"I've slain countless Fallen, righted several injustices, helped those in need, but to no avail . To add insult to the injury, my core is still blue . For the gods' sake, I'm over 300 years old . What am I doing wrong?" She said looking at Milea with envy .
The Empress was in her early thirties, yet she already had a deep purple core and a body powerful enough to fight on par with an Evolved Monster .
'I wonder how the heck did he did it . ' Scarlett pondered . 'It's too bad not even my artifact can see through a Guardian . I always wondered what kind of core they have . '
A wave of Leegaain's hand made two armchairs appear, one for himself and the other for his guest .
"Excellent question . The short answer is: everything . If you want the long one, you'd better sit down . It will take a while . "
Scarlett rolled her eyes and prayed for a swift death before doing as instructed .
To Scarlett, Leegaain asked: "First of all, since when were you a hero? Why would helping others trigger a tribulation?"
"Tyris explained to me how tribulations work . The last one happened while I was seeking justice for my friends, so I thought that what Mogar wants from me is to do the right thing . " She replied .
"That's absurd! What happened to Balkor was an injustice, yet he never experienced a tribulation . When the anomaly fought Nalear he did the right thing, but again, no tribulation .
"They happen when something deeply rooted inside of you resonates with what Mogar wants . Mogar couldn't care less about right or wrong, fair or unfair . The only right thing you did was to leave your turf . Without hardships there's no growth . "
"Then tell me . What does Mogar want from me?" The idea of having wasted months of hard work frustrated her to no end .
"If I tell you, having a tribulation will become nigh impossible . Once you know, you would do the right things for the wrong reason: getting your prize . I suffered seeing Mogar's wonders disappear and so did Mogar . That's how I became a Guardian .
"If I started hoarding knowledge and creatures just to please the world, there would be no resonance between us . The feeling must be sincere, not cynical . "
"Okay, fine! What about the blue core? Why am I stuck?" She snarled .
"A blue core is the natural apex for most bodies . Very few can host a purple core because the mind, body, and mana must be in perfect synch . Up to the blue core, you only need to refine your body and lower the resistance it offers to the mana flow by removing impurities .
"A purple core, however, requires that even the mind must not be a hindrance . Using magic must become akin to breathing to you . Moving a finger or casting a spell should require you the same focus .
"Humans have a hard time getting a purple core because of their flimsy bodies, beasts because of their powerful bodies . We naturally tend to be reliant on brute strength just like humans use magic even to wipe their own asses . "
"So, it's just a matter of practice? Because I have studied magic for centuries!" Scarlett was still confused .
"Not of practice, but of understanding the nature of magic . You make it flow instead of letting it flow . " Leegaain shook his head .
"Okay, I give up . Can you help me like you did for her?" She pointed at Milea .
"I could, but that could hinder your path to Guardianhood . You would learn my way of using magic instead of discovering yours . It could alter the way you perceive yourself and the world . "
"What about the humans?" Frustration was driving her insane .
"I've met a crazy head at the White Griffon with a purple core . How is it possible?"
"Some creatures are born with a perfect mana body and a twisted mind . Only such individuals if incredibly lucky can host a purple core, yet it comes at a cost . In their case, the impurities left are a safeguard . If they Awaken, they die because their bodies are synched to a static mana, not to a flowing one . "
"Any advice?" Scarlett stood up . The whole visit had felt like a waste of time to her .
"Yes, one . Open yourself to the world . Laugh, cry, fall in love, hate, whatever you do, do it from the depths of your heart . Being a Guardian requires staying true to oneself .
"As for the core issue, just stop thinking of magic as if it's not part of you . Every spell you cast, every item you forgemaster, it defines you . Just like the words you say or the decisions you make . " Leegaain stood up while offering her his hand .
"I always admired you for never forcing an Awakening, not even for your friends . I don't know if you'll ever become a Guardian, but I'm certain that you'll get a purple core in no time . "
"Thanks for your wisdom . " Scarlett said while smiling for the first time in months .
***
Trawn Woods, inside Solus's tower form .
After dinner, Lith and Tista had left home for the mana geyser that would allow Solus to take part in their conversation . Once inside, Lith told his sister the truth about Kaduria and his fight against the unknown Awakened one .
Then, he told her about his encounter with the Empowered Abomination .
"That thing wanted my crystal . The rest of the family is safe here in Lutia, but once you leave, you may become a target . This Master could try to get you to force my hand . " Lith said .
"Are you telling me to stay cooped up home?" Tista was mildly annoyed .
"No, just to be careful . Remember what I taught you about Abominations and keep your eyes open for black cores . If you're in danger, run . " Lith was done protecting his sister from the truth . She was old and powerful enough to make her own choices .
"Thank you, lil brother! I'm glad you trust me so much . " Tista had feared Lith would give her a paranoid speech to change her mind about her trip .
"You're welcome . Now, I need your advice . " Once he had finished telling her about his first date and the blunder he made after being conferred Great Mage, Tista didn't know whether to laugh or cry .
"The good news is that she definitely likes you . Otherwise instead of asking you to call her, she would have canceled the date . The bad news is that if you don't handle things carefully, she'll expect a betrothal gift from you . "
"I know, right?" Solus chimed in . "I told him to give her a nice present, but Lith's idea is insane . "
"Hear me out before calling me crazy . " Lith sighed . "I can't give her a dimensional ring because it's too expensive, right?" The simplest of Lith's creations was worth several gold coins, while military officers were paid in silver .
"At the same time, since I don't know what she likes, flowers or sweets would be impersonal and unimaginative . "
"Don't forget cheap . " Tista pointed out .
"Fine! Cheap too . II don't want to show off nor do I want to screw up again, so I thought about a compromise . "
Lith walked towards his forgemastering lab and disappeared for a couple of minutes before returning with what looked like a green breadstick .
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