Sumatra's Greatest Fan-Chapter 65: Cultivator

"Every waking moment," Eureur Pet said as three icicles rained down upon Torq, "Think of ways to harness your capabilities to their fullest."

"Every waking moment," The icicles turned into a pressurised steam vortex that swerved around Torq’s face and spun with force, creating a vacuum as all the air in his lungs was pulled out, "Focus on means to grow stronger."

"Every waking moment," The steam vortex condensed to become a film of water that resembled a pot over his head, not only blocking his air intake, but also behaving like a mirror that displayed his struggling expression, "Become the fittest to survive."

"Only those exist to thrive on Sumatra."

Boom!

The pot of water splashed out, allowing Torq to gasp for air as he collapsed to the floor, wet and weak, wheezing as his Prana reserves had almost run out. His fingers trembled as he failed to form a fist.

Even getting up seemed like a struggle, much less retorting Eureur Pet’s words. Weakly, he lifted his head upon watching Eureur pet approach him, riding a stream of water that carried her weak body.

"Are you ready, my boy?" She asked, with a tinge of hope.

"Ready?" Torq snorted, "I was born when desperation and despair fucked each other."

"I was born ready!" His limbs trembled as he got up in a hurry and roared, "I’ll become fit, the fittest on Sumatra!"

Plop!

And then, he fainted, having strained himself to the limit for enduring Eureur Pet’s training methods. Before his head fell flat upon the floor, a stream of water slipped underneath his body and carried him to the bed.

Eureur Pet gently placed him on the bed and whispered in gratitude, "Thank you, for giving me hope."

"I truly am sorry to push you this far, but I am grateful to you," The stream of water carried her towards Torq as Eureur Pet weakly extended a fragile hand and patted with an expression of pity, concern, and most of all, pain, "But I will keep pushing you to your limits."

"Until you’ve embraced desperation to harness your abilities beyond their functional limits."

...

Towards one of the edges of Tsloch Vitara, Runthral sat on a seat of cloud and observed the water currents. He immersed himself in observing the various activities that happened in the Tsloch Sea.

He had been spending time here since the past few days, from the moment he obtained the Minor Treasures of Wind Flow Sense and Water Flow Sense respectively.

The more he observed nature, the better he felt his understanding of natural elements improve. This would allow him to harness his surroundings much to his benefit using Subtle Terrain Domination.

The mist layer in the courtyard at the peak of the mountain was just one such example. ’I still fail to understand how that had been achieved. But I think it’s only a matter of time. Eventually, I will figure out that place’s principle.’

As he continued to observe the sea, Runthral thought about his brother, ’I wonder what Boiboi is up to these days? I haven’t seen or heard anything about him.’

"Having fun?" A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts, causing Runthral to turn around in shock, having never felt anyone’s approach. But the individual stood right behind him. ’How?’

’I’m using my Prana detection means, but even though he’s right next to me and I’m hearing his voice, my detection means shows nothing!’ He was stunned by the result, growing nervous promptly in response.

"You don’t have to be on guard." The man spoke casually and slumped to sit beside Runthral, "I believe this is the first time we’re meeting like this."

"But you should know who I am by now." He gently tapped his chest and released a tinge of his presence.

"You are..." Only then did Runthral take a good look at the other party. Even though his appearance was different, the presence matched the Deity that had always protected him at the Academy of Graduation, "I know you now."

"But..." He asked in shock, staring at the human male, "How do you look like this? I thought you had let go of your human form the moment you fully accepted your role as a Deity?"

The man seated next to Runthral was none other than the Empyrean Snapper who had always monitored his safety at the Academy of Accumulation.

"I am Nirtral, the 52nd Empyrean Snapper of the Cooter Clan." The man introduced himself, "It’s a pleasure to finally speak to you, Runthral. I truly am happy to see more of our kind being born."

"I..." Runthral was pleasantly surprised by the introductions and promptly introduced himself, "I am Runthral, presently unranked as an Empyrean Snapper of the Cooter Clan."

"Right," Nitral nodded and stared at the sea, speaking after a few seconds, "Coming back to your question, the reason I can assume the appearance of a human once again is because of a Nature."

Tertiary Nature–Cultivator!

"It’s one of the most mysterious Natures to exist on Sumatra." Nirtral explained, "It allows a Pranic Beast to assume a human form."

"Does...does..." Runthral questioned without hesitation, "Does every Empyrean Snapper have this Nature?"

"Everyone except Wally," Nirtral nodded.

"Then," Runthral asked in excitement, "Will I be able to obtain it too?"

He was a tad concerned in assuming his Pranic Beast form, for it was supposed to be irreversible. And unlike him, someone filled with emotions, the Empyrean Snappers seemed completely passive by nature, behaving no different from a natural mountain, uncharacteristic of a living being.

He had his hesitations, despite knowing it was his duty to assume the state of a Deity once he was ready. But, if there was indeed such a convenient Nature, then his worries became needless. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

However, contrary to his expectations, Nirtral shook his head, "You probably cannot."

"Is it because my talent isn’t good enough?" Runthral grew disappointed by the answer.

"No, it’s not related to talent or anything that could be obtained through hardwork." Nirtral expressed a hint of shame, "We...obtained that Nature from someone else."

"And that someone suddenly disappeared from Sumatra. We’re unable to contact them anymore."

"But," His muscles relaxed and grew brighter a few seconds later, "I didn’t come here to misguide you."

"As someone who is your senior by birth, and born from a generation of losers, I want you to remember only one thing, Runthral." Nirtral made eye contact and expressed with solemnity, "Don’t take any of us losers as inspiration."

"We are cowards who ran away when the Clan needed us the most and only returned with our tails tucked in our shells long after the predator hunting us was killed." He smiled wryly, "We are part of a generation that did nothing when an entire branch of the Cooter Clan got annihilated."

"Don’t fixate yourself on the ways of us from the failed generation." He patted Runthral on the head and got up, making his leave, "Chase after Wally. He’s the only Empyrean Snapper truly fit to be called a Deity."

"I only came here to talk to you in person." He waved his hand, "In a few days, you’ll be summoned by Wally. And then, you’ll begin your journey as a Deity."

Leaving behind a confused Runthral, Nirtral walked away, feeling a mild migraine. ’Urgh! What is happening to me?’

’Why am I getting so many headaches these days?’ Nirtral frowned and tapped his head, relaxing upon feeling the pain subside, ’Anyway, I need to get on with my mission.’

He turned his head to eye Runthral with a hint of disappointment, ’His growth is damn slow, but no matter. It is my task to train him well.’

He eyed the mountain floating far away, which he had left behind when he assumed human form. His figure smoothly merged into the surroundings and travelled towards the mountain. Soon, the Empyrean Snapper appeared, carrying the mountain on its back, as usual.

Its head turned to face Runthral, and nodded once. And for an instant, vanishing before anyone could detect it, was killing intent, directed upon Runthral, and in extension, the Cooter Clan itself.