“Not quite. Even if you have level 5 talent, you would still need a non-elemental cultivation secret and that just doesn’t exist. Even if a cultivation secret like that existed, no force would actually invest in you to make the bet that you will eventually reach nirvana. You might quite possibly be the weakest cultivator at every level of cultivation.
I will give you one minute to process but that’s all the authority I have to delay the talent test.”
Can you imagine what it feels like to be told that the only mission in your life is impossible? Castiel has only 3 years of worth of memories and he was taken care of in only one third of them. His only caring relative in the world was snatched away from him by possibly one of the most powerful organizations in the world and he had to become a parent himself putting his life on hold. Amelia and the thirst for vengeance were his only life sustenance. Now the possibility of vengeance is also snatched away from him.
-I am sorry mom, looks like I cannot avenge you. But I will keep my promise. Amelia will be the most loved girl in the world. I will never let any harm come to her.- He couldn’t even grieve properly, he was too worried about leaving Amelia alone at home.
“I want to give up the talent test.” He decided to give up cultivation altogether. His best gift was his supreme intellect and tragedy had already forged his will. He knew he would have his own place in the world and he doesn’t need cultivation, like in the old eras, to protect himself and Amelia.
Just as he was about to get up from the chair, the image of his bloodied mother turning to dust appeared in his mind.
“Forgive me. Let’s continue the talent test.”
When Castiel woke up from anesthesia, he barely noticed any change in the environment. It was only five seconds.
“Do you really want to know your talent level? Do you have a parent or guardian with you?” The guide sounded even more apologetic.
“Go ahead. According to what you have explained, my talent level will have no bearing on my cultivation path.” Castiel said apathetically. The guide couldn’t put his finger on it but it felt like the kid before him had more conviction.
“Talent level: 3
I am sorry kid.” The guide was talking in more affectionate terms now.
“It is what it is. Wouldn’t you say so? Thank you for all the explanations. I have wasted quite a bit of your time.” Castiel wasn’t the least bit demotivated by this news. As he said, his talent level doesn’t change the outcome of his cultivation.
“Not a problem.”
As he was leaving the area, the guide shouted
“Hey kid, don’t give up.” This was quite contrary to the guide’s usual monotone demeanor.
“Never will.” Castiel answered curtly. He had changed. He wanted revenge all the more now but he was more focussed and less hasty.
Castiel had to abandon his itinerary for the rest of the day and went back home as fast as he could. The bad news in the spire had done at least one good thing for him, he now knew family is more important than revenge. He cannot lose what he has now for something that he will have in the future.
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“Ame, I am home.” He shouted as he barged into the house. He didn’t need to shout though, Ame was sitting in front of the door with her hands crossed. A three year old sitting on their butt on the floor with their hands crossed was quite a hilarious sight.
“Candy.” That’s all she said. Castiel swooped in and picked her up. He handed her a bag of chocolate-candy sticks that he bought on the way home.
“How was your day, baby? Missed me?” Amelia did not answer. She was too focussed on the candies. She unwrapped one skillfully and immediately started sucking on it. By now Castiel had forgotten all his worries. He just wanted to cradle her for a while. He sat on a nearby swinging chair and took a short rest.
He slept almost immediately. Too many ups and downs in emotions in one day for a twelve year old, even if a quite different twelve year old. He was mentally exhausted.
He woke up after about an hour. He noticed that Amelia had also slept from the cradling. He got up from the chair slowly and carefully. As he was about to put her in her bed, he noticed that she was wrinkling her nose. After carefully placing her in bed and surrounding her with pillows, he smelled his armpits. They smelled quite bad, he didn’t notice he had sweat so much. -Even if she doesn’t show much emotion, she still loves me.- he thought as he made his way to the shower.
After he had some food to eat, he started exercising in the Fundamentals of Man and started thinking about his next steps. Exercising is all he did wherever he would have free time. After a few hours of exercising, fatigue started to set in. He had already thought about what he would do next. First, he would need to achieve the most perfect state of body and cultivation in every stage of cultivation to even have a chance at breaking through to the nascent soul. Second, he would need to have the highest knowledge of human anatomy that has been researched by the current civilization.
The second point is arguably more important. He would eventually need to create a non-elemental cultivation technique and further evolve it into a cultivation secret to reach the nascent soul. Monumental task as it is, he would need to have as much human anatomical knowledge as possible. The best way to achieve this would be to study in Serafin University of Excellence after high school. SUE is the best university in the eastern continent. It teaches literally all honors of higher studies. There is no age or race restriction for when you can enter one of its colleges, not even a highschool graduation restriction. All you need to do is clear the entrance exam for the respective college. There is only one caveat, you can only appear for an entrance exam once in your lifetime.
Castiel decided that he will study in the medical college of SUE after highschool. The entrance exam is not one of his worries though. He will re-register in highschool tomorrow and at long last, begin his studies again.
He doesn’t need to think about his first cultivation technique for now since he still feels that his mortal body is improving with Fundamentals of Man. He will go to the spire again when he feels his mortal body has stopped improving.
The next day, he woke up early and started his daily discipline again. After that he got dressed up for school. He was kind of nervous. The thought of seeing familiar faces again got on his nerves. He had an even bigger mountain to cross today though. He was dreading the conversation he was going to have with the principal. He needed lenience on how long his school day is going to be. He cannot be away from Amelia for eight hours every day, five days a week. He also cannot bring Amelia to school. The organization that tried to kidnap Amelia that day will not just give up.
-I don’t know why that organization has not tried again but Zechariah mansion is still more secure than the school.- He thought.
“Ame, remember the most important rule?” He asked his sister as he was about to go out.
“Always listen to brother and never go out unless with brother.” Amelia replied curtly as she was sucking on a chocolate-candy stick.
“I will only be gone for no more than three hours, ok? Brother needs good luck today, give brother a kiss?” He brought his cheeks close to her lips as he picked her up. She reluctantly gave in to his brother’s demands. He kissed her goodbye and nervously went on his way to the school.