"I, Libra, wished to defeat the other Shining Ones that have been bound here. And though they will not die, I want to be the smug one who will mock them. After all, it was their doing that left my region in ruin, its ether scarce, its people weak, and my seal left to be unbroken for ages so they would be strong to conquer and take me when I broke out..."

The quill sparked faintly as it scraped against celestial parchment.

"And so, I desired for my master to pursue the path of Mana and Power. Provision for this was already given through the Celestial TV, though I admit... I lacked faith."

Libra paused, sighing deeply.

"I queried my master if he understood how to build it. I still doubted his genius since he is like a child: focused one second, chasing a butterfly the next."

The parchment shimmered and replayed the memory of that time.

...

...

...

"Then my next question to you, Master, is this: what was Aetherion's theory to manage both Power and Mana?"

Thane leaned forward, drawing two circles in the dust near his seat. One steady and closed, the other spiraling outward like a galaxy.

"The theory would rely on cultivation. Start with a Mana Core, and your nature leans toward control. Begin with Power, and you favor conquest. But if both are to attempt forging together, and the stabilizing Core is capable of bearing both Mana and Power... then you forge what Aetherion called the Harmonic Core!"

He paused, staring down at the dust diagram.

"I should examine the corpse of those battle mages. I wonder what methods they used to try and create this theoretical Harmonic Core... I wonder. Did they perfect this theory that Aetherion created?"

"It would indeed require this Harmonic Core. And to answer your question, I doubt it. At least this continent that has been robbed of its resources and kept a dark in the knowledge about cultivation shows no signs of growing. The battle mages have made a clearly poor attempt to do so. But there are too many issues already. I want you to pursue it, but I am unsure if it is the right path."

Thane tapped his chin.

"Right. My first core should be using both Power and Mana... Hmm. Where would I find a creature of such Harmony?"

"That is the challenge. Even now, I know it would be close to impossible. Even my Core was one of Mana. Finding the perfect Core for Harmony is ideal, but nearly impossible. The Harmonic Cores of those battle mages were full of flaws. I recommend against it. A fifteen percent decrease should be your bottom line. Any lower, and mages or Mighty of skill would overwhelm you. Especially since you are challenging the gods. The choice is ultimately yours, Master. Do we forge your Mana Core now? You know enough about Core Forging to create one, and we would have an easier time gathering the requirements."

Thane's eyes sparkled. "Hmm… No. If I ask for Mana now, I'd be like the Israelites." He chuckled to himself.

"The Israelites?"

"Yeah," Thane said, gesturing dramatically. "Jesus was tasked to fast for forty days. Perhaps to fulfill the promise made in Hosea 11 that 'out of Egypt, God called his Son.' That verse speaks of Israel, but somehow the New Testament writers connect it to Jesus. I think Jesus fasted to fulfill what Israel failed to do. God told them to wait for His provision, but they demanded manna out of impatience. Sure, they got it—but it became punishment, not blessing. They hoarded it, and it spoiled. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded. He refused the devil's temptation to turn stones into bread. He waited. If I ask for Mana now, I'd be the same as them! Demanding, not trusting. God will provide the Harmony."

"But... will the Lord provide?" Libra asked, unable to help the flicker of doubt.

Thane rolled his eyes.

"That's exactly what a serpent would ask. 'DiD GoD rEaLlY sAy—?'" Thane mimicked mockingly.

"I'm just voicing my doubts, Master. This is not the True World. To what extent does God control here?"

"Look, I just got here, and God already led me to you! Libra of the Fallen Zodiac. If He could guide me to an angel, won't He guide me to the right creature? He'll provide. I'll wait on Him to lead me to the monster with the Core that'll make the perfect Harmony."

"Now, can I continue watching?"

"...You seem to have understood enough. And if you have met me, then perhaps there is truth in your words. Provision has been given. Then I can only hope your faith will be rewarded." Libra agreed, and the remote appeared in Thane's hands. Libra didn

Thane grinned victoriously. "Thanks, Teach!"

The Celestial TV shimmered back to life. Aetherion appeared once again, but not in the classroom. He now stood outdoors before a pan over a blazing fire, his students gathered around him.

"The harmony of Power and Mana is akin to this!"

Thane squinted.

"Wait... is he cooking?"

Several monster eggs of varying size and color lay in the pan, their shells glistening like jewels. Aetherion held a bowl filled with a strange, glowing liquid.

"The harmony of eggs perfectly shows this. We have eggs from different beasts, each unique, each filled with essence. Mixing them won't suffice." He lifted the pan.

"Like these eggs, Power and Mana must be tempered, not tossed. They must be bonded through a catalyst, a perfect Core that can unify them."

He poured the glowing liquid in. The mixture began to swirl, merging as light shimmered across the pan.

"The ingredients bond. The pan governs the process. But apart from binding, control of heat is key! Too much fire, and they curdle. Too little, and they remain raw!"

He turned the eggs with perfect rhythm, creating something golden and steaming.

Thane's jaw dropped. "Scrambled… eggs?"

"Master—GIVE ME THE REMOTE!" Libra shouted in horror.

"No! Scrambled eggs! My favorite!" Thane's grin widened as the screen zoomed in on the sizzling dish.

"Do not—!"

The vision and memory of Libra ended.

"I was... too late. Since I unconsciously and carelessly handed him the remote, the echo of Garron Duskbane's infernal theme music is still playing in my head!"

"Garron Duskbane's face filled the Celestial TV, and my master began watching Ten Ways to Cook Monster Eggs! My wail echoed through the spectral realm, but he cared not. How could I help him be the conqueror when he was far too interested in the different ways to saute a pan for a perfect omelet?!"

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