Vel opened his eyes and felt disappointed in himself, he had expected to be able to get past this by now, but the more he tried the worse it became. He had just spent ten hours cultivating and still was not able to break through into the profound realm. His master had told him that it was an experience problem and not a cultivation one but he didn't want to listen. There had to be a way to keep cultivating without having to try to get yourself killed over and over again. He could ask his master to help him but there was no way he was going to do that, he still remembered the five broken bones and the fear of God he felt the last time he had helped him. That man was just too scary.

He went got ready for breakfast and told the servants to get a horse ready for him to depart when he got back. He had stayed in Remi long enough and needed to go to Aduatuci next. He had tried to find a source of the drug here but as his uncle had told him, there was no trace of it in Remi. He had asked around and found out from a merchant that the people who sold the drug called themselves the Industry which was a word, not yet invented at the time. Was that bastard complimenting him by not even pretending, or was he just saying that even if he knew, he could do nothing about it?

Vel walked into the dining room and saw his father, mother, and uncle eating breakfast together with his nephew Publius. Publius had graduated a couple of years ago and was two years older than Vel which made him the oldest grandson of the household. They didn't really know each other that well, the only thing he knew was that something was off about him.

Vel sat down and was served his standard chicken meat with some rice like every morning and took a couple of bites before he noticed something weird about the food the others were eating. He felt a great source of spirit force coming from the meat which was unusual, he was sure the magical beast had to be at least at the profound realm before he became dinner. He wanted to ask about it but decided against it, if they wanted to share, they would have offered. Besides, he didn't really feel like starting a conversation right now. He just wanted to eat his food and get the hell out of there.

Vel was a little late and watched as the others finished their food quietly and leave the table only leaving him and his nephew. Times sure had changed, he still remembered how nobody would leave the table before everyone had finished and how happy everyone was back then. It was hard for him to think about things like this because he felt that he had lost his chance at a happy family for a second time.

“Its elephant meat is from Africa, a friend of mine brought it back with him from Egypt after the conquest of Alexandria. I would offer you some but we all know it would go to waste with your reputation,” Publius said as he took the last bite of his meal and stood up and left the table.

Vel ignored him and kept eating his food and didn't pay the guy any attention. The stories about him had started almost six years ago when he made his first kill. Vel always had a weak stomach and had thrown up after killing his first target. The men called him the vomiting warrior after that. In time though the meaning of the nickname changed. He had gotten the trust and respect of his men and so the only people who still used the nickname were the people that didn't like him or wanted to mock him.

Vel walked back to his room and tried to get everything ready to leave before lunch as he didn't feel like spending another second here. He also didn't understand why Romans were so fixated on having servants carry everything around when they had storage rings. So every time he went somewhere he had to wait and watch some poor man carry his luggage around while he just sat there watching. He couldn't wait to be back at the camp he thought as the servants told him they were ready.

He tried to sneak out quietly but was stopped a couple of seconds later by his old teacher Aulus. Aulus asked him questions about the border, military, and even the Germanian king. The funny thing was that Vel still couldn't tell how strong the man was, he didn't know why, but he was just too powerful to be working as a guard at his family house. But he would not ask him, there had to be a personal reason and he didn't want to pry.

Vel tried to end the conversation before he was interrupted again, this time by his uncle who had just arrived together with his father and Publius. “Are you here for the training session nephew?” He asked as he put his hand on Vel’s shoulder and gave him a big bright smile.

“Unfortunately not, I'm here to say my goodbyes, I have a lot of work left before I can return to the front,” Vel said as he made a small bow and reached for his horse.

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“Please father, you know young Vel cant fight for at least an hour after eating because of his condition,” Publius said with a mocking tone in his voice.

Herius gave his son a scolding look and tried to ignore the remark as he said, “I'm sure those are just rumors, now nephew, you best go before it gets dark.”

Vel by then had turned around and stared at Publius with cold eyes as he answered, “it's fine uncle, it seems like I have time to spar a little.”

He handed the horse to the servant and slowly walked towards the training grounds as he felt the anger built up more and more inside of him. Finally, something he could direct this anger at he had built up in the last couple of weeks. It was one thing to mock him in private, but to do it in public was not something he could forgive. Like his master had told him, once you lose your reputation, it's almost impossible to get it back.

“Fine then, but make sure to be careful as Publius is already in the profound realm,” Herius said knowing his son had broken through a couple of weeks ago and was clearly trying to show everyone that he was the strongest of his generation.

Vel went to one of the corners of the ring and the small white ring started to glow and a long white saber appeared. Weapons in the Roman republic were stored inside special storage rings containing elemental spirit force with the same element of the user, changing the element of the weapon itself and making it compatible with the user.

Publius did the same and before anyone said anything started attacking at full force. He wanted to finish him as soon as possible as he knew everyone was watching, and even if they weren't, the news would be spread around the estate before lunch.

Vel saw him approaching with incredible speed, he knew he couldn't match his speed but still could follow it with his eyes. He reached out with the saber and used it in a way so the two swords just made contact for only a second before he dodged the attack completely. He saw how Publius was surprised by this and kept throwing one reckless attack after the other which helped him to get used to his speed and learn his pattern.

“How is he able to stop his attacks so easily?,” Herius asked in confusion as he watched the two move around at incredible speed.

Aulus who just stood there with a big bright smile on his face explained that he was actually deflecting the attacks and was able to keep up with him because he wasn't making any unnecessary movements. “Even at this level he is able to make every movement flawlessly,” Aulus said praising his young student.

Publius knowing people would mock him if he couldn't even take care of a little Origin realm cultivator and quickly used some of his spirit force and launched a vertical fire attack which was too powerful for any Origin realm cultivator to handle. Vel knowing he could not stop the attack directly tried to dodge but was not entirely successful as his right hand was partly burned. He checked upon his hand and saw that he hadn't lost mobility and could continue.

“Were you trying to kill me, cousin?” Vel asked as the killing intent inside him grew stronger and stronger.

“It's only to help you grow dear nephew. Only by putting ourselves in danger can we reach new grounds, it's no wonder you are stuck in the Origin realm with that attitude. We can call it a day if you do not wish to continue,” Publius said in a mocking tone. He had made his point and knew his father would give him an earful after the fight if he really injured the boy.

“Then let me return the favor,” Vel said as a small dagger appeared in his left hand and blue lightning surrounded him. Vel took a fighting position and within an instant, his speed had doubled.

Publius tried to keep up but was not able to as the number of attacks kept growing. Eventually, he made a mistake and was in deep shock as he saw the saber aiming for his neck at such a speed he could not keep up. He used all the spirit force he had left to increase his speed and was just able to block the hit as he saw the saber shatter in more than twenty small pieces.

He tried to balance himself but felt the wind around him grow stronger and saw small shards coming towards him at such a speed there was nothing he could do. He could not help scream as he felt a sharp pain as he was cut all around his body, in an instant he could not move his body anymore. Vel moved quickly and punched him in the gut so hard he coughed up some blood.

Publius closed his eyes as he made contact with the ground head first. He had almost lost consciousness, but not before he vomited all over himself.

Everyone watching stood there looking at the scene before them with great shock. An origin realm cultivator had taken out a profound realm cultivator and left him on the stage in that state, lying there in his own blood and vomit. “A once in a millennium genius,” Aulus said never having felt more proud of one of his students. Not only did the boy control two elements, but he could also control almost every shard perfectly which showed how strong his sea of consciousness was.

Vel put away his weapons and came back down and apologized to his uncle. His uncle told him not to worry about it as he was a fair man and knew it had all been instigated by his son. Maybe this would even help him to be more humble in the future.

Vel then said his goodbyes and quickly got up his horse and left the estate towards his next destination, Aduatuci.

“I know you and Vel don't see eye to eye brother, but you will have to strengthen your relationship with him. Even if you don't see him fit to be the next heir, there is no way father won't,” Herius said before he quickly ran towards the training ground to tend to his son's wounds.

“We will see about that,” Paulus answered as he kept staring at the back of his son who was getting further and further away.