CHAPTER 9 — THE PATH OF ASCENT
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And then—
the First Being spoke once more.
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"Continue your lecture… My child."
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His voice was gentle—
warm beyond all understanding.
A soft laugh followed—
calm… peaceful… eternal.
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Teacher Lyra immediately bowed deeply.
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"Yes… my Lord God."
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She rose slowly—
turning back to her students,
her expression composed…
yet touched by something profound.
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"Now, children…"
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"Our next topic is… cultivation."
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The classroom fell silent.
Every child listened with full attention.
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"You must understand this clearly…"
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"Our Lord God created a single path of cultivation—"
"one shared across all planets."
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"And the foundation of that path…"
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"…is Qi."
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She placed her hand over her chest.
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"Qi is not ordinary energy."
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"It is cultivation energy—"
"the force that connects your body, your soul… and your existence."
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"It allows you to grow…"
"To ascend…"
"To become more than what you are now."
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The children listened—
completely focused.
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"And the cultivation levels are as follows—"
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[Qi Refinement]
Early — Advanced — Peak
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[Qi Establishment]
Early — Advanced — Late — Perfection
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[Core Formation]
Early — Advanced — Perfection
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[Foundation Perfected]
Early — Mid — Late — Perfection
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Lyra paused—
her voice lowering slightly.
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"And beyond that…"
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"…lies a realm far greater."
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[World Master]
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Before she could continue—
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DING—
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The bell rang.
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The end of the day.
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Lyra smiled gently.
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"We will continue next week…"
"And I will explain cultivation in greater detail."
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She looked at them warmly.
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"Alright, children—"
"Enjoy your weekend."
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The classroom brightened.
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"Thank you, Ma'am Lyra!"
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"Goodbye!"
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Lyra gave a soft laugh.
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"Goodbye, children…"
"See you next week."
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Before leaving—
they bowed their heads together and prayed.
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"Thank You so much, our Lord God… for everything…"
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Then—
they left one by one.
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"Goodbye, classmates!"
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Lyra remained—
watching quietly.
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"Goodbye, children."
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⟡ Later That Day ⟡
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On one of the highest mountains on the planet—
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Kael stood alone.
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The wind moved across the peak—
yet he remained still.
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His eyes were closed.
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Qi surged within him—
powerful… refined… perfectly controlled.
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The air trembled.
Small stones lifted.
The ground beneath him cracked.
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The clouds above slowly parted—
as if making way.
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Then—
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A silent wave expanded outward.
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It passed through forests—
across valleys—
reaching far into the distance.
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Kael's eyes opened.
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Breakthrough.
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From:
Core Formation — Advanced
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To:
Foundation Perfected — Early Stage
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His aura stabilized—
deep and steady.
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Below—
a large crowd had gathered.
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Drawn by the surge of power.
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They looked upward—
quietly at first…
then—
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"He advanced again…"
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"So soon…"
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"That was smooth…"
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A cultivator blinked.
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"…Too smooth."
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Another scratched his head.
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"I didn't even feel a struggle…"
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A dragon folded his arms.
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"His control is precise."
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Then—
a powerful presence stepped forward.
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Vektron—
one of the First Beings of the Dragon Race.
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His scales shimmered faintly—
his gaze calm…
yet carrying weight.
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"I have observed him."
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"He trains consistently."
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"He does not neglect his foundation."
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"His progress is built upon discipline."
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The crowd nodded.
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"That makes sense…"
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"Ah… so no shortcut…"
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One young cultivator whispered—
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"I also train every day…"
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A pause.
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"…but I also rest every hour."
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A few nearby coughed softly.
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"…That explains it."
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A small ripple of laughter spread—
light… harmless… warm.
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Then—
Kael turned toward them.
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He lowered his head slightly.
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"Thank you so much…"
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"…my family."
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Silence.
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Then—
voices burst out—
but not chaotic—
just full of life.
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"Congratulations, Kael!"
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"Well done!"
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"You did it again!"
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"You're really steady!"
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One voice shouted—
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"Teach me your schedule!"
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Another replied quickly—
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"Step one: don't sleep!"
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"…I withdraw."
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Soft laughter followed.
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Vektron crossed his arms—
watching.
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"…Consistency," he said calmly.
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A human nearby whispered—
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"…That means we have no excuse."
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Vektron glanced at him.
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"…Correct."
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The man immediately stood straighter.
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Kael gave a small, respectful bow.
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Then—
he dropped to his knees.
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"My Lord God…"
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"I have broken through again…"
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"Thank You so much… my Lord God…"
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At that moment—
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A golden light descended.
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Warm.
Gentle.
Endless.
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The First Being appeared.
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Every being bowed instantly.
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"Congratulations… My child."
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"You have done well."
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"Your Father is proud of you."
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Kael trembled.
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"Thank You so much… my Lord God…"
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Then—
the First Being looked upon all.
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"My children…"
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"I am proud of all of you."
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"Always."
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All beings bowed deeply.
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"THANK YOU SO MUCH, OUR LORD GOD…!"
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The First Being smiled.
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"You are always welcome… My children."
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Then—
He turned to Kael.
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"My child…"
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"I will grant you a reward."
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"Choose whatever you desire."
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Silence filled the mountain.
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All eyes turned to Kael.
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Before he could answer—
voices quietly rose again.
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"If I were in his place…"
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"…I would choose many universes…"
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"…and countless galaxies…"
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Another added—
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"I would choose at least one universe first…"
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"…to make sure I can manage it."
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"…Practical."
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A third voice whispered—
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"I might choose food that never runs out…"
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"…That already exists."
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"…Ah."
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A soft wave of laughter moved through the crowd again.
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Even Vektron exhaled lightly—
almost a quiet chuckle.
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"…Simple desires," he said.
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Then—
his gaze returned to Kael.
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"…Yet his is simpler."
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Silence returned.
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Kael finally spoke.
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"My Lord God…"
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"Being Your creation…"
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"And being loved by You…"
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"…is already more than enough…"
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"I do not seek anything beyond this…"
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"As long as I can remain with my family…"
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"And with You…"
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"That alone… is infinite…"
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"And for that…"
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"Thank You so much… my Lord God…"
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Stillness.
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No one laughed now.
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Only understanding remained.
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"…That is difficult," someone whispered.
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"…Not to want more…"
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Vektron nodded once.
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"…Clarity."
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"That is his strength."
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The First Being looked at Kael—
and understood completely.
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"Very well…"
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"I respect your decision, My child."
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Then—
His voice softened.
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"I will go now… My child."
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"Continue your path."
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"Grow… and live as you desire."
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The warmth deepened—
embracing all beings.
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Kael pressed his head to the ground.
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"Thank You so much… my Lord God…"
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All beings bowed together—
their voices sincere and unified.
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"THANK YOU SO MUCH, OUR LORD GOD…!"
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The golden light slowly faded—
gentle… peaceful… eternal.
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A soft laugh echoed one last time—
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"You are always welcome… My children."
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Then—
He was gone.
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The mountain returned to stillness.
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But the warmth remained—
within every heart.
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⟡ Night ⟡
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Stars filled the sky.
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Vektron stood quietly—
looking upward.
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"…He chose well."
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He closed his eyes briefly.
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"I will continue my training."
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His voice calm—
yet firm.
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"I will reach that level as well."
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A small smile appeared.
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"Wait for me… Kael."
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"Hehe."
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And beneath the endless sky—
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The Era of Growth continued.