Chapter 3 - 03

After leaving the territory of the Lix Faction, Mei and I felt relieved. The fresh air welcomed us, and the tense atmosphere within the faction was now a memory.

"Asha, I'll be heading back to the Shen Faction to inform Lord Xia," said Mei. "What will you do now?"

"I want to come with you," I said without hesitation. "I still want to learn more about this conflict and Enial's role in this world."

Mei looked at me with a concerned gaze. "Asha, you've seen how dangerous the Lix Faction is. Are you sure you want to get more involved?"

I nodded. "Yes, Mei. I understand the risks, but I'm also convinced that only by understanding the full context, I can find a way to truly help. Enial is connected to this world, and it's my goal."

Mei gently held my hand. "I understand your determination, Asha. You are brave and strong. But the Lix Faction is not an easy opponent."

Mei looked at me seriously. "Before meeting with Lord Xia, you should learn more about Enial's existence in this world. I have some contacts in the Shen Faction who might be able to help you."

"I really appreciate it, Mei," I said gratefully. "I'm willing to gain a better understanding of Enial in this world, which is at the center of the conflict."

Mei smiled gently. "Okay, before we reach them, maybe I can explain a little."

They walked towards their friends in the Shen Faction. Meanwhile, Mei began to explain the history of Enial and its influence in the world. She recounted Enial's crucial role in shaping the power dynamics.

"Asha, Enial is a sphere that can control all elements of nature. It's the key to life, transforming someone without power into someone with immense strength," Mei said seriously. "Enial possesses incredibly powerful abilities, and those who wield it gain extraordinary physical or supernatural capabilities. However, Enial also holds hidden agendas that we haven't fully understood yet."

I listened attentively, trying to grasp the complexity of Enial. So, if I were to rephrase it, it might go like this:

Enial, as Mei explained, is a sphere with the power to control all elements of nature. This sphere serves as the key to life, empowering individuals who lacked strength to become immensely powerful. Those who harness the power of Enial gain exceptional physical or supernatural abilities.

Enial plays a crucial role in influencing power dynamics in the world. Its potential to alter the balance of power makes it a sought-after object of desire and conflict among the factions. Each faction competes to collect as many fragments of Enial as possible, either to strengthen their own positions or to prevent others from gaining too much power.

Then I asked her, "What do you mean by the Enial spread across the world being mere fragments of the original?"

Mei nodded, confirming my question. "The Enial present across the world are mere fragments of the original Enial. The true Enial sphere is known as Enialen Zena. Nevertheless, the scattered fragments hold significant power."

"What happens if all the fragments are reunited?" I inquired, intrigued by the potential of the Main Enial.

Mei pondered for a moment before responding, "It is believed that if all the fragments of Enial are successfully brought together, the power of Enialen Zena will be fully restored. The wielder of such power would gain access to unimaginable abilities. However, the true purpose of Enialen Zena and the consequences of fully restoring its power remain a mystery."

I furrowed my brow, realizing the complexity and potential dangers associated with Enial. "So, all this time, the factions have been fighting to control the fragments of Enial just to gain a portion of its power?"

Mei nodded. "Exactly. The factions compete to gather as many Enial fragments as they can, either to strengthen themselves or to prevent other factions from obtaining greater power. Much of the conflict and battles in this world are driven by ambition and the desire to control Enial's power."

I reflected for a moment, realizing the importance of a deeper understanding of Enial in the journey ahead. "Thank you for explaining everything, Mei."

Mei smiled. "My friend knows more about Enial than I do, so ask him for more clarity."

Finally, we arrived at a dining place within the Shen Faction. We entered and sat near four members of the Shen Faction.

Mei introduced me as her friend. "Hello, Mei. It's rare to see you in this place," one of the members said amiably.

"Hello, Sarah. I came here because my friend wants to gain a deeper understanding of Enial and the conflicts in this world," Mei explained.

The Shen Faction members exchanged glances and spoke in hushed tones. After a while, one of them nodded and said, "Alright, we can explain some important aspects of Enial."

Mei and I sat across from them, ready to listen to their insights about Enial and its role in the world.

"Ah, you might be a little confused. Let me introduce them one by one. The woman with white hair is Yui, the blonde one is Nana, in the corner is Sarah, and the one standing over there is Shun," Mei said with a smile.

I sat with great interest, eager to hear the explanations from the Shen Faction members.

Yui, with white hair, began her explanation. "As Mei may have mentioned earlier, Enial is a sphere with incredible power to control the elements of nature. However, Enial's power is not limited to that. Enial can also connect the human world with the supernatural realm or other worlds."

Nana, the blonde-haired member, continued, "Enialen Zena, the original Enial sphere, is believed to be the primary source of Enial's power. The fragments of Enial scattered across the world are pieces of the shattered Enialen Zena. Each fragment holds significant power, and the factions compete to collect them."

Sarah, seated in the corner, provided the next explanation. "When an individual harnesses an Enial fragment, they gain access to powers and abilities previously unimaginable. For example, someone using an Enial fragment can control the elements, heal wounds rapidly, or even possess supernatural abilities such as seeing the future or manipulating thoughts."

Shun, standing beside them, added, "However, using Enial also comes with risks. Its power can transform a person physically and mentally, and there are dangers if that power is misused. That's why factions like Lix strive to control Enial and use it for their own ambitions."

I nodded, understanding the complexity of Enial's role in this world. "Are there any limitations or constraints in using Enial?" I asked them.

Yui replied, "Using Enial requires significant energy and capability. The more powerful and complex the abilities one wishes to utilize, the more energy is needed. If someone cannot control the power of Enial properly, they may face exhaustion or even lose control."

Nana continued, "Moreover, there are also side effects of using Enial that need to be considered. Some Enial users have reported personality changes or health issues resulting from excessive or inappropriate usage."

Sarah added, "The Enial fragments can also collide or attract one another if placed too close, leading to disturbances in Enial usage or

even dangerous energy explosions."

After hearing their explanations, I became even more aware of the complexity of Enial's role in the conflict. "Is there an attempt to unite all Enial fragments into one?" I asked, curious about the potential of the Main Enial.

Shun replied, "As far as we know, some factions have ambitions to gather all Enial fragments into one. However, this endeavor is challenging because the fragments are scattered across territories controlled by rival factions. So far, no one has succeeded in achieving that goal."

"I understand," I said, nodding. "Thank you for the explanations. The more I delve into Enial, the more I realize the importance of understanding its role and potential thoroughly."

Yui smiled. "We're glad to help. If you have any more questions or need assistance, feel free to ask us."

I felt fortunate to have the support and assistance of these Shen Faction members. They gave me newfound hope in delving deeper into Enial and finding answers to the lingering questions in my mind.

"Oh, Mei, you were sought after by Lord Xia earlier. He wants to know the results of your report," Shun said.

Mei nodded, reminding herself. "Thank you for reminding me, Shun. I'll inform Lord Xia right away. Asha, do you want to come with me?"

I thought for a moment. Although I still wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Enial, I also felt curious about Lord Xia and wanted to learn more about the situation in the Shen Faction. "Yes, I'll come," I replied.

After bidding farewell to the Shen Faction members, Mei and I headed towards Lord Xia's residence. This journey gave me time to reflect on all the explanations I had heard so far. The deeper I got involved in this conflict, the more complex and dangerous Enial and its fragments appeared.

Despite the great risks, I felt compelled to become more deeply involved. I wanted to find a way to resolve this conflict and maintain a proper balance in the use of Enial. I hoped that with a better understanding, I could find a path that truly helped and protected the interests of all parties.

Meanwhile, we arrived at Lord Xia's residence. We were greeted by guards who led us to the meeting room. Lord Xia sat on his throne, with a calm yet resolute expression that reflected the weight of his responsibilities as the leader of the Shen Faction.

"Mei, you've come just in time," Lord Xia said in a composed but firm voice. "What did you find in the Lix Faction? How is the situation there? And who is this white-haired girl?"

Mei and I explained the details of our experiences in the Lix Faction. We also mentioned the Lix Faction's attempt to control the fragments of Enial in their territory through unethical means.

Lord Xia listened attentively, and his expression showed genuine concern. After we finished explaining, he nodded slowly.

"What you experienced there, Mei and Asha, is a glimpse of how complex this situation is," Lord Xia said with a low voice. "The Lix Faction indeed poses a serious threat to the stability and security of this world."

He looked sharply at me. "Asha, what makes you believe you can help resolve this conflict? This is a dangerous battle, and considering the potential of Enial's power, the risks are immense."

I took a moment to contemplate before responding. "Lord Xia, I understand how dangerous this situation is. However, I also believe that with a deeper understanding of Enial and the right motivations, I can find a way to genuinely help and protect the interests of all parties involved. I aim to achieve a proper balance in the use of this power."

Lord Xia nodded in understanding. "I appreciate your determination, Asha. But remember, this won't be easy, and the risks are substantial."

"I will remember that, Lord Xia," I said with respect.

"Asha, can you use Enial?" Lord Xia asked.

"I haven't fully mastered Enial yet, Lord Xia," I answered honestly. "However, I have undergone intensive training and study to understand the nature and potential of Enial's power. I'm still in the process of developing my abilities, but I believe that with the right guidance and support, I can use it effectively."

Lord Xia looked towards Mei. "Mei, teach Asha well about Enial's usage and let her stay in Nex."

Mei nodded with determination. "Of course, Lord Xia. I will train Asha to the best of my abilities and help her understand the potential and limitations of Enial. I'll also ensure her safety during her stay in Nex."

Lord Xia smiled, confident in his decision. "Very well, I trust you'll do well, Mei. Asha, Nex is a place full of knowledge and wisdom. Use your time there to deepen your understanding of Enial and prepare yourself as best as you can for the conflicts to come."

"I will do that, Lord Xia. Thank you for this opportunity," I said gratefully.

With a mix of courage and apprehension, Mei and I left Lord Xia's audience room, heading towards Nex. Nex was a legendary place, a school where Enial users gathered to learn and train. I was excited and ready to face the challenges ahead.

After several months at Nex, I felt rapid growth in my abilities and understanding of Enial. Mei was an exceptional teacher, with boundless patience and profound knowledge. We practiced together frequently, unlocking the potential of Enial within me.