Henry's heart was fluttering in anticipation. Having lived as an unmarked for the past 40 years, he couldn't help but be excited at finally getting what he had been lacking for so long.
His joy did not last long though. His father had yet to finish speaking, after all.
"...but that isn't recommended."
Henry blinked. A sense of shock washed over him but he didn't let it show on his face.
Uneasy to get more answers, he asked politely, "Why isn't it recommended, father? Wouldn't awakening a core earlier than the Ritual always be a good thing?"
His father, amused, replied.
"It indeed would be a good thing. However, the time it takes to awaken your core with out the Ritual is too long. You would need decades. You don't have that much time do you?"
"Yes, father! Just 3 days. I understand. Thank you, father!"
Henry laughed but inwardly he was wondering over how he could finish the quest in time. The time for the Ritual was drawing near and there was no way of awakening his core in the time left.
He still did not understand what the system meant by the [Quest] and [Reward]. But if he understood thing correctly, it would only benefit him. After all, a reward was still better than no reward at all.
Seeing her son's abrupt pause, Helena sensed the curiosity the bow held deep within him. She chuckled and said, "If you want to know more about it, you can ask Sir Edmund to teach you about it."
Henry's eyes lit up. A joy which, even with 40 years of experiences, he could not hide flashing in them.
He looked at the blonde-haired woman and amber-eyed woman. She looked beautiful like a fairy whose tales Henry heard in his past life.
With a wide grin, Henry said respectfully, "Thank you very much, mother!"
The woman could sense the boy shifting from excitement and felt pleased at her son's newfound vigour.
"Finish your meal first. You can seek out Sir Edmund after that."
"Yes, mother!"
***
Henry was eating his food, even enjoying the meal outwardly. His thoughts though, drifted to what happens after the Bestowment Ritual.
"Up until the point of Ritual, all people stay unmarked. We get assigned either a [1], indicative of Light attribute, or a [-1] indicative of Dark attribute. Through proper training and practice, the properties of Spirit Energy are then changed into either that of Mana or Aura. Usually though, Light attribute is more suitable for Mana while as Dark for Aura. There are exceptions though,...just like father."
He raised his head, stealing a glance at his father. The Swordsman, the Light Warden and the 5th Knight of the Kingdom. The Man, the Myth, the Legend.
The man in front of him had broken all bounds of logic since his childhood.
Being bestowed a Light attribute, the man rebelled against everyone. Going against traditon and choosing to turn his Spirit Energy into Aura.
Even though Light Attribute wasn't suitable with Aura, the man maintained a stellar track record on this path.
Mastered Light Swordsmanship even before he graduated. His skill and might so unparalled, that even the Dark Swordsmanship veterans of the time were put to shame.
Becoming the only Light Swordsman of the Kingdom, the man singlehandedly defended the North-West.
"Quite amazing, aren't ya, father?"
Henry was filed with a sense of awe at the man. Even in his past life, no man as great as his father walked upon the Earth ever again.
Nor did a tale of a sailor as mighty ever become a rumor either.
Henry finished his breakfast and politely left the hall, look for Sir Edmund. He still had a [Quest] to complete after all.
***
Henry strolled to the training grounds, looking at the soldiers training in their modest clothes. The practice dummies being battered under their assault.
"Young Master, pleasant to see you so early in the morning!"
A voice resounded. Calm and dignified. Henry turned his head and looked at the man who spoke the words.
Dressed in a well engraved armor, the man with blue hair looked fierce.
The vassal of House Korvess, Sir Edmund Borwell, the head of the guards and Casius' most trustworthy aide.
In his past life, the man had stayed with his father till his last breath. Distracting the Swordsmen that came and chopping down the Mages that followed.
Henry smiled at the man and said, "Good morning, Sir Edmund! How are you doing?"
"I'm totally fine, young master. Can I help you?"
"You sure can. Mother said that you can tell me about the natural awakening of a Spirit Core. I want you to help me with that."
"But young master—"
"I'm already aware. I just want to see how it feels."
"Yes, young master! Shall we start right away?"
"Good! I like how quick you are! Let's start right away!"
"Then please follow me, young master"
Henry saw the man lead him into a garden. The freshness of the morning still lingered in the green.
The gardeners and a few maids that were loitering around were shunned away. Leaving only Sir Edmund and Henry Korvess there.
"The natural process of awakening requires that you are as close to nature as possible. Which is why I've brought you to this garden, young master."
Henry observed the man. He could tell that out of concern for his safety, the man had not brought them to somewhere more "close to" nature.
The knight took of his armor and all he metal that covered him.
He sat down cross-legged gesturing for Henry to follow.
"The most optimum results are obtained when naked. Though, the core concept can still be shown without the need for such indecency."
"Please look carefully, young master."
The man shut his eyes and straightening his back. His hands joined tk form a circle at his abdoment as the man slowly started breathing.
Henry copied what the man did and as soon as he finished exhaling his first breath, a sound resoonded in his ears.
Ding!
[Spirit Breathing discovered!]