Chapter 57: Spark Theories [2]

Adam was soon done with his meal. He collected the packages and quickly disposed of them outside his room.

"Time to get serious."

Sitting back in his chair, he picked up the manual and got to reading, this time taking his time to read over the theories and principles of the essence known as Spark.

Just as the rest of the world knew, Spark was the essence that led the charge in the world’s evolution. It was the energy everyone had come to know and accept.

This essence flowed through everything that existed. From the atmosphere to the water bodies, and down to the very building blocks of every existing matter. But Spark was not uniformly rich across the world’s surface. Some places were richer than others, and centuries of studies had revealed that this concentration decreased around populated regions.

’That much is obvious. Then again, there are exceptions.’

The manual described the essence as the one-for-all energy source that powered everything. And through the system, humans were guided on how to draw in this essence of the universe.

’But it’s not a replacement for energies that had existed before the age of evolution.’ Adam nodded his agreement.

Just because Spark was a one-for-all type of essence did not mean it replaced what ATP did for the body. It did not replace what thermal energies flowed through the Earth; it amplified it.

’I see... It’s more like an essence designed to manifest already existing concepts of nature and then some, making what was once considered fiction a reality.’

The manual continued to talk about what mankind had learned about this essence.

Spark did not just flow through the atmosphere and the planet. An enough concentration of this essence focused on one place could evolve metals into a higher tier with far more robust qualities. But more than that, however, was how pure Spark could be concentrated into solid forms under certain conditions to form Sparkstone.

The manual did not say much about this mineral, but it was known to be extremely rare and valuable. This mineral powered most of their advanced technologies, and only the Federation had authority over it.

’I’ve also heard it could be used in cultivation.’ Adam wondered thoughtfully, not sure how true that was. ’I would have to see it for myself.’

He flipped the page as he continued reading and expanding his knowledge base. It was at this point that things got interesting, as his master noted these were observations most people did not know about.

Spark was a one-for-all essence; that much was true. But this essence came in all manner of forms.

Adam felt his heart race in his chest, the revelation stirring something within him.

There was pure Spark diffused freely in the atmosphere, and then there were the forms that corresponded with existing affinities. That meant there was a Spark solely meant for fire affinity holders, and that in itself had its own variations.

Adam’s eyes widened as the realisation set in like a cold splash of water. His heart thumped, and his breathing grew heavy.

’T-Then what has the rest of the world been doing?!’

That point was explained in the next line. The manual explained that what the system ingrained in them was a method that focused on drawing in all existing Spark, and then refining it down to the essence that suited the user. And that... that was where the slowness came from.

’Ah... So the very thing that showed us the way also limits us. Haha.’

Adam reclined in his chair, blankly staring at the ceiling. The revelation was just insane!

’Wait, so does that mean there’s a specific form of Spark that is keenly meant for me?’

As this thought occurred to him, he realised the cultivation technique his master had given him might not necessarily help him. Without all the available information, he would be limited. Designing a cultivation technique for himself won’t be as easy as he thought.

’No... that’s not it. It should rather be easy for someone like me!’

Sitting up, Adam put the manual aside and tapped into his Unique Skill. Since this skill allowed him to strip away appearances, he should be able to see the Spark flowing all around him, right?

Adam took a deep breath, closed his eyes and then opened them. And the moment he did...

"Huh?"

For a moment, he was confused. All he saw was a world of black and white, every trace of colour disappearing from his perception. He looked around more, realising the mist-like substance flowing around was Spark.

’How did I not see this sooner?’

Adam pondered as he stood up and moved his hand through the air, feeling the essence bathe his body whole. But after thinking about it for a while, he came to the most logical explanation.

’My Unique Skill... It doesn’t just reveal the world to me; it draws on my intent as well. I can only perceive what I want to perceive, and not everything at once. How did I not realise the skill had this failsafe?’

The explanation made sense.

Imagine tapping into his skill, only to be overwhelmed by the influx of information coming from all around him. It would drive him mad, if not explode his head outright.

Focusing on the black and white world, Adam wondered what the black mist meant. He could more or less deduce what the white mist stood for. But the black mist eluded him.

’Black mist doesn’t feel right... It’s more like the existing background... more like...’

The word was just at the tip of his tongue. When it finally occurred to him, his eyes widened as he heard another chime in his head.

"...space."

Adam grinned at the discovery. There was so much to learn; so much to do. Putting a pin in the space discovery, he focused on the flowing Spark.

’Since Spark comes in all forms, then what I’m seeing right now is the fused form of it... that means...’

Adam changed his intent, desiring to see the Spark that fueled the fire affinity. The listless black and white world changed in an instant.

"Nice..."

Colour exploded across Adam’s perception as his surroundings took on a blend of mesmerising colours. He needed no explanation as to why there were so many colours, as that had already been established.

’To think I have the power to play around with all kinds of abilities and skills...’ The revelation gave him a newfound appreciation for his affinity. ’...this is just crazy.’

With a thought, he changed his intent. And this time, the world took on a blue-white hue. ’This should be the essence for my affinity... an essence that blends almost all existing essences.’

Adam could not help but smile. With this discovery, he was a step closer to designing his very own cultivation technique.