Loreana felt her emotions fluctuating constantly. She couldn't comprehend this situation, but what was even stranger was her subconscious finding it comfortable to stay near him… His warmth made her forget all her sadness… Each second she spent in his embrace made her feel alive.
This roller-coaster of feelings caused her to get exhausted. She laid her head weakly on his shoulders. The warmth of his body made her feel peaceful… She didn't want to, but... she couldn't help it.
Anom started stroking her head after he saw her calm down. His touch was gentle, without any impure thoughts. Loreana could also feel that, which made her feel safe.
"I know you try so hard because you care about this family. But you should also take care of yourself... You are important... precious to your loved ones."
His soothing words made her feel good as she stopped thinking about whether it was right while closing her eyes to enjoy his embrace.
They kept standing like that when Loreana opened her eyes.
"You have to take good care of my daughter."
Anom was surprised at her sudden words...
"That's natural..." He replied, then after a pause, he asked, "Will you come with us?"
Not waiting for her to reply, he continued. "I know you have this family and… your husband to take care of... Just consider it as a vacation... be free for a while..." Anom was trying to persuade her to come with him. He didn't even know the reason himself as to why he was so adamant about taking Loreana with him and Crystal.
Anom didn't know, but his previous self who made only rational decisions had changed. It happened after the dormant power of his soul was awakened. Now he was more likely to do what he really felt like doing, even if it might not be the best choice.
Loreana didn't reply as she was also struggling to make a decision.
But it was not about whether or not to go with Anom.
A deep breath escaped her lips, as her eyes showed a firm resolution. She finally decided to confide in him… to tell him something that had been worrying her all this time.
Anom couldn't comprehend her change, but before he could ask...
"I want to tell you something… Something that only I and the old head know about."
Seeing him nod, she continued. "Just don't let Crystal know about it... At least not till the time is right."
Anom nodded again and Loreana began to tell him about what had happened when Crystal was missing.
Hearing her words, Anom's neutral expression changed, he couldn't help but tighten his hold on Loreana.
"I'm fine." She smiled. "Having someone to talk with feels nice."
Anom calmed his thoughts and once again focused on Loreana's face.
He couldn't understand how she was bearing such pain by herself. Well, that old man also knew about it.
'That's why that old man was acting weird like that.'
Loreana pushed slightly, as Anom let her leave his embrace. Both of them didn't speak and walked towards the door. But before Loreana could push it open, she saw Anom stop.
"Can you take me to the library?"
Loreana was surprised at his sudden request, but seeing Anom's serious expression, she didn't refuse.
They informed the girls briefly before leaving for the library.
The library was on the other side of the residential area. They walked for about twenty minutes before arriving in front of a three-storied establishment. The building gave a dignified vibe, fitting a place meant for storing knowledge.
A large board with some characters spelling 'Family Library' was hung atop the large entrance. The words looked strange to Anom, but he could also understand them easily with his translation technique.
'It will take a while for this disorienting feeling to diminish.'
A guard saw Loreana and came to greet them.
This guard was not someone to be underestimated. Anyone assigned with the task of guarding any important place in the family is an elite chosen by the elders of the family. Some low level members of the family also take such jobs. In return, they can earn different levels of access to family resources.
Loreana's presence made it easier for Anom to gain access, but the words of the guard made them even more surprised.
"The old head had already notified us. Mr. Anom can access the highest level."
Loreana wasn't surprised, but Anom praised the old man for being reliable.
Loreana took him directly to the third floor while telling him about the lower floors.
The first floor only contained some basic stuff which lower-level and younger members of the family could access regularly. All the techniques practiced by most of the members came from here.
The second floor had some more precious information and techniques, better than the ones on the first floor.
Anom finally stepped onto the top floor of the library. Luminous crystals were illuminating the sealed room just like the previous floors.
There were no chairs on the first two floors, but the third floor was different. An intricately carved wooden table, surrounded by five comfortable looking chairs was placed in the center of the room. The whole setup looked luxurious, contrasting the plain condition of the previous floors.
Loreana saw his curious look and explained that this floor was used by the upper level members and this arrangement was for if they decided to have a meeting there.
Except the side they entered from, all the others had a shelf covering the walls completely.
Loreana pointed at one of them as she spoke, "That shelf contains everything we know about Nulis City and the forces that reside in it... That one contains everything about what we know about the places outside of this city..." Finally, she pointed at the third shelf. "All the high-level techniques and skills are on the top shelf, the rest are all books about various types of resources and other basic knowledge."
Anom looked at this vast collection and couldn't help but get excited.
One of the important things he has learnt in his life as a thief is about the importance of information. Accepting any mission without gathering proper details about your target is basically suicide.
Everything about the target, like his surroundings, the people he interacts with, his schedule, eating habits, preference for sexual partners, and many different kinds of information, which can change depending on the situation, needs to be gathered. Complicated-looking stuff, like cracking open safes or dodging the security, becomes the easier part, as long as you gather the correct information.
Anom's current situation was dangerous as he had little to no knowledge about this city, not to mention this continent, and the detailed information about this whole world was literally… out of this world. (A/N: The first 'world' refers to the world that Della controls while the second one is the planet to which Della's god dimension is connected, and where Anom currently is.)
Loreana decided to leave him alone and turned to return.
"Always remember… you're not alone…" Her figure posed when she heard what Anom said. But she didn't turn around, just nodded and left.
Anom saw her leave and his excited expression turned into a resolute one. He had realized that what he needed the most right now was power and strength.
And to find out more about strengthening and advancing himself, he needed knowledge.
He walked towards the shelf with the books containing basic knowledge and techniques.
After some browsing, he found a book introducing about the levels of internal energy.
'Exactly what I need!'
With the book in his hand, Anom walked towards the table. He sat on one of the chairs and opened the first page towards his adventurous future full of roguish escapades.
The starting pages explained about feeling and controlling internal energy, which he already knew about.
After taking a brief look, he moved towards the later chapters.
"Here…" He turned a page and arrived at the chapter containing information about the levels of internal energy.
The first was the Foundational Realm. It was the beginning of one's journey on the path of energy control. It begins when one starts feeling the energy within oneself. It was all about learning to manipulate internal energy, how to use it and strengthening the energy pathways. The slight boost in strength was not the main focus of this level, only a side effect.
Next was the second level, the Reinforcement Realm. As the name suggested, this level was about guiding the internal energy to reinforce the body. But to do that, one needed a finer control over energy as compared to the foundational realm.
Anom read this and realized that maybe this was the reason for the change that he had gone through previously.
Normally, his energy followed the major energy channels which worked just like how his major arteries and veins supplied blood all around his body. The difference was, instead of blood, these channels carried energy.
But where were these channels located?
Unlike the vessels which are made of tissues and muscles, the energy channels are not something which exit in a solid form.
Any being that begins gaining control over its own energy can feel some passages existing within them and make their energy flow through these channels. As long as the spirit exists, this flow can be maintained, that is unless something unexpected happens.
The energy within Anom usually flows inside the network created by the major energy channels. He can gather it at different places by concentrating on one part of this vast network. But the flow and quantity of the energy will be reduced till it reaches any other place outside this fixed network.
The reason for this was his energy not being refined enough to flow through the various minor channels. He could force the process but that would just end up injuring these minor channels.
And what was happening to him right now was his energy getting refined due to the stimulation of the connection that Anom established with the external energies.
What he had done was something not possible for an individual. Well, unless someone powerful enough interferes. But that was just as impossible and would only hinder natural progress.
Anom took a deep breath as he felt the energy coursing through his body. He was at the beginning of the Reinforcement Realm and needed to refine his control over energy, as well as his body, before advancing into the next level…
That was the Materialization Realm. It was one of the important checkpoints on the path of comprehending and controlling energy. Someone at this level can push his internal energy out of their body and materialize it outside. It can be used for various tasks, the most basic being to perform offensive techniques and fighting skills.
In the Reinforcement Realm, one can use internal energy to improve and strengthen the body. But it doesn't just stop happening after one breaks through. Instead, one can keep reinforcing the body at every level after this. But it also has some limitations, but that will be a thing to be explained in the future...
Similarly, the finer energy of the Materialization Realm can be used to supplement yourself externally.
But moving energy outside takes quite a toll on the physical body. That's why one needs to be at an appropriate level in the Reinforcement Realm before attempting to break into the Materialization Realm. Attempting to do so without a strong enough body might result in energy going berserk throughout the body, resulting in serious damage to the energy channels; or death.
Another important point about this realm is that it teaches one the process of controlling energy outside the body. It paves the way for the next realm, which is all about controlling external energy.
The final realm was not explained in the book. Only its name was written, along with a brief introduction.
But that was enough for Anom, as he had already gained a short-term goal – to reach the Materialization Realm.
Loreana was also at this level, while Gamus was already an expert who had reached that unexplained realm.
He closed the book and stood up. After putting it back, he skipped that shelf and walked towards the one with the books about Nulis City and the forces and families ruling over it.
"It's time to collect some information about my 'targets'."