The cavernous room was adorned with flickering magical torches, their ethereal glow casting dancing shadows upon the stone walls. In the heart of this dimly lit chamber, Dominion Seeker Eston Ironstalker stood with an air of contemplation. Before him, Lady Frier, a seasoned warrior, and trusted confidante, presented a detailed report of the recent friendly spar that had unfolded in the training yard.

Her words described the clash between two distinct combatants.

Lady Frier's account delved into the young Bane, whose entrance into the sparring ring exuded an unwavering determination despite the clear signs of fatigue that etched his features. With eloquent description, she chronicled Bane's unconventional fighting style—a symphony of rapid and precise strikes interspersed with deft evasions. The soldier, initially caught off guard by the unorthodox techniques, found himself on the receiving end of Bane's calculated assaults.

With each sentence, Lady Frier skillfully guided Eston through the progression of the duel. She painted a narrative of the battle, recounting how Bane's reservoir of energy gradually depleted, leading to a shift in the battle's momentum. The skilled warrior's adaptation and strategic responses eventually turned the tide in his favor, leading to Bane's eventual defeat.

"A naturally gifted fighter, you say?" Eston muttered under his breath, his thoughts drawn into the information that Lady Frier presented.

Shifting his gaze toward Lady Frier, Eston continued, "I've investigated the boy's background. His life is one of instability, devoid of a place to call his own or the guidance of parental figures, the boy is basically alone in this world. Among the slums, he's known as the 'bookworm boy'—a moniker that captures his nature when it comes to knowledge. Rumors of a lad who willingly labors through grueling days or dares to pilfer from the wealthy elite, all for the single purpose of acquiring a book to read. An insatiable thirst for knowledge that most children his age don't seem to have."

"So, what course of action shall we take?" Lady Frier inquired, her gaze seeking guidance.

Eston's response came with resolute determination. "I've already set the wheels in motion by putting forth a recommendation for his admission to the academy. However, the academy's commencement is still two months away. During this interval, I intend to take proactive measures. I will oversee his awakening, channel the base of his potential, and provide training. I will not permit him to step into that hell hole of an academy unprepared."

The weight of his decision hung in the air, a testament to his commitment to nurturing the latent abilities he saw in the Bane.

***

Bane stirred from his slumber, his senses gradually returning to him.

Arya leaned over Bane's bed, and as he woke up, their eyes met. Her playful tone was laced with affection.

"Awake at last, Mr. Sleepyhead?" she teased, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Bane groaned, a searing wave of agony coursing through his body like molten fire, each pulse of pain sending shockwaves that seemed to radiate from his very core.

"What was that last attack? I was certain of my victory, but then something invisible pushed me back, and suddenly everything went dark," Eston weakly voiced his confusion.

"You really don't know anything, do you?"

Bane stared at Arya with empty eyes.

Arya continued, "Simply put, that was a basic wave of Aura release, the most unrefined version of the skill possessed by anyone who reaches tier 1 in Aura mastery. Luckily, his aura release was weak and not condensed enough to kill you, sparing you from a deathly outcome," Bane explained matter-of-factly.

"Death?!" Eston exclaimed in surprise.

"Yep, death. Most unawakened individuals stand little chance against even the weakest awakened opponents. But somehow, by pure luck, you managed to push that soldier far enough to make him use his aura," Arya added with a touch of amusement.

Bane chuckled lightly and continued, "Luck had nothing to do with it. Every move I made was calculated from the start. Blame the soldier for underestimating me and letting his guard down."

"You call underhanded tactics skill?" Arya raised an eyebrow.

"In my world, anything goes as long as you're the last one standing, so yeah," Bane replied nonchalantly.

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Arya laughed, "For a hoodlum, you did well, I guess. But I would've defeated him in just two moves."

"Two moves? Weren't you the one surrounded by petty thieves, seemingly helpless?" Bane retorted.

"Well, my father forbid me from harming the weak. Even that weak Dominion seeker toy boy was child's play to me," Arya boasted.

"No way," Bane exclaimed, his disbelief evident.

"Yes, way. I'm a peak Tier Two dual mage. I control two elements: light and fire. I may not use light magic much yet, but my mastery over fire is said to be on the level of a genius. You don't even hold a candle to me" Arya bragged.

Bane fell silent, his mind whirring as he processed the deluge of new information, a realization dawning upon him that the world held vast depths of secrets yet to be unveiled.

"Tier Two dual mage," after a brief pause Bane continues, "I'm still in the dark about the different powers in this world. The books I've read mostly taught me how to read and acquire life skills. Aura, magic, dominion seekers... these are all mysteries to me. There's so much more to this world that the slums have never even glimpsed."

Arya shifted the topic, curiosity evident in her voice. "Speaking of the slums, what were you doing so far in the city? Weren't you afraid of the kingdom's soldiers who patrol these streets? Getting caught would have resulted in severe punishment. If it were anyone else you saved, they might have punished you instead of rewarding you, as my father did."

Bane shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "There's a place I found out about called a library, can you believe it! A whole building filled with books. I managed to sneak past the soldiers by using the dark alleyways, and coincidentally, I ran into you. And now, here we are."

"You better count your lucky stars, because this opportunity doesn't come around for just anyone," Arya remarked. With a graceful flourish, she presented a tray adorned with an array of unfamiliar foods. "Here, refuel and regain your strength."

As if in response to her words, Bane's stomach emitted a low and audible growl, a rumbling testament to his body's desperate need for sustenance. The sound echoed throughout the room, a hungry howl that seemed to fill the air.

Arya's laughter danced in the air. "Seems like your stomach agrees," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Bane's gaze descended to the tray, a symphony of colors and textures that painted a tantalizing picture. For a boy accustomed to the meager offerings of the slums—stale bread and pilfered scraps—this spread was a revelation, an uncharted realm of culinary delights.

In the slums, survival had often meant subsisting on coarse fare scavenged from the shadows—a slice of toughened bread, a stolen morsel of meat. But now, he was confronted with a cornucopia of flavors and aromas, an opulent feast fit for royalty. The meat, tender and fragrant, seemed as if it might yield to the mere brush of a fingertip. The bread, its steam curling like an invitation, promised a taste of softness he had only dreamed of. Even the rice, a humble staple he had only dared to imagine, beckoned to him from the plate.

His mouth watered uncontrollably, a mix of anticipation and longing. He felt like a beggar invited to dine at a king's table.

"Go on, it's all yours. You don't need to stare at it like a ravenous vampire eyeing its prey," Arya quipped, a playful smile dancing on her lips. She assisted Bane into a sitting position and carefully placed the tray on his lap.

"It's a feast fit for champions, so enjoy every bite," she added, her voice warm with encouragement. With a final nod, Arya left the room, leaving Bane alone to savor the newfound world of flavors before him.

Alone with his meal, Bane's eyes widened as he surveyed the tantalizing spread before him. The aroma wafting from the tray enveloped him, scents that seemed to promise delights beyond his wildest imagination. His stomach continued its eager protest, a reminder of the sustenance it had been denied for so long. With trembling hands, he picked up a piece of meat, its tender surface glistening under the soft illumination of the room.

As he took his first bite, an explosion of flavors erupted on his tongue. The meat practically melted, releasing an exquisite blend of savory juices that danced with his taste buds. It was as if his senses had come alive, each bite igniting pleasure that resonated through his entire being.

Next, he reached for the bread, its inviting warmth radiating through his fingertips. The moment the soft, pillowy texture met his lips, it practically dissolved, a delicate cloud of goodness that seemed to dissolve upon contact. The steam rising from the surface whispered of its freshness, and as he chewed, the subtle sweetness intertwined with a hint of salt, creating a sensation that was nothing short of divine.

He dared to sample the rice, each grain a tiny vessel of satisfaction. The grains were plump and tender, carrying with them a subtle nutty essence that added depth to each mouthful. It was a simple pleasure, yet one that brought a smile to his lips as he savored the comforting familiarity of a staple he had only dreamed of.

Curiosity led him to the other exotic dishes on the tray, each one a voyage into uncharted territory. He explored textures and tastes he had never before encountered, each morsel an invitation to explore a new facet of culinary delight. The flavors burst with complexity, unfolding like a story with each bite.

Time seemed to stand still as Bane indulged in this feast, his body slowly rekindling with energy and vitality. With each mouthful, he felt a connection to a world beyond the slums, a realm where even the simplest pleasures held the promise of something extraordinary. As he savored every last bite, he couldn't help but feel that he had indeed stepped into a place that could only be described as heaven itself.

With a burst of newfound energy, Bane set aside the emptied tray and couldn't contain his exuberance. His voice reverberated through the room as he exclaimed, "Food! I want to try even more flavors offered by dishes throughout the world!" The declaration rang with a mixture of determination and childlike wonder, his eyes shining with an intense desire to explore the boundless culinary horizons that now lay before him. It was a declaration of his thirst for knowledge, not only in the realm of books but in the flavors, cultures, and experiences that the world had to offer.