The amount of refined essence they had accumulated was almost enough for Klein to open another essence gate and reach level 12. While he liked the idea of that, something about it bugged his mind.
The idea of dual cultivation was solid, but it felt exploitative if the stronger partner could simply take the king's share of the refined essence.
Is that what Elanor hinted at? he considered.
The refined energy might not be a lot to Siona in the middle of Iron rank, but Klein didn't feel good about taking it. It wasn't just because some ancient being was breathing down his neck.
Klein's upbringing had been nothing short of disastrous. No, he was not born into a dirt-poor family. Quite the opposite. He was born into a mage's family, with a substantial amount of inherited wealth. But Klein never knew his parents; they died before he could even walk properly.
