I have a Tantric panel

The light from the kerosene lamp was a pale amber color.

The light reflected off the pocket watch, creating a dark halo that enhanced its mysterious quality.

ether.

Xia En thought of this word.

In those documents, it was described as a substance that seeped in from behind the curtain and diffused in the air.

It reminded him of the concept of "spiritual energy" from his past life.

And ether is probably the key to determining whether people can achieve extraordinary things.

Xia En's [Deep Dive Meditation Method] not only restored his rationality but also helped him intercept this mysterious substance.

This is probably what Professor Alara meant by "accumulation".

obviously.

Not only people, but also objects will retain ether.

For example, the brass pocket watch in front of us.

Xia En had only glanced at it briefly before.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that the edges of the pocket watch are worn smooth, and there are small characters engraved on the back.

NOX

It's not hard to guess that this pocket watch had several owners before Shane.

And they are all members of the Knox family.

Xia En thought for a moment.

Gently press your index finger on the crown.

A slow, tranquil aura emanated from the pocket watch, climbing up and quickly enveloping him.

It's like a thin "shell".

I turned my head and looked in the mirror.

Xia En raised an eyebrow.

In the mirror, her face appeared somewhat blurry, as if through a layer of mist.

You can still see it clearly.

But once you turn your head, it's easy to forget what that face looks like.

If placed in a crowd, it would be immediately submerged.

"No wonder Uncle's presence was so weak; he was using something similar too?"

Xia En muttered something to himself.

He pressed the crown again, and the invisible shell quietly disappeared.

This gift isn't too expensive, but it's definitely not cheap either.

It's like a talisman, protecting you from some of the dangers behind the curtain.

It also serves as proof of identity.

To show outsiders that he is a member of the Knox family.

Another thing that concerned Xia En.

It's a "ritual" on stage.

It wasn't that the play was so unforgettable for him, but rather that he was reflecting...

Freya's motive.

Xia En wasn't naive enough to think that the actress would perform this dangerous ceremony without any ulterior motives.

Hughes's statement proves this point:

"Congratulations, Miss Freya, you've taken another step closer to your goal."

This statement seems reasonable at first glance, but if viewed from behind the scenes, it might be saying something like...

Freya has taken another step on the path to the extraordinary?

Xia En made a bold guess.

The purpose of this ceremony is not only to eliminate the remnants of the [White Night Miasma], but also to embark on the path of conquest corresponding to the [Blade]!

He opened his notebook and wrote a simple relationship diagram on the paper.

[Talent] + [Ritual] + [Ether] → [Transcendent]

Talent is the prerequisite for everything. Then, one must accumulate sufficient ether and perform one or more rituals before finally stepping into the extraordinary realm.

Xia En then recalled another remark made by Hughes.

"Drama is also a kind of ritual."

So, what about painting?

Writing, sculpting, dancing, singing...

Xia En understood immediately.

Yes, these behaviors can also be considered rituals.

Aurora gave herself special training in painting.

The White Canvas Award is just one purpose.

More importantly, it lays the groundwork for the extraordinary rituals to come.

The professor didn't tell Shane this.

They probably felt that his experience was not yet sufficient, and were afraid that he would become impatient and disrupt the established pace.

Thinking of this, Xia En let out a long breath, his eyes shining slightly.

Only then did he truly realize that the path to extraordinary achievement was right beneath his feet.

As long as we move forward step by step, we will eventually reap the rewards.

I sat down and calmed myself down.

Xia En decided to invest his newly acquired Soul Points into Passion.

There is only one week left until the theme of the "White Canvas Award" is released.

Compared to the uncertain "appreciating works—gaining passion".

It's more appropriate to spend time on things like painting and studying, where progress can be made steadily.

[Passion (0→1)!]

[Unlock: Enter the Dream]

[The great and invisible Lord awaits your presence in my dreams.]

"Um?"

Xia En was stunned for a moment.

Unlike other attributes, [Passion] unlocks an ability after reaching (1).

But this description...

It looks mysterious and enigmatic.

That does fit his impression of "passion".

Not quite understanding the meaning of "entering a dream," Xia En didn't delve into it, but instead carefully assessed his own state.

Not much has changed.

At most, I just feel a little itchy and want to draw something.

But now is not the time.

Perhaps it will only become apparent when the creative process begins?

Xia En sat on the bed and began her daily meditation.

Yu Ge's first act of helping was simply out of sympathy for a distant relative.

By the second meeting, he had already shown that he valued the meeting and extended goodwill.

This stems from the changes in Shane himself.

Behind the curtain, the family may have warmth, but it is mostly driven by utilitarianism.

To attract more investment, you need to prove that you have that value.

The importance of the White Canvas Award seems to have increased once again.

Consciousness sank into the deeper lake water.

Tranquil and peaceful, spirituality thrives within its embrace...

……

……

A corridor that seems to stretch on forever.

The lights were dim, and the air was filled with the smell of decaying dust, with a faint rusty odor seeping out.

A blonde girl with red eyes walked alone down the corridor.

click, click, click...

The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of her footsteps could be heard.

I don't know how long it took.

The view at the end of the corridor finally changed.

A woman stood there with her back to the girl.

She had the same golden hair, but was taller and had a more mature figure.

"Mother."

The girl couldn't help but call out softly, while quickening her pace and running towards him.

The woman turned around, and the sight before her made the girl stop breathing.

Her face was no longer that of her familiar mother, but rather a…

moth.

Its grayish-brown wings flapped vigorously, and its six pairs of downy limbs stretched out to the fullest.

Those compound eyes were staring at her.

Its mouthparts opened and closed, emitting a deep sigh.

"Clara, my daughter..."

"ah!!!"

Clara sat bolt upright in bed, her chest heaving and her forehead covered in cold sweat.

"Hoo-ha...hoo-ha..."

She looked around; it was her bedroom.

"Thank goodness, it was just a dream."

It took the girl some time to calm down.

She walked to the window and drew back the curtains.

It's raining outside.

The sky was overcast, raindrops fell from above, and the air was filled with a damp, earthy smell, which made Clara's already unhappy mood even worse.

"That's terrible."

She whispered something and glanced at the table.

There was a black envelope with scarlet rose patterns on the paper.

Clara reached out, but abruptly pulled back when she touched the envelope.

"Miss, are you alright?"

A maid's concerned voice came from outside the door.

Clara quickly put the envelope into the deepest part of the drawer, locked it, and then answered the door.

"I'm fine."

I changed my clothes and ate breakfast.

Clara, burdened with worries, arrived at Akarin University.

She decided to go see Aurora again.

Because she doesn't have much time left.

The office door was ajar. Clara instinctively pushed it open and froze on the spot.