Present Time

  Reon slowly opened his eyes from meditation, his gaze shifting towards the window. The early m light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across his room.

  He stretched slightly, shaking off the lingering traces of his trance.

  A sudden knock at the door disrupted the tranquil silence.

  Who would e at this time?

  Curious, Reon walked over and opehe door.

  Standing before him was Xu Yang, his ever-eiior, fshing a bright grin.

  "Greetings, Big Brother."

  Reourned a nod. "How have you been?"

  "I am doing well. What about you?" Xu Yang asked as he stepped inside.

  "I'm fine. e in."

  Xu Yang sat on the bed as Reon moved to pour some tea, setting out a small tray of m snacks.

  Just as he turned back, something caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes, Xu Yang carefully.

  "Xu Yang, you—"

  Xu Yang chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Have you noticed, Big Brother?"

  Reon scoffed. "Hah! How could I not notiething so obvious?"

  "Haha! That's true. After all, you're much strohan me." Xu Yang scratched his head sheepishly.

  Reon smirked. "gratutions on reag the Mid-Stage Qi Solidification Realm."

  Xu Yang grinned. "Thank you, Big Brother."

  As Xu Yang enjoyed his tea, Reon quickly freshened up, taking a brief bath before returning.

  "So, Xu Yang, what brings you here so early today?" Reon asked.

  Xu Yang's expression turned mischievous. "Big Brother, won't you participate in the Monthly Dueli?"

  Reon blinked. "Why not?"

  "After all, I want to test my newfound strength against stronger disciples," Reon mused inwardly.

  Xu Yang's smirk deepened. "Then… don't you know today is the Monthly Dueli?"

  A moment of silehen it hit him.

  "Huh? Really? I didn't know that," Reon admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

  Xu Yang sighed dramatically. "I k. That's why you didn't eveer for the event."

  Then, like a bolt of lightning, the realization struck Reon's mind.

  The Outer Sect's Monthly Dueli.

  Uhe Weekly Dueli, which allowed partits to challenge oppos of their choice, this event was far grander.

  Stronger outer sect disciples participated, and matches were determi random through a lottery system.

  There were no guarantees of victory.

  The weak rarely dared to participate.

  And most importantly—

  Registrations closed three days before the event.

  Reon groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Hah… I guess I 't participate, then."

  "What do you mean you 't?" Xu Yang asked, a knowing smirk pying on his lips.

  Just as Reon was about to respond, Xu Yang pulled something from his sleeve and waved it teasingly.

  Two tickets.

  Reon's eyes widened slightly. "Xu Yang, you—"

  "Yes, I've already registered you," Xu Yang said, grinning. "And I'm participating too."

  For a moment, Reon stared at him.

  Then, he chuckled. "Thank you, Xu Yang."

  "It's nothing, Big Brother. I knew you were busy, so I figured you'd fet."

  Xu Yang stood up, stretg. "Alright the's go. The event is about to begin."

  "Uood," Reon replied, stepping forward.

  As they walked through the sect's stone-paved paths, a lingering thought g Reon's mind.

  Then—

  Almost instantly—

  A soft voice echoed within him.

  "Master, you're w what happeo those Spirit Stones and that Mana Stone, aren't you?"

  A pyful pout ced her tone.

  "And you call me a glutton?"

  Reon stiffened slightly before sighing. "N-No. I never called you a glutton. I was just w how they vanished into thin air."

  "Master, I told you I hear all of your ihoughts," the voice teased.

  "A-Ahem. I apologize," Reon muttered.

  A giggle. "Okay, I five you."

  Then, her voice softened, growing more serious. "Well, to answer your question, they're inside your stitution."

  Reon frowned. "Inside… my stitution?"

  "Yes. Your Initial Core absorbed the Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stohat might be why you've already advanced by two or even three stages.."

  Reon's breath hitched. "W-What?"

  "Didn't you notice?" she asked ily. "Check for yourself."

  Reon quickly eled his Spiritual Qi, fog his senses inward—

  His eyes widened.

  "I… I've already reached Stage-3 Qi Solidification Realm?!"

  His heartbeat quied. "Does that mean… if I just supply you with Spiritual Qi, I'll advaomatically?"

  "Yes, Master. After all, I am a part of your body."

  Reon exhaled in disbelief. "That's ihat means I don't even have to sit and cultivate for hours!"

  The spirit giggled. "Well, Master still has to do the real work. You'll uand soon."

  Reon groaned. "Ahhh! I k. There's no such thing as an easy shortcut."

  "Exactly," she chimed cheerfully. "But it's still ve, isn't it?"

  Reon sighed, relenting. "Fine, fine. And what about the Mana? As far as I know, Mana and Spiritual Qi 't mix, nor it be absorbed into my Initial Core."

  "You're correct," she said. "That's why the Mana has gathered separately. It's stored within your stitution as a rge, gaseous sphere. Once you build a Mana Core, it will supply energy to form a Magic Circle."

  "Mana Core? Not Ma?" Reon asked, puzzled.

  "Yes. Mages form a Ma within their actual heart, but you must build a Mana Core, just like your Initial Core, inside your stitution."

  "I see… So that's how it works."

  Reon pondered for a moment before asking, " I use that stored Mana right now?"

  "Of course you , but…" her voice turned slightly hesitant. "The Mana is still in a chaoti. I advise against using it until you create a Mana Core."

  "I see. Thanks…" Reon paused. "Speaking of which, calling you stitution Spirit all the time feels a bit impersonal. How about I give you a name?"

  Her voice perked up excitedly. "Really?!"

  "How about… Lunaria? I'll call you Luna for short."

  A joyful giggle rang in her mind. "Ohhh! That's such a cute name! Master will call me something special? I'm so happy!"

  Then—

  [Ding!]

  A meical chime echoed through his sciousness.

  [Master, what about me?]

  Reon smirked. "Hmm… I was thinking about that too. How about… Aria?"

  [Hmm! That sounds nice.]

  As if trying to provoke Luna, Aria added teasingly—

  [Though I already had a he one Master gave me feels special! I shall accept it with grace.]

  "Hmph! My name is more special!" Luna huffed.

  [No, mine is!]

  Reon chuckled. "Alright, alright. Both of your names are special."

  Hearing that, both spirits hummed in satisfa.

  As Reon approached the Dueling Arena, a rare, genuine smile graced his lips.

  Unbeknownst to him—

  Both spirits thought the at the same time.

  Master was so ed by despair in his past life that true happiness never found him.

  [Always cold. Emotionless.]

  He rarely smiled—if ever.

  [But now… he seems genuinely happy.]

  Back then, he never even gave us names.

  He's finally smiling…