Aquila wound in his bed, tossing and turning. The sheets wrapped around his naked body uncomfortable as he sweated.

“It’s too fucking hot!” he groaned and sat up on his bed. He stroked the wet, black hair out of his face and looked towards his pants.

‘Might as well go outside to train, I can’t sleep anyways…’ he thought, the same battle maniac as always. He had suffered from insomnia frequently since the hunt on the Stray Orcs. Training alone during the night had been his safe haven from the dreams that plagued him.

Admittedly, the chronic lack of sleep had large effects on his mood, but he ignored it.

‘I have to continue working hard. There ain’t no rest for those who seek power… especially if your rival and best friend has suddenly gained superpowers…’ he clenched his teeth. He was extremely jealous and the feelings conflicted with the comradeship he felt for Faust.

Four days had passed since the attack from the mercenaries. They were close to reaching Antioch. A few more days and ships would carry them over the channel to the island. Whenever Aquila thought about it he felt his stomach churn. It was scary.

‘The place where the entire underworld of the continent resides… the Venerable…’ he gulped and clenched his fists.

‘I need to become stronger. I can’t let Faust be the only one to get strong… though what can I even do? It’s not like he can just give me a piece of his power… yet. I should prepare for that time. Training can't hurt.’ He put on his boots and left his room to the darkness of the hallway. He closed his door quietly and then heard footsteps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faust looked at the man before him. It was well past midnight.

‘What is Aquila doing out here at this time?’ he wondered and looked at his friend before remembering that he couldn’t see in darkness as he could.

“Ah, it’s me, Faust. Couldn’t sleep either?” he asked the black-haired teenager who sighed when he heard Faust. He could see his friend's tense body relax.

“Too fucking hot, I want to train outside, I saw a nice courtyard a bit away from the inn, let's go there. The moon is bright today.” He said to Faust. He sounded exhausted.

“Aquila, are you sure you shouldn’t try to sleep some more? You look like shit.” Faust commented, cocking his head.

Aquila looked surprised for a second but then sighed.

“Of course, you can see in darkness now, how could I forget.” He showed a bitter smile and then started to walk towards the stairs.

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“Brother, no way I’ll continue suffering the night away sweating my sheets wet.”

Faust gulped.

‘It must get to him to see me grow so fast and get these… abilities, becoming a cultivator. I… I am not even that strong yet. The distance will only grow greater… I have to give my best to make them cultivators too, all of them.’ He scratched his head, looking after Aquila.

‘Especially for Leona. The stronger she is the less I will have to worry about her.’ He grinned like a fool and followed Aquila out of the Inn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a short walk, they arrived at a small garden with a plastered path leading through it.

Aquila grinned at Faust in the moonlight.

“I swear, I saw this cool, incredibly big tree earlier today when we came in, there was enough space for a bit of wrestling or fitness there…”

Faust chuckled.

“We won’t do any of that today.”

“What? Why not?” Aquila asked, frowning.

“Because I will show you an exercise Elena showed me. You will have an easier time progressing once you cultivate.” Faust grinned and Aquila whirled around in his tracks.

“Did you just say you will make me a cultivator?” he asked with big, glinting eyes.

Faust couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, at least not yet. But I can prepare you for it. It’s about tempering the mind.” Faust tapped a finger to his head.

Aquila scratched his head.

“If anyone had told me this a few months ago I would have laughed at them… yet now here we are. Thank you.” He smiled.

Faust waved off.

“I only just had the idea, I would have introduced everyone to it once we arrived at Antioch since we are busy traveling right now, but I might as well give you a head start.”

This made Aquila snicker.

“Around the next corner is the place… then you can show me your… mind magic.”

Faust wore a dry expression.

‘Mind magic… I have no doubt he will suck it up like a dry sponge… after all, he knows it will give him strength down the line…’

They walked around the corner. They had seen the large crown of a massive tree from the distance already, but standing under it was a whole different matter. If three people stood around the tree and reached their hands for one another’s they would barely touch.

Around the tree was a small stone plaza. It was paved with beautiful, white stone. The moon’s light fell onto the stone and painted a beautiful picture. A serene one. It was tranquil. Except for them of course. They walked onto the plaza, looking over it, it was about 20 meters long.

Then Aquila came to an abrupt halt. Faust bumped into him.

“Hey man, what’s wro-“ Faust’s words got stuck in his throat as he saw what Aquila pointed at.

Or rather “Who” he pointed at.

Basking in the moonlight, underneath the tree, there sat a man. Not an ordinary man, that much was obvious.

He wore wide, black robes that fell off his thin body. He sat on the stone with crossed legs, his hands folded in front of his chest. His head was completely shaven and his eyes were closed. In his lap, there laid a long wooden staff.

Aquila and Faust relaxed slightly and looked at each other, confused.

“What the hell is that guy?” Aquila whispered to Faust who shrugged, completely enchanted by the calmness the man radiated. A certain serenity he had never felt before filled the air.

‘No… I know this feeling… it reminds me of when I entered my core!!!’ Faust gasped and his eyes went round.

The man sighed softly, and without moving he said:” I could hear you from a mile away. I did not expect someone to come to this place in the middle of the night… especially not for something called… Mind Tempering.”

He opened his eyes and looked over at the two.

Faust warily eyed the man, but he could not feel any ill intention from the man. Just mild curiosity.

“Will you sit with me?” he asked them and gestured to the stone floor in front of him.

Aquila and Faust looked at one another, both equally confused and wary before Faust asked:" Who are you?"