Progress

The next day, Bartos told Shui to continue his morning training before coming to the forge. And so after completing his morning workout, Shui went to the Primordial LIbrary. He didn't try improving his cultivation, instead he focused on improving his control over his energy. Shui wasn't the type to rush, so he was planning to increase his familiarity with this energy before integrating more into his body. Additionally, in order to better hide his aura, this was a necessary step.

Shui 'looked' inside himself, at the almost transparent energy that was there. The energy didn't actually have a colour however, his eyes could give it a colour based on the intensity of the energy. The lowest intensity would be transparent but he wasn't sure of what the highest intensity would look like. Of course, if it wasn't for him attaining nebula one-star, it would be impossible for his mind to withstand the information accompanying this energy. However, he still couldn't 'look' at the natural energy surrounding him as it was on a much higher complexity. For that, his cultivation would have to be much closer to the criteria that the artifact spirit told him.

There were several cultivation systems in the world. Though many of them involved the use of foundational energy, they differed in effects and procedure. The three main cultivation systems were of energy, body and soul. The soul could be cultivated to galaxy astral state after nebula astral state before ending at universe astral state. Each astral state was formed of six stars that had to be lit in order for the soul to advance.

Though those practicing the energy cultivation system would have an increase in both soul and body cultivation, it would be to a limited degree. Even a Master Realm practitioner may only be at nebula three-stars. Furthermore, while energy cultivation was stronger at the beginning stages, all three cultivation systems would result in similar power during the latter stages. Obviously, double or triple cultivating these cultivation systems would make one exponentially stronger, but the difficulty involved was also of a higher order. Not to mention the cost of the necessary cultivating resources...

At the end of his Library session, Shui could consciously move the energy within him, release a precise amount of it, and had improved on his usage of the aura restraining art. The best part about the aura restraining art was how simple it was. As long as he mastered his control over his nature energy, he would master the skill as well.

After making his way to the forge, he was introduced to the other apprentices under Uncle Bartos, all of them being in the Soul Realm.

Broc was the youngest, and though he had a well-toned body, he seemed weak in comparison to Gus and Yur who were almost as big and muscular as Bartos. However, he had the best hammering and tempering skills among them.

Gus was generally whimsical and would think about random matters when not working, but the moment he was ready, he would put his absolute focus into his craft. From what Shui heard, Gus once got burned on the arm by sparks from the furnace but he didn't notice until after he was done forging.

Though Yur's skills and aptitude was the lowest of the three, he had the best business sense and could tell what the client was asking for with the simplest of clues. Due to this trait, he was normally entrusted with any high-quality weapons which would be auctioned off at town.

Shui started off by helping the other apprentices with errands such as cleaning their tools or fetching material. Though this wasn't exactly hands-on practice, Shui knew he couldn't jump straight into wielding a hammer. And so, with his usual diligence, he listened to his teacher and senior apprentices and carried out menial tasks and manual labour. On the bright side, he was also able to watch from the side as his seniors forged a few items. Only Broc and Bartos would forge items for the clan while the rest would experiment and help make some things for the villagers at the base of the plateau.

By the end of his first day, Shui's arms were exhausted from lifting heavy objects and even eating was something that took effort. Seeing him struggle to even hold a fork, Lilia decided to feed him. Having to go 'aww' was an embarrassing experience but luckily only Bartos and Lilia were at the dinner table. Two days had past and yet Kate was still persevering.

While being fed, Shui remembered his mother. He had known Aunt Lilia for so long that he considered her his second mother, and so he was even more determined. He would work harder so that he didn't let her down. So that she didn't leave him too.

The day after in the Library, Shui made his choice. He unhesitantly released his cultivation, returning him to a mere mortal. Still, he wasn't completely a normal mortal since the nature energy had already mutated his body.

Once he was able to control his nature energy to the point of circulating it like his own blood, he decided that he would redo his own cultivation. Shui was a perfectionist, and he knew it as well. Though the concept of rebuilding one's cultivation certainly had benefits, many would refuse to do so even with a cultivation of first level in the Mortal Realm. For a common baby on the path of cultivation, the increase in power gained from cultivation would be so addictive that they wouldn't want to lose it for even a second.

However, Shui had comprehended the peak of martial arts and had a nebula one-star soul, naturally he couldn't be compared to others. After he released his cultivation, he was able to return to the first level in Mortal Realm with time to spare. With the remainder of his time, Shui studied metals and other blacksmith-related subjects. Though he could have made more progress in his cultivation with the remaining time, he would never forget the main purpose of a library.

Apart from fixing his own cultivation, there was another event that happened on that day. While he was wiping off Yur's tongs, he heard his name being called.

"Shui..."

Approaching him was the girl who had locked herself inside her room for the past few days. She was in a simple pink shirt and black pants, and her hair was in a curly mess, but she had a tiny smile on her face. Though she would usually look cute in whatever she put on, she wasn't concerned about that.

When he saw her getting closer, Shui got up and tried wiping his hands on the gray jumpsuit he got as work clothes. By now he noticed that she had reached the second level in the Mortal Realm, but just as he was about to expose himself by congratulating her, Kate hugged him.

"Woah Kate! You should let go, I'm gonna dirty your clothes."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not! At least make me change."

Though he pleaded for her to let him go, her arms were still wrapped around him.

"I promised, I'll protect you."

Neither of them said anything else. He didn't know what promise she was talking, and she didn't care if he knew either. Still, he felt a surge of warmth. Not from the sun or from the furnace inside Yur's forge, but from the heart. Neither continued the conversation, they simply endulged in the moment.

As the two stood there with Kate's arms wrapped around Shui, Bartos had mixed feelings watching them.

"At least you won't have to worry about finding a son-in-law."

From who knows where, Yur had made it beside Bartos and chuckled as he looked at the two.

Grimacing slightly, Bartos slapped Yur's head and turned back to his forge.

"Go back to work."