“Stepping into cultivation?” Osric repeated, confused by the noble's insinuation.

“Isn’t it something that just happens, young master?” Bran asked, racking his brain to see if he had gotten it wrong.

‘Yeah, I forgot that in the northern continent, it is widely believed that becoming a cultivator just happened as if ordained by a god, and that chances will be higher if you choose a martial path. However, I know for a fact that’s false. On the eastern continent, there are well-known methods that will greatly help someone become a cultivator. I’m a living example of that. My master helped me, an untalented b*stard, to become a cultivator.’

Though this knowledge and these methods are mostly prevalent in the east, that doesn’t mean that on this continent, there aren’t any methods to help someone become a cultivator. However, those methods are reserved only for those rich, ancient families of the powerful empires.’

“Yeah, well, it does, but there are ways to help you get it faster,” Elysian responded, smiling at their surprised faces.

“Really?” Osric asked with doubt in his voice.

“Is it dangerous, young master?” Bran asked, excitement in his eyes.

“I’m telling the truth. And no, big fella, it’s not dangerous. So, don’t worry,” Elysian answered before pausing for a moment. Sweat started to form on his forehead as the effect of the Shroud of Tenebris was starting to greatly affect him.

‘Hmm… It took around thirty minutes before I could feel the effect of the Shroud. In about an hour, the effect is noticeable but bearable. Then, after one hour and a half, the mental effect was greatly affecting me. I believe that I can still use it for a time before it becomes debilitating, but it’s better not to unless it’s an emergency.’

“Master, are you alright?” Osric asked as he and the servant hurriedly moved to the side of the younger boy.

The first thing Elysian saw were the big eyes of Bran staring at him with a worried face. “Both of you, don’t worry, I’m fine,” he muttered, trying to ease their concern. “It’s just one of my abilities. I’m trying to test how long I can make it active,” he explained before deactivating the Shroud of Tenebris.

“Was that an ability?” Bran asked, surprised by the revelation. “I thought it was a real cloak?”

“Why would I even wear a cloak in the training hall?”

Bran hesitantly looked at Osric before he glanced back and answered, “I don’t know. You have a weird taste, young master.”

‘Weird taste? B*stard. What is he trying to say?!’

Elysian just sighed, shaking his head and saying, “I’m now fine, so don’t worry. Shall we start?” When they looked at him hesitantly, he continued, “If you’re thinking that my situation just now is related to your cultivation, don’t. They are completely different matters. So, don’t waste time and go to the bathroom and take off your clothes.”

“Why do we need to go to the bathroom?” Osric asked, narrowing his eyes. “Also, do we need to take off our clothes?”

‘Why is he asking me that? Is he suspecting me of something? These b*stards! Hmm… Wait. Tsk, of course, he doesn't know. Damn, yeah, I need to explain first.’

“Listen, the moment you enter cultivation or go to the next stage, your body will be reforged into something new and powerful. In that process, waste and toxins will be expelled from your body,” Elysian remarked as his two companions listened carefully to his explanation. “If you two stay here, the hall will smell like sh*t. And when my father returns, he will kill me for it.”

Both Bran and Osric looked at each other as their faces paled at the thought of the Baron.

“Wait, that’s only true if you are successful in becoming a cultivator. However, even with my help, it’s nearly impossible that you’ll become one today. It might take you about a week. Yeah, a week,” Elysian said as he made some mental calculations.

‘I did it in one day in this life, but it’s different. I’ve already done it before, so I know what I’m doing. Though they are more talented than me, it’s their first time experiencing it, so realistically, it would take them nearly a week at least. In the past, it took me nearly a month to be a cultivator. Damn, my master nearly skinned me alive for taking so damn long.’

“A week?!” both Bran and Osric exclaimed, looking at each other, surprised by the young noble’s claim.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Why? Is that too long?” Elysian asked, carefully considering their reaction. “It took me nearly a month to be a cultivator. I know it’s going to be hard, and it will test your resolve, but don’t give up. I’m confident that the two of you will succeed.”

“We are not complaining about the time. Actually, we are surprised that it’s so fast,” Osric stated, glancing at the servant, who nodded at him in agreement. “No matter how hard it is or how long, as long as we become cultivators, we will do anything.”

‘That’s the spirit. I can clearly see the hunger in Osric’s eyes. I couldn’t blame him, since he is part of the military. He saw firsthand the huge chasm between normal soldiers and cultivators. This was evident in his duel last week with Sybil, where he got destroyed.’

“I am glad that the two of you are determined. This will make things easier,” Elysian remarked, smiling at them. “You two are more talented than me. In no time, you two will likely surpass me in the future.”

“You’re lying, young master,” Bran bluntly said, frowning at the noble.

“Me, lying?”

“The big fella is right, master,” Osric said, snorting at the insinuation of the younger boy. “I know you want to boost our confidence, but I’ve seen how you fight—how you easily defeated Sybil, not to mention you won against that monster, that old freak.”

‘Well, if he says it that way, he’s right. Also, I just gained considerable power with the addition of BloodShade. I also have the Eye of Sacraeon, though my ownership of it is still highly questionable. However, I’m not lying. Both of them are more talented than me. According to Eye’s assessment, my talent rating is just a meager F+, while Osric is C-. Bran is even more talented with a rating of B.’

“Whether you believe me or not, I’m telling the truth,” Elysian asserted, chuckling at their questioning eyes. “Why don’t we start? I know both of you are excited.”

After that, it was easy, as both Bran and Osric followed his instructions without any complaints. They both went to the bathroom. After a brief discussion, it was agreed upon that Osric would be the first one he would guide through the cultivation process. Without any inhibition, Osric took off his shirt and pants before sitting down on a chair.

“Are you ready? Tsk, I nearly forgot. Before we start, you should learn about the basics of cultivation,” Elysian said, sighing. It was his first time guiding someone into the process of cultivation. He nearly forgot that they needed to learn the bare basics of cultivation and the core that they would choose. So, Elysian taught them. He initially thought that it would take them the entire morning or, worse, the whole day for them to understand it. However, they easily grasped the essence of his teaching. Even Bran, who he thought would have a tough time learning the process and foundation of cultivation, understood it pretty well.

“So, master, you’re saying I need to choose among the three on what is my primary core?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve talked with the other soldiers. They never mentioned that they needed to choose something,” Osric said.

“Well, it’s because they let their cultivation run its course,” Elysian answered, knowing immediately the soldier’s next question. “Whether you choose or just let fate choose for you, there is no difference in the result other than the former, where you have a say in the type of cultivator you want to become.”

“What did you choose, young master?” Bran asked curiously.

“I chose the upper core. I’m a mind cultivator.”

“Mind cultivator?” Osric muttered, confusion in his eyes. “Master, it’s my first time hearing it. You’re not just messing with us, right? Ouch!”

Elysian flicked Osric’s ear and said, “Quit doubting me, you b*stard! Do you think I will just fool around with something this important?”

“Yes!” Both his companions said it in unison.

Elysian was surprised by their response, as he considered himself more.

‘Well, they aren’t wrong. I might have goofed around just for the heck of it.’

“Well, this time, however, I’m telling the truth,” Elysian said, trying to sound serious. “I’m not surprised you don’t know about it. This is usually taught in elite schools in Portia.”

“Portia?” Bran muttered. “How would you know, young master? You haven’t been there before.”

“I haven’t but I heard some nobles who had been there talk about it,” Elysian answered, lying to them. Well, what choice did he have? He could only lie to them to get it over with. “Just trust me on this, okay?”

“Then, if I choose the lower core, I’m a body cultivator?” Osric asked, thinking deeply about the information he was learning.

“Yes, that’s right. And if you choose the middle core, you’re a spirit cultivator,” Elysian added, grinning at their inquisitive faces.

“Spirit? Does that mean that it involves our soul?” Bran hesitantly asked while staring straight at the noble.

“No, that’s just a name. I don’t know who coined that term, but it doesn’t really relate to the soul. Well, as far as I know,” Elysian explained. “The study and concept of the soul are very mysterious and complex. It’s better that we just leave it to the scholars that focus on the esoteric.”

“But mental and body cultivators are related to the body and mind, right?” Osric asked, trying to recall the information that the noble gave them earlier. “You said that mental cultivators have greater control of their aura and have high mental defense, while body cultivators have powerful bodies and greater health regeneration.”

“I’m glad you’ve been listening diligently to me,” Elysian remarked, nodding approvingly at the older boy. “Yes, that’s right. Like this,” he said as he took a piece of silver coin and condensed a portion of his aura. Both his companions’ eyes widened as they studied it up close. Though they had already seen this trick of his before, it was still fascinating to see up close. “I’m able to easily do this because I’m a mental cultivator.”

“Wow, young master! That’s… That’s the one you always use? The technique you used against the old man?” Bran asked excitedly. “Then I want to become a mental cultivator like you.”

“Tsk, don’t choose your cultivation just because of his,” Elysian chided him. “I didn’t show you this because I wanted you to be just like me. It’s just to demonstrate what a mental cultivator could do. Also, whether you like it or not, I will force you to do this exercise. Controlling your aura is an essential skill, no matter what primary core you choose.”

“But, young master, I wanted to be just like you.”

Consumed by his own thoughts, Osric softly muttered, “At the end of the day, we all have three cores, but we are just choosing the primary one, which will dictate the direction of our cultivation.”

“Good, I’m glad that you understand,” Elysian said before pointing to the servant. “Not like this idiot here.”

“You said that the spirit cultivator has higher energy capacity and regeneration? Isn’t that the most important thing in a cultivator?” Osric asked as he seriously contemplated this path. “Cultivators that have high aura reserves and regeneration can fight longer, and they have higher chances of survival.”

“In a way, you're right,” Elysian agreed with the soldier’s assessment.