Aldric remarked, "You have quite the luck, kid. You have stumbled upon such precious knowledge from the Blacksmith."
Rowen replied with a voice tinged with disappointment, and with a sad look on his face Rowen said, "Yes, I do possess some luck. That's why I was able to survive when they died painfully protecting me."
Aldric reassured him, "Don't worry, kid. You will become strong very quickly if you use the knowledge that I will pass onto you. And you also have the knowledge that the Blacksmith has given you. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like he was someone ordinary. With both mine and the skills of that Blacksmith, you will be able surpass me.
Aldric saying this he gestured for Rowen to approach. "Come here, first let me pass on my knowledge to you," he said warmly.
Rowen stepped forward eagerly, ready to receive the wisdom and guidance of his mentor.
As Aldric's hand made contact with Rowen's forehead, a surge of knowledge flowed into his mind, filling him with insights and understanding. It was as if a floodgate had been opened, allowing a torrent of wisdom to wash over him.
Aldric paused for a moment, contemplating the best course of action. "Let me explain what I have given you," he began, but then paused again, a new idea forming in his mind. "No, wait. Let's go somewhere to test out your skills. You will understand best as you experience things for yourself."
With that, Aldric fell silent and closed his eyes, focusing his energy to scan for the perfect location for Rowen to test his newly acquired skills. After some time, Aldric opened his eyes and said, "Let's go there. I have already scanned that area fully. It's good for someone like you to collect some experience."
Rowen was puzzled. "You scanned? How can you do that? We are in an inner world of a locket. How are you able to do that?"
Aldric smiled knowingly. "You will also be able to do this when you become as strong and proficient as me in using your skills."
After their exchange, Aldric once again teleported Rowen with a single movement of his hand, transporting them to a dense forest in a place known only to him.
As they materialized amidst the towering trees and lush foliage, the air thick with anticipation, Rowen's senses heightened. He felt a surge of excitement mingled with apprehension at the prospect of testing his newfound skills in a real-world scenario. Aldric's reassuring presence at his side gave him a sense of confidence as they prepared for what lay ahead.
Rowen glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the dense forest. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The earthy scent of moss and ferns filled the air.
Aldric's voice broke the silence, pulling Rowen's attention back to the task at hand. "Here we are," he said, his tone calm yet determined. "This is where you will put your skills to the test."
Aldric said, " Now, I will tell you about the skills I have given you and how to use them, the first skill that I have given you is an absorption technique known as the 'Origin of Infinity.' It will serve you well on your journey to becoming stronger."
"A absorption technique," Rowen repeated, in curiosity. "What did you say an absorption technique which are rarest type of skill."
Aldric explained, "Indeed, an absorption technique is a type of skill that helps increase aether energy within one's aether nodes. This means it can extract aether energy from the innate energy cores of monsters.
Moreover, it only absorbs the purest form of aether energy, akin to what one possesses at birth. So, the aether energy which you will accumulate will be the purest aether energy.This is a significant advantage for someone who uses aether energy, as it ensures optimal strength and effectiveness.
Additionally," Aldric continued, "everyone who seeks to advance to the next rank must first purify their body by removing impurities collected during their intake of aether energy. So, with the help of this skill, you will be able to make a breakthrough easily without worrying about removing impurities."
Another special aspect of this technique is that it not only aids in the absorption of monsters' innate cores, but it also allows you to absorb aether energy from your surroundings, similar to a breathing technique."
Rowen listened intently, realizing the significance of this technique. With the ability to extract and harness pure aether energy, he understood that the 'Origin of Infinity' would be a powerful tool in his arsenal, allowing him to further enhance his strength and abilities as a warrior.
As Rowen and Aldric engaged in
conversation, a rustling in the bushes nearby caught their attention. Before they could react, a monstrous creature emerged, its eyes glinting with malevolence.
Aldric said, "Oh, here comes your first opponent, Rowen. Now, get ready to fight and focus your eyes on him."
Aldric's words snapped Rowen into focus. With determination burning in his eyes, he nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm ready," he replied, his voice steady.
As Rowen focused his gaze on the monster, he noticed some words appearing above its head:
• Species: Goblin { Common }
• Rank: Hatchling-Novice
• Aether Energy: 203
• Skills: None
Aldric replied with a smile on his face, "This is the second skill that I have given you known as 'Omniscient Gaze.' It grants the user the ability to perceive and comprehend vast amounts of information by simply gazing at objects, people, or surroundings.
This skill allows you to see beyond the surface and uncover hidden truths or insights. It will also enable you to identify openings and weak points in your opponent's defense. Additionally, if you wish to see your own information, you just have to focus on yourself, and it will appear in your mind."
As Rowen followed Aldric's instructions and focused on himself, a flood of information surged into his mind. Details about his own attributes, skills, and abilities appeared before him :
• Attribute - Chaos { Initial-stage }
• Rank - None
• Aether energy - None
• Skills - Origin of infinity { Rank - Primal }
Omniscient Gaze { Rank - Unique }
Aldric's voice cut through the tension, breaking the silence as he urged Rowen into action. "Nows not the time to see your information. Go and attack that Goblin and see for yourself how skills works," he commanded, his tone firm yet encouraging. With a nod of determination, Rowen prepared to put his newfound skill to the test.
As Rowen faced off against the Goblin, he felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. With Aldric's guidance echoing in his mind, he focused his gaze on the creature before him, activating his "Omniscient Gaze" skill.
The Goblin, sensing Rowen's intent, let out a guttural snarl and lunged forward, brandishing its crude weapon. Rowen swiftly dodged the attack, his movements fueled by a newfound clarity of vision. With each step, he analyzed the Goblin's movements, searching for an opening to strike.
The Goblin swung its weapon with surprising speed, forcing Rowen to react with agility. Despite his best efforts, Rowen found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep pace with the creature's relentless onslaught.
Drawing upon his training with Gavin and the insights granted by his skill, Rowen began to anticipate the Goblin's attacks with greater precision. As the creature moved in for another strike, Rowen seized the opportunity, countering with a well-timed blow of his own.
The impact reverberated through the air as Rowen's strike connected, sending the Goblin staggering backward.Rowen pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of attacks with calculated precision.
The Goblin, caught off guard by Rowen's sudden offensive, faltered under the onslaught. With a final, decisive slash blow, Rowen incapacitated the creature, sending it crashing to the forest floor.
As the dust settled, Rowen stood victorious, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Despite the fierce battle, he emerged triumphant, his newfound skill proving instrumental in securing his victory.
After witnessing Rowen's victory, Aldric's expression softened, a hint of pride gleaming in his eyes. "You are indeed the student I have been searching for," he declared, his voice filled with admiration. "You possess a talent for this kind of task.
You defeated it without having any aether energy, relying solely on your knowledge and the power of 'Omniscient Gaze'." Aldric's words carried a sense of validation, affirming Rowen's potential and setting the stage for even greater accomplishments ahead.
Aldric's voice carried a tone of authority as he continued, "Now, take out its innate energy cores, and then sit down. I will instruct you on how to absorb it using the absorption skill 'Origin of Infinity'." With a sense of purpose, Rowen followed Aldric's instructions, carefully extracting the innate energy cores from the defeated Goblin. Once the task was completed, he settled down, eager to learn the intricacies of the powerful absorption technique from his mentor.
With Rowen seated and the innate energy cores in hand, Aldric began his instruction. "To harness the power of 'Origin of Infinity'," he explained, "you must first focus your mind and channel your aether nodes." Rowen listened intently, absorbing every word as Aldric guided him through the process step by step. As he followed the instructions, Rowen felt a surge of energy coursing through him, coming from the innate energy cores in his grasp.
Aldric's voice carried a tone of reassurance as he imparted his wisdom to Rowen. "With this, you now possess the ability to utilize aether energy," he said confidently. "Now, check your information."
As Rowen focused on himself once more, a flood of information surged into his mind:
• Attribute - Chaos { Initial - Stage }
• Rank - None
• Aether energy - 30
• Skills - Origin of infinity { Rank - Primal }
Omniscient Gaze { Rank - Unique }
Slash { Rank - Common }
Rowen asked Aldric in confusion, "When I saw that goblin's Aether energy, it's at 203. But then why is it showing that I only possess 30? Did something go wrong?"
Aldric explained, "No, nothing is wrong. The amount of aether energy you absorbed is just the amount of pure aether energy that the Goblin possessed. It will be different for every monster even if they are of same species, ranks or type. And I have already told you that the skill [Origin of infinity] will only absorb pure aether energy and remove impurities when used."
Rowen, intrigued, inquired further, "Then what about the skill that just showed up? It wasn't there last time."
Aldric replied, "It's the fruit of your practice all those years with Gavin, which has now become a skill. The skills I have given you will become a vital asset for you in becoming strong. And as you become stronger, the skills will also evolve and grow stronger with you."
Aldric continued "And as you continue to absorb monster cores, the aether energy in your aether nodes will gradually increase. The more it increases, the more attuned you will become to the aether energy around you. You will also be able to replenish aether energy in your nodes by absorbing the energy surrounding you."
Rowen absorbed Aldric's words, feeling a sense of empowerment wash over him. Aldric continued "And as you absorb more monster cores, like that Goblin core, you will easily reach the Novice rank," Aldric concluded, his confidence in Rowen's abilities evident.
Aldric's voice carried a sense of solemnity as he delved into the intricacies of aether nodes and ranks. "The higher you ascend in ranks, the more aether nodes you will possess," he explained. "For example, in the Novice rank, you only possess one aether node, but there are a total of seven aether nodes in your body. "That means each rank corresponds to unlocking a specific aether node. So, if you wish to break through to the next level, you must unlock that corresponding aether node."
Rowen absorbed this information, realizing the depth of the journey ahead of him.
"However," Aldric continued, "the Eighth and Ninth Ranks are special cases, with conditions and requirements that you don't need to know yet. It is a long journey indeed to reach those ranks, but with dedication and perseverance, it is not an impossible feat."
"Now the time has come for me to go," Aldric began, his tone carrying a sense of urgency. "But remember, the skills I have given you are just a fraction of the wealth I possess. I have scattered everything I possess across the world for you to discover and overcome the trials I have laid out for you. You must become strong as quickly as possible before they come after you."
"Don't worry," Aldric reassured him, "we will meet again when the time comes." With a final glance, he added, "There is a city outside of the forest in the North direction. You can go there once you are finished with your training."
And with that, Aldric vanished into thin air, leaving Rowen to ponder his words and the mysteries that lay ahead. Before Rowen could inquire about who would come after his life, Aldric had already disappeared.