Cedric woke up to a new day, following his usual routine of bathing and getting dressed before heading to the dining room. As he took his seat and started eating, his mother, Rebecca, couldn't help but express her concerns. "Cedric, this witch did nothing to you, right?" she asked with a worried tone.
Cedric, maintaining his composure, gently corrected his mother, "You shouldn't call her a witch, Mom. And no, nothing happened. Grandfather Eustace was there; how could anything happen to me?" Eustace, always the protective figure, chimed in with a hearty laugh, "My grandson is right. How could anything happen to him when I'm here?" Alan joined in with a chuckle, adding a light-hearted atmosphere to the table.
Rebecca, though reassured by the presence of Eustace, remained skeptical. "Okay, okay, but you don't know her, Cedric, so don't try to teach me," she retorted, not entirely convinced. Cedric, with a wry smile, replied, "Yes, Mom, I'm sorry." He then added a touch of sadness to his expression
Witnessing Cedric's genuine concern for his mother's feelings, Rebecca softened. It was evident that he cared about her worries, and realizing this, she couldn't stay mad at him. "I accept your apology," she conceded, appreciating the understanding and maturity displayed by her son. The dining room atmosphere shifted from tension to a more relaxed state, allowing the family to continue their meal with a sense of unity.
After the morning routine, the men of the Northstar family headed to the training ground. Alan and Cedric engaged in their usual weight training, lifting heavier loads, and did laps around the training ground to enhance their agility. The physical exertion created a foundation for the challenges that lay ahead.
Following their intense warm-up, the duo paused briefly before ascending to the training platform. The air was charged with anticipation as they prepared for their spar. Alan, being the higher-ranked and more experienced of the two, gave Cedric an opportunity to test his skills and make progress. The spar began with a display of agility and strength, each move calculated and executed with precision.
During the spar, Alan showcased his superior technique and speed, while Cedric, driven by determination, tried to keep up. The clash of wooden swords echoed across the training ground as they exchanged strikes, feints, and parries. Alan, with a mentor's consideration, occasionally provided pointers to help Cedric improve.
As the spar progressed, Cedric's purified mana proved to be an advantage. Unlike before, his mana coating could now withstand the stripping effect that Alan's mana coating usually inflicted. This resilience allowed Cedric to engage in more prolonged and challenging exchanges, pushing his limits.
After the intense spar, Cedric moved to the dummy for further training. Striking the dummy made of millennium-tempered ice steel, he left gashes that were now approximately 3 cm deep. This was a notable improvement, considering the toughness of the material. Cedric's strikes demonstrated the increasing potency of his Northstar Swordmanship.
Despite the visible progress, Cedric knew he had to continue refining his techniques. He spent the next 30 minutes honing his skills on the dummy, focusing on precision, speed, and control. The dummy bore the marks of Cedric's determination and relentless effort, reflecting the journey of a young warrior striving for excellence.
Taking a well-deserved rest, Cedric felt a sense of accomplishment. The training not only strengthened his body but also sharpened his mind and skills. Each strike on the dummy echoed his commitment to becoming a formidable warrior. The Northstar family's legacy thrived in these moments of dedication, setting the stage for even greater challenges and achievements in the days to come.
Rested and ready, Cedric, accompanied by Eustace, made their way to the alchemy building to meet Isabella. Upon their arrival, Isabella wasted no time with pleasantries and immediately ushered them to her laboratory. The atmosphere within the alchemy building was filled with the scent of various potions, and the sight of exotic creatures in secured cages hinted at the intricate work carried out within.
In her laboratory, Isabella directed Cedric to the mana gold platform. It was a specialized surface crafted for alchemical rituals and experiments, infused with magical properties to aid in mana-related studies. Isabella, with a focused demeanor, instructed Cedric, "I need you to start practicing your meditation technique. Identify your mana circuit."
With the precision granted by her Dragon Hawk eyes, Isabella intended to observe the flow of mana within Cedric's body, specifically identifying the locations of his five mana gates. These gates, unique to each individual, were crucial points allowing the absorption of mana.
Cedric, taking a seat on the mana gold platform, entered a meditative state, focusing on his Northstar meditation technique. As he cultivated, Isabella's keen eyes traced the intricate patterns of mana flowing within him. She noted the positions of his mana gates with each subtle shift and surge of energy.
Analyzing the mana circuit, Isabella observed that one mana gate was located at the end of Cedric's lumbar spine, another slightly higher to the left. Two gates resided on the higher position of his thoracic spine, one on the left and the other positioned higher and more to the left. The final mana gate was identified on his cervical spine.
Isabella remained silent during this process, solely focused on her analysis. The discovery of Cedric's mana circuit provided valuable insights into the unique configuration of his energy channels. However, Isabella withheld any immediate guidance, allowing Cedric to continue his practice without interference.
In these moments of observation and meditation, the alchemical laboratory became a nexus of discovery. The interaction between Isabella's expertise and Cedric's innate capabilities hinted at the untapped potential awaiting exploration in the realm of Northstar cultivation.
Isabella then signaled for Cedric to stop and then told him that she had the informstion she needed and that he could come back tommorow.
The second phase finished Cedric got to his room ate the pastries Camillia brought thanked her and then started his habitual daily meditation.