"Wow, this has been a genuinely intense conversation," Xan said when he realized how much time had passed.

"I hope I managed to convince you to join us at least," Rad said, laughing while leaning back in the chair.

During the last few hours, Rad had explained many things that Xan didn't know. He had learned about cultivation and cults and the world and all the things you can find in it.

During the many stories Rad had told him, Xan felt the same when looking at his mother's maps, the desire to explore and go wherever he wanted, and the desire for freedom.

But there was only one way to obtain that freedom: to become stronger so no one could keep him in one place.

"Yes, I mostly decided to do it. But I still have two questions: How will you teach me so it doesn't look suspicious for me to become stronger? And what if I sell you out as soon as I leave this room?" Xan said with a smile.

"About teaching, don't you worry, I have my plans. And about you selling me out, do you think anyone would trust you? You have no proof of me being who I am, so it wouldn't be difficult for me to deny your words or even accuse you of being an infiltrate. After all, I'm a retired hero who participated in a quest sent by Heaven herself. Even if I'm old, I still have some influence in the fortress." Rad explained.

"That makes sense."

After that, both stood quiet for a few seconds until Rad decided to talk.

"Well, I will leave already if you don't have anything else to ask. It's already been a few hours since my bedtime, so I better go if I don't want to be sleepy tomorrow. I suggest you rest too. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." Rad said as he got up from the chair.

As he was leaving, Xan talked too.

"Thanks for sharing with me all that information and teaching me cultivation," Xan replied while bowing.

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"No need for the thanks. You will become a great cultivator, so I want to start training as soon as possible.

"Really? Why is that?" Xan asked, surprised.

"Because you reminded me of myself when I was young," Rad said with a smile.

And with those words, Rad left the room, leaving Xan alone with his thoughts.

'I hope being like him is something good." Xan thought with a smile as he turned toward the bed.

While repeating the conversation he had just had with Rad, Xan lay down on his bed and fell asleep in a few minutes.

When he woke up in the morning, he found out that there was a note stick on one of the walls of his room. He didn't know what it was, but he suspected that Rad had something to do with it, so he decided to stand up and check it.

"Main Courtyard of the second area at midday. Don't be late." Xan read on the note.

Feeling like he hasn't understood something, he reread the note a few times, unable to find anything wrong with it.

'That is in the middle of the second area at one of the busiest times. Wouldn't it be suspicious as hell to train there?' He thought while tilting his head.'Well, he said he had a plan, so it can't be that bad, right?'

After reading the note, Xan burned it down just in case it had anything that could rat them out before leaving his room.

It was not midday, but he decided to go there so he wouldn't make Rad wait. He wanted to avoid causing a wrong impression on the first training day. But as he got near the Main Courtyard, something caught Xan's attention: A lot of kids were heading in the same direction as he was.

Not only that, but when he arrived there, they patiently sat on the ground as if waiting for something.

Even though he was not the oldest of the kids around him, most of them were younger, which confused Xan even more. Trying to find answers, he neared the closest person to ask him what was happening there.

"Haven't you heard the news? Rad had decided to teach cultivation to anyone willing to learn from him. He may be old and forgetful, but if we manage to grasp a few techniques, anyone could become a real cultivator and join one of the subordinate families in the future." the kid replied excitedly.

"Thanks for the information," Xan replied before moving to one of the courtyard's edges with a smile.

'So that's is your plan. You will teach everyone in the second area, so no one becomes suspicious that I have become a cultivator.' Xan thought as Rad walked toward the middle of the courtyard.

He hit the ground a few times with his cane, making enough noise for everyone to become quiet and pay attention to him.

"Great, now that I have arrived, let's start already." Rad said as he sat on the ground." Let's start from the beginning. What is a cultivator?"