I sat with my legs folded in a Buddha style. The lights of the base slowly dimmed until the brightest light was on me.

[The ground is made of mana-infused Dae Iron. Able to bear attacks at and below the 7th tier. Continue as you wish]

I ignored the slight dig at me being weak since it was true. Instead, I focused on the video now playing as a hologram before me. A male of a humanoid race, with pointed ears, red eyes, and fangs sat in a position just like me.

'At least Buddha is universal'

"Welcome to Energy Basics 101" the deep voice of the male in the video stole my attention. " As made possible by the system this basic knowledge is disseminated to all who end up with this source. While the enmity between Mana and Energy is certain this does mean both energies do not share many similarities. For one just like mana, energy is controlled and used to wield various affinities. Just like mana energy permeates the body enhancing and making it stronger. In fact, it is here that Mana's aggression is said to stem from as Energy is much better at this than Mana. Of course, this doesn't mean mana has no pros. Mana as a tool is more feasible for the control of the elements and some higher rates affinities than Energy".

The red-haired elf in the video stopped and kept his eye on the recorder for a while before he nodded and continued.

"At this moment you might have asked questions and realized that this is a recording. Apologies. Now, Energy is known as the brute force source of the multiverse. Where mana applies subtlety and grace, energy rips through. If this explanation was enough then let us move forward to why you downloaded this recording".

I wondered if I needed snacks to watch this or not. Shrugging I focused back just as he began.

"Energy sensing". The tone of voice he said the two words had me straighten up.

"Energy exists in all nooks and corners of the Greater Multiverse. More important than any other source exempting a few. Without it, worlds would never function. Yes, Ergon acolytes you may float at this information. Still, it does not mean mana can and should be belittled. After all even the system needs mana to incorporate a world into the Greater Multiverse. It is an energy that many use for a reason. An utilitarian energy most use for the various facets of life and survival. Now, back to Energy. It is hard. Mana is like a stream that needs to be identified. Energy is different. Many scholars and inspectors have defined energy as many things. But the best definition, one closer to the answer lies in your environment. Energy is everything. And everything is energy. No matter the form, the name, and the type. Whether human, elven, Raskati, or Endoli all are energy. What is left to know is, how do we see the energy amongst us" he raised a palm and looked at it. Then swept his gaze up to his shoulder and then back like he was inspecting something visible only to him.

"The first step is quite simple. See, just like that beautiful dish at home, what draws you in isn't the sight. It's the scent, alerting you to it's presence. Like a hound, it pulls us in and when we perceive it, we realize that we've been exposed to it all this while". The red-eyed elf inhaled deeply. "We recognize the scent of our daily lives within it. From the mere inconspicuous things to the vastly unavoidable pockets. " he exhaled a look of pure elation on his face as he glanced at nothing around him. "Only through these scents can we open ourselves to the understanding of what lies within our environment. Only true knowledge can the understanding of your greater self be unraveled".

The elf suddenly paused its maddened glance into nothing and stared right back at the recorder. "Take a breath young Ergo. Remember though, you're not breathing but finding the scent of your universe."

For some reason, I was pulled in by his words finding myself shutting my eyes to inhale deeply. I refused to believe it was some sort of tutorial trance and simply me following the mood. I inhaled deeply and felt a rush of scents. The more I inhaled the more understanding came to me. Then I opened my eyes and everything was different. The air was a vibrant shade of colors. I could see rays of light that no normal human should ever be able to see.

My sights followed motes of golden starlight floating and disappearing into my bare upper body. The ground was a series of different colors. Gathered around me were lights of different kinds floating and vanishing into my nose as I inhaled. It was magnificent yet a lot to take in. My heart beat faster and I could feel my blood pumping in excitement.

"Amazing" I whispered in awe as I stared at it all.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Amazing isn't it" My head whipped to the screen and I was surprised to see that indeed the elf had not been staring at nothing. Just like me, he was surrounded by light of different shades, colors, and hues. It was astounding to see.

"Welcome to the Source Energy young Ergo".

[You have learned Energy Sensing]

[+10Exp]

"You have sensed and can now see the basic energies. This is where we improve a bit. Energy as a Source is not alone. No, there are several. So much so that the researchers gave up on listing them. Remember Energy is birthed for the machinations of the wide universe. Every action releases it and every action converts that released energy into another form".

I looked away from the screen and to the golden starlights melting into my skin. I already guessed that was the solar rads I had been absorbing. Yet I also realized that other lights were attempting to melt into my skin but failing. Almost like they were rejected.

"Which is where you come in. Our time will teach you to join the wheel. The flow and the ebb of the tide. Because mastering this flow and pushing it to your will and desire is how we Energy wielders, disliked by mana, show power ".

"As an Ergo, one who has sensed Energy and still pushes the route of our path you can now step into the next chapter".

The video flickered and then like it was skipped to a new frame another hologram began. I didn't react as a new figure appeared in the video. This one female and spotting the same red eyes and fangs.

'Is this a racial thing like mine or are they just that good at using energy'.

"Being here means that indeed you are capable of sensing energy. Which means the bastard from the first video was useful enough" I frowned.

'Are they acquainted?'.

"Let me begin by saying this. Sensing Energy means nothing. For all we know you may never wield it"

'Pessimist much. Way to trample on one's hope and excitement'

"You may believe this callous or spiteful but I assure you lowering expectations is prudent in whatever field you face".

'True. Doesn't clear you from the pessimist title though'.

"Unlike when you inhaled the air to perceive the energy in it now you must draw on it. How?. You have understood the intricacies of energy by its scent. Now will it? Energy is obedient to a fault. Follows the orders of its Ergo unless its role breaks the rule of energy. You're curious about the rule of energy."

'Not exactly but if it's important then it's on a need to know'.

"Energy has only one rule which it obeys. No matter the setting, no matter the laws imposed on it by the world or universe it exists in. Energy will never change this rule because it is the basics of its existence and function. Energy never ceases to exist nor is it ever formed. No, for there to be energy it must have existed prior in another form. Converted from one of those to another. Which brings us to the main issue. Breathing". Just like the former guy her tone of voice took on that edge which made me want to listen. It was now a suspicion that they were using some sort of effect.

"Energy and mana are energies not meant to be in a body at the start. Both refine and change the body's physique in ways that normally shouldn't be possible for local worlds. If done accurately the results are beneficial. Done wrong could lead to several unwanted mutations, strange effects, and not impossible, death".

'Well shit, hopefully having a strange body doesn't affect my breathing'.

"Breathing absorbs the energies stagnant in the atmosphere and using them the body can either transport to the source for refilling or use".

"Now Ergo. Inhale. Repeat the process of sensing. But this time you desire to have the Source flow into you. Fill you. Become one with you".

I took a deep breath and sensations exploded in my nose, I could taste metal, and warmth, feel heat prickle my flesh, and send the coldness around me too. Yet at the same time, I realized that all the energy save for the golden motes flowing into my nose kept flying right out. Confused I returned my attention to the screen right as the next words came.

"By this point, you have realized that your energy refuses to flow in". The female shrugged. A container of sorts appeared standing on the ground before her. Then another. Lifting it she tilted it so the top was clear to the camera and I could see a hole through which liquid could go through. She repeated the same with the other one and I noted this one was covered.

Another thing I noted was that both bottles were see-through and the open mouth was filled to the brim with liquid and the other empty. Still silent she brought out another container with similarities to a jug and tipped it over.

'Water' Confused I watched as the same colorless liquid known as water unless there was another aliens drank, poured from the container and into the first container filled with water. The water rolled off the top and sides pooling at the base. She looked up locking eyes with the recording and then back repeating the same with the one empty.

"The first set of Ergos are common. Popular in fact. Their bodies already contain energy before their first training. The second is like this..." She tapped the empty bottle. "Empty and need to be filled. It is for them that Energy breathing comes before practice in manipulation and control". With a wave, she sent the bottles away and even the water pooled at the base vanished.

'Convenient'

"There exists of course the last kind of Ergos. Those who really are not Ergos, unlike that daft would convince them. These are in one word unfortunate. Sense of energy yet unable to wield mana. Still, I assure you these Ergos are by far deadlier than you would think. Unable to use energy to its full potential they cover up their weakness by training their senses. Much like hounds".

I blinked at the information while also asking myself if it was just the unfortunate who could be capable of it.

"Anyway to the main topic at hand. Basic Energy Control".