As the Twins got home, they were greeted by Morgranna's scanning before being, as usual, ushered upstairs for a shower and bath before dinner—their new menu now in effect. While they ate, Morgranna informed them about the change in their lesson plan and explained why.
The Twins nodded in agreement. They had felt the difference while eating, feeling fuller than before. Afterwards, they began their usual winding-down routine before going to bed and fell asleep instantly.
The next morning, they woke as usual, washed, dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast, savouring the delicious after-breakfast coffee Morgranna made them.
When it was time, they left their Dorm and boarded their carriage bound for the cultivation building for their lesson. The journey took half an hour by carriage, but they still had ten minutes to spare before the Teacher was to meet them.
They sat in the cultivation building's reception area, leisurely observing the calming décor. Soft golden sunlight filtered through translucent rice-paper screens, casting gentle, shifting patterns across the polished silver floors.
Towering potted bamboos, their stalks subtly glowing with bioluminescent veins, lined the walls beside sculpted white stones—some levitating gently, untouched by gravity, a showcase of advanced technology. A tranquil fountain, carved from dark obsidian flecked with starlike specks, burbled in the centre, its waters swirling with a faint lavender mist and emitting soothing chimes like wind through reeds. Low, minimalist seating crafted from smooth, dark wood and set with cushions patterned in nebula-inspired swirls invited visitors to rest. Holographic koi fish drifted lazily across the ceiling, shimmering with ethereal hues and blending tradition and innovation seamlessly. The air was cool and perpetually fresh, perfumed with hints of lotus and something metallic—a subtle reminder that both mastery of spirit and technological marvels maintained peace here.
As they admired the design, a man approached—his robes crafted from ultralight, luminous fabric, deep charcoal shifting with every movement, laced with pale, circuit-like patterns glowing along the seams. The material refracted light, producing a gentle, otherworldly sheen and adjusting its opacity in response to ambient conditions. The high collar and cuffs bore silver and cobalt threads forming intricate glyphs—a fusion of ancient runes and modern icons—pulsing with the wearer's energy.
The inner lining, visible as he moved, swirled with colour, reflecting the robes' protective, adaptive functions. Discreet clasps at the shoulders held embedded crystals, each alive with faint pulses of light, storing spiritual resonance and serving as power sources and personal shields. The overall effect was both elegant and formidable—attire marrying tradition with the demands of futuristic cultivation.
"Good morning, Chaos Yi and Chaos Er. My name is Embersoul, and I will be your cultivation Teacher. Please follow me to the room where I'll teach you everything you need to know about cultivation," he greeted, gesturing gently for them to follow—more peaceful than one might expect from an Infernal.
As they followed Teacher Embersoul through the winding corridors, they saw that the same style continued throughout the building and even into the rooms. Their assigned room included an incense burner emitting a curling strand of scented smoke, infusing the space with a mild, calming aroma that relaxed both body and mind.
Teacher Embersoul had the Twins sit on futons while he sat across from them. Each futon had a small table where a servant placed a tray with a tea set for their use.
"If you'll allow me, I'd like to scan you to determine your current cultivation level, and then we'll proceed with your lesson," he said gently.
The Twins nodded, and with their approval, he scanned them with the now-familiar device and reviewed their cultivation levels.
"I see—both of your cultivation levels have reached ninety-five percent naturally. I will now guide you through the Knowledge of cultivation you have inscribed on your Sea of Consciousness, so that cultivation becomes a subconscious behaviour for you.
"Once you reach this level, you'll no longer need to focus on cultivating and compressing your Mana in your Dantian; it will become second nature, performed subconsciously like breathing or your heartbeat," he explained in his serene manner.
Understanding, the Twins nodded. Teacher Embersoul poured himself a cup of tea and began his lecture, his tone tranquil. "Cultivation is a profound journey—not merely for power, but for Awakening, harmony, and self-resonance across time and cosmos. Its truest essence is the art of attuning one's spirit to the grand weave of existence."
"Tian Dao teaches that the body is the vessel, the mind the guide, and the spirit the flame, bridging mortal and transcendent. It teaches us to breathe with the earth, quiet the mind, and let acts of Mana flow with ease through the Meridians. Each breath, each moment of stillness, echoes the world's pulse."
As Teacher Embersoul spoke, the Twins entered a strange meditative state, reminiscent of enlightenment, circulating their Mana and energy as they'd mastered through Tian Dao. He smiled knowingly, yet serenely, and continued:
"As the stars have called us outward, so too has cultivation found new soil. Mana that once shimmered beneath willow trees now swirls in the hearts of interstellar nebulae. The body's Meridians mirror the ley-lines of astral space, channelling energies both ancient and entirely new. The Sea of Consciousness in each of us reflects the endless void, urging us to expand beyond previous limits."
"Through layers of technology, this ancient art adapts but endures. Spirits commune through fields of light, while resonant crystals amplify intent and shield the soul. Nanofiber and bioluminescent veins merge with flesh and bone, augmenting the vessel—yet reminding us cultivation's heart is unchanged: self-mastery, harmony with one's essence, and unity with all that is."
"Cultivation is not the mere accumulation of force nor an escape from suffering. It is the subtle, perpetual harmonising of self with self, self with nature, and self with cosmos. When true understanding blooms within, cultivation becomes as effortless as breathing, as natural as your heartbeat. The journey is no longer one of striving, but one of being—letting the Universe flow through you, and returning that flow in kind."
"As you walk this path, whether beneath ancient trees or among the stars, remember: cultivation isn't found in the trappings of time but in quiet moments of presence, in both strength and vulnerability, and in the resolve to rise as both vessel and flame, echo and origin, student and Teacher alike."
"May your inner journey mirror your voyage among the stars. May your spirit—steady as mountains, boundless as the cosmos—forever cultivate new harmony and understanding."
Teacher Embersoul concluded as the Twins sat in enlightenment, their energy circulating and Mana compressing further within their Dantian. As Embersoul watched, their cultivation levels dropped from ninety-five to eighty-five percent and remained there. Embersoul nodded, satisfied, as the Twins cultivated quietly like statues until lunchtime.
When they emerged from their meditative state, Teacher Embersoul looked at them with a serene, relieved smile. "I am happy to inform you that you have reached the state of subconscious cultivation and your levels have dropped by ten percent—the maximum achievable in this manner. You have bought yourselves time to complete your training before Awakening," he said gently. "After lunch, you'll return here to cultivate until four, after which you may return to your Dorm, as you've mastered what you need to know about cultivation."
The Twins nodded and followed Teacher Embersoul to the cultivation cafeteria for lunch. They noticed that even without concentrating on cultivation, their bodies continued subconsciously absorbing energy, circulating and converting it into Mana, and compressing that Mana in their Dantian.
They marvelled at their bodies' new state as they ate, then returned to the cultivation room and resumed their meditative cultivation, enjoying the wondrous feelings it brought. They continued until their lesson ended and, after thanking Teacher Embersoul for his guidance, left for home—ready to meet a new instructor tomorrow for the next part of their training.
As the Twins left, Teacher Embersoul convened a meeting and sent everyone the day's data for review. The recipients perused the information, eyebrows rising in surprise at the revelations within.
"So let me get this straight: it took them only half a day to master the Knowledge that others require at least three full days to grasp? And they managed to compress their levels from ninety-five percent down to eighty-five percent, buying at least a week before their Awakening?" Caine exclaimed in disbelief.
Morgranna nodded, pleased with her charges' rapid progress. "I am pleased to see them adapting and mastering Knowledge this fast. This means they will have the means to protect themselves and live longer!"
Nocturne asked Embersoul, "How would you describe their mental state?"
"They were remarkably serene for Children from a new batch. They seem to have accepted their new life and future, and are working hard to achieve their goals," Embersoul answered serenely.
This caused the others to breathe a sigh of relief, as they had feared the Twins might struggle with volatile emotions for some time.
"This is further reflected by the fact that both entered an enlightenment state by the end of the first chapter of the mantra lecture," Embersoul explained calmly.
The group thanked Embersoul for his astute observations, and he logged off from the call, while the others remained to continue their discussion.
"Well, it seems we can put several worries to rest and focus more on the lesson plan. At their current pace, it's expected they'll complete it within two months," Soleil said directly.
"It's a relief we no longer have to worry about their emotions and mental state. We can now focus on their mastery of Knowledge. Does anyone have recommendations for which lesson must be completed urgently?" Nocturne asked.
"I recommend finishing the remaining physical training first, then moving on to the others," Caine responded.
"I believe it would be best to complete the mental training first, to strengthen their mental barriers further and, hopefully, enhance their mental state even more," Kyle remarked.
"I also believe mental training should take precedence," Lucius concurred.
The Head Masters looked at each Elder and nodded in agreement that mental training should be prioritised.
"Then it's settled—mental training is next. If the Head Masters can prepare the plans, we'll end the meeting here," Soleil concluded, and everyone nodded and logged off the call.
Meanwhile, the Twins rode in their carriage home, discussing cultivation and their cultivation Teacher, who was serene for an Infernal. They paused their conversation when they received a notification about their lesson plan: beginning tomorrow, they would start mental training in a special garden.
They looked up information about the garden, and their eyebrows rose in surprise at what they discovered. It was an illusion garden, filled with plants capable of interfering with the mind and inducing hallucinations—forcing one to either relive their worst nightmares or confront their deepest fears. The goal of the mental training was to develop such strong mental fortitude that nothing could disturb their minds.
Curious, Yi resolved to read everything he could about mental states in preparation for the next day, while Er chose to relax, reasoning that the coming training sounded brutal enough.
Upon arriving home, they greeted Morgranna, underwent her customary scan, and went upstairs to wash and lounge in the bath before dinner. When Morgranna called them at half past five, they dried themselves, groomed their horns, brushed their hair, and dressed in their soft evening robes.
When they came downstairs, they took their seats at the table and enjoyed their meal in peace. Morgranna noticed a significant change in the way they ate: they were no longer ravenous and instead ate slowly, actually savouring the flavours and displaying proper table manners. This reassured Morgranna that their new nutritional plan was working.
At six, they finished their leisurely meal and settled on the sofa with their customary evening hot chocolate as Morgranna explained the change in their lesson plan.
"It was decided, after reviewing the data from today's cultivation lesson, that your mental state has improved and is showing signs of stabilising. This makes you less likely to experience volatile emotional swings."
"But to ensure your mental state becomes as stable as possible, you will undergo mental training starting tomorrow and continuing until it has reached a standard we consider acceptable," Morgranna explained.
"We saw that the training takes place in a special garden, affecting our mental state. What else should we expect?" Yi asked, curious about what the training would involve.
"The training is designed to strengthen your mental state and fortitude by desensitising you to destabilising thoughts, memories, and fears. In other words, you will undergo a form of mental torture until these things no longer affect you," Morgranna answered.
The Twins nodded in understanding, explaining that they had expected some form of training like this after their emotional outburst following Healing. Relieved, Morgranna wished them good night, and the Twins went upstairs to relax and cultivate before bed.