Chereads / N O V A / Chapter 23 - Chapter 21 - Treasures Explained

Chapter 23 - Chapter 21 - Treasures Explained

Obo: "Because we're already at the mission site, I'll have to give you a crash course in treasure control. Ever since birth, you've been subconsciously keeping your treasure under control. However, if anyone else were to receive your treasure right now, they might be crushed under the weight. So just as you can probably make yourself lighter, you can also make yourself heavier."

Adachi: "Why would I want to make myself heavier than I already am?"

Obo: "One practical use I can think of is combat. If you were to make your entire body heavier before receiving a strike from an enemy, you could nullify the damage altogether. Also, if you were to make just your arm heavier at the moment before landing a blow, you would send your enemy flying. All those things will take more than a few minutes of practice, so let's focus on the basics for now."

Adachi: "Alright."

Obo: "Let's review what we know. I assume you know how to use the most basic technique, physical enhancement."

Adachi: "Yes, that's correct."

Obo: "Physical enhancement is just the channeling of pure midst energy. Other techniques, such as your guise, require you to alter this energy."

Adachi: "Kiichi taught me about this briefly. We alter our midst energy within our core and send it to somewhere in our body, correct?"

Obo: "Correct. However, there are exceptions to the rule, such as treasures. When you merge with a treasure, a solid midst pathway is forged between your treasure and your core. You see, when we use a technique, we must be able to comprehend its function. Treasures give people access to techniques that would have been impossible to learn otherwise. We can't know for sure, but I assume your treasure works by making your body dense. This would require you to create excess mass from nothing. Even I cannot comprehend the inner workings of your treasure. Therefore, it is not a technique I would be able to learn."

Adachi: "I see. So long story short, treasures give us unique abilities. We use these abilities by channeling midst into our treasures."

Obo: "Precisely. Ever since you were born, you've been unable to stop the movement of midst into your treasure. You subconsciously limited the amount of midst so you wouldn't be crushed, but entirely cutting off this flow requires an active concentration. It's relatively simple when you think about it. So, care to give it a try?"

Adachi: "All I have to do is cut off the flow of midst to my treasure?"

Obo: "That's right! Now concentrate."

Okay! When I use physical enhancement, I envision a river flowing into my limbs. I just have to do the opposite with my treasure. Focus.

I can envision a steady stream of energy pouring into my treasure. Such a small amount, I wonder what would happen if I used more power-

Adachi: "URK-"

Suddenly, I'm slammed to the ground under my weight. I'm so heavy that I begin to break the ground and sink in.

Obo: "Adachi! Cut off the flow! Quickly!"

Focus. I imagine sealing off the passageway and stopping the flow completely.

Then, my weight is gone. Finally, I stand up and look at Obo, who is clearly a bit stressed out about my condition. I feel lighter than ever! I decide to give my new dexterity a whirl.

Dashing around the trees behind the estate, I'm as quick as lightning. This is what happens when my muscles have been trained under that weight all my life. Then, leaping into the sky, I don't even need physical enhancement to reach heights far above the treetops.

Adachi: "I'M FINALLY FREE!!!"

Landing back in the forest, I find Obo, who is grinning widely.

Obo: "The liberation you're feeling right now must be euphoric. I'm happy for you, Adachi."

Adachi: "Thank you so much, Obo. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. Now, let's go talk with Alice."

Obo nods and runs off towards the mansion. Sprinting after him, for the first time in my life, I'm able to keep up.