The moment my eyes opened, my amber glare rose from the silky sheets that my hand’s rubbed across, “huh…? Guess I wasn’t dreaming," I hummed to myself as the light of day peeked through the curtains, creating a rather pleasant aesthetic to the room.

I had to assume my wave of tiredness must have been due to the sudden shift of life that was now my new normal. It wasn't long after a momentary lapse when I rose up from the bed and stretched my shoulders and arms before noticing the washbasin on the dresser holding a mirror on top of it.

I only looked at my unmoving glare for a brief moment before I washed my face with the provided towel and began my first actual day in Mythral.

I had to assume everyone was already up considering the morning amenities were set out before I had even woken up. I still had a lot to wrap my head around, and I was unable to describe what exactly I felt about Mythral so far, but it seemed like I was getting better at feeling the emotions within myself, it was a new sensation, but it was something.

As I left the room and made my way toward the presence of others gathered in the dining room, both belonging to Theitus and Altear, before I knew it, I could hear their voices from down the hall.

"… you just let her go on her own, she has training to tend to… I was wondering where she was, that girl…” Theitus grumbled loud enough for me to hear his displeasure and Altear seemed to only giggle at him.

"I honestly think she’s a bit shy around our new guest, you know how she gets when she doesn’t like something, she’ll pout and get stubborn. but she’s so cute when she does," Altear replied with a soft giggle which made Theitus grumble something under his breath.

I didn’t hesitate to intrude on their conversation, not that I was trying to be rude if that was considered so. I just assumed they sensed my aura getting closer like I did with them, "... Morning," I said with my typical demeanour I had for any other interaction.

Theitus and Altear sat on the table, quick to greet me with their usual friendly smiles, “Ah, Kazu! Glad to see you're awake, did you sleep well?" Theitus asked with a laugh and his large arms spread open above his head from his seat.

"Yeah, I guess, it was better than what I was used to," I remarked before taking a seat on the table, where a small meal sat waiting for me. Meanwhile one plate remained for Isabelle who had yet to eat.

Regardless Theitus and Altear looked pleased at my response, "I am glad to hear that, after our breakfast, you will start todays training with me, seeing as Altear here will have to tend to Isabelle's training since she’s feeling a bit stubborn," Theitus explained as he threw some food into his mouth while Altear giggled under her breath at his mention of Isabelle.

None of this really interested me, I was fine with whatever and it was clear Isabelle wasn't a fan of me, but Theitus told me to not take it personally and I wouldn’t have an issue with that. “... Alright," I said before throwing some food into my mouth and just as yesterdays dish it had the same, incredible flavor to it, that was increasingly growing on me.

Regardless, breakfast ended with a short period of idle chit-chat and Isabelle didn’t return before we finished up and began the day's training.

With that I followed Theitus out of the palace and into the courtyard we sparred in yesterday. while Altear went absent, no doubt to find Isabelle.

It wasn’t long before me and Theitus sat across from one another on silk cushions, "As I've mentioned before," he began in a lecturing like manner as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable sitting position. "Mythral has a mastery of magic and martial arts. These techniques have lasted through generations, and it is something we take pride in. However, I do suppose the proper term for this technique is the Kanmori’s, Zenki Ryu,” Theitus explained with his arms crossed an air of pride and respect.

I couldn't help but to tilt my head with some curiosity, "…Zenki Ryu…” I said slowly as if I was testing the taste of the word on my tongue.

"It is a Battle Art which requires Control to practice and master. However, it wasn’t Kanmori or Ezumi that created the technique. It was an ancient art given to us and us alone by the Tian Sovereign, the very being whom once ruled over this world before that world, I knew fell to ruin," Theitus added but I didn’t miss the slight hint of nostalgia behind his lesson at the mention of Mythral’s history.

I listened intently, despite the look present on my face, I was still interested in his words.

“I will admit from our first encounter yesterday, I saw some similarities in the way you fight. And that is more than likely because the Esoteric Restrictions you possess have the base understanding of Zenki Ryu to serve your every need. In short Kazu, Zenki Ryu is the battle art that your Esoteric Restrictions recalled, from the moment you first used them. In your hands and with the proper guidance I am confident that you will master it… you might even completely recreate it,” Theitus exclaimed with a large grin and laughter as his hands rested on his lap.

It wasn't hard for me to tell Theitus was genuinely excited about this, and in a sense, I felt a bit intrigued myself. Although this was the first time, I heard about this battle art or technique, but then again things such as this were just the norm for me at this point. “…Hmm… tell me, Theitus. why exactly do my Esoteric Restrictions know this technique? why do they recall things I don't even know about?” I said with no intention but to know the answer to the questions that had crossed my mind, something I couldn’t bring myself to do with Indrath.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

It was hard to explain, in a way I suppose I didn’t feel the Aura of Indrath that basked me in warmth that he exuded. Now with him gone I had no reason to hold myself back.

Regardless, Theitus let out a laugh at my question. "I suppose you do have a lot of questions. How about this Kazu, if you can master the first step to Zenki Ryu then I'll answer those specific questions for you, how does that sound?" Theitus asked before a wide grin crossed his face, "… for most it takes many years to grasp the first step, I wonder how long it will take you,” he added with laughter as if it were a challenge.

I couldn't help but to scoff, it was clear he enjoyed seeing me try, but his deal was unfair, to say the least. “…huh…? You really expect me to take that as a challenge, just to answer some questions? That hardly seems worth it," I replied with some annoyance.

Yet again Theitus couldn't help but laugh at my response, and it seemed he wasn’t taking it back anytime soon, "… You have covered a lot of ground while you were with Indrath, and he has taught you a lot of magical energy and its capabilities. As a mentor I could never hope to compare to Indrath, but his time was short and he never began to teach you how to fully utilize the vast amount of knowledge you possess, but he did open your mind to the world of Magical energy. I will continue where Indrath left off and teach you how to truly harness control over magical energy, without breaking your seal,” Theitus explained with a large grin a hearty laugh.

"So, what do you say, Kazu. How about it, the first step to Zenki Ryu. Think of it as the start to your own path of discovery, it will take some time for you to completely comprehend this Art embedded into you and for the most part, I will be the one overseeing the inner cultivation of your training, while Altear will focus on your outer physical aspects," Theitus explained while his grin remained present.

Yet he met my Amber glare, “Alright, Alright. I get it, I’ll master the first step to this... Zenki Ryu,” I said with a slightly annoyed air of indifference. “… let’s get to it then, or are we going to sit around all day," I said with a slight scoff and began to rise to my feet but the large palm that landed on my shoulder held me in place, while the ever wide grin crossed Theitus’s face.

"Zenki Ryu, requires an immense amount of control over Magical energy. You must focus on your inner self and the magical energy flowing within you and the world, in order to do that you need to remain seated” Theitus instructed as his strength guided me back to the cushion. "Now, cross your legs and sit up straight," he added.

I only gave a slight scoff before doing as I was told. “… What exactly are we doing?” I asked.

"You will be Cultivating here, which is an essential aspect of advancing your inner self and strengthening your control over magical energy. Without cultivation, it becomes impossible for you to master Zenki Ryu, or obtain a greater understanding and control over your magical energy. Regardless, if your core is sealed you can still harness a fair amount of power without breaking your seal,” Theitus explained with his usual grin as I only sat there in a questionable silence with my legs crossed. “Hahaha, trust me Kazu, this is a good way to start," He added with a hearty laugh before closing one eye, and got into position facing towards me with his hands raised comfortably at his chest into a unique hand gesture for this cultivation.

“How about we begin, I will guide your progress, just follow along. Start by closing your eyes like this, concentrate on the air around you, The Magical energy that exists around us and shape an imagery of absolute control over the power around you," Theitus said as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath leaving me to follow his lead.

(Theitus Kanmori’s POV)

Kazu followed along with his usual indifferent demeanour ready to begin his journey into cultivation, an ancient treasure of Mythral which could be utilized by anyone who wished to reach their fullest potential. Although cultivation was now only practiced here in Mythral, due to its various aspects and training requirements.

It was not common, for the mainland to cultivate their magic and strength, especially when they lacked the necessary knowledge but the most obvious reason, being they had a magic known as Communion magic that was limited to few and had no way to help anyone improve their own capabilities.

On the other hand, cultivation had many benefits, if those who resided on the mainland managed to accomplish this, they could enhance their bodies and magical abilities, increase their mana cores and other things but that was far out of their grasp. And far beyond the rather dull ranking system their gods had created.

Truthfully, under such a system there was no way for them to reach their fullest potential and master the arts they wished, or if I were to put it bluntly their gods had created this dull system to prevent them from reaching their potential.

I couldn't help but scoff at such a system, the gods who had claimed to be the rightful rulers of this world, were nothing but deities who stole power from others, they were all fools blinded by power and greed.

Regardless of my personal opinions, I needed Kazu to master the first step to Zenki Ryu, a battle art that required cultivation before it could be mastered. “… Absolute control huh?” Kazu mused under his breath as his amber glare closed, and a wave of magical energy began to radiate around him. Almost immediately grasping the concept of cultivation, his Esoteric Restrictions understood what needed to be done, and began to piece together the image of absolute control over the magical energy within him and the world around us.

"... Amazing,“ I muttered to myself as I observed. It wasn't a surprise considering who he was but perhaps I had forgotten how remarkable his Esoteric Restrictions were.

The magical energy around Kazu only bent to his will as a barrier had wrapped around him and his aura, but as me and Indrath had expected, Kazu’s state of mind teetered back and forth between a past he once knew, one that had the possibility of causing his very mind to break and bring forth a Ghost of the Xios.

But I had faith in Kazu's resilience to control his Esoteric Restrictions and the past it could recall now with his core once again within him. Albeit sealed. Cultivating Control would only help him in his own development. He would become stronger without relying on the magical energy in his core and use Zenki Ryu that relies on the Magical Energy around oneself. While still developing control over his Esoteric Restrictions and the flow of Magical energy.

In the meantime, most of his sessions required my direct guidance, A precaution myself and Indrath agreed on. After all, Kazu was in a fragile state of mind, and with cultivation he’s likely to see himself. A past long lost to him. Which was why I was sitting here now to monitor his sessions.

With My Mana Art, I could easily control his state of mind for him to master his control and cultivate freely without harming his mental state. This was the path to reach his potential and develop the control he needed over his very being.

After a moment of observing a smirk crossed my features. Kazu seemed to have achieved a small breakthrough. “It won’t be long now, already you’re bending the magical energy around you to your will,” I said watching him continue on with his cultivation. Opening the door to the path of Zenki Ryu, a battle art that couldn’t compare to him, and his overwhelming intensity