---
— Dad... where did Mom go?
— Your mom went... on a trip.
—
With eyes full of anger, hatred, and resentment.
Tark (thinking): My father killed my mother... that scum... and he tries to pretend he's innocent and poor... He killed my mom!
Tark (thinking): And he wants me to go back home to bring him money... will never!
Suddenly, an image appears in Tark's mind—his little sister's face.
Tark (thinking): Lweil... I'm sorry... I left you with that man... I hope he doesn't exploit you too.
Tark (thinking): I'll go back home only for Lweil's sake... maybe I'll take her with me and run away.
Suddenly, Tark imagines the scene again... his mother's face in his mind.
Tark falls to the floor of his room, crying.
Tark, eyes filled with tears: Mom... I miss you.
—
— A few hours before midnight —
In Razin's room... Razin sits on his bed, swinging his legs, with a calm expression, free of his previous sadness.
Razin (thinking): Hmm... am I really jealous of Verina?
He adds: How could I be jealous of such a kind person like her? Until now, I've considered her my only true friend.
Razin (surprised): Was what was blocking my progress that I was always making comparisons? Yes, I think Verina's words are right... my jealousy, my love for competition, and all circumstances created a false rivalry that distracted my mind... but now, I feel a great improvement.
— He smiles —
Razin: I will show my gratitude to her... by completing the first step here and now!
---
Verina, in her room: Will my words be enough to put Razin back on the right path? I think just a few words are not enough to overcome human desires... maybe I supported him, but to fully get past it, he has to put in effort... but I trust Razin.
Verina: Alright... time to get to work!
Razin: Alright... time to get to work!
The two begin their training... Razin trains to control his heartbeat... while Verina tries to identify her core artery by various means... She tries to pump blood into it... Overall, her goal is to increase her awareness of the core artery, preparing for the final activation stage in the coming days.
Both are in their rooms.
The two rooms share a calm atmosphere filled with utmost focus. Razin sits relaxed on his bed, Verina on the floor.
Razin tries to clear his mind by all means... pushing away distracting thoughts, especially...
In his mind, an image of his heart... full concentration on it... suddenly the image of the heart becomes unclear... and inside it appears an image of Verina standing in front of him, ahead in a race... Yes, Razin's focus is distracted from his heart as usual... but...
— Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale —
The image starts to fade from Razin's mind... he sees his heart beating calmly and peacefully.
— Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale —
Razin's focus reaches its peak... on his heart and nothing else.
— Contraction... dilation... contraction... dilation —
In his mind, he hears the quiet beats of his heart... maintains and insists on his focus... his goal is to not hear those beats for a second.
— Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale —
Sweat begins to appear on Razin's face.
— Contraction... dilation... contraction... dilation... —
Absolute silence in the room for a second... the sound of the heartbeat stops in Razin's imagination... calm...
The image of Razin's heart freezes for a second... the heart stops beating for a full second, then resumes.
Razin exits his state of concentration.
— At this moment... Verina has already begun to focus —
---
The Teacher: When you feel the core artery is present, it means you have started to sense it... and that's the goal.
Inside Verina's mind: She tries to visualize her core artery... sees the veins of her body... one by one... imagines each one... and can identify each by name, location, and details... her main goal is to identify the core artery as well.
The Teacher: When you succeed in sensing this artery, your next goal is to pass a barely noticeable amount of blood through it, just to check your control... Don't overdo it, as it's difficult... but the main goal remains... to pass blood to the energy core... using the core artery.
Verina tries to piece together all that she has studied about this artery in her mind... like a puzzle... all scattered pieces... she must connect and assemble them... to understand the meaning it conveys.
Verina's focus reaches its peak.
— Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale —
She controls her breathing, making it calm and steady.
Piece by piece, the puzzle comes together... and the features of this unique artery begin to appear in her mind... and in her feeling.
She is still... everything around her is still... it's very difficult to break her focus now.
The meaning starts to appear... her understanding increases... only a little is left to sense the existence of the core artery.
— Complete silence —
All puzzle pieces are in the right place... all Verina's thoughts are connected... her imagination, subconscious mind, and awareness weave a silky thread linking her to the core artery.
Verina succeeds in directing blood to it quickly and effortlessly... which officially means Verina has completed all the preliminary steps for activating her core.
A sound of relaxation escapes Verina... her breathing soft and calm.
She opens her eyes seriously and quietly.
— I did it.
Razin quietly: ...Did i do it?... It seems I did it.
Silence in Razin's room for a few seconds—
Suddenly, Razin bursts with joy.
Razin: I did it! I did it! I did it! I did it! Finally! I did it!
The wonderful feeling and positivity fill Razin's heart, and a smile spreads across his face.
With great joy and a low voice from the intensity of his happiness: I really succeeded!!! Finally!.. I have waited for this for a long time.
Razin sighs... a heavy burden is lifted from his shoulders.
Razin: Verina... thank you!
—
It's time for Razin to sleep.
—
— Morning of the seventh day since the techniques lecture —
After waking up and completing his morning routine, Razin is getting closer to today's meeting.
A smile lights up Razin's face, and excitement overwhelms him: I'm so excited for today's meeting!.. I want to see Verina now!
Someone else carries exhaustion on his face and gloom in his mind, but he is determined and diligent.
Tark: I will overcome all of this... for my sister only.
Razin leaves his room heading towards the main building.
While walking, he sees Verina standing next to someone else.
He runs toward her, calling her name to get her attention.
Link: Okay, thank you!
Verina: No problem.
Link: Goodbye!
Link runs towards the main building.
Razin reaches Verina.
Verina smiles at Razin: Hello!
Razin smiles: Hi!.. Was Link talking to you?
Verina: Yes... He asked me to guide him a bit so he can advance in activating his core only... I was very surprised when I saw him ask me... but I decided to help because he asked politely.
Razin: Hmm... Okay, good.
Verina smiles at Razin's reply... it's the reply she knows well.
Razin: Listen... listen!.. I have great news!!
Verina: What is it?
Razin, smiling with joy: I finally succeeded in the first step!!
Verina rejoices for Razin: Really?!!
Razin: Yes!! And it's because of you... I was able to fully focus on my goal and push away distractions because of your words!.. Thank you!
Verina, astonished: You're amazing, Razin... You don't know how happy it makes me that my words helped... I'm very happy for you!.. You're my friend... and I'm very proud of you!.. You're my student.
Razin smiles: Yes, my teacher!
They laugh about the student-teacher joke.
Razin looks at his hand: This feeling is the best... and if it weren't for your help, I might never have felt it... I'm truly grateful to you.
Verina: Don't be silly... I just did my duty for a friend!... Seeing you happy and having accomplished this... that alone is enough to make me happy!
Razin, jokingly angry: I'm not silly!
Verina: Yes, you are!
Razin: No, I'm not!
While they are happy and playing, joy and light fill the space around them... some darkness invades the atmosphere.
Tark passes by them... his mind filled with thoughts he tries to avoid... but it's not easy... what Tark discovered yesterday isn't trivial... a lot of worries in his mind.
When Razin sees Tark passing by, he calls him.
Razin: Tark!
But Tark doesn't respond... his mind is busy with other matters.
Verina: Razin... it seems Tark is not well.
Razin: Yes... it seems so... What's wrong, Tark?
Verina: I don't know... I don't know much about Tark... but it seems he's not well... we should try to help him... What do you think?
Razin, serious: Of course... you don't even need to ask.
Verina smiles and relaxes from Razin's answer: Good!
—
— Heyyy Razin! —
Someone calls Razin from afar, approaching... It's Colin.
Razin looks behind him.
Razin: Oh, Colin... I haven't seen you for a while.
Verina: Yes.
Colin arrives.
Colin: Do you have a meeting soon?
Razin: Yes... What about you?
Colin: Me too... but I saw you standing here with your friend, so I came to say hi.
Verina: Hello.
Colin: So... how's your core activation going?
Razin: I passed the first step yesterday finally!
Colin: Really?!... That's good, you're in a good position then.
Razin: It was thanks to Verina! (he points at her with his finger)
Verina lightly hits Razin's head playfully.
Verina: Stop, idiot!.. Don't give me credit... It was your hard work and your focus.
Razin, angry: I'm not an idiot! You're also the reason I could advance.
Verina turns her face: I just did my duty.
Colin: What about you, Verina?
— Breath —
Verina: I finished all the preparatory steps yesterday... I'm almost ready to activate my core.
Colin is shocked by the achievement: Really?! How?!... That's so fast... it's only been a week... you're amazing!
Razin: Hey... why didn't you tell me about your latest progress, Verina?
Verina: I wanted to tell you earlier, but we got distracted by Tark!
Razin: Hmm... I believe you (smiles).
Verina: Good... well done.
Razin: So, when will you turn to me?
Verina: When I want!.. Idiot.
Razin smiles: Okay, got it... So, Colin, do you need anything else? Verina and I need to go now.
Colin: No, nothing... Goodbye.
Both: Goodbye.
Razin: Hmm... If you don't want to turn to me...
Razin moves... turns... and suddenly appears in front of her.
Razin: Then!.. I'll be right in front of you.
Verina sighs: Okay, since you insist... let's go.
The two continue walking towards the main building... and enter their designated hall.
Teacher: Alright... last updates, students?
Everyone starts talking about their progress... about 80% of the class managed to pass the first stage.
Teacher: Okay next... Verina... how did it go with you?
Verina begins: Yesterday I finished all the preparatory steps... I'm almost ready to activate my core!
Everyone claps in amazement and admiration... including Razin.
Teacher: Amazing as always, Verina! Well done… but what do you mean by "almost ready"? Is there still something left?
Verina: Sir… I'd like today to be a rest day, just to collect my thoughts. Tomorrow will be the day I activate my Core. Is that alright?
Teacher: Of course. You still have plenty of time—take it easy.
Teacher: Alright then… next… Razin. Any progress?
Razin stood up, smiling brightly.
Razin: Yes! I completed the first step yesterday!
The students clapped for him—not as much as they did for Verina—but it was still a solid achievement for an average student.
They just weren't that impressed, since they didn't really know what had been blocking Razin in the first place.
Teacher: Excellent. Good job!
So should I assume you'll be making fast progress from now on?
Your mind should be clear now that you've started moving forward.
Razin (smiling): Yes!
Teacher: Very good. Most of you are clearing the first phase, which is to be expected. Well done, everyone.
For those of you who haven't yet—don't worry. Just work hard, and you'll get there.
While the teacher continued speaking, Verina glanced over at Razin.
She saw him sitting in his chair, full of happiness and smiling.
She let out a breath and smiled, thinking:
"That really puts me at ease…"
Teacher: So, since Verina will be activating her Core tomorrow, let's talk about what will happen then—and what actually occurs when a Core is activated.
Teacher: Tomorrow, Verina will attempt her Core activation.
This is done in the school's designated activation arena.
Razin suddenly remembered something.
—Is that the same arena I saw before?
Teacher: When the Core is activated… the Second Beat occurs.
The students were surprised.
Teacher: The Second Beat is identical to the First Beat—the Core expands to match the size of the First Beat.
For Verina, that size is 24.
The students were clearly confused.
Fenn: Does this happen every time we charge the Core?
Teacher: No. The Second Beat is a phenomenon that only happens during the first activation.
We don't know why. I've told you before—human understanding of the Core is still quite limited. But it does happen.
Teacher: However, there is one major difference between the First and Second Beat:
This time, the Core is filled with energy—meaning, at the moment of activation, a huge surge of energy is released into the surroundings.
It's like a shockwave.
And the strength of that shockwave depends on the size of the Core.
That piqued the students' curiosity.
"This is really interesting… I'd love to see it. I wonder how strong my wave will be…"
Teacher: And that's exactly why we perform activations in the arena—so the shockwave doesn't damage the school.
Razin: What do you think, Verina?
Verina (nervous): It's actually really exciting!
Razin: Yeah, I agree!
—Some time later—
Teacher: Alright. That's it for today's session. You're free to go.
Everyone left—including Razin and Verina.
As they walked out of the hall, Razin looked ahead and saw Tark in front of them.
Razin: Verina… look. It's Tark.
Verina: Yeah. Let's go.
Razin called out to him.
Razin: Tark! Wait a second!
Tark turned his tired face toward Razin.
Razin: I want to talk to you!...