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Chapter 39: Core Training

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Krone brought her into his room.

She had donned a white floral one-piece, exhibiting fresh appearance and vacation mood.

Looking at her, he frowned.

“You look fine?”

“Fine? That’s it? You really lack—”

“No, I mean, did you take the seeds and oil?”

“…I did,”

“Just now?”

“No, when you gave me, I immediately,”

“So how much come out—”

WHAM!

A headbutt to his forehead, Krone stepped back.

“Hey! What’s the idea—”

“Be tactful, damnit. You can’t ask such question to a lady,”

“A lady, yeah right,”

“You,”

“No, I’m serious. How’s the effect? You look too fine for me,”

“…Did you mistake the seed or something? Nothing happen. Well, it was really bitter, blurgh,”

“…”

It was weird.

After lunch, he spoke to her more about core absorption. The first thing one ought to do before absorbing would be to cleanse their body, pushing out all the filth and parasites which would hinder energy absorption and body’s growth. That way, one optimized the benefit from the core.

To this end, he gave her Lamina Oil and Verquan Seeds.

While Lamina Oil was expensive, Verquan Seed was hard to get in the city. It originated from a type of bitter fruit like papaya. Old people used it traditionally to treat back pain and those with dementia, while the seeds were thrown out. With better and proper treatment existing in the city, naturally the fruit lost its popularity.

It was bitter, really bitter.

Yet the seeds were the most bitter part of the fruit, no one with sanity would even gulp it down. It invaded through all your body, organs and system, causing massive discomfort.

While the seeds were hard to get, his sister Kristine managed to procure the fruits in large amount. Instructing several herb shops, she had more ordered.

‘A mistake?’

Did she mistake the seeds? Well, she had to mistake the fruits first. After she bought a few samples, he checked them, comparing with the pictures from the Library. He was very sure.

So no way that was the case.

As for the oil, Kristine already made sure it was right, asking different herb veteran for their judgement before ordering.

The seed and oil worked in harmony, first pushing out most vicious parasites out of the system, especially in the stomach and entrails. Later, the oil would help recovery in places damaged by the parasites.

It was the fastest and most efficient way he knew to cleanse the body’s system, thanks to the library.

Maximizing Core Absorption Most Efficent Method Sub topic: Cleansing the Container Combination of Verquan Seeds and Lamina Oil

‘Useful, really useful, but the process was supposed to…’

The process however, was more than bearable.

Lamina Oil was not meant to be taken raw, for it was known to cause stomachache. With Verquan Seed, the effect would double, causing extreme diarrhea, nausea, and headache. The effect would prolong for days. The one consuming these two, would end up pushing everything within, out.

The record noted, it would take one with extreme determination and body control, to go through it without complaint. Krone himself took these two back in the village.

Strangely, aside from the bitterness, it seemed his body had no discomfort, as if it had been thoroughly cleansed. It was weird.

Yet he did not ponder long about it.

And now, for the second person to take them, to experience the same?

He had doubt for awhile;

‘No way it’s not effective right? Could the Library made a mistake? No, if it’s a mere theory, it would state so. Hmm, either a mistake, or…’

He turned to her.

“Lady Natalia, let me check you out,”

Eyes wide, he channeled mana into them.

WHAM!

“Again?! What’s the big ide—”

“Can’t you wait till you get an answer first, hmm?”

Smiling, she pinched his chin.

He almost used his eyes to check her body. Aware of his special trait, she stopped him.

“Listen now, young man. You can’t just go checking out a lady’s body,”

“Eh, why… Ah, you meant that. No worry, I absolutely have no interest in your—”

WHAM!

…

After awhile;

“…I promise I won’t see your flesh, no, I vowed.”

“Well, since you go that far… What’re you checking anyway?”

“I’m just checking your veins, and innards.”

“Hm, uh, that much’s fine… I think?”

…

Krone and Natalia sat facing each other, his eyes filled with white mana. Veins filled his vision, curiosity filled him. He frowned, her veins seemed even cleaner than Julia’s.

No rough surface or blockage whatsoever within her veins.

He closed in, lower.

“Err… Krone, you’re getting too close,”

“Oh, sorry.”

“You’ve been at it for awhile. Anything?”

“Well, I can safely say it’s not the fault of the seed or oil, that’s for sure.”

“So?”

“It's your body’s fault… Not fault, just that your body’s clean. The veins, no blockage. The mana pool, really clean. The stomach and entrails, no parasite. It’s like it’s been cleaned before.”

“How’s that possible? You said everyone has,”

“Well…”

Krone shut up, thinking.

Relating the condition the seed and oil would do to the body, he asked;

“Have you ever, had any incident where, uh, excuse me… Everything inside you felt like coming out?”

“Ha, that’s the proper way to ask. Hmm, everything…”

Repeating what Krone had asked, her memory travelled back, years back.

She was a squire back then, and her Master took her to see… that. It was an incident where she vomited a lot, sweat a lot, and could not eat for many days.

“…”

“Lady Natalia, hello?”

“…Ah, yes. There, is, but I prefer not to, say,”

“Hard to explain?”

She nodded, he did not pry into it anymore.

Touching his small ring, he injected mana into it, taking out something shiny.

Long, the size of his arm.

Eek!

Seeing this, Natalia gave out a low cry.

“Shh! Not too loud.”

“Sorry, sorry… Woah, so that’s your,”

“Yeah. First time seeing one?”

“Em, my master showed me a dragon’s before, but I never touched it,”

“A dragon’s? How is it, is it big?”

“Big, and shiny… This one’s big too. Hey, can I really touch it? It won’t explode?”

“Ah, just be gentle. Don’t use too much force,”

“Alright,”

She touched the core. Fingers moving along the curvature, it gave a strange feeling, as if current ran through her hands.

She let out a low exclamation, thoroughly amazed.

“Long, smooth, hard but soft at the same time. What amazing texture.”

“Well, this one’s a little special. Others might be harder, depends,”

“Really? I see… So, how to do this?”

“I’ll teach you, put your hands together on it and feel it, try to suck the e—Hm?”

He sensed someone, behind the door.

He had only noticed it, due to him focusing on her and the core. Moreover, he felt no threat from the one outside, leading him to ignore it earlier. Instructing Natalia to be silent, his hand gripped the door bar.

He threw the door open.

Eekk!

A black-haired girl, in white dress.

It was Kristine, lying by the door, startled.

“Eh, Sis? What’re you doing?”

“Ahh… Ah, haha, nothing. J-just want to tell you, everyone’s asleep already, so—”

She noticed Natalia, peeking out.

Ears red, she stood up, running away.

“Sorry— I interrupt!”

She cried, tumbling on the way, only to quickly get up.

The girl, disappeared into the night.

…

…

“Krone, I’ve a bad feeling about this,”

“No matter. She’s not a blabber-mouth. Even if she knows about the core,”

“No, I don’t mean... Eh, nevermind.”

“…?”

===

Glorious stars filled the night sky.

Wind kept on blowing, the domineering sound of the hour, the time when people were sound asleep.

Yet outside, splashes could be heard. In a small lagoon, a group of teenagers submerged their body into the seawater. Shivering, only their head was over the water’s surface. When they were told to only wear light clothes, they wondered what kind of training it would be. Many guessed it was meditation.

They did not expect to be in the water, at this hour!

Could this be a punishment, they wondered.

In front of them, Krone was with them in the water, deeper. He took this chance to look at the status of the newest member of his party. He was too sleepy back then, so he took a good look this time.

‘Natalia’s quite good.’

Personal Info: Natalia Nierra

Health: 90/90

Criteria

Level

Type

Physique

29

Lithe

Senses

48

Heightened

Mana Pool

36

Superior

Mana Affinity

High

Light

Arte

Magic

Arte

Name

Original Name

Level

Air Sliding

Slid de Aur

49

Aura Coating

Aurelian Arte

34

Vibrant Slash

Ivra Illymus

31

Mana Shield

Ein Gard

30

Arrow of Light

Arra en Noir

32

Magic

Name

Original Name

Level

Light Base

Noir Arkh

35

Light Blending

Noir Fitta

32

‘Her Arte and Magic, all balanced, in Adept level. Air Sliding in peak Expert, reaching Master level. She clearly used them often, in different situation. Probably traveled a lot.’

He had given Natalia a party ring.

Originally, he did not plan it. Adding someone distantly older, especially already a knight into his party, constituted the risk of her not following orders. Then again, he felt like it would be a waste not to. Despite her personality, she was someone he could reason with. Most importantly, from absorbing core with her, he decided she was crucial to him, and Kharlussia.

He did not feel it was wrong.

Especially so when she received it, she was trembling. Barely, she was controlling herself from jumping. She did not do so out of keeping her reputation, whatever was left. Really, an eccentric.

Back then, he laughed so much his stomach hurt. He knew, those who were called genius really had distinct character. That forcefully kept excitement and failed poker face, quite something to see.

‘Now my party, it’s Julia, Kristine, Natalia… Wait, how come they’re all ladies?’

…

Calmness on his face, he shut his eyes, as if meditating.

To the frontside, Athea, Thiana and Liliana had grouped together, shivering like crazy. Athea’s eyes were in front, as if meeting her most treacherous enemy. The twins kept staring to the front as well, as if asking, how could you?

Doran at their back, was faring better. Nonetheless, his teeth were clashing with each other, making audible sound. Next to him, Ron and Kyril still had that unbelievable expression, looking at each other while shivering. They wondered how long this training would be.

When they heard of cold water training, never did it cross their mind it would be this cold.

It was around 4.00 am, and it was one month away from winter.

Cold?

It’s freaking cold!

Krone, in front, pondered;

‘It would be fun to just throw them into the water, but… Too sudden, too risky.’

He had first wondered whether to just throw them in or not.

However, he was quick to discard the idea. It was too risky, their body could experience a shock, leading to complication. Thus he instructed them to follow him, a step at a time.

At first, it was knee-deep. It was cold, yet they did not complain.

Then, waist-deep, some started to shiver. Quiet protests were thrown into the air.

“I wanna go home, this is too much,”

“O creator, your mercy,”

“Mom, I should’ve known… I’ll listen to your advice next time,”

Later, at half-chest, they had this protest evident on their face! Some wanted to question the training, only to be met by his smile, full of kindness.

That deterrence was super effective!

And then, submerging the whole of their body, they stared at the one in front, as if wanting to gnaw him alive! Their eyes sharp, as if each of them, turned into a predator.

‘Fuck this! End this soon!’

‘Kill, I want to kill,’

‘God! This justify a lightning strike, strike him! Eh, wait,’

Eerie stares focused on him, yet Krone did not care.

Instead he was happy, pleased. The first time he had this training, he felt so much injustice. He thought of how many curses he directed to those instructors. Did it reach a thousand?

But now? He almost wanted to roll around in the water, comprehending fully the feeling of those accursed sadists.

‘Bullying newbies is so much fun!’

…

Then again, he knew he did not have much time.

These youngsters were new to this, so they could not endure long. He had to enter that state of meditation quickly.

…

Their body had been in the water for twenty minutes.

Most already lost their anger, focusing on training the breathing technique Krone taught. Some had paleness on their face, as if ready to faint anytime.

The twins grabbed each other’s hand, consoling one another. Athea had her mana going full circle, her red mana maintained her body’s temperature, thus she started to fare better than others.

Noticing this peculiarity, many more copied her method. Channeling their mana around their body, they started to resist the cold. It was not like they did not try this at first, yet at this time, they forced their mana to move, supporting the body.

Desperate times, desperate measures.

With this, those with pale faces, managed to open their eyes.

Soon, splashing sound reached their ears, their eyes turned to the front.

Krone, in a baby-like cuddle, was hovering in the air.

...!!!

Eyes all-wide, they pondered the hell it was.

It was not magic, his mana was merely circulating within, interfering none of the natural law.

This small event, was a revelation.

A revelation, soon igniting great desire within.

…

===

The cold water training ended soon after.

With half of them being too cold to move, Krone had to drag them ashore. He sighed, yet satisfied.

They did well, really well.

Looking at them, they all turned either white or blue.

Giving them enough time to recover, he started to check each one of them. Many of them, he had to use Restoration, channeling his own mana into them. Restoration could also be used to remove coldness, it was really convenient.

He had to check all of them himself. With it being too early, he did not wish to bother Kristine, not yet.

She would be busy now, preparing breakfast.

Early breakfast.

With everyone conscious and sober, Krone stood up, clapping.

“Everyone, good work! Now, the easy yet hard to get part of our training. Did all of you witness what happen before?”

He observed everyone’s expression.

Many nodded, some lost in deliberation. Krone hovering over the water before, ignited curiosity within them. It was not magic, so what was it?

The sharper ones had a feeling reminding them of weighing scales, the double-sided one, frequently used in the market. With that in mind, some already reached a proper conclusion.

The Dawn Meditation.

They shivered.

They realized, this would be the core of their training. It was something Krone had stressed over before, meaning, it played a major role. Recalling what he mentioned before, it had to do with the law of nature, and its relation with their mana.

Now, why would Krone focused so much on some silly meditation?

Something, which effectiveness only existed in old tales and ancient script, never to be acknowledged by official scientific or magical community.

Would someone like Krone, busy himself with something imaginary?

They realized this, thus pondered.

What untold treasure awaits them?

What would the reward be?

Their eyes on him, from hatred, flipping a hundred eighty.

Hope.

Expectation.

Desire.

Soon, similar feeling, within everybody.

“Shall we?”

The coldness they felt before, something washed it away.

Something, ignited from within.

…

HELL YEAH!

Childish yells, domineered the lagoon.

=== Chapter 39 ‘Core Training’ End ===