After Two Weeks.
Early morning, before the sun had risen.
Indera Sarwajagat trained diligently without complaint. He was ordered to run from one hill to the Abandoned Volcano before the sun reached its peak overhead
"Hufff!"
Indera Sarwajagat exhaled, exhausted.
"Can I make it to that Abandoned Volcano?" He ran while deep in thought.
"I can.... I am Indera Sarwajagat!"
Two Hours Later.
"The Volcano is in sight, I can't give up now," Indera Sarwajagat muttered in his mind.
Sekuik Mulya once said, "To rule the world, you must first master yourself."
Indera Sarwajagat's vision began to blur before he suddenly collapsed. He had lost consciousness.
Emptiness.
Indera Sarwajagat did not dream. Be it world of Malura or Earth, he did not dream.
His sleep was like death.
KRAKKK!
The air shattered, revealing dark and eerie space. Sekuik Mulya appeared, controlling water that floated in front of Indera Sarwajagat who was lying unconscious.
SPLASHH!!
Sekuik Mulya released the water onto Indera Sarwajagat's face.
"HUWAA!!"
Indera Sarwajagat woke up from his slumber. No one was around him. Only Sekuik Muklya occupied in his thoughts.
Without thinking much, Indera Sarwajagat continued running. He reached the peak of the Abandoned Volcano. However, the sun had already started to set.
Indera Sarwajagat was neither disappointed nor happy. He didn't know what he was supposed to feel in his heart.
Sekuik Mulya suddenly appeared in front of Indera Sarwajagat. His sharp gaze made Indera Sarwajagat feel dizzy.
"Jagat, you failed to reach here before the sun set," Sekuik Mukya said.
Indera Sarwajagat remained silent for a moment before apologizing.
"No need to apologize. I have punishment for you. The natural energy here is incredibly dense. You must reach the second stage here," Sekuik Mulya instructed in a firm tone.
"Understood."
Sekuik Mulya continued, "Good. I've prepared 100 Nalar Flowers. Don't worry if you fail to form your second core. You still have 99 more chances. Start now."
Indera Sarwajagat sat on the hot stone floor at the edge of the cliff, which was filled with lava, and began the process of absorbing natural energy.
He took a Nalar Flower and swiftly put it into his mouth. He chewed it calmly before swallowing. Closing his eyes, he focused entirely on the process.
SWOOSH!
Indera Sarwajagat began forming his second core.
Just like before, his body felt as if it was burning from the inside. His internal organs felt like they were being pierced by needles. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.
Several Hours Later.
Indera Sarwajagat exhaled in relief. The pain he had felt earlier had completely disappeared.
The second core was successfully formed!
"Well done, Jagat," Sekuik Mulya praised Indera Sarwajagat.
Indera Sarwajagat opened his eyes, looked at Sekuik Mulya, and nodded.
Sekuik Mulya nodded back.
The Abandoned Volcano was a mysterious place for the people of southeastern region of Malura, even though it was located on the mainland.
The southeastern part of Malura consisted mostly of islands, with towering mountains stretching endlessly, shrouded in the greenery of nature. This region only experienced two seasons—the dry season and the monsoon season.
Sekuik Mulya patted Indera Sarwajagat's shoulder.
NGUNGG~ NGUNGG~
They soon arrived at the entrance gate of Sekuik Mulya's old house.
"Erghh... teacher, where are we?" Indera Sarwajagat asked.
"My house and yours as well, Jagat," Sekuik Mulya replied.
The house that once appeared old and worn down had now transformed entirely, as different as the sky and earth. It was now a grand residence, complete with a fish pond and bamboo trees surrounding the area. The residence was spacious, with various structures, each serving its own function.
"The architecture of this residence resembles traditional malay buildings on earth. I also noticed that Sekuik Mulya has the appearance of a modern malay man from earth," Indera Sarwajagat furrowed his brows, searching through his memories.
Indera Sarwajagat wanted to express his shock, but that feeling quickly faded as Sekuik Mulya began to speak, "I will train you for five years until you reach the fourth stage—the formation of the main core. After that, you must travel the World of Malura, and we will meet again once you reach the seventh stage—Trascendent Human. Understood?"
"Understood," Indera Sarwajagat replied calmly.
They stepped through the entrance gate of the residence.
"Jagat, that is your house, and this is mine. Go and rest your mind and body," Sekuik Mulya instructed.
"Thank you, teacher."
Indera Sarwajagat pushed open the door of his residence, revealing a living space that was modest yet grand. The polished marble floor gleamed relfecting the soft glow of the Night Eye Crystals hanging at the center of ceiling. Heavy silk curtains, embroidered with golden threads forming intricate floral patterns, adorned the windows. The wooden furniture, crafted from fine agarwood was neatly arranged. A soothing fragrance of agarwood lingered in the air, seeping into the very essence of the wood.
He stepped inside, an indescribable feeling washed over him.
A smile formed on his lips.
How could he not be happy? He had been a highschool student before this. Never had he imagined owning a home of his own.
Indera Sarwajagat entered his private chamber. Lying down, he gazed at the ceiling lost in thought, "Strange, I don't miss my family at all. Perhaps I haven't been in this world long enough,"
His eyelids grew heavy and he slowly drifted into slumber, not even bothering to cleam himself.
Jagat...
Jagat..
JAGAT!
"HAH?!" Indera Sarwajagat jolted awake, startled by someone calling his name.
But there was no one. Be it in his room or his house.
"Teacher?" he guessed.