Vivienne nodded slowly. "Big brother said he didn't want to burden mom and dad anymore."
Wilheim staggered backward, his strength draining from him in an instant. He collapsed into a chair, his face contorting with pain and regret. Striking his own forehead, he muttered bitterly, "Wilheim, why are you so useless? Why can't you face reality? It's because of my weakness… because of my incompetence… that I've harmed my own child."
The stack of Federal Coins slipped from his grasp and scattered across the table. It was too late. Everything was already too late.
Suddenly, he lifted his head in alarm. "Vivienne, how long has Ray been fusing with the spirit soul?"
"He started shortly after you left," Vivienne replied.
Wilheim's heart clenched. "He still hasn't finished? That's impossible… it should have ended by now. Come, we need to check on him."
Vivienne hesitated briefly, then nodded.
When Wilheim pushed open the door, the sight inside made his breath catch. Ray lay motionless on the bed, his brow tightly furrowed. The spirit soul ball rested beside him, now empty. His clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
"Ray!" Wilheim cried as he rushed to his son's side.
His heart sank. He knew very well that a spirit soul fusion should not look like this. Something had gone wrong. Some kind of accident must have occurred.
Ray, however, was breathing steadily, immersed in deep sleep. His vital signs were stable, which was the only mercy in that moment.
Tears streamed down Wilheim's face as he pulled his son into a tight embrace. His child was only nine years old, yet had already endured more hardship than most adults. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, son. It's all because your father is useless…"
Vivienne stood quietly to the side, watching Wilheim cry. Her purple eyes reflected confusion and unease, as though she sensed something deeper unfolding beyond her understanding.
When evening came, Ray slowly awoke. His eyes fluttered open, and awareness gradually returned. He abruptly sat upright, instinctively sensing the changes within his body.
The burning heat and suffocating numbness were gone, replaced by a profound lightness. His body felt as though it weighed nothing at all. He noticed that his clothes had been changed into a clean, dry set.
Even breathing felt different now, each breath filling him with energy and comfort.
The soul power within him had grown noticeably stronger. With a single thought, a wave of soul power radiated outward from his body. Rank 11. He had broken through, officially stepping into the realm of a true Soul Master.
Though the Grass Snake spirit soul had been defective, it had still completed its task.
Ray could sense a lingering sadness within it as it merged completely with his body. He sighed inwardly. Even if I can't become a powerful Soul Master, at least I still have soul power. I can still become a good blacksmith.
Filled with renewed vigor, he swung his arm lightly.
Pa!
A sharp popping sound echoed through the room. Ray froze, stunned by the sensation that accompanied the movement.
Before he could try again, the door burst open and several figures rushed in. Selina was the first, tears streaming down her face as she threw her arms around him.
"Son, are you alright?" she cried.
Outside the window, the sky had already darkened. It was evening. Ray realized with surprise that the fusion had taken almost the entire day.
Besides Selina, Wilheim and Vivienne were there as well. Standing slightly behind them was Gilbert, his forging teacher.
Ray hadn't gone to the workshop that day, and after failing to reach him through the communicator, Gilbert had hurried over the moment he learned what had happened.
"I'm fine, Mom," Ray said gently.
Selina held him tightly, her voice trembling. "Ray, let's stop this. Let's not be Soul Masters anymore. Being an ordinary person is fine."
Ray smiled softly, shaking his head. "Mom, I really am fine. I've become a Soul Master. I'm at rank 11 now. The fusion was successful. That Grass Snake spirit soul… it suited me very well. If it had been stronger, I might not have been able to fuse with it at all."
Hearing this, Selina's tears flowed even more fiercely.
Wilheim let out a long sigh. The fusion was already complete. Nothing could be changed now. Telling Ray that he had secured enough money afterward would only reopen wounds.
"Rank 11?" Gilbert's deep voice cut through the room. "Summon your martial soul. Let me take a look."
Ray finally noticed Gilbert standing there and hurriedly greeted him. "Teacher."
Gilbert gave a short nod. "Come here."
Ray glanced at his mother, then at his teacher. After a brief hesitation, he hopped off the bed. Raising his right hand, he focused his mind, and the previously dim room was instantly suffused with light.
A white ring of radiance slowly rose from beneath his feet and began to revolve rhythmically around his body.
This was a Soul Master's soul ring.
White. Ten years. The lowest tier of soul rings.
Ten thousand years ago, before the birth of spirit souls, soul rings alone defined a Soul Master's status. Even now, that circling ring of light carried immense significance.
Ray opened his palm, and a soft yellow glow bloomed within it. The little Grass Snake emerged, coiling gently.
In the next instant, a slender blade of blue, vine-like grass appeared, as thick as a finger. It spread outward rapidly, extending into every corner of the room.
This was the first time Ray had released his martial soul after becoming a true Soul Master.
The difference was profound.
Before, when he had no soul ring, his Silverfalls Vine had felt distant, almost detached.
Now, it was like an extension of his own body and consciousness. Every point the grass touched sent feedback directly to his mind. He could even sense the simple joy radiating from the Grass Snake spirit soul, far more clearly than during the fusion.
Though it was only a ten-year soul ring, the rhythmic rise and fall of the white light bathed Ray in a gentle radiance.
This was the dignity of a Soul Master. Even a single soul ring created a gulf between oneself and ordinary people.
Selina stood frozen in shock.
Wilheim's eyes slowly regained a glimmer of resolve.
Vivienne, as always, looked on in quiet bewilderment.
Gilbert reached out and grasped a strand of Silverfalls Vine. At first glance, it looked frail, almost laughably weak. A trash martial soul paired with a defective spirit soul.
How could such a combination possibly result in anything worthwhile?
A trace of heaviness settled in Gilbert's heart. He looked at Ray and spoke in a deep, steady voice. "Don't be discouraged. Even if your spirit soul isn't strong, you are still a genuine Soul Master now. Your soul power can continue to grow. Soul power itself is valuable, regardless of the path you choose."
He continued calmly, "Ten thousand years ago, many Soul Masters relied on soul tools because their martial souls and soul rings were weak. With soul tools, they still managed to amplify their strength. The same principle applies to mechas. As long as you have soul power, you can become a Mecha Master even without a powerful spirit soul. A weak martial soul does not mean a weak future."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "Soul power is also extremely useful in forging. It sharpens perception and enhances physical strength."
As he finished speaking, Gilbert released the strand of Silverfalls Vine, letting it fall to the floor.
Clink.
The sound was unexpectedly crisp and heavy.
"Hmm?" Gilbert's eyes flickered with surprise. He bent down and picked the grass up again, his brows knitting together.