The only thing I could hear while I sat in a cavern on the outskirts of Aurorium was the sound of the waterfall. I needed to be prepared before entering the next realm. Kei had gone somewhere, and I assumed he felt the same way I did. Weak.

We had barely survived the Shadowhorn onslaught, leaving me wondering whether I should even continue. I needed to grow stronger, and I needed time to do it. This ‘Respite Zone’ was the ideal opportunity for me to become as powerful as possible before descending to the 8th realm, for who knew what challenges I would face on my future journey?

I had a lot of things on my mind, and I had ordered them.

The first goal was to extend my enhanced state by eliminating impurities so that the sol could flow at quicker rates, making me far more powerful than before.

I’d reached a snag. While I could extend the duration of my Zen state, I couldn’t boost its potency. If this persisted, I would soon fall behind the rising complexity of the realms and be unable to keep up with the harsher environments of the realms below.

I sat down in a meditative state and began replicating the technique I discovered in Avlyrra, which had been interrupted by the shadowhorn assault.

I activated Zen and cleansed my mind. Slowly, the pace of the energy running through my body increased, and I felt power flood through me.

But then I felt a similar burning sensation, and I stopped the procedure. This was the major cause of it. This kept me from growing stronger.

I had reached the limit of my strength once more, and in order to burst past this barrier, I needed to purge my sol channels of impurities, which would allow them to tolerate faster speeds than earlier.

I concentrated my senses on finding contaminants in my sol channels, imagining an endless number of sol channels where sol flew. I saw the movement of sol as the flow of water and the impurities as floating black leaves in the crystal-pure stream.

I concentrated my mind on directing the sol to flow in such a way that these black leaves would be sent outside my body. Slowly but steadily, I could sense a difference in my body; I felt lighter, as if I had been released of some unseen weight that had been placed upon me.

It was functioning. The pollutants were being directed out of my body slowly, but it was a sluggish process, and there were millions of impurities, or ‘black leaves,’ in my sol channels. If I wanted to grow in strength, I needed to master this method.

**

As I awoke from my meditative state, I exhaled a sigh of relief. After a few hours, I had finally grasped this technique. Now that this problem had a clear route to resolution, I needed to move on to the two primary concerns at hand.

The first was about my nexus. I was persuaded it was wind based on its behaviour, but following what happened with Elsie, I was certain that this was not the case. I had gained access to Elsie’s universe and was able to merge the two different points of view into one, allowing Elsie to enter the previously invisible route.

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This was most likely an instance of sol-weaving, but I wasn’t sure what my nexus was or how I could pull off this seemingly impossible achievement.

The previous time I divided my view into two, it was due to the sol breaking into two ways, each path unconscious of the presence of the other, although this was probably due to the distinct nature of Elsie’s and our worlds.

It would be difficult to attain that condition again since everything is the same from our viewpoints; therefore, the lines in the two universes will run parallel to each other, and I would be unable to tell the difference.

Still, I closed my eyes and pictured two parallel rivers of sol, each oblivious to the other’s existence; these would continue to flow for eternity, never colliding.

My focus was so intense that I could not even hear the sound of the waterfall behind me.

Suddenly, a massive headache encompassed me. However, when I opened my eyes, my eyesight was normal.

It was feasible, but I had a long way to go in this respect.

The last and most essential concern was lying next to me.

Radomir, the talented blacksmith, had finally finished my long-awaited weapon: the chain scythe. A wave of familiarity flooded over me as I clasped it in my hands. The white chains I had obtained from the jail remained unbroken, creating the base of the weapon. Radomir, on the other hand, had neatly fastened a dazzling scythehead at one end. Its silvery-white colour blended in with the chains, expressing elegance and timeliness. The scythe’s razor-sharp edge promised to slice through even the strongest materials, such as molten steel.

A heavy spherical structure dangled from the opposite end of the weapon, studded with terrifying spikes. This asymmetrical design provided balance and adaptability, giving me alternatives for many combat circumstances. The workmanship was flawless, and the combination of the scythe and spiky sphere produced a sense of strength and accuracy.

The chain scythe was no ordinary weapon; it was a formidable product that required skill and elegance to handle efficiently. The first evaluation indicated that mastering this weapon would be difficult. However, the potential rewards were incalculable. If I could rise to the occasion and unleash its ultimate potential, the power I would receive would be beyond anything I had ever known.

I delved into the art of wielding the chain scythe. The initial hurdle was familiarising myself with its weight and balance. I spent countless hours practicing basic movements, swinging the weapon back and forth to get a feel for its reach and momentum. With each swing, I could sense the inherent power waiting to be unleashed.

As I became more accustomed to the chainsaw, I focused on its distinct characteristics. I studied the scythe head, analysing the precise angles required to maximise its cutting efficiency. The razor-sharp edge demanded precise timing and coordination, as any misstep could result in self-inflicted harm. It was crucial to maintain constant awareness of the weapon’s position and trajectory.

The spiked sphere, on the other hand, presented an entirely different challenge. Its weight required careful manipulation, striking a delicate balance between control and brute force. I practiced precise strikes, using the spikes to puncture and immobilise targets with deadly accuracy. The spherical weight acted as a counterbalance, allowing me to maintain stability during rapid movements.

With each passing day, my mastery of the chainsaw deepened. I discovered new techniques, blending fluid movements with strategic strikes. The weapon became an embodiment of my growth and a testament to the arduous journey I had undertaken.

I pledged to make the most of my time here in the tranquil embrace of the Respite Zone. With unwavering determination, I set forth on a relentless pursuit of self-improvement and growth. Every passing moment held immense value, urging me to seize each opportunity and push the boundaries of my capabilities.