Two weeks passed by in the blink of an eye. I spent nearly the entire time working on arrays. I was forced to spend a not insignificant amount of my remaining funds to get new practice discs but it was worth it. I was confident I could reliably make most gathering arrays. Between the Strand of Flow and Eye of Heaven, it was easy to deal with the basic stuff.

  Making the array smaller was a different beast altogether. At first, I thought it was mainly about size but that was misleading. It was more about energy density. I needed to shrink the sigils down while ensuring that each part didn't affect the rest of it. Even with my advantages I couldn't get the basic stuff below a single disc. Based on a few information stones I got through Azariah it was possible to create arrays inside your body.

  There were even people who made arrays on their skin through tattoos and in their bones. Each one had benefits and detriments so I wasn't about to rush out and scar myself. I managed to create a pair of mobile gathering arrays, create a bigger one designed for Xerxes' personal chamber, and redo my own. I started replacing the arrays in the academy but that was a long-term process.

  None of those were the biggest changes over the last two weeks. That was the massive business venture we started. The tomb inspired me to buy arrays through the System and Azariah. I then practiced breaking each one until I could make an array-breaking array. Something that I was disappointed to find out was relatively common. What wasn't common was selling them. I effectively created methods to break common arrays and then offered to sell those arrays.

  I then started to work on improving the original arrays so that Amara was protected. My passion for this project was stifled when someone pointed out that I was basically financing both sides of conflicts. Still, the money that flowed in from the Arrays was amazing. I even provided Azariah with a decent amount of improved gathering arrays. We weren't going to revolutionize the market anytime soon but we were earning decent money. Money that could then be used to buy new arrays. Arrays that I could then study.

  Financial growth wasn't my only form of growth. Combat helped with my other Tao but that was no match for crafting. I wasn't sure if it was my affinities or if it was just diligent work but I managed to improve the Strand of Flow a stage. Despite all my growth, I couldn't hide away and do Array work forever. I took a minute to review my improved status screen before I left.

  I was pretty close to a thousand points in Wisdom which was now my goal. It sounded like something the System rewarded you for. My Tao was coming together. I still wanted at least one more but it looked like I would master them all soon. Especially if I could find a treasure or two. Either that or devote some serious time to it. I also wanted an additional Limited Title. Next, I reviewed the new-level rankings. Things had finally stabilized and it wasn't as bad as I thought.

  We lost some powerful people but Aaliyah, Trey, and a person named James had joined the top ten. There was a weird decision by various members of the army who decided to put "Amaran" in front of their names. At first, I thought it was a prank but they were all serious about it. There were already ten of them in the top 100 though only one was in the top twenty-five. Unfortunately, everyone that survived our battle either had made no progress or was dead now. Something that weakened the world.

  At first, I thought they had all been recovering but that wasn't the case. Some of them were including Romulus but most just stopped. I guess our fight had scared them into apathy. Which was a problem I couldn't fix. I could show up and make them fight but that wouldn't help anything. It would likely make the situation worse and further demoralize them. Ultimately I was forced to leave it alone. The Herald was still a mainstay and was somehow steadily getting stronger. Part of me was worried about him but a greater part relished seeing his name on the list. Seeing someone strong enough to keep up with me. Or at least somewhat keep up.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "I hope you all haven't gotten anyone killed?" I sent it to Xerxes as I left the academy. I let out an irritated hiss when I stepped out into the sun. "Why can't it always be dark out?"

  "Everyone is fine. There was nothing worthy of hunting." I couldn't help but laugh at his irritation.

  "Where are you? I am going to head over."

  "North of the city. A few hours beyond that old city."

  I was about to activate Apportation when I got a better idea. I summoned the Heaven's Path Cloud and removed its stopper. I don't know what I expected to happen but it wasn't what did. The cloud slowly poured out and coalesced at my feet. Once the vial was empty the cloud kind of popped in a vaguely round shape. It had a diameter of around three feet and reminded me a bit of rainbow cotton candy. The cloud was thick enough that I couldn't see the ground but it was still a cloud.

  If it wasn't for my trust in the System I wouldn't willingly trust it to hold me. I tentatively stepped on it half expecting to sink through but only gave an inch or so. After that it was solid. I wasn't sure if the thing could catch me if I fell on or not but it should hold. I stepped on it and grinned at the small crowd that had been gathering for the last few minutes.

  I gave them a wave and sent a small bit of energy into the cloud. The cloud lurched into the air as if I had slammed the gas. I cackled as I shot into the air. It took me several seconds to get control over the cloud but once I did flying was rather simple. It moved based on my intent so I had to send a mental command to the cloud. Furthermore, the cloud was really responsive. I wasn't confident I could use the cloud to avoid something but travel should be no problem.

  Interestingly enough the cloud came with a secondary array that protected me against the wind. I couldn't be sure since the temperature up here wasn't too extreme but it seemed like it controlled for that as well. I made a mental note to study the array on the cloud later. If I could learn the protective shield it would be a boon. I wasn't sure what made the cloud but if it was an array I wanted to master it as well.

  The flight to Xerxes and the others was way too short. I had half a mind to delay my arrival just to play with it a little more. When I saw the group I decided against it. Trey was flying about ten feet off the ground, his wings extended about fifteen feet while a ball of fire and ice floated on either side of him. His aura was unrestrained which only punctuated his new power. "Not bad. Not bad at all." I called out as I slowly brought the cloud toward the ground.

  "What! Where did you get that? And can I get one?" Trey asked as he returned to the ground.

  I stepped off the cloud and returned it to its vial, a process that took a mental command. Once it was gone, I grinned at Trey. "You don't need it. What you should focus on is other movement abilities. If you can get some kind of teleport or something that just made you faster, that would be great."

  "I think I have a skill for that coming. My next skill quest seems like it would do that or maybe some attribute boost."

  I nodded. "How about you? Did you find something worth fighting?" I grinned at Xerxes who snorted and looked at the creature's corpse. The beast was a big black and green cat. That made me think of poison.

  "It was a good fight for the cub but not a match for me. Is it time for us to go and hunt something?"

  I laughed. "I think it's time for us to get back at it. I am not ready to head into the ocean but we could spend a bit of time hunting. Assuming you two aren't done for the day?"

  "Fuck no! Let's go. Can we go underground or maybe to the second continent?"

  "Do you think you could fly back to Amara from here? If so we could go underground."

  He nodded. "Yeah, I can fly for at least an hour if I don't have to carry anyone."

  I nodded my head and then gestured to Xerxes. "Why don't we have a little race?" I resummoned the cloud and climbed on top. First one back to Amara wins?"

  We each got into position and Xerxes unleashed a roar that started the race. The world rushed by me as I kicked the cloud into high gear. Trey and I chose to go above the tree line. While Xerxes tor straight through it. Our laughter filled the air as the world turned into a blur of green and brown. Trey took the lead as spiritual energy surged into the wings on his back. He reached a speed that would have made NASCAR drivers jealous.

  Next came Xerxes who ripped through the forest and whatever monsters were unfortunate enough to be in his way. Trees split and fell as he worked to keep up. "You got to do better than that!" Trey called over his shoulder.

  A laugh was my only response before I doubled my energy output. The cloud lurched forward before turning into a missile. I opened the Eye of Heaven as my normal eyes were virtually useless. I just barely caught sight of the city before we were flying over it. I briefly wondered what the former citizens of the UWG thought when they saw the three of us. I banished that distraction when Xerxes unleashed a roar and bounded up the side of a building.

  His energy surged and he leaped from one building to another. I passed Trey a second before we left the city limits. From there we were back into the wilderness. A trio of flying beasts that were a cross between a hawk and some kind of bug tried to attack. A ball of fire and ice took out one of the birds. I then unleashed a pair of spatial cuts into the other two. My targets were dead before they realized but Trey's screeched until they hit the ground.

  The Tower of Amara appeared in the distance and we all upped our speed. I quickly hit the cloud's maximum and had to pull back. Trey took the lead. I briefly considered activating Apportation for the win but decided against it. I slowed the could but Trey pulled off a feat flying that seemed impossible. He shifted himself into an upright position and then beat his wings to alter his momentum. Which allowed him to kind of flip in the middle of the air.

  After that, he descended to the ground with a grin on his face. Xerxes arrived second and then I brought the cloud down. "Boom. I am the man." Trey called out.

  I laughed and bottled up the could before I gave my attention to the two of them. His speed and skill were rather impressive. "Was that a spell you used or was it pure Tao?"

  "Tao. I just got the Strand of Frost a couple weeks ago so it isn't as good. It was also hard to use both of them at the same time but when I did they were pretty impressive."

  I looked over at Xerxes. "You didn't hit anyone when you went through the city right? The last thing I need is a bunch of innocent people getting hurt."

  "The humans are fine. I avoided them and went into the air."

  "Alright, let's head underground and see if we can find something fun to fight."

  The three of us decided to set out on our own mostly to move faster. I was confident that any monster Xerxes and I couldn't confidently handle would only slaughter everyone else. That was arguably true for Trey as well so there wasn't much to worry about. Once we were far enough away all three of us unleashed our auras. The small fry scattered which should bring the more dangerous game to us.

  We walked for what felt like an hour before I caught something trying to sneak up on us. The creature was silent but that wasn't enough to hide from my soul sense. The creature looked like an alligator only its scales were more like stone than anything else. I waited to see if there were others but it was a lone hunter. It took several minutes before it decided to make its move. It lunged for me as we rounded a bend. I unleashed a spatial tear that removed one of its front legs.

  Brown blood spurted on the ground as I reached out with psychokinesis and pinned it down. "I don't assume either of you know what this is? I don't know if these creatures have names or not. Nor do I have a spell that would tell me?" I unleashed a blast of psychic energy into the reptile's head to put it out of its suffering.

  Trey shrugged. "Uh, no idea. There was a woman who had a scouting skill that could tell so they have names. I don't know what it's called though."

  I glanced over at Xerxes who shook his head. "Why would I know about a random creature?"

  I squinted at him and considered whether or not it would be racist to ask again. I was pretty sure assuming that he knew the name of beasts because he was a beast was at least speciest. When Xerxes let out a low growl I decided to let the subject go. "So it doesn't look like we will get a lot of energy from these guys so do we want to stick together or split up? I can keep us in contact with each other."

  "I don't need any more energy as long as I don't use too much energy." Xerxes replied.

  "I don't mind. You two scare everything off and I think our group might keep some of the smarter ones away. They typically avoid attacking groups of three or more."

  I activated Ethereal Convocation with Trey and then we walked until we found a split in the road. I sent Xerxes after Trey just in case and then I continued on. I withdrew my aura hoping to make myself as juicy a target as possible. My efforts paid off better than I thought. Five more of the lizards ambushed or rather tried to ambush me. Between my spatial and mental attacks, they didn't stand much of a chance. I collected their bodies though I wasn't sure if they would be worth anything.

  Part of me wanted to see what the meat tasted like and if it would be worth barbecuing. "I think it's time we headed back. These guys will only be worth it if we slaughter them in mass."

  "Alright, I guess that's fine. I am headed back."

  I sent the same message to Xerxes. We were back in Amara within the hour. "Alright, I will go by and improve your energy-gathering array. If we want to get serious about improving our levels we will need a mix of combat and cultivation. Not to mention meditation."

  "Sounds good to me boss," Trey said as he started to walk off. "Meet up here tomorrow?"

  I agreed and then opened a portal for me and Xerxes. I left him on his private floor before I headed up for a bath in bed.