"Hello, Gunder. What seems to be the problem? Why are you greeting me with such scary eyes?" This elder really is good at provoking someone. You crafted your mouth to form into a sarcastic smile.
"Isn't it audacious for the one that caused me problems to inquire about what's the problem?" He retorted, looking at 'himself' not-so-amiably. The soul inside your body 'cackled'. Oh c'mon. I am not a jester for you to laugh at my remarks. You tsk-ed.
"Are you really an 18 year old teenager? Why are you so grumpy? Haha" You stared at your mouth moving without your permission. Ahh.. I want to punch you. Loran laughed in an exaggerating manner.
"Gahahaha..Really, bud. What kind of Equilibrium do you have for me to find you funny," He still cannot stop himself from laughing.
"What the hell does that even mean." You raised your right eyebrow after hearing the familiar but not-so-familiar word. Equilibrium? It means 'balance', as I've known of it. What does this mean to this elder?
Loran, looking at the teen's body he's currently at, can vividly see the confused look. It seems that Gunder believed everything he was being told. Although he looks like a realist that doesn't believe in anything related to extraterrestrials and aliens, he takes pride in his intuition. It's a good trait to have. A child this rational and does contemplate before yapping is quite difficult to find. He nodded his head.
"Haah..This will take a long time. I hope you have the patience,"
"Let's first start with Equilibrium. In your world's dictionary, it means 'balance' right? On our planet, it also signifies it. Although similar, Equilibrium is much more than that. It encompassed the power which is granted by the cosmos and its constituents. To put it simply, we have powers." Gunder stared at his reflection like what he heard is something normal. So there really is stuff like that, interesting. Loran continued.
"As I've said, Equilibrium is granted. Everyone in our world was gifted by the gods the power to protect ourselves — we were adored and loved by them. Although powerful, not all of the us is granted the Equilibrium. We have the preliminary requirements to attain them, however, it does not mean that we can achieve it. It all comes down to the cosmos' judgement." Gunder's right eyebrow raised. So you should work to attain it? Or do the stars have favorites?
"To answer your inner thoughts, no, there's no favoritism happening that I'm aware of. If there really is, they won't be invincible. It still depends on their Zeniahn cores and Zenthial energy. The core stores and protects, the energy adapts." It seems like this elder does not like explaining a lot. You nodded your head, tacitly conveying that you somewhat understood his statement. Although understood, you're still confused about what 'Zenyan' and 'zentyal' energy meant.
"Ah, forgive me. Zeniahn core is where the zenthial energy and equilibrium are situated. Zeniahn cores are found chiefly in your glabella, top left chest — it grows together with your heart, and your temple. You can use either of these three to activate, however, you can only use one for equilibrium. These cores correspond with specific constellations and activation. The glabella, for example, corresponds with stars in lane for myths and ascension; the chest for desire, and the temple for logic and strategies. Given are some examples but are not limited to."
"Zenthial energy, on the other hand, is located within these cores. You can use this energy to do arduous tasks, which means normal people in our world are much stronger than anyone from here." You knew that this guy isn't in any way bragging. The fact that he possessed your body was enough to instill in your mind that no one in their world is ordinary, that is, in your own definition.
"So you mean to say that everyone — in Alterria was it? — was born with these cores and energy? Noting from what you've said, these cores have corresponding relations. So if anyone activated their Zeniahn temple, they become highly logical? Isn't that cheating?" A wise question. Loran complimented.
"..Similar, but no. Although they have relations, you cannot fully activate them. Becoming highly logical and strategic isn't accurate. By activating a zenthial energy, you can mostly only achieve a clearer mind and soul, for which allows you to think without disturbance. This is where Equilibrium shines. By receiving bestowal from constellations, your core and zenthial energy advances to a higher level aligned to your chosen 'field'. That's why if a person with an equilibrium activates their zenthial energy, their agility or strength — for example, is much stronger than a 'normal' person's. Having Zeniahn and zenthial is a normal occurrence."
You contemplated his answer. In conclusion, a normal person in their world was born with Zeniahn cores and Zenthial energy, but Equilibrium is granted. A person with no Equilibrium cannot fully use their Zenthial energy to their best extent as there are no constellations to bestow them power. They can also only utilize their specific fields to a full extent with the help of their grantors aligned with their chosen core. That's complicated, but natural. Loran nodded with his thoughts.
"Smart child, you amaze me." It seems like this elder is nodding his head while smirking, I can see it.
"Hahahhaha amusing, you are. You're a natural comedian you know," Loran controlled your face to laugh.. And what caused you to call me a comedian? Your eyes twitched.
"That might be the reason, elder." You replied, leveling your mockery to his. It seems like this elder doesn't like being called 'elder' as Gunder's eyebrows formed a straight line.
"Do I look like a senior? I'm young you know? I'm only 25 years old."
"Oh? I thought you're already forthy. By the way you're addressing an 18 year old teen, it sounded like you're already past your prime?"
"If you don't like it, don't call me a child." You definitely felt a little anger from him. With pursed lips and straight eyebrows, it seems like 'you' are ready to give yourself a beating.
However, Loran knows how to control his emotions, and mockery is one of his best skills. He cackled.
"Hahahaha isn't 18 practically only a child? Yes, that's probably already considered a young adult, but you're still a child in the adult world." He justified his answers.. But you're also a young adult? Gunder didn't reply but made a face instead. Enough to show that he's not interested in the current topic. He dismissed him and started a new one.
"By all means, how would you like me to address you?" Gunder thought about stuff, here and there, with the little hours he had in his vacant time. He was in an unprecedented trance that caused him to not grasp his lessons.. Haist. I was pondering on what approach I will act in this kind of situation..it was difficult.
"Just address me with my real name. That would be preferable."
You nod your head. What he said is indeed preferable since our age isn't even that far from each other.. Suddenly, something clicked inside your mind. You looked at yourself.
"Our first meeting. You said that I possessed your body and you didn't know how it happened, right?"
He nodded.
"Then how come that you're capable of getting inside my person? and Astralying? I still can't grasp its meaning."
He said that I was the one who possessed his body, but he's also capable of doing so. How come you didn't know the roots of the exchange when Astralying is possible? Also, why did you think that I started it when you know that this world is too basic? You sighed at your own thoughts.
"It's also very confusing to myself. I don't think that your world is capable of doing so since you guys are lacking resources, so I thought maybe there was something that triggered it? Was there any ancient book with summoning rituals around you? You might've tried to summon a devil to pact with but summoned my 'soul' instead. That usually happens to novels right?"
"Huh? There are novels like that in your world too?"
"Hell we do not. At first I was so confused and didn't know what to do. As I was starting to adapt with everything, I just used your mobile phone to read interesting novels every time you swapped with my body. It sometimes takes more than 5 hours, allowing me to finish an entire volume heh." He replied smugly. Instead of dissing him back, you paid attention to what he first said.
"Five hours? And when did we start exchanging?"
He ignored your first question and smiled mischievously to the second one. "According to my subordinates, I started acting differently two months ago. You can guess it."
"The hell..."
"The hell, indeed. With those two months, I only concluded and realized what's happening in half of that duration with the help of some comrades. The other month, I just observed everything — which is a bad idea by the way, since I allowed you to do whatever you want. That's also the reason why I am now in probation and lockdown."
"That boss of ugly people must be ecstatic right now." He contorted your face into a face of disgust. This guy definitely hates that guy he addressed.
"So you're meaning to say that you've been doing Astralying since last month? And I just realized it?"
"Yes, and no. Since I became aware, I started observing and didn't let any accusations get through me.The fact that I tried to ignore insults from those motherfuckers was definitely something to be proud about. However, yeah, I started Astralying and I found your soul. At first, I was planning to just go with the flow since it seems like I do not need to do anything, however, stuff started to plummet and lead us here."
"Also, you didn't just realize it. I simply showed and introduced myself to you. And you are definitely not capable of knowing what's happening." At this point, you are now getting used to his bluntness.
"Why didn't you do it when everything became clear?"
"Simple. I don't trust you and I was still unfamiliar with the limiter."
You oh-ed. This is really too much to take in. However, it allowed you to somewhat grasp a thing of what's happening. You are about to ask again when you felt the familiar sensation of alertness.
"Oh shit. The limiter is ticking to its end,"
"Looks like I have to go, Gunder. You'll eventually answer some of your questions when the zenith of the week arrived." He smugly looked at you.
Again, as you are about answer, a strange feeling of something being pulled from your body was felt by you. The hell is wrong with him and his last words?! He's like a goddamn person who doesn't like not replying to the group chat and always love being the last to message.
Your head throbbed, trying to absorb all those information. And I still have to think when is the zenith of the week.. That annoying Loran.