"Dream Prison?" Kaedros echoed.
"Yes," Thalso replied. "One of the most dangerous places in this Castle. Dangerous criminals are often locked there. It’s a twisted place."
Kaedros narrowed his eyes. That confirmed one thing for him, this castle was a prison. It may have other purposes, but it was a prison at its core.
"But you’re all so powerful... can’t you just go see them? I mean, it’s your castle after all," Taria said with a small smile.
"No one owns this castle," Thalso said, his tone turning serious. "And be careful how you speak of it. The Castle is alive. Intelligent. It belonged to my master once, but not anymore. He is not here after all."
He paused before continuing, "We can’t go there because the prison wing is under the Castle’s direct control. Even we instructors can’t step foot inside it."
"Why?" Rauk looked genuinely surprised. The idea that even Thalso had limits in this place was unexpected.
"That’s just how Throne of Ruinlight works. Instructors are to focus solely on training candidates, unless we are ordered otherwise by the Castle’s master."
"That means we can’t see Collector’s subordinates?" Kaedros asked, already dreading another disappointment. He was tired of chasing faint hopes.
"You can," Nyra said, raising her paws. "You’re not native to this Castle. Some rules don’t apply to you the way they do to us. And you Kaedros...especially you."
That eased the tension slightly until Kaedros remembered something crucial. "Why did you call it dangerous?"
"When the Collector escaped, the Castle reacted... violently. It turned its power on Dream Prison and twisted it beyond recognition. Many prisoners were relocated to other wings, but Dream prison became corrupted, overrun by the monsters that Joint Accord brought with them."
Nyra continued, "We send golems there occasionally when the Castle permits it, but even then, it’s extremely dangerous."
Taria bit her finger. "And that’s where we have to go? To see the Collector’s subordinates?"
"Are we even sure they’re still alive?" Kaedros asked. He hated wasted effort especially if it involved risking lives for nothing. "And, subordinates of someone like that can’t be weak!"
"Some are," Nyra confirmed. "I can’t say how many... but not all of them are dead. You’re right, but you must remember that most of his subordinates are those that have already reached their threshold. Those who are strong already left with him."
Kaedros looked at Taria and Rauk.
They nodded when he did. Then he turned to Thalso and Nyra.
"We’re ready to make the trip to Dream Prison."
If that was what it took to remove his Bloodline Trait, he’d do it, even alone. But he wasn’t alone. His... subordinates? They agreed to follow him. He didn’t want to get used to the warmth he felt in his chest, it could be replaced with coldness at any moment. The world was like that.
"No, you’re not," Thalso snorted. "You’re not ready for the Dream Wing. Not until I say your first training is complete and you possess the First Stone."
"First Stone?" Taria asked.
"You’ll receive it when you’re ready," Thalso said. Then he pointed to the books beside Nyra. "Your Flow, your spells, your techniques."
Kaedros’s gaze locked onto the books. They didn’t look special, but he decided to trust them. What choice did he have? His lips curled into a dry smile. Right..he didn’t.
"Your Flow is tied to your spell or technique. To your very core. What you begin learning now will lay the foundation for something... greater," Thalso said. As he spoke, the books floated and drifted toward each person, settling neatly in front of them. "You must master your first low-tier techniques or spells before setting foot in Nightmare Prison."
"Low-tier?" Kaedros asked. He hadn’t heard that term before.
"A mana user offensive powers are divided into three classes," Thalso explained. "Low-tier is the basic offensive or defensive form. Mid-tier is twice as powerful. High-tier is the peak, the most powerful technique or spell at any rank. Each would be improved at another rank.
"All of it depends on the Wielder. Your High-tier spell, Kael, might be the equivalent of my Low-tier technique," Thalso added with a smirk. "This is a method I created to measure different levels of power."
"How powerful are High-tier spells?" Kaedros asked. He had a system of classification in his mind already, but this seemed more refined.
"You’ll likely drain all your mana casting one," Nyra said, "but that changes as you advance."
"Do we change spells every time we advance?" Taria asked.
Thalso shrugged. "Depends on the person. Sometimes yes, sometimes you just evolve the spell. But improving your techniques is better, you don’t want to be predictable."
Nyra’s eyes sparkled. "But if you win your Candidate Trials, you might advance several ranks at once."
Thalso snorted again. "They won’t access that mantle power until they reach rank five. And only if they win."
Kaedros frowned and went still. Advance several ranks at once? A chill of excitement went down his spine.
"So what rank are we?" Taria asked eagerly.
Thalso looked at them with a small smile. "You are currently at the seven stage rank one. I’d like to see you reach stage nine before you leave for the Dream Prison wing.
"Rauk should be in the fourth stage of rank one.
"And Kaedros...well."
"And you?" Kaedros asked quickly. "What rank are you, Thalso?"
Thalso was quiet for a moment before replying, "The rank just above the tenth."
Rauk narrowed his eyes. "Wait—what? The rank above the tenth?"
Thalso said. "It’s the beginning of the Path. The real path, not the one you were told in your world."
He raised a hand quickly before the questions could start. "No. I won’t be explaining anything about it."
Then, with a snap of his fingers, he turned to Nyra. "Let Nyra explain your Flows."
"I’ve searched the library and found the Flows that match your core patterns," Nyra said, stretching as she yawned.
"Let’s begin with Rauk. Your Flow is called Dominium Terrae Flow. It allows for high magic flexibility and molding. Since your core aligns with Spatial techniques, what you need most is control and adaptability. Dominium Terrae Flow enhances both."
She handed him a book. "That book has formulas and spatial techniques you can start learning. It won’t Interfere with other mana cultivation you are already using and can even enhance it."
Rauk stood and bowed slightly, committing the Flow name to memory. It was the first real step toward power.
"Taria," Thalso said, turning toward her. "I chose your Flow personally, as a warrior."
"Your pattern revolves around spear mastery and strength, but to make that truly effective, you need speed. The Flow name is Fulmen Flow."
"When you train with it, your body will gain both power and lightness. Techniques under this Flow will be taught directly by me. It won’t interfere with your other mana cultivation as well."
There was a subtle gruffness in his tone. What the others didn’t know was that Thalso had never taken an apprentice, despite training many candidates. None of them had shown the interest or admiration for his weapon collection like Taria had.
Taria smiled her thanks.
"Now Kael," Thalso said, his gaze settling on Kaedros. "After much discussion, we’ve decided you will focus on all the magic branches in your core."