Michael stared at Ruby, deep in thought.

The problem was not whether cultivation could be learned. Michael had never encountered a living being incapable of absorbing spiritual energy. As long as one possessed a soul, they could begin the path of cultivation.

No, the issue at hand was far more particular.

"Do you know what cultivation really is?" He asked.

"I admit I do not." Ruby said, shaking her head. "However, what little I have heard is enough to make me want to learn it."

With a sigh, Michael pointed to his chest.

"Cultivation, in essence, is straightforward. Your soul, or spirit, it doesn't matter what you want to call it, absorbs spiritual energy with differing forms of meditation. By reaching certain milestones you experience breakthroughs and later enlightenments, strengthening your soul and in turn your physical and mental capabilities."

With a frown he added.

"And that… is the problem."

She tilted her head in confusion. Until now, everything Ruby had heard seemed beneficial to her, so she struggled to understand his point.

Michael's gaze moved towards her back, where her tail was located, concealed behind her clothes.

"Even with an altered soul, you are still human. Perhaps in the distant future, we may find a way to undo the harm the AIs have caused and erase your inhuman features. But if you strengthen your soul in its current state, change will become impossible."

"..."

In silence Ruby stared at the floor, a lump forming at the back of her throat.

"Does that mean… Michael rejects what Ruby is and wants to change her?"

"What? No!" Michael shook his head, realizing he had been misunderstood. "What I mean to say is that if we go through with it, you will remain forever like this, which can make connecting with others harder. Not everyone would be so open-minded… So I ask you to think if you really want to remain like this forever before making any permanent decisions."

Instant relief washed over Ruby's heart, realizing that Michael wasn't planning to force a change on her.

'So he was simply worried about me? Why did it sting for a moment when I thought he didn't like the way I am now?' She wondered, unable to hide her emotions. Her ears perked up so abruptly that they tugged her hood upward.

"Ruby is Ruby. For as long as I have lived, I have been like this. My appearance is part of who I am, and I never plan to change it! Plus, there are already people that have accepted me, you, and the others… For Ruby, this is more than she could ever ask for!"

Instinctively she brought her face closer to Michael's, stopping only when less than an inch separated them.

"So I ask again. Please train me!" She requested, her blue eyes sparkling like precious gems.

'This is a determined look if I have ever seen one.' Michael chuckled warmly.

"Sure, I shall turn you into an unstoppable beast."

He said, patting her on the head.

"Welcome to the Indomitable Alliance."

She was pleasantly surprised to have been allowed into Michael's faction, her tail swinging back and forth in excitement, though still concealed by her attire.

Eventually the metro reached Magmorious, finally coming to a halt after more than 24 hours of travel.

Unlike the majority of cities on Venus, the capital was firmly positioned on the ground. Of course, that feat was only made possible thanks to the numerous cooling facilities and deployed techniques keeping the inside temperature livable despite the settlement's close proximity to the lava lake.

"I feel weirdly energized." Ava mumbled. She hadn't slept during the entire journey, yet when she sensed something residing in the lava lake nearby to the city, all exhaustion disappeared.

"This place makes me feel anxious."

Meanwhile, Leo felt the opposite. After the crew left the metro, they were met with waves of people. Regardless of where they looked, the streets looked overcrowded. And considering that they were at the edge of the city, where it was supposed to be the calmest, spoke volumes about how many humans lived in these walls.

Michael made sure to observe everybody closely, determining that everybody looked in good enough shape, he suggested.

"I reckon no one will have any complaint if we are to register with the local militia? I know that we have all that AI stuff to worry about, but I would like to go out and teach Ruby the basics of cultivation before we get ourselves in hot water."

"Sure." Victoria shrugged. "Who knows, she might even save our skin in the future."

Since no one complained, they headed towards the capital's walls on Cyberfang's back. As for the metallic beast, it had been transported by the same metro, though it had stayed in the luggage department. Due to its large size, there hadn't been a way to fit it with the ordinary people.

The sign-up didn't last long thanks to their realms. The procedure went smoothly, barely taking a few minutes.

"One good quality of the place is that there is always a place under attack, so we aren't going to be short of training opportunities." Richard nodded thoughtfully once outside.

Understandably, because Magmorious spanned for thousands of kilometers, there was never a true peace at the border, with curious aliens testing the boundaries.

Among the calm battlefields, a few Lesser Hreh'tar lingered close to the city, too afraid to come near the fortifications of the settlement but too greedy to flee the area.

Finding a sole alien, the crew encircled it, trapping it among themselves.

The foe in question was in the form of a bunny, though it still bore Hreh'tar's resemblance, as for a head, a gruesome tentacle sprouted.

"So I am supposed to attack now?" Ruby mumbled.

"Go for it." Michael shrugged. "Though keep in mind you still have to keep your guard—"

Before he could finish, Ruby pounced forward, opening her palm wide. At first, it seemed like she didn't know what she was doing, until her nails extended, forming edges as sharp as blades.

Slice!

In one swift motion she decapitated the creature, causing its energy to leak in the air.

'Is that one of her cat's qualities? Apparently they aren't just for show.' Michael was impressed.

Without further ado, he guided Ruby into a sitting position.

"Close your eyes and take deep breaths." He spoke softly.

The reason they had gone for the weakest possible prey was to prevent Ruby from absorbing too much energy at the start. With her altered soul, that could lead to many complications.

"That tickles." Ruby giggled, feeling Michael's hand positioned on her back.

"It's a necessary procedure. I need to make sure that nothing goes wrong after all. Please bear with it."

"I didn't say I mind it…" Ruby added bashfully, following Michael's commands.

Eventually he let go, his eyes staring at seated Ruby in bewilderment.

"Boss? What happened?" Richard asked, clearly getting bored.

"She did it... She is now an Early Apprentice."

Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Reaching Early Apprentice that fast?! But it's been only a few minutes at most!" Claire exclaimed.

After a brief pause, Michael corrected her.

"No, she's reached the Middle Apprentice stage."

"..."

It became immediately apparent that Ruby's talent for cultivation was nothing short of monstrous.

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