The Path of Ascension 4: A LitRPG Adventure

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Matt, Liz, and Aster didn’t struggle with the Tier 8 rifts all that much and used the higher Tier essence to push to the peak of Tier 6 in a short time. The extra cultivation only helped them clear the rifts even easier. They had to be safe, but after Luna’s brutal training and Kurt’s careful tutelage, they had little issue fighting monsters two Tiers higher than them.

The only rifts they truly struggled in were rifts that had incredibly defensive monsters. Even then, it was mostly only Matt who struggled without his spells. He had been banned from using [Flamethrower] for more than ten seconds during a delve, after he used the singular skill to clear an entire rock turtle rift.

He agreed with the reasoning, but his sword lacked the piercing power he needed to fight monsters with hard armor.

When they asked for Tier 9 rifts for the third time, Kurt had them start solo delving Tier 8 rifts, in combination with more restricted cultivation Tier 3 rifts. That was enough to keep them busy for a while, but it didn’t last. When Melinda’s team got comfortable with the Tier 8 rifts, they went back to random three-man teams to delve in.

That element of uncertainty combined with the random rifts caused them to struggle once again and quelled their desires for a greater challenge.

Luna stood in front of the tribunal and scowled internally. She could tell from their postures that they weren’t going to agree with her.

Finally, Silver sat forward, and they said, “We have considered your proposal of loosening the restrictions on one Pather, Matthew Alexander, on the grounds that he needs greater access to restricted items, such as Mana Concentration potions, resources to create rifts, and better training aids. We have unanimously denied said petition.”

She had expected that, but Silver’s next words caused her hackles to rise.

“As for your second petition, to force one Matthew Alexander off The Path for his own good, we have unanimously denied this as well.”

Luna interrupted Silver with a growl. “That’s bullshit. The Path is already a complete charade for him. He feels none of the normal pressure applied by the Curve. He has no speed that he needs to be restricted to. With his Talent, he could complete The Path in his sleep, and with rifts below his Tier. The only thing The Path does is harm him. If he’s off The Path, and given everything we have, we can create a much stronger fighter. This is actively hurting his progression. He’ll only be three quarters the mage he could have been if I can’t get him everything he needs.”

Silver’s will clashed against her own, and Luna was about to smash their Aspect when a greater power than both of theirs ripped into the room, and the Emperor stood with them.

Everyone stood and bowed. Luna included.

She respected Emmanuel more than his father. His father had been a fine Emperor, but his son was willing to shoulder every burden himself in defense of the Empire. He never asked others to do what they weren’t willing, and instead completed the task himself. He was what his Concept made him. Self-sacrifice for the betterment of the Empire.

That, if nothing else, earned her respect.

Still, it didn’t mean that she wouldn’t argue her case. “Matt needs greater resources than I am allowed to provide with the current restrictions. He, Liz, and Aster are strong and driven. They are Tier 6 and are already clearing Tier 8 rifts solo. They don’t need the stupid tournament coming up. They’ll get nothing out of it. They definitely don’t need the fame, fortune, or rewards that come with it. A couple hours of Matt’s time will have every guild and noble family emptying out their vaults to get their higher Tier rifts supercharged or create custom ones for them. They need nothing The Path can offer them. What they actually need is training, resources, and time. I can—”

She was cut off by the Emperor’s raised hand. “I’ve reviewed the information. Matt and Liz had a good chance to complete The Path before any interference, and they meet the criteria of allowing them to complete The Path. We are not asking them to step off. The rules are set up so that we don’t ruin them by helping too much.”

That infuriated Luna because she knew all too well what he was doing with Melinda. While he hadn’t gone overboard or broken any rules, he had bent them like they were wet spaghetti.

“And your interference with Melinda? Sending Harvest Moon to train her? Looking for the best healing spells for her? Are you intending to allow her to finish The Path with all that help? I can get around these restrictions, but that will mean wasting time and exposing his Talent to more people. With his Talent, he will fundamentally change the Empire, leading it into a new era of growth. Are you willing to risk making him even a fraction of a percent weaker?”

She could see all the colors cringing back behind their council table at her slap to the Emperor’s authority.

Emmanuel didn’t get angry, and instead just nodded. “You are correct. Melinda and her team were noted early on to be unlikely to complete The Path, and with my interference, they will be asked to step off before Tier 20 or so. As is tradition. Even with our intervention, it’s not certain that they would be able to complete The Path, or even reach Tier 20. You’ve worked with them. They did not and still do not have the mentality for it.”

The Emperor gestured with his other hand, “Matt, on the other hand, was noted at his PlayPen with high potential, and that rating only increased on the training world he attended. Liz, in turn, had the same rating noted under a false identity, which means I won’t interfere. They are top candidates to complete The Path, even without Mr. Alexander’s Talent. The Path of Ascension is sacrosanct, and I will not let the rules be broken. I am willing to allow some measure of inefficiency with Matt’s training, if it is in line with his wishes. I am not a tyrant who sacrifices personal wants on the altar of ‘for the betterment of The Empire.’”

Luna opened her mouth, but the Emperor raised a hand. “I do agree that Matt would objectively be better off if he left The Path of Ascension. That is true. It’s just not a large enough difference to force him off, no matter your perfectionism. I will not interfere with the rules for a theoretical one percent mana efficiency gain. If he is willing to leave The Path, I am more than willing to throw every resource we have to him. But I will not interfere with his desires or wants for what is best for the Empire. If he and Liz want to remain on The Path and don’t fall off, I will not allow you to interfere. Make your case to him. But if he declines? You will stick to your role as a trainer on The Path of Ascension and the restrictions and guidelines that entails. Do I make myself clear?”

There was a hint of the Tier 50’s Aspect in the last words that made the world tremble.

Luna repressed a smile and said, “Perfectly clear.”

With that, she tore her way out of real space. Matt would probably be willing to step off The Path if she explained everything to him. He was pragmatic enough for his age. Liz was the problem. He wouldn’t leave without Liz, and she was bent on proving to everyone that she earned her power without her parents’ connections. The boy was love struck and would do anything for the girl. Luna didn’t have a way to overcome that.

Not yet at least.

But the Emperor had left open the possibility for them to fall off The Path. There were more ways to get booted from The Path than being too slow to advance. Having a higher Tier save you from imminent death while delving a rift was immediate disqualification from The Path. The Emperor wouldn’t even dare complain about it either, judging by the not so secret babysitters constantly guarding Liz, Melinda, and Matt from chaotic space.

She wouldn’t force them into an impossible situation or set them up to fail. She’d create a practically impossible situation and let them know that. When they impulsively rushed ahead despite her warning, she’d have her chance to step in and save them, rescuing them from The Path at the same time.