Returning to Eston's estate, the journey was brief, a mere 15-minute flight aboard Princess. As they touched down, Garrik immediately issued orders to the bustling maids, his excitement evident in the urgency of his commands. Bane's well-being was now the foremost concern, and the maids were mobilized to ensure his comfort upon his awakening.
Swiftly, Bane was ushered into his bed-chamber, where the softness of the bed beckoned him to rest. The maids scurried to and fro, preparing the room and ensuring that nourishing sustenance would be ready for him upon his return to consciousness.
Leaving Bane in the care of the maids, Garrik's energy surged anew as he made his way to Eston's study. The anticipation was palpable, a weighty secret ready to be unveiled. Bursting into the study, Garrik couldn't contain himself any longer. "The boy's a dominion seeker!" he announced, his voice ringing with both incredulity and elation.
Eston, immersed in his studies, was jolted by Garrik's proclamation. His eyes widened in disbelief, the words hanging in the air like a long-lost melody finally heard once more. "What did you just say?" Eston questioned, a mixture of shock and hope etched on his features.
A grin broke across Garrik's weathered face, his excitement nearly contagious. "You heard me right, old friend. The boy has awakened as a dominion seeker!" The words flowed like a river, a declaration of destiny being fulfilled.
Eston's reaction was nothing short of awe-struck. "This is truly a miracle set out by the gods," he breathed, his usual composed demeanor replaced by genuine astonishment. "A diamond in the rough has landed on our doorstep, waiting to be polished."
Garrik's question followed, its tone tinged with genuine curiosity. "Your promise to train him, will you actually be doing that?"
Eston's response was steadfast, an unwavering commitment. "Yes, Garrik. I intend to stand by my promise. And I also plan to get him a suitable beast from the market, a companion of his choosing."
Garrik's question followed, its tone tinged with genuine curiosity. "You truly like the boy, don't you?"
Garrik's gaze met Eston's, a silent understanding passing between them. After a beat, Eston's voice broke the silence. "He reminds me of my son, although he's quieter than my son, he gives off the same energy."
A contemplative silence fell between them, the gravity of the situation settling in. The mention of Eston's son hung in the air, a poignant reminder of shared losses and the bonds they had forged in the midst of pain. But this time, Eston's mention of his son bore a different tone – one of acceptance, the wounds of grief healing over time.
Garrik's gaze met Eston's, a silent understanding passing between them. After a beat, Eston's voice broke the silence. "Once the boy wakes up, tell me. I'll go speak to him."
With a nod of agreement, Garrik turned to leave the study, both men united by a common purpose – to guide Bane along a path that held promise and potential, to help him navigate the treacherous waters of his newly awakened dominion seeker abilities.
***
Bane found himself once again in the unreal landscape of his mind, the enchanting beauty of the world surrounding him. The distant tree stood as a silent sentinel, and the allure of its mysterious presence tugged at his curiosity. However, this time, Bane was cautious, not willing to trigger a sudden return like before. He settled down on the soft soil beneath him, feeling its cool texture slip through his fingers like grains of sand.
Scooping up a handful of soil, he brought it to his nose and inhaled its earthy aroma. The scent carried memories, memories of the harsh life he had endured in the slums. Those memories served as a stark reminder of the disparity he had witnessed – the vast difference between the privileged and the oppressed, a wall that separated lives so distinctly.
The gnawing thought echoed relentlessly in Bane's mind, like a drumbeat of frustration. How could these awakeners bask in their good lives, seemingly unaware of the struggle faced by those in the shadows?
How could those with all these inhuman abilities, live such good lives, while there are people that don't even know a life like this exists?
How?
How?
How?
How?
The question reverberated through his thoughts, hammering like a relentless storm, each question driving him closer to the edge of his sanity.
Drawing in a deep lungful of the crisp air around him, Bane pushed himself to his feet. The determination in his eyes was unyielding, a reflection of his newfound resolve. "I won't just accept this," he declared to the winds that whispered through the ether. "I'll shatter those walls of injustice, and if I can't, I'll forge a new path entirely. Like Tumen, I'll carve my own destiny, a realm where strength determines one's fate."
The weight of his determination bolstered Bane, infusing him with purpose. He embraced the splendor of the dream-like realm once more, his feet carrying him across the serene landscape as he ran with uncontrolled zeal. He relished the ethereal beauty around him, allowing it to seep into his very being as he sprinted, his muscles propelling him forward until they protested in mental exhaustion.
Lying down upon the soil, his thoughts spiraled within a whirlwind of contemplation. Gazing at the boundless expanse above, he mused aloud, "What is this realm? Why am I here?" His questions lingered unanswered, prompting him to rise with renewed determination.
His focus sharpened. He needed answers, strength, and knowledge. His thoughts raced, reflecting his newfound awakening as a dominion seeker. He held a key to extraordinary abilities, a gateway to the potential beyond imagination. "I'm special," he affirmed to himself, his thoughts racing with the weight of endless possibilities.
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With his heart pounding, Bane sprinted back toward the distant tree, a symbol of his awakening and his quest for understanding. His mind churned, thoughts colliding like currents of a wild river. His newfound dominion seeker status bore questions: What creature would he befriend? How would he wield these newfound powers? Could he even tame a beast before going to the academy in three weeks?
Answers.
He needed answers.
A barrage of questions swirled in his mind as he reached the towering tree, his hand outstretched to touch its ancient bark.
In an instant, he snapped back to the realm of consciousness, his gasp echoing his reentry into reality.
The vibrant world within his mind retreated, yielding to the bustling activity that enveloped his senses. The maids' hurried footsteps echoed through the hallways, punctuated by the urgent rhythm of their movements. In the midst of this cacophony, his personal maid swept into the room with a whirlwind of emotion and reproach.
"You should have been more careful! Didn't I warn you, Bane?!" Her voice resounded with a mixture of concern and exasperation, her words tumbling out in a torrent of criticism that seemed to have no end.
As her fervent chastising continued for what felt like an eternity, Bane absorbed her words, his expression a blend of sheepishness and gratitude. After what seemed like an eternity of scolding, she finally knelt by his bedside, her tone softening as she spoke. "I'm relieved that you awakened without major issues, but you can't imagine how worried you had me. You slept for two whole days!"
"Two days?" Bane's voice held a note of confusion, his memory lagging behind the passage of time.
"Yes, you fool!" Her words were laced with both annoyance and genuine concern. "You had me truly concerned."
As the maid's reprimand lingered in the air, Bane's gaze settled upon her more intently than before. He noticed the delicate features that painted a portrait of youth and grace. Her skin was smooth and flawless, a canvas that seemed to radiate with an otherworldly glow. Her lips, full and rosy, held a vibrancy that contrasted against her fair, almost peach-like complexion. Tear-reddened cheeks bore witness to the emotional upheaval he had caused her. But it was her eyes, a mesmerizing blue, that held his attention the longest. A captivating allure that surpassed even Arya's beauty.
"I'm sorry," Bane's apology was sincere, his gaze locked onto hers as if seeing her for the first time.
Just then, a resounding crash reverberated through the room, signaling someone's hasty approach. The maid swiftly recomposed herself, her demeanor returning to its professional poise in an instant. With a hurried exit, she left the room.
Bane's attention was caught by the sight of Eston's formidable figure hurrying towards his bedside. The imposing man's voice rang out with an exuberant greeting, "Boy, you're awake!"
Bane managed a somewhat uncertain response, his voice still tinged with the remnants of his recent unconsciousness, "Y-yes."
Eston's face was a mixture of relief and curiosity, his eyes searching Bane's for answers. "How is it?" he inquired eagerly, his interest palpable.
"How is what?" Bane questioned, his brows furrowed in puzzlement.
"Your spatial realm," Eston clarified, leaning in with anticipation. "The place that you unlock in your mind once awakening as a dominion seeker."
Recognition dawned upon Bane, and he took a moment to collect his thoughts before replying, "It's beautiful—a truly breathtaking landscape. It's as if I've stepped into the most detailed painting, a realm that only the most skilled artists could hope to capture."
Eston's brows knit together in a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Beautiful?" he echoed, clearly intrigued. "How so?"
Bane shifted slightly in his bed, attempting to put his appreciation into words. "Well, it's like a dreamscape bathed in hues that feel both otherworldly and familiar. The sky above is a canvas of colors that blend seamlessly—a symphony of pinks, purples, and oranges that gently shift and mix like an eternal dance."
His eyes lit up with a hint of wonder as he continued, "The land stretches out endlessly, adorned with valleys and meadows that seem to breathe with life, even though I haven't seen any living beings there. The air carries a scent of tranquility, and there's a gentle breeze that brushes against your skin, almost as if the world itself is welcoming you."
Bane's voice took on a softer, introspective tone, "But what makes it truly beautiful is the sense of freedom and boundlessness. It's a place where my thoughts can roam, where I can reflect without constraints, and where the boundaries of reality seem to blur. It's a sanctuary for my mind—one that's serene and untouched by the hardships of the world."
As Bane spoke, his words seemed to paint a vivid picture, not only for Eston but also for himself, as if he was reliving the experience all over again.
Eston's demeanor turned serious as he explained further, "Untalented dominion seekers have a spatial realm with a limited perimeter of about 100 meters. Those with more talent can expand their realm to encompass anywhere from 500 to 1000 meters. But the crucial point is that we all share a similar concept—a square-like world with a single tree at its center. This tree serves as a measure of our potential, and the size of your spatial realm determines the number of beast tames you can have."
Eston's expression grew pensive, "Usually, this world is rather plain, with minimal features to observe. It's more like a functional space than anything else. That's why I find it intriguing that you describe yours as 'beautiful.' This is the first time I've encountered such a description."
Listening attentively, Bane posed a question, "So, what exactly is this spatial realm?"
Eston's gaze held a hint of mystery as he continued, "A spatial realm is a place where your tamed beasts reside—a space separate from our reality. Its nature is still largely unknown; it's unclear whether it's a true existence or if it holds any inherent benefits for your tames. What we do know is that it serves as a form of storage. If you recall your tame before it's fatally wounded, it will remain unharmed, therefore the realm also acts as a sort of healing space for your tames while they're within it."
Bane absorbed Eston's words, his thoughts swirling with newfound understanding. After a brief pause, he replied with a mix of curiosity and determination, "So, it's a realm where my tamed beasts reside—a sanctuary of sorts. And the tree represents my potential... But mine is different, as if it's a canvas of beauty waiting to be explored."
"I can't divulge much about your spatial realm at the moment, as I don't possess all the details. However, I do advise you to keep this aspect of yourself confidential and refrain from sharing it with anyone," Eston urged.
Bane's eyebrows knitted in concern as he questioned, "But why? What's the reason for the secrecy?"
Eston's gaze turned serious as he responded, "There's a potential danger in revealing this unique ability of yours. The researchers in our kingdom can be quite cunning and relentless; they might resort to experimenting on you to uncover the mysteries of your spatial realm."
A heavy silence settled between them as Bane absorbed the weight of Eston's words.
Struggling to get the words out, Eston stammered, "D-don't be alarmed. Your secret will remain well-guarded. Just promise me that you won't share this information with anyone."
Bane's eyes locked onto Eston's, brimming with curiosity and something more profound. "Why do you care so much? Why are you investing so much effort into my well-being?"
Eston's voice caught for a moment, his expression reflecting a mixture of emotions. Bane's question seemed to touch a chord within him, and he faltered for a response, allowing the silence to linger between them.
"My son," Eston's voice was barely a whisper, heavy with emotion.
Bane held his gaze, sensing the weight of unspoken sorrow in Eston's words.
Eston continued, his voice tinged with sadness, "You remind me so much of my son. He would have been your age now, if he had survived that is."
A deep sense of empathy washed over Bane. "May I ask... how did he..."
Eston's eyes held a distant pain as he revealed, "His awakening overwhelmed him. His body and spirit couldn't cope with the power he unlocked, and he... he didn't make it."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily in the room, and Bane understood the unspoken truth.