A New World, An Immersive Game Experience

"What is lifeforce?" Jumping to a far harder question, Eldrian hoped he could finally get an answer to this question. And, for once, the one he was asking did not shy away.

"Lifeforce is... It is hard to explain it since humans have yet to develop the vocabulary for its existence. You can consider it a substance that does not take up space and collects within those who have consciousness."

"We do not know why it gravitates to conciousness. Our leading theory is because of the observer effect. That for it to exist, it must be observed."

"It must experience life to have meaning, to become interactive. Without life, it is simply a motionless, powerless, massless, invisible, noninteractive. Thus, we dubbed it lifeforce. For only with life does it present its existence."

Scratching his head, Eldrian only got half of that. However, he knew he wouldn't understand the answers to all his questions. But he still wanted to hear them.

"What does that mean?" He asked, hoping for a simpler answer.

"Basically, it is a source of energy that gathers towards observers —those with a will— and can be influenced by their thoughts. However, using the energy itself is extremely difficult due to its intractable state. Luckily, there is another substance that is influenced by it and is far more flexible. Mana."

"Like lifeforce, mana is massless and noninteractive to all normal matter—this does not hold when mana gathers and collects in large quantities, but that is a special phenomenon and has its own set of rules."

"The important part is that upon coming into contact with lifeforce, the state of mana is altered. Allowing people to bring it into form through simple thoughts. This is the basics of magic. Mana takes on the form of your thoughts because of the influence lifeforce has on it."

"I think I get it..."

—

A few hours passed quickly as Eldrian asked and listened. Ending up getting a very detailed and confusing science lesson. Two joined the conversation around when the science lesson started. Between the two of them, they maybe understood a third of what Ziraili explained, even with her dumbing things down for them.

While enlightened, Eldrian doubted the discussion so far would be of much help immediately.

"Then, auras are evolutions of lifeforce that act directly on the environment? Instead of using mana as an intermediary?"

"Yes."

"But why does it not consume lifeforce when I rely on them? Spirit magic at least consumed the emotions I have, but auras enhance them."

"It is precisely because they enhance them. An aura is a unique ability, talent, or connection with lifeforce. Allowing the person channeling it to tap into the power of the most fundamental part of magic. A part that supersedes even space and time itself."

"However, that power comes at certain risks and restrictions. For one, traveling through time, at least towards the past, is not possible. Alternating the flow of time, on the other hand, is quite simple. Successfully doing so without destroying your surroundings, however, is not as easy."

This comment reminded Eldrian of when everything changed and he had to run for his life. When he had unconsciously done just that. He was sure she mentioned this not because of his auras, but his bloodline power.

"The reason why tapping into an aura doesn't drain your lifeforce, but rather transforms it into the form of the aura and multiplies its intensity, is because you aren't tapping into the force. You are giving in to it."

"The first step to master your aura is to master your emotions, not because this will allow you to control it. Imagine a gate holding back the water from a dam. Control of your emotions allows you to open or close it, but you won't be able to regulate the flow. Such a basic control is far too weak to impact the flow."

Nodding, Eldrian understood that part. He almost always lost himself in his auras, but he could -if he remained conscious and aware- stop using them. This, at the very least, allowed him to not completely lose control, but he couldn't call that in itself control.

"Now, as for why it does not consume any lifeforce, the answer is simple—by giving in to an aura, you empower your effect as an observer. You become closely connected to lifeforce, and thus draw in the energy that surrounds you. It becomes fuel for the aura, which in turn overwhelms your mind and attempts to convert all you are into it."

"You're making it sound extremely dangerous." Eldrian half jokingly half seriously noted.

"That is because it is that dangerous. This is why so few people ever live to gain control of their auras. Most become consumed by them, ending up little more than a vessel of uncontained emotions."

Silence settled as Eldrian let that sink in. He always knew it was dangerous, but never in such certain terms.

"But what of the ice aura? It isn't emotional in state. And what of other auras, like an aura that heals those around you?"

"Tranquility leads to one abandoning emotions, instead of being ruled by them. This, however, is not a positive thing. Imagine having no emotions. You care for nothing, you fear nothing, nothing means anything to you. Life loses all meaning."

"You do not keep your interests, because they become meaningless. You do not become more focused, because why would you? You become something akin to a living painting. Experiencing the world without living it."

Shivers ran down Eldrian's spine as he listened to that explanation. It was frightening, to say the least. He would much prefer being consumed by rage, that why you at least still lived.

"And the other aura you spoke of is not the same thing. An aura healing or empowering those around you is one of the abilities of the boss class monsters—they have the title of Alpha or Omega. It isn't an aura that connects with lifeforce, but rather just a magical talent that affects those around it—thus it is also named an aura."

"Why the heck are wrath and tranquility named auras then?" Eldrian knew he could influence those around him. He recently unlocked that ability, but if that wasn't the source of its name, then why make things confusing?

"That aura refers to the atmosphere you feel when interacting with someone. Their aura."

'Huh, so it's the vibe someone gives versus an actual aura...'

—

A while later, after asking a few more things and clarifying how he should go about training his auras, Eldrian asked, "Can you show me the situation of the kingdom? My map is limited by XP costs, and I don't want to lose levels."

"I already have done plenty the others will be mad about, so I do not see why not. In fact, this is also something you can unlock within the Fort Phoenix..." Ziraili paused, "You will have to allow me to gather some magic for this."

Eldrian realized the danger in allowing this, but he doubted Ziraili would use the opportunity to attack him. Not after taking her time to explain everything to him. If she went that far to trick him, then he'd accept being tricked.

"Sure, go ahead." Mentally opening a path for her to access her powers, Eldrian felt a foreign enemy penetrate the edge of his soul.

The feeling immediately sent him on guard, but Ziraili did not act aggressively. So he calmed his beating heart by taking several deep breaths. Despite nothing keenly, just how overwhelming that energy was.

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