It has been two days since he came here. This is a dimension situated just outside the core planet of this world. Every world has a core; it can be a planet, or a god can just treat his or her own dimension as the core. Most of the gods were like Della and Yerra, who attached their dimensions to a planet, thus making it the core planet.
Two days ago, Della gave Anom two choices. The first was that he could just become a resident here and enjoy his life as a spirit. The second choice was that he could descend on any planet of his choice in this world.
He also found out about the practice or training of comprehending and controlling energy. Their levels might differ, but most of the worlds practices similar methods.
It was just like how humans on Earth were advancing their understanding of the world through breakthroughs in science. The creatures treated cultivation as their way of life.
Just like the holy novels! This was what Anom thought when he first found out about this. The geek within him was itching to jump out.
That was also the difference between the first and second choices. This world is suitable only for Della and her spirits to live in. So Anom could only study what was available for the spirits. Della described a procedure through which his body could be remade according to this dimension, making him a spirit.
But he would be wasting his soul's potential, and his adventurous spirit couldn't accept it either.
The choice was almost clear to him, but Della still insisted that he should stay there for a few days and tell her his choice only when he was sure.
So, for the past two days, he had been touring this place, and the guide was none other than Cassana.
She reluctantly accepted the job only when Della told her that her punishment would be reduced if she did a good job as a guide.
The first place he toured was, of course, the cave abode where Della lived. But it looked nothing like what you would expect from the house of a god. The rooms were intricately carved, and the furniture was simple with no excessive decorations. The room Anom was given was quite big, with a carpeted floor, a bed, and some other basic furniture.
The next surprising thing was the food. Della was the one who cultivated all the vegetables and fruits by herself.
He found out the reason after asking Della. This was not how they used to live previously. She still has her godly abode situated above the mountains. She was living like this to understand the world of mortals so that she could advance and modify her control over the world according to their requirements. It was her method of cultivation. When Anom praised how hardworking she was, even though she was a god, she simply replied that it was the only job a god could and should do.
Cassana also showed him their farm, the lake he saw when he first came to this place, and the lodging where the other spirits resided. It was only a temporary residence, as all of them resided in the main house and would only come here to discuss work with Della. Cassana was the only one who lived with Della.
Speaking of Cassana, she was cold to Anom for the whole first day. That continued until he decided to cook dinner that day.
He already understood what kind of food a god and a spirit could create without using their powers. They had been eating boiled grains and vegetables. Cassana even looked like she would cry after each bite. Luckily, the fruits tasted good.
Anom had enough just after the first time he ate it. So he took it upon himself to prepare the dinner. Although they were a little different from the ones on Earth, he only had to examine the ingredients a bit, and he soon figured out how to make use of them.
He made a few dishes that were quite easy to make. Although he thought they were simple, Della and Cassana's faces had a different story to tell.
Della smiled as she ate and while praising Anom. While Cassana was gobbling down food like it was going to disappear. She peaked at Anom once in a while with an expression that said, "I'll forgive you as long as you keep making this kind of food."
It was not like they hadn't tried any good food before. Della was a goddess after all. It was just that they had been living like mortals for a long time already. To eat such appetizing food after so long, Anom understood that feeling, as he sometimes had to go without proper food when on a mission. They just had it worse.
…
Anom was sitting in his room. He was thinking about the two days he spent here with a hint of a smile on his face.
He felt relaxed and refreshed in this place. He had the urge to just settle down here and live a carefree life. But his subconscious, or maybe it was his soul, wouldn't allow it. He had to get out of here and do something. He didn't know what—just something.
Suddenly, Anom stood up and made his way towards Della's room.
"Come in." Della's voice came before he could even knock on the door.
He opened the door and walked inside.
Della was sitting on her bed while reading a book containing pictures of various plants.
She's really into gardening and farming.
"Thanks for telling me about grafting techniques. It was a new and fun perspective for me." Della looked up from her book as she spoke with a smile.
"I don't think you need me to teach you anything." Anom felt a kind of warmth whenever Della was around him. Maybe because she's a goddess.
Della smiled, then asked in a plain voice, "So have you come here to tell me your decision?"
"Do you want me to stay?" Instead of giving her an answer, he replied with a question. He himself was surprised about the question he asked.
Della looked at Anom for a while, making him nervous, before replying, "To be honest, I'd be happy if you decided to stay here." She then smiled and continued, "But I wouldn't do that. You are someone with your own path to walk. I really enjoy your company, but for that, I wouldn't sacrifice your potential. Besides, it's not like we won't be able to meet after this."
Anom's mood was complex when he heard her talk. But his eyes lit up as soon as he heard her last sentence. That's right; he could still try to find a way back to visit her.
"Once you leave this place, it will be difficult for you to return here unless you reach a level of power sufficient to ignore the barrier between this place and the mortal realm. Well, that can be handled rather easily if I decide to act myself. If you want, I ca-"
"No!" Anom interrupted her before she could finish speaking. This was the first time he had done so. His expression was serious as he spoke, "I know how hard it was for you to give up the divine lifestyle you have been used to from the beginning and live your life as a mortal. You are doing all this to better understand the laws of the world and help mortals live a better and more fulfilling life. If I were to make you waste your hard work like this, I would be condemned by the whole world. Besides, do you consider me incapable of becoming strong enough on my own?" He continued in a playful tone, "Maybe you don't know, back in my world, I was a pretty famous thief. I'm used to running around the world while being cornered and chased by all kinds of danger. It doesn't matter what kind of world it is; nothing will be able to stop the Thief Lord from rampaging however he wants."
"Pfft! Hahaha!" Della burst into melodious laughter after she saw Anom's smug look. She would really miss his company after he left.
Suddenly she remembered something as she spoke, "Anom, thank you for telling me about the mortal world this morning, it was really helpful."
"It's alright. It was nothing compared to what you have done for me." Anom was embarrassed, as it was nothing much. He just shared some things that mortals experience, regardless of what world it is.
"Come, sit here. I will explain to you the basics of exercising control over energy."