At that moment, Anthony noticed something unusual. Aiden had not yet opened or used the magical book Anthony had given him previously. Curiosity sparked, Anthony asked,
"Why haven't you used the book yet?"
Aiden replied quietly, "The pages… they're blank."
Anthony froze. Memories surged in his mind—a flashback to the last moments with his grandfather, his voice weak but urgent.
"Remember, Anthony… the book and the one awaited… they are one and the same."
Returning to the present, Anthony instructed, "Try to feel the book, Aiden. Close your eyes, focus your energy."
Aiden obeyed. As he shut his eyes, an immense surge of power erupted from within him. The book absorbed his energy, and the first two pages filled with glowing, ancient text. The process drained Aiden so completely that he fainted.
Anthony rushed him home. "Take care of him, Olivia," he instructed, and then went out to sea for his usual fishing expedition.
Several hours later, Aiden awoke, confused and disoriented. Slowly, he remembered faintly the drain of energy and reached for the book. Opening it, he saw that the first two pages were now filled with words. The title read: "Inferno's First Style: Eternal Hell."
This style required two harsh conditions:
Extreme Environmental Heat: The training area must be unbearably hot, far beyond what most could survive.
Body Resilience: The trainee's body must endure the internal collapse caused by the merging of fiery energy with the soul's core. Otherwise, the flames would consume them from the inside before the first move could even be executed.
Anthony smiled knowingly. "That's why I focused on developing your body over raw magical energy. My grandfather told me, 'The body is everything.'"
Anthony's physique was enormous, filled with muscles honed over years of training. Only a body capable of such endurance could wield the book's style. The book itself seemed to possess consciousness, choosing its wielder carefully.
Soon after, Anthony returned from the sea with a massive fish he had caught from the depths—a feat of strength and skill. Aiden excitedly recounted what he had read in the book.
Anthony nodded approvingly. "The second condition is nearly perfect. The first… will require guidance. There is someone in the Shadows City, far to the south—Cain Noctalis, the Unknown Whisper. Beware, the monsters in that region are vicious, some reaching Stage Nine, extremely aggressive."
To prepare, Anthony decided to immerse Aiden in multiple maritime battles, teaching him both fishing and survival at sea.
The next day, Anthony took Aiden to the fishing grounds. It was Aiden's first experience with sea hunting. Massive predatory fish awaited them, some already approaching the Threshold of Stage Eight.
Aiden's heart raced in fear, unlike Anthony, whose face lit up with a wide grin. "Time for fun!" Anthony called to the crew.
The sea erupted with chaos. Hundreds of monstrous fish, the so-called "Death Fish", attacked. The villagers, seasoned hunters, worked with synchronized precision, striking one after another.
Aiden observed in awe the crew's coordination and relentless courage, their faces devoid of fear. He realized why they had once mocked him—they were beyond ordinary strength.
He jumped into the fray, refusing to remain passive. The first fish lunged, its razor-sharp teeth snapping. Aiden barely blocked the strike. Wave after wave assaulted him, threatening to crush him. With determination, he retaliated, striking fiercely though still at a beginner level.
Drawing on a basic technique from the previous world—Water Vortex Breath—he launched a counterattack. The fish fell, and Aiden's mastery advanced: Stage Seven, Tier Two → Tier Three.
Surveying the carnage, Aiden was shocked. Ten villagers had slain nearly 1,000 fish in one hour, their number fewer than ten. He now understood their confidence and skill.
Anthony watched proudly, acknowledging Aiden's growth. This was a carefully orchestrated test, and Aiden had passed.
Aiden hesitated—how would they transport all these fish? Anthony laughed, revealing the Vacuum Bags—five in total, three with the crew and two with Anthony himself. One had belonged to Anthony's late grandfather. Aiden marveled at the practicality of such a tool.
As the sun set, the crew returned joyfully to the village, singing with their spoils. The fish were distributed among all villagers, and Aiden's training continued relentlessly.
Gradually, Aiden advanced, encountering challenges in every skirmish. Each fight sharpened his skill, heightened his awareness, and taught him new techniques.
Eventually, he breached Stage Eight, noticing the significant gap in power between Stage Seven and Eight. Recognizing his progress, Anthony handed Aiden a gift. Opening it, Aiden discovered the coveted Vacuum Bag, the very tool he had admired earlier.