Ascending to Mind Master
I decided to stick around Ulbar until Turei brought Zenbe back. These hot-blooded folks were just too unpredictable to leave behind. Plus, there were 300,000 troops camped here. If things blew up, it'd be a catastrophe.
Anyway, I needed to focus on training right now, so staying put for a bit wasn't a bad call. Ulbar stayed cool even in summer—perfect for cultivation.
Whoosh.
A cool breeze from the plains slipped through the window, wrapping around me. It mingled with the mana pouring from my body, dancing lightly through the room like it was putting on a show.
I felt completely one with the world, lost in a trance. My physical senses had vanished; only my subconscious remained, observing everything.
Even with my eyes closed, I could sense my surroundings crystal clear. The cry of a falcon soaring far in the sky echoed like thunder, and the crackle of a small campfire hit my ears like booming drums.
But it wasn't noisy. I just felt the pulse of all things alive, nothing grating on my nerves. Because all things were me, and I was part of them all.
Suddenly, I opened my eyes, and a massive ripple spread outward. Mana burst from me into the world, and pure natural mana from the great wilderness flowed in to fill the void.
"Did... did it work?"
I checked myself over. The energy emanating from my body felt so natural it was almost ordinary. Just like the aura from those Mind Master swordsmen I'd seen.
A grin split my face. I'd finally reached the Mind Master realm.
"So that's what it is!"
I grasped the true meaning of Mind Master. They breathed in sync with all creation, linked to the spirit of the great wilderness. That's why they could move and reshape things at will.
I focused my mind on Yojyo lying on the floor.
Without touching it, the sword scraped across the rough ground, then floated into the air as I poured in more intent.
Telekinesis—one of the Mind Master techniques. I'd just stepped into the beginner stage.
I whipped my gaze aside, and Yojyo shot over, embedding in the dirt wall. If I could now coat it with an Aura Blade without touching it, I'd have mastered the Sky Sword technique.
Now it's just the technical bits left for Mind Master. Once that's done...
Only the skills remained. With time and effort, those would come. I could confidently say I'd reached Mind Master.
But the joy was short-lived. A new path opened up, stirring deep confusion—the one Cloud Grandpa and Grollmog were chasing.
No rushing it, though. I needed to solidify this Mind Master foundation first. Strong basics make the next realm easier.
I telekinetically yanked Yojyo from the wall into my hand, sheathed it, and bolted outside. I had to spread the good news far and wide.
Joy shared doubles.
Alright, where are you guys?
I focused, seeking the Master Berserkers. They were the only ones who might sense my breakthrough.
Right on cue, I felt a Master Berserker's presence and mana in the nearby corridor. I hurried that way.
It was Jalral, with his distinctive topknot.
He scowled the second he saw me. His tribe had a bloody history with humans, so he hated our guts.
"Human. Still not gone home?"
"Nah. Still got business."
"Finish it quick and scram. Your kind's a walking nuisance."
Jalral turned to leave. I chased after him.
"Hey, perfect timing. Got a question."
"What?"
"My friend who came with me—you find him yet?"
"A human?"
"Yeah."
"Not my problem. Go your own way."
I narrowed my eyes.
This guy still hadn't clocked my breakthrough. A dullard like him leading the vanguard of 300,000 orcs? Unbelievable.
"Not your problem? This is your mess."
"Human, you running caused it too."
"Whatever. Find him. Hubeo's my only friend. If anything happens to him, I won't sit idle."
"If he's so precious, find him yourself. I don't care."
As Jalral tried to bail again, I thrust out my hand. He floated up, flailing wildly.
I fixed him with a killing glare.
"I don't repeat myself. Find him. Or you die."
Jalral finally sensed my realm, his face draining to ashen terror.
"T-telekinesis? Human, you're a Mind Master?!"
I hastily lowered him.
"Oops. Got carried away in the heat. Not a big deal, so keep it quiet."
"G-got it."
"Now go find my friend."
"Right away. I'll deploy all my men."
"Good. Get to it."
I smirked as the terrified Jalral scurried off. A little effort, but now he knew.
I scanned for more prey. None nearby. I headed straight out of the palace into Ulbar city.
Where next?
Another aura pinged—strong mana from the gate, flaring intensely. Suspicious. Probably wielding an Aura Blade or high-level magic.
Are these idiots fighting over rank?
I sprinted to the gate. If they were scrapping, I'd smack them down with my new power.
But it was peaceful. Orc guards checked merchants and wagons as usual; shops hummed along.
Orc passersby eyed me warily—blame the human factor.
What the hell?
I tracked the aura anyway. The intense mana surge felt off.
But no matter how close I got, no one was there. Presence without form.
"Invisibility magic?"
Not good. Could be an assassin like Evelyn with stealth gear. Had to catch and check.
With Grollmog gone, any assassination would plunge Ulbar into chaos. I had to hold it together till Zenbe arrived.
Soon, I tailed the invisible one and pounced when it slipped.
"Gotcha!"
"Gah!"
An unidentified scream echoed—very familiar. I blinked wide-eyed.
"H-Hubeo?"
"Yan? You're alive!"
Hubeo dropped the spell, face crumpled in misery. I blinked in disbelief.
"Dude, you scared me. Why sneak in invisible?"
Hubeo slumped down, relaxing.
"What choice did I have? Orc warriors everywhere."
"You're the envoy."
"Alone. How would they know? Need Turei or his men to vouch."
I facepalmed.
"I scattered orc warriors everywhere looking for you. Should've run into them."
"So those searches were for me?"
"Yup."
Hubeo ground his teeth.
"How was I to know? For all I knew, they were hunting you. Damn, no wonder the manhunt."
"Hoo~ You slipped the net to get here? Impressive."
"What else? Backtracking's impossible. Better hunt Turei."
"Not Turei—me. Problem solved."
Hubeo scowled.
"Solved? You wanna war with 300,000 orcs?"
"Don't worry. I handled it."
"Handled? You know how much grief you caused me?"
I jabbed him.
"Tone it down. My ears are super sensitive now. Easy does it."
Hubeo snapped to.
"Not yelling, just... worried a bit. So, yeah..."
"A bit?"
"Okay, a lot."
"Knew it."
"Yeah. Best friends, right?"
I grinned, eyeing his ragged, filthy clothes. He'd been through it.
"C'mon, let's grab food. You must be starving."
Hubeo glanced around.
"They really won't chase you?"
"Nah."
"For sure?"
"Yup. I roam Ulbar free."
"Fair. Lead on."
Heading to the palace, I glanced back at Hubeo. Already nagging. I'd planned to use him as an excuse to check the Master Berserkers—busted.
Whatever. Find another pretext. Better celebrate my friend's safe return first.
Sleety autumn winds swept in. The summer-green plains had yellowed; nearby mountains donned early snow.
Time to go. Ulbar was blissfully cool in summer, but winter turned it into an icy hell.
Right on cue, Zenbe arrived with Turei.
Zenbe yelled the second he saw me, as usual.
"Human! What scheme now?!"
I welcomed him warmly.
"Hey, made it? Good timing. Come on in."
"Skip it. Question: Why me for Great Chieftain?"
"Didn't hear on the way? Grollmog bolted."
"His vanishing got nothing to do with me."
I poked his side.
"C'mon. You came 'cause you're interested."
"What choice? Orc plains drowning in blood—I had to."
"Perfect. Use that sense of duty as proxy chieftain."
Zenbe bit his lip.
"Others could do it. Shalita, that old orc?"
"He won't cut it. Too many see him as pushover, low prestige. But you? Respected, second to Grollmog in strength. Ideal."
"I'm a hermit now."
"Pfft. Grollmog started as a loner too. You were the social one then. That's life's irony—loners go social, socials go lone."
Zenbe rubbed his face.
"That mouth!"
I patted his shoulder.
"It's for your benefit. Think I'd push if you couldn't handle it?"
Zenbe eyed me sharply.
"You didn't lie about Grollmog asking, right?"
I gauged his face awkwardly. Had to be straight with him—to minimize backlash when Grollmog returned.
"Not word-for-word, but the vibe was there. I read between lines."
"So all lies? Human, you nuts?"
"Swear. He dipped quick, hinting to handle things."
Zenbe sighed.
"Gonna lose it."
"Chill. No issues. If anything, I grill that old coot—he owes me."
"Why?"
"I cleaned his mess. Without me, bloodbath already. 300,000 warriors here. They'd clash, total wipeout. Anyway, try it. You'll like it. Time you hit Mind Master too, right?"
Zenbe calmed, staring hard. Then he stammered.
"You... don't tell me?"
"Couple months. Heh."
I lightly floated Yojyo.
"How?!"
"Lots of insights here."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. And you should stay. From a Mind Master view, you're too isolated. Need exchanges with crowds—you lack that."
Zenbe perked up.
"That so?"
"You're one step from Mind Master. Just missing mental mingling. Here? You'll get tons. Breakthrough quick."
"For real?"
"Guaranteed. Figured it out post-breakthrough."
Zenbe stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Huh. Been stagnant lately. Lack of exchange, yeah."
"Exactly. Need mental bonds to complete your mind. Hermit life starved you. All theory."
Zenbe nodded.
"Makes sense..."
"No brainer. Good for you, orcs, humanity. Bail, and you're the villain."
"Fine. I'll do it."
Jackpot. Zenbe leading prevents orc fractures, stalls war with Yosrahim.
We're tight; talks flow easy.
"Heh. Smart choice. Now, our next moves."
"Like what?"
"Constructive stuff. Make orcs happy, Kara prosperous—trade ties."
After, Zenbe and I dove deep into Kara-orc trade boosts.
Trade routes, transport for goods, hunting Ice Wastes monsters for Chaos Pieces.
Orc Plains plus Ice Wastes dwarf Prosia Continent and Great Desert combined. Chaos Pieces galore. Sell orcs food and weapons, sweep 'em up.
Ascending to Mind Master