As much sense as it made Arc still couldn't wrap his head around how fast null state made time pass. When he first got here he thought he would have a week of a more adult body. However thanks to the time passage in null state he was really only 'awake' for about twelve hours over the course of the week.
While he was miffed at this turn of events, he found that he could not think of a good reason to complain. Everything he learned here would be of incredible use to him. Even null state could be used to pass the time faster. The less time he had to stay as a baby the better, even if it was only perceived time.
He would also have something to do. He was getting bored of playing with the blocks, and his body could only stand so much strength training at the moment. Having something to do while he couldn't move as much would stave off the boredom, even if it was a mundane task. From the looks of it he needed to cultivate anyway.
"You will have to re-train yourself from zero once you return." Bell was imparting some last minute information on him, and he was doing his everything to remember it all. "This isn't your real body as I'm sure you know. You will need to develop your neidan again. Be careful when gathering Xan. You should have it easy as you have already done it, but I would prefer you grow a little slower with guaranteed safety than risk yourself for some measly gains."
Her talk did get a little repetitive though. This was the sixth time she had been over this. It was obvious she was just filling time.
Some time in the middle of this mantra, Maggie appeared, holding onto the crystal ball known as Pherel.
"It's time little one." Maggie once again had that cool and aloof air about her. He preferred her warm and motherly side, but he was not opposed to this attitude. She was much more engaged and awake.
"One last thing. Everyone starts at the base level of neidan cultivation, called Base of course. The first real level is called Xan Sensing, the second level is called Xan Manipulation, and the third is called Xan Condensation. You got to the Xan Condensation stage. I want you to continue condensing Xan once you get there. Do not under any circumstance progress to Blood Infusion until we meet again. There is a special method for that we will give you which is much better than anything you will find down there."
Arc didn't have a clue what she meant by Blood Infusion, but he guessed that it was probably the step after Xan Condensation. Seeing as he had to follow her instruction anyway, he acknowledged her with a curt nod and an okay.
Her instruction over and with nothing left to discuss, he repeated the actions he had done previously, placing his hand on Pherel as his consciousness faded away.
-----
"That boy is truly strange." Bell put her hand to her face, pondering something. "He doesn't talk much even though he has many questions. I wanted to make small talk with him and see how he was doing down there but I never found the chance..."
"That would be because he is still really only a year old." Maggie was back to her drowsy self. "You have to remember that he has no memories, only basic experience. You also have to keep in mind that he has only been conscious for about two weeks thanks to that concoction he was fed. It isn't that he doesn't want to talk, he just doesn't have anything to talk about."
Bell supposed that Maggie would be the best suited among them to answering such questions as she had raised a child before. Silvin would probably be able to answer it better as it fell under her monolith.
Speaking of Silvin, she was quite distraught that she was going to be unable to be of use in this operation until Arc reached a point where he would be able to cultivate his Codex or Nucleus. She was normally extremely patient about matters like this, but for some reason she seemed to really like him. Perhaps it had something to do with how he died...
"Ah yes. Pherel. I wanted to ask how he died. I usually don't care about this sort of thing given my field, but I feel it would allow myself to better understand him and his nature."