The tears kept falling.

  I'll do whatever it takes..., he remembered the promise he made to himself.

  When the burst of happiness faded, Undric stood up. He tried to dry his tears as he walked toward the bedroom. It was useless; they wouldn't stop. He couldn't let himself be swept away. He needed to be sure it would work. Each step came with a painful memory. "I'm sorry, I don't know... I don't understand what's wrong with her," the doctor said, while Mirabel lay unconscious in a bed with no sign of improvement. What should he do? He couldn't find the answer. His daughter cried, holding the hands of a loving and cheerful mother who was now inert and getting colder and colder, and Undric just stood there, frozen and horrified, not knowing what to say, what to do, or how to comfort her. He couldn't think about anything but the incessant fear of losing her that tormented him.

  So he isolated himself. He needed to know more, to search further, but he couldn't. He had neither power nor influence. Thus, he relied on his only contact with the outside world, the Moonlit Hall, those who could look for the answers he needed. The growing family crisis didn't matter to him. The money would be used, even if he had to sell his soul. However, even for that, there was a limit. "I will not sell my own daughter for a bit more money!" his words weighed even more on himself. Some of the elders ignored him and kept trying to pressure him, yes, and others tried to understand him. But deep down, their words didn't matter to him; the ones that hurt him were those said days earlier by his own daughter who, as quickly and chaotically as time seemed to pass, kept growing increasingly beautiful and strong, unlike himself, who with each day wilted further from his own fears.

  —You... do you even know how Mom has been these last years, Dad...?

  There was no answer. He had nothing to say. Had he really isolated himself to such a point where he himself questioned such things? How...? He should be taking care of her, cherishing her health, so why? Was his fear stronger than his concern to live alongside her? How could he change that? Was there any way? What if his time was running out while he remained trapped behind that cursed door?

  —...You don't need to worry about finding a way to improve my cultivation. But... spend more time with Mom..., she really needs it.

  Those words felt so wrong to him. Why was she so mature, even though she was just a child? Was that also his fault? Was it because he had neglected her for so long that, when least expected, there was no more turning back? His chance to see her grow didn't exist anymore, and the word "daddy" sounded more and more empty.

  How stupid...

  Undric stopped in front of the door, sighing. He needed to calm down. Carried by the cold breeze, he entered the room with his mind a little more focused.

  — An alchemy furnace? Where would we find such a thing? — Mirabel asked — I don't even know what that is—

  — No...! We will do it. — he declared, leaving no room for protest. His weak legs carried him to the bed and there, he kissed his wife and daughter's foreheads with a trembling touch —...It's going to be okay.

  Despite what she said, Isadora did not return to Noah that night; she clung to her mother and continued to embrace her until dawn. That gave him time to try something he had already planned.

  Now, can I try to form my foundation normally? It's not going to happen again, I hope.

  Chills hit him, just remembering the pain he felt during his first attempt.

  [Yes..., now nothing should go wrong.]

  Should...? One of his eyebrows arched.

  Sighing, Noah closed his eyes after forcing himself into a meditative position. The pops were the least of his concerns, it was the pain that made his consciousness waver. He stopped with one of his legs at a strange angle. He was gathering strength to continue.

  [...Want help?]

  Haha, funny...

  He closed his eyes before pulling it to the right position. The pops were brief, but in sequence, and pain followed them through every bone, muscle, and beyond.

  That old fool...! How did he have the nerve to say there's nothing wrong?!

  As soon as the pain stopped, he sighed. He did not move again. He feared that if he did, it would come back to hit him.

  Clear the mind... He sighed deeply.

  The steps rose, pointing upward. But Noah turned; the door he sought shone back there, open but untouched. So chaotic was the Qi in his body that, in the end, his foundation hadn't had time or sustainability to form. He needed to do it before advancing further because, even if almost imperceptibly, the steps were losing stability, getting thinner and more transparent with every step.

  Is this what a "fragile base" means...? he supposed, and the golden gate appeared imposingly before his eyes. If someone with such a base kept going, would there come a point the steps disappeared, and it would be impossible to advance...? But it's always possible to go back on the stairs, so what's the problem? Just go back when necessary to reinforce the needed parts, right?

  He took the first step and everything was fine, causing a disturbance in the space beneath his feet. On the second, something felt wrong. It was as if everything would collapse if he put on a little more pressure. On the third, his forming foundation crumbled.

  Noah looked ahead. He thought all he had to do was cross the gate and reach the stairs leading to the next, but this time, walking on his own. But no. There was no other gate to reach. Everything was empty, no matter where he looked.

  So it isn't that simple... He took another step, analyzing the situation. I believe this whole dais will be my foundation when completed, so maybe the other door only appears once that's done or, in fact, maybe it's just impossible to return beyond this point... Perhaps there is a limit? Yes, a limitation...

  No matter how many steps he tried, it always ended in collapse. Sometimes on the third, sometimes on the second, but never past the fourth step.

  I think I get it now... The farther you go, the more power you have, and therefore, the more fragile the earlier steps become. Hmm, it makes sense. In the end, the stairs to the higher stages need to be sturdier than the previous ones, after all, they need to withstand greater pressure and power. So being the body itself your initial base, each being must be able to withstand all the power and pressure it exerts... The stairs are just a visual way to gauge that resistance.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  [Congratulations!]

  [5 points have been gained due to the user's insight.]

  So this system works by enlightenment? But just 5 points, seriously...? Can I at least buy some information with it?

  [...Some.]

  Sighing, he returned to his failed attempts.

  The night passed quietly, taking the cold wind with it, while the sunrise brought a gentle breeze.

  Without Noah knowing, the bedroom door he was in was opened, allowing light to enter through holes in the walls and ceiling. The steps taken were careful, silent, and filled with doubt. The hand that extended toward him, curious, and the scream that followed, anguished and desperate.

  —Aaaaaaaaahhh!!

  The guards rushed into the room, but somewhat hesitantly. It could be the start of a new incident, after all. Shaking, their eyes scanned the space, only to realize everything was normal. Everything except for the girl kneeling on the floor, panicked.

  — M-Miss?!

  — W-What happened?! — asked one guard, while the other ran to assist the girl.

  The guard hesitated before approaching the bed. He glanced at Noah and, swallowing hard, crouched down beside his lady.

  — I was alone, as far as I remember.

  Seeing the fingerprint marks on the girl's wrist, the guard stood and exclaimed:

  — What did you do to Miss's arm?! — his goal was to reach for his sword's hilt, yet his instinct wouldn't let him. If he did, he knew he would die. That's why his fingers trembled, not able to grip anything.

  — I'm not sure. — Noah looked at the mark without much interest — She probably tried to touch me while I wasn't looking, so actually, she should be grateful nothing worse happened. It’s just a superficial mark.

  After hearing what Noah said, the other guard instantly left the room, running to Undric so he could resolve the situation personally.

  — Tried to touch you? That's ridiculous! Miss Ai would never do such a thing. Everyone knows that touching someone during meditation is dangerous and could cause a Qi deviation.

  — Huh? Is that true...? — Noah asked, looking at the girl whose eyes were trembling — Then why did you try to touch me?

  —You...! What do you think—?

  The pungent odor wafted into the room, being replaced by something pleasant as the shadows appeared at the doorway. Undric entered, slamming the door with such force that it fell off.

  — Noah? — Isadora called him, taking him by surprise. But he was even more disgusted. That uncomfortable, unnatural feeling in his chest made him angry, but worst of all, as soon as he saw her, he couldn't remember anything. She ran toward him, but when she saw the girl, she knelt to help her seeing that her state was worse than Noah's, she was crying and shaking as if terrified.

  — You—! What were you thinking, trying to touch him?! — Undric exclaimed, his veins bulging as he shouted — How could you even consider doing something like that!

  — Daddy!

  Sighing, Mirabel stepped forward.

  — Darling, calm down. Let's first try to understand what happened. — she said, trying to soothe everyone.

  — Yes, she's right. — said one of the three elders who came with Undric and his family. He looked at Noah, analyzing him — Let's start from the beginning, then. First, who are you, boy?

  — He's the person who saved my daughter! — Undric exclaimed, clearly irritated, more than necessary, Noah noticed.

  Hmm, I see. They already know about the alchemy... he surmised.

  — Oh, that's the case then? — the elder pressed his hands together, bowing briefly — I apologize for the late introduction, I am Guang So, an elder of the Radiance family.

  — And I am Andrew Radiance. — said the other elder, bringing his hands together atop his cane, although he couldn't bow.

  In a way, it was an unexpected reaction. Noah thought it would be different, more incisive and perhaps even accusatory. He placed one hand over the other and bowed, ignoring the pain it caused.

  — The pleasure is mine, elders. And forgive me for not being able to introduce myself properly right now.

  — You can't...?

  — Yes, he's dealing with the damage caused by helping Isadora, sir. — Mirabel explained.

  —I see... So, about the current situation—

  —What's there to discuss? — said a slightly more distant old man — Just kick him out, and the problem is solved.

  —You—!

  Guang So stepped forward, interrupting Undric. He stopped in front of his fellow elder and asked:

  — Didn't you hear what Undric said, Philip? Or are you really suggesting we should expel a benefactor of the family for no reason?

  — No reason...? — the old man staggered back a step — He crushed Guang Ai's arm! She's one of the family and one of our most promising youths. Isn't that reason enough?!

  —If she was at fault, no. Being family or having a high position doesn't exempt anyone from responsibility or consequences, remember that well.

  He turned and walked toward the girl. Guang So's wooden sandals echoed through the room, and stopping before Ai, she trembled at the mere sight of his feet.

  — Did you do this, Guang Ai?

  —Grandpa, I... — she hesitated — Yes...

  — What? Ai, you... Why? — Isadora said, confused. She couldn't think why she would do something so dangerous.

  —The punishment should be more severe, but as Philip said, since you are one of our most promising youngsters and also because of the times, you will spend two weeks in isolation. — Guang So declared. He looked at Noah — I hope that's enough.

  Noah bowed. Was this justice or coldness? Maybe both? He couldn't be sure.

  — I thank you for judging the situation so impartially, elder.

  — But grandpa, two weeks is... — Isadora tried to intercede for Ai — Nothing really happened, so... couldn't the punishment be a bit lighter?

  —...If she had managed to touch him, with even the slightest mistake, the consequences he would suffer would not have been in any way lessened, Isa.

  Isadora lowered her head, nodding. Before leaving, Guang So patted her head and left his final words for Guang Ai:

  — You'd better take care of that wound and tell your father what happened before starting your punishment... Use this time to better yourself and grow as much as I know you can.

  — Right, grandpa..., I'll do that. — she said, drying her tears.

  After the elders left, Philip stomped his foot on the floor and left, dragging himself away, a tongue click audible as he went. Undric and Mirabel watched them leave and Isadora left with Guang Ai to treat her wound.

  Noah was alone for only a few moments, for soon Mirabel and Undric returned with slow steps.

  —Are you really okay, boy...? — she asked.

  —Yes... — Noah analyzed them for a moment, their hesitation to look him in the eye or speak was obvious. He turned, reaching for the pillow he'd used and trying to grab something beneath it — I believe Isadora has told you about what I asked if you could buy for me.

  —Y-Yes. — Undric stammered — We will, but...

  —Do you think this will be enough to pay for the furnace? — Noah asked, cutting him off to show a small pile of blue crystals he had in his hands.

  — This... — Mirabel raised her eyebrows — How...?

  They examined Noah once more. Nothing. He had nothing with him where those stones could have been kept. Was it an ability? Could such a strange power really exist? Both didn't think they were capable of judging with the knowledge they had.

  — So, is it enough?

  —What? Ah, y-yes. No, actually, no. That's too much!

  — You can take it. — Noah said, handing them all the crystals — Use the leftover to pay for fixing what I broke here and in town.

  — No, but even so—

  — It's fine, we'll do as you say. — Mirabel replied.

  —...Okay... And could you buy some techniques for me as well?

  — Of course, I'll tell Isadora to bring you some. — Mirabel said.