“That older, far-sighted brother said I’d start noticing patterns once I returned to the first level. So I’m really excited to go back… though I’m afraid… we’ll have to part ways here,” Robin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“What? Part ways? What do you mean by that?” Caesar was startled, those words sounding like the cruelest curse imaginable.
“Take your share of the stones and head to the upper floor, you ungrateful brat! Don’t show me your face again until you’ve broken through to the first level!” Robin walked up and kicked Caesar lightly in the rear. Caesar froze in place for a second, then laughed, grabbed half the stones, and sprinted upstairs.
And so, their training began. Despite both having extensive knowledge of cultivation techniques, they hadn’t trained at all on the journey from the cave to the institution. After all, energy cultivation and foundation-building required intense focus and a clear mind for meditation. Now that they were finally in a safe environment rich with resources, there was no need to hold back.
A week passed… then another… The first level of cultivation was the foundation upon which everything else was built, so it was natural for it to take months. But suddenly, a loud voice rang out from the upper floor:
“Hahaha! I did it before you!” Caesar shouted, overjoyed. Even though it was expected—after all, he had previously reached level 16 and was using the same cultivation technique Robin himself had invented—he still felt proud for surpassing his father in something.
He jumped down to check on Robin and found him in his private room, eyes wide open and glowing bright green. The space around him felt… unreal.
“What—what’s going on here? Did you already break through to the first level? No… Even if you reached level twenty, that kind of aura shouldn’t be possible!” Caesar instinctively stepped back, but quickly regained his composure and sat near the door, waiting for any sign of movement.
Two days passed… then two weeks… then three.
Caesar’s anxiety grew. This wasn’t supposed to happen from just reaching the first level!
After two more days, the light in Robin’s eyes finally faded. He stood up and smiled.
“Patterns, huh… So that’s how it is. Hahaha… That’s how it is!”
Robin looked around, completely enthralled. He was euphoric.
Everywhere he looked, he saw patterns—in everything. Some appeared as markings, others in the way things moved or were arranged. But without a doubt, everything had a distinct pattern that set it apart.
Even the mirror before him showed symbols across his reflection. The wooden window beams had etched designs that seemed engraved deep within. Even the wind showed patterns in its motion when he focused closely.
After examining everything with amazement, he suddenly called out,
“Caesar, come here!”
Caesar, who had been sitting outside, jumped up and rushed in. Robin studied him carefully… and as expected, he saw patterns etched into Caesar’s skin. He even pricked Caesar’s finger and observed the blood—and yes, the patterns were there too!
The entire world had transformed before Robin’s eyes. Everything now revealed its hidden order, though he still didn’t fully understand what it meant or what purpose it served. He was certain it was connected to the Law of Truth. And yet, he hadn’t even anchored himself to the law yet…
What would happen once he did?
In a cheerful mood, Robin laughed.
“I’m starving! We’re in the second month already, right? Let’s collect our allowance and go eat something decent.”
He grabbed Caesar by the collar and dragged him out of the house.
—
They easily withdrew their 200 gold coins from the treasury this time, choosing to take it as cash. The first level of energy foundation hadn’t consumed much of their original supply of energy stones, so they still had plenty left.
But their stroll through the institution didn’t go unnoticed. While many had once viewed them as mysterious, it was now obvious—they were only at the first level. And given their age, they were considered nothing but trash. Mocking laughter and subtle insults followed them wherever they went, but both were experienced enough to remain calm.
Robin smiled and said, “Hey… I don’t think I’ve ever treated you to a meal before. What do you say we make today the first time?”
They left the institution and asked around for a good restaurant. It felt like a casual outing, but Caesar noticed his father glancing around with a big smile, like a child seeing the world for the first time.
In truth… it *was* his first time seeing the real world.
Even inside the restaurant, Robin drew attention. He held a piece of Mountain Rhino meat in his hands and examined it as if it were a priceless artifact.
“Bro—uh… big brother, what are you doing?” Caesar whispered, ignoring the chuckles from nearby tables.
“What am I doing? Just breaking a few laws, that’s all!” Robin laughed, then dove into his food, leaving two gold coins on the table as payment. He stood and walked out, Caesar quickly following behind.
“Wait—breaking laws? What are you talking about?” Caesar asked, confused.
“Ever since I entered the first level and started using the laws I’d studied before, I’ve been seeing patterns in almost everything. And judging by what I’m seeing around me… I think these patterns *are* the laws that govern the world,” Robin replied confidently.
“You… You can see the laws? With your *eyes*?!” Caesar exclaimed, stunned.
“Exactly.” Robin smiled. “Now come on, let’s go buy some firewood. I have a long night ahead of me with the Fire Path. Hahaha!”
Caesar was speechless. Seeing the laws?! One of the hardest parts of developing a law technique was first identifying and confirming the existence of the law itself, then sensing some truths about its function, and finally creating a technique that harnessed those truths.
But what Robin described… He had simply skipped the hardest part! And for the second and third steps? How difficult could they be when the law itself stood before him, like an open book waiting to be read?
Caesar froze mid-step, lost in thought. Robin had to come back and drag him by the collar once more—this time toward the market to buy firewood.
