Opening the Sea of Consciousness was not an event the world could detect.
No trembling earth.
No tearing sky.
No explosion of energy to awaken the sleepers.
Only…
Expansion.
A silent expansion to the point that even silence itself seemed to stretch.
Inside that contradictory space — a black sky without end, and white seas as still as if they had never known waves — the energy core remained suspended at the center.
It emitted no pressure.
Released no noticeable gravity.
And yet…
Ares knew.
He knew with a knowledge deeper than thought, and older than language:
This core was not something placed inside him.
It was something that had always been there…
Only waiting for the path to be opened.
Outside, the Ancestor stood in silence.
His narrowed eyes watched the child without haste, like a hunter observing a still lake, waiting for a single movement to reveal its depth.
No surprise appeared on his face.
Not even real interest.
Only… evaluation.
After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, free of emotion:
"Opening the Sea of Consciousness at this age… before training even begins."
He paused briefly.
Then added in the same tone someone might use to comment on cold weather:
"A promising talent… somewhat."
He fell silent.
But his gaze deepened slightly.
"So far… I have not seen what truly makes you the source of a new anomaly in this world."
The words were not belittling.
Nor were they praise.
They were a postponed judgment.
He lifted his eyes toward the gray horizon and said:
"It doesn't matter… we will remain here for another six months."
"Let us see whether you will learn to control gravity… or merely possess it."
Silence returned.
A heavy silence.
The silence of beings accustomed to waiting for results… not predicting them.
But inside Ares's consciousness…
There was no silence at all.
[ Full stability within the Sea of Consciousness. ]
[ The energy core is in complete synchronization with the host. ]
Then a new message appeared:
[ Host… you must find a place with much higher gravity to begin forming the Gravity Core. ]
The system's words no longer felt foreign.
They were no longer a "voice."
They were closer to organized thoughts appearing in the correct place within his mind.
Ares asked with a calm that did not belong to a child:
"System… what will forming the cores grant me?
And how is the Gravity Core different from simply possessing the ability?"
The system answered immediately:
[ Gravity ability is the foundation, but forming the Gravity Core reflects the host's understanding and control over it. It is also the most suitable and easiest way for the host to create his own skills and techniques based on gravity. In addition, the Gravity Core will make any gravity-related skills or abilities much easier, far stronger, and less demanding on the host's mental strength and spiritual energy. ]
[ But the most important benefit of forming the Gravity Core is that the host will create his own energy. ]
Ares:
"Explain more. I did not understand, especially your last sentence."
[ Certainly, host.
To simplify further: the host is currently not using his own gravitational power, but is borrowing the world's gravity through his gravity talent.
By forming the Gravity Core, the host can generate his own gravity.
It is similar to the host becoming a planet with its own gravitational force.
This is the clearest path for the host to reach his ultimate goal and control the power of the black hole. ]
Ares:
"Oh… I understand now. Is it the same for the other elements? Does everyone borrow a power that is not originally theirs through their talent?"
System:
[ Analyzing… calculating…
Answer to the host's question:
It is somewhat similar, but not entirely. Every element is unique in its properties, structure, method of use, and control.
Let us take the fire element as an example. According to current calculations and the system's understanding of energy principles and spiritual power, if the host possessed the fire element instead of gravity, he could control it even if it were not present in the world. However, it would weaken greatly depending on the environment.
For example, if you were in an environment filled with the water element, the fire energy within the host would weaken significantly, and its restoration and use would become more difficult. ]
[ But if the host forms a Fire Core based on his fire talent and his understanding of energy, he becomes the source of his own fire power. He would not suffer pressure when using it in an environment filled with an opposing element, and both efficiency and strength would increase. ]
Ares:
"Hmm… it is a bit complex, but understandable. So there is a natural difference between elements and powers."
System:
[ Yes, exactly. ]
Ares:
"Then what are the other elements similar to gravity in structure — those based on borrowing power rather than fully controlling it?"
System:
[ Calculating… calculating… calculating…
The most accurate result, based on the system's current data and understanding of the principles of energy and power, is that the forces based on borrowing rather than full control are the higher forces of the universe, such as gravity, space, time, and fate. ]
An idea flashed within Ares's awareness.
Not a child's thought.
But an abstract observation:
Some forces cannot be owned…
You are only allowed to approach them.
He finally said:
"Then… let us begin forming the Gravity Core."
Ares opened his eyes.
The outer world seemed… narrower.
Not because it had changed.
But because his consciousness was no longer small enough to contain it.
He turned toward the Ancestor.
Stared at him for a long moment.
Then spoke a single word in his childish voice:
"Heavier."
The Ancestor's eyebrow lifted by a hair.
"Oh… have you begun to understand and speak after opening the Sea of Consciousness?"
He stepped closer.
Suddenly…
The air felt denser.
"You mean a place with higher gravity?
To learn more about your power?"
Ares was about to answer.
But—
[ Warning. ]
[ Noticeable rise in the Ancestor's awareness. ]
[ Perception is surrounding the host. ]
[ Most probable outcome: a test. ]
[ Recommendation: remain silent. ]
He stopped.
Let his features relax.
His face emptied of any trace of thought…
Until he looked like a small doll without a soul.
Two seconds passed.
Then the Ancestor smiled faintly.
Not a smile of admiration.
But the smile of a man reassured that the world was still logical.
"Good… it seems your consciousness is not complete yet."
Then he said with quiet lethality:
"If it were otherwise…
I would begin to suspect that you are reincarnated."
He turned away.
"Let us go."
He lifted the child easily.
But the moment he moved—
Ares felt something strange.
It was not pressure.
But a slight bending of reality…
As if the world itself leaned aside to make way for the Ancestor.
He understood without asking:
The Ancestor does not merely move within the world…
The world makes room for him.
As they walked away, one final message appeared:
[ Several regions with high gravitational density have been identified. ]
[ Selecting the optimal path… ]
For a reason he did not yet understand…
Ares felt that the coming steps would not only make him stronger.
But…
Heavier in existence.