The Married Life Of Immortals

As dawn broke, Bane found himself standing at the familiar door after knocking, waiting for Lady Morgana. Despite the unsettling encounter with Lilia, Bane felt a renewed sense of determination. His path was becoming clearer, even if the obstacles ahead seemed insurmountable.

Morgana arrived, her presence as commanding as ever. She had changed into practical attire, suitable for rigorous training. Her silver hair was tied back, and her piercing blue eyes scrutinized Bane with a mix of curiosity and expectation.

"Good morning, Bane," she said, her voice steady. "Are you ready to begin?"

Bane nodded, taking a deep breath. "I am."

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "You seem different today. More focused."

Bane gave a small smile. "Let's just say I had an enlightening experience last night."

"Good," Morgana replied, not pressing for details. She had assumed that whatever Lilia, her patron goddess wanted must not have taken too long since she received no word or visit from her. "We'll start with the basics. Magic isn't just about spells and incantations. It's about understanding the flow of energy in and around you. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing."

"Really? You aren't just going to try out every spell in your retinue?" Bane asked as respectfully as he could, making Morgana laugh softly.

"Lysia doesn't really like humans, and even if you are not like the Heavens Blessed we have dealt with before, she is not going to warm up anytime soon," Morgana explained, and Bane sighed.

"I can understand why she wouldn't like me because of the Heaven's Blessed thing, but what does she have against humans?" He asked.

"It isn't as though she hates humans, it is more of a dislike that stems from a refusal of getting close," Morgana said, and then asked. "How much do you know about the Elves lifespan?"

Bane frowned at this. While he wasn't much of a gamer, he did know that Elves were supposed to be one of the longer lived races.

"Not a lot, but I will just assume that they live for a long time, right?" Bane asked, and Morgana nodded.

"While Human Cultivators have a chance to reach immortality, normal humans don't usually live much past 70 in this world. Elves, on the other hand, can live for up to 50000 years. There are only a handful of races, mainly Divine Beasts, that can live that long, so they prefer not to be around short lived races. It is also the reason why most elves never leave their forests," Morgana explained, and then waved for him to follow her away from her house.

Bane nodded and followed, thinking about what he had just learned. He was starting to understand a bit more about Lysia, but he wasn't sure if any of it would help him out.

Morgana led Bane through the bustling village to a secluded clearing just beyond the outskirts. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was crisp and cool, filled with the scent of pine and earth. Bane felt a strange sense of calm wash over him as they entered the clearing, a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts that usually plagued his mind.

"Magic flows through everything in this world," Morgana began, her voice soft yet firm. "It's in the air we breathe, the ground beneath our feet, the water we drink. To harness it, you must first learn to sense it."

She gestured for Bane to sit on a large, flat rock in the center of the clearing. He complied, crossing his legs and closing his eyes as Morgana instructed. Her voice guided him through the process of deep, rhythmic breathing, focusing on the sensations within and around him.

"Feel the energy around you, Bane. Let it seep into your being. It's not about force; it's about allowing yourself to become a conduit for the magic that exists in everything."

At first, Bane felt nothing but the chill of the morning air. However, as he continued to breathe deeply and clear his mind, he began to sense a faint, tingling warmth in the pit of his stomach. The sensation spread slowly, like tendrils of fire weaving their way through his veins.

"Good," Morgana said, noting the slight shift in Bane's posture. "Now, imagine that warmth expanding, flowing through your body. Let it connect with the earth, the air, the trees. Become one with the magic around you."

Bane visualized the warmth spreading, intertwining with the natural elements surrounding him. As he did, the tingling sensation grew stronger, more defined. He felt an almost electric buzz coursing through his limbs, grounding him to the earth while simultaneously lifting his spirit.

Morgana watched intently, her keen eyes noting every subtle change in Bane's demeanor. She could see the faint glow of magic beginning to emanate from him, a promising sign. Despite his lack of traditional abilities, Bane possessed a unique connection to the magical energies of this world.

"Now," she continued, "focus that energy into your hands. Feel the magic pooling in your palms, ready to be shaped by your will."

Bane extended his hands, palms facing upward. He concentrated on the warmth within him, guiding it toward his fingertips, but nothing happened. Bane wanted to be surprised, but not being able to learn anything was starting to be the norm for him.

Morgana watched this, feeling confused. She could see the mana running though his body to his hands, but it refused to leave his body. It was almost like something was blocking him from condensing mana, and Morgana had an idea of what it could be. The echo of the two words that had thundered in her mind when she tried to see the second entity inside Bane.

'Get out,' was all that the voice said, but it was the most terrifying moment of Morgana's life. It was as though her very life could have been snuffed out if the voice wanted to. Not even Lilia, the Goddess of Shadows could instill her with such profound fear. Morgana suspected that whatever entity resided within Bane had a powerful grip on his abilities.

"Interesting," Morgana murmured, watching Bane's futile attempts. "It's as though something within you is preventing the magic from fully manifesting. This isn't a simple blockage; it feels deliberate."

Bane frowned, lowering his hands. "Deliberate? You mean something is actively stopping me?"

"Yes, and I think I know what it is," Morgana replied, her expression serious. "There's something—or someone—inside you that's controlling this flow. I can't say for certain who or what it is, but its power is immense."

Bane's mind raced back to the recent encounter with Lilia and the voice of Onyx. He hadn't fully grasped the implications of having such powerful beings involved in his life, but now it seemed clearer.

"I think I know what you are talking about. I am sure you felt two presences inside me when you were probing me. One is a girl named Eve, and she is my guild, or is supposed to be. Though, when I was sent to this world, the other entity inside me sealed everything. Not only that, but it has restricted Eve from being able to be more than formless traveling companion," Bane explained.

Morgana's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. "Two presences? One of them a guide and the other, a restrictive force. This complicates matters," she mused. "If this entity is capable of sealing your abilities and restricting even another presence, it must be extraordinarily powerful."

Bane nodded, the weight of the situation settling heavily on him. "Yeah, Onyx. That's the name of the entity. He mentioned something about needing to keep me hidden until I'm strong enough. Something about a Guardian and the risk of my data being deleted."

Morgana's face grew more serious. "Guardian. That name brings back memories of old legends, tales of a being that watches over the balance of realms. If Onyx is telling the truth, your existence might be more pivotal than any of us realized."

Bane sighed, frustration mixing with determination. "But how am I supposed to get stronger if I can't even use magic? How can I train or fight if I'm constantly being held back?"

Morgana placed a reassuring hand on Bane's shoulder. "We'll find a way. The first step is understanding the nature of your restrictions. There may be alternative methods of training that don't rely on conventional magic. For now, let's continue focusing on sensing and directing energy. Even if you can't cast spells, learning to manipulate energy can still be beneficial."

Bane nodded, appreciating her unwavering support. They resumed the training, Morgana guiding him through exercises to enhance his energy perception and control. As the day progressed, Bane found himself more attuned to the subtle currents of magic around him, even if he couldn't fully harness them.

After hours of training, they took a break, sitting on the grass to rest. Bane looked at Morgana, a question burning in his mind. "Do you think there's a way to communicate with Onyx? To understand his motives better and perhaps negotiate some leeway?"

Morgana considered this, her brow furrowing in thought. "While it might be possible, I think there must be a very good reason it is hiding your power. While you can't manifest the mana, I can clearly see that your body is understanding what you are learning. I can see you create the elements inside your body, and you are picking up on everything that I have been teaching you."

Bane let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "So, even if I can't use the magic yet, the training isn't a waste?"

Morgana nodded. "Correct. Your body is absorbing the lessons. Think of it like a seed being planted and nurtured. When the time is right, you'll be ready to bloom. For now, keep focusing on the basics. Your energy manipulation is improving, and that will be crucial when your abilities are eventually unlocked."

Bane felt a surge of hope. "Alright, then. Let's continue."

They resumed the training with renewed vigor. Morgana taught Bane how to better control his breathing, channel his energy, and harmonize with the natural elements. Despite the lack of visible results, Bane could feel a subtle shift within himself, a growing awareness of the magical currents surrounding him.

As dusk approached, Morgana decided to conclude their session. "That's enough for today. Rest and reflect on what you've learned. Tomorrow, we'll continue."

Bane nodded, feeling both physically and mentally exhausted. "Thank you, Lady Morgana."

She smiled, a rare expression of warmth crossing her features. "You're welcome, Bane. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small."

Bane made his way back to his room, but just before he got to the building where his room was, a small hand grabbed him, pulling him into an alley.