Ether was the Universal Energy that flowed throughout the world.
To harness said power, one would have to develop their Ether Core, slowly cultivating their ether pool by constantly using the energy within the core.
The Ether Core was like an organ.
It required exercise.
The more the Ether within it was used, the bigger it would get and the purer the energy produced would be.
This was why constant practice was important.
It wasn’t just to get familiar with Techniques, but also to improve the flow of Ether in the body, ensuring a better control of this power.
However, training wasn’t the only way to gain power and advance in this realm.
There were monsters like Amara who simply had the talent. They had far greater Ether Pools when they first awakened and their growth rate was also incredible.
There were also Potions and Pills that could be taken to artificially boost the advancement of the Ether Core.
However, these supplements either had detrimental effects that accompanied them or their effectiveness reduced the more they were used on the body.
Meditation and Circulation techniques also existed to help improve the stability of the Ether Core, improving the quality, quantity, and overall flow of this Universal Energy.
These were all things taught in the Academy, so there was no way Rey knew about them.
At least... not in detail.
This was why Nobles would always have an edge over commoners in this world.
Not only were they taught and awakened at an earlier age, but they also had guaranteed access to the Academy, which improved their chances of reaching the upper echelon of society.
One’s potential was usually determined by birth, and there was very little one could do about it.
If you are born a Noble... your success is essentially guaranteed.
One need not look any further than Augustus as a great example. Although talentless, he had the resources to procure exceptional people as his servants, and he was still faring better than most people.
He had the luxury to even gamble.
One could only imagine the kind of privilege talented Nobles like Amara would have.
But none of that concerned Rey.
Not at the moment.
Because he was currently looking inward, sensing his Ether Core and the overflowing energy that swirled within his domain.
He was stunned.
’This... so much energy!’He wanted to exclaim to himself.
Within the dark vastness of his inner world, the Ether Core was like a blazing white sun.
Resplendent beyond description.
Ether Cores looked like a sphere of pure light, but they usually had several rings around them that shone with all kinds of colors.
These colors represented the aptitude of the individual, and there were usually at least two colors.
Most denizens of the Nether Realm had the murky dark purple color of Chaos Art, as well as one of the other five.
Order Art was an exception, though, since it heavily clashed with Chaos.
Hence...
They could either have the Silver color of Spirit Art, the Azure Color of Soul Art, the Emerald color of Null Art, or the Crimson color of Curse Art.
Some even had multiple!
As for Order Art, it had a brilliant bright golden lustre, the complete opposite of the eerie dark purple of Chaos Art.
Now... this was what applied for most people.
However, Rey was different.
He only had about four rings around his Ether Core, and they all had the purple dark lustre within them.
This meant his only aptitude was Chaos Art.
But he had long grown accustomed to this and had accepted this fact about himself, so he wasn’t too bothered.
What stunned him the most was the sheer size of his Ether Core.
As well as the number of rings around it.
’The larger the Core, the more rings are added. I read somewhere that some Ether Cores even begin to develop satellites or mini stars around them once they grow to an appropriate extent. I don’t know how true that is, but it’s not like I have anyone to ask such a personal question...’ He thought to himself.
He only previously had one ring around his Ether Core, but that number had quadrupled within the span of a day.
This was the miraculous effect of Amara’s Potion.
’That girl was certainly helpful...’ Rey smiled lightly, touching his abdomen with care.
Four rings.
That was enough to also reach Sequence 5 in any Technique.
With one ring, he was able to barely touch Sequence 6. Now that his Ether Pool had drastically increased, he felt confident in challenging a higher realm.
’The question is... how will I get access to Sequence 5 Techniques?’
The most straightforward way would be to ask his Master, but Rey wasn’t sure Augustus was that generous.
Besides, if he learned of what happened with him and Amara... What would he do?
Would he grow upset at Rey for taking such a valuable Potion? After all, he had never given Rey such a thing despite the latter proving himself many times over.
’I should also try to learn a new Technique. Having only the Inverse Technique is a little too predictable.’
Rey felt himself getting greedy.
How could he not be?
After witnessing Amara’s miraculous display of a Sequence 5 Technique, he couldn’t help but feel a deep hunger within him.
Especially now that he knew he had the capacity for such!
’But I know my limits...’ Rey smiled wryly, slightly shaking his head. ’Even though my Ether Core has experienced exponential growth, I am nowhere near Amara’s level yet. I wouldn’t be able to use Sequence 5 Technique to the same scale that she was able to, given the disparity in our abilities.’
Rey also knew that once he hit Sequence 5, he would have to plateau there for a long period.
Even someone like Amara only had a few Sequence 5 moves. These were trump cards that had immense power and usually covered a wide range, hence why a large Ether Pool was needed.
’I also wouldn’t be able to properly master any Technique in that Sequence for a while. Still, it’s worth trying out.’
Rey decided at that moment.
The next time he met his Master, he would ask for these things as a reward: a new Technique... and Sequence 5 of the Inverse Technique
********
"Hahaha! Sequence 5? You really have gotten bold!" Augustus laughed as he stared at Rey with deep amusement.
Rey was simply silent in his Master’s presence.
It was daytime, and he had just won a great victory in the Bi-Weekly Variety Event, so he had assumed his Master would be in the best mood to grant his request.
However, he was wrong
Augustus laughed at his words dismissively, almost as a parent would when their child made a ridiculous request.
"Sequence 5 is too much for you right now. Although I know Amara helped boost your capacity a little, do not presume that you are ready for something like that yet." Augustus’ chuckle began to fade, his expression growing sterner.
"Is that understood?"
"Yes, Master." Rey knew better than to argue with this man.
Besides, he already knew the chances were slim, to begin with. He simply decided to test his luck anyway.
Also...
"Tell me another thing you desire. As long as it is not absurd, I’ll see if I can grant it."
... Rey wanted to use this as an opportunity.
’By saying the most egregious one first, his expectations have been raised. All I have to do is ask for something a bit more palatable, and he will fold.’
Because of this, Rey decided this was the perfect moment to make his second request.
"A New Technique, Master. Please... have me learn another Technique besides Inverse."