TBATE - Brother's Once More

Training

I woke up this morning to a scream coming from the room beside mine.

"AARGH!"

Isn't that Arthur's room?

Shit! It's happening again!

I gracelessly fell out of bed and skirmished my way to Arthur's room to see what happened. There, Grandpa Virion was there, hand to Arthur's sternum.

"Was it his core?" I huffed.

"Yep. It started acting up again," he said. "Since you guys are up now, we might as well begin training, even if it is a bit early."

"Uh, okay," I shrugged, before following him to the courtyard, Arthur trailing behind me.

Grandpa Virion sat down in a lotus position before taking a long look at Arthur, and then to me.

"Jayden, you don't have to listen but you can if you want to. Arthur, you must listen. This is especially meant for you. Jayden, this doesn't entirely apply to you, but up until now Arthur, you've been purifying your core and using mana manipulation through your mana channels. This method might be enough for normal mages, but it isn't for beast tamers. Beast tamers use another method called assimilation."

Eh?

'Well, I'd think it was obvious there'd be other refining methods aside from the one you read a few years ago. I mean... you did create a new method, after all, no?'

Right. Because that was my first thought, that there was more than one method to refining a mana core.

He definitely read Arthur's expression of pure confusion, as if everything he knew had been a lie up until now.

"Hahaha. Don't worry, you'll know soon enough. Assimilation essentially is a process that involves integrating the mana from your core directly into your body's bones and muscles, hence the method, assimilation.

"Unfortunately, throughout the period of assimilating, your mana core won't develop at all, but that isn't the point of this. Once the mana from your new core is absorbed throughout your body, you'll be able to start utilizing whatever power your beast's Will had."

After Grandpa Virion's explanation, Arthur had a look of understanding, almost as if he were previously told something similar.

"So, what does that mean for me?" I asked.

"While you can still go through the process, there is no Will to assimilate with, so it's essentially meaningless for you. While the integration does increase overall physical durability, assimilation is solely meant for Beast Tamers for a reason. Assimilation is meant to help with utilizing a beast's Will, not for boosting combat power or anything like that."

"So, in other words, it's pretty much useless to me. Guess I'll just keep training how I usually have these past two months."

"Yes, brat, that is correct," he replied.

"Oi. At least spar with us every once in a while, alright?" Arthur said.

"Ha. As if you'd ever win. I don't know about Gramps here," I pointed at him. "But I could take you easy."

"Wha- are you challenging me right now?" Though he sounded near offended, he gave a wry smile.

"Hell yeah, I am," I smirked challengingly. "So start assimilating with that Will. Then we can spar."

"Haha! I like how lively it is around here!" Grandpa Virion laughed.

"Anyways, back to where I was. Arthur, let's begin assimilation. The sooner the better."