Bab 31: Traning Shoko and Tegen
**Get in," Toji said.
After Toji jumped into the portal, Shoko followed him inside.
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"We're at the sports track?" Shoko stared at Toji.
"Yes, come sit down. I'm here to answer any questions you might have." Toji layed down on the grass and gestured for Shoko to sit beside him.
"I have a question."
"Spill."
"What exactly is chaos energy?"
"Good question. I didn't have the time to explain it to you before."
"Think of it like this: What do you think was there before the universe came into existence?"
"Uhh... Nothing?" Shoko tilted her head.
"Yes, but what do you think was there inside that nothing?"
"Nothing?"
"Well, yes... But actually yes. Huh, how do I explain this?"
"Hmm, let's explain it in scientific terms. You know about the conservation of energy, right?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, we're off to a good start. So basically, this universe can't just *poof* into existence. It has to come from somewhere, right? So think of it like this: before the universe, there existed the void, and the void was full of chaos energy."
"A certain powerful being called himself the All-Father. I don't know where he came from, but he learned how to transform chaos energy into different forms. He layed in the void, bored because he was the only one there. So he decided to create life. After millions of years of experimenting, he created life using chaos energy as a fuel source. He divided up a part of the void into six different universes. Inside those empty universes, he created six gods infused with his own powers. They created life while he looked on with amusement."
"So now, the void was basically very pissed about losing its territory. It would regularly attack the first universe in an attempt to take back it's territory. But it never succeeded because of the powerful being's intervention."
"Unfortunately, it eventually managed to take back one universe. In a fight between the void's apostle and the All-Father, eventually, the apostle won, and the first universe was left in shambles. Not sure about what's going to happen to the other universes now though."
"Toji-san, one question."
"How can I believe anything that you're saying?" Shoko looked at Toji, confused.
"It's your choice. Personally, as your teacher, I wouldn't lie. Not like I have much to gain anyway."
As Toji was speaking with Shoko eventually his hand reached into the bag of popcorn inside of his purple blob.
'hmmm. Explaining things is boring.'
'it's like he's spewing out a fairy tale from his mouth. Whatever, I'll believe it for now' shoko thought.
"I believe you, Toji-san."
"Anyways, as I was saying, the energy that you're using has a pretty deep history. Any more questions?"
"If chaos energy is so powerful, why isn't it being used everywhere?"
"Chaos energy... Well, the gods of each universe consider it forbidden. Its might is simply too much. Each and every cursed technique you see here can basically be replicated and made even more powerful using chaos energy. Yet it's the hardest form of energy to use because just using it takes a long time and talent. There were some who got advanced mastery in chaos energy, but even they felt that it was a burden."
"If it's so hard to use, how are you so proficient in it?"
"The void, which has the highest concentration of chaos energy. I was born there. That's why I have a natural talent for it."
'Now that I think of it, that's the reason why my soul is so weak.'
"Another question. What levels are there in using chaos energy? Like grade 1, grade 2, and all that stuff."
"Hmm... No one has really measured chaos energy concentration and made a system around it. But I guess there are four major milestones in your journey of chaos energy usage."
"The first is basic chaos manipulation. The part at which you are at right now. You've just made a chaos energy core inside your body and can't use it properly."
"The second level is advanced Chaos manipulation. It's creating complex constructs with chaos energy, like this." The black energy in his hand transformed from an hourglass, then an hand sized replica of an atom before it became a mini Shoko.
"Though this level required immense concentration and memory, if you try hard enough, you will achieve it. Moving on,
"The third level, I call it embodiment. Basically, you become one with chaos energy itself. In this stage, you replace your blood and organs with Chaos energy. This one is pretty hard to do and painful. As far as I've heard, no one has achieved this level before, except me, that is."
"Why would you do that? What if someone who can manipulate chaos energy uses his control over it on you?. You're pretty much made up of chaos energy. Seems like a bad idea to me."
"You have a point. That is the one and only disadvantage of this, but there are many other advantages. For example ,you are impervious to mind control and basically any physical harm. Only those techniques that tamper with the soul can affect you then."
"Moving on. The last level, I personally call it 'Apostle of the Void.' this one... Well, it's the hardest to achieve. It grants you unimaginable power yet takes away your free will. For this level, once you become an embodiment of chaos energy, you can try to make a contract with the void. If you successfully convince it to grant you power, then congratulations. You will become one of the strongest people in existence." As Toji spoke so he looked into the distance with phased eyes. Seemingly remembering his past.
"Has it ever been done before?"
"Hah! Well, no one has achieved it except me, that is."
"Then why are you so weak right now?"
"It's a long story, but let's just say I've lost my powers for now." Toji smiled wryly while scratching his head.
"Mhm." Shoko just nodded.
"Any other questions?"
Suddenly, Toji's eyes widened.
'Fuck. I forgot about Tengen. I said I'd check up on her later.'
"One last question."
"What?"
"Can chaos energy be used for healing?"
"If it can't. There's no use in learning it."
"Let me think... Well yes. For example, the thing you call RCT is basically multiplying cursed energy by itself. You could apply this to chaos energy for a greater effect, but the chances of you being able to do this are small. Being able to do that would require advanced Chaos manipulation at least. So try harder for now." Toji patted Shoko's head.
"Mhm. Can I go to the dorm now? I'm sleepy." Shoko's eyelids, as always, had dark circles under them.
"Not so soon. I have homework for you, buddy." Toji got up from the grass before closing his eyes. Soon, a large statue erupted from the ground. It was a perfect replica of Toji.
"Toji-san, your narcissism is shining through." Shoko looked at the statue with a dumbfounded expression.
"Your homework is to create a small replica of this thing. Down to the last detail. Even the cloth should have the same pattern. If you can't do this in four months, you're... I don't know, a failure?"
"Are you underestimating me? I'll do it... After I sleep." Shoko said with tired eyes.
Toji smiled fondly at her.
"You can do it, Shoko. I believe in you." Toji kneeled down before patting her head.
He then once again before creating a portal to leave the track field.
"His hands... Why do they always feel so good?" Shoko, who was sitting on the grass, whispered.
"It's still warm." She said while touching her forehead.
'It takes away all my exhaustion. I need to learn this technique someday. Even my sleepiness... Tch, guess I'll focus on this statue for now.'
"What the heck is he even doing here?" Meanwhile, Masamichi, who watched the entire exchange from the grade 2 classroom window, was dumbfounded.
'Did he create a statue of himself just to impress a girl? Whatever, Shoko's an adult now, she can do whatever she wants.'
Meanwhile, at the Tomb of the Stars,
Toji smiled while looking at the stunning ancient architecture.
'Finding the door to this place is still a pain in the ass, but whatever.'
Toji opened the door, but this time, instead of being trapped in a white barrier, he was directly teleported to the giant tree.
There, Tengen was still sitting in the same black chair made from chaos energy.
"You know I made that chair five days ago, right?" Toji just smiled at her wryly.
"So what? This book is too interesting; I've been reading it for the last five days."
As she said so, she lazily stood up from the chair before walking to Toji.
"< Chaos manipulation >," Tengen said while looking at the diagram in the book.
Just then, from her fingers, a black ball materialized and flew towards Toji slowly.
Toji caught the ball in his hands before making bloby eat it.
"You... How did you do that?" Toji lifted Tengen into the air by her shoulder.
"Book," she said while pointing towards the book.
"Oh."
"Can you let me go?" Tengen said while looking flatly at Toji.
"Yeah." Toji said before lowering her to the ground.
"You do know you're a genius, right?" Toji said while stretching her cheeks.
'Basic Chaos energy manipulation without guidance... Incredible.'
'Why does she look like a doll?' Toji said while hitting her cheeks with his finger.
"Whatever you said to Shoko... Was it true?" Tengen said seemingly not minding Toji's actions.
"Yes." Finally, after a while, Toji stopped playing with her.
"You... Who exactly are you? Toji Zen'in, chaos manipulation, the void... All these anomalies aren't supposed to happen. Who no, what are you?"
"Heh. Well, let's just say I'm from another universe."
"Is that even possible?" Tengen's eyes widened for the first time. She hadn't been shocked by something in a long time.
"Well, I have connections. What do you want, to go to another universe?"
'Now that I think about it, for hundreds of years being trapped in this basement alone, isn't that the worst punishment possible?'
"I would love to, unfortunately, someone has to take care of this universe. Mr. Alien."
"Didn't know you had a sense of humor. Don't worry, you can create permanent barriers if you use chaos energy. They won't even need maintenance anyway."
"But that would take advanced level manipulation. There's still a long time for that to happen." Tengen looked downcast.
"Don't worry, with your talent, it will take maybe a few years, give or take. After that, maybe you can see the outside world once in a while." He said while poking her forehead.
"Why should I go outside?" Tengen just tilted her head.
"Because you seem lonely." Toji just stared at her.
At Toji's remark Tengen simply stared at him for a few seconds before breaking eye contact.
"Fine, it's been a few hundred years since I've exited this tomb." Tengen just nodded.
"Well then, time to give you homework. Just like Shoko, you've already formed a chaos energy core. Now you just need to master manipulating it. With experience and hard work, it will happen in no time."
Just then, a giant statue of Toji appeared; this time, it was as tall as the giant tree in the tomb of stars.
"Well then, bye-bye." Toji ruffled Tengen's short hair and then exited the room with a portal.
"He really is narcissistic, huh?" The statue was so tall that she couldn't even see the head of the statue.
"Well, whatever, I'll start after taking a nap." She fell back onto the black chair.
'Mhm, this is too cozy.' Tengen closed her eyes before falling asleep once again.
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Sorry for the info dump :(
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone