Half a year passed before the Elder Tree was finally done.

It is truly a shame that the non-esoteric sciences of this world are not on par with those of Earth.

Rui didn't respond.

I have completed learning everything from your end of the deal. Now, I am willing to fulfill my end of the deal.

His eyes opened.

He sat cross-legged in his quarters, having been immersed in his thoughts. He glanced around at the room he was in.

He was in his room in the Quarrier Orphanage.

This was at his request, courtesy of the Elder Tree.

It was comforting, but it also made him feel homesick. The Beast Domain was not a pleasant place. He truly looked forward to the day that he could return to the Kandrian Empire.

Unfortunately, he had many tribulations and hurdles to overcome before that was the case.

One of them was already ready, waiting for him.

"Fuuuuu…" He exhaled deeply.

In the past half year, he had thoroughly integrated the Garden of Salvation into his Mind Palace, massively increasing the area of the entire mental location and creating countless brand-new storage locations.

Additionally, he had also subjected himself to extremely strenuous mental training.

The Angel of Laplace.

It was the most mentally strenuous technique that he had ever created in his entire life. Trying to keep up with it was like trying to stop a tsunami with one's own body. It was extremely difficult. He had subjected himself to it day in and day out for the past six months, bombarding his mind with a flood of data.

It paid off.

His tolerance had increased significantly. Things that would have completely overwhelmed him before were now not just barely manageable. The mind was a muscle. While it did not undergo hypertrophy as other muscles did, it did become stronger the more one trained and exercised it.

The third measure he took was conditioning himself in a state of absolute focus.

He only did this in times when he was faced with a great hurdle or obstacle before him.

It was only fit for circumstances where he needed to focus on a matter of utmost importance, trumping all else. It was actually not optimal for the Beast Domain; traversing the Beast Domain required immense alertness and situational awareness regarding everything that could possibly be a threat.

But it was perfect for maximizing the probability of successfully absorbing the inheritance of the Elder Tree.

Yet, it also impacted his aura.

It had become sharper.

It left one feeling at the edge of a blade.

A quiet peril radiated from deep within him, inspiring primal fear from those it touched.

"I am ready."

His voice was calm and soft.

…Are you sure?

"Certain."

The tone of his voice agreed, conveying unyielding confidence.

So be it. The knowledge and skill that the Divine Doctor imparted to me allow me to take care of all biological functions that would otherwise require you to pause and stop. I can ensure that your body remains stable and catered during the entire time.

"…Good," Rui heaved a sigh.

CLACK

The door opened as Kane appeared, heaving a deep sigh. "The tree told me. It's time?" (C) content.

"Indeed." Rui nodded slowly. "Once we begin, do not disturb me with anything no matter what. Got it?"

"Gotcha. I'd change your mind if I could, but…" Kane smiled wryly. "I know that isn't happening. So… break a leg?"

Rui huffed, smiling. "Thanks."

Kane left them alone, closing the door behind him.

…Are you ready?

Rui inhaled deeply, exhaling in a huff. "Yes."

He lay on his bed as roots emerged from within the ground, piercing different spots in his arms and legs and into his blood vessels to regulate his circulatory system and blood flow. A root formed something resembling a gas mask, planting itself onto his face.

Several thicker roots wrapped across each limb powerfully, holding him in place. It would not do if Rui thrashed around during the inheritance.

BADUMP

Rui lightly activated the Martial Heart, increasing the metabolism of his brain. Yet he reduced the output to ten percent so that it would last an entire session.

It was soon to come.

The air grew taut with tension.

It boiled tumultuously.

Say the word.

Rui closed his eyes.

"Begin."

So be it.

At that moment, a titanic tsunami of information crashed into his mind.

A collision greater than anything he had ever experienced in his entire life ensued.

"AAARRGHJHJHHHHHHHHHH!" A guttural bellow of excruciating pain escaped him as more information than he had ever beheld bombarded him at once, threatening to crush him.

BOOOM!!!

His Mind Palace shivered under the sheer force of the oceans of data that the Elder Tree poured into his mind.

"Rggghhhhhh!" Rui gritted his teeth as he struggled to process all of it.

It was agonizing.

So much so that the very notion of suffering this for half a year brought him to the brink of despair.

Yes, his eyes flared with fiery determination as he bore the full brunt of the devastating information impacts within the depths of his mind. His determination soared as he processed every iota of data that the Elder Tree passed on to him, planting them in locations across the entirety of his newly expanded Mind Palace.

The Flame Baboon species.

The Tempestuous Turtle species.

The Light Dragon species.

Species after species, Rui learned about the most optimal environmental data needed to adapt to them. Yet, that wasn't all; the Elder Tree also shared profoundly exclusive insights and other strategically important information that it had to offer regarding all of them.

Yet, that only made it harder.

"ARRGHHHHHHHHH!!!" Rui struggled as a torrent of information weathered away his ability to process. The powerful force of information threatened to completely consume his mind the moment he let up on his effort.

Just the slightest bit of carelessness, and he could easily be thrown into a coma.

A single mistake could end it all.

And even if he succeeded in avoiding a single mistake…

"AAAARRRRRGGHHHHHHHHHHAAAHAGAHH!!!" Screams of agony spread across the entire Garden of Salvation.

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