Chapter 10

Zale wasn’t sure what the Senior Abbot and Malchi expected, but he would definitely not kneel and pay respects. He didn’t care if Malchi used to be a General, the man was a drunk. A shower and shave wouldn’t get rid of that. His future would be sculpted by his choice in a master. Everything he knew about this man in front of him screamed to be wary. At this point it wasn’t just about how well he could progress in school and a career. His choice in a master could affect his ability to survive. Unless Malchi had Lightning Rod himself, Zale didn’t see why he would ever choose to take him on as a master.

A master disciple relationship was something that needed to be agreed on by both parties. If either party was unwilling, then it was not meant to be. Even the Senior Abbot couldn’t force the issue. This was the reason why Zale had to seek out Malchi in the first place and ask to be accepted. If Malchi could have been forced, then the Spirit Hall could have simply ordered him to with an Imperial Decree.

“No offense to either senior, but I am unwilling to take General Malchi as a master,” Zale said.  

The Senior Abbot looked stunned. He stammered trying to collect his thoughts.

“Do…do you even… do you even know who this man is? His accomplishments?” the Senior Abbot asked.

Malchi shook his head no in response to the Senior Abbots words and grabbed his shoulder.

“The boy is smart to refuse me. He saw me at my worst. It has been a long time since I was the man people would respect. I will not have you lecture him on respect when I have shown none for him. I will however like him to hear my story and possibly convince him to change his mind.”

The Senior Abbot just nodded his head in understanding. Both older men looking at Zale for his response. Malchi seemed sincere, like he truly wanted to teach. Zale wasn’t dumb. If Malchi had good reasoning, and the benefits of being his disciple were high enough he could look past the slovenly appearance and attitude he ran into a week ago. He would hear the man out.

Realizing Zale was going to hear him out Malchi continued. “In this whole world I am the most knowledgeable on the F rank passive Lightning Rod. If you want even one percent more of a chance to survive from it, then you will consider taking me on as a master. As far as your other passive Impulse Control, I believe with the right resources it can be leveled much faster than documented, however it may be painful,” Malchi said.

“How do you know anything about Lightning Rod? The documents said it has never been leveled past one before. The only person to ever receive it died training it,” Zale aked.

Malchi’s face grew stern and he looked directly into Zale’s eyes. “The person that died training Lightning Rod was my daughter five years ago. While preparing to take the first strike of lightning we researched every available way to train and defend from the electricity. I sunk all my money and used all my contacts from my military career to search out information and items that we could use to slightly increase her odds at surviving the first bolt. Our hope was that by raising the level of the ability it would make the body more resistant so there was no fear of death. We learned very quickly it was easy to hide from the lightning and not cause danger to those around you.”

How? How could he hide from the lightning? How could he live somewhere without endangering those around him? Seeing Zale react to his last sentence Malchi elaborated.

“If you are underground by at least five meters, Lightning will not be attracted to your location. You and everyone above, or around you will be safe from the lightning.”

It was an olive branch. Information Malchi could have held over his head to bait him into submitting as a disciple. Zale realized that the freely given information was a show of good intentions. That Malchi truly wanted to enter into a master disciple relationship where both parties would benefit.

The Senior Abbot and Malchi stood in silence as Zale thought Malchi’s words over. It seemed as though the Senior Abbot of Jeskai City had put thought into his Master. It now made sense to Zale as to why he was sent away to train instead of staying with the other locals which was the norm. Malchi truly was a great fit for him as a master. Even the Senior Abbot of Delvers Ridge had only acted in Zale’s best interests. Zale had been impatient to receive a master since he had entered the city while the Senior Abbot had held him off, most likely because he knew there was a chance Malchi would come around. The fit was too perfect to not give it a chance. Zale only had one hang up still.

“I will take you on as my master on one condition. If you will accept I will kneel and bow my head in greeting right now.”

The Senior Abbot seemed to be angry and about to berate Zale for making any demands of a senior but Malchi spoke first.

“Speak. If it is possible I will do it,” Malchi said.

“I say this with as much respect as possible. How someone lives is purely up to them. If one wants to be arrogant they can be arrogant. If one wants to be a coward, they can be a coward. If one wants to drink one can drink. I do not want to demand you live in a certain way sir but in this case it could potentially harm me. I have only one year to train until the school tournament. At this point already three weeks have passed. I don’t have time to nurse you out of a drunken daze, or search for you if you go on a bender. My request is that until the school tournament arrives you must give up drinking.”

The room was dead. The Senior Abbot was appalled that a junior would ever speak so bluntly to a senior, it wasn’t their place. Malchi’s face was as stiff as stone. Part of Zale thought he was furious, that he would storm out and never speak to Zale again. Another part of Zale thought he saw regret and acceptance, then Malchi realized the truth in his words.

“I accept your terms,” Malchi said.

Zale’s knees hit the floor. His head touched the ground. Thunder shook the Spirit Hall as the rain began to fall outside. The heavens rumbled with glee. The storm had started.

“I greet my master.”

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