Beyond The System
Chapter 131: Single Talent

“Ughhh.” It was official. I was absolutely the type to get motion sick. “Someone, please ask how long it’s going to take.”

The last cart ride with Marcus hadn’t been this bad; maybe the roads were smoother back then.

Elric disappeared toward the front and returned with devastating news. “At least two days.”

“This must be what death feels like,” I groaned.

You’ve literally died, you know, Luna reminded me.

...Oh. Right.

Thea rubbed my back gently as I slumped against the cart’s taut tarp, mentally drained. “Maybe it’ll feel better if you cultivate?”

“May—” I paused mid-word to swallow something that suspiciously tasted like a flashback to this morning’s sandwich. “Yep. Yeah, that might help. What about you guys?”

“Don’t worry,” Sia said. “We’ll handle the Channel Opening on our own.”

“You named it?” I asked, sweating slightly.

“You like it?” Lyra chimed in. “I came up with it.”

I nodded. It was honestly the least of my concerns at the moment. I tried to suppress the growing nausea. “Alright.”

Just as I was about to close my eyes, a small hand tugged on my shirt.

Velea. She motioned for me to lean in. “I want to train too,” she whispered.

I nodded and leaned closer. “It won’t be a secret anymore. Once you start moving, people will notice. But Thea will be happy, even if I’m the one teaching you.”

She looked me dead in the eyes. “Okay.”

The others started to gather in the front cart, probably roping the adults into the Channel Opening. The more people involved, the better the results. I wondered how far each of them had gotten while I was gone. If Drake knew about the Unbound, had he already completed his?

“Peter?” Velea shook my sleeve, pulling me back to the present.

“Yep. Alright, turn around.”

She obeyed. I placed my hand over her back.

“I’ll keep it simple,” I said. “There’s energy all around us called World Force. Inside your body, there’s something that can absorb it. It’s called the Nexus.”

“So what do I do?” she asked, brow furrowing.

“I’m going to send a little of my energy into you, just enough to help you sense your own.” I was already channeling a thin sliver into her as I spoke.

She twitched slightly at the contact but stayed focused.

“Feel anything?” I asked. “Around your stomach or chest?”

“I—I think so?” she replied, unsure.

“That’s fine.” I pulled my energy back. “Just focus on whatever that sensation might’ve been. Try to feel it. Look inward. If your senses start fading—”

“I’m doing it?” she cut in.

“Yep. That, or you’re falling asleep,” I said, grinning.

“I’ll try to stay awake,” she laughed.

“I’m going to train too,” I added. “If you have questions, just nudge me… or poke Luna. And if anything starts to feel off, tell me immediately, okay?”

She nodded, though a little absently. I leaned in again.

“I’m serious. This can be dangerous. You could die if we mess this up. You're starting really early so there's no rush. We’ll go one step at a time, alright?”

That earned a more focused, “Alright.”

I figured it wouldn’t take long for her to reach the next stage, but just in case, I held off on my own training and drifted into thought.

Now that the adults were here, strong ones, was there really a need to push my progress with the Circuit System?

If I completed it… would I just have to damage my foundation again later for the Spiritual Roots?

Wyrem, I think I’m going to try forming both systems at once. I paused, letting the thought settle. I know strength matters, but a good foundation leads to it anyway, and mine already might be separate from a true combination of the three since I completed one step already.

I still believe you should prioritize immediate growth… but do what feels right. There’s no room for regret on this path, Wyrem answered, surprisingly gentle.

Can I focus on Body Refinement then? Luna jumped in, hopeful.

No. My student doesn’t get to disobey. Instant denial.

Stupid gross worm...

Thea’s head peeked through the tarp, breaking my spiral. “How’s it going?” she sent through transmission.

I motioned her over. “She’s fine, just getting started. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her,” I admitted. “How’s things on your side?”

She sat beside me, hugging her knees up to her chest. “Sia’s being very friendly. Especially to Lyra.”

So… Sia was Lyra’s next victim.

“But not to Elric,” she added, stifling a laugh. “He actually looked kinda hurt. I think she just put on a show for her dad, though, she gave Elric a hug right after in front of him, too.”

Thea let out a long sigh and dropped the whispering skill, switching to a soft voice instead. “I’ve been wanting to push my cultivation so fast. I know it’s selfish, but… part of me wants them to focus on me. Just me.”

She leaned into me.

“I get it,” I said. “Honestly, maybe it would be better to focus on one person at a time.”

“Yeeeah,” she drawled. “But then, logically, we should be focusing on someone already strong, like the commander.” She laughed quietly, a little self-mockingly. “At least when I’m ready, I’ll be able to fly through the Spiritual Root stage.”

“Mmm. Actually, I think it’s better to go slow there too,” I said. “Same as we talked about when we started, better to take it slow and build a strong base.”

She snorted. “Did I say that?”

“Paraphrasing.”

“I’m so smart.” She took a long breath, then nodded. “Alright. You’re right.”

Thud.

A punch to my shoulder.

“Ow!” I gasped in mock agony, clutching the spot. “It’s been a while since you hit me like that.”

“Y–yeah, well…” She turned away, ears going red. “I just, uh—”

“Just your way of saying you missed me? Or maybe that you care?” I leaned in, teasing.

“I did not miss you.” Her voice changed into a grumble. “It was just weird seeing you act smart.”

“Just weird?” I nudged her lightly. “Anything else?”

She shoved me, hard enough that I nearly toppled onto her sister. “Yeah. Weird, and—”

I felt an insult brewing, so I pushed my Internal Force, circulating to the absolute limit, and shut her up before it could land.

We separated then paused, breathing quietly, the moment hanging between us.

“Weird and… kinda nice,” she finished.

Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I’d take it.

“Um.” A voice behind me shattered it. “I–I’m done, Peter.”

Ahem. I cleared my throat. “Yeah? Great. Let’s start with sensing World Force next, okay?”

“Thea, you’re sooo red,” Velea grinned, suddenly emboldened. “Did I interrupt something?”

I turned, ready to capture that glorious embarrassment, but Thea was already gone. She launched herself into the other cart like her life depended on it.

Well… at least the motion sickness was fading.

“What do you like about Thea?” Velea asked, eyes shining.

“World Force first. Embarrassing me, and your sister later.” I tried to shut it down.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Terrifying.

“Alright. You felt your Nexus, right?” I checked, trying to return to teacher mode.

She nodded fast, already locked back in.

“Great. Like I said, energy’s everywhere. Different kinds, but for now, you’ll start with Natural Force,” I explained.

Velea sat quietly, waiting for more.

She looked up at me. I looked down at her.

“…That’s it?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.

“I mean, I could call Thea back. Or the commander. They’d probably give you a nice, long lecture about it,” I offered.

She grinned like it was a great idea, then shook her head and shut her eyes.

“It’ll feel a lot like before. My voice should fade. Everything should. Just you and the energy.”

I stayed close, watching. Making sure she didn’t do anything risky.

And… I kept watching. Still watching.

Was it supposed to take this long?

“Velia?”

No response.

“Theeea! I need your help!” I called toward the front.

She poked her head in. “What now?”

“Uh… your sister. She’s been at it a while and won’t say anything.”

Thea walked over, gave Vel one quick look, and sighed. “How did I ever think you were smart?”

“What?”

“Peter, she’s fine. It just takes time to sense it.”

“But I—”

“I told you back then, you had a talent for sensing energy.” She crossed her arms. “Maybe the only talent you have.”

“Oh.” That landed harder than expected. “I thought you were teasing.”

I mean, it had crossed my mind before with Marcus, but Lyra, Sia, and Elric were already deep into cultivation when we met. I hadn’t really seen what the beginning looked like too often.

“Why would you think I was teasing you?” she asked, her tone unexpectedly serious.

“Thea… you’re not serious, are you?”

Crackle.

"Really? With an insult I kissed you, if you—Ah!" A bolt of sky-blue energy lit the air beside me, but I barely dodged in time. “Thea?!”

“What?” she replied, voice sugary sweet.

“…Can you just watch your sister? I want to train.”

“Sure,” she said, sitting down beside Vel. “It might take her hours anyway. You’ve got time.”

The last thing I saw before closing my eyes and turning inward was Thea, calling over the others from the front cart.