Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Essence Deviation, or Aether Deviation as it was more commonly known, was one of the most dangerous mishaps that could befall a practitioner during cultivation.

As its name suggested, this calamitous phenomenon occurred when the Aether Veins within either an Awakener or an Etheryean were damaged, ruptured, or flooded with more Aether than they could accommodate, eventually causing them to tear apart under the overwhelming pressure.

When such a scenario occurred, the surge of energy that suddenly had nowhere to go, because the pathway meant to contain and direct it had ruptured, would immediately spiral out of control and rampage through the practitioner’s body.

Under normal circumstances, such an occurrence might not necessarily be fatal if the practitioner could suppress the runaway energy quickly enough.

Unfortunately, cultivation was anything but normal.

During cultivation, a practitioner’s consciousness entered an almost suspended state. Their attention was immersed deep within their body, leaving their physical senses significantly dulled. As a result, they might remain completely unaware that something had gone wrong until the damage had already reached an irreversible stage.

And by then, suppressing the rampaging energy would become infinitely more difficult.

In the worst cases, Essence Deviation could result in death.

And not just a peaceful death nor a swift one; but a violent and gruesome death in which the practitioner’s own body became the battlefield for the raging Aether coursing through their veins. In most cases, the out of controlled energy might even make the practitioner explode.

It was precisely because they understood the dangers and catastrophic consequences associated with those two dreadful words that the seven cultivators shuddered.

A cold sensation seemed to crawl down their spines despite the warmth of the Essence Pool.

Now they understood why Aelric had repeatedly emphasized patience; why he had told them not to rush and why he had practically drilled the importance of remaining calm into their heads.

Had he not warned them, they might very well have acted according to their impulses. It wasn’t because they thought Aelric’s experience was somehow insubstantial.

Quite the opposite. If anything, they regarded his experience as something far beyond their own.

But they were excited, almost desperately so.

Their impatience to achieve their breakthrough had been building ever since Aelric revealed the existence of the Essence Pool. And after everything they had endured, the prospect of finally becoming Etheryeans had stirred something within them that was difficult to suppress.

They had almost wanted to throw themselves into the process and force their way through as quickly as possible.

From their perspective, however, such thoughts weren’t entirely unreasonable. Because back in Valoria, this was practically the norm and tradition.

After every Awakening Ceremony, newly awakened youths were usually encouraged, or outright ordered, by the Elders of their House or another influential authority to enter seclusion.

The purpose of that seclusion was straightforward; stabilize the Primary Aether Veins, consolidate their foundations and then, as quickly as possible, break through into the Initial Stage of the Rank One Etheryean Realm.

It was a tradition followed by countless noble Houses. Yet their circumstances had been anything but traditional.

They hadn’t even been given enough time to properly process their Awakening before being branded as trash, failures, and good-for-nothings. Even those among them who had been granted some degree of leniency after their unsightly Awakening had never been given the opportunity to enter proper seclusion.

They hadn’t been provided with cultivation resources, they hadn’t been allowed access to valuable Aetheric materials, and they had barely even been given the chance to cultivate.

Instead, they had been pushed aside by their own Houses and sidelined by their peers before eventually being thrown into exile.

And where had they been exiled to? The Nether Lands.

A place where every ounce of strength mattered. And also place where every skill could mean the difference between life and death.

At first, the group had believed that surviving with their Essence Runes and Soul Essences would be somewhat manageable. But that confidence had lasted until reality began tearing it apart.

The events of the past several days had changed their perspective completely.

They had witnessed dangers that they could barely comprehend; they had fought creatures that could have killed them effortlessly and they had simultaneously been hunted, cornered, and forced to rely upon one another simply to survive.

So when Aelric had introduced them to this place, a place containing an Essence Pool capable of accelerating their cultivation, they had been unable to contain their exultation.

They had wanted to begin immediately and seize the opportunity before it disappeared.

It had taken nearly every ounce of their exhausting self-restraint to suppress that impulse and listen to Aelric’s instructions instead.

And thank Aetherium that they had.

Because now that they understood the consequences of rushing, none of them wanted to imagine what kind of calamity might have befallen them had they recklessly plunged into cultivation without preparation.

Aelric, meanwhile, seemed completely unaware of the gravity of the revelation he had just delivered.

"Anyway..." He continued casually. "...enough about that." He looked across the seven cultivators and asked. "I hope you’ve managed to learn at least a thing or two from everything I’ve said, however."

The group responded with a chorus of solemn nods. And seeing this, Aelric’s lips curled into another small smile.

"Good." He took a step backward. "Then I wish you all good luck with your breakthroughs. Also, I can’t wait to see how different you all will come out on the other side."

As he said those words, his emerald eyes briefly flickered toward Regaleon, a strange glint passing through them.

Regaleon, however, failed to notice it. Instead, the silver-haired Knight simply offered Aelric a small smile and said.

"Thank you, Aelric." His golden eyes were sincere. "For everything."

For a moment, his gaze remained fixed upon the green-eyed youth.

Honestly, everything about Aelric was still surreal to him.

Who could have imagined that being saved from an ambush by a mysterious green-eyed youth would eventually lead to the next Chapter of their lives?

Aelric had saved them, guided them, and introduced them to things they had never even known existed. And now, he had also brought them to a place where they could finally take the first genuine step toward becoming Etheryeans.

Though he was explained to them that it was all part of his mission, Regaleon still felt the need to show some gratuitous gestures. On the other had, however, he knew that a simple thank you could never adequately express the gratitude he felt.

But words were all he had. At least for now.

Aelric merely gave him a small smirk. "Don’t thank me yet."

Regaleon’s brows rose slightly.

"At least not until after you’ve succeeded in your breakthrough."

Aelric gestured toward the Essence Pool.

"Only then can you ensure that all the energy and effort I’ve invested in you won’t go to waste."

He suddenly waved his hand dismissively, as though anticipating another round of heartfelt commentary.

"Alright, alright. I won’t keep you from your breakthrough. Also, I know I told you not to rush, but keep one thing in mind."

His expression became slightly more serious. "You don’t have all day since you know..."

Aelric didn’t finish the sentence but he didn’t need to as they understood where he was trying to drive at. The pack of Animas.

They would return eventually; and when they did, this secluded cavern might no longer be safe.

"Now..." Aelric said, turning toward Sylveris, ".. let’s give them some space. We wouldn’t want to distract them, would we?"

Sylveris gave a small nod. "Of course."

The two stepped away from the edge of the Essence Pool. But before leaving, Sylveris glanced toward her sister, concern unmistakable in her silver eyes, accompanied by a faint trepidation.

Aureleah noticed. Yet unlike her sister, the silver-haired Assassin didn’t appear worried.

Instead, she returned Sylveris’ gaze with something entirely different; warmth, confidence, and reassurance.

And then, for the first time since that morning, Aureleah smiled. It was small, almost imperceptible; but to Sylveris, it was enough.

Aureleah then mouthed four simple words. ’I will be fine.’

Sylveris stared at her for a moment... Then she nodded.

Only after that did she turn and follow Aelric toward another corner of the subterranean chamber.

Soon, the two were several meters away, leaving the seven cultivators alone.

Between them drifted nothing but the faint, ethereal mist that hovered above the Essence Pool, its translucent tendrils coiling lazily through the air while reflecting the myriad colours radiating from the crystalline walls.

The cavern suddenly felt silent in that instant.

Regaleon slowly inhaled; the Essence-filled air entering his lungs, carrying with it a sensation unlike anything he had experienced before.

He held the breath for several seconds; then slowly exhaled. Suddenly, his expression hardened, the last remnants of hesitation disappearing from his eyes.

The silver-haired Knight looked across the others. His voice, when it finally emerged, was deep, serious, and resolute.

"Okay. Let’s begin."

After spouting those words, the group began...

Seven Awakeners sat within the Essence Pool, surrounded by the condensed essence of countless years, their consciousness slowly turning inward as they embarked upon a process that would change them forever.

For them, this was no longer merely a breakthrough. Instead, it was the first step onto the path of true cultivation. And once they took that step, there would be no turning back...