Athenaeum Merges, Book of Athenaeum

Chanting the mantras from the 'Scripture of Ancients', he continued the training. But instead of using the energy from the Universe, he was using the energy from the pearl, thus he was not required to form a connection with the Universe.

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One by one the units started to awaken and the pearl started decreasing in size at the same time, he could feel his connection with his body increasing as his soul was assimilating at a greater rate than previously.

Very soon an entire day passed as he opened his eyes. His body was surging with an immense level of strength and covered in black sludge like substance. But instead of feeling uncomfortable he felt a wave of relief as he clutched his hands. He could feel his connection deepen with the body.

[Detected Host's soul has been merged with the body]

[Merging with the soul projection of the Host]

'Soul' was an astral projection of one's existence. It could be said as the one that governed the whole body and acted as the medium through which one could connect through the Universe. A body without a soul was just a dead body. The Universe would only bestow its Vital Energy to the bodies with the soul. As one would gain a deeper understanding of the workings of the Universe, one would be able to sense the location where the soul resided.

Aria's eyes were shrouded in darkness as his sixth sense unknowingly traveled deep within his body, arriving at the location where his soul projection resided.

Aria's soul projection was of the same shape as his body, the only difference being that it held a book in one hand.

'The Book of Athenaeum'

Just like the body, the soul of a person could also be trained. In the beginning level, the power of the soul was known as willpower, only when one's understanding deepened one would be able to change the quality of their soul power and use it to project their understanding of the Universe and change it accordingly.

-Cough-

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A feeling of invincibility surged in his mind as Aria subconsciously tried to manifest his soul power but just as he began, his body started to tear, he coughed a mouthful of blood and lost consciousness.

When he opened his eyes he found himself lying on the bed with a needle in his arm and scanning device on his wrist.

-Beep-

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The screen displayed curves which went up and down; Aria felt very weak.

[Host has over drafted his willpower]

[The Book of Athenaeum has protected Host's soul]

Then he felt a wave of exhaustion as he once again lay flat on the bed.

'It seems like I over drafted my willpower.'

To explain this one must understand that Will and Soul were interrelated yet at the same time different.

If 'Soul' was the astral projection of one's existence bestowed to one by the Universe, then 'Will' was the byproduct caused by the merging of the Soul and Body. A weak body may house a strong Soul but it won't have a strong Will. The more powerful a body the more powerful one's Will. Although there were methods to strengthen the Will but such strengthening was very little. And in order to use the power of Soul one must have a corresponding level of Will.

Aria had forcefully tried to use his Soul power with a weak Will and Body which led to his Will and Body collapsing from the sheer strength and power of his Soul.

'I cannot use the power of my Soul.'

-Swish-

The doors opened and Jasmine entered the room carrying a small bag. When she found Aria gazing at her with a smile. She frowned and shouted.

"YOU FOOL!"

"You fool, what were you trying to achieve? Thankfully, I arrived in time to check on your progress or it would have been too late." Jasmine scolded Aria.

Aria was stunned. For some reason it felt a bit warm hearing someone scold him.

He tried to get up, but Jasmine forced him to sleep saying that it was better for him to stay on the bed.

"Do you know how much Marshal Seven was worried about you? He even fought with one of the Monarchs to provide you with the use of an advanced Medical capsule which can only be used by Generals." Jasmine continued.

Aria could only smile wryly and relive the feeling of being cared for.

"By the way, what were you doing? Marshal said that your body was fine, you had just overused your mind and thus your condition was unstable." Jasmine asked.

"Where is Old Seven?" Aria asked.

"Marshal went over to ask for the advanced Medical capsule's use to the Academy. Don't worry there won't be any problem. The Advanced Medical capsules are used to treat serious injuries and are made from reverse engineering the other races' technology. They are the best in terms of healing injuries." A hint of pride could be sensed in her tone when she described the advanced Medical capsule.

-Swish-

During their conversation, the doors slid open and Marshal Seven entered with a gloomy face. But then his gaze landed on Aria and a spark of light returned in his eyes.

He hurried towards the bed and held his hands.

"How are you feeling, Cadet?" He asked.

Aria felt awkward by such care. After all, his carelessness was what led to his injury.

He hurriedly asked the system in his mind and the system answered.

[Host has no hidden damage and will recover after a few days]

"I am feeling fine. I should be able to recover if I rest a few days." Aria replied awkwardly.

"That's good. As long as you are fine." Old Seven added.

"Marshal, what about the advanced Medical capsule?" Jasmine, who was by his side, asked.

A trace of gloominess appeared on his face, which quickly disappeared, but it was caught by Aria's now heightened senses.

"At first it was fine, the Monarchs agreed with letting me use the capsule, but then it was rejected by those four idiots by saying that it was a waste of the resources to let a commoner use them." Old Seven spoke clenching his fists.