The day was dawning in Mucrea, with the first rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains of the castle's main bathroom. The marble bathtub was filled with cold water, where Carl was submerged up to his neck. His eyes were closed, and he breathed rhythmically. He was practicing the Wim Hof breathing technique, something he had started doing since arriving in Mucrea as part of his awakened warrior training.
In the past few weeks, Carl had dedicated every free moment to improving his skills. Between matters of the kingdom, he sought refuge in the gardens, training with his sword, or in the bathroom, where the cold water provided clarity of thought and helped strengthen his body.
He knew he was close to reaching a new level of ability. His energy pulsed through his body, and he could feel an almost uncontrollable power running through his veins. His core had long been filled, using its magnetic properties to transport mana through his blood toward his core. Carl was evolving faster than a hundred awakened warriors combined, thanks to his knowledge from the modern era.
As he continued his deep breathing, Carl began to feel a connection to something deeper. It was as if the very essence of the world was speaking to him. He could hear the rustling of leaves in the trees outside, the swaying of the curtains, and even the heartbeats of the guards patrolling the castle.
His core could no longer contain the mana and began to crack, with micro fractures appearing and disappearing within it. With each tiny crack, his core expanded. After weeks of training, Carl's core was almost twice its original size, and today would be the day when Carl's core would reach double its original size. Immersed and almost in a trance due to the breathing technique, Carl lost track of time. Finally, his core reached twice its original size.
At that moment, Carl's mana-filled core, now twice its original size, began to contract and shrink, but the mana inside his core did not diminish in any way. With this, Carl felt excruciating pain sweeping through his entire body. It was as if his being was being broken and rebuilt. He screamed, and the water in the bathtub began to bubble and boil around him.
Ray, who was near the bathroom, heard the scream and rushed in.
"Carl, what's happening?" Ray shouted, her voice mixed with the sound of boiling water and a roar that seemed to be coming from the very air itself.
Carl raised his hand, and an invisible force pushed Ray back. The energy in the room was almost palpable, and the chandeliers swung violently.
Carl felt as if he were being dragged through a storm, with memories, sounds, smells, and sensations passing through him. He saw awakened warriors from the past, their battles, their victories, and their defeats.
Then, as suddenly as it began, everything stopped.
The water in the bathtub calmed down, and the air seemed to grow colder. Carl stood naked in the middle of the bathtub, completely dry, with golden energy pulsating around him.
He had reached the second level of awakened warrior.
Ray, who had been watching with wide eyes, approached cautiously. "Carl, are you okay?" she asked in a whisper.
"I'm more than okay, Ray. I've reached the second level," Carl said with a smile.
Pen entered the bathroom, having felt the enormous explosion of energy. He looked at Carl with a mix of astonishment and respect.
"What happened here?" he asked.
"A new era for Mucrea and for me," Carl replied, his voice filled with determination.
Carl ran his fingers across the water's surface, which now curved to his touch as if his finger had a force field preventing the water from touching it. He knew that this new power came with great responsibilities and was determined to use it to achieve his goals and protect his people.
Carl's core returned to its original size but underwent a qualitative change. His core, once filled with purified mana, now held only ten percent of it, but it was purer than ever. Carl felt that his current mana was ten times stronger than when he was at the first level of awakened warrior. The walls of his core became more translucent, although they were not completely transparent yet. The color of his mana also became sharper.
"Could you excuse me? I need to get dressed," Carl said, smiling at Ray and Pen.
With Carl's words, they subconsciously looked away and left the room feeling somewhat embarrassed. Carl quickly dressed and exited. The three of them left the bathroom, with Carl walking ahead, radiant with his new power. The Barony of Mucrea now had a protector, a leader, and a warrior more than ever before.
Carl walked through the corridors of the castle, exuding an indescribable energy. The castle's staff could feel the immense pressure that Carl emitted as he walked. Ray and Pen followed a little behind Carl, their hearts filled with a sense of instinctive security, respect, and admiration as they walked beside him.
Carl was heading towards the side part of the castle; he wanted to test his new strength. The sword crafted by Fergus was fastened to his waist, along with his handmade clothes with a touch of modernity, making him appear as someone above ordinary men, almost an entity.
His body hadn't increased much in size in recent weeks, but with the second level of awakened warrior, his presence had increased tens of times. It would be impossible not to notice him in a crowd unless Carl didn't want to be seen.
With everything that had happened so far and with the recent shift in power, Mucrea was embarking on a challenging path to prosperity. But Carl was ready to face whatever the future held for him.