As soon as Mortrex spoke, from within the cocoon of blue light, a white light suddenly ignited, blinding in its radiance.
With the force of a rocket, it suddenly burst upwards through the cocoon of light, engulfing and encompassing it in the next second.
"After the entrapped Grandmaster has unleashed his own domain, then another battle would begin. During this process, there can only be three outcomes."
The unfolding display suddenly split into three identical parts.
"One, the newly formed domain overpowers the opponent's, thereby freeing him or her and destroying their opponent's."
One of the split parts suddenly mirrored Mortrex's words, the newly formed cocoon overpowering the initial one.
Its form suddenly went supernova, and a large wave rocked the area, spreading out in every direction. In the next second, the first domain turned into motes of light, followed by its maker.
Mortrex continued, "Two, it is of lower strength and immediately gets overpowered."
The second split part mirrored the first, but instead, it was the newly formed domain that met its end. Its form went supernova, and its owner immediately perished.
"And lastly, they have equal power and thus face a stalemate."
The last split part acted accordingly, the cocoon suddenly taking on two colors that kept clashing in the middle with neither side giving in.
"When this happens, both Grandmasters would have to resort to using their domains and powers to do battle."
Atticus absorbed everything at a rapid pace, a question suddenly popping up in his head. He didn't waste time and asked immediately,
"How do you quantify the power of a domain? I mean, are there ranks or some level of measurement that could tell us how powerful a particular Grandmaster's domain is?"
Mortrex smiled. 'What a smart boy. Is he really 16?" he thought, a bit shocked.
He felt like most kids his age would be too overwhelmed by the magnitude of everything to even think of asking questions.
What was even more baffling was his questions; there was not a single useless one among them. Everything he was asking was what Mortrex already planned on explaining. The last thing he expected was to be asked before he could even speak.
A little excitement couldn't help but bubble from within him. 'Perhaps there's hope for the bone race yet.'
"There are no ranks or levels to a Grandmaster's domain. In fact, a Grandmaster- individual's domain could overpower a Grandmaster+ rank. While it's true the only way to advance in the Grandmaster rank is to constantly improve the understanding of your bloodline, just like most things, the strength of each domain is predominantly dependent on one thing: will.
"The higher your will, the more firm, sturdy, and powerful your domain is."
"I see," Atticus muttered, taking it all in. 'Just because a person is in the Grandmaster+ rank doesn't mean he or she has a stronger will than a Grandmaster- rank,' Atticus pondered.
His brows suddenly furrowed. "What about intelligence and perception? Do they have any part to play in this?" Atticus inquired. He hadn't heard Mortrex mention both stats during his explanation.
Mortrex nodded. "They are both useful in the formation and the utilization of your domain. Higher intelligence and perception stats equal more defined and swift control over your domain."
Hearing this, Atticus nodded his head and decided to ask what might be his last question currently in his head.
"Why only in the Master+ rank? I mean, if a Novice rank has enough understanding of his bloodline, couldn't he or she form a domain of his or her own and thus become a Grandmaster?"
Mortrex shook his head. "It's not that simple. Creating a domain requires a certain level of understanding of your power, this much is true, but at the end of the day, it requires an enormous amount of energy to form, one a Novice rank couldn't dream of having. Aside from that, a Novice rank wouldn't even have the perception or intelligence needed to form or maintain it."
Atticus's gaze narrowed slightly, his eyes fixing on Mortrex. "So let's assume I have enough intelligence and perception, enough energy and understanding of my bloodline even if I'm not at the Master+ rank, can I form a domain since I technically satisfy all the conditions?"
An intense grin couldn't help but appear on Mortrex's face as soon as he heard that, startling Atticus. His head nodded instantly in response.
'He's not joking! What have they given birth to?' Mortrex thought.
From the little he had known about Atticus, he knew that the boy wasn't the type to ask questions that weren't directly relevant to him.
If Atticus was asking this, then it was because he believed that he didn't have to reach the Master+ rank before he could create a domain.
Mortrex's battle instinct couldn't help but ignite.
Mortrex reeled it in and responded, "Technically, yes, you can. But it has never been done. The amount of energy, intelligence, and perception needed could only be achieved at the Master+ rank, and the time needed to reach the level of understanding of your bloodline for the formation of a domain is immense. However, if you meet these criteria, then nothing is stopping you from achieving it."
Atticus nodded once more. He turned his gaze upwards and took a deep breath. 'I have to start working towards this from now.'
After a few seconds, Atticus brought his gaze back down and focused on Mortrex standing a few meters away from him, not uttering a word.
As though recognizing the moment, Mortrex lowered his hand, and instantaneously the Bone Desert became completely and utterly silent, the climate changing to a mixture of night and day with the perfect temperature and light.
"Why did I do all of this?"
It was Mortrex who spoke first, looking directly at Atticus.
Seeing Atticus nodding his head, he continued,
"It's exactly as I said earlier. 'I hope you will remember this favor in the future when you stand at the top.'"
Atticus understood what he said well, but he still wanted to hear it directly from his mouth.
"You're incredibly talented, boy, so talented I have no doubt you will stand at the top. Even if not in the whole planet, at the top of the humans wouldn't be a problem."
Mortrex's voice suddenly changed, becoming somewhat more humble. "My only hope is that when that time comes, you treat the people of the bone race as living beings and not things."