While the group was in the middle of training in the pond, Aria woke up after four hours with a freshened expression and happy mood.
She was near the pond on a bed and saw that everyone was meditating, so she didn't disturb them and quietly entered the pond to join them.
'Amu, let's get started.'
Amu popped up out of nowhere and plopped on Aria's head before Aria vanished, sending her to its sub-dimension.
'This process will also cause pain, so bear with it. Once we are done, your bloodline will be completely reforged and evolve.'
'And that will also mark the downfall of the Selifa Virelia Bloodline of this royal family.'
'Mhm,' Aria replied, her voice filled with conviction.
She had enough, and her priorities have changed. Her focus and feelings were distributed to her family because of her father, but not anymore.
She acquired a new goal, a new life, and people who care about her just like she began to care about them.
It was no longer her one-side struggle in the quagmire.
Aria attained her freedom and spirit of living, so nothing could stop her from growing.
Her life had finally begun moving forward in no less than the most thrilling journey of unknown paths into the vast cosmos.
...
Time passed as minutes soon turned into hours.
Exactly seventeen hours later, in the noon of the new day, Amu subtly woke them up.
It was time for them to leave.
Rin and Erix were only a step away from manifesting their Arcane Spirit Pool, but they also needed a break due to constant highly focused meditation on one task.
Aside from the Limitless Plane session, in which they focused on learning the 2nd technique of the Battlecraft Art Rune and their respective elements with Rin on Time and Erix on Space, they spent the entire time of pond meditation to gain insights for Arcane Spirit Pool.
Some people could take months and even over a year to manifest their Arcane Spirit Pool. Compared to them, Rin and Erix were killing it.
Naturally, it was also thanks to the power spots they've used like this pond and those trees along with them having a more refined Spiritual power and sense thanks to Spiritual Mystic Eye.
However, to constantly meditate and remain focused for a longer duration was more challenging for most.
Entering deep focus would drain them faster and would also make them want to have relaxation and fun. People who resisted this inner urge and spent more time to progress would naturally progress faster.
"Aria will be busy for two days as I am reforging and evolving her bloodline. As for you all, return after six hours and continue training."
"You can extract the pond's benefit for the next five at the same efficiency, so progress faster and stronger," Amu said, the slime's face and eyes serious. "I need your help to destroy this palace, but you can't help if you are not stronger."
"We'll successfully form our Arcane Spirit Pool tomorrow," Erix grinned, thrilled to find his power level tomorrow.
"Yep, so we will be Royal-order rank tomorrow, haha. I wonder how strong we'll become," Rin was also excited.
"One thing is for sure, I'll be no match for you two," Lily wryly smiled. "I'll have to up my game and need to get an Exotic Element to keep up with you two."
"How's your progress on that end?" Lilith asked.
"Yeah, Lily. You said you would your remaining insight scroll for it, right?" Erix asked.
He used his trump card which he would usually use for Rin and others for maximum enjoyment, but he needed to use it to save time.
But there was a good thing in today's session.
'These idiots haven't thought of another plan yet, haha. That's good.'
Erix quickly left the palace and joined Rin and others at one of the mountains for relaxation.
They've decided to eat at a famous restaurant today and enjoy some entertainment from professional singers and dancers.
Meanwhile, one particular group didn't sit well with Erix's decision after they relayed it to their branch leader.
"There's going be an exclusive cosmic faction event after two months. Aside from the cosmic factions present in this abyss, ours is second from last."
The Galactic Knight cosmic faction branch leader's voice rang through the comm card in a room as their four members sat around it.
"They must not survive till then."
The voice turned exceedingly cold.
"Given their progression, especially after they passed that darn test, they will leave all of you in the dust."
"Those two will be able to carry their faction's name and rise in the leaderboard, and I don't want last ranked position."
"I've already collaborated with another faction to rise in the top five after two months, but if those two enter that event bearing Unbound Star's name, they will mess up everything."
"We will kill them, leader!" A slim man with short dark blue coldly uttered. "Leave them to us."
"Addler, you are the group leader and rank 2nd in our faction. You are powerful, and I know you believe that."
"But hammer this one thing in mind, you dunce."
Everyone's heart shook as their leader's harsh and cold words echoed.
"Those two will have no equal in this abyss once they extract benefit from the pond and enter Royal-order. I don't know their potential nor their scale of progress after that, but.."
As if taking a breath or collecting a thought, the voice paused for a second before proceeding with conviction, "But one thing I am sure of is that all of you will be nothing more than fodders to hunt for them once they enter the cosmic Faction Event after two months."
Every single one's face turned ashen.
"Our faction is ranked second last because all of you are weaker than others. Don't be fucking arrogant and think hard. Work hard and focus."
"You four can't kill them."
"Borrow and hire other powers. Do whatever you can, and make a thorough plan. Start fucking working, and don't sleep until you've arranged the darn plan to kill them"
*Beep!*
The voice cut off after that, echoing a hollow yet impactful beep sound in the room.
The dark blue-haired man's face had the most particular expression.
It was plain white and utterly indifferent, while the others were ashen, some downright discouraged.
However, bubbling with whirling rage within were his two indifferent eyes. Calm yet raging.
"Get up," he said. "We have no time to rest."