Kai sat silently, absorbing her words. He stared at her intently, seemingly analyzing her words instead of responding.
His stillness seemed to fill the room, contrasting sharply with Lisa's lively demeanor.
Lisa giggled softly, her emerald eyes narrowing with a sharp glint. "How laughable and ironic, isn't it? The humans strived to save themselves… only to better destroy themselves."
She leaned slightly toward him, her tone light yet piercing. "What do you think about that, Kai? Don't you feel pity toward humans?"
Kai blinked slowly, his expression unchanged. "I don't have any particular feelings about that," he said evenly,"The strong preyed on the weak. Humans were no exception. Before the demons arrived, humans were the apex species. They hunted, hoarded resources, and used lower species as cattle, just like demons do to humans now."
He paused briefly, his hollow eyes reflecting a faint flicker of something unreadable. "At least demons are true to themselves. Humans are hypocrites. They greed, deceive, lie, steal, and backstab ... .I've experienced it firsthand. I stole to survive, and in return, I was beaten. That's how it was on the outskirts."
Lisa leaned back against her workbench, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a glint of curiosity in her emerald eyes. "Well," she said with a chuckle, "knowing your past, it's already astonishing that you're not outright hostile to humans. You might just be the most pragmatic stray I've ever met."
Kai didn't respond, his hollow gaze fixed on the floor.
Lisa crossed her arms, letting the silence linger for a moment before she spoke again, her tone playful but with a hint of seriousness. "A small question, Kai," she said, her voice light. "Would you backstab me if you got a better opportunity?"
Kai lifted his gaze, staring at her with the same unsettling calm he always carried.
Kai stared at her for a long moment, his hollow gaze, before shaking his head. "If it was a joke, you just told me a good one," he said."Not that I have any intention….but my instincts tell me that If I even thought about betraying you, you will crush my head to a pulp and leave me for the street dogs to eat."
"..And speaking about dogs, even a dog knows gratitude when someone feeds it," he continued. "But you didn't just feed me, though. You gave me a place to stay and saved my worthless life, twice at that. Once from a crowd who wanted to kill me just because I defended myself, and the second time from my disease."
Lisa leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on one hand as she grinned at him. "You're not wrong," she said, her tone full of amusement. "You've got a sharp sense for survival, Kai. It's why you're still breathing, after all….But don't misunderstand, I didn't save you out of kindness. I only saved you to use you as a lab rat for my experiments."
Kai met her frosty gaze with unflinching ease. "I know, but it doesn't matter," he said simply. "You saved me from the soul numbing pain I was experiencing. Even though my disease may still cause pain from time to time, but it's far better than before. So, if you have your own motives, it is good enough that I can repay you by being your lab rat."
Lisa tilted her head, the frost in her expression melting into a look of amused curiosity. She chuckled softly,"You are an interesting fellow, Kai," she said with a quiet laugh, her lips curving into a bemused smile.
She turned away from him, her gaze drifting toward the alchemical devices on the workbench. Then, glancing over her shoulder, she added, "Hmm, continue from where I left."
Kai blinked again, as if resetting his thoughts,"...As the years dragged on, three-fourths of humankind either perished, turned into ghouls or demons, or were enslaved by the demonic forces. Those who survived retreated to heavily fortified zones now known as Bastions, which are protected by the remnants of humanity."
"Is that all?" she asked, testing him further.
Kai paused briefly, then continued, "The surviving humans retreated into fortified zones, where technology advanced out of necessity. Through this, humanity developed abilities to fight back. By unlocking the secrets of spiritual energy, they created 'Astral cores' within themselves, making them something akin to superhumans, granting powers that allowed them to repel demons more effectively."
"Hmm, let's expand this topic a bit," Lisa said as she lifted her hand, and in the next moment, a shiny green flame flickered to life in her palm.
The light cast eerie shadows on the walls of her laboratory, illuminating jars filled with strange herbs and vials of shimmering liquids. She let Kai observe the flame for a while before speaking.
"Spiritual energy, in essence, is something that exists in every living being, even animals and birds," she began, her voice calm but firm. "This is pure spiritual energy," she gestured to the flame, "and the will is often seen as the conduit through which one directs and channels that energy. For centuries, humans believed in spirituality but didn't have the means to grow or harness it. But now, through these potions, humans can awaken Astral Cores within themselves."
She paused to let the weight of her words sink in, then continued. "The Astral Core is a physical representation of spiritual energy, which is deeply connected to the spiritual core that exists within one's metaphysical world. It's what allows humans to use and manipulate spiritual energy like this." She moved her hand, making the flame flicker and swirl in mesmerizing patterns.
Kai's eyes stayed fixed on the flame, his face as blank. "Is there any difference between these Astral Cores?"
Lisa nodded approvingly, glad he was paying attention. "Astral Cores differ in quality and capacity. The quality determines how efficiently one can use spiritual energy—the purer the core, the stronger and more precise the energy. The capacity, on the other hand, refers to how much energy you can store and channel at any given time. Together, they define how powerful someone can become."
Lisa leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on a teasing edge. "Actually, there are two conduits through which you can access the Astral Core. Care to guess the other one?"
"...Breathing techniques," Kai said after a moment, his tone as flat.
"Bingo!" Lisa said, smiling. "But breathing styles are more than just a way to channel spiritual energy. They serve another critical function, that is, to nourish the Astral Core. In turn, this nourishment feeds your spiritual core deep within your metaphysical world." She raised her hand again, conjuring the green flame. "This is what gives users unique spiritual aspects. So, for example, due to my unique breathing style, my green flames not only burn, but they also carry a lethal poison, which can give you ever so painful death."
She twisted her hand slightly, and the flame flickered dangerously. "So yes, breathing styles are vital. They don't just add to your combat power by enhancing your lungs and muscles, but they also enhance your spiritual power, shaping how your spiritual energy manifests and evolves."
Kai stared at the flame, then asked. "Can you improve them?"
Lisa extinguished the flame and nodded. "Yes, but it's a steady and slow process. Slayers can train to refine their Astral Cores, increasing both their capacity and quality over time. However, it takes discipline, effort, and, most importantly, a strong will. The will is the key to shaping and growing spiritual energy. Without focus, the energy becomes unstable, and the core can shatter."
Kai didn't flinch. "And the potions?"
Lisa turned to the shelves beside her, gesturing two rows of neatly arranged vials filled with shimmering liquids. "Potions act as both catalysts and limit-breaking tools. They awaken the dormant Astral Core, allowing humans to channel spiritual energy for the first time. But they're only the beginning. Once the core is awakened, it's up to you to grow it through training and experience."
She paused, her expression turning serious. "There are rules, though. One of the major one is that potions are not to be taken lightly. When your time comes, I'll guide you through it."
Kai's gaze didn't leave the shelves. "And if someone overuses them?"
Lisa looked at him as she extinguished the flame in her hand with a flick of her wrist. "Overuse can make the Astral Core brittle. A brittle core breaks under stress. And that's the least of the consequences."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly. "And if the core breaks?"
Lisa sighed, turning back to her workbench. Her voice was calm but heavy as she explained, "If the core breaks, the user loses their ability to channel spiritual energy entirely. Their life span shortens drastically, and their body begins to wither. In some cases, an unstable awakening doesn't just break the core, it destroys the body or soul outright. The person is left as an empty shell, and their death is... not pleasant."
She turned back to him, her gaze piercing. "It's not uncommon for those unprepared to die shortly after taking a potion. Not everyone is ready to handle the awakening."
—---
Glossary of Terms
To help readers better understand the concepts introduced in this chapter, here's a brief explanation of some key terms:
1. Astral Core
Definition: A physical representation of spiritual energy that resides within a person.
Function: It serves as a storage and conduit for spiritual energy, allowing individuals to channel, manipulate, and refine their energy for combat and survival.
2. Spiritual Core
Definition: The metaphysical essence of an individual's spiritual energy. It exists within the mind and soul and is tied to their Astral Core.
Connection: While the Astral Core is a physical entity, the spiritual core is abstract, representing the deeper reservoir of energy within an individual's metaphysical world.
(If you have watched demon slayer movie, you can understand it better, or read chapter 56 of manga.)
3. Metaphysical World
Definition: A conceptual, internal realm unique to every individual where their spiritual essence resides.
4. Breathing Techniques
Definition: Specialized methods of breathing that enhance physical and spiritual power.
{Fandom - Breathing Styles (呼こ吸きゅう法ほう, Kokyū Hō?) are swordsmanship styles that utilize Total Concentration Breathing, which are practiced and taught by Demon Slayers.}
Functions:
Act as a conduit to channel spiritual energy through the Astral Core.
Nourish and refine the Astral Core and spiritual core, enabling growth and development.
Shape the user's spiritual energy, granting unique aspects (e.g., Lisa's green flames that burn and poison).
5. Catalyst Potions
Definition: Potions designed to awaken a dormant Astral Core within an individual.
Effects:
Act as a "spark" to activate spiritual energy for the first time.
Aid in surpassing physical or spiritual limits under controlled circumstances.
Risks: Overuse or improper consumption can make the Astral Core brittle, leading to catastrophic failure or death.
6. Will
Definition: The user's mental fortitude and determination, essential for controlling and refining spiritual energy.
Importance: A strong will ensures stability and growth of the Astral Core, while doubt, fear, or obsession can destabilize it, leading to spiritual and physical collapse.
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These terms are central to the mechanics of the story and will play an increasingly important role in understanding the characters' journeys and struggles. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments or look forward to further explanations in future chapters!
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[A/N]: Hey there, everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know some of you might have questions.
Well, let me tell you, it's not as simple as it seems. Rest assured, all of this will be explained in the upcoming chapters, so stay tuned for the details.
Also, I'll be uploading one chapter per day, but if you guys shower me with those shiny power stones, I might just roll up my sleeves and crank out more chapters for you!
Thanks for reading and supporting my work. Your enthusiasm keeps me going, so keep the feedback coming. See you in the next chapter!
(Chapter length: 1800 words)