Aegon stayed in the stadium for the next two hours or so, practicing diligently as always. Thanks to the Rune Formations embedded throughout the training field, his progress was noticeably faster, which only motivated him to train even harder.

During all of this, Rosa accompanied him with minimal chatter. She was the ideal training companion for him, someone who preferred to talk during breaks but stayed completely focused during the actual training.

Once he finished his exercises, he took a short break while Rosa continued her routine. He watched her silently for a moment before thinking, 'Who are you really?'

That question had been swirling in his mind ever since they met, and even now, he couldn't find an answer. Not even a clue. But Aegon was a patient man, so he decided to wait until their outing day to learn more about her.

They had already agreed to choose a holiday for their day out since neither of them liked skipping their routines. That, in his eyes, definitely earned her more good points.

'Now, I just have to find out about her identity. Slowly and surely, I'll uncover how you know me, Ms. Black Star.'

He smiled faintly and stood up, already dressed back in his academy uniform. Noticing this, Rosa walked over to him, her forehead glistening with sweat.

"Where are you going?" she asked curiously.

"I have one more pathway class to attend unlike you," Aegon shrugged lightly. "I'll meet you tomorrow then."

He held out a fist, and Rosa bumped it without hesitation. But then she paused mid-motion and smirked, "You crafty little guy."

"Oh, I'll have you know I'm definitely not a little guy," Aegon said with a soft grin. "And thanks for another confirmation. Either you really know me from firsthand experience, or you've been stalking me for a long time."

"I wonder which one is true?" she giggled softly, her eyes playful. "Would you like a stalking-obsessed girlfriend, Future Hubby?"

"Why are you asking me?" His lips curved upward as he replied, "After all, you already know me well enough. You should be aware of my preferences."

"I have memory problems," Rosa replied casually, almost as if she meant it.

'Lunatic!' Aegon thought, before bumping fists with her again. "See you tomorrow, Ms. Black Star."

"See you tomorrow, Future Hubby."

He shook his head, amused, and left the stadium. It was well past noon, but under the Twilight sky, it was impossible to tell. The eerie yet beautiful illumination cast long shadows as he made his way toward the center of the Hand's palm where the Lotus Lake was located.

After walking for a few minutes, he arrived at a massive lake filled with light crimson water. At its center stood a grand palace-like structure, connected to the shore by four wooden paths stretching out from all directions.

Lotus platforms floated across the lake's surface, big enough for two people to comfortably lie upon. Instead of lotus flowers, soft green petals grew from the platform's edges, releasing a fragrant aroma that carried a calming effect through the air.

Even from the lake's edge, Aegon could feel his heart growing calm, and his essence and mana which had been running wild for hours finally began to settle.

"What a serene atmosphere. I could sleep here for eternity," he murmured before stepping onto the wooden path leading to the palace.

According to the Academy's guide, which he had given a glance at, the Soul Cultivation classes were held here, in this tranquil environment.

The number of Soul Pathway students was relatively small, so they didn't need much space, but the serene environment was essential for what they practiced.

When he reached the end of the path, a towering man, nearly three meters tall, stood before him, blocking the way. Aegon blinked in surprise, then raised his head and asked, "Uhh, can I pass?"

"Identity!" the man demanded, his voice echoing like thunder, though Aegon noticed it was somehow contained within a specific boundary.

He quickly handed over his identity stone, and only then was he allowed through but not into the palace itself. The man simply pointed to his right.

Aegon followed the direction and soon came across a group of people peacefully meditating on the floating lotus platforms scattered over the lake's surface. Their expressions were serene, their breathing steady as they delved deep into their souls to cultivate.

Before them sat a bald, lean man wearing long saffron robes. His expression radiated tranquility as he observed the students. Long earrings, engraved with the Runes of Peace, dangled from his elongated ears, swaying gently in the breeze.

"Are you going to join them?"

Aegon almost wanted to act surprised at the sudden question, but the man's voice was too calm and soothing to startle him. He simply shook his head and said, "I can already enter my Sea of Consciousness at will."

That response immediately caught the bald man's attention. He turned his head and spoke, "A good accomplishment, goodman. Why don't you come over and share your insights with this man?"

'I guess that's his way of talking,' Aegon thought, amused.

He actually liked this kind of peaceful atmosphere just as much as he enjoyed researching magic. It brought balance to his chaotic mind and was vital for Soul Cultivation, an important part of his overall progress.

He walked over and sat beside the bald man on a soft mat. Glancing at the meditating students, he noted silently, 'A total of fifty students. That's a good number.'

"Both First Year students and Second Year students are here," the bald man said evenly. "This man's name is Kai. You can address this man as such."

"No honorifics?" Aegon asked, genuinely surprised.

"There is no use for them, goodman," Kai said calmly. "They only create superiority complexes within men. A position that gives honorifics can easily corrupt one's mind, and this man wishes to keep distance from such vanity."

"I see. I didn't expect that," Aegon admitted honestly. "I mean, someone like you as my teacher."

"What this man teaches are fundamentals. The path forward is something you must learn yourself through the world's many wonders, my goodman."

Kai turned his serene gaze toward him. "Please, tell this man more about your experience, so he may help you further."

The first and most important requirement of Soul Cultivation was to sense one's Sea of Consciousness and then learn to enter it at will. That was the first major milestone in walking the Soul Pathway.

Unfortunately, it was an incredibly difficult feat, so much that the majority of practitioners took over a decade to achieve this single accomplishment.

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