For such a simple flavor text, there sure seemed to be a lot behind this skill, and it wasn't something James would have expected to unlock if he had just been focusing on killing the salamanders, like they'd planned.
Accepting the prompt, James felt the influx of Essence rush towards him. Not just the usual kind—that hazy, dark-hued Essence that seemed to cling to the stones, water, and air of this mysterious cavern—but something more. A different kind, subtler yet potent, began to mingle with the usual essence. James had to concentrate hard, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of it, the essence seeming to “appear” in bursts. It was as if it wasn't there one second, then suddenly it simply existed, drawn to him as if by some ancient command.
But there wasn't much time for contemplation. James felt the Essence being funneled directly into his eyes. It started with an odd itching sensation, barely noticeable at first. But it rapidly escalated. The itch gave way to a scorching burn, the sensation overwhelming as if his eyeballs themselves were being seared away from the inside. His mind barely had time to register the sheer agony before the sensation continued, spreading like wildfire into his skull, the pain searing into his very brain. His vision blurred, a rush of flashing lights, and then—nothing. Darkness swept over him once more as he passed out, body crumpling to the cavern floor.
---
If coming back to consciousness was an ability, James mused groggily, he’d probably have levelled it up to max by now. His first thought as he awoke was just how often he had found himself coming back from the black void. His groan echoed softly off the cavern walls, and he forced his eyes open.
What greeted him wasn't the familiar dimness of the cavern, nor the natural light he had once known from the outside world. Instead, a kaleidoscope of swirling colors assaulted his senses. Threads of Essence twisted in intricate patterns across the cavern’s surfaces, weaving, writhing, never still. It reminded him of the trance-like state he experienced under the effects of the magical water, except now it was real. The details weren't as sharp as they had been under that heightened focus, but it was undeniably clear and it persisted, even without the aid of the potion. He could see the Essence, as it flowed and interacted, shifting subtly between stone, air, and water, each element given life in colors that his eyes could now perceive.
Each substance was unique, as if painted by its own palette. The stone had a grey-brown hue, a consistency that felt solid and constant, as though its essence were simply the foundation upon which everything else rested. The air around him was less dense but vibrant, with wisps of light that reminded him of the gentle swirls of smoke rising from a campfire. It was dynamic, always shifting, as if it had a mind of its own—constantly moving, never still. It was more difficult to focus on, yet it filled the space around him like a living, breathing entity.
However, one thing that baffled him was his own body. There was an absence, a void where his Essence should be. He couldn’t see into himself at all; it was as though his very being was a blank spot in his perception. It felt strange—disconnected. The world around him was vivid, overflowing with color and energy, yet his own form was devoid of that same vibrancy. Instead, there was something else—a sort of static residue that clung to his skin. It was faint, almost imperceptible unless he focused on it. It reminded him of lint or dust, caught in the small nooks and crannies of his body. When he brushed his fingers across his skin, the essence seemed to puff away, dispersing, only to reattach moments later. It wasn’t entirely under his control; it moved of its own volition, reacting to his presence but without any real direction.
James continued to experiment, fascinated by the interaction of Essence with his body. He watched as he rubbed his arm, the small tendrils dissipating only to gather once more. It was almost like the energy recognized him, refused to leave him. He tried flexing his fingers, then clenching them into a fist. With each movement, the static shifted, swirled, then settled again. It wasn't just passive; it was reactive, alive in some way. He wondered what it would be like to shape it, to direct it consciously rather than letting it move of its own accord. There had to be more to this.
James found himself staring at his hand, lost in thought. What could he achieve if he managed to control the Essence directly? He imagined the power to manipulate it, to channel it into spells or even bolster his strength. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine. He knew he was nowhere close to that level of mastery yet, but the possibility alone was thrilling. His abilities were evolving, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement at the unknown potential that lay before him.
Focusing on his surroundings, James decided to get a better understanding of the area. The cavern floor sloped gently down to where he assumed he must have landed in the water. Carefully, he made his way there, testing his footing with each step. He took in every detail with his new sight—each stone, each shimmering puddle of water, everything seemed more alive, more profound than it had ever been before. He noticed how even the smallest crevice held a trickle of Essence, a faint glow that suggested hidden depth and untapped potential.
The water, when he reached it, was fascinating. The essence emanating from it seemed distinctly different from that of the stone—more blue-green, contrasting sharply with the grey-brown essence of the rocks. He knelt by the water's edge, dipping his fingers into the cool liquid. Ripples spread out, and the essence shifted, flowing along with the movement of the water, almost like it was alive, reacting to his presence. It was at that moment that James realized just how connected everything was in this place. The boundaries between elements were not as rigid as he had once believed. Everything was in a constant state of flux, an interplay of forces that gave life to this world.
He knelt there for a while, watching the water and contemplating the nature of Essence. How did it connect all things, and why did he have the ability to perceive it? Was it something inherent to this strange world, or was it something that had always existed, hidden beyond the reach of most? As he pondered these questions, a soft chime echoed in his mind. The notification startled him slightly, the familiar text appearing in his vision.
“{Congratulations! From your efforts, you have leveled up - Essence Sight (Saffron Level Two)}
James smiled wryly. Another level-up, but he had so much more to learn. He decided it was time to assess his status, figure out just what was going on with him. He found a flat spot near where he first woke up and sat down, opening his status screen with a thought.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Name - Jameson Castellio Age - 10 Titles - | Dungeon Marauder (Crimson) |
| Convergent Soul (Crimson) |
| Mana Harmonization (Cobalt) | Achievements - First Kill Race - Human (Ashen Rank One) Level - 3 (92/225) Class - N/A
HP -
395/430 MP - 195/405 Stamina - 417/430 Strength -
8
Dexterity - 8 Agility - 7 Intelligence - 13 (+1) Endurance - 12 Charisma - 5 Wisdom - 12 (+1) Fate - 12 Innate skill Level 1
******
Level 50 Locked Level 100 Locked Active Skills
| Trident Power Thrust (Ashen Rank Three) |
| Swimming (Ashen Level One) |
| Meditation (Ashen Level three) |
| Essence Sight (Saffron Level Two) |
| Battle Strategy (Saffron Level One) |
Passive Skills | Trident Proficiency (Ashen Rank Seven)| Affinities ********
A few things immediately jumped out at him. His mana was much lower than it had been before. The realization hit him: using {Essence Sight} came with a cost, one he hadn’t anticipated. He shut off the sight, and his vision plunged back into darkness. Immediately, he felt an odd relief, a pressure he hadn’t even been consciously aware of—like a balloon that had been stretched to its limit, suddenly given some slack.
James rubbed his temples, feeling the echo of exhaustion that had accumulated. He took note of a few other things. His Intelligence and Wisdom had gone up, likely thanks to the magical water he had drunk earlier. That would be useful; the boost would allow him to keep {Essence Sight} active for longer. He was sure the sight would be instrumental in finding his way out of this strange place.
Still, the increasing number of skills on his status screen worried him. It felt cluttered, chaotic. He knew he couldn't keep gaining skills without some sort of plan. There needed to be a focus, a “build,” as he would have called it in the games he played before. Right now, he was a mess of different abilities, none of which seemed to fit into a coherent whole. He made a mental note—he had to be more careful, more deliberate about how he progressed from here.
There was another piece of good news. It seemed his {Meditation} skill had leveled up, and without him even realizing it. That could be useful, especially if it meant faster recovery. He decided to test it—after all, if games taught him anything, meditation should help with mana recovery.
James got into a comfortable position, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. Slowly, he focused on his breathing, drawing in deep, steady breaths, and letting his mind settle. He slipped into that familiar state of calm, the world around him fading as he turned inward. His mana—previously depleted—began to tick upward. It was working. It wasn't a massive increase, but it was definitely faster than just waiting around. A slow smile spread across his face.
Minutes passed. James allowed himself to drift, letting the gentle currents of energy flow through him. He felt the gradual replenishment of his mana, each tick marking a tiny victory in his recovery. The cavern around him seemed distant, almost irrelevant as he focused solely on the ebb and flow of his inner energy. The rhythm became almost hypnotic, and for a moment, James lost track of time entirely.
But the real test was when he activated {Essence Sight} again, allowing the patterns of light and color to spring into being around him. His mana still regenerated, though at a much slower rate, and maintaining the meditative state became significantly harder. It took all of his focus, all of his willpower, to keep himself centred, to resist the overwhelming onslaught of sensations.
The colors twisted and danced, and James struggled to maintain his breathing—in and out, slow and steady. He could feel the strain as his mind balanced on a knife's edge, the intricate interplay between the energy flowing into his eyes and the meditative calm within. His muscles tensed involuntarily, his entire body shivering as if caught between two worlds. The glowing blues, greens, and browns of the Essence blurred and shifted, and James felt his mana gradually ticking up, despite it all.
It was exhausting work. Sweat beaded on his forehead, trickling down the side of his face, but he forced himself to endure. He needed to understand his limits, to find the boundaries of what he could achieve. His eyes ached, and the pressure built again, but he pushed it down, allowing himself to embrace the discomfort, to turn it into something familiar.
He wasn't sure how long he sat there—minutes, maybe even hours. But eventually, he let go, allowing the {Essence Sight} to fade, and opened his eyes to the dim cavern. His head spun, and his vision swam for a moment, the world shifting back to its mundane, dark reality. He sighed, a mix of exhaustion and relief washing over him.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. And right now, that was all James could ask for. The knowledge that he had at least some control over this ability, and that his mana could replenish even with {Essence Sight} active, gave him hope. This newfound sense would be crucial in navigating this strange cavern, and perhaps in dealing with whatever else lay ahead.
He stretched his aching limbs, feeling the soreness from sitting still for so long. His body was tired, his muscles heavy, but there was a renewed sense of determination in his chest. He couldn't afford to rest for long. He needed to move, to find a way out. He picked up the trident that lay beside him, its weight reassuring in his hand.
The trident felt like a lifeline, a tool and a weapon that connected him to something tangible amidst the overwhelming chaos of this place. He gripped it tightly, appreciating the coolness of the metal and the feeling of strength it lent him. As he stood, he took a moment to adjust to his surroundings, giving himself time to let his eyes and mind reacclimate.
One step at a time. He had new abilities, new insights, and slowly but surely, he was learning how to harness them. James took another deep breath, his eyes glancing towards the dark cavern ahead. He was still lost, still unsure of what was waiting for him in the shadows, but he had something now that he didn't have before—the beginnings of understanding, of control.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him moving forward. And right now, that was all he needed.
With the trident held firmly in his grip and his mind more focused than ever, James took a step into the darkness, ready to face whatever came next. As he walked, he allowed the {Essence Sight} to pulse in and out, giving him brief glimpses of the essence flowing around him. It was a strange rhythm he began to develop—turning it on just long enough to see, then shutting it off to conserve mana.
Mapping out the room the water was from one side of the cavern to the other with walls on either side. no sign of Joey along the bank, unfortunately. he saw an opening to another cave off to the side and as he approached a giant gathering of essence peeled off the ceiling he could barely see and came crashing down at him landing with a sharp sting that went deep into his shoulder, James realized this was a creature of some sort and was attacking him.