in 2 days! The Elders have given me permission to teach you lot however I see fit, as long as I don't kill you! But they never said that I can't make you wish you were dead! We will train for however long I see fit! But fret now for I am a benevolent person! I've also added an incentive for you all to commit to my training!" Mira said with an icy voice that seemed so sharp it could pierce someone. Mira walked off the stage and left the arena while the disciples were silent trying to reel in from the shocking events that just occurred.
