Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 354: Sharing Everything That’s Happened

Lassim shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of his mother’s playful, expectant gaze nearly unbearable. The warmth of the dining hall, with its magical fires and inviting atmosphere, now seemed to amplify the blush creeping up his neck.

"She’s—she’s not my girlfriend," he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. "At least… not yet, I think? Maybe?" His words tumbled over themselves, and he groaned inwardly at his inability to sound remotely composed.

Gryphon let out a bark of laughter, slapping his knee. "Not yet, huh? Sounds like there’s a story there, boy. Spill it."

Egelina’s hand tightened slightly on Lassim’s arm, "Oh, do tell us, darling. It’s been years since you last mentioned her in your letters. You two were so close at the Academy that you made sure to also have us grow our ties with the Alisone family, much to your father’s chagrin."

Everard leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he gave his son a measured look. "Hmm. And by that look, I’m guessing you’ve recently met her again? Let’s hear it, boy. If you want me to keep dealing with that father of hers…"

Lassim exhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts. The memories of that unexpected reunion with Lustria were still vivid, a mix of nervous butterflies, joy, and bittersweet longing.

He glanced down at the necklace around his neck—the one enchanted with [Soul Echo], its gem that looked like crashing waves, now dormant but still waiting for the connection from its partner to return.

"It was quite the surprise," Lassim began, "I’m not sure if you heard what happened to the Lightning Sect recently, but if you have, it was during the aftermath of the Sect War. We were trying to stomp out the remaining demons and portals after the Sun Sect’s attack after their use of Abyss tainted Sun Drops. I was helping the healers at the Lightning Sect’s headquarters when I felt the connection from the necklace." He tapped the pendant lightly, his stormy eyes flickering slightly.

Lassim continued, "It’s enchanted with [Soul Echo] and I won it in an auction during the time at the academy. She has the other half and I’ve always worn it since then. But, that was the first time I felt a presence through it in years. I knew she was nearby, and when I ran to the gates of the sect, I saw her—or at least, sort of did." His voice faltered for a moment, and he smiled ruefully. "Let’s just say the Shadow Sect knows how to make an entrance."

Everard raised an eyebrow, his fiery gaze narrowing. "The Shadow Sect? As in the assassins? Eh, so that’s where she’s gone. That old fellow wouldn’t say a word about where she was the last time I asked. What business did they have in the Southern Continent?"

"They were there to help," Lassim explained. "Or at least, that’s what they said. The First Blade said their Sect Master had received some sort of vision from Undos, warning them about the chaos in the South. They sent an elite team to assist with cleaning up the remnants of the Sun Sect’s forces."

"And that little girl was part of that team?" Egelina asked, her tone tinged with concern.

Lassim nodded. "She’s… changed a lot since the Academy. She’s a personal disciple of the First Blade now—the leader of their most elite group. She’s stronger, more serious and incredibly dangerous with her bow now, but still the same Lustria I knew deep down. We didn’t have much time to talk at first. The Shadow Sect operates in a unique way, and they’re… intimidating, to say the least."

Gryphon snorted, reaching for his goblet. "Intimidating? If they make you intimidated, what would they do to Ulric and Milo at the front gate? Did you see how your arrival nearly made Milo wet himself?"

Lassim rolled his eyes. "Not like that, Uncle. They’re just… different. Efficient. Ruthless. It definitely changed her outward presence a bit. But Lustria…"

His voice softened as he spoke her name, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "She was incredible when I got to travel with her on the Shadow Sect’s flying ship. I watched her take down enemies from hundreds of meters away with her bow. Every shot was perfect."

Egelina’s expression shifted, a mixture of joy for her son but also the kind of maternal worry only a mother could show, "She must have worked so hard to get to that level. I can only imagine what she’s been through."

"She told me some of it," Lassim said, his gaze distant as he recalled their conversation aboard the Shadow Sect’s vessel. "Her training was brutal—far beyond anything we experienced at the Academy. But she’s thrived and she said her master spoils her with resources because of how talented she is."

Everard let out a low whistle, his fiery eyes gleaming with respect. "Well, only another strong woman would be suited for you." Egelina slightly rolled her eyes, but let Lassim continue speaking.

Lassim smiled in agreement, "But… keeping in touch with her is going to be difficult. The Shadow Sect has strict rules about outside communication. That’s why I lost contact with her and she didn’t reply to any of my messages or letters. Though, she’s now promised she’d contact me when she could, but it might be a long time before I hear from her again." His voice grew quieter, "Still, I’m glad I got to see her. Even if it was just for a short while."

Egelina’s hand rubbed his arm gently some more, her emerald eyes filled with understanding. "She’s lucky to have you waiting for her, my love. She seems like a lovely girlfriend for you—even if it’s from afar for now."

Lassim’s cheeks flushed again, and he gave a sheepish smile. "Like I said, She’s… not my girlfriend," he repeated, though his tone lacked conviction.

Gryphon barked another laugh, and even Everard cracked a grin and teased, "Well, you’d better work on that, son."

Egelina shot her husband a look, though her smile was warm. "Let him take his time, Everard. They’re young. There’s no need to rush."

Everard leaned forward suddenly, his fiery eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Actually, son," he began, his deep voice cutting and bringing the conversation to a halt, "getting back to your arrival and nearly making my two gate guards need a change of pants, as Gryphon pointed out—do you want to share what exactly is going on? When you showed up with all that spirit pressure just casually released, I honestly thought some other noble’s General or Head Officer had come to cause problems."

Gryphon smirked, swirling the wine in his goblet. "Yeah, you’ve got Ulric and Milo still trembling out there. What did you do? Because for a moment, even I thought some big shot was strolling through the front gates."

Egelina tilted her head, her soft green eyes meeting her son’s. "Your arrival did carry… quite the presence," she said gently. "Care to explain, my love?"

Lassim flushed slightly, scratching the back of his head. "It wasn’t anything intentional. I didn’t even release my full aura, but I guess it might have been… overwhelming." He paused, glancing at his father. "When I left, I was only at Spirit Incubation stage, so it’s probably a bit of a shock now that I’m—"

"Spirit Ascension stage," Everard interrupted, his fiery gaze sharpening. "Yes, I can tell. And not just the early levels either." His voice took on an edge, "You’ve matched me, but I’d wager you’ve gone quite past my strength, haven’t you? I’m at Spirit Ascension stage, level eight as well. Yet, I can feel it—you’re not even in the same realm, are you?"

Lassim sighed, shaking his head. "Well… I wasn’t trying to outdo anyone. It just… happened."

Everard’s brows furrowed, his fiery spiritual pressure and drive for battle coming to life slightly, as he considered his son’s words. "How exactly does ’just happening’ explain how you’ve reached Spirit Ascension stage, level eight? I can accept that you graduated the academy early because you have two elemental spirits and maybe they made breaking through to Spirit Growth stage easier since all you have to do is cultivate the tiniest bit of mana before the motes become corporeal and hatch. When your mother’s family mentioned they’d be helping you go South, I figured you were as talented as I’d ever hoped."

He paused and stared into his son’s eyes with a fierce intensity, "You’re not even seventeen, Lassim. Most spirit warriors your age are still perfecting the tail end of their Spirit Growth stage levels. Explain."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

Lassim gathered his thoughts before replying, "Well, when I first left for the Myriad Spirit Academy, I was under the assumption, like everyone that thought I’d have years to train and grow like everyone else. I expected the stages of cultivation to come slowly, with careful effort and guidance. But…"

"But?" Egelina prompted, her emerald eyes filled with gentle curiosity.

"I spent barely six months at the Academy before I broke through to the Spirit Growth stage," Lassim admitted, his voice laced with hesitation. "I did the work, but it’s like… the barriers between stages don’t hold me the same way they do for others. I can feel them, but they don’t resist. I just break through like they’re not even there."

Egelina’s hand tightened on his arm, her concern evident. "That sounds like a blessing, but… are you sure it’s safe? Those barriers help the body become used to the gradual accumulation and growth in strength over a longer period of time."

"It has been," Lassim said, though his expression grew darker. "Though, everything was quite smooth until I reached the Spirit Ascension stage."

"And what happened then?" Everard asked.

Lassim hesitated, "When I tried to ascend, I hit a wall. My soul crystal was too sturdy—it wouldn’t shatter, no matter what I tried. I thought I was stuck. I spent weeks that turned into months meditating, trying different techniques, but nothing worked. That’s when I received the suggestion that I needed a special resource to break it."

Gryphon leaned forward and asked, "A special resource? What kind of resource are we talking about?"

Lassim’s gaze dropped to the table, his fingers tracing the grain of the wood as he prepared himself for their reactions. "The Leviathan’s Scale."

The room fell silent, the words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Everard’s fiery eyes flared slightly, and Gryphon straightened in his chair, his expression shifting from curiosity to disbelief.

"You mean the Leviathan?" Everard asked with a bit of shock in his voice.

Lassim nodded. "Yes. I was gifted by Ava during her trial—the Water Goddess’s God’s Trial. It was the only thing powerful enough to shatter my soul crystal and allow me to form my constellation."

Egelina’s hand flew to her mouth, her emerald eyes wide with shock. "Lassim… wait… Don’t tell me… What did you do?"

"It worked. I used the scale and I ascended to the Spirit Ascension stage. But…" He paused.

"But?" Everard prompted.

Lassim swallowed hard, his storm-filled eyes flickering with emotion. "I made the Leviathan the source of my constellation—her image." He hesitated, his gaze growing darker. "And she cursed me for it."

The room erupted into chaos.

"What?!" Gryphon exclaimed, slamming his goblet onto the table. "Do you have any idea what that means, boy?"

Everard stood up from his chair,"You let the Leviathan brand her mark on your soul? Lassim, do you even grasp what you’ve done? That creature isn’t just a ’problem.’ She’s a living calamity. The gods themselves sealed her away for good reason, and now she’s tied to you. Do you think that kind of bond comes without cost?"

"I didn’t know it would happen and no one warned me about using a living demi-god as the source of my constellation. When I formed it, I thought it would be a strong and powerful symbol that would suit my water and lightning elements. But she somehow noticed my attempts and appeared in my inner heart world as I was forming it. She hated my efforts at first, saying it didn’t even look like her and that it wasn’t accurate, and then…" He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "She altered it herself. After that, she cursed me."

Everard’s tone grew serious. "Cursed? What kind of curse, son?"

Lassim met his father’s gaze, "She gave me some strength and enhanced my physique, but she also forced me into a promise—that I’d free her from her chains when I’m strong enough. She said she’s made sure I can’t ascend to godhood without fulfilling that vow."

A heavy silence hung in the room as his words sank in.

Gryphon finally broke it with a low whistle, leaning back in his chair. "Well, that’s something you don’t hear every day. Lassim, you’re probably the only person that’s ever attempted that and lived to talk about it."

Egelina gave her son a faint but concerned smile, her hand moving down his arm that she was gripping in shock to instead gently hold his hand. "You’ve always been amazing, my love. Just… promise us you’ll tread carefully. You’re strong, and will continue to grow stronger, but this is a different kind of danger."

"I promise," Lassim said resolutely. "I’ll handle it."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, the tension easing slightly as the family processed the situation.

Everard leaned back in his chair, though a glint of excitement lit his eyes, the kind that set Gryphon on edge as he recognized that fervor for a good battle in the Iron Marquis’ blazing eyes.

"Well," he said, "if you’ve reached Spirit Ascension stage, level eight, and even been enhanced by the Leviathan too, then I think it’s time we see just how strong you’ve gotten. Let’s have a duel."

"Everard!" Egelina’s spiritual pressure billowed out abruptly like a series of viney thorns towards her husband as she scolded him. "No fighting tonight! Our baby just got home, and I won’t have you bruising him—or yourself—on his first night back!"

Everard blinked, his fiery aura flickering faintly before extinguishing entirely under his wife’s firm gaze. "But—"

"No buts," Egelina said firmly, pointing a finger at him. "You can spar tomorrow morning. Tonight, we’re celebrating!"

Everard sighed, his broad shoulders slumping as he muttered, "Fine. Tomorrow, then."

Lassim couldn’t help but smile, the warmth of his family’s love washing over him despite the gravity of their catching up. "Thanks, Mother," he said softly, glancing around the table. "It’s good to be home."

The family settled back into their seats, the earlier tension giving way to a quieter, more reflective atmosphere. The rest of the evening passed in soft laughter and other shared stories, getting into the details of all the events of the Sect War, and discussing his current training in the Tempest’s Cradle.

He’d yet to share about his current teleportation device project, but he planned to talk to them about it once it was closer to completion—even planning the Vanthar and Rohese estates to be some of the first receivers of the completed device when it was ready.