In the blink of an eye, a year passed since I became a cultivator and since I joined the Mansion of Night.

I continued taking martial arts, energy control, archery, sword fighting, and spell practice with Richard and my senior brothers and sisters.

At this moment, I was having a training session with Richard. The two of us were standing on the surface of the lake, facing each other. Being the Lord of Chaos, Richard has studied a lot of elemental laws, including the four elements.

He believes that using the elements that I can control in their respective environments would help accelerate my progress. And so far, he was not wrong. Which brings us to the current duel.

This may be surprising, but I reached the peak Saint level over this year. Everyone, including Richard, was surprised by my cultivation speed. Apparently, not many people can speed through the Warrior or Wizard stages. And speaking about that, did I mention that I cultivated both paths? But in the end, I think I deviate more towards being a warrior.

I prepared myself by raising two columns of water, and Richard did the same. At the same time, with a wave of our hands, the columns flew forward and locked in battle. He used offensive tactics in a swift and agile manner, like suddenly sending a powerful wave toward me when I was busy with his other attacks. My hands formed a cross on my chest and instantly, the water surrounded me and formed a shield.

I preserved for a few minutes, though by each minute, Richard was increasing the intensity of the water attack, but, surprisingly, my defense was growing stronger and stronger, and my understanding of the laws of water was going deeper. However, when I couldn't take it anymore, I was sent underwater, crashing through the floor and creating a hole. I came rushing upward, this time flying.

"Show me what you've got, Orion!" Richard shouted, soaring after me. We charged and our fists collided. The shockwave created by the collision sent me crashing through the training grounds, while Richard remained rooted in his place. Blood covered my body, but a strong gest of wind healed all my wounds.

I dropped to the ground while looking at Richard, who came over flying to stand before me.

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"Not bad," he praised, "you almost made me move a step backward. And I can sense that you have deepened your knowledge of the laws."

"Oh shut up," I grunted when I heard the slight teasing in his tone.

Though my body was healed and no injury remained, I suddenly collapsed on the ground, blood flowing from my mouth. The last thing I remember was Richard frowning as he quickly knelt to examine me.

Then, I passed out.

...

I opened my eyes. I could tell I was in Freya's healing room. I tried to move my hands but with no luck. Even thinking about doing it filled my body with intense pain.

"If I were you I wouldn't even try to move a finger, less than the whole body," a feminine voice could be heard from around me. Freya came to the side of the bed and sat there.

"What the hell happened to me?" I cracked the sentence out of my mouth, although it made me feel even more pain than before. She looked at me helplessly and said, "I don't really know. This is the first time I have seen something like this happening. I believe only Richard knows what's happening with you."

"But why did he have to immobilize me with a spell?" I asked in an annoyed tone when I finally realized why I couldn't move.

"Believe me, if you try to move a single finger, your body will crumble to dust. It was best to immobilize you to save your life."

The door of the room opened and Richard came in. He nodded slightly towards Freya, who glanced at me in concern and left, leaving me alone with the Lord of Chaos.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Pain all over me, mostly. But all the other senses are frozen, thanks to you."

He sighed and said, "You just don't understand what's going on with your body."

"Then enlighten me, Lord Richard. What the hell is happening?"

"You know that I am a phoenix, right? I was born like that because of a transformation that happened when I was in my mother's womb. You, Orion, are also undergoing a transformation, albeit after being born."

"And what kind of transformation?" My curiosity got the better of me.

"No one can know until it ends," Richard shook his head and explained. "But why did I faint that time? And why I am feeling pain all over my body?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Your muscles and bones are degenerating and regenerating in almost the same instance. The process is being repeated over and over again so quickly that your body found it best that you should be unconscious."

"Oh... How much I will be staying like this?"

"That depends on how strong the transformation is."

"You knew all of this would happen, didn't you?"

He remained silent for some time, then finally nodded calmly and said, "I had my doubts. But I didn't expect that it would happen so early."

I nodded. At least now I knew what was happening to me.

"Rest for now while you can. This pain is still at the first stage only."

With these optimistic words, he left me to plunge into a deep sleep.