Despite absorbing the remnants of the energy, Adrian sensed no discernible changes within himself, leaving him perplexed. Emerging from the shadows, he surveyed his surroundings and found no other monsters in the vicinity.
Contemplating the ease with which he could operate as a silent and untraceable force, Adrian entertained the notion of embracing an assassin's role upon his return. Surveying the desolate surroundings for any lingering monsters and finding none, he mulled over the newfound potential within himself.
"Alright, heels. Let's get back to business. Lead me to more formidable monsters this time; that encounter was too easy and inconsequential," Adrian instructed, eyeing the heels with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Appearing to grasp Adrian's desires, the heels resumed their journey, carrying Adrian forward with purpose and readiness for the monsters that lay ahead.
Time passed as Adrian continued his hunt for weak monsters, employing the same effective strategy. However, a nimble, rabbit-like creature managed to evade capture because Adrian was too slow in ensnaring it, allowing the elusive monster to slip away.
Realizing the need for the monsters to remain stationary for his shadow strategy to be effective, Adrian aimed to refine his approach. He recognized that keeping them in one place was crucial for the shadows to engulf and neutralize the creatures effectively.
Following a day of relentless pursuit, Adrian made his way back to his base, nestled within the confines of the tree. The heels, as was their habit, maintained their distance from the tree, a fact that Adrian paid little attention to.
Adrian observed a symbiotic dynamic unfolding around his tree-based sanctuary. The tree seemed to act as a natural barrier, keeping the heels at a distance, while the heels, in turn, appeared to deter monsters from encroaching upon Adrian's chosen refuge—or so he believed.
Seated beneath the tree, Adrian surveyed his surroundings as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest into the embrace of shadows once more, transforming it into a realm of potential dangers.
As Adrian withdrew the cores from his soul sea, the count reached seven, each symbolizing a distinct encounter and a marker of his personal growth. Despite absorbing the essence of the slain monsters, he noted with curiosity that his core exhibited no discernible changes, leaving him pondering the mysteries of his evolving abilities.
Among the seven cores, three displayed no particular affinity, while the remaining trio showcased a distinct fire affinity. The revelation came from encountering flowers that emitted actual flames, expanding Adrian's understanding of the fantastical possibilities within this unique realm where flora and fire coexisted in a mesmerizing blend.
The solitary remaining core bore the mark of a wind affinity, obtained through the pursuit of a troublesome flying monster.
Gazing at the cores cradled in his hands, Adrian closed his eyes, delving into the reservoir of knowledge he had acquired from the books behind the blue door. The ethereal repository of information stirred within his mind.
Contemplating the common branch in his possession, Adrian resolved to transform it into a more purposeful tool. Though the task ahead promised to be challenging, he saw it as a worthwhile endeavor during the intervals of waiting for the apple to fall.
He wasn't sure if plucking them out himself was going to be a wise choice so he avoided taking any risk and waited patiently.
'Let's get started then.'
As Adrian opened his eyes, he picked up the stick and the fire-type core, intent on imbuing the seemingly ordinary branch with offensive capabilities. Drawing upon the knowledge from the books stored in his mind, he understood that the process involved infusing the core's energy into the stick using his own, rather than physically embedding the core into the wood.
With the firsthand experience of witnessing Vyrtalis, Adrian found the process surprisingly manageable. Acknowledging the genius of his mentor, he reflected on the transformative power of effective teaching, recognizing that even a seemingly unremarkable student could thrive under the guidance of a skilled teacher.
Gripping the stick in one hand and the fire-type core in the other, Adrian focused his will on channeling his core energy through the fiery essence. As his energy traversed the core, it absorbed and assimilated energy from the fiery source. The appropriated energy then flowed into the stick, gradually coalescing into a red-hued core within its structure.
Adrian understood that his personal energy could not linger within a mundane object without the infusion of core energy. This realization underscored the vital role of cores, serving as conduits to anchor and contain his energy within otherwise ordinary items.
As the core took shape within the stick, a genuine smile adorned Adrian's face. The sense of accomplishment and the tangible progress brought a profound satisfaction. It marked the beginning of his integration into a society he felt a connection to from the outset, and the realization of his potential in this unique realm.
Observing the successful formation and retention of the core within the stick, Adrian recognized that the initial step had been accomplished. While it might not have been an extraordinary feat, a sense of genuine happiness washed over him, marking the beginning of his exploration into newfound abilities.
The once-red fire-type core had undergone a transformation, turning transparent and void of energy. Adrian grasped the significance—such empty cores served as vessels for storing energy, a practice commonly employed by major factions in the world. These cores found versatile applications, from weaponry to advanced technology, showcasing the far-reaching implications of mastering the art of core manipulation.
With the energy successfully integrated into the stick, Adrian set it aside and delved into his memory, scanning for runes specifically designed for offensive purposes. His intent was to further enhance the stick's capabilities and explore the potential offensive runes that could be harnessed in his ongoing journey of discovery.
"Blast the energy in intervals, nope."
"Charge it with energy to make it heavier, nope."
"Make it hot, nope."
"Turn it into a torch, nope."
"Make it burn with fire? I don't think a wooden stick will work for this one."
"Wait, did I just use the wrong core for this stick?"
"...."
"Why do I feel like you are disappointed in me? If you were so smart, you could have said something."
Adrian directed his pent-up frustration towards the heels in a cathartic release, although the heels remained indifferent, as usual, to his emotional outburst..
A sigh escaped Adrian's lips as he voiced his self-reflection, "How could I be so dumb? I should have started with wind or the non-affinity cores. I'm afraid all the uses with the fire core might end up burning this stick one way or another," he admitted with a tinge of sadness evident in his voice.
'Thud'
Despite his contentment with the work he had done, a sense of futility hung over Adrian's efforts. Just as he contemplated searching for another stick, a distinct sound caught his attention – a fruit dropping from a tree not too far away.
In the quiet corners where doubts may thrum,
A query whispered: "Am I truly dumb?"
Yet within the silence, wisdom may bloom,
For self-reflection often lifts the gloom.