Three weeks of suffering through endless and monotonous work had passed. Gray and Laine's duel became a form of entertainment for people and they continued simply to get stronger. In these three weeks, Gray only advanced a single minor realm in purity because he still couldn't understand anything in the [Auran Serpent Union Method], this was pitiful compared to Anastasia who went up a FULL REALM. He was depressed. On the bright side however, Gray knows that the day had finally arrived and something fun was about to unfold.
That day, was the day the nuclear reactor exploded.
These three weeks, Gray planned out getting to the nuclear reactor when it explodes and he had the perfect plan. All he had to do was wait for the right time to go.
That said, Gray is sitting in the café, being pestered by Anastasia, being glared at by her twin, who he found was named Anastasius, the only thing that was positive, maybe, was that he was able to banter with and tease Laine over and over and over...('and over' x 120) ...and over again.
Of course, Laine stared daggers and glared knives into him.
'But who cares.'
Gray thought.
'It's not like his glare or stare can kill... yet.'
Yes, Laine's stare in the 'future' could one hundred percent kill people.
The only part that Gray cared about though. Was that someone would go through the cafeteria soon.
An N.R.M.S.M, one of the people who take care of the Nuclear Reactor.
All Gray had to do was keep talking with them until the person passes and then find an opportunity to leave Laine and the group and follow the person.
The banter and chatter between the 6 of them continued for some time until Gray decided to read his [Auran Serpent Union Method] to try and make heads or tails of it.
He read from the start again.
[Stage 1: Muddled -- Blemished]
{"The way Auran Serpents started to cultivate their energy purity is simple.
They 'spooled' it."}
'They what?'
Gray was shocked, although he knew about the technique, he never read it before and was surprised by the content.
He scrunched his eyebrows and decided to read on, seeing what the method meant by 'spooling'.
{"In order to 'spool' the energy correctly, you must remember the following points.
1. In case you are of a different species, you must use a substitute for a snake's body. Preferably a bone of some sort inside you.
2. 'Spooling' refers to circling the energy around something.
3. Unlike an Auran Serpent, other races don't have an Aeonic Orb.
4. You may die using this method."}
'Aeonic Orb. I'll see if I can get a chance to ask Jörmangandr when he shows up.'
He peacefully continued reading, occasionally picking out small sights in the corner of his eyes.
{To start using this method, choose a bone of some sort to substitute as a pillar.}
Gray decided on the bones in his body quite quickly. From T-4 to T-12, the Thoracic Vertebrae.
He then caught a glimpse of a uniform and turned curiously. The uniform he saw was a janitor's outfit. How did he know it was for a janitor? The janitor was wearing it.
He went back to the method.
{Once you've chosen, take the energy inside your Origin root and wrap it around the bones, imagine 'a snake climbing a pillar' kind of wrap around.
Before this, there are a few precautionary measures you need to take. The first is making sure you are in a public area. The reason is because if you aren't able to synchronise with the atmosphere of a social location, you'll be unable to control the method.
Why you might ask? It's because the second-largest demerit of this method is that unless you can understand emotional auras, you will lose your emotions in an hour of using this.}
'That's troublesome, I won't be able to tease Laine and enjoy it if I lose my ability to feel emotions.'
Then he lamented.
'Well, it's not like I'll have them after the plan anyway.'
He took another glimpse towards the entrance and caught the sight of the uniform he was surveying the room for.
There was only one person, he began to walk towards the exit on the other side, near the elevators.
Gray now needed a way to ditch the others.
Gray started to actually pay attention to the conversation now.
As he listened to the current speaker (Anastasia) he realised there might not be an opportunity anytime soon.
"...and since we are the Headmaster's grand children, we have to train by the schedule diligently to not lose to each other."
Laine spoke up.
"Why do you and your siblings seem so... n-"
He got interrupted.
"Nice to one another? Because we don't really give a shit about what the others think. We're just having a friendly competition over who gets to the Knight stage first."
Gray felt like coughing blood and said.
"Knight stage? How fast do you people advance!?"
Anastasia put her index finger below her lips and looked up with a thoughtful gaze.
She tilted her head slightly with eyes closed and said.
"A stage every two days or so?"
Gray almost vomited blood.
"What. The. Hell."
Laine had a look of, 'I don't really care.', while Gray felt betrayed. Gray knew exactly why Laine didn't care. It was because when they got to the first ruins, the Ancient feeling of the Earth and old Metals would cause his advancement to skyrocket.
Gray, nonetheless, was pissed. He stopped listening consciously and waited for something that could be an opportunity to leave.
Eventually, after four or so minutes, he began to think the worst.
That there wouldn't be an opportunity.
Another four minutes passed.
Another eight minutes passed.
Another twelve minutes passed.
The person he needed to follow had left three or so minutes ago, he needed to go soon.
He waited and waited until.
"So, should we go train? I feel like I should train my ability to deflect projectiles, maybe deflecting elements would be good too."
Anastasia's twin agreed with her.
"I feel like I should do that too."
The other two siblings agreed as well.
Gray's eyes glinted.