The keeper's job was to guide the energy which was scattered inside one's body. The process was simple. The large piece of core attracted energy.
Simply put they absorbed energy and grew to become the core. The keeper injected the energy into one's body and make a path for the pieces.
More like guiding a hungry dog to the food source. It was a quick process. From there pieces of energy combined and created the core.
" Pain? " Adrain frowned not knowing what it mean.
" There are two ways to fix your case. The first was a delicate process. Time-consuming. With the state of the current Empire, you don't have that kind of luxury. And. " The keeper looked at the eyes.
" I don't mean to disrespect but you don't have any money right? "
Adrain nodded.
" That means you are a sumbag in this world. " The keeper touched his ring and continued. " But the world is equal as well. For those who don't have luck, money or status, the world gave equal opportunity. "
" The second way. That is suited for you. "
" You said I am going to feel pain. Just do it, sir. " Adrain lightly smiled. Since birth, he had been walking through the harsh road. What pain should he fear?
The keeper saw the light in Adrain's eye. He smiled. "Great. "
He immediately stood up. " Great. I need you to lie down. "
Adrain did as he was told to. Laying on the floor, cold immediately pierced his back causing him to shiver. But it was manageable. He was used to the cold.
The keeper kneeled beside Adrain and placed his hands on his body. The right hand was on top of the heart while the left was placed on the abdomen.
" It is going to be painful. " He said.
Adrain smirked. " I am quite used to the pain. "
" I suppose so. Just focus to stay awake once you passed out all of the efforts will go to waste and you will suffer backlash. " The keeper reminded seriously.
Adrain closed his eyes gathering his will, sharpening his thought. ' Come here. ' He roared in his mind.
Ahh!
With a snap, pain formed instantly in his heart, and then another one appeared in his abdomen. It was like a sharp knife twisting his organs with force. It was cold at the same time he felt the heat.
It was bearable at least.
"Fuck! " Adrain cursed, clenching his jaw. His tongue tasted the iron. He must have bitten his lips but his mind was not on this.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Only pain appeared.
Adrain gasped for breath.
The keeper frowned as he extended his energy into Adrain's body. His goal was to form two cores. The reason was because of Adrain's condition.
He lacked luck. The core formed by others can't withstand the burden of extracting and storing energy. So he wanted to make the path for Adrain.
Seeing his gaze, the keeper knew that the young man's future will be difficult.
' You are trash, kid. You don't have anyone to rely on. And your goal was bigger than your existence. I don't know you but I can tell. You are meant to suffer. '
' And that will be my gift to you. '
***
An hour had passed.
He saw the familiar and yet unfamiliar ceiling. He can't focus his thought. The strain on his mind was too much.
" Breath in. Breath out. "
A gentle voice guided his mind.
Adrain got up immediately. But a hand stopped him from getting up. " Easy. You need some moments to adjust your energy. "
" Energy? " Adrain growled. His voice murmured. Rubbing his temper, the blurred vision became more defined. Detailed images slowly started to form.
It was more than just that.
Adrain turned to the keeper. For the first, he felt fear seeing the calm keeper's smile. He felt like his breath was slowly taken by the pressure emitted by the keeper.
" Get used to it. " The keeper suggested. " You gotta need to strengthen your mind. "
Adrain nodded, calming his trembling hands. Slowly the pressure was decreasing at a rapid rate. After five minutes, Adrain can lift his head freely.
" Great. " Seeing Adrain getting up, the keeper helped him. "Follow me. I will tell you the rule for the awakened individual's rules. "
Adrain nodded. He saw the keeper open the door and left, leaving him alone.
Adrain sighed. He picked up his clothes and wore it. He felt his body become more sensitive. He can tell the air. His vision became sharper.
He can even taste the air. It was a weird feeling. More importantly, he felt like he had two hearts.
' It must be how the awakener sees the world. ' Adrain thought. ' It is awesome. I can probably lift the horse easily. '
He clenched his fist tightly causing the faint air to crush. He laughed.
The keeper pointed the chair in front of him. Adrain nodded. He observed the surrounding. ' Wasn't this room.'
His thought was cut short by the keeper. " This building can change shape. Nothing is permanent. That's the motto of ours. "
He smiled. " That is why we build this kind of ever-changing building. You can say this is our signature trade. "
Adrain sat on the chair. Fresh tea was placed in front of him. But he didn't have the mood to drink. 'Strange. In the past, I would drink free stuff immediately. '
" It is refreshing, right? " The protector commented. " You knew that you are changing. "
Adrain agreed. Just he was about to ask the question.
" Pain caused humans to change. At your age, some people would play around walking the path their parents make. But you are different from them. Your thoughts were almost like a survivor. "
Adrain nodded. " Forget about me. Tell me what should I do? "
' He doesn't like talking about the past. ' The keeper remained the usual expression without breaking character. ' And he realized I am leading the conversation to his past. '
The keeper waved his hand, he controlled the mana path inside his core. Forming the mana circle in the air, he activated the spell.
[ Unique type: storage.]
A crack appeared in the air, a blue mist poured out of the crack. Adrain struggled to move his hands. ' It is that pressure again. '
The keeper grabbed the inside of the crack. He took out a thin book. Immediately the crack closed, and all of this took place within a second. Mana around Adrain slowed down.
He sighed. " I can't get used to your strength. "
The keeper smiled. " Don't worry. The fact that you manage to remain composed under the spell means you had a strong will. "
" If you compare my will to nobles, am I good enough? " Adrain asked. He didn't need meaningless praise. He wanted to know his situation in this world.
The keeper lifted his hand slowly and pointed one finger upward. " One word. " He said.
" Useless. "
Adrain's eyes went wide for a second. He sighed and looked at the shaking hands. " I see. "
He saw the thin book on the table. " What is that? "
The keeper said, "Summary about this world. No. I should say a summary of your future life. "