John continued to stare at Clifford, many thoughts going on through his mind. Clifford is ignorant of the great power in his grasp, with his level of comprehending the meditation law, he would be the most powerful of the basic ranked mages, but he doesn't know this yet.
"You've got absolute control over your Mana and you've got a frightening level of comprehending the meditation law. That's incredible mate!" John exclaimed.
Clifford was still confused about the comprehension level. "Can you explain a bit more on this level of comprehending stuff?" He asked.
"It means you'll be powerful mate! Like...so powerful, no mage of the same rank would be as powerful as you mate. You'll be the king of whatever rank you are." John said excitedly.
"Ohh! I understand a bit now.
"You'll attract Major forces that would want to nurture you bro."
"Like the Primordial forces? Clifford asked. If he could attract the Carew family force with his power, that would make his mission a lot easier.
"No, the Primordial forces doesn't do that. They already have enough power and very powerful talented mages. Their power is hereditary." John replied.
Clifford was a little bit sad about the reply, he had to go through the tough path to accomplish the mission. Attracting other major forces with his power would make things complicated for him. He would have to conceal his powers, he's got no choice.
"I don't need no major force." Clifford said.
John laughed at Clifford, he didn't took what he said seriously, he thought he must be absolutely joking.
"Why the fu*k are you laughing? I'm fu*ckin dead serious here? Clifford frowned.
"Are you serious? Bro, are you insane? Are you seriously telling me you don't need no major force to nurture you?" John asked bewilderedly.
"Yeah, do you have a problem with that?"
"You're crazy mate! Every single person out there wants this kind of opportunity. Are you seriously not going to take it? John asked.
"No!" Clifford replied bluntly. He was not going to let anything distract him from the purpose of his mission.
John signed. He knew Clifford well, nothing can change his mind. He's very resolute and determined. He knew there must be a reason why Clifford declined such a great opportunity. He just prayed it doesn't get too late before he realize it.
Clifford on the other hand knew he would miss such great opportunity because of his mission, but he can't let anything deviate him from his course. He wished he could tell John the reason why he had to decline such offer, but he couldn't do that for now.
With the help of the meditation law, Clifford was able to build a very strong magic foundation. He meditated in seclusion for two weeks and within this period he has gathered a lot of pure Mana to achieve breakthrough in to the next stage of the basic mage. He attacked the magic barrier that was preventing him from breaking through to the next stage with his Mana. The barrier shook violently but stood still, Clifford attacked again, the barrier didn't break but showed signs of cracking. He built a great momentum with the mana and he struck the barrier brutally. The barrier gave in this time but the momentum didn't stop there, the barrier of the third rank was hit by the momentum too. It shook and showed signs of breaking. Clifford didn't relent, he struck the barrier continuously. After about four hours the barrier shattered and Clifford achieved a breakthrough in to the third stage of the basic rank.
Clifford was very excited with the rapid progress he was making. He attempted to breakthrough to the intermediate rank but it was no easy task. He relentlessly attempted to breakthrough for a whole day but he couldn't bring down the barrier. He gave up on trying to advance to the intermediate rank for the moment and he began to absorb more Mana into his Whirlpool. He has used up a lot of Mana to achieve the breakthroughs and he needed to recover them, he did this for another full day.
Due to the breakthroughs he had to the third stage of the basic rank, he now has a bigger and more firmed Mana whirlpool. After recovering his Mana to his Whirlpool, he concealed and suppressed his rank completely to the rank of a mage apprentice. He didn't want to attract unwanted attractions. What Clifford didn't know was that only mages of high insight of magic and high comprehension ability are able to suppress their power and this type of people are very rare. Clifford's ability to do all this will shook the entire world, Major forces would be dumbstruck by his possession of this qualities and he would be a great source of inspiration for many upcoming mages.
Clifford left his secluded meditation feeling a bit satisfied of what he has achieved. He knew he had to get stronger, the high tier cities are no place for the weak.
It was already nightfall the day Clifford left his secluded meditation. He hadn't eaten for two weeks and he was famished. Magical energy is the only thing that has sustained him over the two weeks, he ran to the kitchen and devoured the foods he saw there. After eating to his fill, he went back to his room to sleep. He was mentally exhausted and he needed a great deal of sleep.
On the morning of the third day, he finally woke up feeling rejuvenated. He freshened up and joined his Mother and Lyla in the kitchen.
"Good morning Mom." Clifford greeted with a broad smile across his face.
His mother was surprised to hear his voice, he has been in his room for two weeks and a few days. At first she was worried but John explained the reason why Clifford wasn't leaving his room. She turned to reply but was stunned. Clifford's appearance has improved a lot, he was more handsome, had better clear skin. His hair was more shiny and now golden brown in colour. His face finely chiseled and he had well defined features.
Clifford was surprised at his mother's frozen expression. Not only his mother, Lyla was also staring at him jaw dropped. This made him quite uncomfortable.
"What's wrong with both of you?" He asked confused.
"Nothing! You just got more handsome, did you had a plastic surgery?
"More handsome? Plastic surgery? No! I had no plastic surgery. I didn't even leave the house. Clifford shook his head. "It must have been because of my breakthrough." He said. That was the only reasonable explanation he could give.
He ate his breakfast and he chatted a bit with his mother and Lyla before he left for John's place
It's a Saturday and he would be leaving for Sun City on Monday.