Ch 13 : The Ring

The sound of water splashing filled the bathroom as Auron refreshed himself with cool river water. His toned muscles hinted at the powerful forces he could harness. Seated on a stool, he examined the silvery ring he had found inside the fish. The ring, adorned with a beautiful carving of a moon and star, was slightly too large for his finger. Despite his attempts to bend it, the ring remained unyielding.

He probed the ring using his Celestial Aura but detected no reaction. Finally, he used his soul force, and his consciousness was transported to a vast, white room filled with glittering treasures. Gold and jewels were scattered everywhere, and a few peculiar herbs emitted a comforting aroma that invigorated him. As he sifted through the pile of gold and jewels, he discovered three ancient books hidden beneath them.

"Sir, your father has been calling for you. It's best to respond before he discovers the ring," Xiao Yu advised.

Auron grimaced. "How do I get out of this place?" He concentrated on using his soul force again, trying to communicate his desire to return.

Moments later, he found himself back in the bathroom, hearing his father knocking on the door.

"Yeah, Dad, just a minute! I accidentally fell asleep in the bathtub," Auron called out.

"Is that so? Hurry up; your mother has finished cooking the fish you caught," Alex responded, heading towards the dining room.

Auron quickly emerged from the bath, dressed in a clean shirt, and made his way to the dining table. His parents were already waiting for him.

"Um, sorry about that. I must have fallen asleep in the bathroom," Auron said apologetically.

"It's alright. Just eat up; the fish soup will get cold if we wait any longer," Alex replied.

They enjoyed their family meal, chatting about their daily lives and various topics.

"Hey buddy, now that you've turned 5, have you thought about where you'd like to study? I can recommend Gloomwatch Academy if you're interested in knight training. There's also Swamp Enclave Academy for magic studies, and Hunter's Haven Academy, which focuses on survival and hunting. All three academies will be holding a joint recruitment event at the end of the month," Alex asked, a trace of concern on his face.

Auron hesitated before replying, "Um... what do they teach at Swamp Enclave Academy and Hunter's Haven Academy?"

Sarah chimed in as she tidied up, "Swamp Enclave Academy mainly focuses on magic, while Hunter's Haven Academy is all about hunting creatures in the forest, mastering survival skills, and learning about nature."

"I don't think I can decide right now. Can I have some time to think about it?" Auron asked, still processing the options.

"Of course, little star. Take as much time as you need. If you're unsure about anything, just ask us," Sarah reassured him with a smile as she took the dishes to the kitchen.

Alex nodded, quietly supporting his son, then headed outside to sharpen his sword.

Auron sat on his bed later that evening, deep in thought about their conversation. "What should I choose?" he wondered. "I don't really see myself as a knight. I'd feel too restricted by orders and military rules. Hunter's Haven Academy sounds appealing. I could practice archery, and there'll be experts there, but Swamp Enclave Academy offers the chance to learn magic. That's exciting too... I'll have to think about it."

His thoughts soon drifted to a more pressing curiosity. "How do I take things out of the ring?" he wondered, remembering stories from novels about spatial rings. "In those stories, they say you need to use your soul and focus on what you want to retrieve..."

A moment later, three ancient books materialized in his hands.

"Whoa! It really works! This is amazing!" Auron exclaimed, excitement lighting up his face.

The books were old and mysterious—one on rune inscription, another an encyclopedia of materials used in inscriptions, and the third, a blank tome.

Flipping through the first book on rune inscription, Auron absorbed its teachings. It described the intricate process of preparing materials, designing runes, carving them onto surfaces, and sealing them. One section was particularly noteworthy—it introduced a technique called Rune Shaping Mastery, an intermediate-level skill that detailed the precise control needed for advanced rune crafting.

"This is incredible. If I pair this with what I know from the Celestial Codex, I could potentially create even more advanced runes," Auron muttered to himself, already planning his future studies.

He then turned to the second book, the encyclopedia of rune ingredients. It was filled with illustrations and descriptions of various materials. "Blood of beasts… the higher their rank, the stronger the rune inscription," Auron read aloud. "And the carving material matters too… this is really useful."

He delved deeper into the pages, fully engrossed, while Xiao Yu, ever efficient, began cataloging all the new information into Auron's imaginary library. This knowledge, combined with his Celestial Codex, made him feel more confident about the future.

"I'll master these runes soon enough," Auron said to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Auron carefully put the books away, and with a sense of curiosity, brought out a few peculiar herbs he had found earlier. Their distinct scent and appearance made his blood stir with excitement. "These herbs... they seem to affect my body cultivation. Could they be meant for the Genetic Ascension Art?" he pondered.

Driven by curiosity, he took a small bite of one of the herbs and swallowed it. Immediately, a wave of bitterness hit his tongue. "Ugh, that's disgusting! What the heck is this—" His words were cut short as a sudden rush of heat surged through his body. His blood felt like it was boiling, and his muscles seemed to pulse with energy.

"What's happening?!" he thought, shocked by the sudden change. His skin burned with intensity, and he felt as if he could barely contain the energy coursing through him. Without hesitation, Auron began operating the Genetic Ascension Art, pushing it to its limit. As the cultivation cycle flowed through him, the intense heat began to dissipate, calming his body.

When the heat finally subsided, Auron noticed something remarkable. "My skin... it's tougher, stronger. But... it feels a bit softer than expected, like a woman's skin," he remarked, slightly puzzled. Realizing the herb's potential, he bit off a larger piece, bracing himself for the familiar bitterness. He immediately resumed cultivating, feeling the same wave of energy fuel his Genetic Ascension Art. Each cycle made his body stronger.

He repeated the process again and again, pushing his body to its limits until the first light of dawn crept through the window. Exhausted but elated, he stopped just as he felt the next breakthrough nearing. "The sun will rise in an hour. I should rest before my mother wakes up. This herb is incredible—it's shaved off so much of my cultivation time. I'm already at the verge of a breakthrough," he thought, a smile creeping across his face. "I'll breakthrough later this morning. Besides, my mother will be busy at the marketplace today."

Closing his eyes, Auron drifted into a light rest.

He woke up to his mother gently shaking him. Sarah had already prepared breakfast and invited him to eat. Auron joined her at the table, quietly enjoying the warm meal while planning his next steps. Afterward, he freshened up and prepared for the day.

Sarah then asked, "Auron, would you like to come to the marketplace with me today?"

Auron politely declined, "Not today, Mama. I want to stay and read some more."

Sarah smiled warmly, already used to her son's refusals at times. He had always been an independent and curious child, often finding excuses to stay behind and explore his own interests. "Alright, little star. Be good while I'm gone," she said, gathering her basket.

With a wave, Sarah left the house for the bustling marketplace, leaving Auron alone. But she wasn't worried—Auron had always been responsible, far more sensible than most children his age.

The moment she was out the door, Auron's focus returned to cultivation. "Now's my chance," he whispered, preparing for the breakthrough he had been working towards.