Harvis leaned against the trunk of a tree, his eyes reflecting the soft light of the morning sun filtering through the canopy. The air was calm, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead. He watched as Alex and Lily sat cross-legged in meditation, a quiet determination on their faces. Liz, not far from them, was washing some foraged herbs, occasionally glancing over to check on their progress.
"No, Alex," Harvis finally said, breaking the silence. "You didn't awaken your affinity just now. You already had it. What happened was resonance. Celestial energy recognized its counterpart within you and helped push you through the barrier. Just like lunar energy did for Lily."
Alex opened his eyes slowly, absorbing the words. "So... I didn't gain it—I always had it?"
Harvis nodded. "Exactly. I told you, true cultivation starts with understanding yourself. You've both taken that step now. You understand your affinities, your body, your flow. That's the path forward."
He stepped closer, his tone calm but firm. "Now, you must shape yourself for the energy you carry. You don't cultivate a technique blindly—you let the energy reshape you as you shape it. Over time, your body will evolve, becoming the most suitable vessel for your affinity. That's what true cultivation techniques do."
Lily blinked. "So our bodies will change?"
"Slowly," Harvis said. "With every stage you climb, your body, mind, and energy pathways transform. Not overnight, but gradually. Your affinity becomes more attuned to you, and you to it."
Alex frowned. "Can we get more affinities that way too?"
Harvis smiled. "In rare cases, yes. If your cultivation changes your body enough, you can develop new affinities. Or awaken latent ones that have always been within."
What Alex, Lily, and even Liz didn't know was that the knowledge Harvis casually shared—truths that now felt like the foundation of their journey—was not known even by the greatest sect masters or the most ancient sages. It was knowledge that defied lifetimes of research. And Harvis knew it like second nature.
That was why he wanted them to begin cultivation before reaching their destination. Before they were exposed to the limitations of conventional teachings. Before they were chained by the flawed doctrines of the world.
---
Time passed quickly.
A full month had gone by since Alex's breakthrough. The forest had become their home—a quiet, wild, and often dangerous place filled with untamed beauty. The air carried the scent of pine, moss, and occasionally blood, as beasts wandered too close to their camp.
Alex and Lily spent their days cultivating with renewed vigor. Their bond had grown stronger, both relying on each other for encouragement, support, and guidance. They gathered herbs, crystalized stones, and even hunted small spirit beasts to aid their cultivation.
Harvis kept a watchful eye. Though he often disappeared for hours—sometimes even days—he always returned with rare ingredients, new insights, and a disheveled appearance that hinted at secret battles or difficult training.
Liz managed the chores with practiced efficiency. She cooked, cleaned, organized their supplies, and even found time to cultivate. Her progress was steady, calm—like the surface of a still lake. She didn't speak of breakthroughs or affinities, but she listened intently to every word Harvis shared.
Together, they built a rhythm. A small world of their own.
---
One evening, as the sun dipped beneath the trees and cast long shadows across the forest floor, Harvis sat by the fire sharpening a curved blade. Alex and Lily returned with a bundle of red berries and a glowing stone wrapped in leaves.
"We found something strange near the cliff," Lily said, holding out the stone.
Harvis looked up and took it gently. The stone pulsed faintly with internal light.
"A spirit crystal," he murmured. "Low-grade, but still useful. Good work."
Alex grinned. "Does it help with breakthroughs?"
"It can. You crush it during meditation, let the energy seep into your core. It's a slow process but safe. Especially at your stage."
Liz placed bowls of stew in front of them and sat down with her own. The fire crackled quietly.
Alex took a bite, then paused. "Harvis... we see beasts sometimes. What kind of cultivation do they use? It feels... different."
Harvis leaned back, eyes fixed on the fire. "Beasts cultivate differently, yes. Most follow a path closer to body refinement. They use natural energy to strengthen their bodies, but they also develop a core inside them—like a spiritual heart."
"A core?" Lily asked.
"Yes. That core stores their energy. The stronger the beast, the purer and denser the core. It's why beast cores are valuable to human cultivators—they contain concentrated power."
Alex tilted his head. "Do all beasts have it?"
"Not all. Only those who begin to cultivate consciously. And some beasts are born with powerful bloodlines—those are the truly dangerous ones. Their strength isn't just cultivated, it's inherited."
Lily blinked. "Like royal bloodlines?"
"Exactly," Harvis said. "Some bloodlines carry elemental affinities, powerful resistances, even ancient memories. If you ever face a bloodline beast, don't underestimate it."
The fire popped. An owl hooted in the distance. The forest beyond their circle of light seemed to pulse with hidden life.
Alex poked the flames with a stick. "Do you think we'll ever be strong enough to fight those kinds of beasts?"
Harvis gave him a long look. "That depends on you. Strength isn't just power—it's control, discipline, adaptability. You could have the rarest affinity in the world and still lose to someone with a basic one if they've trained harder."
Liz looked over. "Then... how do we get there? How do we become strong?"
Harvis smiled faintly. "Step by step. Meditation. Mastery. Understanding. The answers are in your body, your mind, and the energy around you. Learn from the world, not just from books."
They fell into silence again, the fire crackling between them. Overhead, stars began to emerge, twinkling faintly through the tree canopy.
Lily looked up. "Alex's affinity is with celestial bodies. Would starlight help him?"
Harvis looked to the sky. "Yes. In time, when his control improves, he'll be able to draw strength from the stars. But right now, it's better to focus on internal cultivation."
Alex whispered, half to himself, "I want to be strong enough to protect Lily... and you guys too."
Lily nudged him with a smile. "You already do."
Harvis chuckled. "Strength born from purpose is the strongest of all. Don't lose sight of that."
As the fire burned lower and the moon climbed high, they stayed together in the quiet, each carrying the weight of their dreams.
The path ahead was long. The world beyond the forest still unknown. But for now, they had each other.
And that was enough.