"Hey kid, I'm about to explain something important to you. So listen closely because I'll only say it once."
Amon remained seated on the floor, deep in meditation. Although his eyes were closed and he remained motionless, he attentively absorbed Thalos' words. Thalos was familiar with this state of deep focus during meditation. Amon would still listen and instantly understand, his undivided attention fixed on Thalos' teachings.
"Do you know why gods bless human beings?" Amon shook his head, unaware of the reason. He wasn't sure if this was common knowledge or if it remained unknown in his world. Having never attended school, his useless father had never been willing to pay the exorbitant fees for an apparent failure like Amon. His mother had passed away when he was only two years old, at least according to what his father had told him. He had always questioned the truth of it, but the fact remained that he grew up without a mother.
"The reason is that gods and goddesses cease to exist if nobody believes in them. However, the stronger the god, the fewer believers they require. Sometimes they don't even need believers because humans naturally have faith in them, even without receiving blessings."
Thalos made a few gestures while explaining, although Amon couldn't see them as he kept his eyes closed. Thalos didn't mind and continued speaking.
"Take the goddess of life and the god of death, for example. Humans believe in their existence regardless of who or where they are, so these gods don't require believers for these concepts. After all, humans know the principle of life and death, and that is all the two of them need to survive. Of course, sometimes they receive worship out of boredom or if the human possesses some special quality."
Amon finally opened his eyes, concluding his meditation, and gazed at Thalos with a curious expression. He thirsted for more knowledge, craving to understand and improve. Ever since he began training under Thalos, he had become addicted to acquiring information and evolving as a qibender.
"The weakest god, Niaz, needs many believers. That's why 55% of the human population was blessed by this feeble deity." Thalos couldn't help but smile slightly as he uttered the last word. It was evident that he held a strong dislike for the god. Nevertheless, Thalos didn't hate all gods; he simply despised Niaz for his arrogance in blessing more than half the human population, despite being weak enough to be defeated by a mere sneeze from Thalos.
"It's different with qi. Qibenders can't be blessed by gods; instead, they receive something distinct—a set of tattoos that contains a special power exclusive to the individual."
Thalos pointed to his own tattoos, particularly the prominent one on his back shaped like a dragon.
"In short, by the end of your training, you will also have one of these tattoos. However, yours will have a unique design, especially on your back. The motif will represent your personal journey and achievements, symbolizing the growth and transformation you have undergone during your training. It will serve as a mark of distinction, a reminder of the challenges you've conquered and the skills you've acquired. The motif will be carefully chosen to reflect your individual strengths and aspirations, making it truly one-of-a-kind. Whether it signifies strength, wisdom, or resilience, the motif on your back will be a testament to your hard work and dedication, filling you with pride and inspiration."
Amon's face lit up with a broad smile. He yearned to achieve this honor and was willing to train tirelessly, even if it meant pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion.
"At first, the design will be simple—a symbol, creature, or something completely different. I cannot predict its appearance, but I am certain it will look magnificent on you."
Amon felt ready and ignited with determination. He desired those tattoos so intensely that he would go to extreme lengths to attain them, even if it meant enduring unimaginable challenges.
"But before we proceed, there's another issue we must address—your ability to unleash powerful attacks with your qibending."
Amon knew Thalos was right, considering that magical spells were categorized into ten tiers. The first tier represented the weakest level, where one could barely hunt a squirrel or start a campfire. That was the ultimate limit a human could achieve. On the other hand, tenth-tier spells were so potent that a magician from 3000 years ago obliterated an entire continent along with its inhabitants. Amon's attacks, unfortunately, barely reached the level of a first-tier spell.
"You will unlock what is known as the 'gate.'"
Thalos proceeded to explain that qi originally exists in a realm far removed from this universe, beyond even the reach of gods. Qi flows in its pure form from that realm to all universes. The same principle applies to mana. The reason Amon's qibending was weak stemmed from the insufficient quantity of qi particles required for the corresponding skills. To rectify this, he would open a gate to the realm where qi congregates.
"The gate serves as a profound connection to countless pathways, stretching across thousands or even millions in number. These pathways, in turn, branch off into thousands, and at each of these branching points, a new power awaits."
"Allow me to demonstrate." Thalos conjured a small flame in the palm of his hand, and simultaneously, a mysterious circle materialized behind his back, emitting a yellow glow. The large circle was divided into twelve smaller circles, each bearing different symbols, writings, and other signs unknown to Amon. Soon, the small flame transformed into a black fire that reached the ceiling of the cave.
"At present, I am utilizing the power of two pathways—the path of fire and the path of protection. Without doing so, the cave would melt under the intense heat generated by the flame."