Chapter 5: Barak Raizen 1
While Nero was self-torturing himself in the guise of training, in another part of Raizen’s estate, near the center, stood a mansion by the lake. It was neither grand nor small, but perfectly situated in the middle, exuding a certain elegance without being opulent. This was Barak’s mansion.
Naturally, there was a garden.
The lakeside air was fragrant with the scent of jasmine. This was no natural basin filled with meltwater; it was a luxurious addition to a formal garden created by Barak, a testament to his ample leisure time and money. As Barak walked into the garden, he stepped closer to the edge and crouched down. From six feet above, the surface appeared opaque green, but from just two feet away, it was clear enough to see the plants and life below the surface. He wanted to watch the koi carps. They were huge and numerous, each about as long as his arm. He gazed across the wind-ruffled surface to the lily pads in bloom, their white and magenta petals catching the breeze. He inhaled slowly. His little piece of heaven in the urban jungle. It was worth every penny spent on it, and he had no regrets. He could relax his mind here and do what he was about to do.
Moving deeper, he arrived at the place he was after—a platform for meditation.
Barak sat cross-legged on the platform surrounded by bonsai. He then took out an elixir and drank it, beginning to meditate to digest the elixir. Heat emanated from his shirtless body, sweat dripping down his sculpted muscles. No scars were visible on his body—not that he never had any; they simply disappeared after taking high-grade elixirs and healing potions.
The heat from his body intensified as time passed until his skin reddened. The sweat on his body evaporated before he shone for a moment, and a black substance appeared all over him—impurities expelled from his body. His physique had evolved. Finally, he opened his eyes, lightning flashing through them. As he opened his mouth, he exhaled white mist but frowned at the unbearable stench coming from his body.
He rose to his feet in a flash, disappearing into his mansion to take a lengthy bath to thoroughly cleanse himself. Once done, he changed into casual clothes and went downstairs. He could feel strength coursing through him; the first step toward getting ready for the entrance exam next month had been taken. He would use the remaining time to train, trying to increase his core.