"Professor, your recent publication on Origin energy has been making waves." Emma Rock, host of the Beyond The Known show, conyeyed to her latest guest. "You argue that humanity's understanding of Origin energy is, frankly, abysmal. Can you elaborate on this?"
Alden, a scientist in his early fifties chuckled softly, his confident and analytical expression unchanging.
"Certainly. As advanced as we consider ourselves, our grasp on Origin energy—the very force that has reshaped societies, economies, and even human potential—is still rudimentary at best. Based on the data collected from countless guilds and research labs, I estimate that we understand less than five percent of its intricacies."
A murmur rippled through the audience, and the young host raised an eyebrow. "Less than five percent? That's... shocking, considering how integrated Origin energy has become in our world."
"It is shocking, but not surprising," Alden said, leaning back in his chair. "Origin energy is not a purely physical phenomenon. It operates across dimensions of energy, cognition, and even probability. Our current models and tools are primitive when it comes to mapping its behaviors. Most of what we know comes from trial and error—observing how abilities manifest and evolve within individuals."
Emma nodded. "Speaking of abilities, it is obvious that your book is mainly focused on adept abilities. Could you explain what makes them so unique compared to stryker's qi?"
Alden's eyes glinted with enthusiasm. "Of course. Unlike qi, adept abilities are unique manifestations of Origin energy within individuals, tailored to their essence, willpower, and, to some extent, their genetics. However, what most people don't realize is that these abilities are rarely one-dimensional."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "When an adept first manifests their ability, it may seem straightforward—controlling fire, manipulating gravity, enhancing their physical capabilities, and so on. But in almost every case, there are supplementary aspects to these abilities that remain hidden at first."
"Hidden?" the host interjected. "Why is that?"
"There are several reasons," Alden explained. "One, the cultivator may lack the understanding to decipher the additional workings of their ability. Origin energy is incredibly complex, and without proper guidance or introspection, these supplementary aspects remain dormant. Two, the current stage or tier of the cultivator may prevent them from accessing these aspects. In this case, the ability often requires exponentially more energy or mental focus, constraints that a novice simply can't overcome."
"Fascinating," Emma said, her interest genuine. "Could you give us an example?"
Alden nodded. "Take a common ability like pyrokinesis—the manipulation of fire. A novice might simply conjure flames and manipulate their direction. But as the cultivator develops, they might discover secondary functions: the ability to subtly influence the temperature of objects by drawing or releasing heat from the air, control the speed of combustion in a small area, or even use the heat generated to create subtle air currents for maneuvering or distraction. These aren't separate abilities—they're facets of the same core power."
"Are you suggesting that most adepts don't fully understand their own powers?"
"Precisely," Alden said. "The average adept operates at a fraction of their potential. Guilds and academies do their best to nurture talent, but they often focus on practical training rather than the deeper theoretical exploration required to uncover an ability's true nature."
"Could a good understanding of one's ability be part of the requirements to breaking through to the 2nd tier?"
"The full technical explanation about the conditions required for breakthrough in tier is beyond the scope of this particular interview. However, I can offer a simplified explanation that will suffice for most of you. It is common knowledge that a breakthrough in tier by either strykers or adepts leads to a comprehensive upgrade in their abilities. Why is it then, that the ratio between known high-tier strykers and high-tier adepts is so heavily skewed in favor of the strykers?"
The host paused, considering the question.
"That's... an excellent point. Considering what we've already discussed, I would say strykers, with their reliance on discipline and the meticulous control of their qi, seem to have a natural advantage in understanding the intricacies of their power."
"Indeed!" Alden replied, his voice firm. "The very nature of their training demands a deep understanding of their qi flow, its limitations, and the subtle nuances that can amplify or diminish its effectiveness. An adept, on the other hand, might initially rely on raw power or instinct, which can hinder their exploration of their ability's deeper facets."
The audience was silent, hanging onto every word.
"So," Emma said after a beat, "you're suggesting that the act of mastering one's ability, of truly understanding its inner workings, might be a crucial factor in achieving higher tiers of power for both strykers and adepts?"
"I won't confirm or deny anything. All I can say is that if you looked at preexisting evidence, this condition might play a role, no matter how insignificant. Perhaps the reason we see more high-tier strykers is because their martial training inherently encourages this deeper level of understanding. Adepts, with their more diverse and often less structured approach to ability development, might be missing out on a crucial element for advancement."
As Professor Alden continued to clarify his thoughts, the fabrication run involving Rion had transitioned to a new stage as he activated his Resonance ability.
All of a sudden, his body shined with a light blue hue as blue electric bolts arced on his skin. But even more peculiar was the sensations he had when he looked back at the unfinished glove.
It seemed to him like the parts themselves came to life, as though they were excited at the prospect of being assembled into a machine. He also gained an instinctual breakdown of the parts, both finished and unfinshed and the most ideal way to fabricate and assemble them into the gloves.
This was a secondary effect of his ability. In essence, it granted him an acute, mystical understanding of the fabrication, assembly, and composition of machinery, particularly those whose blueprints he was familiar with.
This came in quite handy at this time as he was able to gain intuitive impressions of all of the parts he had created, thereby outlining the point of failure.
"Found you," he murmured, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.The source of the problem lay in the slider mechanism, specifically the Mu-metal sheet's alignment within its track. The track was slightly warped, creating a subtle resistance that prevented the slider from moving smoothly.
With a practiced motion, he disassembled the section containing the slider. His hands worked with precision, guided by the intuitive feedback from his ability. The warped track was quickly identified—a minuscule imperfection, likely caused by an uneven layer during fabrication.
Rion activated the micro-grinder, its motor humming as he meticulously smoothed the imperfection. Sparks flickered as the grinder's bit touched the surface, leveling the track with precision. His Resonance-amplified senses guided his every move, ensuring optimal results.
Just as he neared completion, the timer hit 52 seconds, and the electric aura surrounding him flickered and vanished, signifying that he had run out of energy.
Unfazed, he continued, letting his energy passively refill itself. Once he was done, he reassembled the mechanism, tapping the switch once more. This time, the Mu-metal sheet glided effortlessly into place, and the magnetic field shifted as intended. The steel bolt on the workbench snapped toward the glove's palm with a satisfying clang.
"That's more like it," Rion said, his voice carrying a hint of triumph.
With the elation from solving the error, and the guidance he had somehow obtained during the short burst his ability was active for, the rest of the assembly progressed smoothly.
His hands, skilled and deliberate, manipulated tools and components with fluid expertise, as if these intricate tasks were second nature to him.
Whenever his origin energy reserves reached a level sufficient to sustain his Resonance for at least a dozen seconds, he would reactivate his ability without hesitation. During these bursts, his speed and precision were extraordinary. Guided by the intuitive insights Resonance provided, tasks that would typically take a while were completed in mere minutes.
By the time he completed the first glove, it felt less like a product of trial and error and more like a creation destined to exist.
Rion slid the glove onto his hand, flexing his fingers to test its fit and functionality. The Kevlar-Salogel fabric conformed perfectly to his movements, and the embedded springs added a subtle resistance that felt natural, almost like an extension of his own body.
He tapped the witch on the glove's palm which activated and enhanced the magnetic field in that area, drawing a wrench from the side of the workbench into his grasp with a flick of his wrist. The control sliders allowed him to adjust the field's intensity and focus with ease, giving him an impressive level of precision.
He tested various settings, adjusting the Mu-metal sliders and watching the gloves respond. The control was intuitive, and the magnetic fields felt almost alive, bending and shifting as he manipulated the switches.
He made a quick note in his journal, documenting the optimized alignment specs for future reference. He then took another short toilet break before returning, his attention back to the 3D printer to begin fabrication of the second glove.
The fabrication and assembly of the second glove came together even faster, his Resonance and earlier experience having already streamlined the process.
By the time he finished, the pair of gloves felt like masterpieces, the culmination of his skills, knowledge, and unique abilities.
Rion glanced at the clock on the wall. The glowing digits informed him that over 12 hours had passed since he started working on the gloves. The realization hit him like a wave, but in addition to fatigue, he felt a thrill of satisfaction coursing through him. His mind, still buzzing with the rush of success, left little room for rest.
"Alright, time to take a breather," he muttered, his voice cutting through the low hum of the workshop.
First, he stretched, rolling his neck and shoulders to ease the stiffness. His movements were deliberate, almost ritualistic, as though shaking off the intensity of his focus. After a much-needed trip to the bathroom and a quick splash of cold water on his face, he made his way to the small kitchenette tucked into the corner of the room. Grabbing a protein bar from his duffel bag, he unwrapped it and took a bite, chewing slowly as he surveyed his workspace.
As he ate, his mind began to wander. He flipped open his journal, its pages filled with messy sketches, detailed notes, and scribbled equations. His eyes scanned over the earlier entries, tracing the evolution of his ideas.
He grabbed a pen and jotted down a quick note beside the rough blueprint for the gloves: Magnetic field calibration: optimal alignment achieved. Test durability under stress conditions. He added a small diagram showing an alternate arrangement of the sliders, an idea he'd had while working on the second glove.
Once the energy bar was finished, he lied down on a bench tucked in the corner of the room, hoping to relax for a bit.
But the pull of his work was too strong. Even as he stared at the ceiling, his eyes darted to the stack of blueprints on his desk. Three more designs waited for his attention—each promising new challenges and opportunities to push his ability to come up with solutions on the fly.
"I can't stop now," he muttered, standing up abruptly. His muscles protested, but his mind overruled them. He made his way to his duffel bag and rummaged through its contents until his fingers closed around a small vial of viscous, silvery liquid.
Holding it up to the light, he studied the swirling substance inside for a moment. He was well aware of the risks of overusing it, but this was his only option if he wanted to finish all his creations in time. With a determined sigh, he twisted off the cap and downed the contents in one smooth motion.
The liquid had a strange, metallic tang that left a faint bitterness in his mouth. Almost immediately, a warmth spread through his body, starting from his chest and radiating outward. The fatigue that had weighed down his limbs began to ebb, replaced by a sharp, almost unnatural clarity. His vision sharpened, and the dull ache in his back and shoulders faded into the background.
This was Nicata, a specialized stimulant designed for individuals who worked in physically demanding jobs. It temporarily dampened physical fatigue and heightened mental acuity, allowing users to push past their limits. But it came with a cost—once the effects wore off, the exhaustion would return with brutal intensity, sometimes even doubling in force.
Rion exhaled slowly, already feeling the clarity seep into his thoughts. This, in addition to the slight boost in concentration endowed by his [Lesser Focus] technique, allowed him to maintain focus on the task in front of him.
"That'll do," he murmured, setting the empty vial back in his bag.
Rion returned to the workbench, picking up and studying the first of the remaining blueprints. He decided to craft the retractable dagger next.
The schematic was intricate, but not as much as that for the magnetic glove or magnetic handgun, with dozens of interconnected components requiring absolute precision. His fingers itched to start.