บท 28: Chapter 28
The energy dispelled in the air after leaving the key. Apparently, it had lower its density.
Kyon did a couple of experiments with Synergy and was relieved to find out that his outgoing energy and Synergy did not mutually destroy each other, as it was the case with Martin's formation. He was correct to assume that Synergy resonated both with the soul and the energy. There was no conflict between them.
{So, the released energy dispels. But how can I use it to my advantage? When it's out, I can't control it anymore and I can't do anything about it! How can I harness the energy? There was nothing in the books about it...} - Kyon sighed sadly. He would have to figure it out for himself.
He remembered the recent fight. How did Mob do it? Kyon concentrated, trying to control the keys that released energy.
At first, it didn't work. Gradually, he began to see the light. It was like having ten trunks on his body, one of which was useless, though. It released Synergy.
After half an hour of practice, he learned some little tricks. He could wiggle the channels, bend them, compress them, make unthinkable knots and angles, create the pressure, vacuum, sealing.
When Kyon changed the channel form, he noticed changes in the outgoing energy. He could control it now, setting its direction and density.
Doing the experiments, he didn't notice that the working day had come to an end. While the other slaves were busy with the highly intellectual game of crushing rocks, Kyon had made significant progress: {A soul has a limited reserve of energy that I can release through nine channels. They transform it into a certain element in the most unimaginable ways. Except that the key of pure energy doesn't transform it into anything. I can't control outgoing energy, but I can assign it specific characteristics, such as speed, density, direction, structure, and so on, if I form the channel in a certain way.}
Kyon also discovered that it was impossible to release energy faster than a certain limit. The keys released energy with a fixed speed. The harder he struggled, the more difficult it was. It led him to the conclusion that even the most intense battle would take no more than ten minutes.
Kyon's next four working days were monotonous.
He came to work, did the day's work in a couple of hours so that Basil would leave him be, and went to his secluded nook to practice releasing energy through the keys. He experimented, learned how they worked, "reinvented the wheel." Later at night, he did stretching exercises and slept two hours before the new working day.
Kyon stopped having dreams in the form of memories long ago, so he just had some rest.
Soon he sculpted his way to a stronger body without bothering himself with exhausting workouts. It was all thanks to Synergy that properly distributed enzymes derived from protein foods and regulated metabolism. He didn't need any training to the envy of any athlete. By the arrival at the Stones' estate, he was supposed to have a great, attractive athletic body, capable of long-term physical activity. It was going to benefit him if not in terms of strength and endurance, then in physical attraction, and in addition to his pretty face and carelessly disheveled hair, it would make him irresistible.
Kyon also discovered that his soul had become more capacious. He knew that as soon as the rate of growth hit a certain level, he would move to the next stage, which would be another milestone on the way of his cultivation. He reached the first stage of the base phase the moment he connected with his soul.
The density of the first phasal energy was insignificant in the mine, which meant his soul would evolve much slower than he desired. If only he knew how to practice the elements, not scatter them in the wind, his cultivation would increase dramatically.
It was a great advantage that Kyon could dispel the energy at night, even when he was sleeping, as his attention stayed focused due to Synergy that took on the role of the performer and acted automatically.
There was even a better advantage: his keys were absolutely pure, which meant that his stream amounted to 900 points. All the nine keys were 100% pure. An impossible dream for the rest of humankind! The average stream had 200-300 points, and those who had it took three to four times longer to evolve. Their elemental attacks were weaker compared to Kyon, even if his cultivation was at the same stage.
The battered wardens returned during those four working days.
The slaves of the 2nd rank were given three nights to recover, which was more than enough for most of them.
Unfortunately, Osip, Kyon's former warden, was too weak when it was time to leave the hospital. Byron avenged his friend and beat the guard, who had crippled Osip, to a pulp. He wouldn't ever come round after that.
Rogash, the "caring" dog, had left Babil's face nicely mutilated, and Byron adorned it with a couple of more bruises. Since then, Babil was neither seen nor heard. He only gritted his teeth whenever he saw Kyon, but many of them were missing in light of recent events. Babil could forget about gaining his power back. It wasn't only his reputation that had suffered in the brawl. He was absolutely broke after Kyon's shameless plundering. Of course, the moneylender had some savings stashed, but he could get his money only on the 7th day of the week. Even the guard who remained with Babil had no respect for him.
The evening of the 6th day had come. Tomorrow was a day off. No one was in a rush to go to bed. Some had taken the card tables, others were writing letters to their dear ones, and some were just chatting over a cup of crap tea.
Kyon was worried that his absence in the database could be revealed. Bob turned in his weekly report ten days ago, but Kyon was hoping that all routine inspections would be temporarily suspended until they found a replacement for Martin, the late formacist. Anyway, he hadn't had any trouble, so far. That's all that mattered.
Bob and Mob came to the common hall to distribute the overachievement commission. Mob emanated an aura of a drug addict. Did something happen between him and Martha?
Kyon didn't jump to conclusions. He didn't have to wait his turn, either. The jerks had kindly lent him enough money to win the auction and get a raise. He wasn't going to need more.
Kyon went to find Mike and promised that he would give him the money left from the auction so that he could exchange it into real currency and send it to his family who lived in the village of Kornevo.
When the problem with "extra" money was solved, Kyon knocked on the door of Byron's room.
«Who's there?» - He heard a muffled voice from behind the door.
«Greetings Byron, it's me.»
«Come on in, boy. I'll pour you some tea... What have you been up to?» - Byron let Kyon in and went to put the kettle on. He used a crystal to boil the water, put a steaming mug in front of Kyon and sat opposite him.
Kyon thanked him for the drink and carefully sipped his tea.
«Same old, same old. There's an auction tomorrow. I'm planning to get out.»
Byron frowned:
«You know, everyone here dreams of getting a promotion and going to the estate. Your money may not be enough. Last time, it cost about 250 thousand spheres to win…»
Kyon grinned and winked conspiratorially to Byron:
«I took some compensation from Babil and his cronies for attacking me and beating Osip. It should suffice.»
«Ha-ha-ha! It's fucking great!» - First, Byron was taken aback, but then he laughed out loud. He approvingly banged with his fist on the table: - «They deserve it! I would have fucking skinned them if anything had happened to you!»
Kyon felt gratitude towards the simple-minded big guy welling deep inside him:
«I am glad to hear that.»
Byron put aside his cup and thoughtfully propped his chin with his hand, drumming his fingers on the table:
«By the way, even if you win the auction, it won't set you free. I have no idea about the way of life and habits there, but I wish you the best of luck with your family matters if you do get out. Hopefully, that asshole will get what he deserves…»
Kyon was confused for a moment, but then he remembered his made-up story full of "drama, maudlinness, and universal injustice." Actually, Kyon should be sorry for his lie, but that emotion was not typical of his rational mind. Besides, Byron wouldn't be so happy to find out that the boy had been manipulating. So, he'd better leave things as they were, and everyone would be pleased. «Lying for the Greater Good» - that was just the name for it.
Kyon nodded vaguely and noticed the Rubik's cube on the shelf behind Byron. He pointed to it:
«Give me that.»
Byron turned around to find what Kyon needed and handed him the toy. Kyon had distracted him for a reason. While he was searching for the toy, Kyon generously poured the entire reserve of Synergy in Byron's cup.
«Here you are. I already regretted buying this junk. I can't make heads or tails of it.» - Byron chuckled and swallowed the lukewarm tea down.
{What a simpleton! It's true what they say, all brawn and no brains...} – Kyon chuckled. Synergy was given a delayed task. Once it reached Byron's stomach, it would penetrate his keys and connect with his spirit in a couple of days. It would give Byron a good incentive, albeit he had not even reached the base phase. Byron always mentioned that he was doomed to be weak, even if no one would dare to call him that.
Kyon leisurely rotated the sides of the cube.
«Tell me about your plans for the future.»
Byron looked down and clenched his fists:
«I have no plans because of my fucking brother. I hate him!... I guess I'll stay here for at least two years. Then I'll buy my freedom and after that... Well, I have to find a way to get my revenge.»
«Two years is a long time. If you get out earlier, find Mike's family in the village of Kornevo and wait for me there. I'll find you and help you get your revenge, but keep in mind...» - The cube was gradually returning to its original state, line after line - red, yellow, green, and red again…
Byron interrupted him impatiently:
«Are you going to help me?»
«Yes, but keep in mind you owe me a favor.» - Kyon nodded, pleased with himself, and put the reassembled Rubik's cube on the table in front of Byron.
Byron glanced at the toy and said pensively:
«You know I'm not rich…»
«It has nothing to do with money. Don't lose any sleep over it.»
«Kyon, I don't give a shit how you are going to do it. If you help me get my revenge, I'll do anything for you!» - Byron slammed with his fist on the table, the cups clinked plaintively. He cleared his throat and added, not so confidently: - «Well, aside from weird things, you know.»
They laughed together.
Kyon said good-bye to Byron and went to his bedroom. Tomorrow was going to be a hard day, the D-day.
Byron closed the door behind Kyon and began to clear the table. His gaze lingered on the Rubik's cube and he gasped in surprise.
It was early morning. Sleepy miners stumbled into the common hall like the living dead, constantly yawning. Kyon was excited as never before. The stakes were too high.
Byron slowly went on the mini-stage and announced when the auction would begin. Then he ordered everyone to go and get washed.
Kyon was standing under the refreshing shower thinking... {So, the patriarch has a beautiful young granddaughter... Hmm, what could be better than winning a highborn lady's heart? The status and influence of the Stone family would allow me to rise in the world. How interesting... A test where a slave must seduce a noble girl, the leader's daughter... I will use my seduction techniques, and she is destined to be mine! In my world, I could charm anyone in an hour. I'm sure my skills will come in very handy here. Oh, I can't wait. My masters have never given me such a task! Hopefully, the girl is my type. If she is, I'll bring her to heel, even if it takes time. She'll thank me later.}
Kyon was lost in his naive romantic fantasies. He had no idea how this world worked. The chain of command was rather flexible in the mine. Everyone was on familiar terms, just like in Lovr's world. Outside, in high society, a single wrong glance could become his last. His ignorance could get him into big trouble, which he was completely unaware of.
Male nature responds quickly and straightforwardly to romantic thoughts. Kyon suppressed his sexual urge, turned off the water and began to get dressed.
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. Kyon turned back and saw a bald man approaching him with a lascivious look on his face.
{Screw you, not now.} - Kyon had just put on his pants.
«Hey guy, that's the nicest thing I've seen today…»
Before he could finish the sentence, a slippery piece of soap bounced off the wall and dropped straight under his foot. He slipped and slid on the wet floor, cursing loudly, until he crashed into the wall. When he came to his senses, Kyon was already gone.
Kyon pulled on his shirt on the move and ran with his shoes unlaced, breathing a sigh of relief: «If not for my ballistic skills, it would have been rough.»
He heard a commotion in the common hall: two shopkeepers and their loyal guard were bringing in the mobile stall. The slaves were lining up for the upcoming auction, shouting and quarreling.
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