In the dead of night, Ash roused Codey and Leon from their slumber.
"Codey, wake up! Leon!"
Codey groaned, "What's going on, Ash?"
"Can't believe you've forgotten, Codey. Today's the day we face that deadly trap."
Leon had awoken from yet another disturbing dream.
Leon, who had been plagued by recurring nightmares lately, wondered, "Why do these dreams about traps keep haunting me?"
Leon tried to shake off the disturbing thoughts and returned to his restless sleep.
**Meanwhile, in Sector B7**
On the third floor of the Crops training facility, cadets from various planets were bunked together. Each species had their own unique sleeping arrangements, but for the most part, individuals from the same planet shared bunks.
"Ash, are you awake?" Ash whispered from the top bunk.
"Yes, Ash. Lately, I can't sleep until I know you're settled in," Codey replied from below.
Ash chuckled softly, saying, "Always watching my back. Don't worry, those nightmares about Sam are gone."
Codey managed a faint smile, relieved by Ash's words.
In hushed tones, Ash continued, "Codey, it's been a week since we started our Mana Harness and Manifestation training. I've only managed to absorb 6%, but you're at 9%, and others are already hitting 10-15%. Are we just not cut out for this, Codey?"
Codey responded calmly, "You remember what Sergeant told us at the beginning of our mana training, right? Humans are expected to progress slower compared to other species."
Ash sounded slightly annoyed, "I don't want slow progress, Codey. I want to be on the frontline, battling Voids and making a difference, just like Cyrus Stronghold."
Codey reminded Ash, "You weren't always this eager. Commander Stronghold has really left his mark on you."
"Absolutely," Ash replied fervently.
Codey shushed him, whispering, "Ash, keep it down; everyone's asleep."
Apologizing, Ash said, "Sorry, Codey. But I do want to be like him, the first commoner to be bestowed a Royal name."
Codey acknowledged, "He's a hero to us, especially for people like us."
Interrupting their conversation, Meonoetius asked, "Guys, I don't mean to intrude, but what's this Royal name that humans keep talking about?"
Both Ash and Codey were taken aback, quickly apologizing to him.
"What?" Ash exclaimed when Meonoetius mentioned Royal names.
Codey explained, "Oh, right, you're from Titan Planet. There's no concept of Royal names there. Let me fill you in..."
Ash halted Codey, saying, "Wait, Codey. You're aware that Royal names aren't a thing on other planets."
"Yes, I found out a couple of days ago from Mickey. It surprised me too," Codey replied.
Ash inquired, "So, only Earth has Royal names, Codey?"
Codey elaborated, "Let me clarify, Ash. Meonoetius, Mickey explained to me that only three planets maintain this system: Earth, Xiaos, and Stihians. They have Royal names because other planets have banned interplanetary romantic relationships due to the difficulty of adapting to varying mana densities..."
Ash interrupted, "Are you saying that if we have enough mana and a strong soul, we could travel and have Demi-species on those three planets?"
Everyone on the floor listened intently to Codey's explanation but remained silent.
Codey continued, "Dude, let me finish. Initially, people did attempt interplanetary romances, but it resulted in stillbirths or the babies didn't survive long due to unstable souls. Eventually, the planets banned interplanetary romantic relationships, but Earth, Xiaos, and Stihians devised the Royal name System as a workaround. Those who possessed strong Mana Harness and Manifestation skills and a robust soul could be granted a Royal name, like Kenzo Cadell(Kenzo is birth name and Cadell is Royal name). When this system was created, it was primarily the descendants of the Sun's Wrath war who received Royal names, given their high mana levels and powerful souls. Over time, only royalty was granted this privilege."
Meonoetius asked, "So, regular folks can never hope for Royal names?"
Codey clarified, "That's what we've always been taught, until one man challenged the norm. He's so powerful, no one can ignore his greatness – the first commoner to ever receive a Royal name, Cyrus Stronghold, Leon's father."
Ash heard this and declared, "I'm going to become like Cyrus Stronghold and surpass Leon the next time I see him."
Codey chimed in, "Count me in."
Meonoetius, speaking politely, inquired, "Ash, why are you so eager for battle? Each Sun's expedition results in millions of deaths. It's quite terrifying."
Ash responded with a mix of sadness and determination, "I used to have an older sister named Sam. She always had a fragile soul, but she worked tirelessly to take care of us. One day, she collapsed at her job, and the doctor told us she needed a mana stone implanted in her heart to stabilize her soul, or she'd deteriorate. In Sector C, most mana stones have sufficient mana to stabilize the soul, but saving someone from death requires significant funds and HQ authorization to use mana stones. We tried everything, but in the end, we could only send her to the surface. Later, we heard from a cadet who'd been outside that she lost her soul entirely and became a Dollows (Soulless Person) wanderer on the surface."
Ash paused, his emotions overwhelming him. Codey understood his friend's pain and added, "Sam was like a sister to most of us children. She always worked hard and looked out for us. After she fell ill, she kept smiling right up to her last moments on the surface."
Ash continued, "That's when I realized the only way to end this suffering is to eliminate Abaddon and his Voids. The path to that goal is through acquiring power."
Codey recalled Leon's words, " Codey, I think I understand Ash's sentiment. Everyone yearns to end this war. The only path to that is through attaining power."
Codey chuckled, and Ash teased, "Don't laugh at my dream, you scoundrel."
Codey replied, "It's not that. Leon told me something about you that's quite similar to what you just said. Surprisingly, he understands us better than we think."
Ash, a little bewildered, said to Codey, "Go to sleep, you scoundrel. You're sleep-talking already."
Codey bid them goodnight, "Good night, Ash. Good night, Meonoetius."
Ash concluded, "Good night, guys," and then, looking at the other sleeping soldiers, he added, "Good night, everyone."
In unison, the others replied, "Good night."
Ash, Codey, and Meonoetius were taken aback, and everyone burst into laughter.
Suddenly, the Drill Sergeant barged in, yelling, "What's that commotion? Get to sleep, you idiots!"
Everyone stifled their laughter and settled down for the night.
Ash whispered, "Good night, sis."
**The Next Morning**
The alarm blared at 5:30 AM, rousing Leon for his second day of Mana Harness Training. He arrived at the training grounds at 6 AM, greeted the Sergeant, and entered the chamber for another session of soul monitoring and training.
The Sergeant addressed Leon, "Leon, you reached 75% last time. That's more than enough for Mana Harness and Manifestation. We'll start with Mana Harness, and if possible, we'll attempt Manifestation too. Any questions, Leon?"
"Yes, Sergeant. Why are there so many people in this Staging room, and why are they all staring at me?"
The Sergeant chuckled, "You've become a bit of a legend, Leon. They're all here to witness your Mana absorption. Even some top researchers have come to observe. Make me proud."
Leon, feeling nervous, replied, "Yes, Sergeant. I'll give it my all."
As he went to change into his mana suit, he noticed Amelia. "Good morning, Miss Amelia, and thank you for your help during the last session."
Amelia replied curtly, "I didn't intend to assist you. I was merely observing."
Leon responded kindly, "Nevertheless, thank you. Your voice during that time helped me regain consciousness and absorb mana."
Amelia, puzzled, asked, "My voice? I didn't say anything to you during the last training. What are you talking about?"
Leon explained what he had heard: "Leon, just let go peacefully. Don't create unnecessary trouble. The best outcome is to go quietly. Don't strive to improve. Just peacefully embrace death."
Amelia was shocked and unsettled but concealed her feelings. She thought, "How? Those are my thoughts. I'm sure I only thought those words; I didn't say them out loud."
Leon thanked her again and left the dressing room. Amelia remained, pondering, "Reading my thoughts aside, even in my thoughts, I told him to die. Yet, he thanked me for it. He's a formidable presence, and Madam Frida Auger was right. He may become a threat to the Auger family soon."
Leon entered his Chamber Pod, and the Sergeant instructed, "When you're ready, initialize your AI."
"Yes, Sergeant."
As he initiated the process, mana surged through his chamber, and everyone observed closely.
**Mana Flow - Normal Rate**
The Sergeant thought, "So far, so good. Leon, my golden opportunity, show them all. If I've trained you right, my promotion is on the horizon."
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 0%**
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 0.1%**
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 40%**
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 50%**
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 75%**
**Amount of Mana Absorbed - 77%**
Everyone was stunned, murmuring, "Look how he went from 0 to 50% in seconds. That's incredible. It usually takes 5-10 minutes."
Someone speculated, "Cyrus, that traitor, must have trained him already, pretending it's his first time here. This kid's a fraud."
Another chimed in, "He's probably lying about his rank. Kenzo must be behind all this."
Rumors began to circulate, but the Sergeant knew better, thinking, "You fools. I expected this reaction. Wait until he starts Mana Harness and Mana Manifestation."
Leon, ready for the next step, said, "Maintain Mana Absorption at 77%."
"Yes, Sergeant."
"Fuery, maintain Mana Absorption at 77%."
**Maintaining Level at 77%**
The Sergeant instructed Leon, "Imagine the mana fluid around you as an extension of your body. Slowly, begin to manipulate it, forming a whirl."
Leon struggled to control the mana, with some onlookers starting to leave. They commented, "It's impossible. Usual Manifestation training begins at 30% or lower. He's at 70%; he can't do it. He can't even reduce his mana absorption; it'll strain his mind and soul."
People started to depart, mocking, "This marks the end of his glory. Ha, ha."
Afterwards, the Sergeant told Leon to cease his efforts and reassured him, "We'll continue tomorrow. Don't be disheartened; we'll keep working on it."
Leon replied sadly, "Yes, Sergeant," and as he left the chamber, he glanced at Amelia's pod. He observed how she manipulated the mana fluid, creating layers of a mana aura around her body. Suddenly, the fluid stilled, and her body paled. Then, slowly, she began absorbing mana again, and her skin returned to its normal color as the fluid filled the chamber.
The Sergeant explained to Leon, "You're probably wondering why her skin keeps shifting from pale to normal. Right now, she's in her Soul form. You see that faint Mana Aura around her?"
"Yes, Sergeant."
"That's what we call Mana Light. Imagine her body as a lighthouse, her soul adrift in a vast sea. That light guides her back. She continues to absorb mana to sustain that light. You might be puzzled about how one can see a light in soul form, but you'll understand once you experience your own Soul form."
"Yes, Sergeant."
"Leon, you did your best today. Rest up, and in the afternoon, engage in some physical training to ease your body and mind."
The Sergeant thought privately, "If only Leon were a Demi-Species like Amelia and others, we might be able to help him. His readings are all over the place, and no one knows how to interpret his situation. I wish someone could assist him."
[End of CHAPTER]