Chapter 14: Meeting with the Seventh Elder
Eric stepped into a room he had never been in before. The walls were covered with pictures and symbols of the long-forgotten Everia family. However, there was something different about this room. The air felt heavier as if there was a power flowing through it.
In the middle of the room, sat the figure of an old man wearing a black robe with an ancient symbol that was very familiar to Eric. The symbol... the symbol he had seen on the mysterious man who had appeared some time ago. It turned out, this figure was the Seventh Elder of the Everia family.
Eric felt a tension in his chest. He knew this meeting was no ordinary one. This was a turning point in his life, a meeting that would bring about great change.
"Eric Valentinus Everia," the Seventh Elder's voice was soft but meaningful. "You came to confront me, didn't you?"
Eric looked at the old man with eyes filled with respect, but also suspicion. "I have come to understand more, about this family, about the powers I possess, and about the future I may live."
The Seventh Elder nodded, a small smile appearing on his face. "You have great potential, Eric. However, potential without understanding will only bring destruction. Before we go any further, I want you to learn about the power you inherited."
Eric frowned. "What do you mean?"
"No one can understand true power without understanding themselves," the Seventh Elder replied, standing up. "Let us begin with something more profound, a practice of controlling your inner energy—something more than a martial technique."
With a calm movement, the Seventh Elder raised his hand. "This is meditation, a way to find peace within yourself and awaken your hidden powers. Be prepared, Eric."
Without further warning, the Seventh Elder raised his hand and the air around them began to change. Eric felt a powerful energy flow into his body. At first, he was shocked, but then he realized that the energy was not dangerous. Instead, it felt cool, calm, and powerful.
The Seventh Elder continued, "This meditation will help you control your inner energy, bringing it into harmony with your body and soul. Before your power can reach its peak, you must first learn to control yourself."
Eric closed his eyes, following the Seventh Elder's instructions. His entire body felt relaxed, and the energy flowing through him grew stronger and stronger. However, he had to remain calm. The tension in his chest began to ease, and he felt a sense of balance he had never felt before.
"Now, take a deep breath," the Seventh Elder's voice sounded softly. "Let the energy flow through your body. Don't fight it. Feel each flow that enters you, and bring it into peace."
With every breath he took, Eric felt the power deep within him begin to awaken, as peace deepened. A power he had long possessed but had never fully understood was now beginning to be revealed.
Eric focused on his breathing, trying to feel the flow of energy flowing through his body. Each breath brought a deeper sense of calm, and with each inhale, he felt a stronger inner energy. This energy was not just physical, but also spiritual, as if he was connected to something greater.
In the silence, the Seventh Elder's voice sounded again, this time softer, as if enveloping Eric in meaningful words. "Your inner energy is a reflection of your mind and heart. If you cannot control both, then your power will only be a burden."
Eric focused deeper, realizing that this was not just about physical strength. This was a deeper test, a test of self-control, and a recognition of the power within himself.
"Let the energy flow calmly," continued the Seventh Elder, "do not rush, do not be affected by emotions or distracting thoughts. Only with calm can you reach your true potential."
Time passed imperceptibly. Eric felt a significant change within himself. The energy that flowed was now not just a flow of power, but of understanding. He began to feel the difference between the power that came from anger, and the power that came from peace.
Finally, after a while, the Seventh Elder said, "You have reached the beginning stage, Eric. This meditation is not the end, but a beginning. With deeper self-control, your strength will continue to grow."
Eric slowly opened his eyes, feeling the change in himself. The previously hidden power now felt more controlled. He felt more ready to face the challenges ahead, including whatever he would face within his family and the outside world.
The Seventh Elder looked at Eric with a meaningful smile. "The power you possess is not only an inheritance from this family but also a part of you. Remember that true strength does not come from physicality or technique, but from how you face it with a calm heart."
Eric bowed his head in respect. "Thank you, Elder. I will continue to practice."
The Seventh Elder nodded. "This training is just the beginning, Eric. I will always be here to guide you if you need any guidance. The Everia family has great potential, but only those who know how to control their power can truly make a difference."
With those words, the Seventh Elder disappeared into the shadows, leaving Eric in even deeper peace.
Eric stood firmer, feeling that the new strength he had discovered through meditation was not just about physical ability, but also about much greater self-control. He knew that this was an important step on his journey to becoming stronger—stronger than ever before, and ready to face whatever came.
After meditating with the Seventh Elder, Eric felt a calmness he had never felt before. His inner energy now felt more regulated, more controlled, though there was still a part of him that felt like he had not yet fully mastered the power. But one thing was for sure, he felt more ready than ever.
But even though meditation brought him peace, he couldn't ignore the growing sense of unease that was starting to grow inside him. A feeling that the Everia family was descending into a deeper conflict, one that could prove fatal if not addressed soon. Eric knew that in addition to physical strength, he also had to prepare himself for the power play within his own family.
He thought back to the conversation he had overheard last night when Leon and Lady Seraphina had discussed their plans. There was no doubt that they were planning to take control of the family. Even Duke Alaric seemed to be caught up in their game, though his seemingly neutral attitude was becoming increasingly suspicious.
Eric couldn't wait any longer. He knew that to save this family, he would have to do more than rely on his physical strength. He had to know more about what was going on behind the scenes, and how he could stop the plans that could destroy everything.
With stronger determination, Eric turned and walked towards the training room, preparing himself for the next physical training. This training would be more than just energy control—he had to prepare his body and mind for whatever was to come. Be it a fight against his own family, or an outside threat that was ready to strike.
In the quiet training room, Eric began a series of physical exercises that had become his routine. But this time, there was a different feeling in every movement he made. Every attack he unleashed felt more focused, stronger, and more controlled. The energy flowing through his body felt more harmonious with every movement as if his body and inner energy complemented each other.
The Seventh Elder appeared in the shadows in the corner of the room. Without saying a word, he watched Eric's every move. The Seventh Elder's eyes were filled with wisdom as if he was carefully assessing Eric's abilities.
After a long while, the Seventh Elder finally spoke. "Your training has progressed, Eric. But remember, strength is not just about defeating opponents. True strength is about controlling your destiny."
Eric paused for a moment, listening to the words attentively. "I understand, Elder. I don't just want to be strong, I want to control what is in front of me, not just on the battlefield, but in this life as well."
The Seventh Elder nodded slowly. "That is a lesson that is more difficult than simply mastering power. Controlling your destiny means knowing when to act when to retreat, and when to make a decision that will determine the fate of all."
Eric looked at the Seventh Elder with deep respect. "I will do my best."
The Seventh Elder disappeared into the shadows, leaving Eric to ponder his destiny even more. Eric knew he had a long way to go. Meditation and physical training were important but more important were how he handled himself amidst the growing intrigue and conflict within his family.
With a stronger determination, Eric continued his training. Every punch and movement he made felt more meaningful, not only to increase his strength but also to prepare himself for a future full of uncertainty.
As the sun began to set, Eric felt his body getting fitter and his energy more controlled. But deep down, he knew that the real training had just begun.
That night, after a long training session, Eric sat on a large rock in the backyard, looking up at the dark sky. The calm of the night brought his mind back to the conversation with the Seventh Elder. The Elder's words echoed in his mind. Destiny… Controlling destiny. Eric knew that, although he was getting stronger, the real challenge was yet to come.
He felt that something bigger was waiting for him. Something more than physical combat, more than tactics in dealing with his family's internal conflict. Eric felt that he was on the verge of a transition, a journey that would take him not only into a world of power but also into a world of moral decisions and strategies.
It is not only external enemies that need to be watched out for, but threats from within—from those he considers family. Leon and Lady Seraphina have great ambitions, and Duke Alaric, though he has not shown any clear intentions, is unlikely to let his seemingly neutral position lead them to ruin.
Eric stared at the Everia family crest on his shirt, which now felt heavier than before. It was not only a symbol of inheritance, but also a symbol of responsibility. The responsibility was to protect the family name, restore the honor of the Everia family, and ensure that no one in the family was lost in personal ambition.
He stood, staring into the distance with a sharp gaze. When he returned inside, he was greeted by the image of his father, Duke Alaric. A figure who had always been an example to him, but also a figure who was now increasingly difficult to understand. Eric knew that to reach greater heights, he had to let go of his dependence on anyone, including his father.
That night, Eric felt more aware than ever—his future decisions would depend not only on his physical strength, but also on his wisdom in leadership, in facing enemies not only outside, but also within his own family.
With that feeling, he walked back to his room, preparing himself for a tomorrow filled with harder and deeper training. Eric knew this was just the beginning. The journey to master himself, and unravel the mystery hidden behind the Everia family's intrigue, would test more than just his physical strength.
Eric sat back in his room, contemplating. After a day of training and reflection on his family, his mind wandered once again. His newfound power was amazing, but he knew it wasn't enough. What good was great power if he couldn't understand it or use it wisely?
Last night, after the conversation with the Seventh Elder, something inside him had awakened. Meditation and self-control, things that had felt foreign to him, now felt like a key. A key to mastering not only physical strength but also spiritual strength.
However, this journey was not easy. The training he had to undergo was increasingly intense, and even though he had become a Martial King, Eric felt that there were many things he did not understand. So many challenges came from within himself and his family, and only with perseverance and a deep understanding of inner strength could he face them.
That night, he was determined to train harder. Every move, every technique, and even every breath would be considered seriously. It wasn't just about getting stronger, but about understanding how that power worked within him.
Slowly, Eric closed his eyes and sat back down in a meditation position. He began to channel his inner energy, slowly entering a deeper state of meditation. Every distracting thought, every doubt that arose, he tried to let go. His focus was on only one thing—mastering himself, honing his inner strength, and becoming a leader who was not only physically strong but also wise in every step.
And, with that determination, he begins his next training, prepared for whatever comes, because he knows this journey is about more than just physical victories.
(End of chapter 14)