"When I was trying to concentrate on my soul energy, something strange happened." He moved closer to her, standing beside the chair. "I was sent into a completely dark area and passed outside fast, even though for me it was just seconds."
"Oh… that's hard to explain." Asami shifted her face away, thinking for a moment without speaking while Akarum waited for her response.
"Are you sure that's what happened?" She turned to him, not entirely believing his words.
"Why would I lie?"
"Sure, I believe you." Asami exhaled before speaking again.
"It's a phenomenon described as Conditional Mixture, where the soul energy becomes infinite."
"Huh? Soul energy is finite." He interrupted, turning to face her.
"That's why it's a phenomenon," she replied, trying her best to stay calm.
"And why does that happen?" He tilted his head in pure confusion.
"When the souls stay alive but lose consciousness, they create a pocket for themselves within our souls to regulate themselves. That dark space you saw was that pocket. Though it's extremely rare."
"I don't understand. Why can't I interact with them? They're still souls, regardless of consciousness," he pressed further, trying to find a logical conclusion.
"They are souls, but when they have consciousness, your own soul's consciousness prevents them from taking over when you concentrate or try to use a supernatural ability. That way, you won't be attacked or harmed by the separate soul constantly trying to take over your body."
"Oh… that's… interesting. And when they lose consciousness?" He sat down, legs crossed, fully invested in her explanation.
"When they don't have consciousness but remain alive, our souls don't detect those separate souls. Those we've consumed are unharmed because they aren't conscious. So, they can't attack our consciousness."
"Okay." He placed his hand on his chin, calculating mentally. "I understand the dark place logic, why I can't interact too."
A pause.
"But why are they infinite?"
"Seems like you're a very curious child, just like Noyu." She complimented softly before returning to the topic. "They are called infinite because they keep consuming your soul to keep themselves alive."
"What?!" He interrupted in disbelief. "If they are consuming my soul, then why am I alive? Will I die soon? I don't want to die." He stared at Asami, forming an innocent and pleading look.
Asami's right hand came to cover her lips as she chuckled in amusement.
"No, no, you won't die."
Relief flooded him, though his curiosity remained.
"But why? I'm not trying to die. Just… curious."
"Because you are physically alive and functioning, your spirituality keeps feeding them. That's why you won't lose your soul."
"At least not by those souls living inside you," Asami added teasingly. The word at least sounded more ominous than she intended, and it frightened Akarum slightly.
"However… they do give you a benefit. Kind of like a tax for living inside you," she said in a non-serious way.
"Before the benefit… a question. Why do they even create that pocket hole or whatever it is?" He gripped his legs with both hands, staring at her with full attention and curiosity. "And is my soul energy literally infinite because of that phenomenon?"
"As… I read about it…" Asami didn't respond immediately. "Those souls are not literally infinite. They're called infinite because the moment they get used, the separate souls restore themselves through your soul. The pocket acts like a space they keep consuming—but it's still finite."
"Flint, what do you want to eat?" Kashime's voice called from the kitchen.
Pulled by her voice, he turned toward the doors.
"Make whatever you wish."
"Don't complain later if I make something you don't like. You're picky anyway," Kashime sighed.
"I won't. Don't disturb me." He responded before turning to his book which he was reading.
"Huh? Where was I… okay, I don't understand. If I can't interact with them, then where are they being used?" He placed his right elbow on his thigh, leaning his jaw on his palm.
"That's why I was going to tell you the benefit. Even if they lose consciousness, they grant a specific ability. It could be controlling a certain thing or force—that's their way to express themselves. Understood? The concept is over."
"Oh… that's why I regenerated." He pushed his muscles, standing straight, and wiped the dust off his hips.
"You seriously have that phenomenon? Are you sure? I thought that regeneration was done by you," Asami said, still skeptical. She thought he might just be playing around.
"But… will I die if my head got—" He placed his palm on his neck as a gesture of slashing, then let it slip down. "You understand what I mean. Normally, regeneration doesn't work there."
"You wanna try?" She asked jokingly.
"I was just curious. I don't want to try it."
"Now, I don't want to leave you unless I try it." She stood up. Seeing her move, he ran, afraid she might actually try.
"Why are you running? Aren't you curious?" She followed him inside with a smug grin.
In the Fate's Domain, Nao sat on a couch in her brick house.
"A Darken reported that you were in Heavenly Kaatoumo, my lady. Could I know the reason?" His voice was formal, hands resting on his lap.
"Are you going to tell me where I should live?" Nao challenged, not asking a real question.
"Of course not. I thought my Lord might consider it better if Akarum and Aeni lived together." His voice remained respectful.
"Let me ask you a question." Nao fixed her gaze on him intensely.
"I will answer anything, if I know about it," he replied.
Nao swung her neck around, making sure Aeni wasn't nearby. Finding her absent, she returned her gaze to Akutomi.
"Why did you make a deal with Aeni? Because of that, I lost my child, Dery. A year slipped past her eyes, and she instantly wiped it. Though the killer is dead, that doesn't reverse his death, does it? Why didn't you just send me to her without any deals? Why did Liyoku have to do that?"
Her voice returned to its normal tone. "Answer me."
Akutomi remained silent.