The Glorious Evolution

Do you have an understanding of how the Solarity system works?’

’Yes... for the Daywalkers to tap into the manual manipulation of solar energy within the seed and transform it into elemental abilities or such, they are required to establish a close-knit connection with the seed.’

’After a connection is established, the Daywalkers are given access to use the Solarity system.’

Levi went on and started talking about how the Solarity system was the machine that connected the genetic traits with solar energy, allowing the seed to morph the solar energy within it into abilities that had the highest affinity with those traits.

For example, if a Daywalker’s main evolutionary trait was related to ice, the Solarity system established a direct connection with the ice element primary.

Then the solar energy could be transformed into permanent ice-based matter depending on the Daywalker’s envisioned technique.

As for how exactly the Solarity system worked internally, all Levi knew was that the Shadowlife Seed contained a library of an unknown number of powers within it.

Some were elemental or spiritual, some were physical, and some were even unique, like concepts and such.

The exact details were either kept private... or even the government had no clue how it worked.

Ash’Kral waited until Levi had wasted all of his saliva on his range of knowledge before telling him calmly, ’Good job... now forget all that, you will be learning the Resonance System.’

’...’ Levi’s eyebrow twitched. ’Why does everything have to be different with you?’

’Do you own a Shadowlife Seed?’

Levi failed to find an appropriate response.

’That’s what I thought...’ Ash’Kral explained, using earthly terms. ’The Solarity system is a universal operating system installed on each Shadowlife Seed. Meanwhile, my seed is a different machine with its own unique operating system. While the Resonance system is quite complex and difficult to master compared to the Solarity system, once learned, you will have the ultimate freedom to manipulate any powers related to your traits.’

Upon hearing this, Levi couldn’t help but feel eager for such a future. He could never forget the nonagon tree and its millions of leaves. Ever since his eyes landed on it, he had wanted nothing more than to reach such a height.

He knew it would be impossible to unlock innate abilities alone...Techniques were a must.

’How does it work?’

’While the Solarity system relies on visualizing a spiritual connection with the seed, the Resonance system requires a set of breathing techniques that resonate with the emotional state of the seed. If the seed is calm, you must use a relaxing breathing technique until a connection is established. The same goes for mad, sad, grief, fear, fury... and such. Only when you accept the seed’s emotions and tend to them will an intimate connection get established, allowing you to enter its trusted circle.’

Resonate with the emotional state of the seed? Levi held his chin thoughtfully, not anticipating such a curveball. He had never heard of such a thing before, as he was familiar mostly with a spiritual connection.

’How am I supposed to check on the tree’s emotional state before commencing with the Resonance?’ Levi asked.

’You will start training with the harmony breathing technique, which is the general breathing technique that connects you to the seed’s soul. Once you learn how to pick up on its emotional state...which shows as unique cues...you will switch the breathing technique to the appropriate one needed to either match or offset its emotional state.’

’For example, if it is already calm and happy, all you need is to match it, and the seed will give you access. If it is the opposite, you will be required to appease it like a child until it returns to its natural state. Otherwise, the access given might be limited.’

’Limited?’

’Yes... unlike the Solarity system that needs you to establish a single connection and provides you with decent control, the Resonance system can get you from 1% to 100% access,’ Ash’Kral added. ’Just know, the more rights you have for its internal control, the more in tune you will be with the powers related to it.’

’I see.’ Levi nodded in understanding.

He realized that while the Resonance system sounded like a hassle, in reality, it was the perfect form to establish a real, intimate connection with the seed.

Most daywalkers and nightwalkers consider the seeds as parasites, residing within them for mere beneficial purposes.

This mindset always put a dent in their relationship, as even though they were provided with some of its internal control, it was never 100%.

Meanwhile, Levi had the chance to earn the absolute trust of the Nine Senses Seed, to the point that it could give him control over its life and death.

Isn’t that the ultimate form of love and trust?

While he knew this wouldn’t be easy in the slightest, and some would even call it impossible, all he could do was be as sincere in his intentions with it... Whatever happens, happens.

However, it soon dawned on Levi that he didn’t possess just one seed. His heart skipped a beat as he asked faintly, ’By the way, the other two seeds don’t follow the same system, right?’

’What do you think?’ Ash’Kral grinned.

’...’

Levi felt his skin crawl at the thought of resonating with all three seeds and each one getting mad at him and retracting their access if he gave more attention to another.

’Heh... he has yet to see the real horror.’ Ash’Kral smirked to himself.

Soon, Levi sighed exhaustedly and dropped the matter from his mind, knowing that he could do nothing about it at the moment. Then he asked Ash’Kral to teach him the Harmony Breathing Technique.

’Now listen carefully. We begin with the breath,’ Ash’Kral said calmly. ’Draw in air through your nose, slowly. Count to five in your mind. Let the breath settle deep in your abdomen, where the seed sleeps.’

’Hold it... three seconds. Don’t rush.’

’Now exhale through your mouth, gently, like you’re blowing out a flame. Count to seven. With each breath out, send your sentiment to the seed. It needs to feel your desire to connect, to communicate, and to share.’

’Repeat... inhale, feel... hold, focus... exhale, connect. Again and again.’

’When the seed hums back, even in silence, you’ll know. That’s resonance. That’s where your communication begins.’

Levi memorized the steps and began right away with the process. Since he was blind, he didn’t need to close his eyes to adjust his mental state. He freed his mind and tuned out the surrounding noises until his breath was the only sound reverberating in his mind.

’One, two, three, four...’

Levi kept repeating the same sequence over and over again...inhale... exhale...while having nothing on his mind besides sincere thoughts of reaching out to the Nine Senses Seed.

Unlike the way he dealt with Ash’Kral, Levi had nothing but respect and awe for the Ancestral Crimson Tree. His emotions were as genuine as they could be.

It seemed like the Ancestral Crimson Tree felt them... as the moment Levi got into the zone, his world of darkness started to brighten, showing a dreamy scene of the celestial Ancestral Tree, weaving left and right gently.

He didn’t know why he felt deep down that it was welcoming his presence.

’Hi.’ Levi smiled gently, waving back.

’You have established a resonance,’ Ash’Kral said. ’Now, to the difficult part... try to feel its emotional state to match it with the appropriate breathing technique. Once you succeed in finding its emotional state, I will teach...’

Before Ash’Kral could finish his sentence, Levi murmured softly, ’It’s delighted, but I don’t know... it seems a bit tired?’

Ash’Kral went quiet as he gazed at the Ancestral Tree with a tint of sorrow buried deep in his eye...

’I am trying... I am really trying...’ He sighed.