Chapter 542: Negotiations at the Metallic Pools

As they jumped through the layers of security, Kai wondered how many other non-Irunians had been allowed to see the nation's most desperate secret, much less multiple times. It was familiar to him by now, but Mariyay watched in wide-eyed astonishment as they were teleported to hide the location, then entered the ominous corridor.

When they reached the metallic pool itself, she was amazed by the power and unable to see any weakening - and Tusquo had previously established that they wouldn't tell her. After experiencing so many more things, including another fading Insanity, Kai stared into the metallic pool and tried to see if he could sense the flaw within. It still seemed mad to him, that a little piece of metal could fuel all of Irun, but perhaps the power itself no longer seemed so impressive.

Just what were the Insanities, and how did they relate to everything else in the world? He wished that he had answers, but he would settle for using this one to keep everyone alive.

"And I really dive in there?" Mariyay was asking.

"Don't worry," Kai told her, "it's spiritual metal, so you won't have a problem with breathing. Try to aim for pulling out two spheres, but one is better than overtaxing yourself and failing."

"I know, I spoke to Tori about it. I just... didn't think I would be here, using one of Irun's private awakening pools."

She was still short on multiple kinds of information, thinking about the Path of Steel as roughly similar to a Goralian Class. Kai thought that wouldn't inhibit her, since this was a matter of pure willpower, and she obviously had plenty of that. Whether she could use it enough to change her fate... that was another question.

The old woman explained more about the trial and had Mariyay kneel beside the pool to meditate and prepare her spirit. While she did so, Kai examined the old woman, wondering at the life she had led to come to this place. They hadn't been properly introduced, but the way Tusquo addressed her, she must be important to Irun.

Kai had gotten the sense that examining people directly was considered rude, so he didn't fully view her soul, just brushed against the power within her, like a glance from the corner of his eyes. He estimated she had roughly 300 Power, which made her one of the strongest Irunians who had failed to reach the Frontier elites. An uncomfortable position, he had to imagine, stronger than so many and yet aware of her weakness. Then again, she seemed to have the Irunian spirit, if she pushed people like Tusquo to surpass her.

"I have been meaning to introduce you," Tusquo said, quietly so as not to disturb Mariyay. "This is Pourila Goryun, one of Irun's most foresighted leaders. You may not know her, but she had an impact on your life, because she was the primary elder who encouraged us to train in Goralia."

"Then you've already introduced me to Tusquo." Kai smiled, which wasn't very Irunian, but also gave a respectful bow. "I'm grateful for it."

"Oh, you don't need to do that," Pourila said. "Such courtesies are for guests, and whatever you are now, you are not a simple guest in Irun."

"Uh, thank you. Sorry to impinge on your generosity so quickly, but I wanted to speak on behalf of Omilaena. I know she may be unusual, but she wants-"

Pourila waved aside his words and gave a very un-Irunian snort. "Funny way of saying 'suspicious', but you don't need to vouch for her with me. For many of us, her development of the Ironpath Physique makes her a friend of Irun forever. I can help you with more than just your trainee, it simply took me some time to negotiate with others. For what you're asking, I needed to call in a little help."

"I see... good." Kai had been expecting a long negotiation where he had to make his case, so he was out in front of his plans already. "I don't want to go too far, though. I know this is supposed to be a fair contest pitting Yuinafal's methods against our own."

"You think he isn't getting support from others? No, this is just fair as far as I'm concerned. What matters is that Irun survives this."

Their conversation was interrupted by Mariyay taking a deep breath, signaling that she was ready to begin the trial. After a few more instructions, she was allowed to jump into the pool and she disappeared within the liquid metal. When she didn't emerge immediately, Kai stepped closer to the Irunian elder again.

"Resources aside," he said, "I have a question. Omilaena thinks that she can improve the Ironpath Physique even more, but she needs a greater understanding of Irunians. In all the different things you've tried, have there been any successes? Any anomalies that break the usual pattern of Physique?"

"A few attempts, but none successful." Pourila glanced away from Kai with an odd expression. "Tusquo actually might have more to say about that."

"Ah... yes, I suppose." Tusquo cleared his throat and looked down. "Quinta is from a very ancient Irunian lineage, which included... attempts to breed purer Irunians, who might reverse the decline of the source."

"Shameful period of our history. Not really effective."

"That's correct. She did awaken Truesteel immediately, and took to the Ironpath Physique, but that could simply be her own talent. The methods might not have produced any sufficient results, but they did produce some effects. I suppose I see how they could be useful to y-"

They were interrupted when Mariyay burst up from the pool, clutching a metal sphere in one hand. Her eyes moved immediately to Kai, so he urged her to head back down. She was taking a long time down there, but he didn't think that a second attempt could hurt her.

When she was gone, Kai coughed as he tried to think about how to broach the issue. "Uh, would Quinta be willing to undergo an examination? It'd be for the sake of Irun, but I get the sense that she doesn't like Omilaena... or me."

"That is true." Tusquo frowned and his eyes went distant. "She is always slow to warm up to people, but I am uncertain why she is so mistrustful. I had hoped that you would be friends."

"Well, we won't force anything." Kai turned back to Pourila. "Let me know if you have anything else like that. It might be useful to examine Yuinafal's students as well, but I'm guessing that would be a bridge too far."

"Yes, quite." Pourila shook her head. "Maybe eventually, though. There is new information I'm permitted to give you: Yuinafal is proposing a competition at the one month mark, a simple contest of arms between both groups. Since they do need testing in their new powers, the other elders are likely to approve of it."

"So he's confident."

"Perhaps, but this could also be viewed as a sign of uncertainty. He has learned that you got started late, so an earlier contest benefits him. Yes, he will reveal his progress, but he may be more worried about your unknown training methods."

So there would be a contest at the half-way mark, giving each side information about the other. Kai guessed that Yuinafal would definitely be able to take advantage, and wasn't sure how he felt about that. If it meant that both sides improved themselves further, Kai was all for it, but it was possible that Yuinafal might train his students specifically to fight Omilaena's, which could undermine the whole purpose.

Before he could say anything else, Mariyay was ejected from the pool and crashed onto the side. She was gasping for breath and went limp, but a second metal sphere rolled from her fingers.

Pourila moved forward, congratulating her both on her performance and on attaining the Path of Steel. Mariyay knew what that meant, possibly from Tori, and looked triumphant. As they headed back out through security, she grinned at him, paying attention to the Irunians but clearly eager to talk to him.

As soon as they had a second alone, Mariyay moved closer. "What now?" she asked. "Can I fuse this with my other abilities?"

"One step at a time," Kai told her. "Start with the conventional training, both to get your feet under you and because you'll need it. Irunian methods are slow, but powerful, so I think the best use is a weapon that fuses your abilities. You can already think of ideas for that, right?"

"Hell yes, I can. Kai... thank you. I can't thank you enough."

"You can thank me by becoming strong enough to defend everyone."

She moved away with Tusquo, who would be giving her some instruction before handing her over to other masters. That had been one of Kai's goals, so he hoped it worked out for her. Now there was nothing to do but focus on the Irunian contest and his own training.

He ended up standing beside Pourila, not saying anything. Part of him wanted to just ask her about her history, about everything she'd seen in Irun and all the incursions she'd survived. But the old woman seemed to be looking forward, not to the past, so he doubted that she'd appreciate it. Just like what he'd said to Mariyay, what Pourila wanted from him was results.

Before he could come up with another line of conversation, a portal appeared nearby.

"Oh, there he is," Pourila said. "We'll talk later, but you'll be in his hands for a while."

Kai turned to meet the elite and immediately froze, because the man who had just appeared was Gunjin Granfian.

"Hello, Kai," his old mentor said. "I'm here to provide you some resources, but... the two of us have been delaying this conversation for too long."