Chapter 10: Successor

Caught off guard by Elder Azulon’s unexpected proposition, Reese’s mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he found himself grappling with a multitude of thoughts and uncertainties.

“Elder Azulon,” Reese began, his voice betraying his inner turmoil. “This is... a lot to take in. I never imagined that you would ask me to be the successor of your inheritance and the Amethyst Orb all of a sudden; I mean, we just met.”

‘You have got to be kidding me? You brought me here against my will, and now you’re asking me to be the next successor to your inheritance and the Amethyst Orb? Was this old man crazy?’ Reese was alarmed.

Elder Azulon’s expression remained calm and composed, his gaze unwavering as he regarded Reese with understanding eyes. “I understand that this is a lot to take in, Reese,” he replied, his tone gentle yet firm. “But the power of the Amethyst Orb is not to be taken lightly, and you are the only one who found it. This is fate.”

Reese’s frustration simmered beneath the surface. His mind raced with doubt and insecurity, questioning why he, of all people, was chosen for such a monumental task. “But why me?” he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration and a hint of desperation. “As you said, the Amethyst Orb is not to be taken lightly; I’m just an ordinary person. In my spare time, I play games on my computer, read books, watch movies, and listen to music on my phone. There is nothing remarkable about my life. What makes you think I’m capable of this?”

The elder’s confusion was evident as he struggled to comprehend Reese’s reference to unfamiliar concepts such as computers, movies, and phones. In his world, such words were nonexistent.

“Computer? Movies? Phone?” he echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What are those?”

Reese couldn’t help but smile at the elder’s bewilderment, realizing that his understanding of the world was limited to his own time and experiences. “They’re, uh, modern inventions,” Reese explained, knowing that his words might not fully convey the complexities of the technological world. “They’re devices and forms of entertainment that we use in our daily lives.”

The elder nodded slowly, still struggling to grasp the concept. “I see,” he replied, though his tone indicated that he was far from understanding. “Regardless of these... devices, I still believe that you possess the qualities needed to be the successor of the Amethyst Orb. even though you’re just an ordinary person.”

“Elder Azulon, can you tell me first the qualities and qualifications to be a successor of the Amethyst Orb?” Reese needed to know everything about becoming the next successor before making a decision that could possibly change his life forever.

Elder Azulon regarded Reese with a solemn expression, his eyes reflecting the weight of the responsibility that lay upon the shoulders of the chosen successor.

“To be the successor of the Amethyst Orb,” the elder began, “one must possess a rare combination of virtues and strengths.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

“First and foremost,” he continued, “one must possess a pure and noble heart, untainted by greed or ambition. The power of the Amethyst Orb is vast and unfathomable, and only those who wield it with selflessness and integrity can be entrusted with its guardianship.”

‘A pure and noble heart. I think I have those; I’m not greedy, and I’m pretty certain I don’t even have any ambitions. Hehe,’ Reese thought, amused.

Reese listened intently, absorbing every word as Elder Azulon outlined the requirements for succession.

“Secondly,” the elder continued, “one must possess great strength of spirit and unwavering determination. The path of the successor is fraught with challenges and obstacles, and it requires courage and resilience to overcome them.”

‘Welp! I have none of those,’ Reese thought again.

Reese nodded, understanding the importance of inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

“And finally,” the elder concluded, “one must possess a deep understanding of the balance and harmony of the universe. The power of the Amethyst Orb is a force of creation and destruction, and it is only through a profound connection to the natural order of things that one can truly harness its power.”

Hearing the final qualification made Reese smile bitterly and think, ‘I’m too dumb for this,’ as he sighed in resignation.

“Elder Azulon,” Reese said with resignation, “I appreciate your confidence in me, but I’m not sure I’m qualified for this. I’m just... not smart enough to understand complex things, and I don’t have the strength or courage you’re talking about.”

‘For crying out loud, I’m even afraid of heights.’

Elder Azulon regarded Reese with a gentle yet steadfast gaze, his eyes filled with understanding.

“Reese,” he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. “I understand your doubts, but you mustn’t underestimate yourself. Qualities like strength and intelligence come in many forms, and they are not always apparent at first glance.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

“Strength isn’t just about physical prowess,” the elder explained. “It’s about resilience, determination, and the courage to face your fears, even when the odds are stacked against you. And intelligence isn’t just about academic knowledge. It’s about wisdom, intuition, and the ability to learn and grow from your experiences.”

Reese sighed again. The more the elder talked about these things, the more they made Reese feel even more miserable. He really didn’t have all of these things that Elder Azulon talked about.

Elder Azulon observed Reese’s lingering reluctance, and a sense of disappointment settled over him. He understood Reese’s apprehension, but there was a crucial aspect that he had overlooked in his initial proposition—the necessity for the successor of the Amethyst Orb to possess the knowledge and ability to cultivate.

Realizing his oversight, the elder paused, his expression thoughtful, as he considered his next words. With a gentle yet firm tone, he addressed Reese once more.

“Reese,” he said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. “I see your hesitation, and I understand your concerns. But there is one more aspect to consider. In order to safeguard the Amethyst Orb and wield its power responsibly, the successor must possess the ability to cultivate.”

The elder’s words hung in the air, emphasizing the importance of this additional qualification. Without the knowledge and skill to cultivate, the successor would be ill-equipped to harness the full potential of the purple sphere and fulfill their duties as its guardian.

“I hope to teach you cultivation myself,” Elder Azulon continued, his gaze earnest.

“Really? You’ll teach me how to cultivate?” Reese was elated. ‘That’s amazing! If I could learn to cultivate, I could have the power to protect others, to face any challenge without fear, and maybe... Just maybe I could become the successor of the Amethyst Orb.’ Reese thought inwardly.

Elder Azulon couldn’t hide his surprise at Reese’s unexpected agreement. He had anticipated reluctance, perhaps even outright refusal, given Reese’s earlier reservations. Yet here was Reese, willing to take on the daunting task of becoming the successor of the Amethyst Orb.

‘Being able to cultivate is really hard to say no to.’ The elder nodded in amusement.

Elder Azulon regarded Reese with a mixture of admiration and concern as he prepared to embark on his journey of cultivation. While he was heartened by Reese’s determination and enthusiasm, he also understood the daunting challenges that lay ahead.

“Reese,” Elder Azulon began, his voice grave yet gentle, “cultivation is not an easy path. It requires dedication, discipline, and a deep understanding of the natural energies that flow through the universe. There will be challenges and obstacles along the way, and it will not always be smooth sailing.”

Reese nodded, his expression serious yet resolute. “I understand, Elder Azulo,” he replied, his voice firm. “I may not be the brightest person in the universe, but I am willing to try my best.”

Then Reese asked Elder Azulon. “What should I do first to become the next successor?”

“To become the next successor, Reese,” the elder began, “the first step is to accept me as your master, and you have to kowtow three times.”

’Oh! That simple? ’Reese pondered.

“Okay then,” Reese replied, as he kowtowed three times to Elder Azulon. “I accept you as my Master, Elder Azulon. I trust that you will guide me on how to cultivate, and I am willing to learn everything you have to teach me.”

Again, Elder Azulon was surprised that Reese accepted him as his master. To accept someone as his master, the disciple must truly trust his master. ‘This young man is truly decisive for something he truly wants.’

As Elder Azulon accepted Reese as his last disciple, a solemn air settled between them, punctuated by the weight of their shared commitment. With a nod of acknowledgment, Elder Azulon spoke, his voice carrying a sense of finality.

“Reese, I want you to know that you will be my last disciple,” Elder Azulon stated, his words resonating with a mixture of pride and solemnity. “I have decided that you will be the one to carry on my legacy.”

Reese absorbed Elder Azulon’s words, a sense of responsibility settling over him. To be entrusted with such a significant role filled him with both honor and humility, for some reason.

“Thank you, Master,” Reese replied, his voice tinged with gratitude. “I won’t take this opportunity lightly. I’ll do my best to honor your legacy.”

Elder Azulon nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. “I know you will, Reese,” he said, his voice filled with confidence. “Now, I must tell you that you have three other senior disciples, but their identities will remain a mystery to you for now. You will come to know them in due time as you progress on your journey of cultivation.”

Reese nodded in understanding, his curiosity piqued by the mention of Elder Azulon’s other disciples.