'So everyone studies cultivation techniques together. It's not separated like history was. That is interesting.'
Aeric stepped into the cultivation hall. This one was the most unique amongst the other lecture rooms in the Institution. The moment he entered, he felt a profound calm settle over him.
Of course it could just be the Daughters all going silent and whispering because of his presence, but it was also something else. Inside here felt powerful, like making noise was strictly forbidden and curses could fall upon someone who did.
He saw the warm light that filtered in through tall windows, casting golden hues across the smooth stone floors and elaborate wooden furnishings.
Aeric squeezed his nose. It seemed the overflow of Divinity also heightened his sense of smell. He could easily fish out the scent of rare herbs and incense. This was used to promote inner balance. Aeric didn't know how he knew that, but he just did.
The scent lingered in the air, enhancing the sense of tranquility. There were a total number of nineteen pillows placed on the ground, and they were all cushioned and surrounded by soft, expensive silks, meant to support long hours of meditation and contemplation.
Gentle carvings of ancient texts and mythic beasts designed the walls, all creating a quiet sense of reverence.
Aeric tried to ignore them, but it was impossible not to notice their stares. All the daughters were present today, and as usual, it was awkward around them.
He could already feel the eyes of Melina and Aryanne of Moonlight on him, those two despicable sisters glaring at him with barely-concealed disdain. What annoyed him the most was that his sisters were right beside them.
Rosette was pretending he wasn't in the room and Misty was sitting beside her, not that she really wanted to be there, but she was always doing whatever Rosette asked of her.
Aeric sat down on his pillow and tried to ignore the murmurs that rippled through the room. He'd learned to steel himself against their taunts of course, but here, in this room of study and tranquility, it felt heavier.
Perhaps it was because he was still thinking hard about the Divine Priest's ruling.
Surely now, all the Daughters must have heard about it and were going to use it to give him an even more difficult time. Aeric sighed inwardly.
'My goals have shifted a little bit but I'm still focused on them. For now, I need to find a way to deal with the Divine Priest. Maybe learning how to cultivate better would help me.'
"Daughters? Son."
His face clenched a little, but apart from that, he showed no other reaction. 'These foolish girls are never going to get to me. I'm not trying to gather Divinity. The Divine Priest said I have more Divinity than everyone in this Institution, I just have to balance it. That's all. Then I'll show her.'
Mrs. Cresttla either didn't notice or chose to ignore them, her attention already moving on. She explained each cultivation stage with very steady words, as though she was sharing some grand secret.
"Essence Condensation is next, compressing Divinity to make it more potent. But understand – this is not about accumulating power carelessly. It is about mastery, about refining your control. And Meridian Cleansing – clearing your internal channels, removing impurities so that your Divinity may flow freely without obstruction."
Aeric clenched his fists. This knowledge was exactly what he needed. Every method she listed felt like another piece of the puzzle that he was trying to build. It didn't give him answers on how to solve the issue with the Divine Priest, but he felt like he was one step closer to stability and control.
Meridian Cleansing didn't seem necessary. If he had an overflow of Divinity, it certainly meant that there was nothing blocking his Divine Vessels in his Divine Body. But surely, it would be smart to check.
Perhaps there was even more Divinity clogged up within him.
Minutes after, he could feel the weight of Melina's gaze again, but he refused to let her shake his focus. For some reason, she just wanted his attention and clearly this was the best way to get it.
'Fuck her,' he thought. 'Today, I will absorb every word spoken in this lecture, mockery be damned.'
"I'm going to need a volunteer," Mrs. Cresttla called.
"Me!" Melina threw her hand up, smiling boastfully.
"Melina?" Mrs. Cresttla raised a brow. "Are you sure? You've only Awakened recently."
"I studied the cultivation techniques with a private master during the holidays," she said. "He taught me a lot."
Aeric gave that response a skeptical face. 'I'm sure he did.'
"If you insist, Daughter Melina. Step forward then."
Melina rose stylishly, then glanced back at Aeric with a look that promised humiliation. She eyed him and continued forward, swaying her hips as she walked towards the front of the room.
Aeric frowned with anger. 'She thinks she's better than me... Fine. Let her prove it then.'