‘Gangshi? Did I just hear that right?’

Fortunately, Kalstein did not become a Gangshi (a zombie) while still alive.

“Hmm. It seems like he’s regained consciousness.”

“Ah! What a relief. I suppose we can forget about the whole Gangshi situation.”

“Regrettably, that’s probably for the best.”

“Are you coming to your senses?”

Kalstein opened his eyes and raised his body.

An elderly man greeted him with a warm, carefree smile.

A peaceful expression that would make it hard to imagine he had just been contemplating turning Kalstein into a Gangshi moments ago.

“Good to see you awake.”

Kalstein, though, seemed completely unaffected, as if he wouldn’t have cared even if he had heard it.

What kind of tough world is this? Although, I suppose this place isn't exactly a walk in the park either.

Anyway, it was a situation where complaining to them wouldn't get him anywhere.

“How long have I been lying here?”

Kalstein asked calmly, causing the elderly man’s pupils to gleam.

“Quite a while. If we hadn’t intervened, you would have been dead by now.”

“…Is that so?”

“From the way you’re not particularly shocked, I take it you're used to this?”

“I’ve just learned to accept and go along with things.”

“I see. But still, the condition was far worse than we expected. It could have been dangerous.”

“….”

You all seem more dangerous to me.

“It’s a common occurrence, so it’s fine.”

At any rate, the world of the sect (Seon-kyuh) dealt with what was likely ether, and survival was necessary to gather information.

‘Aria said she would try to track the coordinates of this place.’

Siiik-

Well, at least there wouldn't be any dull moments here.

There was still time before the second pursuit by the monster Prohydan. He needed time to create a proper possession body, as he couldn’t capture the creature with the weak vessel he currently had.

‘And there's also the time dilation...’

Let’s focus on adapting to this place in the meantime.

“It seems like I’m fine for now. If any signs show up, I’ll let you know right away.”

“Haha. Understood. Let me know if anything goes wrong.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Now, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Mayucheol, the Elder of the Fire Gold Sect’s Acting Hall.”

“I look forward to working with you, Elder.”

“Well, since your enrollment is practically a given, you may call me Master.”

“Thank you. Please speak comfortably.”

“Very well.”

The man who introduced himself as Mayucheol nodded and greeted the middle-aged physician before leading Kalstein out.

“The children who came with you will be taken elsewhere for further evaluation.”

It was six of them, including Kalstein— the composed girl, the bald middle-aged man, and the three boys.

Now that I think about it, the old man had praised the girl’s talent highly.

“You’re going to be directly placed under the Acting Hall, so you won’t need any additional evaluation. I’ve already confirmed your abilities.”

“Thank you.”

The old man then flew through the air on a leaf, carrying him with Kalstein.

They arrived after another hour of flight, reaching a mountain with small plumes of smoke rising from it.

“This is the Acting Hall. Until you properly awaken your spiritual energy, you won’t be assigned any duties.”

Was that a hint to focus only on training?

It seemed that Kalstein had a considerable amount of potential.

The location was a neat little cabin near the foot of the rocky mountain where the Acting Hall resided.

“We’ll have someone bring what you need. For now, just go inside.”

“Yes.”

The old man entered the cabin, explaining the basics of energy cultivation to Kalstein. Afterward, he pulled out dozens of scrolls from his sleeve.

Not a magic pouch, but still, impressive.

“Can you read?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Ah, there are quite a few like you.”

The old man then retrieved a dark wooden tablet.

“I’ve infused spiritual energy into this. For now, focus on this and familiarize yourself with it. It contains not just common characters, but also magical runes.”

“If you concentrate with the tablet against your forehead, the contents will flow directly into your mind.”

“Of course, if you don’t put in effort, it will just pass by. So, make sure to focus.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Mm. I’m expecting a lot from you. I’ll stop by again later. Soon, I’ll assign someone to look after you.”

Although he had been making a big deal about how talented Kalstein was, the old man wasn't going to personally see to his care? Well... honestly, it was easier this way.

The old man left the cabin and disappeared into the air on his leaf.

“Phew...”

Finally, he was gone.

Kalstein slowly surveyed the cabin after opening his eyes.

The old stone walls of the cabin, sturdy despite their age. Behind it, a small spring was visible.

‘They want me to soak in this for a day and a half?’

It was for the awakening of spiritual energy, they said.

With his talent, he would likely sense something soon.

Hmm...

Kalstein moved to the spring and dipped his hands in, inspecting the water with his eyes.

It seemed to shimmer faintly.

Anyway...

To awaken his spiritual energy, he needed to soak in the water and chant the “Tai He Yuan Jing” mantra repeatedly.

Of course, learning the characters came first.

“Hmmm...”

The wooden tablet was intriguing.

It was a long, thin piece of wood connected by a string.

As Kalstein placed it against his forehead and concentrated, the contents began to flow into his mind at a rapid pace.

“Oh…”

There was a similar system in the Galactic Empire, but that one placed a heavy strain on the brain, requiring caution in its use. However, this tablet didn’t seem to cause any such strain.

“I could probably adapt and use this in my own way.”

Kalstein nodded.

Anyway, the amount of knowledge to be remembered was vast, but it was no problem. After all, even with a mere possession body, enhanced memory was one of the basic settings.

The old man had said it would take at least a year, but Kalstein felt that, with his ability, it could be done in a month at most.

What was bothering him, though, was the faint shimmer in the spring behind him.

“Didn’t they say not to drink it?”

Kalstein dipped his finger in and tasted the water.

It didn’t have much of a flavor, just bland, but it gave off a strangely warm yet cool energy.

Could it be that this felt similar to the silver spring water from the ‘World’? Was that just his imagination?

Turning his head away from the spring, Kalstein gazed beyond the stone walls. He saw dense mist rolling over the mountain.

He had been told not to venture too far beyond the wall. If he crossed into the forbidden zone, where there were formation seals and barriers, trouble would follow.

The mountain where the cabin stood was a strictly managed area by the Fire Gold Sect, and it was originally a place he wasn’t supposed to stay. However, the old man had specially received permission to let him stay here to accelerate the awakening of his energy.

After all, it wasn't like he could go into the forbidden zone even if he wanted to, so getting permission for this place was a good deal.

‘But... didn’t I not get affected by formations or barriers during the selection?’

Kalstein grinned.

When someone says not to do something, it only makes him more curious.

He rubbed his palm.

‘I wonder what’s beyond that.’

Of course, that could wait for later.

Right now, he needed to learn the characters, absorb the scrolls, and awaken his spiritual energy first.

‘Ether...’

He could definitely feel the ether from the old man. It was probably related to the spiritual energy he mentioned.

Ether-related matters were the top priority for the Galactic Empire.

After he finishes learning the spiritual energy, if there’s time, he’ll explore the forbidden zone.

Whatever the case, Kalstein had no intention of staying away from it.

***

“Are you allowing him to be admitted without even going through the formal entry procedure?”

“Heh heh. Elder Mayucheol, weren’t you a bit hasty?”

“No matter how talented Cheon Yeong-geun is, this seems a bit too much, doesn’t it?”

“And he’s even joining the Acting Hall?”

“Wasn’t it agreed that his affiliation would be determined after his condition improves?”

“If you have something to say, then speak.”

“Elder, surely you have something to say as well!”

The old man, Mayucheol, put on a strict and grumpy expression that Kalstein had never seen before, and snorted in irritation.

An elderly man from the Assembly opened his mouth.

“Master Mayucheol, this is different from what you told me.”

Mayucheol couldn’t act arrogantly with the Assembly elder.

“Master, weren’t you troubled by Dohong-gok recently? With that level of ether energy, it would be enough to turn this situation around.”

“Even so, there’s a procedure, isn’t there?”

“Hmph.”

Mayucheol cleared his throat unnecessarily.

He knew that he had been rather reckless in his actions.

“This child has exceptional talent. He’s also someone we need in the Acting Hall.”

“Such a rash judgment. Especially in the Capital, can you really make such a guarantee?”

“The Seventh Priest also examined him. Even the Seventh Priest was amazed at his talent.”

The “Seventh Priest” referred to the physician who had tried to treat Kalstein’s narcolepsy.

“…Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

“Cough.”

Mayucheol had something to say but decided not to speak it here.

“I will explain it to you privately later.”