Valerian sat there mutely. He never knew this. The atmosphere and topic were making him uncomfortable. He didn't like where it was going.

"I told you that cultivation grants more power than is obvious. You should be able to understand. Or rather it would be plain to you if you knew more about the world than merely what was in the books I give you. Even among beasts, it is the strong and powerful that lead. Same with humans. We look to the powerful among us, the cultivators, to guide us, protect us and make decisions on our behalf. They administer the laws, and protect us from the daemons and our fellows. In truth, it is the cultivators that hold political power wherever you care to look in Verre."

Valerian wanted to tell him that was not true. To remind him that he was a magistrate of the region just to rouse him from his despondent state, but before he could utter a word his grandfather raised a hand to silence him.

"I know what you are thinking, what you want to say. I am a magistrate. An official of the state. Someone with clear political power even though I am so pitifully weak. However is it really so? Tell me, Valerian, cultivators are people who command the elements themselves and possess the power to accomplish mighty feats. They are people who enjoy the admiration and envy of their fellow men and are the ones tasked with ensuring mankind's survival in this cruel world.

"Which of these great individuals would be willing to be commanded or governed by weaklings like myself?"

Valerian opened his mouth but shut it soon after without saying anything. Even he could not think of a reason why. He couldn't help but think back to Fang's Grammar School and how even he had looked with disdain at some of the other children. Who indeed would be willing to a subject to someone lesser than himself? His grandfather nodded sadly at his silence.

"You are my grandson. You possess a fierce intelligence that most can only guess at but I know. I am just like you. That is why I talk thus with no fear that you will not understand. I was born intelligent. Incredibly intelligent. The things that took others several tries to even begin to understand I comprehended on the first try. I don't even have to search my mind to recall something. My memory is so good it is like answers present themselves to me when asked for.

"I can perform multiple actions at the same time, process information like you wouldn't believe and can recall nearly every single sight, sound, smell, taste or feeling I have ever had. It is something you too will probably learn to do with time but aside from us you will be hard-pressed to find even ten people below the emperor tier in the duchy capable of the same.

"I have the second highest score in my scholars' exam in the near three hundred thousand years of our kingdom's history. I have mastered twenty languages and am adept in many other things and yet I am forced to be a low levelled magistrate in a border city. Even with this, I can be counted as quite fortunate. It is clear that I wouldn't have even gotten this far if not for my father's power and influence. The fact that I work in his city is more than proof enough.

"Don't look at our manor and lifestyle and think that being a low levelled magistrate is something to be proud of. I have ten assigned guards, five for my home and five for my person but who will work under someone with no hope for the future like me? Aside from your uncle, the rest have not even consolidated the first tier yet.

"The only reason we can afford our lifestyle on my meagre salary is because of your grandmother and I are from wealthy clans and her profession pays well. I shudder to think of what would happen if my father was not the former Viscount of Cragsveil."

"So you see Valerian you can make a living if you are not a cultivator but it would not be anything to write home about. I have a condition that prevents my body from accumulating arcane energy. It is why despite cultivating for over sixty years I remain unable to go beyond the energy-gathering stage. I could cultivate like a normal person then..." he sighed and did not continue for a while.

"You have been given a great opportunity. One that many can only dream of. You cannot waste this chance! I know you won't! In fact, I look forward to the day that you will become an outstanding cultivator. With your talent and the clan's resources, there is no doubt in my mind that you will surpass my father. You will even be better than your father. I just hope that when you become a powerful cultivator, you will not forget your pitiful grandfather" he ended.

Valerian was startled. He could see the tears in the old man's eyes and the tired set of his shoulders. He had no idea that their talk would leave his grandfather so drained and downcast. He was at a loss at what to do. He wanted to comfort the man but had no idea how to go about it.

His was a somewhat reserved family. They were not the type to have public or physical displays of affection. It could be seen from their characteristic aloof manner. The fact he referred to the old man as grandfather and not grandpa or some other informal term was clue enough.

"Your cultivation tier doesn't matter to me at all. To me, grandfather is a role model. An example of what a man should be. Wise, elegant, responsible, just and eloquent. I believe that you can outsmart any cultivator and are better than they can hope to be. You have taught me the importance of knowledge and intelligence as well as many other things. I will always keep them at the forefront of my mind. Don't worry grandfather. I will become a cultivator like you've never seen before. One you can be proud of."

Valerian swallowed the hot lump burning in his throat. He finally understood why his grandfather's cultivation was a taboo topic. He even got why the man was so ashamed of it. To be forced to rely on your family and your wife to get ahead in life. To be blessed with such a brilliant mind and yet be completely disregarded because of a strange physical condition.

It had to be tough. Right then Valerian made a promise to himself. He resolved that no matter what happened he would become an outstanding cultivator. For his grandfather who never had the opportunity to do so. For his grandmother the pillar who silently supported the family. For his father, the genius whose life had been cut short. For the mother, he never knew. For his uncles who took the time to train him. And for himself. He had always been outstanding at everything he did. He would become outstanding at this too.

As soon as he left the study Valerian headed straight for his room. He took the rolled-up mat leaning against the wall and unrolled it on the floor. It was a special cultivation tool made from daemon skin and inscribed with an array that aided in the gathering of world essence. When he first got it Valerian poured over it for hours trying to make out the glyphs in the beautiful leather.

He had no time for that now. He quickly sat down cross-legged on it and entered a meditative state to cultivate. He had made a promise to himself and he was going to accomplish it by hook or by crook.