Chapter 116
116 Free Ego
Finally, the energy sphere began to stabilize, unleashing a dual intent capable of both thriving and destruction. It was certainly impressive but no longer released that overwhelming aura that could corrupt the mind and will of others.
It was not the raw strength of Cain’s Alter-Ego that almost corrupted Abin’s ego but the unique nature and forces in this one. Those forces are in their purest state during the Alter-Ego’s birth, so they have a much easier time influencing others.
As the Alter-Ego finished its formation, Apex saw how electromagnetic force stopped emerging through the crack in the gate. Whatever goal was behind those actions, the Red King fulfilled it.
Apex was very worried about all that had happened. The System Spirit knew that the soul of anyone else would have shattered if it came in contact with the Red King’s ego, but Cain’s situation was unique, and it nurtured his soul.
The problem was that Apex had no idea just how much it affected Cain’s ego and personality. He already noticed changes after the Red King’s awakening, and things might only grow even more severe.
In the room where everything happened, Zarak noticed that Cain’s eyelids were twitching and knew that this one was about to wake up.
Zarak turned toward Abin, and his eyes glowed with a monstrously powerful blue light as he spoke.
“Leave and forget what happened here. You had an important matter to attend to, which is why you were unable to see Cain’s Alter Ego.”
The moment she heard those words, Abin stood up, and her eyes lost focus. She walked toward the teleportation matrix and vanished.
.....
Zarak made sure Abin would not be here since he did not want to explain to Cain the effect the crimson sphere had on the woman.
That might involve some of Cain’s secrets, and Zarak did not want the boy to know that he knew. It might not sound very honest, but he was wary of his new disciple and wanted to be careful.
Cain finally opened his eyes, and they had a deep confusion. It took him almost an hour before he could focus again and remember what was happening around him. His facial expression changed multiple times before a radiant smile appeared in it.
Zarak relaxed as he saw that smile since it was full of heroism. Before, he was not very happy with Cain’s true nature, but now he was glad for it. The crimson sphere told him that boy had an immense potential for destruction, so it was lucky that this one did not take that path.
“How long did I sleep?” That was the first question that came out of Cain’s mouth.
The memories from the boy covered ten years, but Cain did not see every single moment. That was very lucky since spending ten years inside a body he could not control could have shattered his mind.
Although he did not have an exact number, Cain felt he experienced roughly ten months inside that dream. It was still a lot, but not so much that someone like him with willpower at the First Realm could not endure.
“You sleep for almost ten days.”
Cain nodded toward Zarak before looking around and seeing they were just the two of them.
“Abin left. She had important matters to attend to and could not wait.”
Zarak’s words made perfect sense to Cain. After seeing that the boy was focused, he spoke solemnly.
“Before anything, I will give you a warning. You should have your Alter-Ego hidden at all times.”
Cain’s eyes narrowed as he heard that. It was clear there was something special about his Alter-Ego that could cause some trouble.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and saw it. A crimson orb the size of a grain of rice shone with a marvelous light. It released heat that could warm your body and fill you with energy, but at the same time, it could set you ablaze until nothing but your bones remained.
Cain was surprised by what he perceived inside the crimson sphere. He felt the warmth belonged to him, but the destructive nature was foreign yet familiar.
‘It is similar to how I felt inside those memories.’ Cain opened his eyes once he was over with his retrospection.
Zarak saw that Cain stared at him, waiting for an explanation.
“An Alter-Ego with duality is something I have never seen before. Technically there is nothing wrong with it, but it is impossible to tell what others might think when they learn about it, so it is better to be safe than sorry.”
Cain frowned when he heard that.
“Master, your Alter-Ego was also able to express duality. At first, it showed thriving life before manifesting a suffocating killing intent.”
Zarak understood Cain’s misconception and immediately shook his head before clarifying things.
“My Alter-Ego indeed showed those states, but they were not simultaneous. Those were stages it went through while it developed throughout dozens of years. Your case is like two egos held inside the same avatar, like a small boat with a saint and assassin, each using one oar.”
With that explanation, Cain finally understood the uniqueness of his Alter-Ego and was sure that those experiences inside the dream had something to do with it.
“I will be careful, Master.”
Zarak nodded when he saw that Cain understood the severity of the situation. He wanted the boy to face complex challenges, but it would be stupid to draw the attention of powerhouses that not even he could fend off.
“You don’t need to release the Alter-Ego to use its powers, so there should be no problem regarding battle. We usually only display it when we talk to others about the principles of our Visualization Techniques, and no one can force you to do that, so you should be fine.
Now that is out of the way, we should address a happier subject, like the powers you have just gained access to.”
Cain began to smile and while the unique condition of his Alter-Ego still bothered him, growing stronger was something that always made him happiest.
“Now that you have already formed the Alter-Ego, you will use your Visualization Technique to make it evolve and expand its potential. The only thing that will limit the growth of your Alter-Ego is your willpower, and the only thing limiting its abilities is its potential and your imagination.
The special abilities and evolution of your Alter-Ego will depend on you, so I can only provide some advice on that aspect. However, I can offer you a lot of information regarding the standard abilities you have gained access to.
As someone at the First Realm, you can use Embryonic Breathing and Free Ego.
You have already come in contact with Embryonic Breathing, but there are different levels according to its potency and how difficult it is to enter it.
As for Free Ego, that is the ability to allow our Ego Wave to emerge from our Ego Eternal Matrix, allowing us to explore the surroundings with something other than our eyes and ears and also helping us measure the cultivation of our enemies. You saw an example when the Abyssal Demon covered the entire forest with a force field.”
Zarak made a pause and signaled for Cain to attempt the last one.
Cain focused, and his eyes glowed with red light before an electromagnetic force field of the same color emerged from his brain.
Wonder immediately appeared in his eyes as he felt that he could see, hear, and even smell everything inside the red force field. He could manipulate it as if it was an arm and send it toward Zarak’s body, but to his surprise, he could not reach it.
“Hahaha, brat. Your Ego Wave is too weak to surpass my energy defenses. As you grow stronger in the Ego Eternal Path of Power, your Ego Wave will gain all sorts of wonderful abilities. With enough training, you can make it invisible.” Zarak laughed a little before guiding Cain.
Cain nodded and retracted his Ego Wave. Free Ego was terrific, and while the Absolute Life Form System’s [A.I. Chip Module] could fulfill similar roles, there was a delay as the system would have to relay the message to him. However, if he received those signals with his Ego Wave, he would know it immediately.
Of course, that did not mean he would stop using the [Basic Scan Force Field] and [Pseudo Cellular Analysis]. Both could complement each other.
Zarak took a crystal card from his space ring and handed it to Cain.
“There is a precise guide to tackle Embryonic Breathing and Free Ego, along with some basics that could help you with your Visualization Technique. You should go through each point, and if you have doubts, you can call me.”
Cain bowed after taking the crystal card and storing it in his space ring. He would definitely analyze everything once he returned to his residence.
“Ok, now that we finished with our main subject, I guess it is time for me to teach you how to become a Hypnosis Master.”