Glancing at the screaming young soldier, the commander winced, turning his attention back to Elysian. “Young master…”
“Stop! I believe we all agree here; what happened to him is not my fault,” the boy said. Cedric sighed, nodding. “Good, I’m tired, Commander. And hungry. If you have something to say, let me know after I’ve eaten and rested,” he said, walking without waiting for a response.
The speechless soldiers quickly parted, giving him space. Calmly walking amidst the piercing gaze around him, he neither glanced back at them nor showed any emotion, only smiling when the gentle giant quickly approached him.
“Young master, are you alright?” Bran glanced at Sybil, wincing when the unfortunate soldier groaned in pain, sympathizing with him.
“Do I look fine, you big oaf?!” Elysian exclaimed, noticing where the servant was looking. “Why are you staring at him? You should be concerned about me. I’m terrified,” he said, pointing at his face. “Look, I’m pale.”
Bran regarded him for a moment, “You looked fine, young master.”
“I looked fine? That brat nearly killed me. I’m still shaking from fear. Because of this, I’m not going to sleep peacefully for months. Worst of all, this is going to scar my innocent childhood forever. And you’re saying I’m fine. Are you blind?” Elysian complained loudly.
“I’m starving, young master.” Bran said, glancing at his stomach, happily thinking about food.
“You’re always hungry, you big oaf,” Elysian scoffed, shaking his head. “I’m also starving,” he sighed, realizing he shared a similar predicament. Raising his voice so that everyone could hear, he added, “What's happening in this world? The young master of a house is not even safe among his soldiers. Ah, such a travesty. May the gods shed tears for my great misfortune. Please, help this world!”
Staring at the retreating back of the young noble, they were completely speechless at the words he was spewing. Glancing back at the groaning Sybil and shaking their heads, they were thinking that he had messed with the wrong person.
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“I’ve missed the food here,” Elysian said, devouring a Roast Beef Pot Pie as he walked towards the flower shop. “This is really good.”
“I’ve never seen you eat this kind of food, young master,” Bran said, devouring another pie while his other hand reached for the sweater version.
“You must have forgotten, my friend. I’ve always enjoyed this kind of food since I was born,” he smiled, noticing some food around the servant’s mouth. Bran looked at him for a moment, pondering what he had just said, shrugged and continued to eat his pie.
“It seems you really like the food. Your mother is a cook; doesn’t she make them for you?” Elysian curiously asked, nodding to the flower shop owner, who greeted them.
“No, young master. Ma thinks I’m too fat. She restricts how much I eat and what kind. That’s why I’m always hungry,” Bran complained.
“Well, she’s right. You’re fat,” Elysian grinned, grabbing the last remaining pie from Bran’s hand and quickly devouring it.
“Hey, that’s mine!” protested the servant.
“It’s now mine,” he grinned, letting out a burp before continuing, “I’m just following the wishes of your mother. Don’t be upset, my friend. I’m just helping you. It’s for your own good,” he said. Turning to the shop owner, who was waiting patiently, he asked, “Isn’t it right, good sir? He’s fat. He needs to diet.”
“You’re right, young master,” he bowed.
“See, I’m right.” Elysian said, grinning at the older boy before pointing to one of the bouquets of flowers on display. “I think that will suffice. I’ll buy that one.”
“Why are you buying flowers?” Bran glanced at him, confused.
“Hmm, I'm buying for…”
“Of course, he’s buying it for me,” Lyra confidently said with her sweetest smile as she entered the flower shop.
‘Damn, this snake. I’m really unlucky today. From the grumpy steward to that arrogant brat, now her? Damn, can you make me rest for a moment? Ah!’
“What are you doing here?” Elysian asked, surprised by her sudden appearance.
“Are you okay, young master?” She asked, pretending to be concerned. “You don’t look fine. You’re a little pale.”
‘Yeah, because you’re here.’
“I haven’t fully recovered yet,” Elysian said, pretending to feel weak. “My head still hurts, and it’s hard to move around.”
“I’m sorry; I wasn't able to visit you,” Lyra said, looking sad. “I wanted to, but knowing what happened already broke my heart. I didn’t have the courage to see you in that state. If I went there, I’d just cry.”
‘Yeah, right. What total nonsense! You’re just busy playing princess and gossiping with your friends.’
“I understand.” Elysian nodded, pretending to sympathize with her. “I know how gentle and delicate you are. As I said, I’m still not feeling fine, and I don’t want to worry you. So, I hope you don’t visit me or even see each other for the time being until I’m fully healthy, because it pains my heart to see you suffer.”
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‘Yeah, I hope we never meet again.’
Lyra smiled, pretending to be touched. “You’re really kind and understanding…”
“Young master, here’s the flower,” the shop owner said, attempting to hand the bouquet of flowers to the young boy. However, before he could, Lyra took it.
“You shouldn’t have, young master. Even though you’re not feeling well, you’re still thinking about me. You’re so sweet,” she said shyly, pretending to be embarrassed. “I gladly accept it.”
Elysian grinned, grabbing the bouquet back. When she didn’t want to let go, he added, “It’s for the dead.”
“Ah!” Lyra quickly got away, frowning at him.
“I’m truly sorry, my sweet Lyra,” Elysian bowed in apology, a smirk playing on his lips as his head dipped. “This bouquet is for my mother. When I was sick, she was the only one on my mind. She’s the sole reason why I woke up again.“
“Oh, how sweet. Young master, you’re really sweet.” Lyra smiled again. “How about you buy me one as well?”
‘You wish.’
“My sweet Lyra, I have a severe headache again,” Elysian said, touching his head. “I’m feeling weak. I really have to go. I hope for your understanding.”
“Of course, young master,” Lyra said, looking sad. “Let’s meet again after you get better.”
“Goodbye, my dear,” he said as he quickly got out of the shop.
When the boy left the shop, she noticed the shop owner eagerly staring at her. “Do you need something?”
“Yes, my lady,” the shop owner smiled at her. “Since you’re his betrothed… Hmm, the young master hasn’t paid for the flowers yet.”
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“Mother, I’ve returned. I apologize for the other day; I showed you a vulnerable side of me. I’m fine now,” Elysian smiled, placing the bouquet of flowers on her mother’s grave.
“No matter how long I stay here or what happens, don’t let other people disturb me, Bran. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, young master,” the servant bowed, sitting in the shade.
Elysian moved next to the tree, sitting in a cross-legged position. He took a deep breath and began cultivating.
~ ~ ~
“Take a moment to relax. Clear your mind. Breathe in. Breathe out. Feel the energy around you,” Kojiro smacked his student’s head.
“Ouch! What was that for?” Dhi’b complained, only to receive another hit from his master. “Ouch!”
“How many times have I told you to empty your mind? Yet, what are you doing?” His master scolded him sharply. “Why did I ever agree to teach you? Ah!”
“Master, this isn’t my fault. It’s really hard.”
“Just empty your mind and listen to my words. Why is it so difficult? We’ve been doing this for weeks, and remember, this is just the beginning. You’re just an idiot,” Kojiro sighed.
“I’m not a genius like you, master. You’re right, I’m an idiot, but since you're my teacher I’m certain I’ll succeed,” Dhi’b grinned.
“Don’t flatter me,” his master shook his head. “Before we start again, let’s go through the basic information. What are dantians?”
“Dantians are the energy center of the body.”
How many dantians are there?”
“Three.”
“Can you explain each?”
“The first is the lower dantian or xia dantian. It is located in the abdomen near the navel. It is associated with the storage of vital energy or qi. The second is the middle dantian or zhong dantian. It is located in the chest near the heart. It is associated with the storage of spirit energy or mana. Lastly, the upper dantian or shang dantian. It is located in the head near the forehead. It is associated with the storage of mental energy or psion.”
“Good.”
“Tell me the steps in becoming a practitioner.”
“I’ll clear my mind and sense the energy around me. If successful, I’ll search for the life energy within myself. After finding it, I’ll compress it and put it into the dantian that I’ve chosen—in my case, the upper dantian.
“Good. Now, try again. Empty your mind and try to feel the energy.”
Dhi’b breathed in and out, calming himself. Emptying his mind, he tried to feel the energy around him, but failed. This was the first and most crucial step; sensing the energy of life itself—prana, the source of all existence. There was no avoiding this pivotal stage. If he failed to cross this bridge, he knew he would never be a practitioner. So, he calmed his mind, relaxed his body, closed his eyes, and started again.
This time, everything around him vanished—the sound, the smell, and even the stray thoughts that always plagued his mind. Time lost its meaning as he became one with the world. Slowly, he began to sense life energy around him, the very essence of existence itself—prana. He quickly shifted his focus into himself. In the midst of the void, he saw a soft and gentle light. Just looking at it filled him with warmth and joy. The feeling it evoked was so intoxicating that he felt alive—truly alive—for the first time in years. Amidst its soothing embrace, he heard the cautionary voice of his master, warning him of its danger. This instantly brought him back.
Being ensnared by the soothing embrace of prana was extremely dangerous; many had been lost forever, becoming mere husks and never waking up again. With sheer will alone, he steeled his mind and focused. The orb of energy started small, gradually expanding until it reached the size of a head before abruptly stopping. Without hesitation, he set to work, attempting to compress it slowly. However, no matter how hard he tried, it persistently reverted back to its original size. The frustration became so intense that beads of sweat were starting to form on his forehead. The fear of failure even started to engulf his mind, thinking that this was simply an insurmountable task. Amidst fear and frustration, his will remained undaunted. He wouldn’t accept any outcome other than success. He wouldn’t be deterred. He would prevail and take the first step toward ascendancy.
So, he breathed in and out, using all his will to compress the orb of life until it was the size of his fist. Finally succeeding, he smiled when he felt its power. Slowly, he moved the orb into his head and carefully placed it into his upper dantian. As it settled, his dantain came alive, drawing prana from around him and converting it into psion. Mental energy quickly circulated through his meridians. Some of the psion entered his middle and lower dantian, converting into mana and qi. However, the amount of the two energies in his body was only around thirty percent compared to psion; this was expected, since he’d chosen the shang dantian. As the three energies circulated within his body, he quickly searched for a node in his head. Thanks to his master’s guidance, he easily found their location. Being his first node, he was able to open it easily, though it still hurt like hell. Groaning in pain while gradually opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was his master’s smile.
“Congratulations,” Kojiro quickly covered his nose. “You stink!”
~ ~ ~
As Elysian opened his eyes, he was greeted by the crescent moon in the night sky. Admiring such a beautiful view, he slowly smiled, releasing his aura as it blazed in the cold night. Suddenly, something popped into his view, causing his mouth to instantly drop.
image [https://i.imgur.com/376LvCp.png]