Sharing the Fallen Heart Flame

August 20th, 9995, Yulan Calendar.

Ten days remained until the start of the new semester.

Akes sat in the dormitory courtyard, gazing at the Fire Spirit Bead in his hand.

"Fallen Heart Flame, Fire Spirit Bead," he whispered to himself.

For the past few days, he had been pondering a question: should he tell his brothers?

By nature, he wasn't one to show off; when it came to secrets, the fewer people who knew, the better. But the properties of the Fallen Heart Flame were unique—it could accelerate cultivation, not just for himself, but for others as well.

If controlled properly, the flames produced by the Fallen Heart Flame could create an environment with a highly concentrated density of fire elements. Fire-style mages could cultivate in such an environment with half the effort for double the results. While the effect was less pronounced for other elements, the increased elemental activity would still provide some benefit.

"Yale is water-style, George is wind-style, Reynolds is also wind-style, and Linley is dual earth-wind," Akes calculated. "Aside from me, not a single fire-style."

Still, it would be of some use.

Moreover, he trusted these brothers.

After nine years together, he understood them all too well.

Yale appeared carefree, but he was sharp; he knew what to ask and what never to pry into. George was steady and measured in his actions. Reynolds talked a lot but knew the rules. As for Linley, it went without saying—the man had his own massive secrets and understood the meaning of "privacy" better than anyone.

"Alright, that's decided."

He stood up and called out toward the house: "Everyone out, I have something to say."

Before long, the four of them emerged from the house and sat down in the courtyard.

"What's with the formality?" Yale leaned lazily against his chair. "Don't tell me you're looking to borrow money?"

"Borrow money? Your family is richer than mine," Akes rolled his eyes at him. "This is serious."

He paused, organizing his thoughts. "I had a bit of a harvest during this trip to the Magical Beast Mountain Range."

The others looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Deep in the mountains, I discovered a special flame power that can be integrated into the body." He raised his right hand, and a milky-white flame appeared in his palm. "This thing is called the Fallen Heart Flame, and it can accelerate cultivation."

The flame danced in his palm, and the surrounding temperature rose by several degrees instantly.

Reynolds' eyes lit up. "Accelerate cultivation? How exactly does it work?"

"If a fire-style mage cultivates beside me, their speed can increase by over fifty percent," Akes said. "The effect is a bit weaker for other styles, but it's still twenty or thirty percent."

Yale let out a low whistle. "That powerful?"

George pondered for a moment. "A treasure like this, and you're telling us?"

Akes smiled. "Otherwise? Keep it to myself?"

"That's not what I meant," George shook his head. "A treasure of this level—anyone else would absolutely keep it hidden and never speak a word of it."

Akes retracted the flame and leaned back in his chair. "You guys are my brothers; why would I hide it? Besides, it's not like it gets used up. We can all use it together."

The group fell silent.

After a while, Linley spoke up. "What do we need to do?"

Akes nodded inwardly.

"It's simple," he stood up. "From now on, we'll set aside one hour every day to cultivate together. I'll activate the Fallen Heart Flame to increase the concentration of fire elements in the area. You all just meditate and cultivate as usual. There will definitely be an effect; how much depends on yourselves."

"It's that simple?" Reynolds asked.

"That simple."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Yale slapped his thigh. "Let's start now!"

Akes raised a hand to stop him. "Eat first. You need a full stomach to have the energy to cultivate."

The five of them walked toward the dining hall, laughing.

In the afternoon, at the back of the mountain.

Akes chose an open space, and the five of them found their own spots to sit.

"Are you ready?" Akes asked.

The others nodded.

Akes sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to channel the Fallen Heart Flame.

The milky-white flame slowly overflowed from his body, forming a faint glow around him. The flames did not spread too far, covering exactly a five-meter radius.

All five of them were within this range.

"Starting now," Akes said.

The others closed their eyes and entered a state of meditation.

Akes began his own cultivation as well. With the Fallen Heart Flame running at full capacity, the concentration of fire elements in the surroundings rose sharply. He could clearly perceive his magic power in his middle dantian growing at twice the usual speed.

The Fire Spirit Bead also glowed faintly, working in tandem with the Fallen Heart Flame to make the effect even more pronounced.

An hour later.

Akes opened his eyes and retracted the flames.

The others woke up one after another.

"How was it?" he asked.

Reynolds was the first to spring up: "Too fast! I feel like this one hour was even more effective than three hours of regular cultivation!"

George nodded: "Indeed, it's significant. The activity level of the wind elements increased quite a bit."

Yale rubbed his chin: "I'm a water-type, and I felt it was decent too, probably about fifty percent faster."

Linley didn't speak, merely nodding toward Akes.

Akes understood that look: It works, thanks.

"We continue tomorrow," Akes said. "During this time before school starts, we should practice as much as we can."

For the next ten days, the five of them went to the back mountain every afternoon, practicing for one hour without fail.

Akes discovered that as he continuously channeled the Fallen Heart Flame, his control over the fire became increasingly refined. At first, it had been a struggle, but later on, he was able to channel the flames while cultivating himself, managing both without hindrance.

On the eighth day, he broke through.

Level 5 Magus.

He opened his eyes, and the surrounding flames automatically receded.

"You broke through?" Linley asked.

"Yeah," Akes nodded, "Level 5."

Yale gave a thumbs up: "Impressive."

Reynolds looked envious: "When will I reach Level 5..."

"Cultivate diligently, it won't be long," George said.

Akes stood up and stretched his body. After reaching Level 5, his magic power was nearly twice as thick as it had been at Level 4, and his perception of the elements had become much sharper.

"Dinner is on me tonight," he said.

"Absolutely!" Yale laughed.

That evening, at the Wald Hotel.

The five of them drank until midnight, and in the end, it was Akes and George who had to help the others back.

Waking up the next day, Akes had a splitting headache and swore never to drink that much again.

On the day before school started, the five of them practiced together for the last time.

After finishing, Reynolds asked: "Third brother, can we still do this after school starts?"

"Of course," Akes said. "As long as I'm here, one hour every day."

"That's great!" Reynolds jumped for joy.

Yale patted Akes on the shoulder: "Third brother, thanks."

"Enough talk," Akes waved his hand. "Go back and pack your things, school starts tomorrow."

Back in the dormitory, Akes lay on his bed, reflecting on the experiences of the past ten days.

[Ding--Detected that the host has shared the Fallen Heart Flame with multiple people for cultivation for the first time.]

[Hidden condition triggered. Do you wish to sign in?]

Akes recited silently in his heart: Sign in.

[Sign-in successful.]

[Reward obtained: Azeroth Arcane Brilliance (Permanent)--Mental perception significantly improved, sensitivity to elemental fluctuations increased.]

A cool sensation surged into his mind, instantly spreading outward.

In that moment, everything around him became incredibly clear. He could perceive the sound of Reynolds' breathing in the next room, the subtle trembling of leaves in the courtyard, and even the faint elemental fluctuations drifting from the distant back mountain.

"Good stuff," he nodded to himself.