Chapter 3 — Foundations of Power
Azren's POV
The maid had only just left when the panel flickered back into view, waiting—almost expectantly.
I still couldn't move much, but my mind was racing.
Was it really the language that kept the system from working earlier? I asked in my thoughts.
[Yes. The system's interface contains a database of every language native to this reality.
Your original tongue was unknown, so core commands could not parse your intent until translation synchronicity was achieved.]
So I understood the icons, but you didn't understand me. Figures. I sighed—well, gurgled.
All right, can you brief me on the rest of my status screen?
[Affirmative.]
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[Quick-Reference — Status Fields]
• Name / Race / Age / Gender / Title — self-explanatory.
• Core — the conduit linking your spirit to ether. Each core has a Realm (quality) and a Path (specialisation).
• Spirit — the awakened entity or concept that gives your ether a "spark," turning it into a distinct energy type.
• Rank — rarity tier of that spirit. Mythic sits above Legendary.
• Energy & Affinity — the flavours your ether can assume most easily.
• Abilities & Passive Traits — skills granted by the spirit.
• Karma Points — purchasable luck and leverage inside the system.
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[Core Realm – Explanation]
Realm refers to the quality, quantity, purity, and density of the energy flowing through your core.
A higher Realm means you can ise stronger magic and techniques, channel more energy, endure longer battles, and unlock deeper communion with your Spirit.
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[Realm Progression ]
1. Onyx – Black.
2. Ruby – Red.
3. Amber – Orange.
4. Citrine – Yellow.
5. Emerald – Green.
6. Sapphire – Blue.
7. Lazurite – Indigo.
8. Amethyst – Violet.
9. Albus Pearl – White.
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So… Onyx means I'm just getting started.
But I noticed something else. The system showed [Core 1], but Core 2 was still locked.
Multiple cores…? Oh right goddess did say that. Let's ask that in the end.
Then I pushed further.
You said flavors. What are the kinds of flavours can it become?
A new panel unrolled, glowing in layered colours that reminded me of a chakra chart.
[Seven Foundational Energies]
1. Ki — Root core. Raw physical power, muscle, speed, regeneration.
2. Aura — Sacral core. Presence, intimidation, emotional projection.
It enhances willpower to manipulate energy into type of physical force like forming barriers or energy sword
3. Qi — Solar-plexus core. Internal circulation, pressure manipulation, Essence chanelling.
4. Ena — Heart core. Life force, healing, resonance with plants and beasts.
5. Mana — Throat core. Spellcasting, elemental weaving, runic inscription.
6. Spiritual Energy — Third-eye core. Mental fortitude, illusions, telepathy, soul sight.
7. Soul Energy — Crown core. Energy refined by soul healing of core, spirit, see through fate.
The words pulsed once, then rearranged into a diagram that hovered just above my face. Even in baby form I could feel each centre tingling faintly—as if the lesson alone primed them.
Okay, but what exactly is a Path? My status says Path: None.
[Paths]
A Path is simply the focus of a person's power.
Common examples: Path of the Sword, Path of the Spear, Path of Fire, Path of Wind, Path of Alchemy, Path of Healing, and so on.
A Path can evolve when the user's insight deepens.
Path of Fire → Path of Sun-fire (hotter, brighter)
Path of Fire → Path of Soul-fire (spiritual flames)
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Six Levels for Any Path
Level What it Means (simple) Quick Example (Path of Fire)
1. Intent: You get the idea and can spark it. A tiny flame in your palm.
2. Force: You force the Path outward in real attacks. Throwing fireballs; sword arcs.
3. Resonance: Your power sings with the world, stronger and smoother. Flames ride the wind and refuse to go out.
4. Domain You create a small zone under your Path's rules. An arena of swirling heat you fully control.
5. Embodiment: Path and body fuse. You are the fire (or sword, wind, etc.). Skin glows like magma; heat lashes out with every move.
6. Law / Dao: You personify the cosmic law behind the Path. Reality bends. A single snap can ignite the sky itself.
[Important]
Selecting a Path too early can cripple future growth; waiting allows intuition and spirit advice (in your case, Asi) to align.
I stared at the final line. Spirit advice. Did that mean Asi could speak if I called?
Almost as if it read my thoughts, the panel flashed.
[Spirit "Asi" currently dormant. Early communion requires one of the following:]
– Core Realm upgrade to Ruby
– External catalyst of Mythic grade
– Karma expenditure: 1 000 points
Well. Ten karma points wouldn't cut it.
Still, I had answers now. Ether, core realms, Paths—the skeleton keys of this world.
In the other crib, Liora's eyes blazed with the same hunger for knowledge. She must have received her explanation too.
One step at a time, I told myself, letting the diagram fade. Survive infancy; reach Awakening; choose the right Path.
Somewhere deep inside, I felt Asi stir—like a sword half-drawn from its sheath.
And for the first time since opening these newborn eyes, I felt a quiet, electric thrill.
Before I forget
One more thing, I asked silently. What exactly are Karma Points?
The system answered without delay.
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[Karma Points – Explanation]
Karma Points (KP) are the system's transcendent currency—beyond wealth, or divine favor.
They represent the weight of your actions, your deviation from fate, and your significance in the grand tapestry of this world.
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You earn Karma Points by:
– Defying fate (surviving certain death, breaking prophecies, saving marked-for-death individuals)
– Altering the narrative (introducing foreign knowledge or ideas from your old world)
– Major feats (defeating powerful foes, changing the course of a city, house, or nation)
– True moral decisions (sacrificing what you value, enacting immense good)
– Being a variable (affecting outcomes the world cannot predict)
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You can spend Karma Points to:
– Unlock locked system functions early
– Gain access to magic spells and techniques not taught in this world
– Unlock forbidden knowledge and ancient secrets
– Accelerate growth in specific disciplines or talents
– Influence outcomes tied to fate or destiny (high cost)
– Break or bind fate-threads, changing another's future
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[Note]: Karma is not experience.
It cannot be earned through repetition or farming.
Only consequence births Karma.
Only choice determines its weight.
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The glow of the panel dimmed, but the weight of its words lingered.
Karma wasn't something I could grind.
It came from changing the world.
From refusing to follow the script.
And if I gathered enough… I could unlock truths and spells even this world's most powerful mages had buried or forgotten.
Secrets, I thought, meant for no one—except the one who dares ask the right question.