After everything was said and done, Roland still could not come up with a logical conclusion. In the end, he was left only guessing, guessing that whatever was going on with Lowen's body, it was a first in history. At least a first that he knew of. Lowen somehow had a mage core and yet at the same time maybe didn't have a mage body physique but maybe some variant of mage body physique. In Roland's mind, this was the only way he could explain the highly concentrated energy coming from Lowen's blood. Lowen, on the other hand, had a much more concrete theory but in the end, it was still a theory.
(With all the second guessing, one thing is definitely true. I have a mage core. And you are either born with one or your not, this is a fact. What is less likely is that I also have a mage body physique. Roland said it himself, those that have a mage body physique also have blood with highly concentrated energy but that does not necessarily mean that everyone who has blood with high concentrations of energy has a mage body physique. My blood has ki energy and Roland also said that my energy felt similar to that man that he met long ago but he himself can't confirm whether I and that fellow use the same energy or not. So it is probably more likely that that man is using a different kind of energy than my ki. )
Lowen did not believe he had this so-called mage body physique. Instead, he figured this body that he took over was born with a mage core or it possibly formed after the completion of the absorption technique. As for the mage body physique aspect, all of its attributes, well ki has them as well and to Lowen, ki was the universal energy, the end all be all. If it shared some aspects with another energy then it was only natural in Lowen's mind. The most confusing thing that he couldn't be completely sure of, was when he heard that mysterious voice. It felt like something happened and after that, he lost consciousness. Only after he awoke did he detect his mage core.
After a long while, Roland spoke up.
"Boy, I don't quite get it. It feels as though I'm missing something, are you sure you've told me everything?"
Roland stared deeply at Lowen, trying to find the tiniest of flaws in his demeanor. Unfortunately for him, Lowen was guarded and nothing unexpected could be seen, even if in the back of Lowen's mind he thought.
(Hehe, told you everything, of course not. If I mentioned my ki, I wonder how much hed freak out. It might be worth it if only to see the expression he would make.)
Lowen shook such childish thoughts from his mind, shrugging his shoulders he answered coolly.
"What else could there be? I've told you what happened. What more do you want from me?"
Roland continued to gaze directly into Lowen's eyes searching for any display of falsehood but could find only disinterest.
*Sigh*
"Fine, I can't understand what your body's going through whatsoever but I can tell when someones holding back. You don't want to tell me, bah, whatever, just let me give you a small piece of advice. In this world, there's only one life and if you're not careful, you'll be the only one regretting things and at that point, it will be far, far too late. Hmph, watch your self."
With those words, Roland began to shoo Lowen out but Lowen still wanted to ask about the amulet.
"Wait, what about the amulet, didn't you want it to absorb my energy?"
Roland twirled the amulet between his fingers, a small smile appearing on his face.
"Kid, I don't know how you did it but this thing is brimming with energy. If I focus, then it'll take me 2, maybe even 3 weeks to use it all up, no way will it run out before then. So, at that time I'll come looking for you. As for it exploding, I honestly didn't know it could do that. It seems I need to have another look at my treasure and for that I'm grateful."
Lowen looked dissatisfied but if you could read his thoughts it wouldn't be for the reason you might think. Looking at Roland's weird happy smile Lowen turned and left, on his way out he said commandingly.
"Don't call me kid."
And with that, he was gone. Roland looked on as Lowen disappeared and laughed teasingly. What was weird to Roland was that he had called Lowen boy all this while but the first time he called him kid Lowen seemed annoyed. Roland could only see this child as odd.
Lowen himself didn't know why he got childish when Roland called him a kid, maybe it was the distinction between the two. A kid is a child while a boy in some cultures refers to a young man but him being even slightly upset over something so small made him even more annoyed. It only proved more to the fact that he was a kid, in some aspects at least.
After Lowen got back, he saw that Nia and Ben were talking happily, seeing this lively atmosphere, he immediately joined in, laughing and talking with the two and like this, the rest of the day passed cheerfully.
---------------------1 WEEK LATER.---------------------------
Without the amulet, the speed at which Lowen could absorb earth energy had drastically slowed. Still, with earth energy combined with his ki, Lowen's body continued to strengthen at a rapid rate. He had originally thought that with just his ki it would take 2-3 weeks to heal his broken rib, but after he began to learn how to use earth magic, he discovered something special by accident. Everytime Lowen does a full circulation with his ki it strengthens his body and senses by a tiny fraction. Out of pure curiosity, he wondered what would happen if he circulated his earth energy the same way. At first, it was rather sluggish, like trying to push a boulder up a small hill but after just a week it was flowing just as fast as his ki. The benefit of which was that after every circulation of earth energy, it too would improve his body and with Lowen's monstrous focus, he was now able to circulate both energies at the same time. The only real hard part was trying to move his body while circulating them together. If he moved even an inch, then for some reason both energies would collide and his ki would cancel out his earth energy. Only by remaining absolutely motionless would the two work in conjunction, even breathing wrongly could affect it but as things stood, Lowen's improvement was developing quite nicely.
Lowen stood outside, to his left was Nia and to his right was Ben. With Ben able to eat his fill every day, combined with Lowen using his ki to help him, Ben was now completely healed and it was now time for Lowen to fulfill the promise he had made with the two, it was time to train. After a light warm-up, Lowen looked at the two brother and sister and yelled at them like a drill sergeant.
"Alright let's move out."
The three began to move in unison and started to jog, as they did, Lowen was telling them how to breathe properly. One of the most important things to know how to do in order to use ki is learning how to control your breathing and one of the best ways to learn how to control your breathing is to give a practical example such as running but that wasn't the only reason. If they wanted to be able to endure the long journey of martial arts, they would first need a bit of stamina and of course, running was one of the most effective ways to gain stamina. But after only making it halfway around the village, the brother and sister pair were already exhausted. Their faces poured with sweat and their breathing was ragged and dry. It was truly a sad sight but this was only the beginning. Lowen looked at the two and in an angry childish voice, he yelled.
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"Get up, get your asses up and move. If you don't get up, don't expect me to treat you with kindness."
Nia looked as though she wanted to cry while Ben was simply breathing like a fish with no water, he was desperately trying to take in any and all air. Nia looked at Lowen begging for mercy with her eyes but Lowen instead continued to push them.
"Nia, don't give me that pitiful look, we've barely made it halfway around the village and you're already defeated. I thought you wanted to be stronger, I thought in order to protect your brother you would sacrifice your all. Don't tell me a bit of sweat and your brothers no longer worth it."
Nia's eyes changed as a moment of anger and fierceness flashed across her face, followed by a burning will.
"Good, now that's the look I wanted to see. Now get up.... and move."
Nia struggled to stand and started to move forward once more.
Lowen didn't even look at Ben.
"Ben, if you're just doing this because you want to, I won't force you to continue. You may not understand this but your sister, in order for someone like her to survive, she's the type that has to move forward. If you can't keep going, just give up and go back home I wouldn't blame you."
Lowen simply ran ahead. Who knew if Ben could even comprehend the deeper meaning of Lowen's words, Ben was but a 5-year-old but to Ben, his sister is the only one that he loves and shes the only one that's ever cared for him until now. He heard Lowen say she has to do this to survive, Ben could only think about helping his sister.
(If I get stronger I can help big sis.)
Ben struggled and struggled until he finally barely stood. As he continued to gasp for breath, one foot in front of the other, his body slowly moved forward.
A few villagers saw this scene and couldn't make heads or tails of the situation, it was just too odd. They watched as a child yelled at two kids, one older and one younger. The young boy even cursed at the two telling them to get their asses up and move and for some strange reason, they listened to him. The situation was just too weird, some had wanted to say something but had remembered a week earlier that the Chief had said to not mess with Lowen, Nia, and Ben under any circumstances. So they all just watched on in curiosity.
In the end, the brother and sister pair collapsed from exhaustion. Lowen used most of his energy trying to drag the two back to their home but finally, he made it back and dragged the two inside. Sitting down, Lowen passed a bit of ki through them, revitalizing them enough to wake them up so they could eat.
As Lowen prepared food, he noticed the depressed atmosphere. He wondered if he had been too harsh on them, but quickly tossed that idea from his head. With a book, they could slowly learn something and take it easy but when it comes to ki or fighting for survival, you just simply could not go soft. If you did, then it would only hinder a persons progress later on down the line and possibly even cause them an early trip to the grave. If only I had pushed my self to my limits and beyond, then I would have been stronger or faster, then I would have lived. These are the foolish regrets you would have just before your death.
Lowen peeked over at the two and spoke harshly.
"That was one of the most pathetic sights that I have ever witnessed.
Ben looked down in sadness while Nia's expression twisted with anger. Lowen looked at this and wanted to be sure she really wanted this, to see if she would truly go the distance or just give up.
"Nia, do you wish to quit."
Nia squeezed her fist tightly, upset that the thought had even crossed her mind, she spoke through gritted teeth.
"No, I....I."
Nia could find no words, she truly did want to stop. She never wanted to experience such pain ever again but a thought suddenly came to mind and the more she repeated that thought in her mind, the more confidence she gained. After a moment, Nia's clenched fist slowly released. With this continuous thought, her heart finally seemed to relax a bit.
*Sigh*
"I did.....but not anymore. When I was out there it was painful. My breathing, it felt as though it were on fire and my legs right now they feel like goo, It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my entire life...but I did it. I made it through, and if I can do it once, then I can do it twice, and if I can do it again then what obstacle can stop me."
Nia has found her resolve and Lowen could see it plain as day in her dark brown eyes, with a small nod he said.
"Good."
As the three sat around the fire, they began to eat the meal Lowen had prepared. Ben was still down but after a few bites, his mood suddenly cheered up and as he ate more and more, his expression became filled with joy. After a few more bites, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. Lowen looked at Ben and asked.
"Its good to see that your no longer upset but what's so funny?"
Ben's laughter just grew more and more as he started shouting.
"HAHAHA, you are. You're so strong, you're so fast, you can heal me and use magic but, hahaha."
Lowen looked confused.
"But what?"
"But hahaha...but I know something that big sis, haha, even I am better than you at."
Lowen was now curious.
(Is it really that funny, what can these two possibly beat me at?)
"Oh, enlighten me."
Ben tilted his bowl over just enough to show Lowen but not enough to spill. He then pointed at the food and laughingly said.
"This food, hahaha, it's terrible...bwahaha."
*Pffft*
Nia couldn't help but spit and laugh at the same time, launching food everywhere. Lowen truly was a terrible cook but Nia didn't have the heart to tell him but with her younger brothers brutal honesty, it had simply been too funny and overwhelmed her. Lowen was shocked, he couldn't help but shake his head in embarrassment. In his previous world, he hadn't needed to eat for many years of his life and even before when he did eat, he was always served military food. He had never made a meal in his entire life and today it showed. All he could do was hang his head low, a tinge of red appearing on his small childish cheeks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the evening settled into the depth of night, Ben could be heard singing in his sleep.
"Bwahaha, terrible Lalala terrible, big bros food is terrible."
Lowen could only roll over and face the other way. With his fist clenched, he vowed in his heart that he would become the best cook the worlds ever seen.