Dean read through the first chapters of that book. The author used that start to show a lot of the concept of "Willpower" and how humans could use it.
"This energy that we call "Willpower" interacts with the space around us in curious ways that we are not able to comprehend with science. It rather seems more magic than anything else. This energy, for some reason, gathers inside our hearts since the day we are born.
"Its usage is for various reasons, which comes before we even Ascend. For example, "Chaos" would be deadly energy for any human being. Just its presence would turn humans into Dreads immediately, just like it did with the animals. However, "Willpower" serves as a defense of our bodies not to be infected by it. Also, that's the reason why humans just become Dreads if they die. On those few seconds after death, our body's "Willpower" vanishes and we can be infected."
Dean found that piece of information quite interesting. He heard urban legends about bad kids, or evil adults, who become Dreads as a sort of punishment for their bad actions. Or then a human Dread that lurked on the streets searching for food. However, those were things that his parents only told him so he would be obedient, or then his friends commented about to scare him.
The boy never thought that human Dreads could actually exist. It was a shock for him. However, the book didn't talk about this subject any further.
'I wonder what type of peculiarity these Dreads might have. Well, anyway, I can discard the fact that I may be a Dread, at least. I have plenty of "Willpower" on my body. I Ascended, after all. But it let more questions opened. Is my "Willpower" weak, so it couldn't protect me from the "Chaos"? But it was enough to intimidate a Dread of the 5th generation so...'
He decided not to think any further on that subject. He couldn't waste his precious time of learning and training with random ramblings about something he didn't comprehend fully.
Dean began to read again until he got to a particularly interesting part.
"There is plenty of techniques that people can use to start to control their "Willpower". The following technique is a basic one, which every Ascendant should know about. It will contribute to raising your Control, that is, you will be able to make use of the most ordinary and brute ways of controlling your "Willpower", like using it to reinforce your body or weapon.
"First of all, the Ascendant needs to learn to concentrate his attention fully on his heartbeat. Almost everything about "Willpower" will start on the heart since it is our battery, charger, and energy generator at the same time. Once you concentrate your mind in your heartbeat, you will feel the "Willpower" emanating from it."
Dean stopped to read at that point, rising from the ground, then closing his eyes. He was willing to follow what was taught in the book step by step, so he could absorb it quicker.
Once he closed his eyes, he spent some minutes trying to direct his mind fully on his heartbeat, feeling it reverberate across his body. It was difficult because the briefest thought that crossed his mind would mess with his focus, and so he would need to start again.
After nearly fifteen minutes of trying, he finally could concentrate for time enough in his heart to notice something different happening there. Just like when he Ascended, Dean felt a comforting warmth on his chest. It was weaker in comparison with his first time, but, contrary to when he was fighting against the lion, the energy didn't feel overwhelming, nor insufficient, it was just the ideal.
'So, that's how my "Willpower" feels. It's like a gentle warmth for now. I wonder how it will get when I get stronger.'
Dean trained for some more time until he got used to identifying his "Willpower". Then, he began to read anew.
"After concentrating in your "Willpower" try to spread it across your body. It feels like the heat is spreading inside you, from head to toe. Generally, an Ascendant won't be able to do it staying still. The "Willpower" will spread easier through your body if you find a movement, or a set of movements, that fit your taste and make you feel good when doing.
"After spreading the "Willpower" in all your body, retract it again to your heart, until the last amount. Then, spread another time, retracting afterward. Repeat it over and over again, until you can do it naturally and fastly. Once the speed increases, your control will improve."
Dean fell in deep thought when facing such a thing. He understood the exercise well, but he was wondering what kind of movements he should do while controlling the "Willpower". As far as he understood the explanation, it could be anything as long as it fits your taste and you have a good feeling, then it will do.
'What kind of thing can I do? Just walk? Well, it can be, but isn't it an ordinary movement? I probably need something more specific, which I will just use when trying to train my control.'
He tried to think, and even practiced, the most various movements, but he couldn't find anything he felt that would be right. Dean was feeling like an idiot for thinking so hard on something so irrelevant.
'Whatever! If I will train my "Willpower" I need a cool set of movements to do it, so I will feel like a warrior training or something like this! And... yeah, despite this childish reason, if I can find the right movements, I can train my control in front of the others without they noticing that I am doing it.'
Once he thought about it, a specific word drew his attention and made him realize something.
'Warrior... Ah! That's it. A set of movements that my body is completely used to and I feel good when doing it! Swordsmanship!'
Dean looked to his short sword, which was leaning on the ground, and smiled.