Energy Quintessence was considered to be the first craft of every Energy Refiner. Depending on how polished one's Energy Quintessence, the Energy Refiner would be benefiting from it in terms of the flow of Dimensional Energy and the speed at which one could refine those energy swimming in his Energy Channels
Whether it was someone artificially-made through a lab or those that awakened by themselves as well as those born from Energy Refiners themselves, they would all refine and craft their Energy Quintessence as their first step into being truly called as Energy Refiners.
However, according to the norm, although every Energy Refiner could craft their Energy Quintessence, almost everyone would be filled with imperfections. Imperfections that would slowly be mended as an Energy Refiner progressed at refining Dimensional Energy and using it for oneself.
That's why seeing a flawless spherical Energy Quintessence, even the most confident Tyrant Princess was tongue-tied and dumbstruck.
The two women stared at it for more than five minutes without even uttering any word.
"Is there something wrong with having a spherical Energy Quintessence?" Aldrin wondered.
He was but a newcomer in the world of Energy Refiners. All he had was basic knowledge he learned from school that didn't have detailed information about Energy Refiners.
"This. How did you awaken? And how did you forge this?" Janet raised her head and stared intently at Aldrin. Her previous playful attitude was gone with the wind.
While scratching his cheek, Aldrin replied, "How? I have no idea. I only felt a flood of Dimensional Energy filling my body which eventually gathered at that spot. At first, it was soothing enough for anyone to feel too comfortable in it, however, as soon as its shape took form, I was racked with unimaginable pain that I ended up losing consciousness."
Without mentioning that he was basked by Dimensional Energy through his phone or computer monitor, Aldrin descriptively narrated what he felt yesterday.
Janet fell in contemplation for a while before switching her gaze to the woman beside her.
"Show him, Renissa."
After saying that, Janet asked Aldrin to step down the circular plate and had Renissa take his place.
Although a bit confused by their reaction, that allowed Aldrin to pick up that his Energy Quintessence was out of the ordinary.
Curiously, Aldrin watched as Renissa underwent the same process he did.
A few moments later, the holographic image of her body popped out on the rectangular control panel clutched by Janet.
And because they're on the topic of Energy Quintessence, Aldrin's eyes instantly moved to stare at the obvious suspended object below Renissa's navel where her Energy Channels were all connected.
"A prism?"
He's not expecting to see a sphere like his but seeing a prism before his eyes made Aldrin pause.
However, upon his careful observation, Aldrin noticed that the shape of the prism was irregular.
"Correct. That's the initial state of most Energy Quintessence. And as you can see, although it looked like a prism, the bases were not actually symmetrical. The shape is too irregular to actually call it a prism. It's a lot better to classify it as a complicated polyhedron."
"Now, I don't know much about geometry but what's the difference between having an Energy Quintessence shaped like that and my spherical Energy Quintessence?"
"For one, the flow of Dimensional Energy inside your Energy Quintessence will definitely be smoother than Renissa's. Furthermore, you will be able to easily regulate the refined energy in your body. Even if you're a newly awakened Energy Refiner, once you are enlightened in a Concept, you will not experience that." Janet explained and pointed at Renissa's icy-blue hair that was still emitting a cold breeze.
Upon hearing that, Aldrin thought about his experience from yesterday. Forget Renissa's surprise that he had already enlightened himself with a Concept, just the activation of it was too smooth. He could guess that it was probably not that easy for Renissa to actualize her Icy Breeze Concept especially when her refined energy was leaking through her hair.
'So, it's because of my spherical Energy Quintessence?'
"That's the reason why it's surprising to see a spherical Energy Quintessence like yours. In any case, Renissa will gradually morph her Energy Quintessence to accommodate the flow of energy smoothly." Janet continued. "But it's not unique. This just means that you have the edge during your early days as an Energy Refiner. Somewhere along the lines of being an Energy Refiner, Energy Quintessence will just be one part of a whole mechanism. Now then... you've totally invoked my curiosity. Let's go and test your combat capability."
Still devoid of her earlier teasing behavior, Janet then turned around and pushed another button from the control panel.
Psssshh!
A few steps behind the reception desk where she was stationed and next to a pillar supporting the building, the floor aesthetically opened as stairs leading below could be seen.
As soon as it opened, Janet walked towards it and gestured for them to follow.
"Don't be nervous. It's just a virtual simulation room. You will still move using your body but everything that you will see isn't real. However, pain receptors would be attached to you so... be prepared of feeling the pain of getting hit." Renissa, under the impression that he's fidgety because of what will happen, explained while they followed behind Janet.
At this point, Aldrin's view of Renissa had once again gone up another level.
Not only she saved him or them yesterday, but she also kept a secret of his without even being envious of his feats. She even generously gave him her share of income from the Rift Monster they killed.
Even though money wasn't a problem for him now thanks to the IDLE Database, it's the thought that counts.
If this was during their high school days, he would most likely think that Renissa likes him. But this time, he could attribute it to their relationship as former classmates or friends. With people like Oliver existing, Renissa's thoughtfulness over his situation was truly a welcome one.
In this way, the thought of helping her if ever she needed help in the future was raised in his list of priorities.
"How was the result of your combat assessment?"
"Me? The result was Attack-type. That's why I picked Icy Breeze as my first Concept. I can use it freely like imbuing my katana or creating a breeze cold enough to freeze the surrounding air."
Now that he thought about it, if her Concept was just the Icy Breeze, its application was seemingly universal compared to his Shadow Clone.
'Do I need to deepen my understanding of my Shadow Clone to become aware of its other applications?' Aldrin thought. However, he instantly dropped the idea. A clone is a clone, there's nothing hidden beneath it. And Renissa's breeze was just a breeze that could freeze anything or something. Imbuing it in her katana only gave it that cold property.
"I see. I wonder what my result will be." He wondered as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
The first thing he noticed was the computer panels that Janet had already turned on as well as the empty room beyond the glass wall. There's a door to the side that would lead to that empty room.
Obviously, that's the Virtual Simulation Room.
"Remember, don't show your Concept. It's already surprising with your spherical Energy Quintessence, you'll be in for more than just small attention if they find out about it."
"I understand, mom."
With an expression as if she was betrayed by someone she trusted, Renissa muttered, "Aldrin, I thought you're my friend."
"Sorry, I can't help it. But thanks for the reminders. I owe you a lot by now."
"Don't mention it. I will be out of this city later. Treat this as my gift to you." Renissa waved her hand in front of him followed by a captivating smile.
"As I thought. Whoever will be able to capture your heart will be one lucky guy." Aldrin rephrased what he said earlier at the café.
"There you go again. If Janet hears you, she will start teasing us again. Go on and complete your assessment."
Renissa went behind him and pushed him on the back, successfully hiding her flustered face because of that... compliment.
A few minutes of explanation from Janet later, with some kind of a device attached to his shoulder as well as sword and gun in both of his hands, Aldrin entered the Virtual Simulation Room.
"Ready. Start!"
As soon as he reached the middle of the room, Janet's firm voice served as the signal to start Aldrin's Combat Assessment.
Along with a buzzing sound, the ceiling lit up, illuminating the whole room before lights congregated on one spot as one holographic figure rose from the ground. It's a faceless man holding onto a sword.
Without any warning, the man lunged with his sword towards Aldrin!
Instead of training dummies, he was faced with an actual simulated opponent.