Mona slowly began to open his eyes. The light of the rising sun splashed across his face, the room basking in the light of dawn. He used his consciousness to scan his body once again.

I still can't. Mona looked at the innumerable strands of red Aura, glinting as they surrounded his Aura Core. He had spent the entire day and night wracking his patience against the ninth barrier of his Mortal Curse, located in his right hand. Even under the barrage of 200 strands of red Aura, Mona was unable to destroy the barrier.

If it isn't quantity, it could be quality. Mona sighed. He had learned long ago that with 1000 strands of white Aura he could make a single strand of red Aura. But to make the next level of the Aura strand, chances were he needed at least 1000 red strands. How long would that take?

It had taken him about three days to amass those 200 strands of red Aura through constant practice of the Primal Fold Technique. To make about 1000 strands, it would take him another twelve days. Although 15 days to ascend to an Aura Mortal Level 9 was usually signs of a genius, Mona was still below the average cultivator of his age.

Luckily the method was Lord ranked; Mona understood that if the technique was of a lower quality, it would have taken exponentially longer for him to reach this stage. A tinge of gratitude filled his thoughts as he remembered how willing Jaspen was to give him this technique.

Mona understood that if he was in Jaspen's shoes, he would even have little faith in himself. There was no guarantee that Mona would be able to bury Jaspen's daughter, let alone bring her back. At this moment, the Alberdan Empire was beginning to annex the land, allowing its citizens to live in the region. The dead of Leafwind would be placed in unmarked graves, making Mona's task very difficult.

Not only would he have to hide among the Alberdan population, he would also have to find a means of finding and verifying the lady was related to Jaspen, then bury her properly. It was a given he had to bring Jaspen alongside him without attracting attention. Given his current fame, Mona would have much trouble in hiding his own identity.

He trusted me. I can't fail him. Even with how thin Mona's chances were of accomplishing this feat, Jaspen was willing to bet on him. Without Jaspen's support, he would have died either by Hiegler's hands or as someone's slave. Mona refocused on the Primal Fold Technique, intended to form more strands of red Aura.

Wait. What about the pain? He almost forgot the most crucial point. His hands rubbed over the region above his Aura Core, the area the sense of weakness stemmed from every time. Whenever he had ascended using sole the Primal Fold Technique, Mona felt waves of fatigue blanket his body, even if temporarily. The feeling grew with each level he reached, except when his Lunar Tattoo lit up with the full moon and he became an Aura Mortal Level 8.

Do I have to make up for skipping the natural process of reaching the last two levels? Mona felt a headache coming on. If he had to train once again to fulfill the requirements of destroying the last two blockages and filling his core with Aura, how long would that take? Adding in the last levels, his earlier estimate of an additional twelve days was probably not even close.

The sunlight remained steady, creating Mona's shadow against the wall of his room. Seated in the lotus position on the floor, Mona felt as the Aura of the world gently entered his skin, seeping into his Aura core region. The vaporous Aura was refined after by the Bubble, making strands that were refined again to make a single red strand.

Mona continued at this pace throughout much of the morning, his shadow crawling against the wall. More and more Aura filled his body, his face hinting at his concentration. A thin line of sweat crawled down his temples and descended down his lean body. The effects of the Primal Fold Technique became more pronounced with each cycle. A Lord-ranked Body Strengthening Technique was powerful indeed.

Finally Mona opened his eyes, frowning. He used his consciousness to look into his Aura Core region, seeing the flicker of 230 red Aura strands. Mona had failed once again to rid himself of the Mortal Curse in his right hand.

As a minimum, I should expect an additional 20 days. But I can't wait that long. Mona and the others had agreed to all train in Aura with the Primal Fold Technique. Given they were Eric's subordinates now, Mithal and the others may have access to the second portion of the Primal Fold Technique, allowing them to ascend quickly as a Warrior. Mona couldn't remain an Aura Mortal while they rise closer to Saints.

Aura Saints. The gap between peak Aura Warriors and beginning Aura Saints was a watershed of talent. Those unfortunate, untalented, or without sufficient insight could never become an Aura Saint, a person capable of using Aura, for example, to transmit messages mentally or even glide through the air using their Aura. Such individuals would be welcomed in any force, treated well in the Madrag Continent.

If the Varlier brothers and Reithar became Aura Saints in the Primal Fold Technique, Mona knew he would likely be left behind. Even if he did become an Aura Mortal level 9, the time it would take him to become an Aura Mortal Level 10 was likely going to last as long as becoming an Aura Mortal level 9.

Mona was pressed for time. Each passing second in Alberdan territory was another chance the Alberdan Emperor would have to enchain him. Unsure of why the Aurum bloodline had to die during Leafwind's annexation, and distraught over the death of his father and others, Mona didn't want to meet his end before he could find the truth behind it all.

Was it really nothing more than a consequence of imperial greed that his father and grandfather, let alone much of the Leafwind population die? Or was there a greater plot behind the scenes, perhaps reaching higher than even the Alberdan emperor could reach? Mona had long ago heard of the mythic existences beyond Aura Saints, individuals able to renew life itself. Could he defeat them in his current state?

I need to train, to train in Aura and in painting. The Lunar Tattoo responds with painting. Perhaps its an Art of some form. I need to verify this. The night before, Mona had attempted Painting a picture once again. Instead of the starry night sky of Morosbo, he decided to paint from his memory the city of Eshwin. That time he kept careful watch over his body, realizing the source of that pleasantness he felt with each stroke.

Once the green painting was completed, Mona felt the last glimmers of tranquility that came from his Lunar Tattoo disappear. He was quite certain that if he was to paint again, the feelings would return, just as strong as before.

Is there a Painting Technique? The vast majority of Techniques Mona had ever encountered or read of dealt largely with martial arts or other things similar. If there was a Technique that involved Painting, Mona thought it would be synergistic with his Lunar Tattoo, perhaps bringing out a greater power. But for there to be an Technique dedicated to Painting was sure to be rare.

Inscribers were persons who through their experience were able to create either new Techniques or base theirs off of the works of other cultivators. Techniques were created by Inscribers of various levels, usually basing their method on the Techniques of others.

Given that many Techniques dealt with martial arts or elemental fighting, few Inscribers would even consider creating a Painting Technique. If they could make one, who would even use it. Where could he find a Technique or Art that focused on Painting? To ordinary practitioners such an item would be useless to make and have little benefits.

Mona, however, didn't think that in the world of Deifor there wouldn't be a single Painting Technique he could utilize for himself. Simply it would be difficult for him to find naturally.

Perhaps there is one in the Bubble. Mona thought back to the Bubble in his body, how the Aurum cloak floated there along with the Ring of Aurum. The Bubble was a treasure that hid items from Aura practitioners, quite more useful than the average spatial ring. Mona understood that the two items inside the Creation were sure to be very valuable.

Mona inwardly sighed. Whenever he tried to make contact with the two items and attempt to retrieve them, his consciousness was instead thrown out of the Bubble. When could Mona make full use of them? He couldn't tell. All he knew was the Flame of Aurum, the small ember inside of the Ring of Aurum, was an automatic defensive item he could strengthen. However, he didn't know how to strengthen the Aura flame either.

Rising up from the bed, Mona looked at the two paintings he had created, hanging on the wall. Lucid Night and The Manor were his best works of art, but the quality was only of a Warrior ranked Painter. His skills were about average, and he couldn't do much with his art. God ranked Painters, if they existed, could use brushes and strokes to mesmerize enemies, store messages, or even embed Techniques within the beauty of their artwork. At best, Mona could appeal to their hearts.

Is it sensible to Paint? Mona knew he was good at painting, but would it be practical? Practical to paint his way to the peak of existence? Higher ranked Painting techniques are bound to be difficult to find, and even if he could make a tidy profit from Painting, it wouldn't help him traverse gaps and avoid those critical moments of death all Aura practitioners faced in their lives. Was it reasonable to do all of this on a hunch?

No, it's more than a feeling. It's more like truth. Looking to the area his Lunar Tattoo would usually appear, Mona thought that if he could find a Technique, then the Lunar Tattoo would be able to reveal its true worth. What if the tattoo could help offset the flaws of a cultivator who Painted his way to the heavens? Wouldn't it be a waste to not perfect his painting skills?

Mona looked at his painting of Lucid Night, remembering the feeling of enlightenment. This is my path. This is my way of reaching the heavens. Painting was one of the few things Mona knew that had great benefits for him. He could go far with it, or at least he thought he could, given the proper resources and time. Mona made up his mind. He would paint canvasses daily to not only create a stack he could sell in the future and advertise his talents, but also to rise higher in Aura cultivation along the way.

Mona made his way to the table inside of his room, picking up the satchel that laid on top. It was very plain, and made from the hide of a desert Beast. It gave off the feeling it could last through life. Inside were all of Mona's art supplies, from his brushes to his collapsing easel to his oil paints. As for a painting surface, he chose to take several rolls of sturdy parchment that were adequate to paint on. Although these supplies were not the best, and the weight of all these objects was a bit uncomfortable, Mona understood that for now this was perfect.

If I had a Spatial Ring, I could store all of these with my Paintings. But the cost is so terrifying. From what Mona had learned of Alberdan prices, a spatial ring that could store everything he needed and desired would have about 3 cubic feet of space, but cost at least 500000 Madrag coins. If his paintings could fetch about 50 Madrag coins each, Mona would have to paint around 10000 pieces of art and successfully sell them. That didn't include the cost of supplies and time, as well as if he could sell so many paintings with his current Warrior ranked skills.

The Bubble however is about 300 cubic feet of space inside. How much would it be worth? Not only could the treasure store items, it was also able to stay invisible from detection and even refine Aura. Mona had once taken the Bubble from his body, holding the opaque bluish orb in his hands before returning it within. If a simple spatial ring was worth half a million Madrag coins, the Bubble was assured to fetch about 50 million Madrag coins on its storage ability alone.

"I haven't visited Reithar, Jaspen, or the Varlier brothers. I wonder how are they?" Mona had spent the past several days inside of his room, either training in Aura and barraging the 9th blockage of the Mortal Curse or painting works of art. The oil paintings he had made were all lined up on the wall. It took him longer to make A Manor as he wasn't in a trance of enlightenment and the painting piece was much larger than Lucid Night. The servants eventually realized that Mona did not eat in the mess hall, bringing his meals to his room instead on the occasions Mona actually did eat.

A knock came at Mona's bedroom door, light and clear. Followed by two more knocks was Athon's voice. "Mona, I have to carry an errand for Eric. I'm here to bring you along around the city. You there?"

Mona looked at his oil paintings on the wall one last time. Athon had told him earlier that both of them were to see the city fully for Mona's sake of reorienting himself. He went through the door, closing it behind him. Athon stood nearby as Mona locked his room with his key, then joined Athon as they went for the front gates.

Down the pathway of the spacious courtyard, the two of them kept a steady pace, appearing outside the outer gate of the manor. Athon gestured towards a nearby carriage, leading Mona inside. When the both of them were seated, Athon told the driver to go on, Mona watching as manor retreated from view.

"Why didn't we walk the distance? It's rather short from here to the city." Mona turned his head back to Athon, the two of them seated inside of the carriage. The interior and whole was made from wood, and had just enough space for Mona and Athon to face each other. Mona's satchel rested beside him on his left.

"We could have walked. But I thought it would be more comfortable to ride our way there. What's in your satchel?" Athon replied with a smile, curious of what was inside.

"Well inside are my painting materials. My brushes, paints, easels, parchment."

"You paint? Intriguing. I didn't know you knew how to paint." Athon spoke again, his interest growing in Mona's work.

"I learned it from my mother. She passed away long ago." Mona thought back to his mother's funeral. His voice carried a trace of sorrow.

Seeing Mona's slight change in emotion, Athon didn't speak again. The two of them felt the occasional bump in the dirt road before the carriage stopped. Athon and Mona exited the carriage after the driver opened the door.

Upon leaving, Mona thanked the driver and looked back to the Beast that brought them here. It seemed a bit strange, a cross between a bear and a lion with two pairs of teeth that were visible between its lips. Tamed, its eyes carried a hint of its former wild nature as it looked back at Mona with indifference.

Athon guided Mona onto the busy streets, the two walking to the side on the occasional carriage. Mona felt this place resembled Eshwin greatly in both the amount of people and the liveliness of their conversation. Mona looked back and forth through the merchant district, seeing individuals enter stores with weapons and books and other items on display. The scent of food hung in some parts, seeping from the open windows of eateries throughout the city.

Athon lead Mona to the business district, pointing in various directions to significant buildings.

"That is the Artisan's Gala Hall. Being a painter, you should submit your works there. If you are lucky, they will go through the branch office and be sold. You'll be recognized, and perhaps gain commissions." Athon kept his pace steady with the crowd, Mona looking at the Gala Hall.

The building was rectangular is shape and was slightly larger than the nearby shops. Four columns on raised pedestals held up the roof, the title of the hall sprawled on a decorative sign of the front of the building. The words seemed to carry flair and design in each character of Alberdan script. Mona had learned the languages and writings of the Madrag Continent under his father, and he couldn't mistake the words even though he wasn't a native.

"That is the Medicinal Hub. If you need to gain or sell medicinal herbs, that is usually the best area to go. They also sell medicines, but they increase the price heavily. It's best you find a Pill Master and befriend them then go to them."

Mona smelled the scent of various plants come from a distant building with flower beds leading to its entrance. If one looked closely, the flower beds were made of a variety of medicine plants that attracted the attention of passing groups with their vivid scents.

"I almost forgot. That is the Continental Financial Union's branch in Morosbo. It serves the local region and many nearby towns. If you need to ship items or store money, they can usually help." Mona gazed at the building with three domes, the primary dome giving a greenish light. Flocks of people left and entered the building, many of them with packages or purses in hand.

"So, where do I auction items?" Mona had learned the Continental Financial Union also held auctions. At auctions, guests could send items to be sold for a profit through paying a fee, or buy items they needed but couldn't find elsewhere. Of course, items like spatial rings would appear and Mona desired to have one for himself.

"About that. The branch of the CFU here is too small to host an auction. You might have to go somewhere such as Evaline or Merister to find an auction hall owned by the CFU." Athon stopped talking, taking Mona into a shop.

Mona looked upon the shelves, seeing various elixirs and boxes on some, books on a few others, and standard weapons in the back. The store clerk looked to Athon and Mona with respect as she finished the purchase of another client.

"Is the young master's order complete?" Athon made his way to the young lady behind the counter, waiting for her to look through several drawers. Mona shut the door, then made his way to the books. Among them were books on the history of Alberdos, medicinal herb guides of the Alberdan Mountains, and similarly useful books. Mona skimmed a book on Beasts, finding very detailed drawings on several pages.

"It's always a pleasure to help the young master. Please, sir Athon, carry my good will." The young lady smiled, giving a parcel to Athon. After waving goodbye, Athon held the item in his hands as both he and Mona left through the door.

"This is a book the young master had asked for repairs on. It's just finished." Athon tapped on the small wrapped package.

"What kind of book?" Mona looked at the book, the two making their way back into the merchant district. Mona could hear in the distance the sounds of children playing nearby.

"To be honest, I don't know. It's on Ore Deposits in the region of Morosbo, I think." Athon looked back to Mona, remembering Mona when he looked through the books on the shelves.

As Mona and Athon made it to the city outskirts, Athon located their previous carriage. The two were greeted by the driver, the Beast stood up from its hind legs, ready to go.

Upon being seated, Mona looked at Athon. "Athon, when did you begin working under Eric?" Mona wanted to know more about Eric's temperament from someone close to the young noble. In this manner he could avoid any nuances in Eric's personality that may result in a less than desirable outcome for him and his group.

Athon smiled with Mona's question as he recalled the past.

"I used to be a student at the Imperial Alberdos Academy. It's fully funded by the Royal Family, and its reputation for producing talented youth is pretty clear. I was accepted because of talent, nothing more or less."

"I was a third year student then. The Academy trained you to become at the least an Aura Saint. Of course, given enough resources, you could very well become an Aura King. I was supposed to become so, or at least that's what was said."

"My time there was not pleasant. Within my first year I had somehow become enemies with a reputable senior in the school. The result, I was attacked several times but the senior and his friends."

"As not a single elder bothered to end it, I took matters into my own hands. In my third year I found the chance to send the senior to an early grave with their friends during a trip, and took it with ease." Athon gave a wicked smile as he recounted the days past.

"It turned out that the senior was from a reputable family, and my actions would end with my death. I didn't have family, and thus no backing to protect me from the Academy's ruling."

"One day, Eric decided to take me in apparently on a whim, and the senior's family backed off. They ranked far lower than the House of Faulkner, and feared Eric's father, and so I was free from the whole situation since three years ago." Athon looked to Mona, waiting for a reaction.

"I almost forgot. You didn't have a formal education, Mona. You were a noble and had private tutors, no? I guess it's going to be a bit hard to understand." Athon chuckled with a trace of bitterness in each laugh.

Mona thought back to his days with tutors, remembering how soon after he became distant he focused all his time on his studies. Although his teachers taught him of the world, they didn't teach him of the people who lived in it. Eventually Mona knew more than each of his tutors, his knowledge steadily growing later under his father.

"Athon, thank you for helping me to this point. If you or Eric need anything, please let me know." Mona dispersed of his normal aloofness, offering Athon his aid.

"Of course. I'll ask you to paint me a portrait, alright?" Athon smiled back, eyeing Mona's satchel on the wooden seats.

"Would you know where I can get better materials for painting?" Mona was wondering if he can trade in his current supplies with those of a higher quality. If he could, he might be able to paint more vivid works of art easily, doing twice the work with half the effort.

Athon furrowed his burrow, contemplating. "I think that if you ask the Artisan Hall you had seen, they should be able to help. Otherwise, ask Eric and I'm sure he will know someone."

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Given that you are not Eric's left hand man, you'll be doing a portion of the manor's work as well." Athon smiled at Mona, whose face was complex.

"I usually take care of the financial, or legal matters. So, I'd like you to take care of supplies at the manor and servant matters, as well as any problems concerning other artists under Eric's banner. I think that will not be too much trouble?" Mona received a notebook and several sheets detailing his work, nodding to Athon.

The carriage stopped once again, the driver slowly opening the door of the carriage. Mona and Athon made their way out, the afternoon sun creating their shadows on the ground. The two of them returned to the courtyard, seeing a few gardeners remove weeds by hand.

Athon bid farewell to Mona, making his journey to the mess hall. Mona looked at the tasks he was given. Other than making sure the manor was stocked, he had to also ensure that during winter the manor was prepared for illness and that artists receiving patronage were creating works of art. Lastly, he had to report to Eric weekly on these affairs, besides the occasional task Eric or Athon may give him.

Mona didn't fret over these tasks, as he could easily complete all of them within 6 or so hours, and they weren't complicated in the slightest. The only difficulty he might have was ensuring musicians and the others receiving Eric's financial support were actually creating works of art. He quickly set out for his duties, the manor learning of their aloof third-in-command throughout the night.

"Alright, I need to have the suppliers send more pounds of flour and that we get more clay for the pottery of that artist Rewtale." Mona checked his notes, making sure there weren't flaws. Luckily the needs were few and he encountered few problems, except the time the head of supply was unable to say where flour was stored.

Entering his room, Mona placed his bag and the papers on his table. His body laid across his bed as he looked at Lucid Night hanging in front of him. I still have some time.

Mona lifted one of the blank canvas he had leaned against the wall, taking it and his bag of supplies to the patio. There he created his work space again, setting the open jars of oil paint to his side. In his hand was his brush as he thought of what to paint.

"I'll paint a Scorched Sunshine." Mona gave a brief smile before he remembered the flower he had seen on his arrival to Morosbo. Dipping his brush into the red jar, he carefully used the tip to outline the flower petals. A smile reflecting his joy returned to his face, growing with every stroke.

As the painting became more lifelike, the moon rose into the sky, the only audience of the painter on the patio. The moonbeams caressed Mona's face as he continued painting the Scorched Sunshine, one dab at a time.