Swallowing Star

Lake was dumbfounded by the book in his hands as he never thought the welcome package would a cultivation technique. It had to be known that cultivation techniques were extremely rare, only the most powerful families could have them, and even then only the most talented individuals were allowed to train in them.

Even Gregory wouldn't be able to get a hold of a good one on account of his talent. Though it was one compatible with his ability, it still couldn't hold a candle to the one from the package.

Cultivation techniques allowed Espers to utilize their energy in specific ways to increase the strength and quantity of it. There were some that could even increase an Espers physical or mental abilities.

The particular one in Lake's hands was one of the highest tier. Any power in this world would do anything to get their hands on it.

'This is amazing! Haha! With this I'll be able to reach Stage 5 in no time!' Lake rejoiced as the problem of reaching Stage 5 seemed like it was resolved.

But when he flipped open the book to start studying, his face turned strange and he sighed.

"I should've known it wouldn't be that easy." The cultivation technique, although one of the most powerful, was also one of the slowest and most difficult to learn.

It stated that the average cultivator would usually take a year just to learn the beginning. Yet Lake had a timeline of three years.

He had read through the beginning part of the technique and completely engraved it into his mind. When he reached the middle parts he didn't continue as he knew that it would take him a long time just to master the initial stages.

Lake closed his eyes and began to move his energy throughout his body as stated by the technique. The energy started squirming until it settled down again. A failure. He wasn't discouraged however and kept trying until half an hour later.

Quietly the energy inside of him began circling his heart and then spread from there into his arms, legs, and head. It all converged at the center of his body into the shape of a vortex. It constantly spun clockwise while drawing energy from the world into it.

Were anyone to see this they'd be shocked beyond belief. An average Esper would normally take days just to find the right track on a cultivation technique, yet Lake only took 30 minutes to do it.

If his eyes were open he'd notice that a light was shimmering and floating towards him from the window. More and more dots began appearing around his room and gathering towards him.

His body began shining slightly and the energy in his body was increasing. On the inside the lines of energy moving about in his body was becoming thicker, from the size of a needle to the size of a finger.

Lake was immersed in this feeling and slowly he fell into a trance and lost track of time.

It wasn't until the next morning where he awoke from his trance.

While exhaling a breath he actually sent the things on desk into the wall! When Lake opened his eyes the first thing he noticed was that he could see and hear twice as well as before.

He clenched his fist to feel the boundless strength within his body. His energy was circulating throughout him like a river rapid.

He was shocked at his flow of energy as it had never been so smooth or powerful before.

"Cultivation techniques really are amazing! If it's like this then I'll be able to complete the mission way before the deadline."

Wanting to check his stats he opened up the display provided by the government when he remembered the system could do the same more efficiently.

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Lake Halma - Ability Unclear

[Physical Fitness]

Strength: 87

Defense: 90

Dexterity: 86

[Mental Prowess]

Intelligence: 84

Wisdom: 76

Willpower: 100

[Energy Capacity] - 100

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'!!' He was astonished at seeing his stats. The difference from before was astronomical!

All stats regarding his physical fitness had increased by at 5 points and his defense rose a whole 10 points. It had to be known that after reaching a certain threshold in training there would always be bottlenecks that required time to breakthrough.

Lake had reached one of these bottlenecks and was stuck for some time, yet just one night cultivating the Swallowing Star technique had raised his stats significantly.

He was excited at the fact that his strength rose so quickly in a single night, but didn't forget that his progress wouldn't always be this fast. Tonight was an exception as this was the first time he had trained in it.

After calming down he glanced at his clock and saw that he was cultivating for more than 8 hours without noticing.

Lake cleaned himself up before grabbing his bag and leaving for school. Left behind in his room was a small dot still shining on in the corner.

As he walked to school Lake was getting used to his heightened senses. If before it felt like the resolution was normal then what Lake was seeing now could be considered HD.

He felt like he could breathe easier and that he was unconsciously moving faster than before. Without realizing it he had reached the school gates 20 minutes earlier than usual.

'This feels amazing! No wonder cultivation techniques are so sought after, if everybody could use one humanity wouldn't be locked up in cities.' Lake felt admiration for cultivation techniques once more as he thought this.

Looking at the sky Lake's eyes twinkled, he knew that his chance had arrived. That he could now grasp fate with his own hands and shape it how he wanted. From now on, everything changes!