Six years have now passed since Koji was reincarnated.
He had learned a lot in these recent years.
Around three years ago, his parents started to notice how much he excelled in language and even got him to do multiple math equations, which he easily solved. They came to the conclusion that he was a prodigy, which was only natural if parents saw their children doing such remarkable things at a young age.
This led them to debate about a topic, the topic of when he would become a Transcendent. After considering deeply, they decided he would do it at six years old.
Most royal kids awaken as Transcendents at age eight; Koji would be doing it at six.
'Finally, today is the day I awaken as a Transcendent!'
Koji was extremely excited for this, although he has gone through some development these past years his number one goal was still to become a Transcendent as early as possible, and then go on to do even greater things.
'So the way I have to break through to become a transcendent is I have to create an opening in my Xin core, or slightly break it in other terms. The Zi and Li energy will flow through my body and to adapt to it a second Xin core would form, otherwise my body would explode instantly.'
This was a relatively dangerous process if not done correctly.
But one thing he learned recently is that whatever essence flows in more quantity, be that Li or Zi the user will have a better talent for it. So say Li flowed more into his body, he would be better at using elemental powers or just physical in general. But if it was Zi, then he would be better at concepts and inanimate things. Also, it depends on the amount. Sometimes people have 90% Zi or Li flow in compared to 10% of the other and they become extremely talented at that specific set of Mantras. On the other hand, the distribution could also be equal.
But the most important thing for talent was how much your Xin core had the potential to be opened. Koji's was 60%, which was talented but not among top talents.
But how would Koji even break his Xin core in the first place?
Well, he would first need to enter his own soul. He would do this by closing his eyes and then holding a Relic in his hands, this Relic would have to be a minor relic because anything higher would be unstable and destroy his Xin core fully. He would little by little absorb the Relic into his body, since his Xin core is not compatible with it, it would be stressed to break. But he would have to do it slowly, because if he absorbed too much at once the whole Xin core could shatter and he would die. Of course, this process is not the same for creating a third Xin core when you want to ascend from a Miniscule to a Midstreamer. That involves a whole other process, which is currently not relevant to Koji. But when you are breaking the Xin core you have to make sure to only break the amount you have enough talent for, so koji can break 60% of his open.
But this was not completely absolute...
The Relic you use throughout the process has no impact on your talent for something, so he could use anything his parents provided him.
'But, I did hear that if you are risky and absorb more of the Relic than you should, that sometimes it makes your Xin core break more and still be stable, so right now I have 60%; I may be able to increase that to 80%, but I could also die...'
'But if I do break 80% safely then my talent would increase tremendously, apparently 80% talents are even able to become Demi-Immortals sometimes...'
As he thought about it more, the more he grew fond of the idea.
'My mom and dad may kill me for it, but I have to try! Without sufficient talent one cannot succeed in life. Hard work is nothing compared to talent, our lives are determined by it solely. Therefore, if I can increase it then it would be like ensuring my future in a way!'
He decided on doing it; he weighed the pros and cons. He accounted for the risk of dying too, of course he would not actually do it ever if he had the chance of dying.
He was completely sure of himself that it would work.
But how did he even come to learn of this in the first place?
Well, one day when Ivan was four years old he was playing with a toy his mom had got him, it was a clear ball that had a light blue glowing ball in it and he could throw it and it would come back to him. When he was sitting out the black sofa playing with it, while calculating how many years before he could jerk off again, he overheard his mom and dad talking about increasing his talent.
His mothers, Mei's, tone was dejecting and stubborn.
"No, he is not doing that! I don't care if he could increase his talent; it's too risky. I understand you want his future to be good, for him to become powerful. But this isn't the way. Hard work will get him far in life, he doesn't need more talent."
She said to her husband, Ivan; he on the other hand had an optimistic expression, an expression of someone who was trying to convince their mom to let them buy candy at the store.
"Hard work is nothing in life Mei, talent is everything. If there's a chance to increase his talent we should encourage it!"
Mei's expression showed an understanding at her husbands words, but also rejection.
"No, talent is not everything. Hard work can do just as much as talent sometimes."
Ivan's face went serious as she said this, he knew she wasn't this naive to believe this but she just wanted him to understand her point.
"Even 200 years of hard work can not rival an increase in talent, be real Mei."
Her expression shifted to that of defeat, she knew he was right. But still, she would not let her son risk his life for more talent. What if she lost him? She would cry every night for at least a year, a river wouldn't be enough to describe the amount of tears that would be let out by her. Not only that, Koji's life ending at just six years old is an unbearable thought; six is such a young age, to die at that age is endlessly tragic. So for it to be even a possibility, this caused her to reject the offer no matter what. She truly did love Koji with all of her heart.
"I get what you mean Ivan, I really do. But just think about it, what if he does die? Our baby Koji, he's only six! I can't even stand to think about it."
Ivan understood her completely, but he still had his own belief.
"I know, not much people take this risk. If he even absorbs 1% too much of the Relic during the process he may die. But I have confidence in him being able to do it; I do not doubt his abilities in the slightest.'
But he then contemplated it more, and came to the same conclusion as Mei.
He sighed as he went on to say his next words before she could respond.
"But sadly, yes you are right. It is way too risky."
Mei was not especially glad at her husbands submission, nor did she feel pride at being right. Too her these things were irrelevant, rather she was glad her husband could understand her. But she also felt pity at denying Ivan's proposal at making Koji's life better, he was not trying to harm him or anything; he just wanted his son to have a better life and she deeply related to that. So, she hugged him and they kissed. Neither one arguing about it further or trying to cause unnecessary conflict with each other.
But in the other room, Koji heard the whole thing. While they may have ended with the conclusion that they weren't gonna get him to do it, he had his own thoughts.
'Hm, that does sound extremely risky... But even my own dad is confident that I can do it and he has only seen a trace of my experience and intelligence that I've exposed to them. To not be confident in myself would be stupid. But still, the possibility of dying is also a big thing. Death is the single thing that scares me more than anything else. It is the end of everything, the reaper of life! Risking this is huge...'
Now, two years later. It was the day that he would be breaking through, and also the day where he met his conclusion on this matter.
Which was that he would do it, he was going to risk it.