Esdras thought about it and deduced that this line of thought was right, but this path of creating techniques was simply too difficult.

Walking on a path that has been well known and proven was much easier than carving a brand new path from nothing but imagination.

It was something that did not only need talented men but also a long time of accumulation. Esdras only had a grade 1 Martial talent, it was very good but it wasn't enough to make the impossible true.

Training his vigor was always a way for him to obtain a means of self-protection. It was also a good method to cover up for the classic weakness of mages.

Ultimately, it was just a method to buy time, he wasn't willing to invest Origin points into it.

"You're doing it wrong." Esdras said in the end, "this is a good way of thinking and you should not give up on it, but right now you can't unleash that power because of the inflexibility of your vigor."

"Inflexible?" Calvin repeated, "I don't understand.."

"What is the source of vigor?" Esdras asked.

"...it's the body, after training for a long time and breaking through the limits, one's own body starts releasing vigor."

"Correct, now don't you think that you've been neglecting physical training in favor of vigor? At the same time, ironically that is the reason why you also see no improvement in vigor."

Calvin's eyes widened, "don't tell me, you figured out a way..?"

"Yes, indeed. It's not a sure thing but I can say with confidence that it's a valid way forward."

Esdras didn't mind telling Calvin his findings, he didn't want to become the type of man who forgets favors. Perhaps he was giving back more than he received but he didn't mind.

"You gave me your breathing technique and a sword that saved my life multiple times since then, consider this my repayment."

Calvin had a difficult look on his face, "no this is too much. I have already sworn my loyalty to the king, but if one day you call upon me then my sword shall be yours in any matter."

Esdras laughed, "well, lets hope that day never comes. I am a mage after all, I will have to count on you to expand the path of Vigor knights in the future alright?"

"If I find something you will be the first to know of any news regarding that."

Esdras was happy to make a new friend, when all of this is done maybe they could have a drink. Then he moved on to look for an empty place to practice that move that Calvin showed him.

He didn't want to draw any attention in the training grounds, his true capabilities must not be carelessly revealed, especially with Robert and his goons around.

As he was walking about the fort he happened to see the three True mages from the tower, they were talking with a mysterious cloaked figure.

They were in a desolate area of the fort and he was very far, he couldn't see the face of the hooded person. He tried to use his [Third eye] but he was too far.

Suddenly senior Ron looked around and frowned.

Esdras was already gone, he sensed that he might have seen something he shouldn't have so after his attempt to use the [Third eye] failed due to the distance, he quickly pulled out of there.

Time passed and night fell, the apprentices were called to a meeting by the True mages.

Esdras was one of them, he had a feeling that this had something to do with what he saw today.

"I have called you here for an important notice, you will be deployed to the forest once again tomorrow. Your task is still to suppress the monsters within the area that you are assigned to, you can return to take a break in the fort on the weekends."

At these words there was a commotion, whispering and a bit of dissatisfaction among the apprentices.

"Senior, I wonder why the sudden change of plans." One of the level 4 apprentices asked.

"The situation had changed, that is all." Senior Ron was clearly unwilling to disclose anymore information. This was just an order that they were supposed to follow.

Esdras didn't say anything, it's not like he could have done anything in particular. He just felt that an ominous atmosphere has begun to spread.

****

Celine was feeling a myriad of emotions that she couldn't even know how to decipher.

The house of Varthos was once a distinguished noble family, with the rank of Earl. They were known for their long history and their military exploits in the Vast grasslands.

For nobles of this high standing, the personal maids were trained from birth to serve their masters in all things. Accompanying them in bed was a given.historical

In most cases nobles first experience was with their personal maids, that was intentional. In politics, the men of such high standing must not be easily swayed by women.

That's why they must develop a resistance to their charms.

Celine was the same, ever since she was born serving Esdras was her duty, to her it was more important than her life.

So when Esdras was sent to the mage tower she naturally followed. However, unexpectedly her master had no talent.

However he couldn't get back to the territory either, without passing the Rite of passage it was impossible.

So when she was found to have talent she vowed to use her talent to make her master's life easier and find a way to safely protect him during the Rite of passage and then they could go back home.

That was her plan.

But then something unexpected happened, her master changed. He became like a completely different person. His body and mind changed in what feels like a blink.

He became easygoing, confident and fearless. Honestly before this day, she was never attracted to him as a man, but today, she felt her heart beating against her ribs.

She was sneaking around to Esdras's room in the dead of the night.