Essence and Lineage

Sophie's kitchen was bathed in a golden calm, lit only by the soft glow of floating lights hanging from the ceiling—small crystal orbs that ignited in response to presence. Dinner had just ended, and the dishes lay clean on the counter. Indra still held a few esoteric notes in his hands, admiring the subtle shimmer of the crimson seal from the Esoteric Society, until Sophie's voice brought him back to the present.

"Now that you understand the currency system, it's time we talked about the other thing we retrieved from the Dimensional Ring," she said, picking up the small translucent pill on the table.

She held the capsule as one would a sacred relic. It was pearly white, almost opalescent, with a faint mist swirling inside—as if a spiritual essence had been trapped there, suspended in time.

"This," Sophie began, staring at the pill, "is a Soul Nourishment Pill. As the name implies, it's meant to feed your soul. Not metaphorically—literally. It directly strengthens your energy, nourishes your Inner Core, and accelerates your growth as a Paranormal."

Indra watched her closely, his eyes still lit with wonder after learning he could manipulate energy and access interdimensional spaces with nothing but a ring. Yet now, he realized, the layers of the Other Side were growing more complex with each new revelation.

"Is this a common thing?" he asked.

"Yes and no," Sophie replied, rolling the pill between her fingers. "It's widely used, especially by beginners like you. But its crafting is highly refined—and there's only one truly reliable source: the Ye Clan."

Indra raised an eyebrow.

"The Ye Clan?"

"One of the Ten Mid-Tier Clans of the Esoteric Society," she explained. "They stand just below the Nine Great Clans—and far above the lesser ones. The Ye Clan is respected and feared because its members are born with a rare affinity: the Primordial Spirit of the Soul attribute."

"Primordial Spirit…?" Indra interrupted, still digesting the words.

Sophie raised her hand with a knowing smile.

"Hold on. That'll be covered in your classes with Professor Carl. You'll learn all about it during your first cycle on Soul Doctrine and Spiritual Structure. For now, just know that some Paranormals are born with deeply ancient, nearly mystical spiritual ties. They call it a Primordial Spirit—an ancestral root that shapes how their energy interacts with the world."

Indra nodded slowly, tucking that knowledge away for later.

Sophie stood and walked to a small shelf above the sink, retrieving a blue glass vial with a metal cap. She returned to the table, sat across from Indra, and set the vial beside the pill.

"But you can't just swallow it and expect results," she said seriously. "You need a Soul Refinement Technique. Without one, most of the pill's energy will disperse—or worse: overload your Inner Core and damage your spiritual structure."

Indra straightened up, now completely focused.

"Refinement techniques… are they like spells?"

"Not quite. They're esoteric methods developed over centuries to channel the pill's energy directly into your core. Some techniques are public, taught in academies, but…" —she paused, locking eyes with him— "the best ones belong to the clans."

"The so-called Lineage Techniques?" Indra guessed.

Something Professor Carl had once mentioned.

Sophie smiled, clearly impressed.

"Exactly. Unique techniques passed down through bloodlines, only fully effective for those with matching spiritual lineage."

Indra leaned back slightly, absorbing the weight of that statement.

"So someone like me…"

"…can start with a public technique," Sophie finished. "There's nothing wrong with that. I started that way too. What matters is learning to direct your energy consciously, carefully, and safely. Your Inner Core is still forming, and that's the most critical phase."

She tapped the table lightly with one finger, releasing a small wave of bluish energy that shimmered like a breeze before fading. Subtle—but intense.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Academy's Core to register your official affiliation. You'll get access to the Basic Techniques Manual, which includes safe Soul Refinement Techniques for beginners. Once you've mastered one…" —she nudged the pill toward him— "you'll be ready to use this."

Indra picked up the capsule gently, as if it were a piece of living soul.

"How much does one of these cost?"

Sophie laughed.

"Don't worry about that right now. I bought this one for you. Consider it a gift… or an investment," she added with a wink.

Indra smiled, though deep inside he felt a swirl of gratitude—and responsibility.

"What if I mess up? What if I waste it?"

Sophie walked to the kitchen door. Before heading out, she turned and said with gentle certainty:

"The soul can be fragile, Indra… but it's also resilient. Only those who never try truly break. And you…" —her dual-colored eyes shone— "you were born to try the impossible."

With that, she vanished upstairs, leaving Indra alone, still staring at the Soul Nourishment Pill in his hand.

The night on the Other Side was wrapping around him ever deeper.

And his soul… felt hungry.

---

Indra held the small Soul Nourishment Pill between his fingers like it was worth more than gold. The whitish capsule pulsed faintly to his touch, as if it had life. Its energy was calm—but deep, like the bottom of a lake without end. There was something comforting about the object—something unnamed, something that touched a part of him long neglected.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and with his newly acquired skill, visualized the inner space of his Dimensional Ring. The vortex opened easily, and within seconds, the pill vanished from his hand—safely stored in the personal dimension now bound to his finger. He exhaled, pleased with his growing control. He was starting to enjoy this—using Qi, touching the invisible.

He turned toward the wide staircase leading to the second floor. The old wood creaked softly beneath his feet, warmly familiar. The golden glow of a nearby lamp cast long shadows along the walls, bathing the house in an almost dreamlike aura.

He placed one foot on the first step… and then stopped.

"Wait a sec… what room?" he thought, frowning.

He'd spent the previous night in Sophie's room, but now that the chaos and emotions had settled, a very practical question surfaced: did he even have a room in this house?

He looked up. The stairs vanished into a dim hallway with several closed doors. He had no idea which one, if any, was his.

Before he could decide whether to ask or explore, a presence appeared at the top of the stairs. The warm glow of a wall sconce outlined a feminine figure against the dark hallway.

It was Sophie.

She stood there in a black robe that flowed down her curves, slightly open at the side, revealing a soft sliver of thigh and the subtle curve of her waist. Her heterochromatic eyes—normally so commanding—now avoided his gaze, almost shy.

For a moment, Indra thought she might simply pass through the hall. But then she cleared her throat, as if mustering the courage to say something.

"Um… yeah…" she began, arms crossed lightly, eyes on the railing. "I… think I forgot to show you a room. Yesterday was kind of… chaotic."

Indra smiled, amused.

"No problem. I mean, I'm in your house, remember? Not exactly paying rent."

She rolled her eyes at him, as if she'd expected that kind of reply.

Silence hung between them. Then Sophie bit her lower lip, hesitant. Her shoulders eased, and with a tone somewhere between playful and sheepish, she said:

"Well… if you want… you can sleep in my room again. Just so you're not alone, you know? The house is kind of big… and weird at night."

As she spoke, she gently tugged at the sash of her robe, already loose. It slipped slightly lower on her shoulders, revealing a glimpse of collarbone and a delicate strap of something Indra didn't even get the chance to identify.

His eyes widened for a split second—but he held himself back. He was starting to learn that with Sophie, the unexpected was routine.

"Are you trying to seduce me or just afraid of the dark?" he asked with a crooked smile.

"Both?" she replied, half-laughing, half-hiding behind her tousled hair.

Indra took a deep breath, trying to keep control. But deep down, he knew he'd accepted the invitation the moment she appeared at the top of the stairs.

"All right," he said, climbing the steps calmly. "But you'll have to share the blanket."

"I've got two," she said, turning to lead him toward the room.

With soft footsteps, the two disappeared down the hall. The door clicked shut behind them with barely a sound.

What happened beyond that point?

That remains a whisper between old walls and the shadows of a newly shared home.

And maybe… that's for the best.

---

Morning sunlight slipped gently through the window shutters, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. The only sound was the calm breathing of two bodies close together, warmed by a night shared. Indra was the first to wake, caught between dream and waking. The carved wooden ceiling above was unfamiliar, and for a moment, he remembered: he was in another world. Literally.

He turned his head. Beside him, Sophie slept on her stomach, messy hair cascading over her bare shoulders. Her expression was peaceful—almost serene. Indra smiled, a mix of awe and disbelief. Hard to believe this was the same woman who had saved him, guided him—and surprised him time and again with her strength, intelligence… and that rare, unpredictable charm.

He didn't want to wake her. But after three quiet steps away from the bed, a sleepy, raspy voice broke the silence behind him:

"Running off before making breakfast?"

He turned, surprised, to find Sophie's mismatched eyes half-open, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

"I was gonna make you coffee, boss," he chuckled.

"Mmh… I'll take it. But only after you shower. You reek of residual energy."

They both took showers—separately, to avoid delays… and distractions. After getting dressed in comfortable, light clothing, they headed downstairs. The kitchen had a rustic charm: copper utensils hung neatly, old pots gleamed, and the wood-burning stove housed subtle esoteric tech.

While slicing fruit and preparing eggs and toast, their conversation flowed easily.

"I think we should head to the Academy Core today," Sophie said, stirring a pan. "You'll need a copy of the Basic Techniques Manual. That's where you'll start building your Magic Veins and, more importantly, your Inner Core."

Indra raised a brow.

"Like the 'dantian' from cultivation novels?"

"More or less," she laughed. "Here we call it the Inner Core. But the concept is similar."

"Sounds important."

"It is. Without Magic Veins, you can't circulate energy. Without an Inner Core, you can't store it. And without both… you're just an Apprentice. Not much better than the bigger predators out there."

Once breakfast was ready, they sat and ate in quiet comfort. Sophie seemed more reserved than usual, occasionally casting discreet glances at Indra—as if still adjusting to his presence in the house. He didn't say much either. Partly because he was still processing everything… and partly because he liked the feeling of this new rhythm.

After eating and tidying up, they left the house. It was still early. Classes at the Academy wouldn't begin for a few hours—plenty of time to visit the Core.

The streets of the Royal Borough were already alive with morning activity, but calmer than usual. The sky was clear, and the sun reflected off enchanted rooftops that shifted color subtly in the light.

Curious as always, Indra asked:

"Sophie, that Ye Clan that makes the Soul Nourishment Pills… they're originally Chinese, right?"

She nodded without breaking stride.

"Yes. The Ye are descendants of an ancient lineage that settled here centuries ago. One of the few clans that fiercely preserved their Eastern traditions."

"Makes sense. I saw a guy at the Academy… looked like he walked straight out of a Xianxia novel. White robes, hair tied up, and that 'I shall judge you with my ancient honor' vibe."

Sophie laughed.

"That's Ye Chen. Heir to the Ye Clan. Said to be the greatest genius of his generation. Among the Ten Mid-Tier Clans, the Ye are considered the strongest—and he's their crown jewel."

Indra raised an eyebrow.

"He already a Master?"

"Mid-tier Master, according to rumors. While most heirs of the Nine Great Clans are still low-tier Masters… and heirs of the Ten Mid Clans are usually just high-level Specialists at best."

"So he's ahead of the curve."

"Way ahead," Sophie said, now serious. "He's honorable, traditional, deeply loyal to his clan's roots… but also fiercely competitive. A prodigy who knows he's a prodigy. People like that don't usually like surprises."

Indra got the hint.

"Best to keep my distance?"

"For now, yes. Not just from him, but from any heir of the Mid or Great Clans. They live on a level you can't even grasp yet, Indra."

She glanced at him.

"But that can change," she added. "With the talent you've shown… if you take things seriously, work hard… who knows? Maybe one day, you won't need to stay out of their way."

Indra looked ahead. The Esoteric Academy was already looming in front of them, with its towering black marble arches, floating symbols, and that ever-present whisper of power in the air.

He smiled, feeling a quiet, rising fire ignite within him.

"Then let's begin."

"Let's," Sophie said, returning the smile. "But only if you promise not to punch anyone your first week."

"No promises," he said, already stepping through the Academy gates.

And so, the first true steps on the path of power were taken.