"Essence is even more elusive than the wind. Grasping it in your hand and moving it to the whims of your mind is forever a pipe dream to most.
Over 90% of people in the world have to make do with using handseals, blessed items, and scribbles.
You people are expected to be the exceptions.
You do not aim to just direct essence, your goal is to own it. Your every breath one rich with the most mythical thing in existence."
These words, spoken by Professor Elim during the Energy class, played in Hulio's head.
When the man's speech finished, it started again, playing over and over, fueling his will as he pressed a finger to the naked chest of a man hanging from a chain in front of him.
Dressed in only black pants, his feet and chest bare, a rough stubble on his chin, though remaining only in position Hulio's forehead creased, his body tightening as the seconds passed.
He could sense the energy within him, his essence residing in the specific channels he had created within his body.
At the moment, he had focused a particularly significant amount of essence in his right index finger and was looking to will it, to move from his finger and diffuse straight into the body of the man before him.
The energy left from Hulio's finger as he desired, but it did not drill into the flesh his finger pressed on.
Instead, it diffused to the sides, wafting into the air.
Seconds which turned into minutes passed, his whole body becoming sticky with sweat, a numb ache appearing in his arm.
Constantly pushing out more of his essence, looking for a breakthrough, Hulio had no doubt, but then his body gave up, all his muscles seeming to flatten, and then he took in a deep breath.
Hulio staggered backwards as he hungrily sucked in oxygen, barely steadying himself on his knees.
"I'm out of energy."
The event wasn't new, it was something he had seen more times than many his age and as his expression hardened into one of calm, he let his fist fly at the hanging body.
The result of the collision was a dull impact, the sound of a crack rang out, and it was followed by a scream.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Hulio showed no reaction to the scream. Following his right punch, he threw out a left, his stance dropping as his fist shot out, waist angling as he entered a boxing stance.
The screams from the man hanging were a continuous symphony, the sound of his cracking bones chilled the atmosphere and soon a squishy sound followed.
His expression tight, Hulio upped the strength of his punches, his fist soon rupturing the flesh of the man, bone becoming visible.
Hulio did not pause, his fist kept moving, stabbing into the bloody chest of the man, then his stomach, till finally all that covered his body was torn apart, his insides falling to the ground like fish poured from a bucket.
Having stopped screaming several seconds ago, the unknown man's body silently hung from the ceiling, its lower part held up only by the spine.
With a deep breath Hulio stood up straight, his lean but muscular physique put on display.
He wasn't the tallest man in the room, but he stood above average and as he turned to the side, the light from above reflected on his bald head.
Hulio's gaze landed on a young woman just two inches younger than him but nearly 6 years older, she stood frozen, face twisted in one of dread.
"You look delectable."
The words made the woman shudder, but she quickly shook off her shock and answered promptly.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Have Naomi and Cecile go to my chambers, you too will join them."
"Naomi and Cecile are gone, my lord."
The woman's words caused Hulio, who was about to turn away, to focus back on her and she quickly continued.
"You are out of Luxury credits and you have not given me permission to use your Academy credits."
"But I also gave you discretion with my Resource Credit."
"Yes you did my lord, but your resource credits have fallen below the limit you allow me to spend."
A small smile cracked on Hulio's lips, helplessness mixed with frustration written on it.
"Strip."
The order was given in a slightly deeper tone, and the woman immediately complied.
She didn't have to do much, just a pull on the lace at the back of her black gown, and it fell to the ground, leaving her bare from head to toe.
Possessing long white hair that reached her butt, her nails and toes painted a dark white, desire bubbled within Hulio, his eyes going to her large breasts and wide hips.
Without need for command, the woman closed the distance between the both of them, pressing her body to his chest without hesitation and immediately reaching for his pants.
"Lilith, are you scared?" Hulio asked as his zipper was taken down.
"A little, but this isn't the first time I've had to handle you on my own.
Please be merciful."
Hulio reached up a hand to the woman's cheek, stroking it, feeling as his pants fell, his briefs following and then a soft warm hand go around his little brother.
Lilith looked up at him at this time, dark eyes staring into his, their breaths, especially Hulio's, heavy.
"What is the word outside?" He groaned out the last word as Lilith's hands didn't remain idle, her left going up his chest and rubbing his nipple.
"They say you're a fraud, a lucky pauper whose talentlessness is about to be revealed."
"What do you think?"
"In these three months of isolation you've failed to make any progress.
When you step out of here, your lack of talent will be revealed and all your enemies will come seeking a pound of your flesh."
Hulio blinked once, then twice, neither the confidence nor desire in his eyes faded, then a small smile cracked on his lips.
"I won't be showing you any mercy."