Stepping through the borders of the Drake kingdom had been a piece of cake, to put it simply.
There were not many members of the Drake clan patrolling the borders. It almost looked like Jael Drake had regained his senses because the main focus was on controlling the higher-ranked beasts that had left their habitat to wreak havoc.
Protecting the cities seemed to have the highest importance for every country and kingdom Jason had passed through, which was a good sign because the population was more important to protect than the surrounding lands!
Yet, contrary to what he had expected, most citizens didn't riot. They were only voicing out their complaints, but that was already everything.
This was weird and something Jason couldn't understand. During the entire Great Argos war, citizens had been the least priority to the big clans, yet, they had easily reclaimed their position as governor of their lands.
Even if they had been forced to abandon their lands before, the vast majority of citizens seemed to act as if they were glad to see the big clans returning.
In the end, this was only because ordinary citizens had been unable to solve the issues with the surrounding beasts at the Lique stage!
As such, it looked like the citizens were glad that the big clans had returned, however, they continued to harbor their hatred of the big clans deep within them, which was as distinct, if not firmer than that to the foreign races.
The latter had always been enemies of normal citizens, but that was not the case with the big clans.
Earlier they had been naive enough to believe that the big clans were safeguarding and protecting them, but now, everyone knew the truth.
Once something were to happen, there was nobody they could rely on.
With that thought seeping into the mind of every citizen, their behavior seemed to change slowly.
During the few days Jason spent in all kinds of cities inside the Drake kingdom, he noticed these subtle changes which caused him to feel uncomfortable.
His disguise was well thought out and nobody would dare to assume that the youth with a baby in his arms was a spy or something similar.
Even if citizens were to know that, they would rather reveal some secrets pertaining to the Drake family to him rather than blow his cover.
While most big clans were already deemed as evil by most citizens, this was even worse when it came to the Drake kingdom.
Most of the citizens wouldn't hesitate to murder Jael Drake with their own hands if they ever got the chance to lay their hands on him but that was not possible.
Instead, it was almost as if the Drake clan patriarch's strength had increased by a large margin during the last few months.
Nobody knew for sure whether this was because his soulbond had matured, or if there was another reason.
There were rumors about his cultivation technique having allowed Jael to increase his combat prowess to the extremes, and Jason thought that this was likely.
If Jael Drake's ice transmutation had reached a higher degree, his ice affinity must be on a whole new level compared to what one would normally be capable of.
Jason was also interested in cultivation techniques because he was still using a basic mana absorption technique!
Even his passive mana gathering technique required a complete renewal because he had already reached the highest possible absorption rate with it!
After his primal Celestia bloodline awakening, his passive mana gathering technique had even broken through its limitation, which was something unheard of.
However, this was still not enough.
It was unfortunate, but most higher-ranked mana gathering and absorption techniques required certain affinities, while similarly restricting other affinities.
The same applied for cultivation techniques as it was the case with body refinement techniques!
In the end, Jason had many ways to improve his combat prowess, but there was no need for him to actively search for a mana gathering and passive mana gathering technique!
The surrounding mana was too shallow after all.
Jason's absorption rate had increased exponentially, comparable to that of ordinary individuals of higher races, and there was not even the need for him to activate his stigma.
Even if others were confident about the mana permeating the air on Canir, Jason had to use a huge bulk of mana stones in order to reach his limit.
The costs were exorbitant and the efficiency that he received in return was less than what he had hoped for.
Nevertheless, it was good that he had been unable to practice a cultivation technique until now as it would have changed his mana fluctuations faintly, refining them.
If the higher authorities of the Drake clan were to perceive this, not even Anna as his perfect cover would be enough anymore.
Anna, who was forced to stay with Jason for the entire time, was already trying hard to say even a single word. However, her body had yet to be developed enough to share the transmigrated soul's thoughts and desires with him.
Jason had helped her learn to walk a little bit, and despite her weak and frail legs, the willpower of an old transmigrator was on a completely different level than that of a small baby without any goals or desires.
He didn't think that it would take long for Anna to start speaking. Thus, he had already revealed all kinds of things she should be unaware of.
Anna had transmigrated to a different race after all! Their race's appearance might be similar, or maybe even the same, but that should have been the only similarity.
It was still difficult to comprehend the existence of three different energies, with mana being only one, but that was something Jason could learn and digest slowly.
Meanwhile, Anna required more information about Argos' current state, what exactly had happened, and the perks of being a human.
In the end, she had voiced her astonishment with a loud squeal while Jason had carried her through the crowded street.
A soul world was just too much of an advantage to ignore, and Anna's initial dejection of being born into a weak and suppressed race was slowly subsiding.
Jason was still not sure how she had reincarnated, but his gut feeling told him that she was neither a bad person nor someone who would hurt those around her.
Other than that, she seemed to be foolish and naive because it looked like she was trusting him too much, considering that they had just met.
There was no way for her to understand whether he wanted to help her or use her knowledge for his own selfish interests, yet, instead of showing any reluctance while interacting with him, Anna behaved as if she was just waiting to start speaking and reveal everything to him.
In the end, that was exactly what she would do, and Anna knew that this might be seen as foolish.
However, at the same time, it was evident that Jason had rescued her, while his persona radiated a certain enigma that made her feel that he wasn't supposed to exist on such a small planet.
Normally she wouldn't know anything about Jason yet, but after he had told her about him being a halfling from the human and Celestia race, the little girl's excitement knew no bounds.
Both Jason and Anna seemed to have forged a thin bond with each other, and Jason didn't feel the need to hold back information from her.
Jason wanted Anna to tell him as much information as possible, while Anna had yet to figure out what she wanted to do with the second chance she had received!
Goin back, staying on Argos, taking revenge? Everything was possible, but it was evident that her current strength was insignificant to even start thinking about something like that!
After spending an entire week in detailed observance of all kinds of cities within the Drake kingdom in absolute dedication, Jason had heard countless rumors.
While most were exaggerated or simply baseless, there were multiple rumors that relayed the same message.
The Drake clan had reaped benefits from the Great Argos war instead of losses. While many of their powerhouses had died, the My?ldra race had already sent them cultivation resources, body refinement manuals, and even shallow translated combat techniques!
Adding the loot from the opponents they had defeated to their wealth of resources, the Drake family had constructed a large nurturing field for all talented youths they had forced under a soul contract!
Jason had figured out the rough location of this training ground which he had approached during the last few days of his observance. It was only a matter of time before it would be possible for him to find a good opportunity to enter the fortress-like academy!
'My strength has increased during the last three weeks despite not being able to actively absorb a lot of mana. Presenting myself as a challenger to the Drake clan's younger generation won't work… What else is there that I can use as a means to enter the academy?'
As he mulled over the possible options, he suddenly felt Anna was tugging at his sleeves. His eyes traveled from one of her little hands seeking his attention to the other pointing out in a certain direction.
Jason suppressed his excitement but he couldn't help but exclaim.
"You...You're a little genius!!"
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