Chapter 11: The Performance Spectra

Khamat spent the rest of the morning explaining Essence to Nozna. 

When consuming a Spectra's recipe, the body will undergo a transformation, assimilating Essence. The body will assimilate two types of Essence. Pure and Impure. The last stage of each advancement is the same, everyone's consciousness would enter what was called 'a Soul Dream'. The higher the Tier, the more freedom one would achieve in their own Soul Dream. The Soul Dream is an accumulation of events and scenes relating to the Spectra. It is also where every Arcan immediately learns of all their Arcan abilities. 

As for Nozna, it is likely he went through the Soul Dream as a baby and therefore had failed to retain any knowledge of his Arcan abilities.

When an Arcan has just advanced, their levels of pure and impure Essence are the same. They are at an equal balance. Over time, the amount of impure essence is converted into pure essence. An Arcan may only advance when their innate level of impure essence is sufficiently low. 

This is called full assimilation. Until it reduces to 0, there is still a chance of turning berserk during the advancement.

As an Arcan, one must monitor their essence levels at all times to prevent one of the two things from happening: Having fatally low levels of pure essence, or, the balance of Essence leaning heavily towards impure Essence. 

Both cases cause the Arcan to go berserk. 

Khamat made it clear that one can still go berserk even if they are fully assimilated, meaning they had no impure Essence. As long as one's pure Essence reaches zero, they are not safe from berserkness. 

In fact, no Arcan is safe from Berserkness.

Advancing up the tiers will repeat the same process again, assimilating more and more Essence. It is a long process. The higher the Tiers, the longer it takes to fully convert the Impure Essence into Pure Essence. It cannot be rushed. Though, some people do take shortcuts, advancing when their levels of impure Essence are still dangerously high. Of course, they mostly succumbed to berserkness. 

Khamat turned his head at Nozna.

"Judging by how much Essence you have, I suspect you are a Tier 8 Arcan, but a fully assimilated one. Of course, I can be wrong. Some fully assimilated Tier 8 Spectras possess almost the same amount of Essence as some newly advanced Tier 7 Spectras."

"I- I wouldn't know." Nozna shifted awkwardly.

Khamat gave him a small nod.

"The first step to controlling Essence is to feel it in your body."

"You need to sit up, straighten your back whilst trying to relax your body as much as you can. Lastly, close your eyes."

Nozna followed, his breath tight. Khamat's voice dropped slightly, his words seemed to carry a heavy weight.

"The very next step is extremely dangerous. For humans becoming a Tier 8 Arcan, they are usually advised to wait at least a week to a month before attempting to feel their Essence. Most official organisations keep them in quarantine to prevent the accidental usage of Arcan powers."

Nozna's body tensed up for a second, before remembering that he needed to be relaxed.

"Imagine the Arcan creature that you turn into during your nightmare."

Nozna hesitated, before following his instructions.

Gritting his teeth, he imagined himself turning into the black furred monster in his nightmare.

Upon visualising the scene, Nozna flinched, as if expecting rounds of excruciating pain. But nothing happened. It was just an imagination of the scene.

His jaws clenched even tighter.

"Now hold that imagination in your mind, become that creature, and try to release a strong emotion, it could be anything. Fear, sadness, happiness. Anything that is strong. You will feel a spark somewhere in your body."

"When you feel that spark, hold onto it. That is the Essence responding to your strengthened emotion whilst on the cusps of berserkness."

"When you grasp onto that spark, your body will begin to actually undergo berserkness, you will be in pain. When you start to feel pain, drag the spark around the edges of your body. Through all your fingers, through your head, your legs, your feet. Then leave the spark at your heart."

"You are controlling a single speck of Essence around your body to awaken the inner senses of your body to feel Essence."

"Once you leave the spark at your heart, your berserkness will subside. You feel a wave of cool air flush inside your body. Then you have achieved feeling Essence."

Nozna followed Khamat's instruction. He didn't want to use fear as a strong emotion. So he tried to think of his happiest memories. His birthday parties, his time at the tavern with his friends, his night talks with his father. 

Nothing. 

He dug deeper into his memories. Nozna began reminiscing about more specific events. When his father made him a new axe for his birthday. When Grant lost a bet and was forced to act like a shy princess for a whole day. The first time eating exotic deer stew with his father, the non-local deer meat and other spices was brought from a merchant passing through the village. 

These memories made Nozna happy. It made him very happy. 

But still nothing. The emotion wasn't strong enough.

Nozna's shoulders tensed as his brows furrowed. His concentration slipped, losing the image of the Arcan creature. 

"At ease," Khamat reassured, his voice was calm. "Try again."

Nozna exhaled shakily. Closing his eyes, he repeated his steps earlier. The joyful memories returned like flickering candles in the dark. He lingered on these memories for a while, his heart was filled with warmth. But the spark never came.

"Don't let fear control how you live. Let it control how you grow."

Trying to be as relaxed as possible, Nozna re-envisioned the two nightmares where he had seen and watched his father die.

The more he watched his father die, the scared Nozna became. The blood. His mangled corpse. The blood… his mangled corpse… The blood…

"Live with the fear, grow with it. When you are struck by fear, focus."

 Focus… focus…

The fear didn't fully subside, however, Nozna felt abnormally calm.

Still no spark.

He was being too calm. He needed to feel a strong emotion. Nozna breathed in heavily.

He tried again, reliving his fathers death in his nightmare. He watched as the teeth of the beast sunk into his father's torso. His father struggling helplessly.

Khamat studied Nozna in silence.

At some points, Nozna seemed to tremble, before turning still.

Continuing to watch Nozna, Khamat sent Tomir a mental message.

Tomir, Nozna is in the process of learning how to feel his Essence. It may take a while, go have lunch downstairs first.

Suddenly, Khamat's emerald eyes narrowed.

Nozna's skin began to swell. Not long after, black fur grew out of his skin. It wasn't too thick, in fact, it was quite thin. Parts of his body began to bulge out as tear marks began to form.

Pain erupted all over Nozna's body, but he began to feel it. The spark.

Whilst his whole body was in agony, a tiny portion in his stomach felt at peace. It felt warm and sizzling. Nozna attempted to grasp the spark, focusing his full mind on the spot of warmness.

Focus… focus… focus… focus…

Eventually, the spark seemed to tighten. Nozna tried dragging the spark around his body as instructed. The pain seemed to have numbed. Nozna was fully focused on moving the spark.

Surprisingly, it was easy. In no time, the spark had moved across his body. Anywhere it reached, the pain seemed to subside. 

Slowly, Nozna guided the spark back to his heart.

In the same moment, he felt his body change back to normal. A wave of coolness crashed over him like a blizzard in the summer heat. 

It was… a new feeling. He felt a mixture of warmth and coolness moving inside his body.

Nozna opened his eyes.

Khamat's smile greeted him. "Congratulations, Nozna. You have learnt how to feel Essence."

…

Tomir brought up lunch for Khamat and Nozna. The two plates resting on a wooden tray were identical. 

The meal included roasted mutton with boiled potatoes and carrots. 

Tomir set them down on the desk with a quiet nod before retreating as Khamat moved the desk closer to the bed for Nozna to reach his plate. 

As they ate, Khamat explained more about the organisation formally known as the Order of the Fallen Angels.

It was called the Fallen Angels for short. The leader of the organisation was a powerhouse known as the Absolute Darkness. Serving him were five 'Fallen Angels'. These six were the core of the organisation. The purpose of the Absolute Darkness is known only to the five 'angels', and they try their best to carry out his purpose. 

Each of the five 'angels' led a faction where each was evenly spread out across the continent. As far as Khamat knew, each of the 'angel's had their own personal purposes. As long as it didn't clash with the leader's aims, the 'angels' were allowed to use the organisation's resources for their own gain. 

There were a total of 6 factions within the organisation. The composition and number of teams were different between each faction.

The sixth faction had the purpose of training new Arcans. Normally, Nozna would head to the sixth faction to slowly learn how to use his Arcan powers. But due to his special spectra, it was better for Nozna to stay with Khamat.

It was a secret that had to be kept from as many people as possible. Khamat hadn't even told Tomir yet.

Khamat set his wooden fork down and looked directly at Nozna. "You are now part of my team, you may call me Captain."

Khamat's team consisted of eight Arcans, including himself and Nozna. They served under the Qamus faction which was led by the fifth 'Fallen Angel'. 

Khamat's team was in charge of heading to Bolman City for one purpose: Hunt down other secret organisations and spies that threatened the fragile peace between the Santoria Kingdom and Wingedor Empire. 

A war was looming, a war they had to prevent.

There's going to be war?

The six other members of Khamat's team had already arrived at Bolman City a month earlier, alongside two other teams from the Qamus faction. Khamat had stayed behind, delaying his departure to teach Tomir about Essence control.

"Nozna, it would be best if you can join us. We should leave as soon as possible." Khamat's tone was firm.

Nozna hesitated. "I want to stay here until next month… I want to take part in the Huntary."

Khamat didn't blink, his emerald eyes stood still. "The Huntary?"

"It's an annual hunting event."

Nozna paused. He told Khamat about his worries about this year's Huntary. He wants to be able to protect the village from the Arcan creature in the south of the forest. In case it attacks.

Silence fell between them.

"I will not allow you to do so." Khamat finally said.

Nozna stared at his captain, his heart sank.

Khamat added, his face was unreadable. "What will the village think when you subdue a Strange Beast alone? How will you explain it?"

Khamat's eyes remained fixed on Nozna.

"Since your village managed to escape two years ago, it must not be a strong Arcan beast. At most it is Tier 8. However, there is no telling how strong it is now, even with your priest's help, the Arcan creature may not be easy to take down."

Nozna contemplated in silence, his jaw clenched. Khamat had a point. It would raise questions if someone like Nozna could handle the beast when, two years ago, the Huntary participants only managed to escape, even with the help of the Arbiters. 

And what if the Arcan creature had gotten stronger?

Khamat suddenly rose from his chair, a hint of warmth touched the corner of Khamat's mouth. 

"That's why, we'll kill it before this year's Huntary."

Nozna looked up in shock.

Khamat's soft smile lingered. "We can also scout around the territory and eradicate any other Arcan creatures. This year's Huntary will be completely safe."

Nozna blinked. "B- But what if the Arcan creature had gotten stronger."

"As long as it is no stronger than a Tier 6 creature. Two years is not enough for the creature to advance to Tier 5. We will be able to handle it." Khamat paused. 

"We will leave once the creature is dead. As far as the village is concerned, you will have received a university offer from the two travellers scouting talent. You, Nozna, will join them in Bolman City to begin your studies."

Khamat grabbed a stack of sheets that were sitting on his desk. Near the stack were two empty plates. 

Handing the papers over to Nozna, Khamat explained.

"These are some papers I got from Mawisa this morning. I've filled it up with almost everything you need to know as an Arcan. You need to learn them all."

Accepting the papers, Nozna silently complained.

This is just like school again…

Nozna began flipping through each sheet, his eyes skimmed the countless lines of Santorian letters.

There was a lot to learn.

The sheets contained information about each of the 20 Arcan Spectras. 

Skimming over a few more pages, Nozna saw the content changed. Written on the sheets were now information of the continent's Kingdoms, their hierarchies, important figures, notable Arcans, their militaries, and their churches. 

Then on the last few pages were information about different secret organisations.

The Order of the Fallen Angel…

Delof Faction… Qamus Faction…

…Controls the Emotion, Theft, Assassin and Darkness Spectras.

Nozna was confused.

"Controlling Spectras?"

"Yes. Each Spectras has their own recipes, but these recipes are not public knowledge, even to the world of Arcan. Different organisations hold specific recipes for certain Spectras, and it is kept as a tightly guarded secret. This is known as being in control of a Spectra."

Nozna nodded. Seeming to understand.

"However, the term 'in control' is quite vague." Khamat explained. "Being in control of a Spectra usually means having up to the Tier 4 recipes of the Spectra. Some organisations may not be in control of a certain Spectra, but they may still have the recipes of the lower Tiers."

"So you're forced to join an organisation that is in control of your own Spectra?"

"No. You are not forced to."

Khamat explained. "Whilst it is recommended to do so, the choice is ultimately up to the individual. First, specific Spectras can be controlled by multiple different organisations, so you are not forced to be stuck with one choice."

"Second." Khamat paused. "Organisations can conduct trades, one organisation will receive the specific Arcan stone needed for an Arcan's advancement. The recipe is not exposed. In return, the other organisation will receive compensation. This compensation is up for that organisation to decide."

Nozna returned to the first few sheets and began reading about the different Spectras.

Knowledge, Violence, Darkness, Theft, Emotion, Flame, Storm, Moon, Earth, Death, Light, Health, Wealth, Martial, Order, Invention, Battle, Fortune, Plant and Performance. 

Nozna's eyes were attracted to a particular Spectra. He found it amusing.

The Performance Spectra…

Amused, Nozna read on.

Performance Spectra:

Recipe information: None

Tier information: Two Tier 8s, Two Tier 7s, One Tier 6, One Tier 5.

Tier 8: Singer, Flautist.

Singer - Uses singing and voice techniques to induce different effects over a wide area including drowsiness, purification, healing, temporary immobilisation and enhancing physical speed.

Flautist - Can conjure a flute, mental attacks and wind manipulation with the flute.

Tier 7: Musician, Dancer.

Musician - Able to conjure a wider range of instruments. Strings - Manipulate fire, Woodwind - Manipulate wind, Percussion - Manipulate earth, Brass - no information, likely not suited for battle.

Dancer - Enhanced flexibility, agility and physical strength. Can infuse different martial arts into a form of dance. Can leap up to 4 metres.

Tier 6: Jester.

Jester - Can conjure illusions, fooling all 5 senses of a target. Bind of Entertainment - Inviting a specific target to become their audience, any strong emotions felt by the audience will mean that the Jester's performance has been excellent. This ability causes a transfer of Essence from the target to the Jester. The audience will also become twofold more vulnerable to mind attacks.

Tier 5: Actor.

Actor - Once a target has been studied enough, an Actor can act as the Target, maintaining the Acting for up to a week at once. Every part of the target will be acted perfectly, from appearance to voice. 

No information on Tier 4 or above.

Nozna drew a quick breath.

Nozna decided to stop reading for now. There was too much to take in. The Arcan abilities of the performer Spectra was… powerful.

Seeing what Nozna was reading, Khamat spoke, his voice was low. "Arcans from the Performer Spectras are perhaps one of the most dangerous." 

Nozna looked up.

"Though their destructive power is not as strong as other Spectras, their abilities are very diverse and can be troublesome to face against."

Nozna nodded silently. He began flipping through a few more pages, reading over the characteristics of the other Spectras. However, Khamat did not have information on every Spectra. For example, there was no information on the Wealth Spectra. 

Nozna rubbed his temples. I am too young to be having headaches!

A sudden thought crossed his mind.

"By the way, you said earlier that you contacted people from our organisation. How did you contact them from so far away?"

For the first time in a while, a sliver of amusement crossed Khamat's face. Without a word, he reached into a small pouch on his desk and pulled out a small, flat stone.

Khamat held out the pebble-sized stone on his palm. It was smooth and dark. Across its surface, an intricate array of triangles and lines had been etched. 

As soon as the stone was exposed, Nozna felt a tug within his chest. He slowly felt threads of warmth unraveling from the inside of his body.

Khamat finally spoke.

"A message rune stone."