It has been four weeks since I started using soul energy, and the "Way of the Wind" technique has become much more swift.
"So, this is how soul energy feels," I mused. "It's easier to move; I've become faster and stronger."
"Hmm, let me try using the staff once more for the—"
"Gray… you have been practicing for the past four weeks. You should rest."
"Greetings, Master. I will have to disobey you on this."
"..."
"How can I rest when I have a goal to uphold? If I don't become stronger, I won't be able to sleep."
"I know. Sigh… show me your progress."
"And how should I show you, Master?" I asked, my eyes wide, waiting for praise. It had been a long time since I had received any.
"Just release your energy, like I taught you."
"Okay, Master."
Swuffffff.
"Hmm, interesting. Still at the first stage of Essence. Although it is very slow, as it should be, that is good."
"First stage? Master, what's that?"
"The first stage is the foundational stage for all soul energy users, where one must build a good essence foundation at the essence core."
"Since you have a dual essence core, your foundational growth will be two times slower than an average essence user."
"Why is that, Master?" I asked, clearly remembering Rhapel saying I was the slowest among the disciples.
"That is because you must train on both your emitter energy and your enhancer energy to harmonize with each other."
"To harmonize with each other?"
"Yes," Master replied. "That way, your energy won't collapse at your peak."
"There is a faster way, but you would have to train one more than the other, making the second a supporting energy. Eventually, you have to leave one and train the supportive side."
"Hmm… so that means if I focus more on one essence first, the other remains stable as support. And when the first becomes too dominant, I switch the training so they balance each other again? But there is a cost."
Master stared at me silently for a moment.
"You are very smart, Gray. As expected of my disciple. Hahaha."
I straightened slightly, feeling a bit proud.
"As you said, there is a cost. When the balance shifts, it can result in a backlash that can damage the essence core, leaving you crippled, or in the worst cases, causing death."
"That's why it's rare to see a soul energy user with a dual essence core."
"Well, it seems my theory was correct. It is very similar to when I was practicing the dual technique of the 'Way of the Wind.' For the 'Sword of Gale,' you must practice both to be stronger, but Father was only able to comprehend one, and it was definitely weaker than the dual technique."
"It seems your disciple is quite smart..."
A man began walking toward us. Master shifted, but his presence was immense.
Swushhhh! Boom!
He moved so fast that I couldn't even see him get close. His hands were already covered with fur, and I could see the claws. Then, it suddenly clicked.
"As expected, Oric, you have indeed recovered, but your punch is rather slow and weak. Don't tell me you couldn't recover completely?"
"Haha, as expected of Lady Aris, she was able to block my destructive punch."
Gray! Gray!
As expected, this was the older brother Rhapel talked about.
"He has even received the mark of the eclipse, and yet you teach him so profoundly. It seems you really value the boy."
"Sigh… why are you here? What do you want?"
"It seems Lord Eryth hasn't told you yet. Something is about to happen."
As Lord Oric said that, the atmosphere became intense. The seriousness on his face told me this wasn't a normal matter.
"Master, I will go train outside," I said to her.
"Gray, hold on. Let me join you," Rhapel said.
"Hmm, your disciple is more mature than he looks. What's his story?"
"Don't forget what you came here for, Oric. What is about to happen?"
"The Divinities are now able to use their authority on Earth."
"Impossible! Even Grandmaster could not use his full power on Earth. How could the other Divinities use their power unless..."
"Yes, exactly what you think."
"The Incarnates!..."
◆◇◆
It seems Master and Lord Oric have something to discuss. From the look of it, it is very important, but what could be so significant that Master would look so serious?
"Ahh, forget it."
"Gray, what is it?" Rhapel asked.
Oh, it seems I spoke my thoughts out loud.
"Nothing," I replied. "Just wondering what could be so important that it would make your brother so serious."
"Ahh, just forget about it, Gray. It's probably adult stuff."
"Gray, do you want to see something cool?"
"Cool? No, I'd probably rather use my time to train..."
"Ahh, you train non-stop!" Rhapel said with a meek face as he dragged me by my hand. "Don't worry, it will make your time worthwhile."
(....)
This base is really big; I didn't even know there was a place like this. I don't really know where Rhapel is taking me, but at this point, this is going to be an adventure.
The place was deep in the forest, covered with trees and formations. It seems that Rhapel has been here before. What surprised me was how he passed through the formations.
"How are the formations accepting you?" I asked curiously.
"It's because of the eclipse mark. Don't worry, once you get your mark, you will be able to access a lot of things in this place."
Hmm, so that's how it works.
We began moving forward until we passed through the last formation. We reached a misty place, Rhapel passed through it, and I followed right behind him. Then, it appeared.
"Is that a cave?.." I asked.
"Yes," Rhapel replied. "Isn't it marvelous?"
The cave was insanely big, and the energy that emanated from it was dark and mysterious.
"Inside this cave, Gray... there lies a dragon!"