Wednesday, 30th June 1580.
Bryan had just finished a round of combat training with Detective Watson. After more than two weeks of having started combat training, forget about lasting 1 minute, Bryan could barely withstand 3 moves from Detective Watson.
Although Detective Watson looked like an amiable and gentle person, he was actually a master combatant. His techniques were flawless and his fighting style was impeccable. And he ingrained every bit of the techniques that he knew of into Bryan by beating him every other day.
Of course, Bryan felt very indignant about it. But he knew that he was improving rapidly under Detective Watson's guidance. That's why he always endured the beating. If it was any other normal person, Bryan would have surely defeated them. But Detective Watson was different.
As he had promised in the beginning, Detective Watson never went easy on Bryan. Sometimes Bryan even believed he was using his full strength while training him. But he never complained because he knew that Detective Watson did not have any ill intentions and that whatever he was doing, was for Bryan's betterment.
Bryan followed Detective Watson back into the villa. They went to the living room and as soon as Bryan saw the couch, he dragged his tired body to it and lay down limply. Detective Watson couldn't help but chuckle at his actions, "Does your body feel as sore as it used to?"
Bryan replied, "Not really. It used to hurt a lot in the first few days. But now my body isn't as sore as it used to be."
Then Bryan looked at Detective Watson suspiciously and asked, "But why do I feel that you're increasing the intensity of the training with each passing day? I also have this nagging feeling that you love to beat me."
"It's all in your head, Bryan." Detective Watson said with a straight face, trying his best to stop his lips from twitching. "What's the progress of your mind runes?" He added, trying to divert Bryan's attention.
"I've only carved a total of 12 mind runes. I can't seem to carve them any faster." Bryan replied dejectedly.
Detective Watson smiled, "Bryan, your speed is already very impressive. When it comes to meditation and carving mind runes, one cannot rush. Patience & perseverance is key. You must always remember this. Moreover, people usually take three to four months to carve 9 mind runes. You've already carved 12 in less than two months."
Bryan's mood lifted after listening to him, "All right teacher, I'll be patient."
Detective Watson nodded, "Good. Have you finished learning Jotnar?"
"Yes, teacher. I'm already able to speak, read, and write in Jotnar." Bryan replied with a smile.
"Okay. Starting next week, I'll start teaching you Tsomulan." Detective Watson smiled.
Bryan was taken aback, "Another language? Aren't there too many languages? Do I really need to learn so many?"
"Of course. In the future, when you travel to other continents, learning their local language beforehand will make it convenient for you. You still have to learn the languages of the different continents. As well as Dragon Tongue, which is the oldest and most difficult language to learn." Detective Watson spoke firmly, with no room for negotiation.
Bryan had a suicidal expression on his face and simply refused to say anything more. Detective Watson chuckled, "Stop being so dramatic. Come, let's have some lunch."
"I'm going to have lunch with a friend, teacher." Bryan replied apologetically.
"All right then no worries. I'll see you tomorrow then." Detective Watson smiled.
Grace and Bryan had been meeting a couple of times every week. They had gotten along with each other pretty well.
Unfortunately, Leah hadn't met him since the banquet two weeks ago. She had gotten Grace to inform him that it was difficult to meet up since her brother had taken her and her family on an impromptu trip somewhere.
Leah would return to Damascus this week. Bryan didn't think too much about it. After all, the longer the wait, the more intense the climax.
After resting for a bit, he bid Detective Watson farewell and rode the public carriage to 8th Day Coffee Shop on Laurent Avenue.
Since it was combat training today, Bryan didn't wear his tailored jacket or suit vest. He was only wearing his black trouser, black shoes, and a white shirt with the sleeves on both of his arms rolled up to his elbows.
After going through that intense training, Bryan was famished. He was going to have a grand feast. Of course, he would let Grace pay for it. Bryan simply didn't care how ungentlemanly it was of him to allow a lady to pay. Sentiments like that can go to hell.
Bryan got down from the carriage and paid the driver. After entering the cafe, Bryan saw that Grace had already arrived and was having a sandwich, sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window.
He approached the table and sat across from Grace.
"What's up, Grace?" Bryan smiled and greeted her.
Grace snorted in displeasure, "Bryan, you're always late. How can you make a lady wait for you?"
Bryan rolled his eyes at her. He knew that Grace was only trying to annoy him. He had come to know that, Grace, under that seemingly cold facade, was actually a very gentle and affable person.
The reason she acted so cold towards others was that people who usually tried to approach her always had ulterior motives for getting to know her grandfather.
Deep down, Grace yearned for friendship and affection. That's why she treasured Leah and Bryan greatly. And Bryan too considered Grace a good friend and cherished her company. After all, growing up, he didn't have any friends to speak of.
After Bryan ordered food, Grace said, "By the way, I've managed to acquire the Apprentice meditation technique."
"Oh? Which Path?" Bryan asked curiously.
Grace replied with a smirk, "Wisdom Path."
Bryan was taken aback, "How is that possible? The Church is very strict when it comes to such matters. How did you get it?"
"The Church is only strict with the meditation technique and potion formulas for Transcendents. They are very lax when it comes to Apprentices. Furthermore, the other two Churches on the continent are on good terms with the Church of Wisdom.
So it's rather easy to acquire the Apprentice meditation technique if you have enough money and connections." Grace smiled and explained.
"Ohh so that's how it is. I didn't know that. The Elementary Meditation Technique of the Wisdom Path for Apprentices can be considered universal. So you won't have any problems when you switch to other Paths when you become a Transcendent." Bryan was enlightened.
Grace nodded and replied, "That's true. But honestly, I find this whole meditation technique and potion formula thing to be very complicated. Can't they just have one meditation technique that complements the potion formulas for all Paths?"
"The Wisdom Path Transcendent meditation technique is actually compatible with the potions of all other Paths. The meditation techniques of other Paths were actually derived from the Wisdom Path meditation technique." Bryan said in a profound manner.
"Is that true?" Grace was shocked.
"Hehe yes. Alas, it's only wishful thinking for others to chance upon the Transcendent meditation technique of the Wisdom Path, unless they're associated with the Church of Wisdom." Bryan nodded his head.
Grace nodded in understanding then she said, "You have to help me with meditation in the beginning though. I'd rather you guide me than try it by myself."
"Sure, no problem." Bryan smiled. Then he thought of something and asked, "What about Leah? Does she know about the existence of Transcendents? Are you going to help her become one?"
"Of course, she doesn't know. You think Transcendents are cabbages found in every corner?" Grace rolled her eyes.
Then she smiled gently and added, "But I'll slowly introduce this concept to her in the future. I'll secretly check her spiritual aptitude as well. After all, I too want her to have a longer lifespan."
Bryan simply nodded with a smile. Becoming a Transcendent was very difficult and not everyone had the spiritual aptitude to become one. Otherwise, there would be plenty of Transcendents everywhere.
"By the way, Grace, do you know how many Ranks there are on the Transcendent Path?" Bryan asked.
"Huh? Isn't it up to Rank 6? That's common knowledge." Grace looked at Bryan like she was looking at an idiot.
"Hehe, you're wrong! There are, in fact, 9 Transcendent Ranks!" Bryan replied with a smirk on his face.
Grace was dumbfounded, "How can that be!?"
Bryan chuckled, "It's true, my teacher told me. Rank 1-3 are known as Low-String Transcendents, Rank 4-6 are known as Mid-String Transcendents, and Rank 7-9 are known as High-String Transcendents.
However, High-String Transcendents are a myth. Even my teacher hasn't seen one. But, I have a theory. It's that the Deities are most likely High-String transcendents hehe."
Grace's eyes turned round as she sternly rebuked him, "Bryan! How dare you say such blasphemous words!?"
Bryan rolled his eyes at her and replied, "Tsk, you're just like my teacher."
…
Meanwhile, while Bryan and Grace were chatting with each other, inside a carriage standing outside 8th Day Coffee Shop, Pyke was looking at Bryan with a gloomy expression.
'This kid is still alive? What the fuck is Johnny up to? It's been two weeks since I gave him the money.' Pyke thought inwardly.
He instructed the carriage driver to head to the Red Light District.
Ten minutes later, the carriage stopped outside Night Moves. Pyke got down from the carriage and entered the brothel. He was hundred percent sure that he would find Johnny inside. Pyke knew that this henchman of the Brown family lived for only two things: sex and murder.
And Pyke was right, he found Johnny inside, groping a naked prostitute who was sitting on his lap. He approached them and coldly said to the prostitute, "Leave."
The prostitute looked at Pyke and then at Johnny. After seeing the latter node, she got up and left. Johnny looked coldly at Pyke and said, "Why the fuck are you disturbing my free time?"
"Free time!?" Pyke couldn't control his rage. "Young Master gave you a job two weeks back. Tell me, why is that kid still alive?" He spoke through gritted teeth.
Johnny looked at Pyke with puzzlement, then as if remembering something, he slapped the back of his head lightly and replied shamelessly, "Hehe, I forgot about that. Don't worry, I'll deliver you his head tonight."
"You better." Pyke snorted, turned around, and left.
After he left, Johnny's face turned cold as he thought, 'Who the fuck do you think you are to order me around. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson after I kill that kid tonight.'
Then he called for the prostitute who was with him earlier and carried on with what he was doing previously.