"Yes!"
Zeke understood the meaning behind Charles' words. The winner in both the two depended not on the number of skills but on the proficiency in using a skill. It didn't matter if you have a thousand skills if you could only exert the minimum power of the moves. It's better to practice a single skill a lot of times to utilize it better and exert more power.
However, Zeke was planning something different.
'I don't know about them, but why not both? Wouldn't that be an absolute win?'
Zeke was thinking something his Father wouldn't even dare to do in his youthful days. What if you get a thousand skills and train each one of them a thousand times? wouldn't you have countless cards in your arsenal that it's even impossible for you to lose?
If Charles or Catherine could hear their son's thoughts, they'd probably deem him insane.
"Do you have any more questions, son?"
"Uhm, are there any more races besides the three main races?"
"Of course. However, you need not know all about that."
"Do they have their own ways of forming mana core? Are all mana cores equal?"
"Yes, more or less. Each mana core has its own ups and downs, well... besides one."
Hearing this, Zeke's ears pricked up. It seems his plan to smoothly slide in the topic about the Perfect Mana Core is a success.
"What is it, Dad?"
"Well... it's not really that big of a deal. When I was young, I was very fond of reading books from our study room. Our study room back then almost looked like a whole library due to its sheer size and the enormous amount of books. Back then, I hated meditating so I spent most of my childhood reading books about basically anything that catches my interest. On one of the books stored in a dusty part of the study, I read something about ancient people having a core that's very different from our common Mana Cores. I didn't know what it's called but it seems that this core isn't subjected to the typical affinities. It seems to be capable of absorbing and utilizing any and all kinds of elements, even variants. Can you believe that? Is it even fair to have that kind of fraudulent core?"
Charles narrated like he was back as a little kid marveling about stories.
'Uh, yeah Dad. It seems your son unexpectedly got that fraudulent core you're talking about.'
"Is that even possible?"
Esteban, who was quiet the whole time, asked.
"I do not know. I only read about it when I was like 10 and ever since then I wished I had something like that. Can you even imagine the possibilities of using all kinds of elements in a battle? That would literally scare your opponent to death."
Zeke pressed for more information.
"Father, can you tell us more about that core you're talking about? It seems good!"
"If you say so, son. Bear with me as I try to recall what I've read back then. Hmmm, I vaguely remember seeing its appearance in the book. It seems to be like a normal mana core but the colors inside are like a rainbow. No, the colors inside are even more than the colors or rainbow itself. It seemed like you can see the whole color spectrum inside that ball! Also, on one of the paragraphs I read about it, it seems like it's the common mana core back in the ancient days, where people could use all kinds of elements with no limitations. Even now, when I think about how they fight with multiple elements, I always shiver like a little boy inside."
"Wow. It really etched itself in your memories, huh. I'm surprised you even learned a thing or two when you were a kid." Catherine teased and giggled.
"Of course I can't forget about it. Can you imagine what a 10-year-old who wants to become stronger thinks if he saw something like that? Excitement. That's right, I became excited by the thought of having that mana core so I diligently trained, hoping to have that. Now that I think about it, why did I even expected my own mana core to be like that after following the common method? I figured it would only be formed by some strange way."
'Yep, couldn't be more right, Dad. It seems like that dream of yours might look easy when I tell you about it.'
Zeke couldn't imagine how devastated would his father be when he learns about how Zeke got his father's dream mana core. Just by simply absorbing the elemental mana particles, Charles could easily form his own Perfect mana core!
But reality hits hard. As easy as it looks, it's impossible in the first place. Absorbing elemental mana when you don't have a mana core just doesn't work. If it weren't for Zeke having fraudulent titles, he wouldn't even have a sliver of chance in forming that.
"Anyway, I don't know much about the origin of it. All I know is that it was the common mana core of the ancient people. It was then lost in the annals of time and no one has ever reported of having that kind of Mana Core again. *Sigh*, if only we knew how to form it, maybe some daredevil would try doing it. Unfortunately, we don't even know how to form it, much less know the chances of even forming it!"
"What a good mana core, Dad! Why haven't you told me about it when I was forming it? Maybe I'd have tried!" Zeke tried to grumble.
"Well, I'm sure if I said that to you back then, maybe you'd not have your mana core right this early. You'd be obsessed with it and forget your meditation!"
"No, Dad! Can I borrow the book you read, Dad? The one with that Mana Core. It seems very interesting!"
"Humhum, you're truly my son. It's very good of you to consider knowledge first! Knowledge is power! Ehem Ehem, I'll try to find it later if I have the time. But remember, you ALREADY have a mana core. Don't get too obsessed with it, alright?"
Zeke checked his quest progress. He was surprised to see that his quest progress shot up to 45% after that small talk!
'System, do you think it's possible for me to complete the quest by reading the book dad told me about?'
*Yes, Zeke. After all, that meager information almost amounted to half the requirement. Perhaps the whole details in the book could finish it.*
'Alright. I'll finish it when dad finds the book.'
"Hun, what about Zeke now? What do you think should he do? Even I don't know what to make of our son! I've never encountered someone who has a mana core this young!"
"Hmmm... maybe Zeke should just focus on improving his mana core then. What do you think, Zeke?"
'System, what do you think is the best approach right now for me?'
*Zeke, training right now isn't beneficial. Your body is still as fragile as paper, and it isn't suited for combat at all. I suggest taking it slow and just slowly but surely cultivate both body and mana core.*
'And how do you suppose I'll cultivate my physical body and mana core?'
*I'll give you a quest regarding that tomorrow, Zeke. Mr. Pandora specifically told me to hand you this quest as soon as possible to help you out. As for your mana core, learning mana circulation and elemental mana circulation is the priority since it will strengthen your foundation and help you absorb mana faster.*
'Ooo, now I'm interested. Alright, I've made up my mind.'
"Dad, I'll follow your decisions then."
"Alright. I suppose you should just meditate and focus on maxing your mana capacity to low Tier 1. I believe you could do it in a year just before school starts."
"School?"
"Yes, son. Every child attends school at around 4 years of age. As for you, you're going to study in a very prestigious school. I can tell you right now that this school will hone you not only in your training, but also with your etiquette. Also, by the time you turn 4, our vacation will be over. We're going back to our old jobs so it's a win-win for all of us."
"Okay, Dad."
"Alright, rest early, son. I know you're tired after forming a quadra-elemental mana core. My genius son should just rest for the day! HAHAHAHA"
"Where should I stay, Dad? My room's dirty!"
"You'll sleep in our room with us. Also, son, I have a question for you."
"What is it, Dad?"
"Do you, by any chance, like my brothers' daughters?" Charles grinned from ear to ear.
Zeke thought his father only asked him if he has a good impression on his father's brothers' daughters.
"Yes, Dad. I like all of them. I think they're cute and have good potentials too. But I am still above all of them in terms of that! Hehe," Zeke's 2-year-old body started giggling.
Catherine, who heard Zeke's reply, laughed and patted Zeke on the back.
"That's my boy. Go get them all, Ezekiel Flamehaven!"
Charles also seems satisfied with Zeke's Young-Master reply.
"Alright. I have a plan for you to leave a good impression on them. All you need to do right now is to not reveal to them that you have a mana core, do you understand?"
Zeke was baffled about his father's response but he continued to play around.
"Why, Dad?"
"Your mana core should be revealed in a grandiose manner, son! Also, don't you think they'll feel alienated if they knew you already have one right now when they're still at the level of grasping at straws in their core? It will only further pressure them. Let's wait for you to attend school with them before we reveal your mana core. Do you understand?"
"Okay, Dad!"
Both Charles and Catherine laughed, but while Catherine's laugh is seemingly genuine, Charles' reeks of shrewdness.
Esteban, who was looking at the trio from the sides, smiled. It was a rare sight for him to see both his master smiling and laughing along with his new young master.