Dengan segala tenaga, Lex menghabiskan cokelat pudding terakhir dan mengeluarkan eructasi yang memuaskan, senyum lebar tertutup cokelat menghiasi wajahnya. Kapan terakhir kali dia mengerp? Dia bahkan tidak ingat karena bukan hal yang biasa dicatat, tapi yakin sudah berabad-abad.
Tapi meski puas, makan malam belum berakhir. Kemarin dia kelewatan minum teh herbal, jadi hari ini dikirim lebih awal sebelum dia berjalan-jalan. Tapi, lebih penting dari itu, masih ada satu item yang akan mengakhiri makan malam dengan sempurna.
Meskipun dipenuhi semangat dan antisipasi, Lex menahan diri dan duduk bersila sambil meminum tehnya.
Dia membayangkan dirinya protagonis film kung fu saat mengambil mangkuk kecil dengan uap mengembang darinya. Rasanya menyegarkan, tapi ada rasa pahit halus yang tersisa beberapa saat.
Biasanya Lex tidak menyukai rasa pahit, tapi setelah merasakan palet kaya dari semua makanan, rasanya agak enak. Seperti selera rasa dibersihkan.
Dia menghabiskan teh pelan, dan malah bermeditasi sesudah selesai. Dia tidak merasa kenyang seperti kemarin, yang aneh karena makan lebih banyak hari ini. Entah kualitas makanan beda, yang Lex sangat ragu, atau kapasitas dia sendiri bertambah hari ini.
Entah bagaimana, saat Lex membuka mata, dia melihat item terakhir hari ini. Untuk melengkapi makan malam, yang tersisa hanya sebatang rokok sigar. Biasanya, Lex hindar merokok sigar setelah makan berat — bukan dia sering merokok, sih. Tapi hari ini, karena sigarnya dari Cassandra, dia ikut. Lagipula, sebagai murid, dia harus mendengar guru.
Dengan sentuhan lembut, dia mengambil sigar dan memeriksanya, warna mahoni gelap mengisyaratkan kerajinan tak tertandingi.
Dia membuka bungkusnya pelan, mengungkap hadiah di dalam. Dia menggerakkan jari sepanjang sigar, merasakan teksturnya, lalu mendekatkan ke hidung untuk mencium. Bahkan non-perokok pun setuju sigar wangi!
Selesai memujinya, dia memotong ujungnya rapi dan pakai kotak korek pendamping untuk menyalakan api dan membelai sigar. Kenner tahu jangan pakai lighter untuk hal beginian, dan sebagai orang yang nonton film Hellboy, dia juga dapet ilmu suci itu.
Saat wispu asap wangi mulai mengembang, dia memeluk momen itu, simfoni indra bergabung dalam antisipasi perjalanan tak tertandingi di depan.
Saat tarikan pertama, Lex merasa sangat mewah. Rasa kompleks, nota kaya kulit tua dan kayu oak toasted, rempah eksotis dan petunjuk manis samar semuanya mengantar pengalaman tak terlupakan.
Lex membuka mata dan siap tarikan berikutnya, tapi menemukan sigar di tangannya sudah jadi abu!
"Wha— apa yang baru terjadi?" Lex tak bisa menahan tanya, terkejut.
"Campuran itu terlalu kuat untukmu," kata Cassandra, proyeksinya muncul di sampingnya kapan saja.
"Kamu habiskan tiga jam memproses tarikan pertama. Tapi bukan sia-sia meski cuma satu tarikan. Tujuan sigar ini sebenarnya menguapkan sebagian kultivasi, dan mendorongnya mundur sedikit, sehingga fondasi jadi lebih kuat. Ambil terlalu banyak, di levelmu, malah merugikan. Seperti sekarang, kamu sudah dapet manfaat sebisa mungkin.
"Kultivasimu, yang tumbuh terlalu cepat, sudah ditempatkan. Jadi kultivasi naik saat kita mau, bukan tiap kesempatan acak. Sekarang ikut aku. Hari ini, bukan jalan-jalan, tapi berenang santai. Sambil itu, aku brief teknik hindari divination saat tidur…"
Cassandra mulai mengajar saat membawa dia ke bagian lain kuil. Teknik dua bagian, satu aktif dan satu pasif. Dia belajar bagian aktif dulu, dan pakai setiap tidur. Sementara, belajar bagian pasif dan ambil waktu memahami.
Inti teknik: kendali penuh atas berbagai kemampuan, supaya tidak aktif acak saat tidur. Prakteknya lebih rumit, tapi anehnya, Lex bayang dia diajar versi kultivasi jangan buang air kecil di tempat tidur.
Malu dari pikiran itu saja cukup memotivasi dia ambil teknik benar-benar serius.
Alasan dia diminta latihan sambil berenang supaya latihan kendali kemampuan di lingkungan asing.
Teknik tidak terlalu rumit buat yang berulang memperkuat pikiran, jadi dia paham konsep dasar cukup mudah. Sekarang tinggal latihan sambil berenang.
Seperti ladang bunga kemarin, tempat berenangnya fantastik. Sangat indah, dan air sejuk menyegarkan penuh ikan kecil berwarna dan menarik berenang di sekelilingnya.
Tidak satu pun agresif, dan kebanyakan cukup ramah datang mengamati dia berenang lewat rumah mereka.
Di akhir, Lex merasa ringan dan santai, seolah melepaskan stres yang tidak sadar dibawa. Tahu yang menunggu tidur nyenyak, dia tidak bisa menahan senyum.
Latihan seharusnya selalu ini santai.
Di kejauhan, Cassandra mengamati dia hati-hati, menyelesaikan sentuhan akhir pada latihan neraka yang menunggu dia.
With all his might Lex slammed down the final pudding cup and let out a satisfying burp, a massive chocolate covered grin painting his face. When was the last time he had burped? He couldn't even recall as that was not the kind of thing one usually took note of, but he was sure it had been over a couple of years.
But as satisfied as he was, the meal was not over yet. Yesterday, he missed out on his herbal tea, so today it was delivered in advance before he went out for a walk. But, more important than that, there was one item remaining that would end the meal properly.
Although filled with a hint of excitement and anticipation, Lex controlled himself and sat cross-legged as he drank his tea.
He imagined himself the protagonist in a kung fu movie as he picked up the small bowl with steam rising out from it. The taste was refreshing, but had a mild, bitter aftertaste that lingered for a few moments.
Normally Lex would not appreciate the bitter taste, but after experiencing such a rich palette from all the food he had, it felt kind of nice. It was as if his taste buds were being cleansed.
He took his time with the tea, and in fact spent some time meditating afterwards once he was done. He did not feel stuffed like he had yesterday, which was curious because he ate more food today. Either the quality of the food was not the same, which Lex highly doubted, or his own capacity had increased today.
Either way, when Lex opened his eyes, he saw the last item for him today. To complete his meal, all that was left was a single cigar. Normally, Lex would refrain from smoking a cigar right after a big meal - not that he smoked many, anyway. But today, since he was given the cigar by Cassandra, he would oblige. After all, as a student, he had to listen to his teacher.
With a gentle touch, he picked up the cigar and examined it, its deep mahogany hue hinting at the unparalleled craftsmanship that went into making it.
He carefully unwrapped the packaging, revealing the prize hidden within. He ran his finger across the length of the cigar, feeling its texture under his skin, before running it under his nose to take a whiff. Even non-smokers had to agree that cigars smelled great!
Once he was done appreciating it, he cut the cap in a neat, clean slice and used the accompanying matchbox to light a flame and caress the cigar with it. A connoisseur would know not to use a lighter for such things, and as someone who had seen the movie Hellboy, he too had gained this sacred knowledge.
As wisps of fragrant smoke began to unfurl, he embraced the moment, a symphony of senses intertwining in anticipation of the unparalleled journey that lay ahead.
As he took in his first draw, Lex felt extraordinarily indulgent. The complicated flavors, the rich notes of aged leather and toasted oak, the exotic spices and elusive hints of sweetness all delivered an unforgettable experience.
Lex opened his eyes and got ready for the next pull, only to find that the cigar in his hands had already turned to ash!
"Wha- what just happened?" Lex could not help but ask, startled.
"That particular blend was too strong for you," said Cassandra, her projection having appeared beside him at some unknown time.
"You spent the last three hours processing your first puff. But it's not a waste even if you only took one puff. The purpose of this cigar is actually to evaporate some of your cultivation, and push it back down a bit, thereby making your foundation stronger. Taking too much of it, at your level, would have done you more harm than good. As it is, right now, you have received as much benefit from it as you can.
"Your cultivation, which was growing a little too rapidly, has been tempered off. This way, your cultivation will rise when we want it to, not at every random opportunity. Now come on, follow me. Today, instead of a stroll, you'll be going for a light swim. At the same time, I will brief you on the technique to avoid divination in your sleep…"
Cassandra began her instruction right then and there, even as she led him towards a different part of the temple. The technique had two parts, one active and one passive. He would first learn the active part, and use it before he slept every time he slept. Meanwhile, he would study the passive part and take his time comprehending it.
The essence of the technique was to have firm control over his various abilities, so that they would not randomly activate when he was asleep. In practice, it was a little more complicated, but for some reason, Lex kept imagining that he was being taught the cultivation version of not wetting the bed.
The embarrassment from the thought alone was enough to motivate him to take the technique absolutely seriously.
The reason why he was asked to practice the technique while he swam was so that he could practice his control over his abilities in an unfamiliar environment.
The technique was not overly complicated for someone who had repeatedly strengthened their mind, so he was able to understand the underlying concept fairly easily. Now all he had to do was practice while he swam.
Just like the field of flowers yesterday, his designated spot for swimming was fantastic. It was extremely scenic, and the cool, refreshing water was filled with colorful and interesting little fish who swam all around him.
None of them were aggressive, and most of them were friendly enough to come and observe him as he swam past their homes.
By the end, Lex was feeling lighthearted and easy, as if he had let go of some stress he was unconsciously carrying with him. Knowing that what awaited him now was a good night's sleep, he could not help but smile.
Training should always be this relaxing.
Somewhere in the distance, Cassandra was observing him carefully, putting the final touches to the hellish training that awaited him.
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