Toga continued to pay attention as Professor Doron opened his eyes and stood up from the meditative position.
"That is how an Aden warrior absorbs Ken. It's important to note that each person may have a different technique, but the essence is the same: you must recite the absorption technique according to your absorption core and then meditate or stay calm, imagining a sea around you that you are collecting into your vessel."
Professor Doron explained that to absorb Ken, one must use an absorption technique suited to their unique absorption core.
"However, I must remind you that you can only absorb natural particle energy first."
Professor Doron reminded the new students, like Toga, that they could not absorb Ken yet and could only absorb natural particle energy.
Then, Professor Doron drew a picture on the chalkboard: one was a perfect circle, with an image of water within it, and the other was also a circle but not perfectly round, shaped like a rocky, bumpy formation without a clean circle in the center.
"This illustrates the difference between Ken and natural particle energy. Ken is represented by the perfect circle, indicating pure natural energy, whereas natural particle energy, shown by the imperfect circle, represents raw natural energy."
After sketching, Professor Doron provided a detailed explanation of the drawings.
"Alright, that's enough about Ken. Let's move on to absorption cores. Does anyone know how many classes of absorption cores exist?"
"Permission to answer, Professor."
Bari, who was sitting next to Toga, raised his hand and promptly answered Professor Doron's question.
"Absorption cores have four main classes: root, earth, sky, and heaven. Each class is further divided into low, middle, and peak levels."
"Very good. As your friend explained, absorption cores have four main classes: root, earth, sky, and heaven, each divided into low, middle, and peak levels. Absorption cores differ for each person and have their own affinities. Affinities are numerous and varied, but there are five primary affinities considered the main ones: fire, earth, water, wind, and plant. These are the main affinities that many people have.
There is also one unique affinity known as the darkness affinity, which was once considered a primary affinity but is now deemed rare and mysterious. Most individuals with darkness affinity are found here at Peak of Darkness Academy."
Professor Doron further elaborated on absorption cores in detail. Toga keenly listened and absorbed every bit of information, as it was all new to him.
Toga was quite uninformed about aden warriors because the knowledge wasn't shared freely and was only accessible in academies or to the very wealthy.
He was surprised to learn about the numerous absorption core affinities and particularly intrigued by the darkness affinity, which was once a primary one but has now become rare.
Toga also realized that affinities are often inherited from one's parents, which made him wonder if his parents must have had the darkness affinity and were Aden warriors too.
"Why did they abandon me in a small town like Olpag City?" Toga couldn't help but wonder why his parents left him alone in Olpag City.
Toga forced himself to stop speculating about why his parents left him.
He resolved that one day he would find out the truth. For now, his priority was to become a strong and proficient Aden warrior so he could travel across the continent without fearing the monster races.
Professor Doron concluded the class. This first lesson had already significantly broadened Toga's understanding of Aden warriors.
He then gave the students an assignment to practice absorbing natural particle energy, which would be evaluated to determine if they could advance to the next level.
"Toga, do you have any plans later?"
Lost in thought, Toga suddenly heard Bari asking him a question.
"Hmm, I don't think I have any plans."
"Would you like to join me at the academy's library? Since you're new, you might have missed out on some materials, and you can catch up by borrowing books from the library."
Recognizing that Toga might be falling behind others, Bari decided to invite him to the academy's library to catch up.
"That's a great idea. I'll join you."
Knowing he was behind and seeing an opportunity to catch up, Toga agreed to Bari's suggestion.
They then walked to the academy's library, and it didn't take long for them to arrive at a room with a sign above the door reading 'Peak of Darkness Academy Library.'
Toga and Bari entered, where an old librarian with disheveled white hair greeted them. He looked like a bookworm.
"Old man Dolor, I'm here to borrow some books."
"You know the drill. Go ahead and select them. You know where they are stored, right?"
"Hehehe, of course. I'll head inside."
Bari led Toga further into the library. It was enormous, with five levels, each filled with books—a paradise for book lovers.
"Toga, which book are you looking for?"
"Do you have any recommendations, Bari?"
"How about 'Becoming an Aden Apprentice' and 'An Introduction to Aden Warriors' They're suitable for beginners."
"Yes, that sounds good."
Bari took Toga to a specific shelf, displaying his familiarity with the library. He selected two books titled 'Becoming an Aden Apprentice' and 'An Introduction to Aden Warriors for Beginners' and handed them to Toga.
They then proceeded to the librarian's desk to have the books stamped for borrowing.
"Don't lose them, and the borrowing period is one month. If you need an extension, come back here again."
"Thank you."
Toga took the stamped books from the librarian, known as Old Man Dolor.
"Bari, I think I'll head out. I want to start studying these books right away."
"Alright. If you need anything, you can find me in room number 20 in the new student dormitory."
"Okay. I'm in room number 99 in the new student dormitory if you need me too."
Toga and Bari parted ways. Bari seemed to have other things to attend to, while Toga quickly headed to his room, eager to study the books he had borrowed from the academy library.