Nameless continued, "Unfortunately, there are not many users of this technique. As a result, I am tasked with closing at least one dimensional rift a month if I want to continue my tutelage under the Shattering Mother. I am a mere commoner, lacking the ability to tame our enemies. If I lose her support, my growth will stagnate. I can only do as she commands to continue studying under her. For someone of my strength, closing a rift every month is too much, leaving me feeling perpetually tired. She realizes that, but she doesn't make it easy. She really knows how to make me work like a dog."

His tone carried the weight of complaint, not cold or distant, but raw and unguarded like someone grumbling to a close friend rather than a stranger.

It was a subtle acknowledgment, that somewhere along the way, Nameless had begun to regard Ray as a companion worthy enough to hear his grievances than just a mere stranger who he had allied with for a common purpose.

'He is prerputally tired? What the F**k?' Ray felt shocked, hearing that Nameless was always tired. 'He fought, killed, and outran Bronze Rank fiends while he was tired? How strong is he exactly?'

He knew Nameless was strong, but he didn't expect him to be this strong. Perhaps so far he had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg that represented his peak strength.

Suddenly, he began to feel lucky that Nameless was his ally, not foe.

After all, if they were enemies, Ray would have died without knowing what killed him. The Shattering Mother's curse was freaking terrifying, allowing a tired ass man to kill Bronze Rank beings effortlessly, and he wasn't even a bronze ranker!

"Why are there not many users of Stitches? Is it hard to learn, or is it because its access is restricted?" Ray asked.

Nameless replied, "Stitches is a soul technique, different from the abilities granted by the beast taming seal. Abilities can run on both magic power and soul power. Soul Techniques only run on soul power. In other words—"

Ray interrupted Nameless.

"Without soul power, it's impossible to use Soul Technique. That means iron and bronze rank tamers can't use it even if they comprehend it."

Nameless nodded at him approvingly, "Correct. You will be shocked to know that's just one of the three big reasons why there aren't a lot of Stitches users."

"What are the other reasons?" Ray asked, curiosity brimming in his eyes.

After days of struggle, he was showing the desire to soak into knowledge without resting or blowing off some steam.

This hunger to learn something, anything new was perhaps his greatest strength.

Nameless gave him a long look, then smirked faintly.

"I haven't met a curious lad like you before. You are also smart, not all brawns like most people nowadays. Fine, I will get into it. So, listen closely.

"Stiches is the 9th most difficult soul technique to master. In fact, it's so hard to learn Stitches that the on of the only two conditions to become the legacy student of the Shattering Mother, a top-notch expert of our kingdom, is to learn it. The other condition is to have enough control over your soul power that you can use it."

"Oh?" Ray gaped, eyes wide with disbelief. "There's no restriction? Even a northerner like me can become her legacy student if I meet the two requirements?"

"Oh?" Ray gaped. "There's no restriction? Even a Northerner like me can become her legacy student if I meet the two requirements?"

To be specific, the Leon Kingdom was divided into the Mainland and the Outer Regions.

There were four Outer Regions. Namely, they were Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Outer Regions.

The names, although plain and simple, served a purpose, marking their position relative to the Mainland itself. For example, to the north of the Mainland lay the Northern Outer Region.

Northerner was the term used to describe someone from the Kingdom's Northern Outer Region. Likewise, Westerner, Easterner, and Southerner were the terms used for people hailing from the Western, Eastern, and Southern Outer Regions respectively. Between these four Outer Regions stood the Royal Capital. It was a world of its own, far beyond comparison with the Outer Regions, and thus it was respectfully called the Mainland. People from there were known as Mainlanders.

Next to the Royal Capital's splendor, the four regions seemed underdeveloped.

The Northern Outer Region was the most neglected, disdained heavily by the rest of the Kingdom.

Only in recent decades had resources and manpower begun flowing into it in an attempt to improve its condition, but that effort birthed its own problems: opportunists and scum who exploited the region's struggles, committing all manner of vile, inhumane deeds for profit. The best example of that was the town master of White Sparrow Town and his sister.

As a result, despite funding from the crown and powerful parties, the Northern Outer Region was developing at a snail's pace, resulting in the Northerners being heavily stigmatized as country bumpkins who can't do one thing correctly.

The Shattering Mother was a Mainlander. To become the legacy student of someone of her stature — an expert from the Mainland — was nothing short of a dream for those born in the Outer Regions. However, it was universally dismissed as impossible. For Ray, realizing that there truly was a way to make it possible left him stunned.

"Anyone can," Nameless smiled ever so faintly, speaking in a voice that carried no hesitation, no allowance for question, his words striking like hammer against Ray's doubt. "Birthplace, bloodline, region? None of it matters. If you are capable enough to meet her requirements, the Shattering Mother will acknowledge you as her legacy student. But mastering stiches enough to put it to practical use and become her legacy student is harder than climbing the Ladder to Enlightment in the tower.

"Don't think I am making a big deal out of it."

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