Captain's Office (2)

Kayden's eyes flickered with curiosity, unable to contain his burning question any longer. "Sir, could you enlighten me on how mana arts work?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of the captain's lips, as if Kayden's thirst for knowledge pleased him.

"Mana arts, Kayden," he began, his voice carrying a hint of reverence, "are a means of channeling your inner power and shaping it into stunning manifestations."

"With each mana art," the captain continued, "you learn to move your mana in a particular pattern that resonates with a specific element."

Kayden leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the captain as the excitement ran through him.

"When a cultivator uses mana arts, he becomes the conduit for the elemental forces that shape our reality."

As the captain spoke, Kayden could feel the invisible threads of mana weaving through the air. They swirled around him, waiting to be harnessed.

"Mana arts are not mere spells or incantations," the captain explained. "They are living expressions of your inner power. When you master a mana art, you become a vessel for its energy, channeling it with precision and unleashing its awe-spiring effects."

Kayden's imagination soared, envisioning himself commanding the mana, a force to be reckoned with. He couldn't start to imagine the exhilaration of wielding such extraordinary power.

"However, we mustn't forget that the journey to mastering the different mana arts is one of self-discovery and discipline," the captain emphasized with a stern voice. "It requires both unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of mana."

Listening to the captain's words, Kayden nodded, his eyes glimmering with determination.

He recognized that the path of cultivation went far beyond the pursuit of physical prowess. It was a transformative journey, an ascent toward becoming a higher being, unlocking the true potential within oneself, and unraveling the vast mysteries of the universe.

"Remember, the path of cultivation is not an easy one. It demands sacrifice, resilience, and an unyielding commitment. But in the end, it offers unparalleled rewards and the ability to shape the world around you."

Absorbing his words, Kayden's resolve deepened with every passing moment.

"Finally, I want to let you know about the base's competition," the captain uttered, his voice carrying a sense of significance. "As well as the recruits ranking, the government has also set up a ranking for the bases."

Curiosity brimming within him, Kayden couldn't help but inquire, "What is the rank of our base, sir?"

A hint of anticipation danced in the captain's eyes as he replied, "The ranking has not started yet. It will commence after the First Trial. That is why we give so much importance to the performance of the recruits, especially the top ones like you."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "The ranking of the base will serve as the main yardstick the government will be using in the future to decide how many resources to allocate to each base."

Kayden's mind analyzed the implications of his words.

'I don't like the idea of my future resources depending on the actions of others,' he mused, a tinge of frustration evident in his thoughts. 'But I guess it is what it is.'

Just as he was beginning to reconcile himself with this reality, the captain added, "Besides that, there is another thing that will have great importance when establishing the ranking, and that is the Bases Competition, where the best recruits will get several precious rewards."

A flicker of excitement ignited in Kayden's eyes. This offered a glimmer of hope and opportunity since he would have another chance to stand out, further improving the base's ranking.

'Moreover, I refuse to think we are weaker than the other bases.'

Sensing his thoughts, the captain said, "You should not worry too much about others' performance. The top recruits like yourself carry much more weight than the average ones when determining the base's ranking."

Relieved, Kayden answered, "Nice. You can be sure I will give my best, sir."

The captain chuckled. "I have no doubt about that. Keep up the hard work."

"Yes, sir."

"That would be all for today. I will see you at the upcoming test in a few days," he concluded.

Nodding, Kayden left the office and headed for the canteen, reflecting on all that the captain had talked about.

As soon as he entered the bustling canteen, the aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the air, mixing with the excited chatter of the recruits.

After ordering the second menu, Kayden found an empty seat at the corner table, allowing himself a moment of solitude to digest the captain's words.

Although Kayden knew that his words were not completely honest, it was undeniable that he had benefited a lot from the talk.

'The knowledge he shared might be basic, but it shows me where I am heading for. Besides, it also showed that he has high expectations for me, especially if I obtain the reward that allows me to achieve a higher grade in the Nodes Unlocking stage,' he thought.

Noticing that his menu was ready, he stood up from the chair and went to pick it up.

On the way, he couldn't help but feel slightly disgusted at the sight of the other recruits, annoyed that they might be the cause of his failure to achieve his goals.

As he picked at his meal, his thoughts wandered to the concept of the Mana Body, possessed by every Sage Grade talent.

It became evident to him that being in harmony with mana was the key to unlocking the full potential of mana arts. It would make the practice a far more natural and fluid process due to the cultivator's mana control.

These insights further fueled Kayden's determination.

He realized that if he wanted to aspire to the pinnacle and fulfill his goal, achieving Sage Grade was a must. It was not just about mastering mana arts but surpassing the Mana Ascension stage.

On the other hand, to those beneath this Sage Grade, the path to such heights seemed almost unsurpassable.

After finishing the menu, he left the canteen and made his way back to his bedroom.

As he stepped into it, the quiet solitude welcomed him, providing the perfect environment for introspection and rest.

Knowing that he would have to push himself further with each passing day, Kayden plopped down on the bed. As he settled into it, he envisioned the future he aspired to, a powerful cultivator, undaunted even by the passing of time.

Determined to train for the upcoming test as much as possible the following day, Kayden closed his eyes, allowing the embrace of sleep to envelop him.

***

Kayden opened his eyes, finding a familiar landscape in front of him.

"This can't be real…" he murmured, feeling chills.

In the middle of nowhere, where there was neither sun nor moon, neither day nor night, an endless reddish wasteland stretched to the horizon.