When they stopped to rest in that small city, Vicente gave Layla the chance to sleep first, while he took over the job of watching and protecting his companion.
After leaving The Skull City, they were quite tired, but Vicente wanted to talk about many things that Torne hadn't had a chance to talk about because of Layla's constant company.
With Layla almost always at his side and the risks of battle that came with every journey, it was impossible to have a quiet, uninterrupted conversation.
Stopping there to rest, Vicente finally had the chance to talk to Torne more quietly while watching Layla sleep.
'You have seen my recent experiences... What do you think I should do, old Torne? Are there things that worry you?' Vicente asked in his mind.
The 4th stage ghost thought for a moment and told him. 'There are some things we should talk about. First of all, that man named Newton gave you some advice earlier that wasn't entirely wrong.
Of course, his diagnosis was wrong. But there was no way he could be right. He didn't know about your second magical form, your true talent, let alone the origin of the instability of your magical foundation.
Still, he gave you some good advice. He's not bad at all, master.'
'Yes, Newton is a very intelligent person.'
Torne continued. 'Your problem wasn't caused by an excess of magical resources, as he thought. If that were the case, you'd really have cultivation problems advancing one stage, and you wouldn't become a Sovereign for another two or three years, which is close to what he estimated.
Two things caused your problem. Your own magical form is too strong for you to control on your own, and my intervention, which prevented serious consequences for you.
The awareness of your second magical form also helped you in all of this by lessening the burden of the consequences of using your second magical form.
In short, all of this made you stronger, but it also made your previously solid foundation completely unbalanced. This was not something that could be treated. Only meditation and ordinary cultivation could help you, as Newton recommended.
Now you're close to solving your problem. Before I woke up, you were about a year away from reaching the 4th stage. But with me here, it should happen in less than 6 months.'
Vicente had already imagined many of the things Torne told him, so he wasn't surprised by anything. The fact that Newton hadn't been entirely right about his case didn't bother him either because he was an unusual case.
'Six months?' Vicente asked his slave.
'When I cultivate in your dimension of consciousness, I naturally help you strengthen your foundation. Even though my elements are different from the elements of the master's first form, the very fact that I cultivate mana in this place helps you to some extent.' Torne explained.
'I hadn't thought of that possibility...' Vicente murmured, thinking that was pretty good. 'So having a spirit slave is a big advantage on the continent!
'Yes, the prominent families and sects give their young talents familiars for a long time. That is similar to what I am to the master, which naturally speeds up the cultivation of these people.
Familiars were beasts who were deeply connected to their masters, and they served their masters similarly to Torne. The main difference would be that the beasts wouldn't have as high a rational capacity as ghosts, but their raw power would be much stronger than a ghost of the same level.
These familiars could also serve as mounts for their masters. They could be used freely without their masters having to fear reprisal.
That was not the case with Vicente and Torne. He had to hide that he had a ghost at his side, or forces like Layla's organization would look at him strangely.
'If so, I'll find a relative for Nina as soon as possible.' Vicente commented.
'That can't happen. Familiars can only be linked to magicians at the 3rd stage or higher. A familiar would cause problems for magicians weaker than that.' Torne explained.
'But why did you and I get along?'
'The master's case is special. You're not normal, and I willingly submitted to you the moment I realized your greatness. Besides, I'm a ghost, not an animal. Our elemental kinship also contributed to our success.
In short, we work well because of many peculiarities that are difficult to satisfy. I wouldn't expect the same with young Nina.'
Vicente understood the problem and did not doubt Torne's words. 'Then, I'll look for a familiar for her when she becomes a Mage.'
Torne commented. 'The master can do that during the hunt for your next pentagram. You can get an excellent familiar then.'
Vicente became interested in the subject as soon as he heard Torne and then asked him about it. 'Old Torne, do you know where I could find my fourth pentagram? It has to be Cyan, right?'
'That's right.' Torne sighed. 'You'll have to go to the north of the continent. A cyan pentagram can only be formed by high-level phenomena and magical beings at the Paragon or Archmage stage.
Gulp!
While Vicente swallowed his saliva, Torne gave his opinion on the matter. 'Master, you shouldn't seek your fourth pentagram until you become a peak Sky Sovereign. You already have 4 pentagrams counting your second magical form, so you won't have any problems with the stability of your magical foundation.
You need to be as strong as possible before you go after your fourth pentagram, or you will really die chasing pentagrams this time.
The beings who can have such an essence are the strongest on the continent, so we can't rush. We must raise our power to the maximum and form a properly prepared team before we go after them.'
Torne looked at Vicente differently, feeling his non-existent heart beating harder with emotion as he simply thought about what he was about to say.
'But after you hunt your fourth pentagram, it will be time for you to go after the pentagrams of your second magical form.
When you start adding magical essences to the Throne of Darkness, you'll be able to control it masterfully and show its true power to the world. You will become a Paragon as strong as the continental leaders at that time!'
