Ascension of the Forsaken Genius

Sylas sat cross-legged in the dimly lit storeroom, his mind racing with possibilities. He had already discovered that pure energy behaved differently from elemental energies—it lacked a defining property, making it unpredictable and difficult to control. But there had to be more to it than just its neutrality. There had to be a reason it even existed in the first place.

He closed his eyes, reaching inward. The pure energy within him was like a pool of colorless liquid, lacking any shape or purpose of its own. Unlike fire, which burned, or water, which flowed, this energy simply was. 

A bold thought took hold of him. What if pure energy wasn’t meant to be used in its raw form? What if it was a bridge—something that could be molded into any elemental affinity?

If that were the case, then the true power of pure energy wasn’t in its neutrality, but in its adaptability. It could become anything. But how?

Sylas concentrated harder, willing the energy inside him to change. He envisioned fire—crackling, consuming, fierce. He urged the energy to shift, to take on its properties. He felt resistance, but also… potential. As if the energy recognized his intent but lacked the means to obey. 

He tried again, this time focusing on water. He imagined a calm lake, steady and flowing. But still, nothing happened. The energy remained unchanged, stubbornly refusing to adopt any form.

His frustration grew. The logic was there—it should work. Why won’t it transform?

Then, another realization struck him. If pure energy could change, then wouldn’t elemental energy be able to revert back to its purest state as well? If he could not turn pure energy into fire, could he break fire back down into pure energy? 

He extended his senses outward. In the room, a single candle flickered. It was a small flame, barely noticeable, yet it was energy all the same. Sylas reached out with his will, attempting to pull the fire’s essence apart—to strip it of its defining properties and return it to a neutral state.

A searing pain stabbed through his mind. The flame flickered but resisted, as though something fundamental in its nature fought against being undone. Sylas gasped, breaking the connection, his forehead slick with sweat.

His body trembled. So it is possible… but something is missing.

The transformation between pure energy and elemental energy was real—he could feel it—but it wasn’t something he could achieve on his own. Something vital was missing from the equation, a missing key preventing him from harnessing this ability. 

A new sense of urgency filled him. If he could uncover the secret behind this conversion, it would change everything. He would no longer be bound by the limitations of a single affinity—he could become any kind of cultivator he wished.@@novelbin@@

But until he found what was missing, he was stuck. His energy remained in its neutral, untapped state, waiting for the day he would learn how to unleash its true potential.

Sylas exhaled, regaining his focus. This was only the beginning. He would continue his training, refining his control over pure energy until he unlocked its true purpose.

For now, he had a theory. Pure energy was the foundation, the origin point of all energies, but transformation required more than just intent. It needed a catalyst. A force or technique that could break down and reshape energy at will.

He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. He needed more knowledge, more experimentation. He would study energy conversion, even if it meant starting from the basics of alchemy, runes, or formations. If the answer wasn’t within his body yet, he would seek it elsewhere.

One day, he would find the missing key.

And when he did, nothing in this world would be beyond his reach.