[NR] Rosha Tries - Chapter 509

Rosha logged out to give cultivation a try.

Courtney sighs, “So how long is ‘long’ for someone who isn’t able to learn it within the first day? While I kept the number of test subjects down, there were still a few who couldn’t manage it. Even once I provided them a stay in a high-rise hotel room, a number weren’t able to.”

Jason sighs, “I would like to say all those stories about needing talent or a special constitution are bunk. That even someone seen as talentless can climb the ladder, as it were. This is partly because at one point I saw myself as being exactly such a being, without talent or quirk.

“Even up until joining NeoRealm, I would have claimed so. However, sometimes even if it takes a while, hindsight is 20/20. Sure, I wasn’t once in a generation talented, but to claim I didn’t have any talent? I was simply comparing myself to the wrong person.

“Though it is important to realize that the concept of the untalented hero who succeeds through hard work is in and of itself an oxymoron and hypocritical on their part for claiming so. While they might lack talent for the main task, they do not lack talent. They are, in fact quite talented at persevering against the odds and working hard.

“Those who truly lack talent are not the ones who, after failing, they get back up and keep trying. Rather, those without talent are the other people in the crowd who fail to awaken and go back to their normal lives. And that isn’t even to say they have no talent, but rather they don’t have any talent for or fate with cultivation.

“With that in mind, I suspect Rosha won’t have any problems. Even if she doesn’t succeed at first, as long as you manage there are ways to force the first step. In my last life, such steps weren’t taken as their path would only get rockier.

“Here? I admit she might lag behind us, but after a certain point that won’t really matter. Early on when each new step is measured in days, the difference will seem cataclysmic. Later on, even if the difference starts to be measured in years and decades, the time spent on each step will make such small amounts meaningless.”

Courtney nods, “And I assume if I can’t awaken either, you would be able to help us both?”

Jason shrugs, “I could do it right now. The only reason I didn’t suggest it is because the general consensus was that taking the first step on your own is beneficial.”

Courtney sighed, “So I guess we just need to wait.”

Jason nods, “Yep.”

And so they did. As Jason had said, this should in theory not take all that long. The first step wasn’t even to draw any of the powers into yourself.

In fact, with how corruptive some of those powers were, Jason had specifically warned against doing so. Instead, the first step was simply to feel the world's energy and cause it to move.

There was one problem with their projection of how long it would take. They had already expected an hour or two would be needed. Except that was irl time and here they were chugging along at five times that.

Of course, they couldn’t leave as who knows when Rosha would be back. Though just as equally, neither could sit around and do nothing. It wasn’t in their nature.

This resulted in them playing Chess, Go, and a few other strategy focused games. Courtney was heads and shoulders above Jason when it came to the games that were more traditional to Rosha’s family.

On the other hand, once you stripped away the weight of accumulated knowledge by playing games neither were too familiar with, it was much more even. Though only even. While Jason wasn’t a slouch when it came to strategy and tactics, Courtney had the upbringing to bring war to her ladies enemies. Even if such things hadn’t been needed in centuries. Some traditions just would not die.

It was after the seventh hour that Rosha finally returned. This, of course, meant that success or failure, it had only taken her less than an hour and a half. Though going by her excitement, the two had a decent guess about the results.

So instead of asking, they continued their current game. At first Rosha waited, thinking they might just be finishing a turn or some such. She wasn’t sure as she didn’t recognize the game.

They weren’t. This became obvious enough after the first few minutes and Rosha got a tad bit angry at them. After that, it took some more time before everything settled down and Rosha finally got around to reporting what happened.

“So I did it.”, Rosha smiled, “And honestly? It wasn’t all that hard. I bet I could have easily absorbed a ton of energy. Are you sure there are corrupting energies? I didn’t really see any.”

Jason shrugs, “It is certainly out there. Either you just didn’t notice, the stuff hasn’t yet gotten everywhere, or you live near me.

“I’m hoping it isn’t the second one. It doesn’t sound so bad, but it represents that the stuff is relatively new and hasn’t spread everywhere. I would much rather have a stable situation instead of one still developing.”

Rosha shrugs, “Well, you’re just going to have to wonder. I’m not exactly allowed to reveal my location.”

Courtney, “And don’t act like you didn’t expect that answer. Though, I can at least cross off the middle option you’re so worried about. While I can’t be certain, I know there is research into such things and it isn’t focused on one location.”

Jason, “Would be pretty hard to get rid of the stuff. If there are people around the world looking into it, then it should be pretty pervasive at this point. Even if the corruption originated from a single location at one point.”