While others had ventured down this path, none had succeeded; most had met their end trying, while others had become crippled.
Nero stood as the first to create a second core, a breakthrough that would send shockwaves throughout the world if anyone were to discover this truth. Not that he planned to share it.
He understood that several factors had contributed to this miracle; he felt as though only someone like him could accomplish it. It was as if Prana itself had allowed it to happen, facilitating his success, as though he had been blessed by it.
Suddenly, what Nero had foreseen came to pass. The ambient primordial energy began converging toward him, with him at the center, like a whirlpool. More specifically, the second core nestled inside his heart was voraciously sucking in the surrounding primordial energy, akin to a hungry baby nursing from its mother. This phenomenon was visible to the naked eye.
What should have been good news quickly turned into a nightmare. His body couldn’t keep pace with the rate at which the second core was drawing in prana. If this continued, it would undoubtedly result in his death, as his heart would rupture—an instant death sentence.
Nero, whose eyes were bloodshot and complexion pale, showing the signs of a serious issue, sat back down in meditation. He began using his breathing technique to try to regulate the intake of primordial energy, aiming to temporarily seal the ability of his second core to automatically absorb energy. While he longed to grow his core, not now—his body wouldn’t be able to handle it. It would be suicidal to attempt it. Thus, he needed to remedy this problem as quickly as possible.
After going through a few trials, he succeeded in sealing the second core’s ability to auto-absorb energy using the power of his special eyes. With his enhanced vision, he could see the flow of prana around him in intricate patterns. He focused on the core, visualizing the energy swirling into it. By concentrating on the specific pathways of energy flow, he traced the lines connecting to his core and imagined a barrier forming around it.
Using his willpower, he crafted a mental seal that would suppress the core’s automatic absorption ability. It took immense focus, but he could feel the prana gradually slowing as he successfully implemented the seal. The frantic pull of energy lessened, allowing him to regain control over the situation. The relief washed over him; he had managed to stabilize the core, averting the immediate threat to his life.
"Fuh!" Nero exhaled in relief.
"A little bit more, and I would have died. It was a close call. Fortunately, I reacted quickly. I never would have expected something like this to happen; I was shortsighted, not anticipating every scenario." Nero lamented, making a mental note to remain prudent in the future. He couldn’t afford to make mistakes like this again, or it might cost him his life.
"Now that I have two cores, I can use my power to a great extent. Just imagining the final form of my second core alongside my primal core—it would undoubtedly give me the edge over others. My strength would be double, if not triple, that of my opponents."
It was a sound analysis; just imagine someone possessing two perfect cores facing off against someone with only one core. The outcome would undoubtedly favor the one with double cores. Not only could he last longer in battle, but his attacks would be twice as devastating, thanks to the combined power of both cores.
Crack!
Nero rose to his feet, his muscles emitting a satisfying crackling sound as he stretched. He decided to perform some warm-up exercises to adjust his muscles, feeling the tension release with each movement. He started with a series of dynamic stretches, reaching for the sky and then bending down to touch his toes, ensuring every muscle group was engaged.
Next, he moved into a set of push-ups. He positioned himself on the ground, his palms flat and fingers splayed, and began lowering his body. With each repetition, he felt his muscles working, his chest and arms burning as he pushed himself back up. He completed twenty push-ups, maintaining a steady rhythm, his breath coming in controlled bursts.
Not satisfied, he transitioned into squats. Standing with his feet shoulder-width apart, he lowered his body as if sitting back into an invisible chair. He kept his back straight and his core engaged, feeling the strain in his thighs and glutes as he rose back up. He performed thirty squats, pushing through the fatigue, each movement fueling his determination.
After that, he incorporated lunges, stepping forward with one leg and lowering his body until both knees were at right angles. He alternated legs for a total of twenty lunges, feeling the stretch deepen with each step.
Finally, he wrapped up with a series of leg raises, lying flat on his back and lifting his legs toward the ceiling, engaging his core with each lift. He did fifteen repetitions, focusing on his breathing and the stability of his body as he completed the exercise.
By the time he finished, it was around 8 a.m., and his body was drenched in sweat.
He stood there, panting slightly, feeling invigorated and alive, ready to indulge in a long and refreshing bath. As he entered the bathroom, the warm, inviting steam enveloped him, creating a soothing atmosphere. He filled the tub with water, adding a carefully curated blend of medicinal herbs known for their revitalizing properties. The aroma of eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary filled the air, creating a calming essence that heightened his senses.
As he sank into the tub, the warm water embraced him like a gentle hug, the herbal infusion working its magic on his tired muscles. He could feel the tension melting away, replaced by a deep sense of relaxation. The herbs infused the water with their healing qualities, promoting circulation and enhancing his physique. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth seep into his bones, allowing the fragrant steam to envelop him.
He took his time, enjoying the serenity of the moment, occasionally splashing water over himself, feeling utterly rejuvenated. The combination of the warm water and medicinal herbs invigorated his spirit, leaving him refreshed and ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.