Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Light and Dark
"How can you see so well in the dark, Master?" Ashe said.
The pair were on their way in the woods, venturing in the tall grass.
Siderius pointed at his eyes. "These dark eyes were a pair of eyes belonging to an owl. I took it so now I can see in the dark as well as an owl."
"We can just take the ability of any animal?" Ashe’s mouth was wide open.
"There are limitations. But yes, you are correct."
Siderius didn’t say everything, however. Apart from animals, it was possible in theory to graft other beings as well.
However, this act was banned in Siderius’ old world as many hunters had gone insane or worse, become an Abomination under the kingdom of Chaos.
"And what about the Aethers, Master? You were talking about it."
"Yes. There’s a saying about the Aethers.
Light can only be given. Dark can only be taken. Truth can only be learned."
"Given? Taken? Learned? I don’t understand." Ashe scratched her head.
Siderius smiled and continued.
"True Aether has many names. Some call it Holy Light, focusing on the enlightened divinity of it. Some call it Mandala, the order of the universe.
Alchemists call it True Aether, naming it after the fifth element of reality.
But True Aether isn’t just one of those aspects. It is all of them combined.
It can only be acquired by learning about reality and collecting more knowledge. The fire on a candle was the most basic and simple process to show how the world operates.
Once you learned that, you have acquired True Aether. And with the proper technique to open your mind and link your soul, you can walk the Truth-Seeking Path.
But there are multiple ways to advance on this path as there are many ways to enhance your soul.
Light Aether can only be given. Meaning it can only be gifted by another being. This being could be a person, an object or even a concept.
Light Aether is the benevolent force of the universe, its core function is to honor the laws set up by True Aether and make sure that everything exists in a harmonized system.
And naturally, you can only gain it by helping it uphold the laws of the universe."
Ashe’s eyes lost their focus. Siderius could see the struggle on her face to try and understand the concept.
"Just try to remember everything. You will understand the meanings of these words eventually."
Ashe nodded and blushed a little bit.
"Yes, Master."
"Light Aether is its short name. Its full name is Light-Bearing Aether. The element that carries the light and warmth of reality.
It also has many names.
It was called Karma by the monks, indicating that any actions one individual takes will decide their fate in the future.
However, for a normal person, Light Aether can be explained by one simple word. Fate."
"So that is why the Rule of Exchange is important..." Ashe mumbled to herself.
"Correct. There is always an invisible eye out there looking at us and judging us. Our life is the sum of our choices and nothing more."
Siderius opened his palm and immediately, a ball of glowing faint silver strands appeared. It was a small amount and had the size of an infant’s palm.
"That is Light Aether?" Ashe said.
"That’s right. And similar to True Aether, you can use it to elevate your soul. Even if you don’t want to study the world."
"I see."
The Eastern Monks back in Siderius’ old world exclusively practiced Light Aether as the Light-Bearing Path. They had a lot of similarities to Alchemists but they didn’t study the rules of the universe. For them, the only rules mattered were within one self. They were a strict, hard and relentless force.
"If there is light, there must be dark. I assume the crystal you gained from Pax was Dark Aether?" Ashe said.
"Very well observed, my apprentice. But it isn’t pure Dark Aether per se."
Siderius opened his other hand and inside it was the dark red crystal of Malevitus. The Malevitus inside was a dark red liquid and it squirmed like a living being.
"This isn’t Dark Aether. It is Malefica Vitalis Duratus. We often call it Malevitus.
Malevitus is crystallized magic pulled from a being. It was created to store witch’s mana."
Siderius threw the dark red crystal to Ashe. She caught the Malevitus clumsily, her face was pure panic.
"Master?! You can’t just throw something this precious like that."
Siderius chuckled. "Don’t worry. It’s not that fragile."
Then he continued explaining while Ashe carefully examined the crystal.
"Dark Aether’s full name was Dark-Chasing Aether. It was known by many titles as well.
Magic may be the most popular term. Then there is also Chakra. Sometimes it is called Mana instead.
However, despite its names, its core attribute stays the same.
Light Aether upholds the rules of the universe. True Aether are the rules of the universe. Dark Aether is the breaker of rules.
It is the reason why magic can create miracles that defy the very base nature of reality.
But it, too, had limitations and side effects. Dark Aether is destruction. Use it and it will also destroy you in the end.
That is why witches easily lose themselves to their desire and turn into... monsters."
Ashe gulped involuntarily. She looked down at her hands.
For the first time, she thought that her situation was a blessing in disguise. With no magic, she was free from its influence. And thanks to it, she met Siderius.
It almost felt like Fate had arranged everything. For some reason, she thought that maybe Light Aether had helped her find him in the midst of her desperation.
"And why Dark can only be taken, Master?" Ashe said.
"Similar to True and Light, there is only one method to acquire Dark Aether. It is to forcibly extract it from another being that has magic.
A being like Pax."
Suddenly, everything felt clear to Ashe. She finally understood all those things she saw and Siderius’s action.
By helping the miners, not only he would receive a physical reward. Their appreciation would turn into Light Aether. Those were the silver strands that Ashe had seen.
Then there was Pax. A witch servant with a tiny amount of magic inside his body. Siderius had converted the body into a Malevitus crystal.
Ashe felt a heavy weight inside her heart. She just realized something. In the Eldoria Kingdom, witches were the supreme rulers of all. There was no one that could stand against them.
But now, there was Siderius. A being that could grow stronger by feeding on the magic of a witch.
This could only mean one thing.
It meant that Ashe’s goal was closer than anything. She could become something more, an independent and powerful alchemist. Then she would take back her clan and rule it as her own.
Ashe was also selfish deep inside. And Siderius caught a glimpse of that.
"Can I use Light and Dark Aether, Master?"
"Of course you can, my apprentice. Our Truth-Seeking Path is a balanced way of forging our soul. We do not deny any aspect of the universe.
However, you must not be too reliant on Light or Dark Aether."
"Why is that, Master?"
"Different from True Aether, Light and Dark Aether have hidden agendas."