In a place that is nowhere, a mysterious island floats amid eternal darkness, surrounded by a transparent shield. At its heart lies a still lake, beside which stands a luxurious mansion. Inside one of its rooms, faint inscriptions glow on the walls. In the middle of the gloom, seven crystal orbs are arranged in a circle.
Suddenly, one of the orbs begins to glow red, and the dim light starts to breathe within the room… then a deep laugh echoes :
« Hahaha ! Finally… who would have thought it would take this long ? Hahahaha ! »
Silence falls for a moment, then the voice returns, filled with cunning and danger :
« No need to rush… this is only the beginning. I wonder, what will happen when the seventh crystal lights up ? Hmm… »
Beside the red crystal, mist begins to gather, forming the figure of a young boy, twelve years old, with black hair and brown eyes. He appears to be in a deep coma.
The mysterious voice returns, this time with a serious tone, as if addressing the boy :
« Boy… I'm the only one who knows your truth. I don't know how you'll react when you find out, but… »
He takes a deep breath and continues :
« One day, you'll have to choose between… »
But before he can finish, the boy suddenly opens his eyes, and a terrifying killing intent erupts in the room. The mysterious voice freezes in place and starts to tremble, then words burst out of the boy with a furious tone :
« I don't know who you are, or who you belong to… but don't you dare threaten me ! »
The boy disappears instantly, and the atmosphere returns to normal, as the sound of a collapsing body is heard.
Adari gasps and awakens in the school courtyard, under the cold moonlight. His black curly hair and tired brown eyes give him a disheveled look. He touches his head and slowly gets up, mumbling :
« Damn… a dream ? Who cares… why did that old man abandon me ? »
He remembers the last words his parents said to him :
« Adari… find your purpose in life, then return to us in the Ramha Clan. As you know, to be allowed back into the clan, you must reach the fifth cultivation world. Also, to prevent you from using the family name, we registered you under a new name. »
He mutters sarcastically :
« A clan ? When was I ever part of a clan ? My whole life was in that cursed village ! »
He recalls the fight from yesterday :
« What's wrong with those students ? Why are they looking at me like that ? That idiot… if only I had started cultivating earlier, I wouldn't have let him hit me ! »
He gets up and returns to his room.
In a luxurious palace, a nobleman stands by a window, his servant at his side.
The servant hesitantly asks : « Sir… do you think the young master will return someday ? »
The nobleman replies with a cold gaze : « No. He has a vengeful nature and will think we abandoned him. Most likely, he'll treat us the same. »
The servant asks again, cautiously : « Is this the only option for those of the primary bloodline ? »
After a moment of silence, the nobleman replies :
« Yes. Anyone with primary blood must be raised outside the clan in a poor environment. After that, the Empire selects a special school for them, and those who succeed… join the main branch. »
The servant quietly replies : « Yes, sir. As I understand, the main branch is the closest to the Emperor, and from it the clan leader is chosen… »
The nobleman sighs and interrupts :
« I know. But that boy always misunderstands things… he considers anyone who isn't an ally to be an enemy. Even a small reason can make him turn. That's why the imperial leadership decided to send him to a remote school. »
He then adds : « Send three first-level warriors to keep an eye on him. »
With the rise of the next morning's sun, a new day begins at Ulam Combat Academy, the remote school. Some students head to the training yard, others to meditation halls or the dining area.
Adari gets out of bed, sluggishly :
« Alright… I need to start understanding the cultivation worlds… and get stronger. »
He washes up, puts on his uniform, and heads to the cafeteria. There, strange looks from the students greet him, and he returns them with a sharp, deadly gaze. He grabs his plate and sits alone at a table.
A neatly groomed boy approaches and confidently sits :
« Hey ! Can I sit here ? »
Adari replies indifferently : « I don't care. »
The boy laughs :
« Haha, I like your courage yesterday. Most ordinary folks tremble before Ethera trainees. »
But Adari ignores him.
The boy then says :
« I'm Robert, from the Craftsmen Clan, outer lineage. Don't worry, we don't care about background. What matters to us is talent. »
Adari raises an eyebrow slightly and says : « I'm Adari, from a remote southern village. Tell me about the clans, since you seem to know more than me. »
Robert smiles confidently :
« Alright, since I'm generous, I'll explain briefly :
Craftsmen Clan : We make tools, weapons, spells, and sell them to other clans. Our talent is measured by creativity and skill, not blood or origin.
Warrior Clan : They rely on physical and spiritual strength and combat techniques. They value courage and discipline. Most city guards and army leaders come from them.
Tamer Clan : Rare, but they control beasts and rare creatures. Known for calmness and patience, their strength lies in spiritual bonds.
Trader Clan : They manage materials and sell them, including information. They're obsessed with money.
Assassin Clan : They operate in the shadows. No one knows their numbers or locations. Experts in assassination, stealth, and espionage. Their power lies in invisibility and the deadly strike.
« But of course, all of this is managed by the Empire. »
After Robert finishes, Adari makes no comment but stores every word in his memory.
Why didn't he mention the Ramha Clan ?
He wonders to himself. Or maybe each clan is only mentioned by its specialty ? If I ask him now which one is Ramha, he'll start suspecting me… better to observe silently.
Suddenly, a serious voice emanates from a crystal ball hanging from the ceiling :
« All new students, head immediately to the Basic Cultivation Hall. The first lesson will begin in minutes. »
Robert gets up and says with a cheerful smile :
« Time to get serious. Good luck, Adari, don't fall asleep in class ! »
Then he leaves with light steps.
Adari heads silently to the central hall. He is among the last to enter. There is no division of students by clan or background. In this school, titles mean nothing… everyone starts from zero.
The hall is spacious and circular, its walls etched with old cultivation symbols that pulse with a faint light. In the center, a raised stone platform stands, with a tall man on it, appearing in his late fifties. His gray eyes emit a sense of authority, and his thick gray beard adds to his dignity.
He speaks in a calm but powerful voice :
« Welcome again, to Ulam Combat Academy. »
The hall quiets, and everyone pays attention.
« I am Ran, the Basic Cultivation instructor here. I will be responsible for teaching you the foundation… which will determine who advances, and who stops at the first step. »
He waves his hand, and nine circular symbols appear behind him, each glowing with a different color, slowly shifting before the students' eyes.
He speaks more sharply :
« What you study here is what we call the first level of training. It consists of nine cultivation worlds. Each world is a gate, with a path inside it. If you don't master the first… you have no right to dream of the second. »
He walks slowly in front of them, looking into each student's eyes as if seeing what they hide :
« And today, we begin with the first world… the World of Aura. »
Soft whispers rise :
« Is that what they call Aura ? »
« Are we going to activate Ethera ? »
« I heard this part is really boring… »
Ran ignores them and says :
« Aura, or as it is sometimes called, 'Oura', is your first sensation of Ethera. It's not something you own, but something you breathe. »
He raises his hand, and a faint light begins to swirl around it, then envelops his arm like a gentle, breathing mist.
« To enter this world, you don't need strength or complex techniques… only calm, patience, and listening. »
He slowly turns his head and says in a deeper tone :
« Those who cannot feel Ethera are not cultivators… but empty bodies walking among us. »
He gestures toward a long table at the side of the hall, on which dark leather booklets rest, each with a different symbol engraved on its cover.
« Go, take only one. These booklets contain the basic breathing techniques, which you will use in meditation to pass this world. »
One student raises his hand, a muscular young man who seems more eager than the others.
He says loudly :
« Master Ran, what about the other worlds ? Why don't we learn them now ? »
Ran gives a side smile, as if used to this question, then calmly replies :
« The cultivation world is like an invisible ladder. You can't step on the third rung before securing your foot on the first. Focusing on the distant makes you fall from the first step. »
He continues :
« You are now at the beginning of the road. Don't think of the peak, but of anchoring your feet to the ground. »
He points to circular meditation spots etched on the ground :
« Each of you… sit, breathe, read the booklet, and begin your journey. »
Then he adds in a quieter tone :
« No one will interfere with what you feel. No monitoring, no evaluation. This phase… is between you and yourself. »
« Listen carefully, this is not just a passing training. »
« You are here to begin your cultivation journey, and the first threshold is to completely envelop your body in Ethera Aura. This doesn't happen in a day or night, but requires continuous focus. »
He then looks each of them in the eye and says :
« So… I grant you one full month. During this month, you must master the first stage :
Sensing Ethera and surrounding your body with it completely. »
Then adds :
« Those who fail… will be expelled from the academy immediately. »
Tension begins to spread among the students, some faces turn pale, others bite their lips nervously.
Ran continues :
« Starting tonight, you will begin training in your private rooms. There will be no extra lessons, no further instructions until after the first week, where I will evaluate your progress. »
He turns his back, and before leaving the platform, says his final words in a decisive tone :
« You now stand at the door of the cultivation world. Either enter it… or return to your ordinary lives. »
Then he leaves the hall with steady steps, leaving behind a heavy silence.
________________________
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