Black Remnant

Clapping sounds of horseshoes, the blow of hot wind across the dry land, and the sun's mighty heat are the only ones they could really feel and hear. Not far from the students' location, a dozen patrols are about to escort them to enter the Black Sting City.

One of the patrols approached the teacher, "Miss Wai, we're here to escort you and your students to the city. We have a couple of carriage for all of you so you can rest for a while." Wai signaled her students to stop and get on to the carriage. But... it worries Wai.

Curiosity is making Wai's mind hurt, 'Since when did the Black Sting offer hospitality to any of their visitors? The last time I went to this place, they tried to push us away... something's wrong here.' To her, something is off and maybe there's trouble waiting for them.

They continued their travel until they reach the city.

-Black Sting City, South Gate-

Fishy odor welcomed all the students upon entering the city. Being near the Great Lake, their supply for food was focused on fish. Their Leader, Rarna, was once called The Great Fisherman who mastered the use of spear not only for fishing but for fighting as well known as Black Sting Arts.

The city's buildings mostly are on high ground with stairs due to flood that happens once a year. Though, to them, it was a blessing. The designs of the buildings have the same similarities as the other cities but the clothing they wear mostly are showing more skin due to climate causing their color a little bit tanner than those from other cities.

Looking around, "We can't really roam around as we're not from here. We're going to re-supply, visit the Black Sting Academy, and get the hell out of here. I'll give the leaders 3 hours to gather what you need, we'll meet here at the South Gate. Be careful." Wai knew that this isn't the normal way they usually do but there's something off about this city so she needs precautions.

Everyone, standing straight, "Yes, Mam!" The team leaders accompanied by their members finally left to check the place.

...

Walking with his members, 'There are 3 level 4 disciples and 2 level 5 disciples in my team. There are lots of things to work on if we want to excel. Jeez, why do I have to look after them.' Ai, never in his wildest dreams, thought that he would be a leader.

A tall guy wearing a bandana approached Ai, "Where are we going, leader?" Everyone seems curious as well.

'As the leader, shouldn't he ask about our names?' One of them really is curious if Ai really cares about his members. As their leader, they want to trust him and want to rely on him.

"Well, we're going to visit the Alchemy Shops around." A straight answer and yet everyone seems to doubt his answer.

'There's no way he's practicing alchemy... that's expensive.'

'I've seen him eat grass before, there's no way he could afford practicing alchemy.'

Looking at each other, they appear to not trust his answer but to their surprise, Ai really went to an Alchemist Shop.

Having second-thoughts of entering the shop knowing that even for 5 students, they won't have the money to afford anything from this place.

Their leader entered without hesitation so they decided to follow.

-Alchemy Guild's Shop-

The alchemist who owns the shop welcomed them, "Hello, youngsters! I can see that there are new faces with the potential of becoming great alchemists! What can a lowly fellow like me offer you?" Greeting them with great flattery.

'What a bunch of poor kids. I thought this place has a Qi barrier for below expert ranks? I should tighten the security soon.' It's a mystery for the alchemist to see these kinds of customers to even manage to enter.

"You have a great qi barrier here. I almost wasn't able to enter your shop. You should be a little forgiving for low-rank alchemist such as my self." Somehow, Ai managed to get in for some reason. He must have figured something out.

"Well, I cannot assure you that this place will be as forgiving as you imagined considering we're at war. We can't sell materials to those who can't fully utilize the materials or it would be just a waste. Still, we have supplies for those who really are willing to pay extra, we're talking about rare materials here anyway." Looking at Ai, he can't tell if he really is the one who broke the barrier.

Looking around, Ai found some rare materials with high value displayed all over the place inside glasses infused with Qi, "Understandable, so how about we start conducting business?"

'This kid thinks he stumbled upon a low-class alchemy shop. I'll show you that you peasants don't belong here.' The alchemist is ready to show them that this place is for those who have money. "Sure thing, right this way sirs." Leading them further inside, Ai can really see materials he hasn't seen before, mostly from the Great Lake.

Smirking after the young student saw those shiny materials, "So, what materials do you need? I can tell that you've got your eyes on some of my merchandise." He's excited to see the look on their faces when he tells them the prices.

"I need the materials that can only be gathered or hunted here. I can say, mostly from the Great Lake." Ai wanted those things he can't gather easily, rare materials that can only be found from Black Sting Clan.

He knew that he would go for those materials as well as other alchemists would ask for, so, "We got some with lots of supplies. Come, let me show you." Leading them towards the materials that shine brighter than any other materials around.

"Here, we call this "Water Fairy Dust". We can only gather this after grinding the heart of a Water Fairy. It has high-grade Qi concentration and when combined with other materials, it could increase dramatically the potency of the result. It costs 25 gold coins per pouch. Next to it is the Pearl of the Fossilized Oyster which emits great Qi concentration and so far, no one has ever succeeded trying to find its benefits but every great alchemist has great belief that it could be great. So far, it costs 100 gold coins per piece and as you can see, we only have 2 pieces so I'd say I would throw the other one if you could buy it away from me. For the other rare materials, they are all reserved so... Other than that, there are also common materials that can only be found on Great Lake." It seems there are not many rare materials after all or they couldn't find more.

"Not much rare materials, I could tell. But, it's a sweet deal. I'll take the Pearls and at least 10 dust. I also need at least 100 pieces of every common material you have." Ai decided to take most all the items. With all of these materials, what could he be planning?

To the alchemist's surprise, 'What?! Is he really going to buy those? And I thought he would be scared to his feet after hearing the prices of the materials. Still, if he really wants to, then...' Ai is going for lots of materials and because of this, it would be a lot of trouble for the alchemist's time and effort if he couldn't pay.

"Yes, yes... I don't want to be rude but we need payment first before we conduct business and it would be 450 gold coins. You know, just being careful." Hoping the peasants to leave his luxury alchemy shop,

"Oh, no worries. Just give me a second to prepare..." Ai, getting ready to remove his right-hand glove, the magic ring caught the attention of the alchemist.

Waving his hand above the glass table, *CLANG CLANG* the sounds of gold coins hitting the glass surprised everyone. Stopping after knowing that there are enough gold coins to pay the alchemist, "Here, I think these should be enough. I only added some for your service."

'Shit! I hit a jackpot! They really are right when they say that you can't judge someone by the looks!' The proud alchemist finally moved as fast as he can to gather the materials.

"Wow, where did you get all those money, leader?" The member with the bandana sure asks a lot.

"You don't have to concern yourself to my dealings." Ai being cold to his members, it seems he doesn't want to get attached to them knowing that they are all from the Black Fist Clan.

It's making most of them uncomfortable but they don't have a choice but to stay close to him or else their teacher wouldn't be happy.

The transaction didn't take that long as Ai don't want to take so much time.

Smiling as wide as he can, "Thank you for your great patronage. I hope we see each other again." The alchemist made a good profit today.

"..." Ai decided to leave with his members.

'No, we won't. I'll burn this city to the ground as well.'

-A month ago-

-Ai and Nin's Home-

...

*BAAAAAAM* Another hit to the head made an impactful sound after Nin smacked Ai once again.

Nin, teaching Ai how to do alchemy, it seems it's not going well. "Wrong! You have to use better-concentrated flame Qi to concoct better pills! You must balance the output for each hand-"

Ai complaining, "I told you, I poured everything I've got and... to be honest, I tried everything but my left hand won't release any Qi. I could only use my right hand."

Nin can tell that Alchemy is impossible for him to practice with his condition so she needs to find an alternative way for him to pull it off.

"I guess it's time for you to learn Sealing and Unsealing Arts from your own clan." Nin has decided to teach her brother to finally make his own decision.

"Great! But how would it help me with my alchemy?" Ai is really excited about this new art he would learn. He learned a lot of different arts from her already including the Petal Palm he used against Kiri.

Readying her two fingers, black Qi was released and then, "It's hard for me to explain so I'll show you instead." Pointing those fingers to his forehead, Qi started to overflow through his body from his head's Qi point.

Surprised, Ai's body is releasing too much Qi, "Shit! I feel like... my body is being filled with energy! Wait..." Then he felt pain like endless needles piercing every part of his body, "It hurts! Ugh!" Tying to hold his body, fell to his knees and curled to the floor.

'It looks like, he's releasing too much Qi that it exceeds his Qi Base. He needs to either use the Qi or break through to the next rank but using only Temporary Unsealing Art, it's impossible to break through if Qi point is not permanently opened. His only choice is to continue using the Qi.' Then she stopped for a while and...

"Now, use your Qi to create a more condensed flame." She knew it could be dangerous for everyone because he might create a massive Qi flame but...

Ai, enduring the pain, he sat on the floor and created a flame but it's still unstable, he's releasing Qi from both hands but his right-hand releases more destroying the balance of the flame.

"It still doesn't work! What should I do!" Ai worrying about what is happening, once again he felt more pain coming towards his right hand. "Ugh! No!" The Qi flame burst out of his hands so he has no choice but to let go of his left hand and hold his arm but...

Nin realized that what happened made a good result instead, 'This is absurd and dangerous and yet... he finally managed to create not only a stable Qi flame but it's so concentrated as well that it could really refine even top grade materials... with only one hand...' Even for her, she feels like her brother is way too lucky. Ai managed to create a highly concentrated Qi flame using only his right hand where most of his Qi comes from.

"What?! Wait... isn't this the flame you are talking about? Wooooh!" Excited he may be, but this is his first time using his Qi point from his head.

"Yeah, unfortunately, it won't last long so..."

"What do you-" *Collapses*

Nin leaving his body on the floor, 'I guess he has a lot to learn... but reaching more than Expert Rank upon releasing another Qi point... he's scary as hell... Though, I guess it's a great start for him to practice alchemy.'