After parting ways with Eldric, Aiden felt the need to seclude himself and delve into meditation, hoping to master the the divine sun meditation technique. he had acquired it prior to arriving in this world. This particular technique consisted of six levels, with Aiden only the first three while the remaining ones being locked in his mind. However, he had never given it much thought, as his numerous victories had fueled a sense of invincibility within him.
But everything changed when he encountered Damien. The sheer magnitude of Damien's power left Aiden completely immobilized, unable to defend himself. Even as the battle raged on into the night, Aiden knew that even if he faced Damien during daylight, he would suffer a defeat. Even in his "The One" mode, victory was far from assured.
The encounter with Damien served as a humbling awakening for Aiden. His arrogance had blinded him to the reality that he still had much to learn and achieve in order to stand at the pinnacle of this world.
Memories of the first level of the meditation technique began resurfacing in his mind, reminding him of the fundamental principles of channeling mana and directing its flow. With renewed determination, Aiden sought a tranquil spot where he could meditate undisturbed. He sat down, closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing, gradually immersing himself in a state of deep concentration. As he delved into the meditation, he began to visualize the intricate pathways of mana flow and the art of channeling it to enhance his abilities.
In the first month of Aiden's arrival in this world, he discovered that he was different from the other warriors and Mages. The warriors and Mages that have a Mana pool that they use to channel through the Mana and store it inside.
In the world of warriors and mages, individuals possess a Mana pool that serves as a reservoir for channeling and storing Mana. Located in the naval area, the Mana pool is formed when someone enters the first level of their warrior or mage path. This path is common among all races, with one notable exception: magical beasts.
Magical beasts, on the other hand, possess Mana crystals known as mana cores, which are stored in the center of their hearts. Some magical beasts, such as dragons with multiple hearts, can possess multiple mana crystals, granting them a higher capacity for Mana compared to those with a single crystal.
The distinction between a Mana pool and a Mana core lies in their composition. A Mana core is a reservoir of pure Mana, akin to the Mana present in the air and surrounding environment. In contrast, the Mana pool contains special mana that has permeated the entire body, merging with the cells of the individual and giving them a unique signature that differs from the pure Mana in the world. Each person has a distinct Mana signature, except in the case of identical twins who share the same signature.
This unique Mana signature allows individuals to be recognized and differentiated from others, even among individuals of the same race or different races. However, magical beasts do not possess Mana pools, and thus their Mana signatures are absent.
Research on magical beasts has revealed that the magic cores within them and the magic stones found in mines are essentially the same. This similarity makes the crystals within magical beasts easier to absorb. Consequently, magical beasts have become the primary source of Magic crystals, second only to the Mana stones found in mines. This has led to the hunting and trading of magical beasts as a means to acquire these valuable resources.
Aiden, however, stands apart from others in a significant way. Despite being a pure human, he lacks a Mana pool, making him mortal. Surprisingly, he possesses a mana crystal within his heart, much like a magical beast. This makes him an anomaly in the world—a mysterious being who defies the established norms. Those who encounter Aiden cannot help but question how he was able to modify the Sarna world's system, which had remained unchanged for millions of years.
Aiden's unique composition, abilities and presence itself disrupts the existing order, challenging the beliefs and understanding of this world's inhabitants. As Aiden continues his journey, the truth behind his origins and the nature of his extraordinary powers may unravel, forever changing the fabric of the Sarna world.
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Aiden selected a building and entered, ensuring all doors and windows were securely closed. Taking a seat, he assumed a meditative position, fully focused on the technique he sought to master.
"I will not leave this place until I have reached the first level and demonstrate my complete dominance over Damien", Aiden resolved in his mind.
Sensing the presence of mana surrounding him, Aiden endeavored to reach a state of deep concentration, where he could solely focus on the pure essence of mana, detaching himself from all other distractions.
After several minutes, Aiden began to sense the flow of mana, prompting him to absorb it into his heart, more specifically, into his mana crystal. The crystal within Aiden resembled pristine snow, radiating with a central brilliance akin to a shining sun, illuminating his surroundings.
Aiden continued the uninterrupted absorption of mana, causing his mana crystal to glow even brighter. Intense light emanated from his chest as he absorbed an increasing amount of mana.
Eventually, a sensation washed over Aiden, making him open his eyes. To his astonishment, he found himself in an entirely different realm. The expanse consisted of a boundless blue sky, adorned with brilliant white clouds, while beneath him lay a tranquil and infinite sea.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of calm and warmth in this vast realm, Aiden basked in its serene atmosphere, experiencing a profound sense of joy and comfort.
"At last, I comprehend the nature of this technique. It grants me entry into my mindscape, also known as the sea of consciousness, where I shall discover not only the sea of memories but also the spiritual core," Aiden realized.
With purposeful strides, Aiden traversed the seemingly boundless space until he reached the heart of the sea, where he beheld the spiritual core. Aiden's spiritual core blazed with a fiery red hue, embodying the fusion of his power and soul.
To his surprise, Aiden noticed another element alongside the spiritual core—a sun, no larger than a tennis ball, orbiting it.
Intrigued, Aiden reached out and made contact with the miniature sun. Instantaneously, a surge of information flooded his senses. Aiden began to comprehend the workings of the divine sun meditation technique: by absorbing pure mana, he could fortify his soul, and through the practice of the meditation technique, he could manifest a pseudo-image of the sun within his mindscape.
This enabled him to wield the power of Sunshine, even in the darkness of night. Furthermore, the pseudo-image of the sun possessed stability and could endure for an entire hour at the first level. Its potency would only increase as Aiden progressed through the higher levels of the meditation technique.
Overwhelmed with joy, Aiden realized he now had the ability to wield Sunshine even in the darkest hours, or even in the botom of the dark ocean supplementing his powers simulatanitly with Rhitta. The path leading to the pinnacle of the Sarna world was becoming clearer to him.
"Let us commence. I shall elevate the divine sun cultivation technique to its utmost peak," Aiden declared, determined to ascend the levels of the technique and reach unparalleled heights.
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[After four hours].
After four hours of deep meditation, the building surrounding Aiden remained tranquil and serene. Aiden, fully immersed in his meditation, persisted in stabilizing his sea of consciousness. Six months had passed since his arrival in this world, and finally, he achieved entry into the first level of the divine Sun meditation technique. The pseudo sun within his inner realm now revolved around his spiritual core, its stability unshakeable.
"Now, I can use Sunshine for an entire hour without Rhitta, reaching the strengh of sixth level easily. This surpasses Escanor's ability, as he could only maintain his power for a few minutes during the night," Aiden realized, acknowledging his progress.
Standing up from his meditative position, Aiden stepped out of the building. The sun was already ascending in the sky, and he could now access his powers without relying on Rhitta or his pseud-sun.
"I should go to Charles and the others. Damien's objective must lie within the tower, and armed with my newfound strength, I can confront him and exact my revenge," Aiden contemplated.
Activating Sunshine, Aiden grew in size and stature, and with determination in his heart, he began sprinting towards the city center, aiming to enter the tower and face the challenges that awaited him.
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As Aiden was preoccupied with his meditation within the abandoned city building, Lyssia and the others emerged victorious from the treacherous cave. They reunited with Konstantin, Katherine, and the remaining members of their group.
Meanwhile, Seath and Rey had already regrouped with their fellow titan, Number 10, and noticed a growing assembly of individuals indicating their allegiance to the Black Market Alliance.
Lyssia's frustration simmered as she contemplated Aiden's abrupt departure. "So, he left because he got bored?" she voiced, struggling to contain her anger and annoyance. Wanda echoed her sentiments, wondering how Aiden could abandon them without any explanation.
Olenna, her gaze fixed on Rey, interjected, "Aiden must have had his reasons for leaving. Perhaps his departure holds clues about the nature of the final trial." Her stern expression hinted at an underlying intensity.
Nolan, preoccupied with thoughts of the imminent final trial, concurred, "I believe Aiden prioritizes our safety. His departure suggests that the final trial may not be as life-threatening as we anticipate."
Observing the unwavering trust and admiration the group held for Aiden, Kathy marveled, "How did he earn such unwavering devotion in such a short time?" She found herself taken aback by their profound faith.
"Aiden is strong, dependable, and always stands up for his friends," Abrat broke his silence, emphasizing Aiden's admirable qualities. Saya chimed in, "He saved my life and fought against one of the titans to protect me. He's someone we can truly rely on, someone who won't abandon his friends."
Gwendoline, unable to resist her mischievous nature, playfully teased Saya, "Miss Saya, it seems you have strong feelings for this Mr. Aiden." Saya's embarrassment grew as Lyssia and Emelia joined Gwendoline in their teasing.
Kathy swiftly intervened, putting an end to the banter. "Enough, Gwendoline. Olenna, please refrain from staring so intently. We will have our opportunity for revenge."
Konstantin, eyes closed in deep contemplation, opened them and declared, "Granny Kathy is right. Once the final trial begins, we will launch our attack and bring this to an end."
Suddenly, Charles' voice resonated in their minds, interrupting their thoughts. "Ahem, please direct your attention to me as the final trial is about to commence." A brilliant light enveloped all one thousand participants.
In an instant, they vanished, only to reappear in a vast chamber—the very same room where Aiden and Charles had previously observed the trials.
"Welcome to the final trial within my very own magic tower," Charles announced, his commanding voice resounding throughout the room.
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As the final trial unfolded within the tower, its imposing structure stood sealed off from the outside world. Intricate patterns of magic circles adorned the gate, pulsating with a protective energy that warned trespassers to stay away. Enveloping the entire tower, an immense magical formation created an impenetrable barrier, safeguarding the secrets hidden within.
In the presence of this awe-inspiring sight, two figures emerged. One was the wounded female assassin, donning a robe of deep azure, while the other was the black-haired young man, his grip firm on his dragon spear.
"It seems Charles is determined to keep his precious friends hidden away, depriving himself of a reunion with his dearest friend, estranged for far too long," mused the young man, Damien, a tinge of melancholy tainting his words. Casting a glance at Tina, the enigmatic assassin, he continued, "It appears we will have to venture into this tower uninvited."
Tina remained silent, her gaze fixed upon the radiant shield that stood as the tower's first line of defense. Undeterred by the daunting challenge, Damien strode forward with determination, extending his hand toward the shimmering barrier, his smile brimming with confidence.
"Let's start this party now, shall we??".