Morning came with Aldrich lying on his bed, still deep in focus, trying to reach the second layer of mystic training.
He had already succeeded in forming his Ki core—the first step.
The second step required him to circulate the Ki from his abdomen through the rest of his body.
This process would unclog the blocked energy paths, allowing Ki to flow freely within him.
So it was explained in the novel.
The success of doing this would allow him to manipulate Ki not only internally but also externally.
It would qualify him as a true mystic, allowing him to confidently identify as one in public.
Yet, despite his progress, the next step wasn't coming as easily as he had anticipated.
"It's not working as I thought it would," Aldrich murmured, frustration tugging at his voice.
It came as a shock knowing that he had the knowledge down to the last bit but couldn't implement it as he wished.
Ki circulation was one of the basics of Ki manipulation, and every mystic with a Ki formation must accomplish it if they want to be full-fledged mystics.
Aldrich knew that. For now, he had a problem with where to direct the Ki.
He knew which part of the body the Ki needed to pass through for the unclogging process.
But which path exactly in his body, he did not know.
This was when he realized that simply knowing doesn't mean doing it correctly.
Similar to how watching a cooking tutorial online doesn't spontaneously make one an expert cook.
'A biologist's insight could help in moments like this.'
Just then, the creak of the door broke his concentration.
He quickly lay flat on his back, feigning a relaxed state as the door opened.
In stepped Selina, the ever-attentive maid.
"Good morning, Miss Selina!" Aldrich greeted, lying on the bed with a cheerful tone, trying to mask the frustration he felt moments before.
Selina, carrying a tray, glanced over at him with a light smile.
She had become used to his presence during the time she cared for him, and the tension that once marked their interactions had faded.
"Good morning," she replied, setting the tray on a nearby table.
Selina was preparing to tend to her usual duties, expecting to wash him as part of her daily routine.
Aldrich, however, had a surprise for her.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he abruptly rose from the bed and stood before her.
"Tada, I can stand now," he said, his voice full of excitement.
Selina froze for a moment, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You can... stand?" she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Yes! I can walk too," Aldrich confirmed, unable to hold back his grin.
"I've been able to move freely for a few days now."
Her expression softened into one of pure joy.
"How is that possible? It's barely been two weeks!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she stepped closer.
"It didn't happen overnight. That I can tell you." Aldrich explained, rubbing the back of his neck.
"About three days ago, I started feeling the tension in my muscles loosening. Then, yesterday, I realized I could fully move again."
Selina smiled, though there was a flicker of disappointment in her voice. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
She had taken care of him a number of times to believe they had gotten close enough for Aldrich to inform her first thing when he started noticing the changes in his body.
"I wanted to surprise you," he admitted, the grin still tugging at his lips. "Did I succeed? Were you really surprised?"
Selina shook her head, a light laugh escaping her. "If by surprised you mean completely shocked, then yes, you certainly did."
As she spoke, her body moved to attend to work as she began to unwrap the bed sheets, folding them neatly.
The morning light streamed through the now open curtains she had drawn to the side.
Aldrich watched her for a moment, feeling a sense of ease in her presence.
He moved over to a nearby chair and took his seat, comfortably.
It hadn't been long since they met, but their conversations felt natural, unforced.
As Selina worked, Aldrich's thoughts wandered to a question he had sidelined to ask her.
"Say," he began, his tone more thoughtful, "have you ever seen a woman with violet hair and glowing purple eyes walking around the mansion at night?"
Selina paused, her hands stilling as she thought. "Violet hair and purple eyes..." she repeated, her brow furrowing in thought.
"Yes, she's beautiful—well, more like striking. She wasn't very tall, maybe around 5'6, about the same height as me," he explained, ineptly.
"She had this presence about her, like a ghost, a cold ghost." Aldrich described, recalling the woman's enigmatic aura.
Selina's lips parted, as though she was about to answer, but the knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
Aldrich's eyes shifted toward her, silently asking if she expected anyone.
"Come in," Aldrich called out, leaning back in his chair.
The door opened, and a second maid entered, her youthful face matching Selina's in beauty.
She bowed slightly before addressing him.
"Good morning," she greeted, her voice formal yet gentle.
Aldrich nodded in acknowledgement, sitting up straighter.
Though he felt slightly awkward at the formality, he composed himself.
"The countess has requested your presence. She wishes to have breakfast with you," the maid continued, her expression unchanging.
"The countess?" Aldrich echoed, his surprise evident. "You mean Lady Marguerite?"
The maid nodded. "Yes. She wishes to dine with you this morning."
Aldrich couldn't help but wonder how the countess knew he had recovered so quickly.
He hadn't left his chambers yet, and aside from Selina, no one else had seen him walk.
He glanced at Selina, whose expression mirrored his curiosity.
Still, the invitation intrigued him.
She is his saviour and he too is hoping to meet her one day. Better sooner than later.
"Please let her know I will be there," Aldrich replied, masking his thoughts behind a polite smile.
The maid bowed once more before turning to leave, her footsteps quiet as she exited the room.
The door closed behind her, leaving Aldrich and Selina in the now still space.