After dinner, Cain hurried to the training grounds, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nervousness and waited for the arrival of his father.
Finally, footsteps echoed across the stone pathway leading to the training grounds. Cain turned to see his father approaching with steady steps.
"Father," Cain greeted respectfully as Lord Mephisto arrived. His father nodded in acknowledgment, his expression serious yet not devoid of paternal warmth.
"Today, I will teach you about ether," Lord Mephisto began, his voice carrying the weight of knowledge accumulated over centuries. "If you want to make your body stronger, cast spells, or even utilize your bloodline abilities, you need an energy to act as fuel. But why do we use ether and not other energies?"
He paused, his gaze thoughtful as he considered how best to explain. "Firstly, there's a lot of ether. And by a lot, I mean it exists everywhere. It permeates the fabric of our world, flowing through the earth, the air, and even through us. This abundance makes it readily accessible for cultivation."
Lord Mephisto continued, his tone becoming more animated with each word. "More importantly, ether is compatible with our souls. It can be fused with them, enhancing our spiritual and magical capabilities. Many devil magicians throughout history have attempted to create cultivation systems based on other energies—some with limited success. However, none have achieved beyond rank 3 because of the fundamental incompatibility of those energies with our souls."
He paused, allowing Cain a moment to absorb the significance of his words. "Ether resonates with the essence of our being. When we harness its power, we not only use it to strengthen our bodies and to cast spells, but we also need it to cast our bloodline abilities."
"I understand, father," Cain said earnestly, his brow furrowed with concentration. "But how can I absorb ether and control it?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of confusion.
"To control ether, you must first have a soul talent level 2 or above, which is pretty rare among commoners, but most if not all nobles possess it. Secondly, you must have a meditation manual," Lord Mephisto explained, his voice tinged with a hint of emotion. "It is essentially a step-by-step guide on how to circulate and compress ether within your body."
He paused, his gaze focused intently on Cain to emphasize the importance of his next words. " you will use the Aatrox Meditation Manual, i left you a copy in your room" Lord Mephisto continued, his voice lowering slightly. "Remember, it is a secret strictly guarded by our family and cannot be taught to outsiders."
Cain nodded solemnly, fully grasping the gravity of what his father was revealing. The Aatrox Meditation Manual was not just a set of instructions; it represented the culmination of centuries of research and hard work by their ancestors, the esteemed Aatrox family.
"Remember, Cain, it's not about having the most ether in your body; strength comes from controlling what you infuse," Lord Mephisto instructed with a strict tone, emphasizing each word.
He paused, allowing the significance of his words to sink in. "Too much ether without control can overwhelm and destabilize you. Mastery lies in the balance—knowing how much to draw and how to wield it effectively."
Cain nodded solemnly, absorbing his father's wisdom.
"In the coming days, you should concentrate on cultivation and try to reach the apprentice rank as soon as possible," added Lord Mephisto, his voice carrying a sense of expectation.
"Don't worry, father, I will not dissapoint you," Cain said confidently, patting his chest in assurance.
Lord Mephisto smiled proudly at Cain's resolve. "I have no doubt, Cain. Your talent is one of the best in the history of our clan."
With that, Cain didn't wait for his father and hurried to his room. The conversation with Lord Mephisto had ignited a fire of determination within him. As he moved swiftly through the corridors of their ancestral home, his mind raced with plans and aspirations.
Entering his room, Cain closed the heavy oak door behind him and took a moment to collect his thoughts. The conversation with his father had left him with a sense of purpose and determination. He approached his desk where the Aatrox Meditation Manual lay.
With a deep breath, Cain opened the manual. The pages were dense with arcane symbols and intricate diagrams. He immersed himself in the teachings, determined to start his cultivation journey as soon as possible.
Hours passed in focused concentration as Cain pored over the section detailing rank 0 in the Aatrox Meditation Manual. The concepts were complex, requiring careful consideration and mental agility to grasp. He studied the fundamental principles of ether manipulation, the ways to enhance and manipulate mental power, and the initial steps toward channeling ether.
"So that's how it is," Cain murmured to himself, absorbing the revelation from the manual. "To cultivate ether, you must first attract it with mental power then store it in your heart."
Closing his eyes, Cain visualized the process outlined in the manual. He focused his mental power, imagining a magnetic pull drawing ether towards him. With each breath, he felt the subtle energies respond, swirling around him like a gentle breeze.
"Store it in your heart," he repeated silently, internalizing the next step. He concentrated on channeling the gathered ether, guiding it inward to his core.
"No wonder people don't get bored with cultivation."said Cain as he felt a comfortable sensation as the ether settled within him.
As the dawn approached, Cain opened his eyes with a sense of accomplishment. He had taken the first steps on his journey.
With renewed purpose, Cain prepared to rest, knowing that he will spend the coming weeks in secluded cultivation.