Coeron Arbora became abuzz, the reason being the notice boards plastered across the walls, stating that all Bloom students were to gather at Training Ground A-7 on Friday morning at exactly eight o'clock.
And that everything would be explained clearer then.
Rumors about the training method had already spread like wildfire, even before the notice boards were put up.
Students who were close to Bloom Rank began suppressing their growth using charms and various other methods in fear of death while in training.
Even Evolve Rank elders researched sealing techniques to help their descendants delay their breakthroughs.
Still, some chose to force their way into Bloom Rank, believing that any training method used by a legendary Rank-Six Radiant was bound to produce one-in-a-million experts.
Some already-bloomed students grew fearful, while others prepared themselves to return in honor and pride for their respective families.
---
Inside the principal's office, Alex sat across from his father, Sir Anderson. His recently acquired charm, the Embermind Sigil, glowed faintly through his uniform.
A large, simply designed desk stood between the father and son. Hovering above it was a glowing green globe, roughly the size of an adult's head. The desk strained under its presence, as though it was holding up a compressed mountain, even though it never made contact.
This was an Ascended Rank relic belonging to Sir Anderson.
The relic caused absolute distortion. With it active, no information could leak out of the room. It interfered with all forms of sensory abilities, regardless of rank.
Even the slightest abnormal change within a fifteen-kilometer radius could be instantly detected. Once the source was marked as a foe, it would be immediately debuffed.
Sir Anderson had named it the Nexus Orb.
"Dad," Alex said, finally looking away from the strange relic, "I wanted to know if something like a past life really exists."
Sir Anderson thought for a moment before answering.
"Historical records say such things do exist," he said. He paused before continuing. "But their scope is beyond mortal understanding. It is said that only Eternal demigods—or even gods—can move between worlds. I don't believe that applies to you."
"But being brought from another world by a god is still a possibility."
Alex listened closely.
"Son," Sir Anderson continued, "I believe your case might relate to something I've researched for years. When you were little, I traveled far and wide searching for answers. What I found was extremely rare and not widely known."
"What might it be?" Alex asked, his curiosity growing.
"Seed Convergence," Sir Anderson replied. "It was confirmed to be the case with the former head of the Emberclaw household, who lost control and died during his ascension. He was taken over by the dead leader of some occultic integrator organisation."
"Seed Convergence…" Alex repeated, thinking deeply.
Sir Anderson watched his son quietly. Alex didn't ask right away, lost in thought once again.
Sir Anderson felt some relief knowing he had tested the Embermind Sigil's effectiveness. His worries about Alex's fragile mind had lessened. Even if the seal placed on him were to become ineffective
Still, he couldn't help but think about old man Bramble.
Who exactly is he? Sir Anderson wondered. Likely a powerful integrator from another kingdom.
"I'll visit him later, just incase there's a hidden motive to him coming here" he decided.
After a while, Sir Anderson realized the term hadn't triggered any reaction from Alex, so he explained further.
"Seed Convergence is extremely rare," he said. "It happens when the will of a powerful being is strong enough to resist death. After dying, that will drifts until it finds a compatible unborn seed and merges with it."
He paused briefly.
"The will slowly takes over the body after birth, but this usually happens only when the vessel becomes strong enough to contain such a vast mind."
Fear filled Alex's heart.
He remembered the voice he heard when he bloomed. The voice that urged him to grow stronger—faster—if he wanted answers about himself and its identity.
No matter how much I deny it, Alex thought in alarm, this explanation fits me too well.
"I didn't want to tell Dad," he thought. I don't know if he can shield his thoughts from a powerhouse like Senior Malven.
"Dad," Alex said suddenly, "I'm sorry, but I've been hiding something from you."
Sir Anderson looked at him sharply.
"Before I continue," Alex added, "do you have any way to shield your thoughts from external probing?"
Sir Anderson frowned slightly. "If someone like me couldn't protect his own thoughts, do you think I would've survived this world for so long?"
He continued firmly, "The dangers of this world aren't only monsters, Son. Humans kill each other just as easily for fame and gain."
"I'm sorry," Alex said. "I was just cautious of the senior from the capital."
"That's understandable," Sir Anderson replied.
"A strange voice spoke inside my head the moment I bloomed," Alex said, finally revealing it.
"And you're only telling me this now?!" Sir Anderson snapped, frustration clear in his voice.
He calmed himself quickly. "What did the voice say?"
Alex told him everything the voice had said and described the strange sense of familiarity it carried.
"Can you explain what you mean by familiarity?" Sir Anderson asked.
"It felt like I'd heard it before," Alex replied. "Like I wasn't supposed to forget it."
Sir Anderson's frown deepened.
There wasn't much time left. The training he considered suicidal would begin in two days.
He looked Alex in the eyes. "Alexander, you're a strong kid."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Don't use your powers at full strength during this hellish training. Your priority is to survive. I promise you—I will travel the world again if I have to. I will find a solution when you return."
Hearing his father's reassuring words, Alex felt something stir deep within his mind.
A memory that never truly surfaced pushed forward gently... Influenced by embermind Sigil. The memory turned into a flood of emotions.
Grief.
Warmth.
Anger.
Vengeance.
All at once.