Chapter 7: CH 7. Magic Type!
There is going to be info dump in this chapter thaats why I made if much bigger to finish it in just a single chapter.
******
"Blue color, accompanied by a rumbling sound. There is no doubt about it, it is the lightning Element." muttered Magnus magnar, my father.
"The lightning element !! Are you serious?" screamed his fifth wife, Sophia. "How is it that the son of a commoner, awakened such a destructive and so rare element? !!"
Many of Magnus's wives nodded in agreement with the above. but they weren't cheeky and brave enough to say it in front of everyone.
It was a fact that I was discriminated against by many of them. which is why I had never been able to see my brothers and beautiful sisters. But they could not afford to do it as publicly as Sophia, since she is counting on the support of another great Ducal noble house.
Magnus looked coldly at Sofia. "Because he is my son too."
His words completely silenced Sofia, leaving her with an ugly expression on her face.
Magnus paid no heed to Sofia, fixing his gaze upon me with a pleased smile. 'You've demonstrated commendable progress, Maxwell. The lightning element has awakened within you. Henceforth, Knight Deam will oversee your training. You will regularly receive your respective education from your teachers, additionally You are granted access to the Magnar House library. Now you can go."
"Yes sir father." I bowed my head and left the great hall.
Once outside I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. I felt that it was one heck of a roller coaster of emotions for me, and did not know what to do in front of my father.
I looked at my still bleeding hand, ripped a piece of his shirt off and bandaged it.
"Damn old man, this is not going to stay like this."
My eyes couldn't help but wide as he realized a realization.
Yesterday I had sex.
Sex!!
Real Sex at five.
I was supposed to get sexual points for simple things, So penetration should give him a lot of points, right?
I opened my status immediately.
[Maxwell Magnar]
Age: 5 years and 6 months
Strength: 3
Agility: 3
Resistance: 2
Vitality: 4
Intelligence: 50
Mana: 25
Arcane Tempest Mastery: 10
Element: Lightning
Achievements: 2…
Sexual Points: 14508
"Holy hell," I exclaimed in disbelief, letting out a whistle at the staggering number of points amassed.
"I stood there, utterly flabbergasted by the sheer magnitude of it all. In a state of disbelief, I even pinched my cheek, half-expecting to wake up from what seemed like an impossible dream.
Caught off guard and not keeping a vigilant eye on my points, I couldn't pinpoint the exact sexual act responsible for this substantial boost. The stark contrast hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me on the verge of tears, contemplating the arduous struggles I'd endured for measly single-digit points in the past. Now, the counter displayed a triumphantly soaring figure well into the Quintuplet digits, an unexpected reward for my perseverance and determination. Ten thousand from just a single act..
Overflowing with excitement, I resisted the urge to ascend the highest floor of the castle and and screen that I fuck Maria but I control myself as I knew it would be a death sentence.
Returning my gaze to my status window, I deliberately overlooked the absurd surplus of Sexual Points, channeling my focus towards three new, intriguing stats that had materialized. The first, an elemental revelation: Lightning, which is one of the most versatile elements out there.
Yet, it was the other two stats that seized my attention. Arcane Tempest Mastery, standing proudly at 10, hinted at an intricate connection between my understanding of mana, Magic Perception, precise Mana Control, and mastery over my own Lightning element. An amalgamation of skills pointing toward an impending tempest of arcane prowess.
Amidst this revelation, the Achievement stat gleamed, already adorned with the completion of two accomplishments. I required no genius to deduce the nature of these achievements—the rudimentary mechanics reminiscent of the hentai systems I had encountered in countless fanfictions.
Confirming my suspicions, I mentally engaged the ellipsis, prompting a new window to materialize. Its contents, not the window itself, elicited a jolt of shock as my eyes absorbed the revelations it held.
Achievements.
Having intercourse Step Mother {6000 Sexual Points}
Having intercourse with a Woman 20 years older then the host {4000 Sexual Points}
Holy cow," I muttered, absorbing the newfound system's mechanics.
So it turns out the system has an achievement penal and achieving an achievement offers you a ton of sexual points. Now this changes everything so they are my milestones and after fulfilling each milestone I get a numeric value of unknown or predetermined amounts of sexual points.
As even those I don't know what these milestones are so I can be fulfilling one of achievements even know so this is a total mystery as there is not even a hint of what these achievements are.
But just by looking at these two achievements that I got I can deduce they all are related to sex and myself. I can already guess a few of these unknown achievements should be…
As I contemplated the mysterious milestones, a wave of realization hit me. "These milestones must be related to... sex and myself." my mind raced with thoughts of untapped achievements, a trove of forbidden desires that could accumulate unthinkable points.
If there is for step mother then there should be one for my mother and it should give much more points then what I got from step mother.
And if it's for them then it should be for my whole family Sister, Step Sister, Sister In Law, Step Sister In Law, Mother In Law, Step Mother In Law, Aunt, Sibling-in-laws, Cousins, Niece, Grandmother, Step Grandmother, Grandaunt, and finally Daughters, Daughter-in-laws and so many more all of them giving various amounts of sexual points.
I can already imagine huge amounts of points I could gain with these achievements alone even though they only occur one time if I lived and have them live very long enough I can literally create a farm that would give me hundreds of thousands of points just them being a very distance relationship with me or me living for thousands of year's having more than 10 generations of daughters, In Laws, Aunts, Sibling-in-laws, Cousins, Niece, Granddaughters even those they were still my daughters. But because they came from the second generation they would be called both daughters Granddaughters. Then there is the Great Grand, Great Great Grand and so many more.
I envisioned a surreal farm of relationships spanning generations—daughters, granddaughters, and beyond—a perverse legacy that promised an endless stream of points. The idea both fascinated and disturbed me a little only a little, like an ethereal dream casting its tendrils into my reality.
There are so many exploits that I exploit just by living long enough.
Then there is the second achievement of a woman who's 20 years older than me and if I do the maths Maria is around 28-29. So she is around 25 years older than me, one year more or less. And because the system didn't mention 25 I can conclude that the system counts the 10 year age gap.
So there should be achievement for every woman who's ten years older than the last woman I mingle with so it should be like 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and so on and so forth.
Then again I am not sure about this as it's very much possible that Maria is 24 years older than me and the system counts for every 5 years. As again it needs further research for the confirmation.
Whether it may be what I am sure about is that if there is a chart for older then there should be a chart for younger.
Which comes with so many implications and possibilities again it comes to conform. I can guarantee farm sexual points if I lived for a long time.
"And then there's the age chart," I mused. The potential exploits echoed in his thoughts. A web of encounters with women older or younger, each carrying its unique amounts of sexual points. The possibilities seemed boundless.
The place I was walking through became a haven for contemplation, a space where fantasies collided with a reality governed by a tantalizing system. "It's like I'm living in a dream," I whispered, grappling with the surreal nature of his newfound knowledge.
As I delved deeper into the implications, I couldn't shake the emotional weight of it all. My life had transformed into a realm of desires and achievements, where points dictated a macabre dance between taboo and temptation.
In the silence, my mind echoed with the words of legendary men, their quotes weaving through his contemplation. "Living in a dream? That's where we belong," I mused, drawing strength from the echoes of those who had navigated similar waters.
The journey ahead was uncertain, a landscape painted with desires and achievements. Yet, in the dreamlike haze of his existence, I found myself standing at the intersection of possibility and consequence, a reluctant player in a game that blurred the lines between reality and the fantastical.
Even then this hardly could even be called scratching the surface of the achievement panel.
There is so much that I need to discover about this stat alone. I needed to research every female I could get my hands on.
Contemplating these thoughts, I arrived at my destination—the family library. Despite its affiliation with the Manger family, access to this sanctum eluded all but a select few. The enigma shrouding its restricted entry intrigued me, for I stood among the rare few, perhaps the fifth or sixth member, granted permission to cross its threshold.
Word of my awakened elemental prowess had swiftly circulated through the castle, now marking me as a welcomed entrant to this hallowed space by the Lord himself. Guards, aware of my newfound privilege, refrained from impeding my progress. Unlike the previous encounter when they staunchly halted my advance, this time, they merely bowed their heads and swung the gates open, acknowledging my status in the familial hierarchy.
As the doors closed behind me, I couldn't muster even a hint of awe at the sight before me. To dub what lay ahead a "library" would be a gross overstatement, an insult to the grandeur of true libraries. What unfolded was blunt and unremarkable—a room of moderate proportions adorned with a scattering of shelves housing an assortment of books. A sizable table took center stage, encircled by a modest number of chairs. My expectations remained grounded; after all, my lineage, a mere noble family among countless dukes, my family never was synonymous with the preservation of knowledge. This was no royal library, and it showed.
With a determined gait, I gathered the indispensable tomes, carefully arranging more than fifty books upon the table. Nestled into a chair, I readied myself to embark on an extensive research expedition, probing the depths of knowledge about our world—its diverse continents, intricate politics, varied religions, the elusive existence of magic and its far-reaching effects, power dynamics, insights into fellow nobles, the enigmatic royal family, the presence of other races, the wildlife that adorned the landscape, from ordinary animals to mythical beasts and monsters, and an expansive array of subjects.
Prepared for an extended stay, I embraced the impending journey, recognizing that my holy sword's survival depended on the insights I'd unearth in these pages, destined to pierce through celestial realms and all its beauties.
Prioritizing my well-being, I allocated 1060 points to my vitality, elevating it to an impressive 20—surpassing the average human baseline by a substantial 10 points. The revelation unfolded that beyond a stat of ten, each incremental increase demanded a tenfold rise in points, unlike the initial progression of one point per increment. In essence, enhancing vitality from 10 to 10.1 now required 10 points, a stark contrast to the earlier expenditure of just 1 point for the same increment.
This discovery led me to conjecture that further elevating stats after each threshold being 10 would likely incur an even greater point investment, forming a mathematical progression that promised both challenges and intriguing possibilities.
Despite the frustration, there was no remedy; however, a sense of optimism welled within me. The surge in my vitality stat already hinted at a lifted mood, as the prospect of perpetual energy dispelled any concerns about fatigue. As now I was on a superhuman level.
Initially, I hesitated to extend points on strength and agility, anticipating natural improvement with age. The sole reason for my contemplation of investing in vitality was, admittedly, tied to more intimate aspirations with Maria. Being able to ejaculate inside Maria. After all, what is sex without being able to ejaculate?
However, with newfound access to this library, my focus shifted. Though I yearned to swiftly navigate through the voluminous texts, the significance of the information at hand, vital for the safeguarding of my holy sword and uncovering hidden beauties, compelled me to prioritize the weighty matters over the desire for a swift resolution.
So I wanted to be done with this as soon as possible. So with that in mind Eager to expedite the process, I promptly invested 1070 points in Agility, escalating it to a swift 20. Almost instantaneously, the world around me shifted. Sensory perceptions heightened, and it felt as if time itself had slowed. Experimenting with my newfound agility, I clenched my fist with unprecedented speed, causing a minute gust of wind to dance in the air. The enhanced Agility not only quickened my reflexes but bestowed upon me a tangible mastery over the very fabric of time like a speedster, leaving me astounded by the profound impact of this newfound stat.
Moving on to Resistance, its potential effects eluded me, although I surmised it might encapsulate a blend of magical and physical defenses, akin to the elemental resistance found in the first-generation Pokemon games—Red, Blue, and even Green, though I never ventured into the latter.
My motive, however, was not purely speculative. I considered the primary adversaries of speed: friction, air resistance, and drag. In the realm of high-speed pursuits, drag becomes a formidable foe, acting in opposition to the vehicle's motion, exerting a force that decelerates it. This became especially crucial when dealing with supersonic velocities.
Eager to surmount this challenge, I committed 1080 points to Resistance, raising it to 20, with the hope and prayer that this enhancement would extend beyond mere magical and physical defenses, potentially addressing the hindrances posed by drag forces. The outcome remained uncertain, but the gamble was worth uncovering the potential prowess inherent in this heightened Resistance stat.
As the Resistance stat soared to 20, an immediate metamorphosis manifested. A palpable shield enveloped me, blending both magical and physical fortitude. The air seemed to acknowledge my newfound resilience, parting ways more effortlessly as I moved. Friction yielded its force with diminished resistance, and the drag forces that once impeded my speed were noticeably subdued.
It was as if a protective aura had materialized, shielding me from the adversarial elements that sought to hinder swift motion. The raised Resistance stat not only fortified against magical onslaughts but also wielded a tangible influence on the physical forces that sought to impede my progress, offering a promising glimpse into the unforeseen capabilities of this enhanced attribute.
With my Resistance stat now at 20, an imperceptible transformation occurred. A remarkably thin layer of unknown energy, unseen to the naked eye, enveloped me. This clandestine shield, existing on a molecular level, fortified my skin without compromising its softness. I confirmed this by pinching my cheek, which retained its pliancy despite the enhanced molecular toughness.
Drawing inspiration from the phenomenon of Oobleck, a liquid that turns solid under stress, I developed a theory. I decided to test it firsthand by delivering a controlled punch to myself. The surprising result validated my hypothesis: the unknown energy had imbued my skin with unprecedented resilience. The impact registered as pain in my hand, a clear indication that my newfound Resistance, operating on a molecular scale, stood impervious to my own physical force, even without leveraging the enhanced speed I had recently acquired.
This ephemeral shield not only bolstered my defenses against magical assaults but also became a dynamic force against physical hindrances.
As I moved, the air itself seemed to recognize the delicate energy cloak, parting with increased ease. Friction yielded its grip, and the once formidable drag forces encountered a gentle resistance within the confines of my shield. This ultra-thin layer, like a second skin, now rendered me impervious to the subtle but relentless forces that sought to impede my progress.
This heightened Resistance, manifested as a barely noticeable shimmer of energy, had seamlessly integrated into my being—a silent yet powerful guardian against the adversities of both magical and physical realms. It was a replacement for defence stat also. So my strength stat also should be affecting my Resistance against physical attacks.
I didn't need to raise my intelligence as it was already 50 which is a lot. Commanding an intellect that already soared to an impressive 50 a realm where I could effortlessly rival the brightest minds on this planet. Yet, my relentless pursuit of knowledge was not merely tethered to immediate gains. Guided by a profound philosophy that I had woven into the fabric of my existence—'To live is to hoard'—I embarked on this quest.
As I delved into the extensive collection of books, a realization dawned that the immediate practicality might be elusive, but the inherent value lay in the accumulation of understanding.
I knew in these books there won't be anything that was going to be very useful in the long-term.I was doing this because it's better to know something then know nothing
In this pursuit, women, knowledge, strength, and wealth took center stage as the quintessential treasures to be hoarded. With a particular emphasis on women, recognizing their profound impact on the intricate tapestry of my existence, I vowed to amass not just possessions but the very essence of life itself.
So with that I had 11298 points.
I didn't have any plans to raise my strength as I want to let it raise naturally before burning points in it.
It takes 10 points to increase my magic by a single point and initially it was also the same with his physical statistics, but as these statistics rose more, the more points I needed to raise it farther, at least from 10 points. That meant that putting all my points into magic could double my strength in a matter of seconds, but it was very uncertain what would happen to the other statistics, besides that I would have to get used to my new physical statistics, after all this was not a game where you beg your strength and your character could use it normally the next second.
If I doubled my strength as if nothing else, the most likely thing was that I would break a glass inadvertently, the same for speed and others if I increased them.
But I still started to put most of my remaining points into mana but I did slowly to check how much consumption of sexual points would increase after each increase in stat.
Embarking on the journey to amplify my mana, the surge in points became palpable as it crossed the coveted 100-point mark. With each increment, minuscule sparks of electricity danced across my body, an electrifying indication of the energy coursing through me. The tally reached 125, an ascent that triggered another revelation—consumption surged to 15 points per 1 mana stat point. Undeterred by this escalating cost, I pressed forward, undulating through the sea of Sexual Points at my disposal.
The ascent continued unabated, the mana scale scaling heights to a formidable 200 points. Although visually subtle, the sparks of electricity crackling around me now gleamed with newfound intensity. Internally, I sensed an overflowing reservoir of energy, an empowerment that hinted at the ability to conquer mountains with a single bound. The cost, however, escalated with each stride; now, it demanded 20 points for every additional mana stat point.
My pursuit of arcane prowess persisted, surpassing the 300-point milestone with scant alterations. The toll, now requiring 25 points per increment, grew apparent. It persisted through the 400-point threshold, escalating further to 30 points. With 525 Mana Points at my command, I decided to tether my spree. Exercising prudence, I recognized that an overabundance of mana without control would be akin to courting chaos.
Surveying the landscape of mana stat progression, a discernible pattern emerged. After each century of points gained, the cost augmented by five, crafting a rhythmic dance between progress and expenditure. It became a cascade, a sequence of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and so forth—a balance struck between the ascent of power and the disciplined management of resources.
Attention then shifted to Arcane Tempest Mastery, an intricate weave entwining control over mana, mana perception, and mastery over the lightning element. Mindful of the potential to inadvertently fry myself, the spending spree recommenced. Glancing at the dwindling Sexual Points, I embarked on a lavish expenditure of 2450 points, securing a noteworthy increase of 43 points. The cost, a staggering 25, 50, 100, and 200 points for each stat point, but the grand total wasn't justified in any shape or form but I somehow was able to hope with it when my eyes fell upon the revised stat screen.
[Maxwell Magnar]
Age: 5 years and 6 months
Strength: 3
Agility: 20
Resistance: 20
Vitality: 20
Intelligence: 50
Mana: 525
Arcane Tempest Mastery: 53
Element: Lightning
Achievements: 2…
Sexual Points: 98.]
Despite the rapid depletion of my sexual points, reminiscent of the swift desiccation within my mother's once-fertile shrine, the process of a single night left me profoundly content.
The ensuing task may have been deemed tedious, but armed with my newfound speed, I anticipated a swift completion surpassing the mundanity of regular execution. Without deliberation, I seized the first book that met my fingers, an arcane tome on magic, and initiated a speed run through the entire repository.
**
Time Skip
**
I wasn't going fucking around every woman I see because I was in another world and more than that in a medieval time. The level of medicine in this world was nothing compared to mine, and there may even be complications in childbirth. Another thing that greatly intrigued me was that it was well known that the royal family practiced incest in fact Noble Familes do, supposedly to keep the lineage clean. The strangest thing is that even after several generations of practising this tradition, they had never had a malformed child or with a congenital disease.
I guess it's a different world, with different rules. Like magic.
Magic
Now that I thought about it, I found it strange.
Magic.
Magic was very weird in this world, especially for residents of this world.
Apparently magic could only awaken in the nobility. There were none among the common people, Making them really Noble, it was for this reason that the nobility could rule with an iron fist in this age. It was not necessary to use the church as the ancient nobility did in my world.
Apart from all that, one thing to keep in mind about magic in this world is that it was completely intuitive and imaginative.
There were no grimoires, no magic books. There were no magic circles, no incantations, no runes, or special symbols that needed to be drawn, no magic circuits, no mana core, no mana heart, no circle system, no cores, no hand gestures, no plates, no scrolls, no alchemy, no schools of magic. No nothing.
It all works on the person's intuitiveness and his power of imagination. The skills that are learned are intuitively as the person grows, as does the amount of magic inside him. For that reason the person who could learn a certain amount of skills at a young age was considered talented. Besides that, certain abilities were more powerful than others.
It all depended on talent and affinity for the element of him.
Then the magic.
There were four types of magic in this world. They were Elementary Type Magic which was the best type for the battle. The Elementary Mages could control the elements like Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Ice and Lightning.
The second one was known as ' Psychic Type ' which was the least rare Magic Type. It was extremely flexible and the most popular type among the four. The Psychic mage or known as Esper could control things with their mind. They didn't have any complicated studies or a bunch of content to learn. The strong Esper could even control the elements but they needed a lot of effort and energy to do that. Most Espers could only control the small things.
The third one was called ' Body Magic '. It was the second rarest Type and it was an extremely difficult and complex type of magic. The user could enhance their bodies or they could do more complicated things. They called themselves Cultivators. They were also the best healer out there. Some of them even could regrow their hands within the second even if they lost their hands. But they were not battle types because the other types were too useful and deadly in the battle.
The last one was known as ' Soul Magic ' which was the rarest and the most difficult type. At the same time, the Soul Sorcerers were very rare and the most dangerous type among the four. It had the most lethal attack and it took a lot of time to become Soul Sorcerers. It was at an insane level to become the proper Soul Sorcerer. It was just that much difficult.
So as I said, how one person's magic works Intuitive and Imaginative: Magic here thrives on the innate intuition and imaginative prowess of individuals. Unlike structured systems seen in other worlds, the magic here is fluid, adapting and evolving based on the user's natural instincts and creative faculties.Skill Acquisition: Rather than studying from grimoires or undergoing formal education, individuals learn magical skills intuitively as they grow.
If I compare it with some other world magic system then it's like the Devil magic of DXD.
The amount of magic within a person increases with age, making early skill acquisition a mark of talent. Certain abilities are recognized as more potent, emphasizing a hierarchy of magical prowess.
In essence, the magic system in this world is an organic manifestation of individuality and creativity. It intertwines seamlessly with the innate qualities of the nobility, making them formidable wielders of magic and pivotal figures in the power dynamics of the realm.
Or more better to say that it works like superpowers that are powered by a single energy called mana.
It's like nobles are Mutants born in a world of humans who were able to rule due to their superpowers.
So natural selection picked the easiest system and went with it.
As I elucidated earlier, we, the nobility, are akin to mutants in the grand tapestry of existence. In a semblance reminiscent of superpowers, our mana refuses to be confined to a singular reservoir within our bodies; rather, it permeates the very fabric of our existence, intricately weaving through each cell akin to the omnipresence of mitochondria. This profound integration of mana within our biological framework transcends conventional limits, forging a connection that is not merely a facet of our identity but an inseparable essence coursing through every fiber of our being.
Henceforth, assaulting a specific area of an individual's body won't suffice to strip them of their mana-utilizing capabilities. The intricate interweaving of mana throughout our entire being establishes a resilience that renders any isolated attack ineffective in severing the harmonious connection between our essence and the limitless potential encapsulated within every cell.
Of course not known. It's just my theory of how magic operates in this world.
In the tapestry of magical inheritance among nobility, the notion that every noble possesses magic is a nuanced truth. Similar to the emergence of mutants, there exists a select few born with the innate gift of magic, though their rarity is palpable. This distinction becomes even more intricate as possessing magic doesn't necessarily equate to having an elemental affinity.
Take my mother as a prime example—a noble endowed with magical prowess, yet bereft of any elemental inclination. Much like genetic mutations, there stands a 40% probability that a noble child may either lack magical abilities entirely or harbor no affinity for any element, even if both parents boast magical heritage.
My very existence, graced with both magical prowess and an affinity for one of the rarest elements, emerges as a miraculous anomaly. This becomes particularly noteworthy when considering the common lineage of my mother, who hails from the ranks of the commoners.
Navigating the labyrinthine complexities of magical inheritance prompts male nobles to engage in polygamous unions, not solely for hedonistic pleasure, but as a strategic pursuit of power. In a world where even a mature noble with feeble aptitude could dispatch hundreds of trained guards with minimal training, the stakes are high. Incestuous practices, while culturally divergent, become a pragmatic solution, dramatically elevating the chances of siring offspring with the coveted gift of magic.
That's why world just accepts it and even most of the Churches encourage polygamy and Incest they are part of how the world laws operate.
And with this knowledge I had one thing in mind. So if it works like superpowers then does it need to be mentioned that electricity manipulation is one of most desired and versatile powers out there.
User of this ability can do any and everything they desire with examples showing the healing of wounds the restarting or creation of life
sentience mental control as well as imitating
magnetism or weather control and while
other abilities such as telekinesis
this can be argued and supported especially
If one has a large enough imagination, unfortunately my old world's tangible and rule-bound reality shows us that this ability in the right hands or not is still one of the most preferred abilities in addition to being powerful and looking flashy.
Electricity manipulation is the most underrated superpower, media suck at pottering it at it's full potential. Alsothis superpower is basically a lesser reality manipulation so it probably the only power (I don't count omnipotence) that can have a straight fight with reality warping and have high chances of winning. Such a huge shame we see only the Lightning bolts aspect of it.
So basically. If you wield electricity, you're a god.
In fact, the most popular Gods of Pop fiction are Thunder Gods, Zeus, Thor, Indra, Susanoo, and Set.
So nothing is stopping me from pulling Railgun, Godspeed, God-Blast, Lightning Spear, Electromagnetism, Sango Smash, El-Thor, Gloam Paddling, Kingdom Come: Raigo, Bararaq Inqerad-Saiqa, Bararaq Saiqa, Bararaq. And so much more nobody stopped me from walking in steps of characters I knew were great Lightning users and became the God of Thunder myself.
This revelation sparks an exhilaration within me so profound that words falter in capturing its essence.