Ingrid immediately nodded in agreement, her mind swirling with a turbulent mix of emotions. The undeniable truth had been revealed, leaving no room for denial. With a sense of urgency, she asked, "So, what's your plan now?" Ingrid knew that the majority, if not all, of the responsibilities for the baby, would fall on Celia, considering she was the one carrying the child in her womb.
"What am I going to do?" Grandma Celia repeated, her puzzlement evident in her gaze as she looked at Ingrid. She had always relied on Ingrid to take charge and make decisions whenever serious matters arose. So, it came as a surprise to Grandma Celia that the weighty decision, one that would significantly impact all of their lives, was now left in her hands. She had expected Ingrid to express her thoughts and seek hers before reaching a conclusion. Nevertheless, considering the unprecedented nature of their situation, Grandma Celia let out a sigh, realizing that the coming months would be filled with chaos. "Let's go and see Celeste," Grandma Celia expressed, voicing her decision. "It's better to inform her now, while my pregnancy is still in its early stages, before we proceed with anything else and risk them finding out through other means."
"All right," Meldra's words sliced through the tension in the room, her acceptance and understanding of Celia's suggestion evident in her voice. "Let's not waste time and head straight to Celeste's hut since we're all here."
Suddenly, Grandma Derry's voice resonated with excitement, breaking the silence once more. "Then what are we all waiting for? Come on, let's go!" Her delight was obvious, and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm. After all, there was a young man capable of getting a woman of her age pregnant, and he was just a few steps away, residing in the same compound as theirs.
Observing the radiant smile on Grandma Derry's face, Grandma Celia shook her head, unable to fathom what thoughts were racing through the older woman's mind. With a defeated expression, she straightened her back and rose from the ground, gently dusting off her tulga. Leading the way, she walked out of her hut, the others following closely, heading towards Celeste's hut.
…....................
"Now that we are all here, I want to know why none of you have your weapons," Warrior Jean questioned. It was not an uncommon occurrence for novice warriors to forget their weapons, as they often got carried away by the remarkable changes their bodies underwent after consuming Vylkr vines and gaining access to the Vylkr energy.
Observing their bewildered and embarrassed expressions, he pushed forward a bag that had been placed there earlier and kicked it towards them with a swift motion. "Starting today, you will each use these daggers in combination with your gifts to eradicate the Vylkr vines. And until you prove capable of not misplacing your weapons again, the village will provide you with a personal weapon of your choice, crafted from the finest materials. Of course, that is if you survive the warrior training without any mishaps," Warrior Jean declared with a pause, a smile forming across his face. "But I have no doubt that each of you will emerge victorious and become formidable warriors, as that is the very reason why I am here."
Looking at the sly expression on Warrior Jean's face, Orion strode forward alongside the others and picked up a dagger from the ground. Gripping it firmly in his palm, he returned to his position with Ursa faithfully by his side. Warrior Jean, observing that each of them now possessed their own dagger, proceeded to speak, "While I understand that not all of you possess a dangerous gift, it is perfectly natural, as having a dangerous gift is a blessing rather than a prerequisite for becoming a warrior. However, having shown you the strength of a body fueled by Vylkr energy, today I will unveil the means to achieve such power. So, pay close attention," he urged, launching into an explanation of the core principles.
"As novices with three, four, or six-star potential, your first task is to become accustomed to consuming and controlling the energy of a one-star Vylkr vine without relying on the strange energy within you. Once you have mastered that, you will progress to the next stage: consuming Vylkr vines equal to or lower in rating than your potential, as I explained yesterday. Eventually, after consuming a sufficient quantity of Vylkr vines to augment the presence of Vylkr energy within you, your body will reach its initial limit. For a warrior with three-star potential, that limit signifies the attainment of the threshold required to become a fully-fledged warrior and unlock the first star of your potential."
Warrior Jean emphasized, "At this point, the Vylkr energy becomes so concentrated that it necessitates containment rather than allowing it to rampage freely throughout your body. The two most logical and secure containers for the Vylkr energy are either your heart or your brain. While alternative options exist, these locations offer the safest and most effective means of storing your Vylkr energy as a warrior. By storing the energy in your heart, your strength improves rapidly, your skin toughens, and your muscles and bones become more flexible and resilient. On the other hand, storing the Vylkr energy in your brain enhances mental clarity, enabling you to think and visualize your thoughts even in the most challenging situations. Your perception of events slows down, allowing you to comprehend them as swiftly as you perceive them. Your memory retention is enhanced, enabling you to recall information at will."
Warrior Jean continued, cautioning, "While it is possible to store your Vylkr energy in both your heart and brain once you achieve your potential, I must advise against it due to the chaotic nature of the Vylkr energy. Many have perished in their attempt to gain additional benefits that can be obtained by reaching their full potential or by choosing a single container. Therefore, as long as you are uncertain of your abilities, avoid the temptation of greedily attempting to transform both your heart and brain into containers simultaneously."
