Chapter 533: The Acidarium

Fortunately, Zae Zin Nim's vehicle took them across Yulthens without any further attention, because they easily slipped in among all the other crystal ships. From the air, Kai got another opportunity to look over the new Yulthens, though he wished he could have flown under his own power and really explored it.

Unlike some other parts of Krysal, which were allegedly disasters, all of Yulthens seemed to be running in good order. Along the way Maggle provided running commentary, pointing out the best new bars and complaining about the worst streets. It seemed like the old noble quarter had been taken and given to heroes of the revolution, which made Kai again reconsider.

"Technically you have a place there too," Maggle said, gesturing vaguely. "There's a room set off just for you, with a big sign saying 'Kai Motherfucking Clanless' right on the door."

"Is that verbatim?" Omilaena asked wryly.

"You think old Maggle would exaggerate? I made that sign myself!"

"It should go to someone who needs it more," Kai said. "I don't like the idea of a room just sitting empty that I don't even need."

"Bah, we've got more than enough houses now, since the population went down. But if it's any comfort, I looted your fancy sheets."

Before they actually went to the "Acidarium" they stopped off to meet the trainees. Maggle greeted them eagerly, slapping Bonto on the shoulders and having the decency not to harass Tori. He promised that he could get them both plenty of crystals, since apparently his actual job involved distributing them. Kai supposed it was a mark of honesty that he hadn't taken more for himself, or then again he might just have not cultivated very many.

Even though things seemed to have started well, Kai waited until Omilaena was talking to the trainees about their chakra training and grabbed Maggle's shoulder to take him aside.

"Don't hit on Tori," he commanded. "She's dealing with enough right now."

"Okay, I was going to joke about her needing comfort, but you look like you'd eat a man for a joke right now." Maggle rubbed the back of his neck. "Message received, Papa Bear. I'll be all responsible and shit."

As soon as the students had begun their crystal cultivation, Kai was free to head across the city to this Acidarium. Once they were in the air and within visual range, he immediately realized that it was the old mercantile hall: the crystals and other ornamentation had been removed, and a new sign had been added, but the bones of the tall building were obvious.

Of course, something else had been changed: there was a huge glass tube running around the exterior of the building, bright acid pumping through it. He supposed it must have been made of transparent crystal, containing the acid so that its fumes didn't harm the city.

"I wonder if they actually pulled it off," Omilaena mused, draping herself over Kai's side. "A dirty secret of the nation transformed into a strength."

"Five years is not long enough to develop a new method of cultivation," Zae Zin Nim said, sitting primly on the other side. "That said, I am interested to see their progress."

"Personally, I'm eager to properly analyze some souls on a deeper level. I was pretty confident in my theories about it, but this is the real proof."

"We will also be able to see Yurwa and Gundle again."

"Eh."

That was foremost on Kai's mind as well, especially because his wives were the experts here. He hadn't seen Yurwa or her son once since their departure, which had been abrupt after the end of the battle. They had parted on generally good terms, but that actually made the reunion more awkward. Hopefully it would all work out.

When they landed beside the Acidarium, there was actually some commotion, a group of guards wearing yellow uniforms coming out to wave them off. As soon as Kai stepped out of the crystal ship, their reactions changed to fawning praise.

Running away from Yulthens had ultimately been the right decision, Kai considered as they walked into the building. Back then, he had terrified everyone with his uncontrolled monstrous form, but since he had been gone so long, all those memories had washed out into just remembering him as the savior of the city and the nation in general. It could be annoying to be celebrated like this, but at least it got them into buildings without any obnoxious trouble.

The interior hadn't been remodeled so much as repurposed, old meeting rooms stripped of their mercantile symbols and occupied by acid cultivators. Kai was most interested in the training rooms, which seemed to have glass-reinforced walls. He would have loved to get a better look at the men and women training within, but they were escorted to the deepest halls.

New glass doors separated one of the rooms, and when Kai stepped through he immediately understood: the fumes of acid filled the air on the other side. It looked like they had a glass pool in the center, filled with highly concentrated acid. Though it was a far cry from the miserable acid pits, the smell of it immediately sent his mind back to those days.

And if he was already moving in that direction, the sight of Yurwa completed the time travel. She sat on a bench beside the pool, apparently meditating, and hadn't seen them yet. Even though she was clearly a bit older, she still looked lovely to him, if a bit sad.

When she felt their presence she looked troubled for a moment, then Yurwa smiled. She rose to her feet smoothly and he was relieved to see that she didn't cough or otherwise look pained, so freedom must have been good for her health.

"I heard you were all back, but I almost didn't believe it." Yurwa dipped a bit of a curtsy to the group. "Sometimes I wondered if you'd make it back at all. I'm glad to see you're okay."

Kai nodded, instinctively smiling, but he wasn't sure how to move next. He had an impulse to hug Yurwa, which might not be appropriate, and another impulse to clarify their relationship, which would have been extremely awkward.

"Where's Gundle?" Zae Zin Nim asked.

"Oh, he's with his friends." Yurwa sighed and spread her hands helplessly. "He's young, and though he isn't as bad as some, he's not eager to spend time with his mother anymore."

While Zae Zin Nim broke the ice, and Omilaena began examining the other woman, Kai took the opportunity to check on her soul, even if on a more superficial level.

<

Name: Yurwa of N District Pits

Total Power: 117

Acid Cultivation: 1109 (81)

Physique Level: G-9 (20)

Soul Level: 4 (16)

>

She had reached 117 Power, which was not bad for a woman who had never considered herself a fighter. It looked like her Physique was still stuck in G rank, but considering how poor her health had been, that was impressive enough on its own. Above all, she looked happier and less weary than he remembered her.

"I'm going to need to draw some blood," Omilaena was saying, "and give you some chakra to test a theory."

"I'll do what I can," Yurwa responded, "but perhaps let's not rush into it. I'm not as young as I once was."

"Mom, I-" The interruption was itself interrupted as Gundle walked into the room, then froze. He was a lot taller than before, though still dreadfully skinny, with some acne and a bush of unruly hair. His jaw dropped a few degrees as he stared across them. "Kai?"

"I'm back," Kai said simply. This was awkward in a different way: he only remembered Gundle as a boy he had physically carried around, but this was a young man who likely didn't want to be thought of that way. Clearly Gundle remembered him, but how did he frame that relationship?

"You're... back for the incursion?" Gundle asked awkwardly.

"We'll be doing our best to help," Kai said.

"I wanted to fight, but they won't even let me. And they have a point, because I haven't grown a damn bit in years."

Frowning, Kai examined the boy's soul.

<

Name: Gundle of N District Pits

Total Power: 015

Acid Cultivation: 1433 (9)

Crystal Cultivation: 3 (1)

Physique Level: G-1 (4)

Soul Level: 1 (1)

>

He'd increased to 15 Power, which was remarkable in some ways but no doubt disappointing to him. Even though his base number for acid cultivation was even higher than his mothers, it wasn't providing him with much raw strength.

"You see?" Gundle cast a surly grimace in all directions. "I won't advance no matter how much acid I absorb."

"If it's any comfort," Kai said, "when I was your age I had zero Power. Most abilities don't awaken until about twenty years old."

"Really?" Gundle brightened a bit - surely others had told him the same thing, but maybe coming from Kai it meant more.

"Attempts to produce early prodigies are difficult," Zae Zin Nim agreed with a nod. "You will likely come into your power when your soul develops a little more."

"Though I'd love to run some tests," Omilaena added. "You mind giving a little blood?"

Gundle hastily agreed, apparently a bit awestruck. He was old enough to notice women now, and having Zae Zin Nim and Omilaena paying attention to him was overwhelming for any young man. While they went to examine him he seemed to have no idea where to look, his eyes desperately searching the ceiling or floor.

That wasn't how he'd planned it, but that gave Kai an opportunity of his own. He shifted next to Yurwa, and to his surprise she immediately hugged him. She was as soft as he remembered... Kai squeezed her back once, then pulled away.

"How have you been?" he asked quietly. "Are you, uh, married?"

Yurwa gave him a rueful smile. "Not much interest in older women with a child and a body ruined by acid. You?"

"Uh, yes. We're married."

"I'm glad, I really am." Yurwa's eyes rose slightly as she looked at the others, but then her face softened into an honest smile. "You had a bit of a rough, dramatic time while you were here."

"I feel like I wasn't much older than Gundle myself, back then." Kai smiled back at Yurwa, and as the understanding passed between them, he realized that everything was fine.

He wasn't a youth anymore, and he felt completely confident in his marriage. Even though there was a bit of nostalgia, he and Yurwa were both adults who could treat past relationships appropriately. While he was here, he would be able to help her however he could, without worrying about possible implications.

"So, how are you involved with acid cultivation?" Kai asked. "Considering when you started, you must be an expert by now."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Yurwa said. "The strongest are those who started with strong Physique, after we mastered the basics. Their bodies absorb the acid more like Gundle, so they aren't experiencing any harms..."

Despite her modesty, Yurwa seemed to be a key part of continued experimentation with acid cultivation. If she was willing to submit herself to Omilaena's designs, it was likely that she would be the vanguard of the ability. Even if others forgot her, Kai thought that in a strange way she should be remembered as the mother of acid cultivation.

The two of them chatted about old times and new developments for a while, but not half as long as he would have liked. Before they could finish, or Kai could get any time with Gundle, they were interrupted by officials entering the room.

"Kai Clanless?" the man said. "Krainuun cleared out his schedule to meet with you. He'd like to start as soon as you can."