Klein had watched Elowen practised for a long time to imitate it perfectly, though his meditation wasn't smooth like her. His concentration was cut by repeated notifications.
[Seed of Force reached Middle stage.]
[Seed of Force (Middle): Other than knowing F = Ma, you have dabbled in the natures of force.
+25% Efficiency to Will.
+15% Efficiency to Spirit]
As he thought laws were an alternative version to the mage's principles, Klein had comprehended and managed to manifest in this realm. He hadn't managed to manifest his binding magic or any of the elemental principle with essence, yet. Still, all of it was welcome.
His Mana bolts, which have now turned into Essence Bolts, worked on the principle of Force. With this comprehension, he would likely have an easier time channelling the spell.
His attribute points have almost doubled since he woke up in this world. Not to mention there were those bonuses on efficiency. Even with all that, he was still probably a few points short compared to Elowen's physical stats.
Now if he could only understand the level-up system.
To become stronger as a mage, he had to do a lot of studying, along with spell casting. But in this world, was it just meditation and circulating your energy throughout the body?
He tried that for the rest of the night, but no level-up notification came. Of course, he was feeling as energetic as ever. It certainly didn't feel like he slept through the night, but it was something.
Honestly, he probably wouldn't catch any sleep even if he tried. It was almost instinctual that he couldn't fall asleep in any new environment. Probably a safety mechanism he cultivated during his five years of maddening expeditions.
Klein was up and moving before sunrise. The elf girl woke up soon as well, probably more of an early riser than worrying about her safety. Honestly, this girl wouldn't survive long if she moved on with the same mindset. Ignoring all forms of propriety or hygiene, Elowen began meditating in the cave again as if it were her daily ritual. Nothing inconceivable.
But Klein wasn't having any of the claustrophobic cave, even though her meditation form was appealing to his eyes.
So he got out and wasted no time to piss in the nearest hedge. Relieving his bladder, he cleaned his face, and brushed his teeth, bringing the stuff out of the dimension orb. By the time he finished, he found Elowen came running out of the cave, looking fresh as if she was coming out of a spa.
I guess elves don't have to worry about mundane matters like poor humans, he thought as he found relief flashing in her eyes, finding him. Is she worried I'll run on my own, leaving her alone?
"Ki Lien?"
Klein gave her an odd look, unsure if it was because of her weird way of pronouncing his name or how she came running to see him.
Honestly, Klein wanted to ask her too many questions to run away on his own. His mana was transforming into an energy which was natural in this world. With Elowen being a practitioner of such energy, of course, he would be interested in learning more from her. Unfortunately, the language barrier between them rendered it impossible to exchange information.
Last night, he had to waste about five minutes just to explain he was lost. Explanation about magic and mysticism? Yeah, that's not happening anytime soon.
He wasn't sure anyone would part with knowledge of such sorts without a price. The elf girl was gullible enough. Sadly, he had no way of taking advantage of her.
Luckily, Klein managed to pick up something watching her meditate. Of course, meditation was a big part of the training of a Fifth Circle Mage—just second to practising the spells. However, she wasn't just meditating during her meditation session.
He had noticed a weird resonance of aura surrounding her when she meditated, how the natural energy of the universe manifested and entered her form. Not only that, the girl hadn't just rested, finding peace of mind, instead she circulated the energy throughout her body in wild abandon. Something completely caught him off guard.
Circulating mana throughout the body wasn't just futile, it was dangerous. However, this girl did it as if taking a stroll in the market. The key point was that it wasn't really mana, but something else.
Essence, the girl said. The concept of essence wasn't foreign to him. Although rare, there were plenty of Taoists who practised the painstaking Way. But those Taoists were all old, with long whiskers and unkempt hair, not a hot young girl like Elowen.
Well, she was an elf. I guess that made all the difference.
Klein had imitated her way of circulating the energy in the night, though his way was a little weird with the black sphere keeping all his energy—or rather essence—confined. The result was a little different, too. Klein just couldn't keep up circulating his energy continuously for an hour like her. Within a quarter of an hour, his whole body was numb with the chilling feeling of essence.
At some point, Klein even touched the girl to find out if she was cold like him. However, that wasn't the case at all. Elowen was warm, warmer than usual during her meditation, while his inside almost froze in the third round of fifteen minutes.
Klein didn't think the chilly feeling would go away after he became a master in the Way. The damn sphere wouldn't let it.
Klein was simply missing too much information to even come up with a theory. He wished Xin was with him. Her input would be invaluable in this situation.
Power source, I need to make one soon, Klein thought. At least his meditation was fruitful. Klien could feel it was marginally easier to wield essence now.
After making sure Klein wasn't leaving her, Elowen got back to her meditation like a jealous priest praying to their god. She seemed to have forgotten everything about the peril she was in yesterday. Alone in a wild forest, though she had some capabilities, she would have to do a lot to survive on her own.
Yet oddly enough, Elowen showed no indication of returning to her home. Instead, she prepared for a hunt the moment she recovered her power.
Weird girl, she had no preservation skills at all.