Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

Three people sat down with pale pained expressions on their faces as an eccentric looking man with alternating black and white floating before them smirking. Of course, who else could this be except Kaiden, Kairo, Kriishna, and Latahhya. Once again, Kairo was putting them through the horror known as his training.

However, this training didn't involve the circulation of energy but rather the manipulation of energy. Kaiden's trio was now experiencing using will to shape energy. That's right, they were actively influencing the shape energy and not trying to absorb the energy.

This idea proved to be many folds more difficult than circulation as this incorporated immense amounts of will. Furthermore, this relied heavily on the concept of visualization which was a vague concept that people with limited imaginations could never advance upon.

Visualization was based on the concept of using mental energy to shape the way an animate object acts. For example, when used on energy—the properties you visualize will be projected onto the structure of the energy. If you visualize a drill, the energy with form a sharp, concise, spiral—intent on piercing. Following this principle, Kaiden was attempting to project the image of a shield on the ambient energy.

Unfortunately, this was proving to be fruitless—the energy was creating negligible reactions. However, Kairo didn't intervene as this was another simple test that Kairo was performing. He wanted to quantify the depths of Kaiden's comprehension ability.

Furthermore, Kairo was trying to offer as little help as possible because only through experiencing frustrations and overcoming them can one m.a.t.u.r.e their mindset. Kairo was aware of Kaiden's irrational temper and it was something he would need to learn to channel into strength instead of a hindrance.

'This is so much more difficult than influencing energy to gather inside my body!'

Kaiden's countenance became slightly frustrated as he was spending hours with no visible progress in Energy Manipulation. He was using his Will, however, the Energy wasn't forming what he wanted or even forming at all for that matter.

Kriishna was no better as his eyebrows were bunched together as they furrowed and his lips elevated into a frown. There was even a vein pulsing at his temple symbolizing the strain he was inflicting on his body.

As for Latahhya, she just sat next to Kaiden with furrowed eyebrows as her body trembled distinctly. None of these 3 understood the basis of Energy Manipulation.

"Agh! I have been trying for hours and the Energy won't budge? What is going on! I can influence energy to sustain me but it won't form anything!" complained Kaiden as he huffed.

It was easy to manipulate small tendrils of energy to enter their bodies. He had yet to realize the amount of energy 1 tendril provided was immense when compared to his small Energy capacity. With that being said, the difference in supplying himself and supplying a construct was like heaven and earth.

It took 25 thread-like tendrils of Energy entering Kaiden to restore his Inner Energy to capacity. In contrast, 25 thread-like tendrils combined would create a construct no larger than a pencil. What would a pencil defend against? An F grade? A looseleaf paper? No no, must be an eraser.

Rubbing his extensive beard, Kairo chuckled, "Oh? I have a question for you lads and you too lass. When a child walks what do they do?"

"Uh...they...err they take one step at a time unsteadily." answered Kaiden.

"Precisely! Therefore, don't fret and take it ONE step at a time.", expressing emphasis on one, Kairo hoped the trio would get the message and execute this technique properly.

'One at a time? What does this mean!? I am doing it one step at a time. I'm invoking my will, projecting my will, and visualizing the shape of the construct. What am I missing here?'

Stumped, Kaiden contemplated the words of Kairo as he continued to try materializing a shield of Energy.

'One step at a time? One step at a time… One step...Time...one…'

Kaiden began mentally breaking down the guidance of Kairo into words. Furthermore, he categorized the words with the information he knew about Energy.

'This feels incomplete...terribly incomplete. What's missing? Are there more auxiliary concepts to manipulating external energy?'

'Energy Control is the complete structure. The substructures learned is Visualization. Visualization is needed to perform Energy Assimilation but...it's lacking. What is it that Kairo wants us to understand?'

Once again Kaiden was engrossed in an enlightened state, his brain began processing information at an o.b.s.c.e.n.e level that left the realm of human capability.

'!! I think I understand now...Kairo's emphasis on one means that I am a beginner in the ways of manipulating energy, therefore, take one type of energy for use at one time.'

'With that being, I said I want to form a shield and many Elements can form a shield. However, water would prove to be the most ideal shield. If it was Earth, I would focus more on a wall type of shield.'

Focusing, Kaiden attempted to achieve the state to perceive only Water Energy. Within this intertwined mess of Energy, Kaiden struggled to extrapolate the Water Energy. However, in small increments—sure enough, he was able to perceive the Water Energy. Although, he was struggling to influence them to combine.

'It's still lacking...another step is still lacking to combine them...they aren't resonating with each other. Wait...resonating...Resonance! That's another part—I need to resonate with the element!'

'Water...what is the property of water? It is engulfing, it is fluid at the same time it is inherently shapeless unless contained.'

Slowly, Kaiden's aura began resonating with the particles of Water Energy albeit not on a grand scale.

Kairo nodded in approval as he stroked his beard, 'Oh? This lad is getting it, now manifest the prospects of your aura to take shape and you will understand the complete principle of Energy Assimilation.'

"Lad, project your resonance onto your visualization and in turn do the reverse on the connection."

'The connection is there, I can feel the Energy subtly resonating with me. I just need to do something with it...I visualized a shield but now I need to project the idea of my visualization on it…'

This process while on paper sounded quite simple; this all relied on one thing—the submission of the Energy to a certain degree. You had to provide enough influence to coax the Energy to fall under your control.

'This process doesn't feel like visualization but rather...hmm? Ah! It must be called Manifestation—because this scenario requires me to visualize the properties of water and project it on the prior visualization. Let's test this theory.'

1 minute...10 minutes...1 hour…

Time passed as Kaiden constantly refined the mental image and attributed the concept of water to it. In the end, he visualized the image of a sphere of water shielding him. But trying this he was absolutely horrified.

Creating 1/10th of the shield created a headache so intense his head droned. The superimposed use of Visualization and Manifestation tanked his Concentration—his willpower became faulty.

Furthermore, Kairo didn't conjure any Mist of Life's Embrace (this is the name of the technique Kairo used to immediately rejuvenate Kaiden). He was completely limiting his output of energy—for he must last until the end of Kaiden's training.

Recovering his state manually, Kaiden g.r.o.a.n.e.d as he stretched his body.

"I understand the premise of Energy Assimilation now but... it's just so taxing. I couldn't even complete 1/10th of the shield without blacking out. Why is it so demanding to influence the external when compared to the internal?

"Young lad you have just answered your question, the external world was built upon Laws and you simply don't hold enough internal strength to counteract those laws on a massive scale. At most, you can only manipulate the fragile Laws at this moment. Keep practicing, as with everything—repetition breeds mastery."

Nodding with a bitter smile, Kaiden once again took up the form to perform Energy Assimilation. With this, hours passed as Kaiden reached the point of exhaustion multiple times. Additionally, Kaiden took a brief break to log out as he was alerted with a system message.

[System: Supplemental tank of your GRVIP has been emptied to continue playing at optimal levels, please refill.]

Logging out, the hatch to his GRVIP opened as Kaiden exited.

"Ughhhhh…"

Stretching, Kaiden's joints crackled as his body felt like it contained more strength in his cells.

"Ah so, training with Kairo does in fact increase the rate of energy consumption and in turn, the results are bolstered."

Clenching his hand, Kaiden's knuckles made a minute popping noise.

"Now I just need to find a way to get a hold of 'Inhuman Control' training methods. It's useless if everything increases in magnitude but I am unable to wield it. I need to be able to increase my adroitness with this."

Sitting in bed for a moment, Kaiden took a moment to close his eyes and in that slight amount of repose. Kaiden subconsciously performed Inner Vision and what Kaiden saw left him shocked beyond belief.

There were 3 masses residing inside his head, one looked like a normal brain. The second looked like a mirror of his brain just slightly more complicated and covered in a blinding blue light. The last mass was a cl.u.s.ter of grey surrounded by what seemed like chains made of golden snakes.

'GASP!'

Taking a deep gasp Kaiden's eyes flew open as he hyperventilated slightly, 'What...WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!

Unable to come up with a conclusion Kaiden, refilled the supplement injection tank with Grade 5 VitaShakes and once again logged back in World's Destiny.

Back in the Forgotten Anomaly Realm…

"We will continue this until your energy control and will are enough to conjure a complete energy construct. After all, this is only the external portion. What would you do in an area void of usable energy or one where the energy was transported elsewhere?"

As Kairo said this Kaiden trembled, 'How could I forget about learning the internal counterpart?'

"As for now, that is enough. Any more will needlessly fatigue your mind. Things must be done in moderation or it could produce hidden issues.", said Kairo.

Acting accordingly, Kaiden ceased training and instead rose to leave the Forgotten Anomaly Realm.

Back in Crescent Wake Town…

[System: The renovation of the Lunar Essence Mansion has been completed.]

[System: The renovation of the unnamed building has been completed.]

[System: The renovation of the unnamed building has been completed.]

Delighted, Kaiden canceled the notifications as he first attended to the 'Lunar Essence Mansion' as it held precedence. He needed to confirm the plans were followed to the T.

Walking through the now bustling streets of Crescent Wake, Kaiden once again felt this faint ominous feeling creeping upon his rear.

Turning abruptly, Kaiden began scrutinizing his surroundings, however, he found nothing out of the ordinary and could only frown.

'I know I felt something…'

Unknown to Kaiden in an inn nearby, a room was leaking dense killing intent, "We will soon make our move soon—not yet. Preparations aren't fully complete."

Reaching the inner gates of the Lunar Essence Mansion, Kaiden was impressed by the overall changes that took place inside. The once b.a.r.e inside was now heavily equipped with furniture, training dummies, etc.

'They did well, with this Residence the guild takes another step forward. With that being said, it's time to call in the members.

Announcing in the group chat, Kaiden told all 201 members to convene at the coordinates of the guild residence.

In due time, many members with gawking expressions and awe-stricken countenances stood before the grand gates. They were giddy with excitement as they were waiting for the orders, so they could charge through the gates at moment's notice.

"From this point on, this will be our first Guild Residence for you guys to connect and understand each other, as well as better yourselves. With that being said, come in."

The gates to the majestic mansion flew open and the members pooled inside. The moments the gates opened a system announcement blared.

[Sanctoria World System Announcement-

Congratulations to the guild "Ethereal Conviction" for opening the first Guild Residence. Rewarding 20,000 Guild Experience, 1,000 Guild Reputation, and 100 Guild Popularity.

[System: Your Guild Residence is now under the 7-day protection period. It advised that you bolster defenses as much as possible in this time frame.]

'Oh...crap…'

In that inn...

"Hmph, the nail that sticks out too much will be hammered down. You think your ascension through the guild ranks will be easy? Laughable."

-----

Standing in front of the first building, Kaiden named it the 'Rising Comet Residence'. Moving along, Kaiden arrives at the next stop on the real estate train.

The building bordering on both the commercial and town square area was named the 'Ethereal Comet Shop'.

'Perfect, now the journey begins!'