Plan B

The next day. As a commoner, Tepo was the only one within the tower who was dependent on food. Thus, he was making some breakfast alone while Anvil was in the artificer room and Quill was training.

Nonetheless, the food was alright, but Tepo couldn't enjoy it. He was incredibly apprehensive. Even the spirits accompanying him couldn't lift his mood.

Yesterday, Quill told me to absorb the artificial core today. Once I awakened, we can then hold the test. But what does this mean for me? I feel like my core isn't fully awakened. But it's there. I probably can't replace it with an artificial core.

How to proceed from here? Mother told me that warriors absorb forces to strengthen themselves. Should I try doing so?

What a mess… If nothing works, I will go through the test without awakening! Quill claimed that the test is about intelligence. I might be able to pass without a core!

Not able to get rid of his worries, Tepo entered one of the training rooms after eating.

Immediately a calming fragrance hit Tepo's nose. He was reminded of a vast forest, feeling close to nature. The training room had no furniture at all. Only a big window, letting in the blueish tainted light of the ocean.

As advised by Quill, Tepo entered the room and sat cross legged on the ground. He made himself comfortable. His mind concentrated only on himself, blending out all external influences.

Tepo put the bottle containing the artificial core in front of him. He stared at it in confusion, not certain where to go from here. But in the calm environment a strange thought came to Tepo. Maybe he wasn't the most knowledgeable in this room.

Taking deep breaths, the young man focused. He tried to feel his soul once more. The projection of his body popped up instinctively.

Tepo was in a strange state. All his worries gradually drifted away. He tried to communicate with his core.

Nothing happened, though. His core appeared to slumber, maybe still annoyed at having to use up one of its runes. But Tepo didn't panic.

Gently, the young man tried to mentally nudge his core. He hoped to get any kind of feedback. It would be for the bests if his core could even start absorbing forces, awakening quickly, preferably with a high rank.

But nothing happened. Ten minutes passed. Twenty, thirty, one hour. His core didn't react.

Tepo furrowed his brows. He didn't understand what was going on. Why was his core not showing the tiniest movement? Maybe it was indeed damaged? Should he try the artificial core for now? Maybe he could later change them?

Hesitating, the young man tried for half an hour more before accepting defeat. He would continue if his core showed even the tiniest movement, but it remained unmoving and lifeless. The golden circle resembled a dead star, which has run out of energy a long time ago.

Thus, Tepo could only go for plan B. His eyes focused on the bottle before him. A viscous liquid swayed calmly, seemingly radiating millions of colors. Tepo was enthralled by the sight. Such a beauty. Who could resist it?

Suddenly Tepo wrenched his head to the side. He took a deep breath.

What just happened? Is this the artificial core's effect? Hmm… it's not surprising that something like the artificial core could have a certain influence of humans.

But usually… the more something tries to entice you, the farther you should stay away from it.

Tepo carefully looked at the bottle from the corner of his eye. He didn't feel a special pull anymore.

Sighing, the young man turned his head back.

So many people have already used an artificial core. Many might have had such doubts. But in the end desperation pushed them forward.

Am I not the same? I am still amongst strangers with no other options. If I tell them that I have a core, they might be able to find it. Especially with Wave's strength this might not be impossible. But if they determine the Core of Time to be something special, who knows what might happen to me.

I can only awaken somehow or hope to pass the test without a core. But this would only postpone my problems without solving them…

Tepo stared at the artificial core once more. Nothing strange happened this time. His eyes gradually grew determined.

Reaching out his hand, the young man gradually grabbed the bottle. The liquid danced slowly, mimicking the elegance of a colorful butterfly.

Tepmodus stopped hesitating. He unscrewed the bottle.

Suddenly the young adult felt a pinch in his chest. Tepo was first confused than overjoyed. He concentrated on his core.

The lazy golden circle was gradually waking up. It turned left and right like a kitten enticed by its favorite food. A feeling of desire stared to radiate from it, crying out to Tepo.

The young man rolled his eyes. He realized that his core desired the artificial core. It was definitely related to cats somehow, its behavior too similar.

But Tepo was glad that the Core of Time stopped playing dead. He raised the bottle. Quill had already told him to just drink the artificial core. Your body knows how to handle it.

Taking a deep breath the young man put the bottle to his lips. And tilted it.

Immediately a thick liquid poured into Tepo's mouth. It made its way down his throat. It was forceful. Taking all the space it needed, the liquid almost led Tepo to throw up. He felt as if a snail was crawling down his throat.

Tepo trembled until the liquid reached the height of his chest. It didn't continue towards the man's stomach, but slowly diffused into its surroundings, ready to observe its new home.

The liquid was prepared to take on the form of a core and work together with its host. But suddenly it was startled. Someone else was already occupying its home.

Just as the artificial core was ready to fight, an unbelievable pressure stopped all its movements. Tepo didn't feel it, but the artificial core was completely suppressed.

An absorption force suddenly spread within Tepo's chest. It was irresistible. Slowly a faint white light was sucked out of the artificial core. The liquid lost its luster. It panicked but had no way out.

Tepo had activated the projection of his body. He saw the artificial core trembling within his chest. Meanwhile the Core of Time slowly absorbed some white light.

Eyes lighting up, the young man was overjoyed. This was the same light as the one used during the awakening. He had found a way to strengthen his core! Full of enthusiasm he continued watching as his Core of Time gradually sped up the absorption.

The artificial core on the other hand was desperate. It slowly dried up. It became weaker and weaker, not finding any chance to fight back.

Ultimately no sudden twist or turn happened. The artificial core lost its luster, only a viscous, brown-red liquid filled with small white dust remained.

Before Tepo could get a closer look, those remains suddenly flickered slightly before vanishing instantly.

The young man was bewildered but he had no time to care about the artificial core. His Core of Time was rapidly digesting the absorbed energy. It formed runes at a high pace.

98, 99, 100…

Suddenly the core stopped. A blinding light was emitted by the golden circle. Tepo felt as if his body had turned into a sun, but from the outside only a faint golden shimmer spread on his skin.

The Core of Time turned. Faster and Faster. It emitted a powerful feeling. Tepo was surprised to find even his body rapidly improving in all aspects. He could tell that he became stronger, faster, more perspective. His skin became more durable, his muscles more resilient. An explosive power filled every cell.

Tepo was in a rush. He had never felt such a feeling. His ego inflated and he had the misconception of being able to destroy the world with his body.

Suddenly the Core of Time pulsed two times, before calming down again. It settled in Tepo's body, ready for action, getting rid of its earlier sleepiness.

But the young awakened was suddenly overwhelmed. With the Core of Time pulsing, it formed its first abilities. Tepo instinctively activated one of them.

His brain suddenly received an influx of information. Strange circles appeared everywhere within his surroundings. Especially the ocean was filled with them. Every small fish radiated a golden light resembling the Core of Time.

Tepo's chest tightened. His vision blurred. Sweat poured out of his body. Suddenly the young man let out a scream.

"AHHH!"

Abruptly Tepo's world darkened. He fell unconscious.

With a plop his body dropped to the floor.

A moment later, the training room's door opened. Quill and Anvil entered the room. The experienced man took one look before nodding leisurely.

"He awakened."

Anvil smiled, genuinely happy for the newbie.

"Yes. He did it. Let's carry him to a bed. He shouldn't be out for long."

Quill only nodded before turning around matter-of-factly. Anvil shook her head. She stepped forward, easily lifting Tepo and leaving the room.