Taking the first step...

Jason stared at Dante as he held the orb in his palms. He was unsure whether Dante would perform what he thought to be a dangerous act.

"I think I know what your planning... You and I both know it's not a good idea..."

He returns the orb back into the special ring. The purple smoke began to exit from the item as it swirled around the orb. When it was fully engulfed the smoke slowly started to vanish until there was no trace left.

Jason removed his ring and threw it to Dante which he easily caught.

"Awakening is a long procedure and to rush it all at once will not be good. Even the physicians and mental awakeners have shown research, awakening through brute force can harm your future if not done properly..."

HIs eyes looked down at Dante's body. Although it seemed far better than what it was a few days ago. He had only improved slightly compared to the rest of the other prodigies and geniuses he had seen training their whole lives.

"Not to mention when your potential was previously tested as a child it was unclear but it was not that prominent... Surely, you yourself can see this as a stupid decision."

Dante knew this information well as he had done the same methods in his previous life. His mana veins (meridians) were damaged and the effectiveness of the mana which flowed through was permanently degraded afterwards.

But he has no choice, the system's objective would expire in a few days and there may be severe losses if he were not to complete the main objective sent to him. There are some risks that are unavoidable and the best method of success is preparation.

Unbeknownst to Jason and most of the people in this world currently, most of the current research of brute force awakening is scarce. It is an uncommon method that most awakeners typically tried to avoid using. It would later become a more common practice in the future when the invasion would occur and the empire was forced to awaken new awakeners quickly.

From then the research has been more consistent as more safer preparations and methods were devised for flooding the meridians with brute force.

One of these were the physicality of the body and the purity itself. By improving ones body and airways the quality of the veins would therefore increase as well, lessening the harsh impacts of the sudden intrusion of mana into the body.

The next would be the flow of the mana orb. Mana is abundant all around the world as it is stored within the body of awakeners and flows all around the world. There are specific places in the world that have a better quality of mana and a larger quantity which would help the flow into un awakened easier.

That was one of the main reasons of why Dante was able to succeed with the brute force method his previous life. The academy was known to be a place with a plentiful amount, even more so than most others in the world. The only places that have the most pure mana is when mana disasters occur.

These are natural disasters around the world caused either by the awakener or nature. These types of disasters are the will of the Gods and Heavens as awakeners defy them by attempting to break through to a new realm. These types would mainly occur when trying to become an S realm, the threshold of becoming a saint. When the existence of one person is now transcending the mortal coil in which they possessed before and officially making the first leap into being an immortal.

Dante's father Salazar is an example of this. In his previous life, he had failed his first tribulation when trying to breakthrough and ascend, leaving him with a large amount of injuries. He was lucky as most others who fail would normally result in death. Currently, Salazar had just recently became a Peak A rank so his current breakthrough attempt wont be for a number of years.

"I understand the risk. So do not meddle yourself anymore in my affairs." Dante said in a cold tone as he put the ring on his left hands middle finger.

"Tsk. You sound like a middle age man. You used to be so childish even a few days ago. Then suddenly this dramatic change occurred."

Dante lifted his eyebrow up as if to say 'What did I just say? Do you keep planning to speak when I told you to be quiet?'

Silence followed as Jason stood there watching for a little bit. He was initially curious as to what Dante would do but the interest disappeared when he just continued to read the book.

When Dante gazed up from a soft noise, Jason had completely vanished from the room.

He contemplated whether he should lock the windows as people seem to just enjoy walking in all the time through there but eventually decided against it. He needs his airways clear and fresh air always gives benefits to the one who consumes it.

At midnight he closed the book he was reading, it was a more in depth history of the empire. Realising there were no more books he needed to consume more information. There are more historic books in the basement, so after Dante's current objectives were done, he would be taking a trip down there.

It was barely used and he never had a chance to explore within in his previous life, except for once. It was only for a few seconds as the room was old and dusty.

After putting the book on the desk, he brushed his teeth in the bathroom close by and went to sleep. Dante had decided tomorrow would be the day...

***

Dante woke up later in the afternoon this time, he had decided for a full days rest. He had eaten a late breakfast and got changed for his training. After leaving the house he noticed a small shadow following him in the forest. He decided not to investigate too heavily as it would not matter much for the location he would be in.

As he was walking the ring on his left hand was vibrating, signalling it was ready to be used again, the cooldown would be a few hours per use.

When he arrived there was already a packed amount of knights training. Every platform had been taken and most equipment were in use. The younger knights even scoffed as now the person they had been compared to could not train properly.

Dante did not care. He had no use for the equipment anyways. Currently, he was at the peak his younger body had ever been.

He walked up to the seclusion area which held the small rooms. There was a singular knight guarding it. If people are meditating or training they could be at their most vulnerable so it was important that someone keep a lookout at all times.

"How much for a day?"

"Hmmm...."

His voice was deep and groggy and had stubbles all over his face. Dante could smell the alcohol on his shirt and breath.

"10 silvers."

Dante took out a small pouch from his belt. He had brought it specifically for today. It had 25 silver pieces within. It was his entire life savings for the past 16 years of his life. The economy was quite simple. There were copper coins for the most basic of items and 100 Copper coins make one silver coin. It would repeat life this from Silver, Gold till platinum where it was the highest currency.

Of course money was just a medium of exchange in the empire. Outside the empire trading was the most used method. Of course methods of productions wasn't traded that often. Like land, capital, labour and businesses. Labour is quite expensive outside the Empire.

When the empire was founded slavery was banned. Any intelligent creature could not be enslaved by another. Originally people found a way to create loopholes such as contracts. However, these were punished very harshly. This started a movement where the other kingdoms and countries would ban the trade of enslaved creatures, except for a few.

"Alright, go along kid."

As Dante walked down the corridor he took note of the long hallway with tightly shut stone doors infront. They were the other private cultivation rooms, where the other knights were currently practicing at. Sometimes they would even lock themselves up hoping to gain an epiphany on a technique so they can master it better or to increase in their mana cultivation.

He finally got up to his number. On the wall the numbers changed and it said 24:00 marking the time he had to practice.

As Dante pushed the large stone door it gently opened showing the small room which held four essential items. A food source, they were large nutrient balls able to feed the body with the necessities it needs per day. There was a full bag of it, considering he would only be here for less than a day. He wouldn't need it at all.

On the side was a natural flowing water source, he would guess it's from a spring nearby so that the awakeners practicing can drink at any time.

A bed was provided with one pillow and a cover so they can rest inside if needed.

The final item was a metal toilet for basic human needs.

Dante took a deep breath as he summoned the blue orb and gently put it down in the middle of the room. After approaching the bed, he used the pillow to put under the orb so it may stay balanced in the same place.

The ground was firm and made of polished stone. Dante sat down and positioned himself into the lotus position, straightening his posture he began to breath in and out in a consistent manner.

He was visualising his entire body path and the way he would achieve awakening. Perfect focus and deep concentration was needed for this task.

As he sat there no sounds enter the room, it was complete silence. The only noise left was the sound of Dante respiring as the air came in and out.

"."

".."

"..."

"...."

With a deep exhale he had felt completely focused and relaxed. His mind was sharp as the blue orb began to light up in a brighter colour.

The bright blue light slowly taking over the room.

'I stand at the bottom of the ladder and choose to take the same path. There is no option for failure as death is all that awaits me. A human must have ambitions as high as the heavens and be prepared for it's wrath.'

'With this I take the first step once more...'