Noah was in the torture room below the guards' building, tied to the metal table.
A black and smelly liquid came out from his body as he absorbed "Breath" in the point where his acupoints once were.
Noah had already predicted that situation so he was calm during the process even though some scream was still yelled from time to time.
Assea's figure was hidden under the clothes on his lower body and was waiting patiently for the process to be over.
A huge amount of "Breath" was being accumulated in Noah's body, strengthening and refining it.
The process lasted for about ten minutes before he could finally form the new acupoints.
These acupoints were crystalline and seemed incredibly sturdy.
They absorbed "Breath" at an unimaginable speed and Noah felt an immense surge of power coming from his body.
He nodded to William that was at his side and he undid the bindings to set Noah free.
A smile was on William's face as he saw that his disciple was finally released from that dangerous technique.
"You really did it."
He patted Noah's shoulder uncaring of the filth on it.
Noah nodded again happily, he wanted to test his new power right away but his mental energy was almost completely depleted and he could not sense things accurately.
However, before he managed to bow to his Master, something unexpected happened.
A strange sensation hit his low waist and a small empty ball formed there.
Noah touched the spot but felt no uneasiness in having this new organ.
William noticed his behavior and inspected the spot where he was pointing.
His mouth opened and his eyes widened, he put one hand on his head and exclaimed in a soft voice.
"That is not possible."
Noah looked at his Master's expression and was confused, then an idea hit his mind and he widened his eyes too.
"Don't tell me?"
William nodded and carefully inspected the spot again.
"Your dantian formed."
Noah was stunned but then he exulted loudly.
A wave of pain was delivered from his tired head which forced him to calm down.
"But Master, I'm only thirteen and a half years old. Last time you spoke about gaining months not a whole year."
William mumbled with himself for a little before answering.
"Rank 1 mage, rank 2 body for most of your growth and now rank 3 body. I told you that the centers of power were linked but I never thought they could be influenced this much."
Noah's thoughts were slow since he had just done the treatment and could not keep up with his Master's reasoning.
He was still inspecting the new organ when he thought of something.
"Does it means that now I can know my element?"
William nodded but then he shook his head and put a stern expression.
"First, go wash and rest, I'll make the needed preparation in the meantime. Meet me here tomorrow morning."
Noah was a bit unwilling to go and wanted to ask more question but another wave of pain hit him so he decided to follow his Master's order.
He bowed deeply, there was only gratitude toward the man in front of him.
"It's only thanks to you that I am growing this much. So thank you, Master!"
William looked at the young man covered in filth and memories about him emerged.
The first time he received the command to take him as a disciple he thought that he would be some kind of nanny but Noah surpassed every expectation that he had for him.
He had to admit that his disciple made him proud beyond reason.
William ruffled his dirty hair a bit and smiled.
"Just go now, we will talk more tomorrow."
Noah left and the happy expression on William's face transformed in a worried one.
'This time I really can't cover you.'
When Noah woke up the next day he could clearly feel the changes in his body.
He felt an incredible vitality coming from it and when he checked the amount of "Breath" he had he was astonished.
'This is enough for more than one hundred attacks!'
Then he remembered the dantian event and his excitement built up.
'I wonder how the training will work and there is even the question about my element.'
He hurriedly went into the guards' building and then in the underground prison.
William was waiting for him with a small book and a transparent stone as big as a fist.
"Read this, it is a rank 1 cultivation technique for the dantian, it has no limitation to the element of the user so it's perfect to determine the cultivator's aptitude. Every family uses it."
Noah took the book and hastily read it.
It was a simple respiration method to be done in a fixed position, with his status as a rank 1 mage he memorized it instantly.
"Ready?"
William asked and Noah nodded in response.
William then gave the stone to Noah and explained.
"This is a Pharos stone. It has the peculiar characteristic of changing color based on the element of the "Breath" that passes through it. Put it on your waist and start meditating in the cultivation technique, your body will naturally absorb the element of your aptitude, changing its color.'
Noah didn't waste any time and sat on the ground in the cross-legged position indicated in the technique.
He put the stone on his waist and began to practice.
The "Breath" moved toward his body and entered the small empty dantian, filling it with a gaseous substance.
As the gaseous "Breath" entered the dantian, it pressed on its surface, enlarging it.
The pace was slow but also relaxing, Noah felt a bit more refreshed every time his dantian was charged.
After about one hour, William's voice sounded.
"You can stop."
Noah looked at his Master's face and saw that he had a worried expression.
Then he lowered his gaze on the stone on his waist.
The Pharos stone was completely black.
