I’m having breakfast with Sophia in the dining room of the Kovalevska Mansion.
Today’s menu was quite delightful. There’s an array of meat on the table—well, technically just mb, but cooked in several different ways. A bowl of fresh milk sits nearby, along with some sweets that I don’t think I’ll touch.
For some reason, sugary fvors taste odd to me.
As I eat, memories of the previous experiment resurface.
Last night’s experiment was nearly a disaster. The pain within me intensified slightly, triggering panic, before subsiding just enough to bring me dangerously close to losing control. I can still vividly recall that overwhelming desire—the feeling that surrendering to it would mean losing all sembnce of self-restraint.
In my previous life, indulgence was one of the enemies I made sure to remember. I saw firsthand how it could change people, and I’ve resolved not to fall victim to it. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll avoid it entirely; rather, I aim to master control over it.
I tested the skill 'Essence Devour' repeatedly. The undeniable exhiration of the pain inside me subsiding tempted me, but I focused intently on maintaining control and halting myself when needed.
For now, I’ve drawn several conclusions. 'Essence Devour' appears to be a skill that allows me to "devour" virtually anything in direct contact with me. I’ve successfully absorbed small inanimate objects, tiny living creatures, and even specific elements. For instance, I was able to devour carbon from a bug, transforming it into a greenish-yellow liquid, or devouring oxygen from rusted metal to restore its surface. Moreover, I can precisely devour areas within an object, enabling me to create holes or carve intricate shapes with ease.
Another noteworthy aspect of this skill is the instinctive understanding I seem to possess. Simir to my mastery over 'Veil of the Abyss', my control over 'Essence Devour' feels natural, almost effortless, after only a few attempts. This stands in contrast to 'Transmogrify Essence', where learning its limitations requires meticulous, step-by-step experimentation.
Curious, I checked my skill descriptions:
---
Veil of the Abyss Type: Aura Css: High-tier Attribute: Abyss Effect: Envelops the user in an aura of the abyss.
Essence Devour Type: Absorption Css: Camity-tier Attribute: Abyss Effect: The user consumes the essence of the target.
---
'Am I just naturally proficient with the Abyss attribute?' I wondered.
With no immediate answer, I decided to set the thought aside and focus on the present.
Interestingly, beyond the tempting relief of reduced pain, 'Essence Devour' doesn’t seem to have any immediate drawbacks. Even better, it doesn’t consume mana, unlike my other skills.
Another thing, my status window has changed since I started using 'Essence Devour'.
---
Seraphix Level: 1 Mana Capacity: 461 Essence: -1,103,822Occupation: Beast (cat) tamed by Sophia Kovalevska
Strength: 1 Intelligence: 1 Agility: 1 Dexterity: 1 Vitality: 1
Skills: Transmogrify Essence, Veil of the Abyss, Essence Devour
Essence Shop (0) Friend List (1)
---
I now have an 'Essence' section, including an 'Essence Shop'. My essence, however, is a staggering negative one million. Essentially, I’m deeply in debt when it comes to essence, and my essence shop is completely empty.
When I use 'Essence Devour', my essence value increases slightly. However, the increase varies depending on the target. Devouring inanimate objects like rocks yields much less essence than consuming insects.
From a molecur perspective, it seems that the more complex the molecur arrangement of what I devour, the more essence I gain. This essence also appears linked to the pain inside me—as my essence increases, the pain diminishes.
I tried doing the math, and even if I devoured a billion insects, I wouldn’t come close to breaking even. That’s how difficult it is to increase my essence.
***
On the grand dining table of the Kovalevska Mansion, Sophia sat quietly, eating her breakfast. Across from her, her mother, Valeslina, ate in silence, while Seraphix sat beside her on the table, nibbling on his food.
At the head of the table stood an empty chair—her father, Naphael’s seat. He was absent from breakfast.
Her mother had expined that Naphael was now abroad and wouldn’t return for several months.
Sophia couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. She had been eager to prove herself to her father—to show that she truly was a nine-stroke beast tamer, recognized by none other than the Grand Tamer.
With her departure for the academy set for tomorrow, she had hoped to earn his acknowledgment before leaving.
As Sophia ate, a memory of her father resurfaced.
There was a time when her father greeted her with a warm smile—a smile that felt more genuine than anyone else's, even her mother's.
But that time didn’t st.
As a child, Sophia hadn’t understood the weight of being born into a high-ranking noble. She assumed everyone would treat her kindly, regardless of her actions. She didn’t notice the quiet expectations that hovered around her.
In the Maurya Empire, those with blood from legendary creatures underwent a phenomenon called 'Awakening'. This transformative process could lead to physical changes—animal traits, hybrid forms, or subtler shifts—and, most importantly, it unlocked enhanced senses, physical capabilities, or the ability to wield mana.
As Sophia grew older, she watched her peers 'awaken' one by one, leaving her behind.
Gradually, the world she once knew began to change.
People started avoiding her, their once-friendly attitudes turning distant and dismissive. Though no one openly bullied her, it became an unspoken agreement that Sophia was someone to be avoided.
She stayed patient, hoping her Awakening was merely deyed. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Eventually, doubt began to creep into her mind.
"Am I... talentless?" The realization began to haunt her.
One day, overwhelmed by despair, Sophia ran to her father, clutching at his clothes with trembling hands.
“Father,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I’m your daughter, right? Even if I don’t awaken—even if I don’t have talent—I’m still your daughter. You still love me... don’t you? Father?”
Her father stood silent, his gaze distant. The warmth she had always found in his eyes was gone, as though he were no longer looking at his daughter.
“Father, please!” she pleaded, shaking him. “Say something! I’m still me, even if I have no talent! Please, Father!”
But he said nothing. His silence was deafening.
Kneeling, tears streaming down her face.
She realized that her father, like everyone else, had expectations of her—and, like everyone else, he too would eventually distance himself from her.
“I’m sorry, Father... I’m so sorry. I couldn’t meet your expectations. I don’t have any talent...”
All she could do was ask for forgiveness; she didn’t know what else to do.
From that day on, Sophia threw herself into relentless self-improvement. If she couldn’t awaken naturally, she resolved to force herself to rise to her family’s expectations.
After countless trials and errors, her determination had finally paid off—she had become a beast tamer, ready to present her success to her father.
But he wasn’t there to see it.
Sophia finished her meal quietly. Rising from the table, she picked up Seraphix, preparing to leave when her mother called out to her.
“Sophia,” Valeslina said softly.
Sophia paused, turning to her mother. “Yes, Mother?”
“Come here.”
Sophia walked to her mother’s side. Gently, Valeslina caressed her hair, her voice tender.
“You leave for the academy tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“You won’t return until next winter.”
“Yes.”
"I didn’t say this st year, but I need you to hear it now. Out there, you must be careful. Don’t blindly trust anything or anyone you encounter. Never let the majority sway your judgment. If you’re ever uncertain, ask Calyxianov—he has good judgment. Remember, this world is filled with dangers—whether it's a creature, an object, or even an idea."
Sophia watched her mother closely. Valeslina’s eyes shimmered with a mix of worry and conviction, as though she were speaking from experience.
Then, her mother retrieved two small boxes from her pocket and handed them to Sophia.
"Happy birthday," Valeslina said softly, a faint, sorrowful smile tugging at her lips.
