Chapter 12: Secrets and Lessons

Xander's aura flared as soon as he heard Amelia's words. Even though wasn't the strongest of the people present, his aura still suppressed them. He said, "If even a word of this spreads, blood will be shed, and it won't be mine."

Without waiting for anybody, he strode towards Nyx, picked him up and walked away. None of the Elders were offended. William, the First Elder even smiled and said, "He's just like he was before he met Bella."

He then looked at Bella and said, "You go and calm him down. We'll handle the kids here."

Bella nodded. Amelia, on the other hand, wrapped the kids in cocoons made out of vines, infusing their bodies with life elemental Anima Essence. She was shocked to find that Brandon's body had become extremely durable and that he was on the verge of breaking through to the Copper skin realm of Body Tempering. 

After she was done, she said, "Kids, you have to keep what happened today a secret. If anyone asks you about your Innate Essence, tell them that it's Level 7 or 8. Do not tell anyone about the specific situation of your Anima. This is your second trial as the Young Clan Head Candidates. 

There will be times when you have to keep the Clan's secrets, so we will be testing you on that."

The kids were smart and nodded. They had heard stories of talented children inexplicably disappearing and did not want to be one of them. Brandon walked up to Bell and said, "Aunty Bella, let's go and see Nyx. I want to brag about my muscles to him."

After saying that, he flexed his biceps, making her laugh. She said, "Let's go."

They walked back to her house. Xander was in his study, trying to calm himself down while Nyx was in his room. Bella went to Xander's study and Brandon went to Nyx's room. He entered without knocking and was shocked to find two Nyxs instead of one.

In the study, Xander was sitting on a recliner with a glass of whisky in his hand. Bella sat in front of him and said, "Is everything okay? You look worried."

Xander took a sip and said, "That's because I am worried. Of course I'm happy that our son is extremely talented but..."

Bella completed his sentence, "You're worried that his talent is gonna put him in danger."

Xander nodded. Bella said, "You know that in our world only strength matters. Our son has a lot of potential but if we waste it just because we're afraid, then we'll be the ones putting him in danger. The most we can do is be there for him when he needs us."

Then they just sat there in a comforting silence. Back in Nyx's room, Brandon and Nyx were also sitting and were having a serious discussion. 

Nyx said, "Bran, both of us have awakened very strong Anima and that means that we have a lot of potential. What do you think we should do next?"

Brandon said, "Isn't it obvious? I need to reach Level 10 and go hunt an Animakin..."

Nyx interrupted him and said, "Wrong. First, we need to train and reach at least the Silver Nerves realm of Body Tempering. Then, we need to..."

Brandon said, "Hold on, what's the Silver Nerves realm of body tempering?"

Nyx said, "Right, we haven't learned this in school yet. Alright, its time for a lesson. You must have already heard that Levels 1-30 are also known as the Foundational Phase and the Anima Essence in these levels passively tempers our bodies, right?"

Brandon nodded and Nyx continued, "Well, we can actively do that. This process is known as Body tempering and is divided in seven realms. These realms are also known as Foundations.

Copper Skin: Skin gains a copper sheen and becomes very tough.

Jade Muscles and Tendons: Muscles gain a slightly green colour and become extremely flexible and tensile.

Silver Nerves: The nervous system is strengthened and perception and reaction speed becomes very fast.

Golden Bones: Bones become golden and become extremely strong and durable

Platinum Marrow: The bone marrow turns platinum and blood also gains a hint of platinum. Recovery becomes extremely fast. Hidden dormant bloodlines usually become active.

Anima Organs: Their functions remain the same but become extremely strong.

Crystal Body: Strongest Foundation. All the previous effects fuse in a synergetic whole. The body itself evolves and the effects become the body's base abilities.

The body loses all acquired changes such as copper sheen on skin, muscles lose the green colour, bones lose the golden colour, etc and returns to its original appearance. Any dormant bloodline becomes active if it didn't in the Platinum Marrow realm."

Brandon said, "So it's an all rounded evolution of the physical body?"

Nyx replied, "Yes. But for people with Body Anima, it's not just the body that evolves. Since their Anima is a part of their body, it evolves as well if the Anima User reaches the Crystal Body realm."

Brandon asked, "Then why doesn't everyone in our Clan focus on this?"

Nyx replied, "There's two reasons. First, it takes a lot of time. Second, even then, there's no guarantee that one will reach the Crystal Body realm. But, it's different for us. We both have our own cheats that can decrease the time needed drastically."

Brandon said, "I'm guessing that mine is my Anima and yours has something to do with...whatever that thing I saw was when I walked into your room."

Nyx fell silent before taking a deep breath and said, "You are right. That thing was my second Anima."

Brandon grabbed Nyx's shoulders and asked, "What did you say?"

Nyx said, "I'm a Gemini Anima User."

Brandon asked, "Do Uncle and Aunty know?"

Nyx replied, "They don't. And they can't. Nobody can know of this. Brandon, we've been friends for more than four years now and I would trust you with my life. All I'm asking is that you trust me as well.

There are some things that I cannot tell you yet, but what I can tell you is that we need to grow stronger. Much stronger if we are to survive what is to come."

Brandon replied, "Bro, you don't need to explain yourself. I know that you must have a reason. After all, I trusted you once just like this and now, I'm a genius."

Nyx said, "You..."

Brandon said, "Yep. I already realised that if I hadn't been eating unprocessed Demon Beast meat all these years, my Anima would have sucked me dry and eventually killed me. So, don't worry. I trust you. But I want to know about your second Anima."

Nyx said, "Alright. We just need to get one more person and then we can begin lesson no.2."

Brandon asked curiously, "Who?"

Nyx replied, "You remember the kid who awakened the blood and bone marrow Anima?"

Brandon replied, "Yeah. I think his name was Max. But wasn't his Innate Essence only Level 3?"

Nyx said, "Never judge someone on the basis of Innate Essence. His Anima has insane potential."

Brandon said, "Then what are we waiting for? Lets go and get him."

They went to the restaurant first. They had already expanded twice so that they could serve more customers. Nyx went straight to the chief of the serving staff and said, "I'm looking for someone. It's a six year old boy named Max. He just awakened his Anima today. Its his blood and bone marrow. His Innate Essence is Level 3. I want to know everything about him, and his current location."

The chief nodded and disappeared. Twenty minutes later, he returned with a file in his hand. He said, "Everything you want is in there, Boss."

Nyx nodded and said, "Good job."

They went to one of the private rooms and opened the file. It had a complete database of the boy named Max.

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Name: Max Ironheart

Age: 6 years and 2 months

Anima: Blood and Bone Marrow

Innate Essence: Level 3

Character: Kind, Protective, Trustworthy

Mother: Yvonne Ironheart (Sick)

Anima: A Single Drop of Blood

Cultivation: Level 8 Anima Novice

Father: Draco Ironheart (Deceased)

Special note: The boy loves his mother dearly and will do anything to heal her.

Current Location: Room 286, Building 4, Scholar Dorms

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Nyx hummed and closed the file. He said, "Let's go."

Brandon and Nyx went to his room and knocked. A boy came out of the room and asked, "Why are you guys here?"

He obviously recognised them. They were the famous Voracious Duo. Although he was a bit surprised by Brandon's change, he didn't care. 

Nyx said, "Can we come in first?"

Max nodded and invited them in. He gave them both a glass of water and said, "So...?"

Nyx drank the water and said, "We're here to recruit you. We believe that you have great potential."

Max looked at them and said, "Are you guys making fun of me? Are you that bored?"

Nyx said, "Nope. We really are here to recruit you. I'm the leading Young Clan Head Candidate and I need trustworthy people, so here I am."

Max was surprised to Nyx's honest eyes and said, "You're actually not joking. But sorry, I refuse."

Hearing Max's adamant refusal, Nyx decided to use his final card, "We can heal your mother."

Max siad, "You what?"

Nyx said, "We can temporarily heal your mother and give you the means to completely heal her yourself."

Max knew that these guys were telling the truth because they had no reason to lie to him. And with their resources, maybe they really could heal his mother. 

He just replied, "Deal."