“Thanks Fang Zuwa.” Akata said while smiling beamingly.

Fang Zuwa smiled while thinking to himself, ‘Crap! I just created a new opponent for myself. Now it’ll be harder for me to become a general.’ He let out an inner sigh and said, “No problem happy to help anytime. By the way, what level is your cultivation at?”

“Just the 7th Grade.” Akata replied without hesitation. He wasn’t that much higher than Fang Zuwa himself and from the sound of things there was sure to be others who had a higher cultivation base than he did.

“Oh! Alright then.” Fang Zuwa said. “Well I’m going to get back to training now. I’ll probably see you at the Body Spirit Exam.” With that he walked away. ‘Whew. He’s not that much higher than me. I still have a chance to make it there.’ He mused to himself.

Akata watched as Fang Zuwa walked away. After he disappeared into one of the trials Akata thought to himself, ‘Should I start with doing the trials right away? Or should I work on comprehending the Red Cloud Formation divine ability?’ After a moment he came to a decision. ‘An extra divine ability would make fighting much easier and it will make becoming a general simpler as well. I’ll focus on the divine ability for now.’

Akata retreated back to his own dorm room and sat atop his bed. He began to study the Red Cloud Formation technique that was given to him. As he did, he became astounded by it. It was simply a beautiful technique with countless ways of using it. It could essentially turn the body into a formation to be used for many different things that you could think of. And that was just the Outer section of the technique.

“There are 3 different sections that make up this ability. The Outer, Inner, and Core sections. They become much more complex the deeper your understanding is of the ability. But once you master it, you’ll be able to do basically anything with your body. I could even become a three-headed six-armed giant if I wanted.” Akata said with amazement.

“What? Let me take a look at this ability. I’ve heard of abilities that allow you to change your body but not one to this extent.” Noluck said with curiosity.

“I don’t think so. I didn’t get permission to show you is what I’m saying.” Akata tried to sound as innocent as he possibly could. Even taking it so far as to stick out his tongue.

“Humph. Whatever. I’m sure it’s inferior to my own techniques anyways.” Noluck said, trying to sound as disinterested as he could manage at the moment.

Akata shook his head and laughed a bit and then focused his attention back on the divine ability. “Let’s start with the Outer section first.” He carefully read the parts of the Outer section and began to comprehend it. The concept of the ability was a fairly simple one. Given Akata’s monster level comprehension and mental strength, this was no task for him at all.

“The mind is the core of the formation. Just as your body moves based on the will and intent of your mind, the formation will move based on the same principles. It is controlled like how I control my body. Just use my mental strength and will to guide the energy of the formation and it will naturally work. The mind is the core and the body is the parts.”

Akata took in a deep breath as a faint red mist poured from his skin. This red mist was a sign showing that one had fully comprehended the first part of the divine ability. Akata willed it and the red mist slowly flew out in front of him toward a bottle on a shelf. It picked the bottle up and then brought it over to Akata.

A smile appeared on his face. “Success. But this first part seems weak. It does have its uses, but it won’t be much on the battlefield. Time to go to the second part.” Akata brought the red mist back to him and it was absorbed into his skin where it disappeared. He then immediately began to read through the second part.

“The blood, organs, bones, muscles, and skin all make up the body. Each part is essential in making the body function properly. Whether that be for stabilization, movement, or simply living, these parts are crucial for the body. Only when one can continuously be aware of their existence and use can one properly see how much work is needed to function the body. The mind subconsciously keeps these parts working but one needs to consciously direct orders to these parts to fully put them to use.

A strong mind and will that controls these parts is what is needed to create a powerful functioning body. The ultimate body and ultimate mind will create a symbiosis. The mind and body will become one and work like never before. Seeking to help each other out, in turn making the mind and the body much more powerful.” Akata spoke what he had comprehended from the second part of the divine ability.

Instantly, parts of Akata’s body turned into a red mist. First it was his skin, then his muscles, then his bones, all the way until his whole body was misty. The only thing that wasn’t made of red mist was the blade of grass he had for an arm. The vague outline of his body was still there but he was entirely made of red mist. He stood up in mist form and reached out. His mist hand became much more bigger as if more and more mist was being added to it. It soon became the size of his bed and yet showed no signs of slowing down.

Even after this, Akata frowned slightly. He looked at his other arm where the blade of grass was. “This ability is best used if you’re familiar with your own body. But I’m not at all familiar with plants. This blade of grass feels really foreign to me now.” As he was comprehending the ability, Akata was able to feel a deeper connection to the rest of his body. But was unable to feel anything out of the blade of grass. It was as if it weren’t even there.

“I have to find a way to get this blade of grass to reach the Inner level as well. Otherwise this will bring a huge disadvantage for me. In fact, I won’t be able to train in the Core section of this ability if I’m not able to get this blade of grass to reach the Inner level.” Akata sighed to himself.

He could already feel the potential of this technique and it made him feel much more anticipation. But alas, his arm was holding him back. He could only sigh at himself however, this was his fault after all.

Suddenly a voice popped into his head, awakening him from his thoughts.

“If you’re able to fully comprehend the Red Cloud Formation then you can qualify to join the Cloud Corps. It’s a group that will take on special missions during the war and work independently from the army. Also, each member has to be at least at the 6th Grade and be in the top ten of at least two Cabin Trials. There are a number of other qualities that are needed but those will be explained if you choose you want to try and join. And there will be two leaders for this group. Those two leaders will be given the same status as a general.”

“Cloud Corps? Sect Leader, what does this group do? What kind of missions?” Akata instantly recognized the voice and asked.

“You can find out if you join the Cloud Corps. If you comprehend all of the Red Cloud Formation then you can try out for the Cloud Corps. If you don’t comprehend all of it, then don’t bother asking questions.”

“But Sect Leader, how am I supposed to fully train in it if I don’t have my regular arm?” Akata asked. It was clear that he wanted to train in it but he didn’t know how to.

After he asked his question he was met with silence. After some time another voice rang out into his head. “Come see me about that.” It was obviously the voice of Second Elder who spoke to him. After she spoke, a light sprang up around Akata and he was forcefully teleported in front of Second Elder.

They were standing in the Red Cloud Hall but the Sect Leader was nowhere to be found. Akata looked at Second Elder and then bowed his head. “Second Elder.” He said respectfully.

“Mn.” She nodded her head slightly. “Now let me see that arm of yours.”

Akata raised his grass arm and extended it out in front of Second Elder. She looked at it closely and even flashed a few incantation gestures. Sometimes her face was concerned, other times it looked thoughtful. Akata wasn’t able to guess anything from her.

Finally she spoke up. “Maybe this will help.” She tapped on the blade of grass and it immediately caused a reaction to occur. It began to bulge out and looked as if it were inflating. It became buffer and at the end of the blade of grass broke off into five different parts.

As the transformation occurred, Akata was gradually able to guess at what was happening. She wasn’t turning the blade of grass into a new arm, she was making it look like a new arm. Sure it was green and had a golden streak on it, but now it felt a bit closer to Akata then it had been.