Thursday, 6th May 1580.
The early rays of the sun lit Damascus City in its entirety. With the advent of the steam engine, which was invented a few years back, its application was incorporated into steam trains, ships, and even factories, resulting in an increase in the consumption of coal. Therefore, although it was dawn, the air in Damascus City was a mixture of smoke and fog.
Bryan timely woke up at 6 am. He stared at his silver pocket watch as he lay on the bed. Yesterday, reading the contents of the letter written by his mother shocked him greatly. He still couldn't believe that this seemingly ordinary pocket watch had turned out to be something so great of a value.
He could only shake his head and sigh. All his questions would be answered soon anyway. All he needed to do was cultivate. He turned his gaze down and what greeted him was a naked beauty sleeping with her head on his chest and her body coiled around his like a snake. She had a voluptuous hourglass figure and her brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.
Thinking about what happened last night, Bryan was turned on. Plus it was early in the morning, so he already had morning wood. Feeling something pointy on her abdomen, Leah woke up. She looked down and then looked up at Bryan with a teasing smile.
"Another round?" Bryan smirked. After making love to her last night, he was already addicted to the feeling. Moreover, his apartment was only 10 minutes away from Detective Watson's villa, therefore, he had a lot of time to get ready.
Leah giggled, "Bryan, you're a very naughty boy." Seeing that she had consented to it, Bryan gave her a deep kiss on the lips. Then he positioned her on top of him and started indulging in the pleasures of the flesh.
After around 10 minutes, Bryan pulled her into the shower and entered another round of lovemaking. By the time they exited the bathroom, Leah was already panting heavily and had to hold onto Bryan's shoulder to stand properly.
Bryan helped her wear her clothes then laid her down on the couch, "Let me make some breakfast then we can head out."
Leah was too tired to even form words. She just nodded limply.
Seeing this, Bryan chuckled. He headed into the kitchen and heated the vegetable soup from last night. He took out two short baguettes from the cupboard and placed them on a plate. After heating the vegetable soup, he placed them into two separate bowls and brought the food out from the kitchen.
He placed the two bowls of soups and the plate of baguettes on the table in front of the couch, in the living room. "Come, let's have some food." Bryan gestured to Leah.
Both of them started having breakfast. The entire time, Leah didn't speak a word. She quietly ate her meal. Seeing this, Bryan felt slightly bad as he thought, 'Did I overdo it?'
After finishing her breakfast, Leah finally looked at Bryan and spoke, "Bryan."
Bryan looked at her, expecting to be reprimanded. All of a sudden, Leah threw herself at him and kissed his lips passionately. "That was the best sex of my life. We should play more often." She looked at him, her eyes full of desire. Bryan was first taken aback, then he laughed, "I thought I had crossed a line or something, haha. Very well, I'll find you later after I'm done with work."
"Hmm, you better." Leah smiled and pecked him on his cheeks.
"Alright, let's get going. I'll drop you off at the real estate agency." Bryan stood up and picked up the empty bowls and plate and placed them in the kitchen sink.
He wore his black shoes and then beckoned at Leah. After locking the apartment room, they left the building. The real estate agency was 10 minutes away. Bryan decided to drop Leah off first then head to Detective Watson's villa.
After dropping Leah off, Bryan walked towards Augustus Street at a leisurely pace. 'Is it just Leah or are all the girls so open-minded?' Bryan mumbled inwardly, 'But sex sure is the best. However, I can't let it affect my meditation time. I must live up to teacher's expectations.'
…
22 Augustus Street.
Detective Watson who was reading some documents on his table in the study room on the second floor, heard someone knocking at the door.
"Come in." He instructed without looking up.
The door opened and Butler John guided Bryan into the room. "Master James, Mr. Bryan has arrived." He informed humbly, bowed, and then left the room.
Bryan took his seat across from Detective Watson and smiled cheerfully, "Good morning, teacher!"
"Good morning, Bryan." Detective Watson smiled and replied. Looking at him smiling foolishly, he asked "What happened? Why do you seem so happy today?"
Reigning in his wild thoughts, Bryan mumbled in his heart, 'How can I not be happy? Hehe, your student has turned from a boy to a man.' But on the surface, he praised his teacher in an exaggerated manner, "I'm happy because I finally get to learn mysticism from someone as great as you, teacher."
Detective Watson rolled his eyes at Bryan. Being a Rank 3 Transcendent of the Wisdom Path, he could read Bryan's superficial thoughts but he ultimately decided against it. He didn't want to pry into his student's secrets. Moreover, by looking at Bryan's emotions, he could already guess what it was so he just ignored it.
"I'll start teaching you Rank 0 spells and explain the fundamentals of spell structure when you're about to reach Rank 3 Apprentice. Learning them right now is redundant. Today I'll teach you a little bit about the different organizations and churches in the Belize Kingdom as well as the entirety of the Western Continent." Detective Watson smiled.
Bryan sat up straight and fully focused on Detective Watson's teachings.
"The Western Continent, although the smallest, it is the most advanced and peaceful continent in this world. And the main reason for this is because of the influence of the different churches on the continent as well as the harmonious relationship between the ruling empire and the churches."
"The Dicentra Empire rules the entirety of the Western Continent, with three kingdoms under it. With the Belize Kingdom occupying the southeast area of the continent. Hephaestus Kingdom occupying the southwest, and Demeter Kingdom occupying the north."
Detective Watson paused for a bit and continued, "Similarly there are three churches headquartered in the Western Continent. They are the Church of Wisdom that worships the Goddess of Wisdom, the Church of Craftsmanship that worships the God of Craftsmanship, and finally the Church of the Earth Mother that worships the Earth Mother."
"There are churches of the three deities in all the kingdoms in the Western Continent, however, their main cathedrals are situated in the center of the Western Continent. Apart from the churches, the empire and the various kingdoms also have their own military and intelligence agencies that involve Transcendents."
"But teacher, if the entire continent is under the rule of the Dicentra Empire, what's the need for the military?" Bryan asked puzzled.
Detective Watson smiled and replied, "Bryan, you must remember this, the pre-requisite to peace is strength. In the Transcendent world strength is everything. Although the continent is unified under a single banner, small-scale battles may still arise between different fiefs. But the main reason for the existence of the military is to fight against evil organizations whose only purpose is to wreak havoc."
"Evil Organizations?" Bryan raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. These are organizations that disrupt the order of society and harm normal people. There are many small-scale evil organizations on the Western Continent but there are two major ones and they're also the worst of worst. Not only are they present in the Western Continent, they also have their roots in other continents as well."
"One is the Holy Blood Sect which consists of Blood Path Transcendents. They engage in mindless slaughter wherever they are and they also have a very deep background in this world. The other one is the Inferno Order, the members of this organization worship the Devils of Hell." Detective Watson explained.
"Devils are real!? And so is Hell!?" Bryan was so shocked that he stood up from his chair.
Detective Watson chuckled and casually said, "Yes, they're very real. But it's not the type of hell you're thinking of where evil men go after they die in order to be punished. Instead, it is the residence of Devils deep underground."
Bryan was even more alarmed, "Underground!? Teacher, won't they come to the surface? What if they invade the surface? Will we be alright?"
"Don't worry about it. The entrance to Hell is already sealed. Furthermore, our world has certain rules that can't be bent, it prevents the Devils from inhabiting the surface world." Detective Watson found Bryan's actions very amusing.
"Ohh so that's how it is!" Bryan patted his chest in relief and sat back down.
"Yes. Like I've said before, the Transcendent world is a very dangerous place. That is why you must become stronger." Detective Watson said seriously.
"I understand, teacher. I will meditate diligently." Bryan nodded with a determined expression.
"It's good that you understand." Detective Watson looked at him with approval. He got up and went to the bookshelf. He then took out two books and placed them in front of Bryan, "Here, start studying these books. You can take them home after you leave this place."
Bryan looked at the two books, the title on the cover of the first book read 'History of the Western Continent', and the second book was titled 'Introduction to Hymmnos'. He obediently started reading them, he knew very well that in the Transcendent world knowledge was power. That is why he didn't dare to be negligent.