Embers Ad Infinitum - Chapter 13: A Sense of Ritual

Sometimes, as we go about with our lives, we all happen to think of one specific thought at least once.

“After finding himself transported into a vastly different existence, a man wakes up not as a mogul or heir, but in a modest mountain life with only a younger sibling and six acres of farmland for company. Accompanying him is a miraculous farming system that transforms his simple life into an incredible adventure.Initially hesitant to accept his new role as a farmer, he soon becomes engrossed by the system’s perks. Planting seeds yields $8000, while harvesting crops brings an additional $10,000. Moreover, unique rewards make this occupation surprisingly profitable. Astonishingly, all transactions are in dollars, rapidly increasing his net worth to $10 million. Farming, unexpectedly, becomes an extraordinary endeavor.His life is peaceful, immersed in nature’s beauty and the rhythm of rural living. However, tranquility is broken when a group, including a captivated woman, discovers his farm. They are amazed by his well-tended watermelons and by him, raising questions about his serene life. What secrets does this encounter bring, and what adventures await beyond his mountain retreat?”

Monica Everett, a genius magician, was extremely shy and terrible at speaking in public.

To that end, she worked hard and mastered the art of countless magic, which she could use without chanting. After being chosen as one of the Seven Sage at the tender age of fifteen as the “Silent Witch,” she lived a quiet life in the forest.

However, two years have passed since then, and one day, Monica received an order.

And it was to secretly protect the second prince to the academy undetected.

In order to protect the prince, Monica must infiltrate a glamorous school for the children of noble families.

“I don’t wanna do this… I’m scared… Ugh… My stomach is aching…”

…said the girl whimpering.

Anton is a great-grandfather. He is living quite a happy life, despite his advanced age and declining health… until a group of cultivator bandits moves into the area. The nearby guardians of the area, the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, are unable to track them down as they continue to ravage nearby towns. During one desperate winter Anton is out on a hunt when his family- his entire village- is killed or taken as slaves by the bandits. He lacks the strength to fight them, and he wasn’t even present for their arrival to die with his loved ones. At the pit of his despair, he wonders if he ever had any chance to change things. What could he even do? He cannot even pull his best bow, and his eyesight is failing. If he had been a cultivator… perhaps there might have been a chance, but he was decades- perhaps even most of his life- too late.Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge (2022)Notes on cultivation levels:There are five general stages of cultivation, though the fifth is extremely rare. Each cultivation style might have their own name for the stages.1. Body Tempering2. Spirit Building/ occasionally System Creation (Ninety-Nine Stars)3. Constellation Formation (Ninety-Nine Stars)4. Life Transformation/Galaxy Construction (Ninety-Nine Stars)5. Ascension