Chapter 274: Did you save the princess while defeating demons?
"When one embarks on the path of cultivation, it's not just about unlocking greater power; it's also about extending one's lifespan.
Now, keep in mind, that all of this is based on the human condition. Let's break it down:" Eli paced in front of the blackboard, chalk in hand, ready to illustrate the complexities of the cultivation world to the eager, yet apprehensive, orphans.
"When someone attains the 1-Star Heart Rank, their lifespan receives a boost of 15 years. The pattern continues as follows:
2-Star Heart Rank: +15 Years
3-Star Heart Rank: +15 Years
4-Star Heart Rank: +15 Years
5-Star Heart Rank: +20 Years
6-Star Heart Rank: +20 Years
7-Star Heart Rank: +20 Years
8-Star Heart Rank: +20 Years
9-Star Heart Rank: +50 Years
Thus, 9-Star Heart Rank Cultivators enjoy an increased lifespan of 190 years. (A/N: I already mentioned this 1-9 Star Heart Rank lifespan as 200 to 250 in earlier chapters (I am not sure which chapter but it was in volume 1) because accounting for their mortal human lifespan of approximately 70 years. So, don't think I did wrong 😋)
Now, onto the next realms, we have three realms: Domain, Monarch, and Emperor, which are further divided into sub-stages: early, late, and perfect.
First, the Domain realm, which is the most challenging among every other realm and most carefully needed for this because it was considered as a foundation.
Early Domain Rank: +100 Years
Late Domain Rank: +200 Years
Perfect Domain Rank: +500 Years
So, Perfect Domain Rank Cultivators have their lifespan increased by 990 years.
Then,
Early Monarch Rank: +500 Years
Late Monarch Rank: +500 Years
Perfect Monarch Rank: +1000 Years
Compared to the Domain rank, the Monarch Realm is easier to cultivate. So, Perfect Monarch Realm Cultivators have their lifespan increased by 2990 years.
And here comes the Danger where you guys have to comprehend the element's nature which is tedious, so let's avoid it for now, but just know about the lifespans,
Early Emperor Rank: +2000 Years
Late Emperor Rank: +5000 Years
Perfect Emperor Rank: +10000 Years
So, the Perfect Emperor Rank has its lifespan increased by 19,990.... Well, let's take it as 20,000 Years," Eli said with a serious tone as he noted on the blackboard and turned around to look at the children, who had terrified faces as if they were scared of something... or someone.
"Any Questions?"
"..."
"..."
As Eli wrapped up the lesson, he surveyed the class, noting the pin-drop silence that had settled over the room..... which was rare nowadays school.
"Hmmm" Ignoring scared faces, Eli nodded with satisfaction and was just about to finish today's lesson for the orphanage children who were terrified by Eli's sudden appearance and started to act like a teacher when someone raised their hand eagerly.
"Tsk," Eli clicked his tongue, mildly annoyed. "What is it, Ki-Kyra?"
"Hmph, it's Kira!" Kira, the blindfolded saintess, pouted.
"Sigh, what is it, Kira?" Eli asked again, a hint of defeat in his voice. He couldn't fathom why they were here.
"Hmm" Kira nodded, satisfied. "Which realm are you?"
Eli's gaze moved across the room, absorbing the varied reactions. He glanced at Fiana, the nun's mother, attempting to comfort the still-terrified children.
Fiana simply looked at Eli while trying to calm the children who still harbored some resentment towards Eli.
Then his eyes lingered on the blindfolded Kyra, the aurora night sky eyes of Kira, and the honey-coloured hair of yet another girl who was peeking.
Eli was currently inside the orphanage, following Fiona's advice. Eli was in a study-like room where small tables were arranged in front of a blackboard.
Students sat at the table while Fiana was in the middle of them as if they were protecting her. Kira and Kyra were seated on the chairs behind everyone.
"Well, I am Soulless, so I am not in that category" Eli responded, noting the children's startled whispers and the slight resentment lingering among them.
"So, he is soulless?"
"Then, he is weak, right?"
"Yeah, as long as Big Sisters are here, we don't need to worry about that jerk."
"Thank God, We are saved"
Children glanced at Kira and Kyra, who smiled at them. Kira even showcased her holy flames, solidifying their belief that both were stronger than Eli.
""""Sigh""""
A collective sigh echoed through the room as the children visibly relaxed. Eli's lips twitched, but he chose to remain silent as the room settled down. Glancing at Kira, who smiled warmly at the students, he refocused on the class,
"Any Questions?"
"!!!" The students suddenly flinched at the sternness in Eli's voice.
'It seems they're still wary of me' Eli mumbled inwardly. Deciding to steer the conversation towards something more child-friendly, he was about to change the topic when Kira threw a curveball.
"If you're soulless, how did you save the people from the demons?"
"???" Eli made a quizzical expression, genuinely perplexed by her question.
However,
"""What?""" Suddenly, the children erupted in excitement, eagerly looking at Eli and bombarding him with questions.
"You saved the people!"
"You defeated the demons!!! That's so cool!!"
"Super!!"
"Tell us how you defeated!!!"
"Are you a Hero?"
"Did you save the princess while defeating demons like in the stories?"
Eli looked at the enthused children, their faces aglow with curiosity, 'They sure are enjoying these fanciful stories' Eli mumbled to himself. Just as he was about to answer, Kira took the reins.
"Yes, he defeated a powerful demon, even a Famous Hero couldn't conquer" Kira chimed in with a happy face.
Everyone turned their attention to her, hanging on every word as they demanded more details.
"Wait, wait, wait...." Bombarded with curious questions, Kira was momentarily flustered before skillfully calming everyone down. She began to weave a tale,
"You see, when everyone was facing the big bad demon guy....."
"..." Eli found himself sidelined, staring at the group, which was now completely absorbed in Kira's storytelling, a tale that seemed to be straight out of Dungeon Walker.
Eli glanced at the blackboard, where the cultivation lessons were scrawled, 'Why did I even write and teach them without taking a single breath?' Eli felt a pang of sympathy for Aadya. Even if it was just a little, he now understood that being a teacher was definitely a challenging task... A pain in the ass.
'Stare'
Feeling an intense gaze, Eli looked at the honey-haired woman named Brynhildr, who was still observing him like a curious onlooker.
'What does she want?' Eli wondered, intrigued by the unwavering attention from the temporary caretaker.
"And then, finally, he defeated the big bad demon with one punch and saved the princess!!"
"YAY!!!!"
The children's joyous and excited shouts snapped Eli out of his thoughts, making him look at them.
"HERO!"
Eli found himself at a loss for words as the room resonated with the children's enthusiasm. With an awkward smile, he turned to Kira, who simply motioned her hand as if encouraging him something,
Eli couldn't help but wonder if the blindfold was just for show, but he dismissed the thought and,
Mana Breathing
Deep Inhale
Plasma Arts: 1st Form
Eli extended his palm, sparks appearing on it, eliciting screams of excitement from the children.
"OOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Yet, their fascination wasn't solely for the petty sparks; their attention was captivated by Eli's eye pupils, which seemed to change into a yellow sparkling essence.
The atmosphere hummed with anticipation as Eli's palm transformed into a mesmerizing bird-like form.
"KIEEE!!"
The lightning bird soared gracefully, circling around the children's heads.
"OHY!"
"YAY!!"
"ME!!"
"KYAA!!"
Fiana smiled at her excited children, her interest piqued by the captivating display. To her surprise, the bird flew toward her. She flinched, ready to shoo it away, but the children intervened.
"""DON'T, MOTHER!""" They pleaded.
Hearing their plea, Fiana stopped, allowing the lightning bird to gently land on her shoulder. As she felt a tingling sensation, she fought the instinct to brush it away.
With an air of excitement, everyone gathered near Fiana, their eyes fixated on the ethereal Lightning bird. The creature, seemingly aware of the fascinated audience, cast its curious gaze upon the children. A sense of enchantment filled the room as if nature itself paused to witness the unfolding spectacle.
In the midst of the collective anticipation, a particular boy, overtaken by curiosity, couldn't resist the allure and reached out to touch the magical bird.
"Hey, don't touch it!!"
A hasty warning echoed through the room, but the boy's fingers had already made contact. Suddenly,
"PUFFFF!!"
The Lightning bird burst into a dazzling display of sparks, scattering across the class like radiant fireworks. As the sparks danced in the air, they thought it would end, however.... each one transformed into a delicate miniature bird, adorned with iridescent feathers that shimmered with a magical glow.
These newfound companions gracefully descended, landing on the shoulders of each child with a soft, melodic chirping that echoed through the room.
"L-Look!! Mine is cute!!"
"I-I have one on my shoulder!!"
"Kyaa!!"
"N-No, N-No!!!"
"Look at the cute thing!!"
The atmosphere was bathed in the enchanting glow of these magical creatures, and the joyous laughter of the children created an ethereal symphony.
Kyra, with her aurora night sky eyes, observed the children: some delighting in the magical display, others displaying fear, and a few turned to stone, mirroring Fiana's bewilderment.
Her gaze then shifted to the man, Eli, who was earnestly attempting to control the swarm of tiny birds.
'It looks like really hard to maintain' she thought, witnessing beads of sweat forming on Eli's forehead, yet he maintained his contagious smile.
'Sigh, Maybe I overdid it yesterday' Kyra pondered, reflecting on the previous incident where she had unjustly labelled him a pervert.
Under her sister, Kira's persistent nagging, Kyra had eventually confessed to Fiana, accepting responsibility for initiating the problem.
This admission led to Fiana accepting Eli without further scepticism though he may not know it but even if he knew about it he would just think, 'They are cleaning their dust'.
Today, Kira had urged Kyra once again to observe Eli's actions. Initially hesitant, however seeing Kira's resolute expression as if she would definitely go without Kyra....So, Kyra reluctantly went along with her.
'Arlyene and Oliver are going to be pissed off' Kyra mumbled in defeat, aware that both siblings were acting as their protectors.
Suddenly
Kyra was taken aback when she felt Kira's left hand trembling. "K-Kira?" she asked, concerned, noticing wet patches on Kira's blindfold.
Instead of answering, Kira extended her right-hand fingers towards the tiny lightning birds while her left-hand fingers gently rubbed Kyra's hand.
Kira, blind, relied on Kyra, who was deaf, for assistance. Holding hands allowed them to bridge the gap in their senses — Kira tapped and rubbed her fingers on Kyra's hand to understand spoken conversations, while Kyra provided a visual interpretation of their surroundings and any impending danger.
As Kira continued to rub Kyra's hand, Kyra flinched, interpreting the tactile signals:
'I. saw. white. birds'
Wide-eyed, Kyra looked at the tiny birds gracefully flying around, bringing smiles to the faces of the children.
"K-Kira, did you really see it?" Kyra's eyes welled up with tears.
'Tap, Tap' Kira tapped her fingers to confirm.
"...."
Kyra's gaze shifted to the man standing amidst the enchanting scene, the orchestrator of this magical spectacle. With a warm smile, Eli had inadvertently become the source of wonder and joy for the children, a stark contrast to the doubts and prejudices Kyra once harboured.