Bethel meticulously registered the returning Abraham family members, paying special attention to the younger generation they brought back.
Unlike Dorian, who recommended Fors, the older Abrahams who returned were likely scarred by past betrayals and brought no non-Abraham youths. Middle-aged members, however, did bring a few students of non-Abraham blood.
Bethel gathered these 15-to-30-year-olds one day to assess their potential. The results were underwhelming: few stood out, most were average, and some were outright unsuitable.
Bethel could only shake his head in disappointment.
"Don't be too hard on them, Bethel," Alaric said, noting his dissatisfaction. "Most of these kids grew up in hiding with their parents, so it's normal they don't shine. Geniuses are rare, after all."
"I know," Bethel sighed. "It's just… ugh!" He admitted his expectations might have been too high, but who could blame him? In this era, the young talents he'd encountered were Klein, who ascended to godhood in three years, and Fors, who became an angel in just over a decade. Such brilliance had skewed his perspective.
Reality proved otherwise: aside from Fors, the Abrahams lacked such prodigies.
Still, Bethel's disappointment didn't mean he'd give up on the younger generation. Even those with ordinary talent could become low-sequence Beyonders, and with proper acting methods, mid-sequence wasn't out of reach.
As for demigods, that was a barrier most couldn't cross, and Bethel didn't expect miracles.
Soon, the young Abrahams, initially thrilled by their ancestor's return and dreaming of restoring the family's glory, faced a harsh reality check: knowledge.
Want to become a Beyonder as a regular person? Sure, but first master this stack of basic mysticism texts and learn at least one mystical language!
Already a Beyonder aiming to advance? Have you studied the acting method? How's your potion digestion? How well do you control your pathway's abilities? How much do you know about other pathways' Beyonders or various mystical creatures? Can you identify a monster by description alone? How many mystical languages do you know? What's your understanding of the spirit world?
What, you don't know any of this, and you want to advance? Are you trying to be a half-baked fraud?
The Abraham younger generation never imagined their return would plunge them into a deluge of study materials. Their days became a blur of textbooks, assignments, and even dreamtime quizzes.
Many ambitious youths, after a few days, tearfully begged their parents for mercy. But their parents or mentors just patted their heads with a smile and sent them back.
After all, who would dare defy the ancestor? Besides, studying mysticism was undeniably beneficial. As Door pathway Beyonders, knowledge was essential... this wasn't a warrior pathway where brute force sufficed.
Even warrior pathways required significant study.
They could only console their children or students: "Plenty of rogue Beyonders would kill for this chance to learn. Keep at it!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
It's hard to say whether, in their misery, they ever wished to drag their parents into the sea of knowledge to drown alongside them.
Among these struggling youths was Fors, who had it even worse.
While others only had to study, digest potions, and master their abilities, Fors also had to squeeze in writing.
"Why did I ever agree to Jack's commission?" Fors muttered, staring out the window, lost in philosophical contemplation.
"Probably because he paid so well?"
A voice cut in, startling Fors. She whipped around to see, as expected, the great demon king Lucifer.
She'd grown somewhat used to his appearances, as he'd been lingering at the Abraham residence lately.
"Your Excellency Lucifer, what brings you here?" Fors asked, forcing a smile.
"I trust you haven't forgotten today's deadline?" Alaric said, grinning.
Fors choked, realizing she had forgotten. She'd been so buried in studies that time had slipped away.
Thankfully, after her last terrifying encounter with Alaric's deadline enforcement, the slacker had rallied. She'd written steadily, so she didn't panic. With quiet pride, she said, "I've finished it. Give me a moment to find it."
Rummaging through a pile of assignments, Fors pulled out a notebook and handed it to Alaric, adding softly, "I've been busy studying, so I haven't had time to type it up. It's just a handwritten draft for now."
Alaric flipped through it on the spot. Fors' talent shone through... her characters were vivid, the story gripping. He was thoroughly pleased.
Returning the notebook, he said, "I'll relay the contents to Jack so he can send your payment. I hope you'll deliver another satisfying draft by the next deadline."
"…I'll do my best," Fors said, mustering another strained smile.
Alaric didn't press further. When work was done, he was reasonable.
He then went to visit Bethel, who was reading a history book about the Fifth Epoch.
While the Abraham youths swam in knowledge, Bethel used every spare moment to catch up on the history he'd missed during his sealing.
"Something up?" Bethel asked, looking up at Alaric.
"You bet!" Alaric nodded matter-of-factly. "I'm heading to discuss saving Lil' Tolz with Sasrir. Want to come?"
Bethel paused, taking a second to realize "Lil' Tolz" meant Tolzna. He set down his book and nodded. "Give me a few minutes to arrange the kids' afternoon lessons."
***
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