We listened closely as my Dad continued to explain to us the nature of Material Light.
"Today, I'll be teaching you a bit about the nature of one facet of our Family's Sigil. You'll be learning about the Pyrostellis to be exact" my Dad said.
"That's Mom's half of the Sigil" Saito noted.
My Dad nodded.
"The name 'Pyrostellis' transliterates to 'Fiery Star'. This name connotes the relationship shared by Light and Heat" my Dad said.
"Your affinity is Light. Mom's is Fire" Ariel realized.
My Dad nodded.
"Stars are the main source of Light for the Universe. However they are composed of burning gases and do not solely radiate Light but Heat as well. These two factors possess the ability to set in place the conditions that facilitate the beginning of Life on a Planet and the ability of the Planet to sustain Life. As Concordia's Dad, Face explained, the Heat radiated by a Star or the Sun in any Solar System possesses the capacity to melt frozen Oceans or trigger the Rain Cycle on any Planet devoid of Life. The Vapour emanating from these Water Bodies can generate an atmosphere further shielding the Planet from direct Radiation. The Air is also made light and Pressure can be balanced out through the Heat radiated by the Star. The Heat can also vapourize substantial amounts of the Ocean causing Dry Land to surface. This Heat is also necessary for the germination of Seeds.
The Light on the other hand grants Visibility of the Planet's surface. On Planets that already sustain Life, this Light allows Living Organisms to perceive obstacles in their path and thus allows them to work efficiently and reduces the capacity for self-inflicted harm caused primarily by Blindness. The Light is also responsible for sustaining Plant Life especially Green Plants that mostly flower and bear Fruit. The process of Photosynthesis cannot occur without Light. Obviously, without Plants, animals would starve and so would humans" my Dad explained.
"So that's the relationship Light and Heat share" Ciella realized.
"Light typically simultaneously radiates Heat which is why Light can be generated by Fire as well" my Dad explained.
"I see…in a sense it's kinda like my Blaze Ability" Ariel realized.
"As I explained earlier, when Light makes contact with any object, it may flow through the object if the object is Transparent, reflect off the object if the object is Opaque or partially flow through/partially reflect off an object if the object is Translucent" my Dad explained.
We nodded. We hadn't forgotten that lesson.
"Well, this trait to a large extent also determines how much Heat may be absorbed or reflected off an object. Transparent Objects absorb the most amount of Heat, Translucent Objects absorb moderate Heat. However, when it comes to Opaque Objects, another unique rule comes into play" my Dad said.
Ciella paid close attention.
"The Shade or Colour of the Opaque Object to a large extent determines how much Heat it absorbs. It may not allow any Light to flow through it however the same rule does not necessarily apply to the Heat radiated by the Source Of Light" my Dad said.
"It doesn't?" Ciella wondered.
"It doesn't" I replied.
"All Opaque Objects do not allow Light through them unless of course their molecular structure is not very compact. However, they might allow the Heat radiated by the Light through. The Scale to which this phenomenon occurs is determined by the Object's Shade and Colour. When the Opaque Object is Bright, as it reflects the Light Energy that makes contact with it, it simultaneously reflects the Heat as well thus absorbing minimal Heat. Such Objects tend to be very Heat Resistant. On the other hand, when the Opaque Object is Dark, as it reflects the Light that makes contact with it, it absorbs the Heat Energy reflected by the Light Source. Such Objects are not very Heat Resistant and may very easily combust once their Heat Resistance Threshold is breached" my Dad explained.
"I see. That's why people in arid regions build with bright materials and those in cold regions typically build with dark coloured materials huh San?" Ciella said with a laugh.
"Exactly right. You recall my lesson" I said with a smile.