Chapter 96 - Impact
The solution to the problem I had proposed to my father was actually quite simple, with multiple possible answers. One was to simply train more so I can have a better handling of my strength and control over the flames. While I would usually second that idea. it wasn't going to make me stronger than those who are a higher mana heart level than me. While yes, I am stronger than most people in the Gaseous stage of the mana heart, I would easily be flattened by anyone in the Liquidous initial stages, not to even mention those in the medium, high or peak stages of he liquidous stages.
One thing about mana hearts is that not only does it become harder for them to increase in stage as they go up, but they also become much more fortified as one becomes stronger. An example of this is a Wizard and a Grand wizard. While a Wizard would be in the stages between initial and low gaseous, A Grand Wizard would be on the medium stages of the gaseous stage. While that may seem like an insignificant gap between sub-stages, the Grand Wizard is destined to win that fight. This is not only because of the fact one has a leap in strength between stages, but also because there are limitations to the amount of control one has in their specific stages.
What I'm trying to do is get rid of that limit by using other means to get stronger and win against those in the wizard ranks.
At my current stage, I shouldn't even be able to case a spell 4 meters away from me without a domain spell, I shouldn't be able to cast spells without chanting, I shouldn't be able to control the movement of my spells and finally, I shouldn't be able to cast more than 2 spells at a time since my connection with the elements while being in the ethereal ranks is too weak. Yes here I am, doing all those things without breaking a sweat which easily puts me on the peak of the Supreme Mage Rank in strength when I'm still technically an Intermediate mage.
Anyway, the second solution to problem actually has to do with physics. I can simply-
"Why don't you use battle intent?" My father asked with a questioning look
"..."
"..."
"..."
'How did I not think of that? ME! Someone with the analysis skill! SOMEONE WITH SURPERIOR INTELLIGENCE!? Wait... Atlas calm down. There is nothing to worry about. My father is old and wise after all!' I comforted myself.
"Yeah, but I don't know how use battle intent" I said with a raised brow
"Well, when we get back home, I have around 4 years to teach you don't I? Our family has a secret technique based on battle aura, so if you do get to a certain stage in your development, you have that to look forward to!" He said cheerfully
"Yeah, but how does that help with my current problem?" I asked
"Oh right! I don't know. Maybe in the future you can use it to rotate your flames faster? It might be quite exhausting though" My father replied while scratching the back of his neck lightly.
"I guess I just have to wait huh..." I sighed
"Don't let it get you down. You are already plenty strong for your age, almost as strong as me when I was 10 years old." My father waved with an energetic smile
'I have no idea why, but the amount of energy he has right no is starting to piss me off' I questioned to myself
The ride after this did not go silent for very long, as only 10 minutes later we were already within one of the portals.
'So this is a dimensional portal huh?' I mused to myself while looking at all the engraving on the circular platform. With a simple use of my analysis skill, I found out what every rune did, and how they can affect each other, while also knowing what kind of affect they will create when used together.
Right now, the circular stage could take around 70-90 people depending on their weights, or 5 7-seater carriages with everyone onboard, as long as their size and weight allows them to sit on a carriage.
My weight didn't matter though, nor did me using any kind of magic in the teleportation stages matter. While my weight would affect the amount of people able to go in the teleportation platform, I can just use gravity magic. Speaking of magic, using it while teleporting can cause the whole teleportation to activate a fail-safe and disable the whole mechanism. However, using gravity magic is within the body and not using any external elemental energies, therefore it doesn't really take an affect on the teleportation mechanism either.
Anyway, as the carriage strolled onto the platform, a small buzz left the runes before returning to normal. As a few more carriages did the same, we were ready to teleport. For some reason my father was clutching onto the heads of Zack and Zarch near his chest tightly while closing their eyes. At the same time, Olivia looked at me with a weird look before looking back at my father with a disapproving gaze.
"Just do it. And Panni, don't you dare say no" My father retorted
"Do what?" I asked
"Please shut your eyes and close you ears while the teleportation begins." A man outside shouted towards everyone on the platform
Olivia simply shifted towards me and closed my eyes before speaking through the mind link 'Children who haven't developed their brain completely, meaning anyone under the age of 20 to 25, need to have their eyes and ears closed by an adult who can stay conscious during the process'
'And you think me, a higher being, a person with clearly more brains than you, can't stay conscious?' I asked perplexedly
Olivia hesitate a little before answering. Everything I had said was right, but the last few words slightly ticked her off.
'This isn't about who's clever and who isn't. You are a child! Your brain isn't fully developed yet until your around 20 to 25.' She complained
'yes, but you do realise blocking my eyes wont stop me from seeing around me right?' I asked with a slightly raised brow
'...'
Letting go of my eyes, she was slightly hesitant, but after I ordered her to let go when my father closed his eyes, she did so.
Suddenly, a loud rumble resounded within the carriage. As I looked out of the window, a scene that I could only describe to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen appeared before my eyes.
It was the vastness of space.
An abyss so deep and endless that once in front of your eyes, feel like they are a step away from swallowing your entire existence. TRUE INFINITY. A sight that reminds you how you are but a speck in this magnificent universe. It remind you how your lowly existence is like that of an electron delocalised from it's atom, roaming the universe for no one to notice it.
While it may make an impact, it's impact is equal to an ant trying to move the moon of it's course around the planet.
Yet, in my eyes, such insignificance felt like it simply did not apply to me. It might have applied to the baby version of me, or maybe even the old me, but not me today. I, Pandora Raven, formerly known as Atlas Adler, vow to make an impact on this universe. And that same impact will be humongous. Something every world, every planet, every speck in the universe will feel. I'll make sure I will live a life different from my last, where instead of mellowing in my own sadness that no one would take note off, I will rise to shake the heavens and skies. whether that would be through total chaos or through total peace around the universe, only fate will decide.
For the next 3 hours, or what felt like it anyway, I watched the endless void as countless stars shimmered from within. While most might think of how beautiful the stars are, it reminded me of death. Those stars were simply things that wanted to make one last impact on the universe before burning out. So they let their radiance reach the ends of the universe with one last bang.
Nebula's of different colors and shapes filled the void, while some stars and planets submerged with the colours or the clouds to make their own unique colors.
Eventually, I found myself looking onwards towards a giant planet created from a turquoise mixture of both blue and green. From this side of the planet, three different continents could be seen, one created out of a radiant green, while other was made out of a desert-like yellowish orange with mixtures of brick red within. The final one has a mixture of both, even though it did not seem to be anywhere near the other one or the equator.
After the 3 hours though, we landed with a soft thud where everyone slowly opened their eyes to look around.
As my father opened his eyes, I couldn't help but look outside with a disappointed look. I wanted it to last longer, but the world simply did not want me to see any more.
'Maybe next time.' I shrugged
"PANNI! Are you okay?! Why did you open your eyes?!" My father asked with a panicked voice while glaring at Olivia who was barely conscious.
"WhAt! AHhHhHhHhHh! God damnit dad! You scared the absolute crap out of me" I shouted before asking "Why are you even so worried anyway? It's quite the beautiful scene. You should see it yourself"
"WHAT!?" My father had freaked out for what seemed like the first time. "Did your mother not teach you anything about the church when I was at work?" He asked
"No why?" I asked
"Well, they had shown studies of those not closing their eyes and ear going crazy after seeing was in the teleportation space. Apparently it's something that is way too much for our human minds to comprehend so they stopped anyone from being able to see what was inside using a few runes. They still say to close your eyes anyway just in case, but I never thought you would actually see it... We should go to a priest. Yeah, maybe they can help you if anything has went wro-" My dad started muttering nonsense before I gestured for him to stop.
"I understand why some might go crazy but there is no need for you to go to a priest. And since when did we have churches?" I asked
"Did I not already mention it when coming here? There is a church in aqua city, and because we don't have one anywhere close to us, we don't usually go. They did say they were building one in Uladia but it has been almost 4 years since then and they hadn't said anything." My father spoke with his hand on his chin.
"Of course we have a church. Oh god I hope they aren't those radical kind" I muttered, but due to my dad's hearing, he was able to hear what I said.
"NO! Don't speak ill of the church, do you understand that young lady?!" My father warned
"Sure sure" I waved off his warning
"I'm warning you! I'm not going to tolerate anything about the church, understood?" He said before I simply nodded in compliance, not willing to argue an unwinnable argument.. The church simply had it's hands too deep into my father's mind, and I could simply not do anything about it.