Despite everything that had happened, it was still early morning, which meant Edwin had to wait until nighttime to begin his heist. With nothing better to do, he and Gideon spent most of their morning lounging under the shade of a tree in the castle gardens, recuperating from the grueling training session earlier. Gideon, more so than Edwin, looked utterly spent. Lying on his back with his arms spread wide, soaking in the cool shade.

  For a while, they simply rested in companionable silence, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant murmurs of castle life filling the air. Then, as Edwin expected, Gideon finally broke the silence with a question.

  "Hey, Edwin… how come you were better than me during training?" Gideon asked, shifting to prop himself up on his elbows. "I mean, I started first! I should be better, right? But today, it was like—like you just got faster and stronger out of nowhere! That’s not fair!"

  Edwin smirked, enjoying the frustration in Gideon’s voice. "I figured something out," he said vaguely, leaning back against the tree trunk.

  Gideon sat up fully, eyes narrowing. "Figured what out? Tell me!"

  "It just… came to me suddenly," Edwin continued, keeping his tone mysterious. "And because of it, I got stronger."

  Gideon huffed. "That’s not an answer! I wanna know!" He scooted closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Can you teach me? I wanna be stronger too!"

  Edwin tilted his head, pretending to consider it before letting out a dramatic sigh. "I could… but I don’t know if you can handle it. It takes a lot of concentration, and you have to sit still for a long time. Are you sure you can do that?"

  Gideon immediately scowled, puffing up his chest. "Of course I can! I can sit still better than you! Just watch!"

  Edwin chuckled. "Alright, alright. I’ll teach you, but only if you promise to keep it a secret for now. No telling anyone."

  Gideon blinked, tilting his head. "Why?"

  Edwin’s smirk faded slightly. "Because I want to practice more before telling anyone else. I need more experience with it first."

  That was, of course, only part of the truth. In reality, Edwin knew he had to be careful. If word got out about cultivation and its potential, it could attract the wrong kind of attention. He needed more knowledge, more data about this world’s energy, its people, and the political climate before spreading this information. His parents would eventually find out, if they didn’t already suspect something, but until he was certain it was safe for them to cultivate, he wouldn’t tell them anything. Not yet.

  Gideon pouted but nodded. "Fine, fine. I won’t tell. But only ‘cause you’re actually gonna teach me!"

  "Good," Edwin said, satisfied. "Then let’s get to work."

  The first step of their plan? Acquire another small wooden tub. They ‘borrowed’ one from the laundry, sneaking it out while the servants were preoccupied. Next, Edwin instructed the servants to fill his bathing tub with fresh water and prepare a change of clothes. Throughout it all, Gideon peppered him with endless questions—How does this make you stronger? Will I get super strong too? Will it hurt?—but Edwin only answered with a cryptic, "You’ll see soon enough. It’s better to experience it yourself."

  By the time their preparations were complete, it was finally time for lunch. As soon as they sat down, Gideon, practically bouncing in his seat, nudged Edwin’s arm. "Eat faster! We gotta start right after!"

  Edwin raised an eyebrow. "You were just complaining about training earlier, and now you’re excited?"

  Gideon grinned. "Well, yeah! If this makes me stronger, then I wanna do it now! Hurry up, slowpoke!"

  Edwin chuckled and shook his head, taking another bite of his meal at a deliberately slow pace just to mess with Gideon. His friend groaned dramatically, leaning onto the table as if the wait was unbearable. Edwin merely smirked. He has no idea what he’s getting into.

  After they finished eating, they went straight to Edwin's room, where all the preparations were waiting. Before anything else, Edwin decided to give Gideon a lecture.

  "Alright, before we start, you need to understand something first," Edwin said, crossing his arms.

  Gideon groaned. "Why do I feel like I’m about to get a boring lesson? Can’t we just start already?"

  Edwin shot him a look. "If you don’t understand this, you won’t be able to do it properly. So sit down and listen."

  Gideon sighed dramatically but plopped onto the floor, arms crossed.

  "The energy people use in this world is called mana," Edwin began. "Mages use it to cast spells, but it's also what knights and other people use to enhance their bodies and perform incredible physical feats. Even those who aren’t mages have mana in them, just not enough to cast spells."

  Gideon perked up slightly at that. "Wait… so everyone has mana?"

  Edwin nodded. "Yes, but most people don’t use it actively. They gain mana throughout their everyday life, by breathing, eating, moving. It circulates naturally inside them, but very few ever learn how to properly control it."

  Gideon’s face twisted in impatience. "Okay, okay, I get it! So what did you figure out? How do we get stronger?"

  Edwin smirked. "I found a way to absorb and control this energy directly, guiding it in specific patterns inside your body. Doing this makes you stronger faster."

  Gideon’s eyes widened. "So… it’s like training, but better?!"

  "Exactly," Edwin said. "But it takes focus. A lot of focus. And patience."

  Gideon puffed out his chest. "I can do that!"

  "Then let’s begin. First thing first, take your clothes off."

  Gideon didn’t hesitate, immediately stripping down without question. Edwin didn’t find the situation odd. They had been bathed together as babies, and even now, they were still children. It wasn’t strange in the slightest. Thinking about it, they had practically been raised as brothers. Their mothers seemed closer than what was typical for a noble lady and her servant, and even their fathers—while easy to explain as battlefield comrades—had a camaraderie that felt deeper than just knightly duty. Edwin made a mental note to investigate that further… but for now, cultivation came first.

  Now sitting in the wooden tub, Gideon looked expectantly at Edwin. "Okay, what now?"

  Edwin positioned himself behind Gideon, placing his hands on his back. "Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing."

  Gideon obeyed, though Edwin could feel the impatience radiating off him.

  "Now, try to feel the energy around you. Mana is everywhere. It’s in the air, in the ground, inside you. But you have to concentrate. Imagine drawing it in, guiding it through your body. But be careful, if you don’t control it, the energy will spread chaotically. You need to direct it, to guide it along a path."

  Gideon frowned. "How do I know where to guide it?"

  "Good question. Once you gather enough, you’ll notice that the energy will want to move in a certain way. Don’t resist it. Let it guide you as much as you guide it."

  As he instructed, Edwin focused as well, extending his senses. Normally, someone at his level wouldn’t be able to perceive what was happening inside another person’s body, but with his past life experience, he could manage. To some extent, at least. He could feel it—the energy shifting, seeking a natural flow within Gideon, just as it had with himself.

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  But something was off. Gideon’s breathing grew uneven, his body stiffening slightly. Edwin could sense that the energy wasn’t settling in as easily as it had for him.

  "Relax," Edwin murmured. "You’re trying to force it too much. Think of it like threading a needle. If you shove the thread through too quickly, it bends and frays. But if you guide it carefully, letting it move the way it wants, it’ll slip through smoothly."

  Gideon let out a frustrated breath but did as Edwin instructed. Slowly, the tension in his body eased. The energy, once sluggish, began to move more smoothly.

  "Good," Edwin said. "Now keep that rhythm. Don’t rush it. Just let it happen."

  Gideon grunted in acknowledgment, his face scrunching in concentration. Edwin smirked. Not bad for a first attempt.

  But there was a difference between the both of them. Gideon’s progress was slower. Was Edwin’s past life experience giving him an advantage? Or was it something inherent to his body, making him more in tune with this world’s energy? Back in his old cultivation world, disparities in talent were commonplace. Some were born gifted, while others had to claw their way forward. Yet even though Gideon’s absorption was slower, it was only slightly so. If Gideon had been born in a world of cultivation, he would undoubtedly be seen as a prodigy, perhaps even a core disciple of a major sect.

  Edwin, by contrast, had never been a genius. He had clawed for every step forward, fought to scrape his way up the ladder, and in the end, none of it had mattered. But here, now, his hard-earned knowledge gave him an undeniable advantage.

  And with it came an unsettling realization.

  If Gideon could cultivate in the same way he did, even if slightly slower, then that meant others could too. Was this ability tied to their bodies’ natural attunement to mana, or was it something more universal? If anyone could cultivate this way, what ripple effect would it have on society? Would it usher in an age of progress, or would it become a tool for unchecked destruction? If a power-hungry warlord learned of this before Edwin could control its spread, the consequences would be catastrophic. It wouldn’t just endanger him—it would put his family, his home, and perhaps the entire world at risk.

  Yet he couldn’t hoard this knowledge either. Their family, their land, was already being targeted, and something this monumental couldn’t remain a secret forever. Even if it could, he was only one person. He couldn’t stand against the world alone.

  He needed allies, people he could trust. And that started with the boy sitting right in front of him.

  Edwin’s fingers clenched slightly as his resolve hardened. He wasn’t just going to teach Gideon. He was going to build something greater. An army unlike anything this world had ever seen. If cultivation alone wasn’t enough, he would bring technology into the mix. Between the two, he was certain of one thing: he would have the means to protect those he cared about from the forces lurking in the shadows.

  Hours passed. The sun began to set. Edwin could feel it, Gideon was close to a breakthrough.

  Knowing what was coming, Edwin quietly stood, walked to the corner of the room, and pulled a napkin from his pocket, one he had taken from the dining table earlier. He covered his nose and mouth just in time.

  A moment later, impurities seeped out of Gideon’s skin. His eyes flew open, and his face lit up in excitement. "I did it!" he cheered—before suddenly wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Ugh! what is that smell?!"

  Edwin, already prepared, stepped back even further. "That, my friend, is the price of getting stronger. Congratulations. Now be careful when wiping that gunk off, or you’ll get it everywhere. Once you’re done, go straight to the bath and clean yourself properly."

  Gideon looked down at himself in horror. "This is disgusting! Why didn’t you warn me?!"

  Edwin smirked. "Would you have done it if I did?"

  Gideon opened his mouth, then shut it. Finally, he scowled. "You’re the worst."

  Edwin just laughed. Good thing they had set this up in his bathroom. With the bathing tub right next to the "cultivation tub," cleanup would be easy.

  With Gideon now clean and the servants reluctantly dealing with the mess, the two boys began their walk toward the dining room. As they strolled through the halls, Gideon, unable to contain his curiosity, bombarded Edwin with questions.

  "So, is that it? Do I just do that every day and I’ll be super strong?" Gideon asked eagerly.

  Edwin shook his head. "Not exactly. What we did was just the start. Right now, you need to rest and let your body get used to the changes. But what you can do is meditate."

  Gideon scrunched his nose. "Meditate? What's that?"

  "It’s basically just sitting still and focusing on your breathing. You don’t absorb mana, you just focus on sensing it, letting your body adjust. It helps strengthen your control."

  Gideon groaned. "Sitting still again? That’s the opposite of training!"

  Edwin chuckled. "You wanted to learn, didn’t you? This is part of it."

  Gideon exhaled sharply, his lips pressing into a tight line before he finally relented with a nod. "Fine… but seriously, when do I get to start absorbing mana again?"

  Edwin’s expression grew more serious. "Not for a while. If you try again too soon, you’ll feel pain."

  Gideon frowned. "Why?"

  "Because our bodies are still too young," Edwin explained slowly. "I don’t know exactly how long we have to wait, but when I tried before, I felt pain just like you would now. My best guess is that we need to grow a bit more before we can continue."

  Gideon sighed even louder. "So you’re telling me I finally learned something awesome, and now I can’t use it? That’s so unfair."

  Edwin grinned. "Life’s unfair. But don’t worry, at least you’ve taken the first step. Oh, and since I’m the one who figured this out, I’ve decided to call it Mana Gathering."

  Gideon rolled his eyes. "You named it? Shameless."

  "Of course. I created it, after all." Edwin said with a sly smile.

  Their banter carried them into the dining room, where they found Marian standing beside the table, ever the picture of discipline.

  She had changed little over the past five years. Her rich brown hair neatly tied into a low braid, her sharp hazel eyes ever watchful. Though a servant by title, her posture and quiet authority made it clear she was more than just another maid. The faintest lines had begun forming around her eyes, but she remained as composed and elegant as ever.

  As they entered, Marian met Edwin’s gaze with a nod, the kind that spoke of quiet familiarity rather than rigid decorum. It wasn’t the bow of a servant to her master, but the subtle acknowledgment of someone who had watched him grow, who knew him beyond just his title. "Young Master Edwin, it’s good to see you well."

  Gideon, in contrast, beamed. "Hi, Mom!" He quickly plopped down onto a seat without hesitation, his casual attitude starkly different from Marian’s own rigid discipline.

  As always, Marian remained standing beside the table, hands clasped before her. She never took a seat, even when Lady Evelyn herself insisted, always claiming that it was improper. Gideon, however, sometimes joined Edwin at the table, depending on his mood.

  Dinner was simple but hearty. A stew thick with root vegetables and salted pork, fresh bread with butter, and a grilled fish seasoned with simple herbs. Nothing extravagant, but fitting for a noble household in the frontier.

  As they ate, Marian asked, "How was training today?"

  Gideon, his mouth half-full, waved his spoon. "Hard! But we got real swords now, so it was worth it!"

  Edwin nodded. "It was more intense than before. Sir Roland had to cut the session short because of the patrol, but he said it would get even tougher next time."

  Marian's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "That sounds about right. He’s always been strict about training. It builds discipline."

  They continued chatting about their day, though neither of them mentioned their secret cultivation experiment. Eventually, as the meal wound down, Marian placed two small pouches on the table in front of Edwin and Gideon.

  "Both of you have been given an allowance," she announced. "Young Master Edwin, your parents left this for you before they departed. Gideon, this is from myself and your father."

  Gideon’s eyes widened in excitement. "Wait! We finally get to go to town?"

  "Yes. The day after tomorrow, you’ll be allowed to visit the town. You’ll have guards accompanying you, of course, but you’ll have some freedom to explore."

  Edwin tilted his head. "Did my parents send a message yet?"

  Marian shook her head. "It’s too early for that. If they send word, it will likely arrive tomorrow at the earliest."

  Then, in a swift move, she changed the subject. "By the way, I heard about the small wooden tubs that went missing from the laundry."

  Both Edwin and Gideon stiffened.

  Marian continued, her tone firm but with an amused glint in her eye. "I won’t ask what you used them for, but you will have to pay for them."

  Gideon groaned. "That’s not fair! We were just borrowing them!"

  Marian raised an eyebrow. "Borrowing means returning something in its original condition. The one used by Edwin may have been cleaned, but the smell still lingers. It won’t be used for laundry again."

  Edwin sighed. "So you’re deducting it from our allowance."

  Marian nodded. "That’s correct."

  Gideon pouted but knew there was no point in arguing. "This is all Edwin’s fault."

  Marian gave him a look. "Gideon, you are a terrible influence on Young Master Edwin."

  Gideon gasped, clutching his chest. "That’s not true! He’s the one who started it this time!"

  Marian gave a slow, deliberate nod, a knowing glint in her eyes. "This time, indeed."

  Edwin smiled as Gideon crossed his arms in mock outrage, his exaggerated pout only making the moment more amusing. The conversation carried on, the atmosphere light and filled with warmth. But even as they finished their meal, a part of Edwin’s mind remained elsewhere, focused on the task that awaited him later that night.

  Tonight, when the castle was asleep and only the guards remained awake, he would finally find out the truth. It was time to get some answers.