Left Out

After eating my fill I continued my meditation. Although it was interrupted, I know I can get back to that same feeling again. There is no need to rush, if I can't manage then there is still the last and final option.

Marco and Sheen never mentioned or asked anything regarding what happened today. They also focused on meditating, and we're hardly talking these days but I know how they felt.

We also relocated inside the town's inn. So that Marco and Sheen can leave me knowing I'm secured. It's not really that expensive of an inn. It only cost us 1 ether stone per month.

They took tasks regularly and they sometimes stay outside just to finish their task.

I holed up inside the inn and only did cultivations nonstop. The green foundation has been reached and right now I'm aiming for the yellow foundation.

1 year later, Marco and Sheen finally reached the golden foundation. Fortunately, they were a few months away from the age of 15 before they achieved it.

"Finally we can advance and start showing some abilities." Sheen celebrated. "So what are your plans guys?"

Without any thought, Marco replied, "I'll stick with what I already know, the Etherial-Olympiad blend. Overwhelming physical and noble magical abilities are my forte. A true boss should possess this type of might."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. I'll be stronger than you though," said Sheen as he showed a confident look.

Sheen decided right from the start that he would follow the Beast Master-Olympiad route. They even hunted a slime to get its beast essence. He said that slimes are neutral in nature and would be the best to catalyze beast master cultivation in his opinion.

Marco wanted to change Sheen's mind. Saying that targeting beasts with a mythical bloodline is the best path, but Sheen's mind was set in stone. Marco only shrugged his shoulders, respecting Sheen's decision.

"Alright, Sheen guess will find some cultivation manual for you," Marco said.

"Don't you remember any manuals from your past?" Sheen asked.

Marco looked nervous when Sheen asked. He sheepishly answered, "I only remember mine. Hehehe."

Sheen was dumbfounded. "Not even a single thing?"

"Yes! I'm not you book weirdos." Marco said while looking at the two of us.

"What's wrong with me?" I retorted

"Nah, you are also becoming a bookworm like Sheen." Marco then changes the topic. "How about you Lorenzo, what's your plan?"

Marco asked me about my planned route in cultivation. Although I have a vague idea of the cultivation world, I still plan to try Shaman cultivation.

"I want to try the Shaman route," I replied.

"Only Shaman?" he asked

"Just Shaman."

"Why though? All people I know that only focus on single routes is either confident or fools." He added.

I blushed in shame but still held with my plan. "I'm a fool then, so what?"

Marco looked at me seriously, but I can see his mouth twitching as he tries to suppress his laughter. "Care to explain?"

"Well, you guys are already powerful attackers. Now that I learned how to make magic circles, I want to continue and improve my skills in supporting. You can trust your asses to me." I proudly explained.

Focusing on more cultivation will also lag me behind considering my aptitude is just the same as a normal person. Marco understood me and did not push the topic any further.

"Alright, if you say so. Just don't expect us to save your ass if you're in trouble."

They then went outside to find and buy some manuals. They also said that they'll buy the best Shaman manual they'll find.

Another year passed, and I finally reached the yellow. When I reached the yellow foundation my pace started to stagnate. Refining my foundation became excruciating.

Five months until I become 15 years old. Just a small push, all I need is the red foundation. You can do this Lorenzo! I encouraged myself.

1st month.

Then the 2nd month.

Finally, 3rd month later I achieved the red foundation. Can't help myself from rejoicing, after a number of sleepless nights and constantly passing out I did it.

Yet I can't help but curl to a ball.

Is this all I can do?

Is this enough?

Is this my limit?

Why am I foolishly rejoicing while my friends are already ahead of me?

Right when I drown myself in the ocean of sorrow and shame, I slapped my face and started beating the sense of myself.

This is not the time to mope and laze. It is time to do more.

Clang Clang Clang

I started ringing Nullus bell, I need to consult something with him.

An annoyed voice resounded inside my head, "What now? I'm still savoring this Frog Barbeque, make it quick."

"Sir Nullus you're my patron and I, your Avatar here to ask for you to help me with my worries?" I asked.

"What's with all the formalities? I told you to only call me Nullus. So, what worries you?" He sounded irritated.

Deeply breathing I said what is bothering me. "I see Nullus. I get that I'll drop the formalities then. Regarding my worries, you see my foundation is still in the color red. I'm nearing the age of 15 and it seems that my future will go downhill further my cultivation gets. Do you know something I can do to reach the golden foundation quickly?"

"Hmm, I already said I won't help you. But at the same time, you keep giving me wondrous cuisine every time not a single day missed out. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, alright fine. I'll not help you with my abilities because I keep my word. My knowledge though, you can trust it." Nullus assured.

"Thanks, Nullus. If you do I'll add one dessert along with tomorrow's food offering."

He became cheerful hearing the double treat dessert. This god is too simple-minded. "That's more like it. Alright, disregard what I said. I'll do something for you. Make this magic circle and place this bell inside."

"This is not written in the book I bought. What magic circle is this? What concept does it follow?" I know it's an arcane text magic circle but it doesn't have any magnates or type of magic circle indication. It only calls good and bad karma.

"This is calling the spirits of good and bad karma or in simpler terms, the spirits that reside in the Chaos and Order realm." Nullus explained.

With curiosity taking over me I asked him. "I see. Then why is there no need for magnates then?"

"These spirits are low inferior spirits and they are traveling to and fro from different realms. You can easily communicate with them and they respond pretty fast." Nullus answered.

"Okay, I now get it. So, what do I do after?"

"Easy, just choose two spirits, one of the good and bad karma. Then after that, you will be fused with them. They will help you refine and store ether inside your soul. They grow along with you and as they grow they will steadily improve in ether refinement. The aftereffect is that they will affect your personality. Just don't let the other spirit overpower the other, a good balance will keep your moods in check." Nullus advised.

I gladly thanked Nullus. "Tomorrow I'll buy the dessert, don't worry. Thank you very much Nullus."

"I'll be waiting then." And with that, his voice vanished inside my head along with his irritating laugh.