"The Sacred Ember Flame..." he muttered, almost to himself. "You think it can keep me alive through the process?"
Elder Veran nodded slowly. "I don't just think; I believe it. The Sacred Ember Flame is no ordinary power. It is a force that defies the natural order, preserving and sustaining life even under the most dire circumstances. If anyone has a chance of surviving the Prana awakening, it's you."
"Still, the risk is real," Veran continued. "Awakening Prana isn't just a test of the body but also of the mind. If your will falters, if your resolve wavers for even a moment, the energy will consume you."
He frowned, his gaze dropping to his hands. The faint warmth of the Sacred Ember Flame pulsed within him, a subtle reminder of its presence.
"Alright... I'll do it," he replied.
"So, when do we start?"
The old man studied him for a moment before replying, "Tomorrow."
He nodded in acknowledgment as the old man turned and left. Soon after, he made his way back to his room.
As he closed the door behind him, he leaned against it, arms crossed, his mind racing. "What do you think, System, about what the old man said?"
[The Elder spoke the truth. There is indeed a force called Prana present in every living being.]
He furrowed his brows, processing the System's response. "So, it's real... Prana. And it's within me too?"
[Correct. Prana is the vital energy that flows through all living beings. However, awakening it and channeling it as a source of power is an extraordinary feat—one that requires immense physical and mental resilience.]
He exhaled sharply, his gaze drifting to the flickering lantern on his desk. "And what about the risks? Elder Veran mentioned death and insanity. How real are those risks for me?"
[The risks are significant. Awakening Prana requires unsealing the dormant energy coiled at the base of your spine. If your body cannot withstand the surge, it will collapse under the strain. Similarly, if your mind wavers, the energy can overwhelm your consciousness, leaving you in a vegetative state.]
[However, for you, the risk of affecting your mind is nullified because it cannot influence your mental state or cause you to lose yourself. Your soul is not mortal; it is an incredibly complex structure beyond mortal comprehension.]
The system paused before adding,
[As for your body, it will be able to handle it due to the Sacred Ember Flame and its preservation properties.]
...
"Elder, don't you think it's risky?" a man asked.
The old man looked up with a calm expression. "Miss, trust this old man. I've seen a lot in my time, and I believe he will be able to do it, especially with the flame."
"But... it is not the full flame, only a wisp from the main flame," the man added.
The old man nodded slowly. "Miss, that is exactly what I want to test. If the Sacred Ember Flame allows one to awaken Prana effortlessly, then it will prove that you, too, can do so without any danger."
"..."
...
Next Day
As he stood waiting in the training ground, his gaze fell onto the ground, watching the outline of his shadow stretch across the earth. He felt it then—a creeping sensation, like a presence just behind him.
"..."
He couldn't help but speak aloud, his voice low and almost amused, though his heart still raced at the thought. "Buddy, I know you're watching," he said, his eyes narrowing.
From the moment he had returned from that encounter with the Outer God, he'd felt a constant, unnerving awareness lurking just beyond the edges of his senses.
And it could only be one thing.
"The one who now lives in my shadow... Ith'kal, the Formless Death?"
As he called it out, a sudden voice sounded in his mind.
'I only watch. I do not interfere. If you do not desire to be watched by me... then I understand. I, too, would not love to be watched by someone,' the voice said.
He paused, surprised. are all Outer Gods this... understanding? Or was it just Ith'kal?
"...No, I don't have a problem with you watching. Just don't observe me during private moments," he said, his tone firm but almost like he was teaching a child what was right and wrong.
After a moment, Ith'kal responded, its voice calm.
'Very well. Your privacy shall be respected.'
He exhaled, slightly relieved, and muttered under his breath, "Okay then... enjoy watching. It's quite the show, after all." He shook his head, amused by the strange exchange.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached, and the Elder arrived, breaking the strange silence.
"You've arrived early," the old man muttered, glancing at him with a faint smile.
He nodded in response.
"Good," the Elder said. "Well, it takes time to awaken Prana. It won't just happen in a single day."
The old man's voice grew quieter, his expression thoughtful. "Hmm… I think I should tell you now. Since you've aligned yourself with us, and the Sacred Ember Flame ensures your loyalty."
"Tell me what?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The Elder glanced around cautiously, then raised his hand. A faint ripple distorted the air around them, and a notification flashed in his mind:
[Sound-Concealment Barrier Detected.]
'Is this old man going to reveal something highly classified? Why else would he create a barrier?'
The old man spoke, his voice calm yet deliberate. "Do you know who the Duke is?"
He hesitated before answering, choosing his words carefully. "I mean… the Duke is… the Miss, right?"
He referred to her as "Miss" because last time he was forbidden from calling her by name.
"No," the Elder replied, shaking his head. "Miss is not the Duke. Adrian Kaelhardt is."
He blinked, confused. "Huh? Adrian Kaelhardt? Who's that? She told me she is the Duke."
The Elder leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further. "She is. But under the facade of Adrian Kaelhardt. The real Adrian Kaelhardt has been dead for years."
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping into his expression. He wasn't clueless, but this sounded absurd.
'System, how is it possible to perfectly impersonate someone?'
[It is possible. Many things are possible.]
The System's vague response was no help, leaving him to piece the puzzle together himself. He glanced back at the Elder, his curiosity now fully piqued. "…So, does she have some kind of… means to perfectly change herself into this Adrian Kaelhardt? Like, you know… physically?"
The Elder nodded. "Yes, but it goes beyond the physical. Not only must she alter her face, but she must also emulate every detail—the way Adrian walked, talked, gestured, and even breathed. It requires absolute mastery."
He frowned, still doubtful. "That sounds… impossible. Even the slightest mistake would give her away. Someone would notice eventually, wouldn't they?"
The Elder chuckled softly. "Normally, yes. But the technique she uses is unmatched—" He paused, his expression hardening. "And I don't think I'll tell you about that. You're not important enough to know such things."
"...Okay," he muttered.
He crossed his arms, grappling with the implications. "And no one's figured this out? Not even the Emperor?"
"Empress," the old man corrected him. "The empire is ruled by the Empress. The Emperor died years ago."
He took a moment to process that before the Elder continued. "No one. The few who might have uncovered the truth are no longer alive—or were persuaded otherwise. The Miss planned this flawlessly. She spent years mastering Adrian's mannerisms before his death, preparing for this eventuality."
"..."
"This..." His voice trailed off, leaving him lost for words.
"Shocking, isn't it?" The old man laughed, his tone amused. "But enough of this chatter, young man. We've got work to do."
With a dramatic wave of his hand, the Elder gestured to the ground. "Sit. Legs folded, eyes closed. Calm your mind and focus. Empty it of distractions."
He obeyed, lowering himself to the ground. He folded his legs and closed his eyes.
"Good. Now," the Elder's voice softened, "focus on the base of your spine. Feel for the force that lies dormant within you. It's there, waiting to be awakened."
He frowned in concentration, but his breathing quickened. "I don't feel it."
"You will," the Elder said firmly. "You've faced a near-death experience—it should be easier for you than for others. You have an advantage."