That proposal caught me off guard. The knowledge that I sought so much in my past life is being offered to me so casually that it even seems like a lie. However, one thing in the elder's speech was still on my mind. Lord Stein. If it was the same person I knew, none of it would make sense.
Kaden Von Stein was a distant relative of my family with whom we had a good relationship. I would never have imagined that a family member of mine could be so cruel in their actions. Decimating an entire small town didn't seem like something Kaden would do. It must have been another Lord Stein. That was what my hopes clung to.
"Kaleb, this teaching will only benefit you. You don't need to worry about that." The old man told me this while analyzing my expression. I think he thought I was worried about the proposal he had made to me.
"But why teach me that, Elder Ciel?" - Like magic, the name of the man in front of me appeared in my mind. It felt like Kaleb's memories were slowly assimilating into what I knew.
"You have always helped me through various challenges since our capture by Lord Stein, my young man.". You showed me kindness in an unimaginable place." - While saying that, Ciel placed his hand on my shoulder. "Consider this teaching as a gift from an old friend."
There was no reason for me to deny that request. That was a one-in-a-million chance that just fell into my lap like a gift. One of my biggest goals from my old life was now so close to becoming a reality that it seemed like a lie. I tried to clear my mind of these thoughts; I needed to focus on the now. Focusing on this precious chance that might never happen again.
"With you talking like that, only a madman would refuse that," I said with a smile on my face. The luck I was having was unimaginable.
"We'll start right at dusk, my dear. This way, no one will interrupt us. Until then, rest. You will need to be in good condition." - Upon saying this, Ciel returned to his seat and began to meditate.
I decided to follow my friend's instructions. I lay down in the place I should call a bed and slept.
***
I woke up to the sound of the cell door opening and Gerald coming in with a tray with two bowls. It looked like my "dinner" would be served. I straightened up and took my bowl from the butler's hands. I can't say for sure what it was; it looked like some kind of vegetable soup with small pieces of meat, but it looked so disgusting that it seemed like it had come from the depths of hell.
We finished eating quickly and left the bowls and tray in a corner of the cell. It was time to begin my training to learn the ways of energy control.
"Kaleb, sit here, please." Ciel pointed to an empty place in front of him. I sat in front of him and waited for further instructions. - "First, close your eyes and clear your mind. What I will do now is known to us spellcasters as cleansing impurities. Simply put, I will transfer some of my energy to you; this will cause the impurities within your body to be expelled, eliminating everything that could harm the energy's path through your body. With your energy channels clear, you will be able to more easily feel everything around you, and with proper training, you will be able to manipulate everything at your pleasure."
Before I could ask any questions, Ciel placed the palm of his left hand on my back. "This will hurt a little, but it will be worth it in the end." - At the end of his speech, I felt a very strong shock wave running through my entire body, starting at the point where Ciel had his hand. The pain was excruciating, but I could feel my body lighter than I had ever felt as Garrick Stormwind. When I was starting to get used to it, a huge urge came over me. I ended up vomiting a black, viscous liquid, and at the same time, this same substance was coming out of my eyes. My body was starting to expel all the impurities.