Reymon knew one more thing: if Aksai wanted him to beco strong, then his guidance would be real and honest, not fake or half-hearted.
Without waiting another mont, Reymon bowed lower, placing his forehead on the floor right near Aksai’s feet. His voice shook a little, but not with fear—only emotion.
"I accept your terms, master. I will face the corrupted druids and stop them from coming into Sharang again. When my revenge is done and my world is safe, I will leave my world as per your orders should you find worthy.
"From that mont on, my life will be yours to command. No matter what you choose for , I will not complain."
He stayed bowed, unmoving, sealing his decision with full respect and complete surrender to fate, to duty, and to the path he had chosen.
Aksai looked at Reymon for a few quiet seconds. Then, for the first ti that evening, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
It was not warm or gentle, but it showed honest approval. He bent down and placed his hands under Reymon’s arms, lifting him back.
"Good," he said softly. "Then let us begin."
He turned and pointed toward the Demon Tree where he had sat before the battle. Its dark roots twisted like sleeping snakes, and its branches barely moved even though the wind had returned to the ruined city.
Aksai walked there slowly, and Reymon followed him without question. Once they reached the spot, Aksai motioned for him to sit.
"Sit down with your legs crossed. Keep your back straight."
Reymon obeyed and settled himself beneath the Demon Tree, feeling the earth slightly warm beneath him. His breathing was steady, but his heart beat with nervous excitent.
Aksai stood behind him and spoke in a calm tone.
"Close your eyes and focus on the space between your eyes. Only that place. Nothing more."
He did not tell Reymon to clear his mind or avoid thinking. Aksai knew human nature well. When soone was told not to think of sothing, the mind would cling to it even harder. But by giving Reymon a small, simple task, all stray thoughts would fade on their own.
Reymon slowly closed his eyes. His breath deepened, and his body relaxed. He tried to feel only the spot between his eyebrows, like a tiny space that pulled his attention inward.
Aksai crouched behind him and placed his right palm gently on Reymon’s back. His hand felt calm, without force or pressure, yet Reymon sensed sothing deep beginning to move.
Aksai’s thoughts beca completely silent as he worked. A very small part of his own soul separated itself, like a speck of light too tiny to see.
This Soul Fragnt carried no power to control, harm, or take over another mind. It had a different purpose—communication and connection.
Unlike the Soul Fragnt of his clone Aron in the Aether World of Acarnis, this one could not force obedience or replace identity. It was like a ssage stone that could think and listen.
Since Reymon offered no resistance, the small Soul Fragnt slipped into his Soul Space quietly, like a drop of water joining a still pond.
Aksai felt a slight pressure behind his own forehead and breathed out slowly. It was much easier than before. His control over his Soul Fragnts had improved greatly after entering the Core Formation realm. This ti, he did not suffer sharp pain or backlash. Only a light headache ford, sothing that would fade in a few hours.
He took his hand back and rested it on his knee.
His mind noted sothing else as well. Even though his Aether cultivation level had not changed, it seed that his Spirit cultivation path had strengthened the other two paths.
The mind, the body, and the spirit were now in harmony, all in the third realm of their own systems. Balance made power flow more naturally. A stronger soul required a stronger vessel, and Aksai now had both.
He watched Reymon sit quietly, unaware of the small change inside him, and nodded with satisfaction. The first bond between master and disciple had been ford.
Aksai then slowly rose to his feet and began to walk in a slow circle around Reymon.
Reymon sat straight with crossed legs, his breathing controlled, looking like he had entered a deep ditation. Aksai placed his hands behind his back and spoke in a steady voice.
"Reymon, keep your eyes closed but listen carefully."
Reymon nodded slightly without breaking focus.
Aksai paused before asking, "Tell ... don’t you think your goals are a bit narrowminded?"
Reymon’s eyebrows pulled together. "Hmm? Master, what do you an?"
Aksai continued to circle him.
"Think about it. You are only focused on building stronger soldiers and forming a strong force to defend against the corrupted druids. Your mind is stuck on creating a wall, not a future. Have you ever thought about improving the entire martial arts civilization of Sharang?"
Reymon responded with his eyes still closed, his tone respectful.
"Um... to so extent, yes, Master. I plan to share all high level Bronze and Argent level martial arts for free to everyone in Sharang, no matter their background.
"I also want to remove so of the rules and restrictions placed by the Grand Martial Hall on the imperfect and perfected Aurous level techniques. This will help our people break through their current limits."
Aksai sighed lightly and shook his head even though Reymon could not see it.
"That is not what I ant. You are only doing those things to raise a better army. Everything you are planning is tied to one battle, one revenge.
"What will you do with these people once you win? You said you would leave Sharang and follow . Then what happens to the Grand Martial Hall?
"To the people who trusted you? Without a leader, a sect will fall apart. And because the Grand Martial Hall holds influence over the whole world, that downfall will spread everywhere. Sharang will drown in chaos.
I have already seen such instances happen in my howorld many tis. I don’t want my disciple to make those sa mistakes."
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