Lyon POV:

After that revelation, Zane ended the day’s training. I made my way through the forest, lost in thought as I went over everything that had happened.

‘Weren’t there two people present when I was taken out of the lake?’

My feet came to a halt. I wondered if the other person was Zane’s older sister; they could have been travelling together, but why would they be all the way out here?

Unable to come up with any reasonable answers, I reviewed what I had learned today. The fatigue caused by the aftereffects of meditating increased the time it took for me to reach home.

Somehow, I managed to drag myself to my bed where I instantly collapsed, and fell asleep.

***

I arrived at the training grounds much earlier than usual, but to my surprise, someone was already there.

The early morning rays of light shone down on the vast lake, forming glittering, white stars that highlighted its enormous size. Its reflective light added warmth to the trees before shining down on Zane.

He sat alone, meditating by the bank of the lake. However, he didn’t use the lotus position I was familiar with; there were some slight differences. The main one being the position of his hands.

They rested palm up, on top of one another facing the sky, just below his navel. I observed him carefully as I pondered over why I couldn’t feel that strong pressure my father had, coming from Zane.

He also wasn’t exuding an overwhelming presence compared to when I met Keo Yeboah.

‘Was Zane weaker than my father?’

That couldn’t be it. That didn’t sound right. I watched Zane open his eyes slowly before picking up the same stick he used yesterday.

“Now that you know how to form a Ki Center, let’s deepen your knowledge on Ki itself.”

He pointed to a spot a few metres away from him, and I immediately sat down. Rather than surprise, Zane seemed to know I’d arrive early today.

“There are 9 Ki Stages, and they can be divided into three main groups: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.”

I discarded any unnecessary thoughts and focused solely on his words; I couldn’t waste this opportunity.

“The Beginner group consists of three stages: Irini, Nagi and Uso.

The Intermediate group consists of four stages: Shin, Monzen, Jikki and Enryo.”

Zane continued to illustrate his words onto the earth below as he spoke. He drew a large ‘X’ over the last group before parting his lips.

“It’s not yet time for you to learn about the Advanced group.”

He moved the stick back to the first category and tapped on it.

“Irini is the beginning; it’s achieved when a practitioner can finally control their Ki leakage by repairing their broken Ki Channels. This is done by sending Ki out from the Ki Center in regular intervals down the appropriate routes. Your Ki will then slowly repair the channels naturally.

Nagi is achieved when you thoroughly understand your natural Ki Nature and can recreate it for an extended amount of time. This Ki Stage allows your body to use Elemental Ki with ease by enlarging the Ki Channels— modifying them to reduce the burden on the body while increasing their efficiency. Naturally, Elemental Ki refers to Ki that directly manipulates the elements in some way, shape or form.”

I listened to Zane’s explanation attentively while committing it to memory, but one thing bothered me. I wouldn’t be able to use Ki for another three years, so wasn’t all of this too premature?

‘Wait... Is Zane planning on teaching me Ki theory for 3 years?!’

I let out a groan unintentionally before quickly covering my mouth. Zane’s gaze rested on me firmly as his lips spread into a short smile.

“Each advancement to the next stage strengthens the body, refines your Ki Channels and increases your Ki Reserves. The amount differs from person to person.”

Zane casually tossed the stick up in the air, catching it between his two fingers as he got to his feet. He pointed it towards me while a faint smile flickered across his lips.

“From today onward, we’ll be training your body.”

The more I observed Zane, the more I was convinced that he could read minds. In the end, I was relieved that I’d be learning how to fight, but I wondered if that was really it.

“There’s a common misconception that being able to use Ki solves all of your problems. Let’s take fighting as an example. If you didn’t know how to fight before you could use Ki, you won’t suddenly be able to fight after you gain access to it.”

Once again, he read my mind before I could answer. I shifted my gaze to the morning sky and parted my lips.

“That makes sense.”

“I’m going to teach you the Pantheon family’s martial art for 6 months.”

He folded his arms while peering down at me. His deep brown eyes turned golden brown as a gentle breeze blew through the area between us.

I didn’t know what to say.

My eyebrows rose, and my hands trembled slightly. I opened my mouth; my throat parched from the sudden lack of saliva, while a shaky voice croaked out.

“I-Is it really... okay to teach an outsider like me...?”

I wasn’t trying to appeal to him or anything like that; it was a serious question.

I recalled the time I used to work as a blacksmith. It was located on an extended part of an estate, belonging to a noble family, so there were many people who visited daily in hope of learning something from them.

They were all constantly refused, and it was only later on that I found out why. That clan’s style would reject anyone, not from their bloodline; burning away their very existence in the process.

This wasn’t a concern of mine regarding the Pantheon Style, instead, it was the possibility of getting in trouble in the future. After all, Zane wasn’t the only Pantheon.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

His lips formed a content smile as he observed me. His answer, or rather the way he answered, caught me off guard. To him, it seemed like a trivial matter.

‘Maybe I was just overthinking things?’

I pondered for awhile, but ultimately decided that this was for the best. It was one less thing I needed to worry about.

“How about a short demonstration?”

My eyes lit up as I watched Zane shift his body sideways. I eagerly jumped to my feet, unable to contain my excitement at finally being able to see the more practical side of things.

“That’d be great!”

“However, there’s still a lot more theory you need to learn.”

Multiple reasons swiftly filled my brain as I opened my mouth. There was no way I was going to miss out on this golden opportunity.

“...Like you said, it’s important that I don’t give myself false expecta...”

My words trailed off as I watched Zane try to hit a fly that had been bothering him.

‘...’

I stared at him blankly. The scene was so out of character for Zane that my brain temporarily stopped. He dropped the stick and swung his hand in the direction of the lake.

The air shot forward like a cannon, shredding apart everything in its path and splitting the lake into two. The water surged high into the sky, creating two tall walls that dwarfed the surrounding area.

“!”

My jaw hit the ground as the towering water walls casted a shadow over the ground. I barely managed to peel my eyes away from the scene, quickly looking at Zane who swung his hand again horizontally.

It split the sky-high waves into a cross-like shape, allowing me to make out the land on the other side of the vast lake.

“Ah...”

That was all I could say as I stared dumbstruck at his incredible feat. Gravity soon clocked in and began to do its job. The large bodies of water gradually fell back down. However, a huge wave was heading toward us.

“It’s time for the demonstration.”

“...Huh?”

‘That wasn’t the demonstration??’

My eyes widened while Zane walked forward boldly. He planted his feet into the ground and effortlessly threw his fist toward the incoming surge of water.

‘!!!!’

My eyes popped as I witnessed the air pressure alone obliterate the enormous wave; dispersing it into tiny water droplets that fell from above. Zane splayed his hand in response, freezing the droplets of water in mid-air; almost as if someone had stopped time itself.

Not a single drop touched the ground we were standing on.

He flicked his fingers, and the water immediately responded to his command. I watched them gather together, forming large bubbles before rushing back into the lake.

Zane picked up the stick and folded his arms.

“That was a normal punch, but you’ve set the bar quite high, Lyon.”

***

??? POV:

「Somewhere in the south of Vosha」

I studied the papers on my desk once more as I adjusted my glasses. Numerous trials and errors. Numerous failed experiments. I had compiled so much data over the past decades that this time...

This time I was positive my calculations were perfect.

“It has to be that.”

My pen hovered over a name written in bold. Keo ‘The Black Winds of Destruction’ Yeboah. I tapped on it a few times before leaning back in my chair.

A sigh escaped my lips while I momentarily closed my eyes. I needed to be patient; to wait a little more for the good news to arrive. My research had spanned millennia, so waiting a few more days was nothing in comparison.

Once the project was a success, it would revolutionize Idora, no, the whole world, and I would be the one to lead mankind into a new era; the ReDive Era.

The corners of my mouth rose as I pictured the masses of people bowing before me, in awe of my achievements—of my life’s work. It was only right. It was my destiny.

*Knock, knock*

‘It’s here.’

I told my trusted aide to come in. He opened the door, sheepishly looking around before closing it. I didn’t like the look on his annoying baby face, but I decided not to base my judgements on that alone.

“Ah... Boss, well, I have some news.”

He scratched the back of his head, unable to make eye contact with me as he spoke. I felt the nerves on the side of my forehead twitch while I tapped the desk lightly.

“Have you obtained the sample?”

He avoided my stern gaze once more, choosing to stare at the floor instead.

“Uh... No... He wiped out the monster horde formed from that A+ rank dungeon break...”

“...Without spilling a single drop of blood?”

The speed of my finger tapping the table gradually increased. It didn’t make sense. Were the rumours false after all? It was hard to say since I hadn’t left my estate in decades.

‘Damn it.’

I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked to Gontas for an explanation.

“Y-yes... It was quite amazing! The dungeon monsters were incredibly stro—”

“Gontas, you had one job. Collect a sample from ‘The Superman’ and bring it to me. Now, I’m a reasonable man; a very patient one too. However, it’s been three whole years, and you’ve produced zero results.”

The veins on the side of my head bulged while I placed my glasses gently beside a stack of paper. I put my fingers to my temples and massaged them slowly.

This... was a setback; a big one at that. However, every great researcher—every great scientist has backup plans. The problem was backup plans were called backup plans for a damn reason!

“Boss, actually he wasn’t al—”

“He is not invincible, dammit! Everyone has a weakness, Gontas! Have I not taught you that?! Dungeon breaks aren’t working, so change your approach!!”

I slammed the table down hard while glaring at him. In truth, I knew it wasn’t his fault. There were dungeon breaks that would pose a fatal threat to ‘The Superman’ and beyond, but how could Gontas handle those? He couldn’t.

Still, he was my aide. And so, he should listen to my frustrations.

“...I understand. Um, Boss... the higher ups—”

My head creaked to the side while my veins popped.

“The higher ups?! I AM THE DAMN HIGHER UPS!!!”

I grabbed a sheet of paper, flickered in front of him and whacked his head with it multiple times.

“Keuk! B-Boss!!”

He recoiled back in pain as he rubbed his head profusely. In my hands, a sheet of paper may as well be the same as a mountain range. Well, no ordinary sheet of paper could withstand that much force.

I shifted my gaze back to Gontas who was wiping tears away from his eyes. He wasn’t weak, hence the reason his skull didn’t shatter, and the fact that he was still standing was a testament to his strength.

Naturally, I wasn’t seriously trying to hurt him. Despite my rage, I wasn’t an idiot. I returned to my desk and let out a long sigh.

“Aha... Boss, I meant the higher higher ups. They said that it’s been 500 years, but they haven’t seen any worthwhile results...”

He immediately covered his mouth with his hands.

“THEY SAID WHAT?!!”

My fist struck the desk, splitting it in half and blowing away the stacks of papers. I couldn’t believe that they of all people would spout such nonsense.

‘They dare look down on me just because of a few setbacks?!’

The blood rushed to my face as I shook with rage. I belatedly looked down at the destroyed desk, and my heart immediately sank.

It was my favourite desk; made from a special type of wood from Vidris, and also a present from my late wife on my 50th birthday.

I clenched my teeth while my bloodshot eyes locked onto Gontas. His curly blond hair had two strands of red that stood upright as he jumped back, frightened by my appearance.

“Uh... They also said perhaps it’s time they cut their funding and move onto more... Feasible projects...”

Gontas was practically halfway out the door by the time he had finished speaking and rightly so because I snapped.

“Cut my FUNDING?! Have they gone MAD?!”

I picked up the chair and dashed it out the window behind me.

‘I see now... Because I’ve been holed up here for so long, they’re starting to forget just who I am, eh?!’

My gaze shifted to the scattered papers strewn across the floor. My anger dissipated immediately while the corners of my mouth rose.

‘Just wait. I’ll show them a miracle like no other.’

I picked up a piece of paper that contained detailed notes with a sketch of a womb. There are times when backup plans become... better than the original plan.

“Perhaps it doesn’t need to be ‘The Superman’ after all.”

“Oh? That’s great, Boss.”

I ignored Gontas who had re-entered the room. I would need him to carry out other missions now, and as my trusted aide, it’s only right that I test out the fruits of my labour on him once it’s complete.

I moved towards the broken window and gazed out into the night sky. Aside from the usual greenery and forests surrounding my secluded estate, there wasn’t much to see.

However, on any other night, the night breeze would have certainly been much more refreshing.

“Gontas.”

“Yes, Boss?”

“That was my favourite chair.”

“...I know, Boss. I’ll buy you a new one.”