CHAPTER 379: NEXT PLACE

Orion shook his head slightly at Lumi’s playful comment, smiling softly as he refocused his attention.

The pressing force descending through his Sea of Consciousness was firm yet reassuring, like a skilled smith carefully hammering impurities from molten metal.

He inhaled deeply, visualizing the pressure and guiding it with precise intent toward the center of his Sea of Consciousness.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, under the vast and tranquil azure expanse, stood the World Tree Sapling.

Its slender trunk, shimmering with a gentle glow, stretched upward, two young leaves gently swaying as if caressed by an invisible breeze.

He gently guided the heavy, tempering pressure toward the sapling, carefully monitoring its reaction. Rather than resisting, the World Tree Sapling eagerly absorbed the incoming energy, drawing it deep into its roots and up through its slender trunk.

The sapling drank in the nourishing power effortlessly, calm and unaffected, as if naturally attuned to the energy emanating from the meditation field.

Feeling reassured, Orion’s shoulders relaxed as he allowed himself a fleeting moment of satisfaction. "This really is quite the treasure, as expected of the World Tree," he whispered internally, pride evident in his thought. "Able to easily handle even this pressure."

[It’s growing stronger, Master,]

Lumi whispered softly, her excitement palpable.

[Even though it’s absorbing energy silently, I can sense your soul also growing sturdier.]

Orion nodded quietly, inwardly agreeing. This feeling was indeed pleasant, his soul becoming steadier, sharper, more resilient with every passing moment.

He realized that while the meditation ground might not have the refined elegance typical of elven or arcane masters, its raw, primal directness was probably the best for everyone.

But he wasn’t here simply to strengthen his soul or nourish the sapling. Orion had a specific, critical task awaiting him: to fully integrate and master the profound knowledge he had painstakingly memorized over the past night, the essence of the Light Element and the detailed intricacies of Runic and Mana Circuit Theory.

Breathing steadily, Orion carefully withdrew the two vast repositories of information from his memory, each concept vivid and pristine.

First, he began with the Light Element—an elusive and often misunderstood affinity whose nature lay primarily in purification, healing, and defence against darkness.

The knowledge surged forth, crisp and clear. He mentally traced the outlines of its nature. Light’s inherent gentleness, its non-combative yet profoundly powerful properties, and its unique ability to cleanse impurities.

He revisited the historical account of the Saintess who once walked the lands of the Zorathal Continent, illuminating villages with her famed "Dawn Canopy," which filtered and purified demonic miasma.

Orion allowed himself to visualize her actions clearly, understanding how she didn’t directly harm her enemies but instead weakened them at their very root, empowering common people to reclaim their lives.

He continued, revisiting the profound warnings the records emphasized repeatedly. He firmly internalized the critical lesson: Light was not an affinity to be wielded carelessly or pridefully.

It was gentle yet unforgiving, purifying yet capable of destroying its wielder if misused, and the reason why only a few Light users reached high enough levels.

Orion carefully engraved these warnings deep within his consciousness, ensuring not to lose himself not only in the Light but in the Darkness as well.

Satisfied with his grasp on Light’s nature and history, Orion carefully shifted his focus to the complex runic inscription, the Light Affinity Rune itself.

It materialized vividly in his mind, its intricate, interwoven circuits and glyphs presenting themselves clearly, beautifully, and dauntingly. He not only needed to learn the first level of Affinity Rune but the second one as well due to having to recreate it to match his level again.

Finally, feeling deeply familiar with the Light Element, Orion moved seamlessly onto the second pillar of his study: the Runic and Mana Circuit Theory.

***

Orion lost himself deeply in this meditative state, unaware of time’s passage. Hours drifted quietly then days, the surrounding meditation grounds falling into deeper silence.

The sapling gently swayed once more, quietly attesting to Orion’s progress. He slowly opened his eyes, the soft glow of the surrounding meditation grounds meeting his gaze gently.

The serene scene hadn’t changed even a little; the vast lotuses floated quietly on the tranquil lake, their occupants absorbed deeply in their own cultivation, undisturbed and serene.

He exhaled slowly, releasing a breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding, and felt the gentle sway of the lotus beneath him.

Carefully, Orion turned his attention inward once more, seeking out the familiar presence of the World Tree Sapling nestled deep within his Sea of Consciousness.

To his mild surprise, despite the countless hours, or perhaps days, or weeks, he had spent refining his understanding, the young sapling appeared almost unchanged, standing as it always had: slender trunk radiant with subtle vitality, two leaves gently shimmering under the mysterious glow of his inner realm.

He nodded his head in understanding; after all, how can the World Tree be improved so quickly. He quickly brushed away any dissatisfaction. Progress, especially of something so profound as the World Tree, wasn’t always measured by rapid, visible changes.

’This was quite a productive session,’ Orion murmured softly to himself, contentment clear in his tone. Despite no major transformations in himself, he felt more... condensed, his consciousness clearer and sharper than ever.

Lumi’s gentle voice chimed in, curiosity evident.

[Will you form your Light Affinity Rune now, Master? (๑•́‿•̀๑)]

Orion shook his head slightly, his dark hair brushing softly against his forehead as he rose slowly from the lotus seat. He flexed his fingers and rolled his shoulders, feeling the deep-seated fatigue within his consciousness gradually fade away.

’Not yet,’ he answered calmly. ’There’s still another place I need to visit first.’

Lumi’s tiny window bobbed gently in understanding, offering no further questions.

Closing his eyes once again, Orion reached out with his consciousness and touched the familiar sensation of the Golden Headband. A soft warmth enveloped him, followed by a gentle distortion of space as the inheritance grounds gradually faded around him.

***

When Orion reopened his eyes, he found himself back within his room at the Helstorm mansion.

Soft evening sunlight poured gently through the large windows, illuminating the meticulously arranged furnishings and giving a calm hue to everything within his view.

He glanced around slowly, taking in his familiar surroundings. Everything appeared exactly as he’d left it, as if no time had passed yet. He might have been there for days or weeks immersed deeply in meditation.

Exhaling softly, Orion allowed himself to fall gently back onto his cursed bed. He stretched slowly, letting out a deep, weary sigh that carried the weight of his extensive session.

"Haa... this is too exhausting," Orion muttered aloud, voice tinged with playful annoyance. "I don’t even know how many days or weeks I spent in there."

A soft glow appeared by his side, and Lumi’s floating window popped into existence, gently swaying as though to comfort him.

[You are learning too many things, Master. Others don’t even need to learn 5% of the stuff you are learning. (｡•́︿•̀｡)]

Orion chuckled lightly at Lumi’s gentle reprimand, shaking his head slightly in quiet acknowledgment. "You’re not wrong, Lumi. But there’s no other choice, I have to walk this path. It’s better to learn more now, rather than regret knowing too little later."

Lumi’s window tilted, appearing to nod in understanding.

[I will always support you, Master! (๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡]

A warm smile softened Orion’s face as he closed his eyes briefly, allowing himself the comfort of rest.

"Let me rest for just a bit," he murmured quietly, his breathing calming into a steady rhythm. "Then... we will go to the Akashic Library."