Aimless Ascension

"What I'm going to teach you now is the fundamentals of everything you'll learn about spirit arts," Saarya said, moving around him. "Pay close attention to it, if you miss something ask me. Don't guess your way to an answer."

I listened to her carefully from my position on the ground. I was already hyped to get the restriction off my mind, but learning she was going to teach me something important, I exerted all my effort to learn that.

"Cycling the energy through your core is the first and most essential step of cultivating spirit arts," Saarya continued.

"So basically, it is the way to move the Qi?" I asked, unsure.

"And to accumulate more Qi," Saarya added as I swallowed my breath. "Now, there are countless ways to cycle, but the explanation behind them was just about the same. Drawing energy into your body and making them your own, through the process.

"There are elaborate and overarching techniques and arts into this, but even the basic entry to visualisation could start you up with cycling.

"Visualisation and finding peace are the keys to cycling. Start with the images you're familiar with. I'll guide you after that."

I nodded and closed my eyes, imagining droplets of water pouring from one cup to another. I imagined them vividly and focused only on them, as they became natural to me. Almost.

"Good, you're getting there," Saarya said. "Now, don't try to do anything. Just memorise the pathways I'm about to show you."

A foreign Qi invaded my body, only a few strands of it as they started to move quietly through some imaginary lines. I inhaled deeply and carved the information into my brain—where I was feeling the sensation, where it was going.

"Spirit arts are broad and can be considered endless, however, there are twelve known steps to us," Saarya's soothing voice entered into my ears. "In ancient times, it was known as the "Twelve Steps to Godhood", although common practitioners tend to touch divinity in the ninth step.

"These twelve steps, each one of them, are connected to an imaginary pathway called the meridian. On each step, you cultivate the energy through every meridian and connect them to reach godhood.

"Of course, these imaginary lines are empty. You have to lock them down with something spiritual, preferably fate locks or the essence of universal laws. Unfortunately, we don't have access to either of them. However, with the manifestation of the fate lock, you can take the first step when you're ready."

Her teaching was way essential for me to lose a sense of excitement, so I pulled everything to curve those words into my mind while keeping my focus on the sensation her Qi causing to my body.

Honestly, it wasn't that difficult to remember them, which let me consider if I was doing anything wrong or not. Thankfully, Saarya was patient in her teaching.

After done with the process, she asked me to show her what I learned. I showed under her guidance so that I didn't make any mistakes.

This time around she blocked the psychological stabbing to the minimalist, providing me with a clear mind to operate the minuscule amount of energy I had.

As I cycled for the first time, I found it was more difficult than it looked. Of course, remembering the pathways was hardly difficult, but keeping my mind steady for the entire process was horrifyingly taxing to my mind.

Well, definitely not as bad as the psychological stabbing that I felt for a week. It was simply exhausting. I feared I would exhaust all my mental energy when I was done with my third round.

Thankfully, the Highlady was satisfied after I completed the second round of cycling.

"That's alright for now," Saarya said with a contemplative look. She was sitting right before me now, barely a few inches away. I could feel her natural body odour without sniffing. I liked the smell of it. . . I like to. . .

Wait, go away distracting thoughts. I'm in the middle of something important. Curse my hormones, you're distracting me too much.

I breathed in and out deeply and couldn't meet her gaze. Saarya didn't seem to notice anything, which made me a little more courageous, as when she was contemplating how to go on about this, I sniffed her addicting fragrance.

At that very moment, Saarya came back to reality and shot me a glare.

"What are you doing?" the high lady asked.

"Cough! Cough!" I coughed more awkwardly than I would like to admit. "Trouble breathing, don't mind me."

"Are you sure?" Saarya asked, more playful than stern. "Because it seemed to me, you're acting just what is right for your age."

My face went red as she drew her palm closer to my face. I was anticipating for her to caress my cheek as her palm was reaching for my cheek, however, my teacher turned her palm downwards to clutch the collar in my neck, getting closer to me.

'She did it deliberately,' I swore inwardly as my mind was filled with her addicting fragrance. Her fragrance was that of desire, longing, and something very intimate.

The hormones inside of me pushed again as I lurched uncomfortably in my position.

"I'll begin," Saarya instructed me, "be calm and don't try to do anything."

Easy for her to say.

I did as best I could to abide by her words, only looking at her picturesque exterior as sweat started to form on her fair forehead and cheek. She was closed-eyed, fingers tangled between my neck and the collar as her eyelids wavered. Her breathing became unsteady, but she remained like that for about a minute, before pulling out.

Saarya panted deeply, whimpering. It seemed it was more difficult than she would like to admit. At that moment, I didn't care if the work was finished or not, but just hold her in my embrace and let her not leave.

"It's not done," she said, clasping her forehead. "I think I'll take another time."

Saarya was about to stand up, but directions were wobbly in her head after everything she did. She tripped, but I came to rescue them, catching her before she hit the ground.