Vorath stopped before the doors of the banquet hall.
For a brief moment, he simply stood there, observing.
Then the doors slowly opened.
The hall revealed itself before him.
It was vast.
Massive chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, their light reflecting off towering, imposing walls. A long golden carpet stretched across the entire hall, leading straight to the main table.
The table itself was enormous.
Ten chairs.
At the head sat Isaque.
His father.
To Isaque's right sat Maria and Pérola, two of his wives. To his left sat Clara and Adriana, his other wives.
Beyond them, occupying the remaining seats, were Vorath's four brothers, two on each side.
Only one seat remained.
His.
Vorath walked forward and took his place.
Silence followed.
No one touched the food.
A minute passed.
Then another.
The air grew heavy.
"Begin," said Isaque.
At once, everyone started eating.
The quiet clinking of utensils filled the room.
"Brother," Pedro said, glancing at him. "Your academy begins after your awakening. I expect great things from you."
He smiled.
Vorath met his gaze for a moment.
Then he made his decision.
"I have no intention of attending the academy," Vorath said.
Everything stopped.
Not a single movement remained.
"Why?" Isaque asked.
"I expect an answer that satisfies me," he continued. "We all know how hard you work, but the academy would bring greater glory to this family."
"Yes, father," Vorath replied calmly. "But with all due respect, I see no reason to attend. It would only waste my time."
The atmosphere shifted.
Colder.
"I would rather train on my own," he continued. "It's not as if I lack preparation. Since the age of seven, I've studied swordsmanship, military strategy, geography, languages."
A brief pause.
"The academy offers structure and refinement. But I would rather carve my own path."
He held his father's gaze.
"After my awakening, I will no longer be the weakest among my brothers. They all possess awakened cores."
Isaque watched him in silence.
"I am not concerned with your personal strength," he said at last. "What matters is how this benefits the family."
"I will become stronger," Vorath answered.
A pause.
"And in time… I will lead this family."
Silence fell.
The wives froze.
His brothers stared at him.
Then Pedro laughed.
"That's exactly why I like you," Pedro said. "From the outside, people might think we're rivals… but with someone like you around, how could we be?"
"I agree," Marco added. "At least you make things interesting."
"Enough," said Isaque.
The room fell silent again.
"I will ask you a few questions," he said. "These are things you would learn at the academy… but also things you could learn on your own."
"If you answer correctly, I will give you a mission. Complete it after your awakening, and you will not be required to attend."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"But if you fail… you will go. No exceptions."
"Understood," Vorath replied.
The way they looked at him had changed.
He was no longer just the diligent son.
Now, he was being measured.
"Let us begin," said Isaque.
"Yes," Vorath replied.
"At birth, every human possesses Qi veins," Isaque began. "Noble or commoner, it makes no difference."
"However, after surpassing the Apprentice level, the body undergoes a transformation… and mana veins begin to form."
He paused briefly.
"But even with both Qi veins and mana veins… something essential is still missing."
His eyes sharpened.
"The mana core."
Silence settled over the table.
"The mana core allows the body to generate mana naturally."
"Without it, even with the proper channels, there is not enough energy to sustain continuous flow."
He continued.
"Tell me, Vorath. Why is the Apprentice level the limit before awakening?"
Vorath answered without hesitation.
"Because Qi stops circulating naturally at that stage. Without mana, the flow cannot be maintained, and without flow, cultivation halts."
Isaque nodded.
"Then how did you reach the advanced level?"
"You used your mana to circulate my Qi while I cultivated," Vorath replied. "A reward for a mission I completed last year."
"Correct," Isaque said. "Only those at the Exemplar level or higher can do so without damaging another's body."
"I assisted your cultivation, but I did not break the awakening limit."
"You will only progress further once you form your mana core."
He continued.
"From that point onward, you will circulate Qi using mana until you reach the Grandmaster level… where Qi begins to flow naturally once again."
He studied Vorath.
"And why does this limitation exist?"
"It is a natural filter," Vorath said.
"Explain."
"Everyone is born with Qi veins, so in theory, anyone could cultivate."
He continued calmly.
"But the mana core is tied to lineage. It rarely manifests in those who do not possess it."
"The Apprentice level limits those without a core."
"The advanced level limits those who rely on external assistance."
A brief pause.
"Strength alone does not matter."
He finished.
"Either one forms a mana core… or they will never walk the path of cultivation."
Silence filled the hall.
"Your mother did not possess a mana core," Isaque said.
The atmosphere shifted.
"But I loved her."
"She reached the advanced level."
The wives lowered their gaze.
"We lived together for three hundred years… but that was her limit."
"She chose to have you, even knowing she would never see you grow."
Vorath remained silent.
"You need not worry," Isaque continued. "You will awaken a mana core."
"You have inherited much from me."
"Understood," Vorath replied.
His thoughts remained his own.
They must be thousands of years old.
In his previous life, he had lived for ten thousand years… yet compared to the divine level, that was nothing.
Isaque asked the final question.
"How many paths of power exist?"
"There is only one," Vorath answered.
"There are variations, such as mages."
"Those with a mana core may focus entirely on mana, but they still follow the same path."
"Qi and mana are interdependent."
"They strengthen one another."
"In the end… one simply chooses how to walk that path."
Silence.
A faint smile appeared on Isaque's face.
"Correct."
"Pedro will assign your mission."
"Complete it… and you will have your answer."
"Yes, father," Vorath said.
The meal resumed.
But the atmosphere had changed.
---
Later, Vorath stood before the door to his room.
"Ana," he called.
"My lord," she replied.
"How was it?" she asked.
"As expected," Vorath answered.
She opened the door for him.
He entered and lay back on the bed.
"There is only one thing left."
"Awaken."
"Complete the mission."
"And grow stronger."
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"This will be interesting."