Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1854: Foundation of the Soul Stance

Adam expended a great deal of effort to restore 20% of Vador’s Evolution Tree. This required a great deal of concentration and energy, so he slept for more than twelve hours.

Blink.

Slowly, Adam’s eyes opened as he woke up.

“Whoa…” Adam yawned, not wanting to get out of bed. “Agh… I slept so well. Why did I even have to wake up? I could have kept resting…”

After lying there for a few more minutes, Adam sighed heavily and got up. After all, he hadn’t come here to rest, but to become stronger. That was his main goal.

“Alright, first I’ll heal Vador, I’ve already figured out how to do that, and then Amelia will teach me how to use the Soul Stance. Not a bad plan, right?”

Adam stretched his arms and neck before heading for the door.

Click.

Before he could leave the room, the door opened, and Amelia walked in. She had been waiting for Adam to wake up for quite some time.

“Good morning, though it’ll be evening in a few hours.” Amelia’s tone was calm, and her gaze was serious as always.

Adam blinked a few times, confused, before nodding.

“I see. Did you sense my aura? Not bad, not bad at all.”

He looked around, realizing what Amelia wanted from him.

“Look, give me something to eat, half an hour to come to my senses, and I’ll be ready to get back to treating your father. What do you think?”

“No.”

Her answer was sharp.

“I think that would be unfair to you.”

“Agh…?” Adam tilted his head. “What does that mean?”

Amelia stepped forward, her hands clasped at the hem of her dress.

“I promised I’d teach you how to use the Soul Stance. So, we can start our first training session today. We won’t be able to complete the entire task, but we’ll definitely make some progress. I’m sure of it.”

For Adam, this was good news, but something was bothering him.

“Wait, Amelia. I can wait since the situation with your father is urgent, isn’t it?”

She nodded.

“Yes, the sooner he recovers, the better, but your work yesterday has already bought your father more than a week. Doing what I’m suggesting will be fair to both sides. Moreover, it will benefit me to some extent.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“The Soul Stance is the highest level of control over your aura and energy. Since you’re planning to go to the Gray Sea, Laroza should have taught you how to use aura armor. I think you’ve already figured out that it’s simply a denser form of your aura to counter the pressure emanating from other auras.”

Adam nodded. That was true.

“So, even if you make only partial progress in learning the Soul Stance, it will improve your energy control. I’m sure the method you’re using to heal my father requires a high level of concentration.”

Adam nodded again. It was as if Amelia could read his mind.

“Yeah, you’re absolutely right. Hmm… If I think about it from another angle, it’s a win-win situation. I’ll gradually receive my reward, and at the same time, your father’s treatment will go faster as my skill improves.”

Still, no emotion showed on her face.

“I’m glad you agree with me. In that case, I’ll see you in the training hall exactly one hour from now. Our family’s servants will help you with the rest.”

“Got it.”

As soon as Amelia left, two girls dressed as maids entered the room. If Adam hadn’t known they were monsters, he wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart from the ordinary servants of the noble families in the Citadel.

The girls bowed deeply.

“We’ll be happy to help you with anything you need, Mr. Adam.”

Adam smirked as an idea occurred to him. After all, he was in the residence of one of the few noble monster families. He had to take full advantage of this opportunity.

“Hey, are there any hot springs in this huge mansion?”

The maids exchanged glances. This wasn’t the kind of request they’d expected to hear.

“Y-Yes.” The one on the right nodded uncertainly. “They’re on the lower floor.”

Then, Adam pointed at the maid on the left.

“You, take me there, and you,” he looked at the one on the right, “bring me something to eat. I’m very hungry.”

They were supposed to obey Amelia and comply with Adam’s order, but their expressions showed they were confused.

“But, Mr. Adam, you can have dinner in the dining hall. That would be a more appropriate way to do it.”

Step.

Adam stepped forward as he waved his hand dismissively.

“Look, I don’t care. At the Citadel, I had enough trouble with nobles and their etiquette and traditions. Just do as I said. If Amelia objects, well, it’s her fault for not warning me.”

They couldn’t argue with Adam either, so they had no other choice.

The maids sighed and went about their tasks.

Soon enough, Adam was lying in a stone pool as hot steam swirled past his satisfied face.

Next to him lay a platter full of fruit and meat. Some of it was rather strange, as was usually the case with monster food, but much of it was familiar to Adam.

In Varreyn, there were quite a few fruits, vegetables, and berries that looked very similar to those at the Citadel, and the taste was practically identical.

Crunch.

With a loud crunch, Adam took a bite of an apple as he relaxed.

“Agh…”

Adam took a deep breath, closing his eyes.

‘At first I thought I’d be wasting my time here, but I’ve already made my two abilities stronger, and very soon I’ll learn how to use the Soul Stance. When I leave this family, I’ll definitely be strong enough to find the Bottomless Void.’

He usually didn’t show it, but Adam wasn’t sure he’d be able to successfully make it through the Gray Sea and then the Grand Abyss.

Deep down, he realized that the Bottomless Void would be the most difficult challenge he’d ever faced.

‘Hmm, I slept for a long time. That means they must have already finished, right?’

Adam thought to himself before diving into his inner space.

Step. Step. Step.

After a few steps through the darkness, he found himself at the top of his Evolution Tree, where the Silver Weaver and Lakma were already waiting for him.

“Huh, here he is.”

The Silver Weaver smirked.

“I told you not to worry. We can show him everything right now.”