With renewed determination, Tom continued his practice, focusing on separating larger groups of rocks within the pile. He honed his skills, managing to isolate three, four, and even five rocks at a time. The process became more fluid, and he felt the energy responding more readily to his mental commands.
After this series of attempts, Tom decided to take his training to a higher level. His current goal was to deconstruct the entire pile of rocks into individual components without affecting the ones at the center. The task was especially challenging due to the lack of visibility of the central rocks, adding an extra layer of complexity compared to his previous exercises.
Despite the challenges, Tom's training session yielded valuable insights, particularly his deepening connection with his Deconstruction Astralum. While he had a vague idea of how to proceed, he knew this wouldn't make the task any less demanding.
As he contemplated the next step, Tom recognized that the intuitive approach he had adopted earlier might hold the key to his success once again. He understood that relying on his instincts and the energy's response was crucial, rather than being solely reliant on visual cues.
Taking a deep breath, Tom focused his mind. He visualized the pile of rocks in his imagination, picturing the outer rocks while acknowledging the hidden ones at the center. Allowing his Astralum's energy to flow like a river, he sensed the texture and arrangement of each rock.
Tom began working on the outer layer of rocks, gradually moving inward. He utilized his Astralum to detect the interactions between the energy he channeled and the rocks themselves. Subtle shifts in the Etherium's response became evident as he directed his focus towards specific rocks.
During this process, Tom felt a profound connection between his consciousness and his Astralum. They seemed to collaborate in a dance of deconstruction, with every mental motion correlating to a subtle change in the Etherium's flow.
As he approached the center of the pile, Tom's mental effort intensified. He skillfully manipulated the bonds between the rocks, relying on his Astralum's sensitivity to discern the intricate relationships among them. Upon completing the process, he opened his eyes to find that the outer rocks had indeed deconstructed, leaving the central ones untouched.
A wave of accomplishment and awe washed over Tom as he realized the complexity of his achievement. He comprehended that his progress went beyond simply controlling his Astralum—it was about forging a connection between himself, the Etherium, and the elements around him.
And that's exactly what happened. Tom felt that his grasp of how to use his Deconstruction Astralum was becoming clearer. He could better sense the possibilities it offered, fueling his determination even more. This understanding of his Astralum's potential encouraged him, as it signified that he was indeed progressing on the path of mastering his abilities.
Despite his excitement and eagerness to continue, Tom recognized the need to pause. Deconstructing the entire pile of rocks seemed to consume less Etherium than focusing on a specific portion. So, Tom decided to replenish the Etherium he had expended during his training. Seating himself comfortably, he closed his eyes and began the process of regaining his spent energy.
As he rested, a thought crossed Tom's mind: "I suppose it's time to determine the type of Etherian control that suits me." Tom was referring to the two approaches of Etherium distribution among Etherians.
There were two main approaches: "Regulators" and "Focusers."
"Regulators" evenly distributed Etherium throughout their bodies, ensuring stability. On the other hand, "Focusers" could channel Etherium to specific body parts according to their immediate needs. This gave them bursts of power in selected areas, but at the cost of weakening other parts.
Both methods had their advantages and drawbacks. Regulators provided overall stability, while Focusers excelled in targeted bursts of energy.
On Earth, for example, the majority of Etherians are of the "Regulator" type. This is because regulators are more stable, not because it's easier to become a Regulator than a "Focuser." After all, to become a Regulator, one must be capable of finding a balance for the distribution of Etherium throughout the body.
It's worth noting that there was nothing preventing someone from changing their Etherium distribution type. Many individuals have done so in the past. However, it's generally discouraged due to the challenges associated with changing distribution types. When someone changes their Etherium distribution, they essentially change their combat style. This often requires them to relearn how to fight.
Many people who attempted to change their distribution type had to abandon the idea, as it typically led to a period of weakened combat effectiveness. Only those with exceptional talent could switch styles without suffering long-term consequences.
Notably, this decision was only necessary for Novice and Apprentice levels. By the time Etherians reached the adept level, they had the skill to distribute Etherium equitably throughout their bodies while also boosting specific areas. That's why the third level was known as adept; it marked a significant step toward Etherium manipulation.
However, this decision was primarily relevant to those who engaged in close combat. Some individuals possessed Astralums that didn't necessitate close-quarters combat, while others couldn't engage in it due to their Astralum's nature.
As Tom pondered his choice, he realized that during his recent battles, he had felt the need for both speed and power at different moments. Instinctively, he was more aligned with being a Focuser. Yet, he needed to consider how his choice would complement his Astralums' capabilities.
Tom spent hours contemplating which distribution type to choose. Eventually, as night fell, he made up his mind. "I'm naturally aligned with being a Focuser, so I might as well stick with the style that comes naturally to me." Though it might seem like he made the decision without much thought, the truth was the opposite. Being a Focuser was the distribution style that suited him.
For instance, to address the weaknesses of being a Focuser, Tom could rely on his Astralums, particularly his time-manipulation Astralum. If he mastered it well, he could avoid many sudden dangers. Moreover, with enough training, he could quickly shift the parts he needed to enhance, minimizing vulnerability. Of course, reaching such a level would take time.
With his decision made, Tom wasted no time. He immediately delved into training. One of the advantages Focusers had over Regulators was the speed at which they could develop. While Regulators needed to find a balance among different parts of their bodies, "Focusers" simply needed to train their Etherium circulation. The more he trained, the faster he could transfer Etherium from point A to point B.
Tom began to circulate the Etherium from one part of his body to another. It wasn't an easy task initially, considering that Tom had only started manipulating Etherium a few days ago. He lacked experience, and his Etherium distribution was quite crude.
However, as he continued to move the Etherium throughout his body, he grew accustomed to the sensation. With practice, his control improved steadily.
Throughout the night, Tom persisted in his training, unaware that the calm and security he currently enjoyed would soon be disrupted.