Could the celestial essence be a type of dark energy or dark matter—abundant yet elusive, defying our current scientific understanding? The panel didn't say, and I had no interest in finding out.

What I did realize was that the human body is a minuscule speck in the cosmic expanse. Yet, it holds the potential to harness a fraction of that immense power, elevating its possessor far above the ordinary. The initial phase of Astral Fortification focused on preparing the body to endure and absorb celestial essence. I had crossed that hurdle.

The subsequent journey was one of tireless accumulation, filling the body's twelve chambers with the essence of the universe. Without the aid of potent tonics, this process would be arduous, but time was a luxury I possessed in abundance.

[Remaining Absorbed Lifespan: seventy-six years]

[First Realm - True Explanation of Astral Fortification (untrained)]

[In the fifth year, five years were dedicated to restoring my body, eradicating the insidious wounds last simulation had inflicted.]

[In the fifteenth year, with a mind as still as a lake, the first chamber was filled.]

[In the thirty-fifth year, three of the twelve chambers were complete, making you an Apprentice of True Explanation of Astral Fortification.]

[In the thirty-eighth year, progress faltered. The energy within the chambers, tainted by your essence, warred with the pure life-force of the universe.]

[A solution remained elusive, demanding patience and introspection.]

[In the 65th year, the fifth chamber reached capacity. Journeyman status of the practice was within grasp.]

[Remaining Absorbed Lifespan: one year.]

[Remaining Personal Lifespan: forty-six years.]

Finally, my personal lifespan exceeded absorbed lifespan.

I sat upon the stone steps, eyes closed, immersing myself in this newfound reality.

More than the extra twenty-five years of life, my joy came from within my body.

A celestial nectar coursed through my veins, emanating from the five brimming reservoirs. It was a sensation of unparalleled euphoria.

With a simple gesture, I raised my hand. A translucent mist, tinged with crimson, coalesced at my fingertips, a tangible manifestation of my burgeoning power.

The crimson hue was a result to years of pushing my body to the brink and channeling raw energy through Lightstrike. This relentless process had infused the pure celestial essence with traces of my own.

My casual swordplay now eclipsed the once-formidable Lightstrike.

No longer reliant on bodily power, I drew sustenance from the chambers within.

Having breached the threshold of the First Realm, the crude techniques I’d forged were obsolete.

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As I stepped into the open, a newfound lightness enveloped me. I felt that I could reach the sky in one step.

“I can't afford to be cocky…”

A surge of power can be intoxicating. I tempered my enthusiasm.

Provoked three groups of beastvamps at the same time, I was in great danger.

My extended lifespan was a precious gift not to be squandered. However, should these creatures dare to cross my path again, I would gladly test the edge of my newfound abilities.

Yet, the knowledge that only one absorbed lifespan remained clouded my sense of victory.

… …

High noon.

The homicide squad room was a tense tableau. Four officers stood rigid, their gazes fixed on the broken door.

Lieutenant Patel, his forehead bandaged, sat hunched in his office, a shadow of his usual self.

Wade's eyes flickered towards the floor. The two corpses, shrouded in white, were the unfortunate souls who had sought me out the previous night. The stench of decay was a stark reminder of their end.

Normally, this squad would treat the Lieutenant with feigned respect, a thin veneer over their underlying disdain. But the gravity of the situation had silenced their usual bravado.

A contingent of officers from other squads stood watch with their arms crossed, looking arrogant.

While there was no reason for outsiders to come into contact with the scene before one's own squad, that's what happened today.

However, what made Wade most uneasy was the leader of the squad had yet to show up.

… …

Just then, I stepped into the room.

Every eye in the room snapped to me.

The officers from the other squads, their earlier nonchalance replaced by tense alertness, instinctively moved their hands toward their holstered weapons.

Lieutenant Patel, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, had summoned an elite force from each squad. It was a clear message: the old Sergeant Kane was expected to fall in line.

My team's reactions were varied, but Wade's expressionless face and tightened grip on his knife spoke volumes.

In this moment of tension, Anil Patel, wincing from the pain, pushed himself out of his chair and hobbled toward the office door. He held onto the wall and forced a smile. "Sergeant," he managed.

"Yes." I nodded.

Although I didn't know why the poor man wasn't resting at home, he at least knew to find someone to take care of the aftermath, which saved me a lot of trouble.

"I thought you wouldn't come until the afternoon," Anil Patel said, extending his hand to greet me.

"There are rats at home. I didn't sleep well, so I might as well get up early." I walked further into the squad room, sat down in my seat, raised my head, and asked, "What's the situation?"

A collective glance shot towards the ceiling, causing a brief moment of disorientation. Their focus returned to the room, finding me seated with Patel at my side, his posture deferential and attentive. The tension in their grips eased slightly.

Anil Patel's fear of me was well-known. Yet, this time, he inexplicably took the initiative to ingratiate himself with me and brought a group of elites, making a humiliating spectacle of himself.

"What the fuck..."

The officers from the other squads mumbled in a whisper, fidgeted nervously, shifting their weight from one foot to the other, as if eager to make a quick exit.

Then, in a surprising twist, Patel gestured towards them, his words dropping like a bomb, "Choose two to fill the vacancies. They've been carefully selected." The room erupted in shock.

Pinewood County was a small pond with ripples that spread far and wide. A career with me had its perks, but it came at a price. My reputation was toxic, and anyone who valued their standing would hesitate to become my enforcer.

Even the most hardened individuals had a shred of pride. No one wanted to be the watchdog when I harass a decent woman.

"Are they good?" I inquired, looking at them.

My plans for joining H.A.R.M. required a fresh start.

But I still had standards. At the very least, if someone faced what happened in Tukwila, they should be able to come back alive and report.

My words obviously rubbed these people the wrong way.

A vain person addicted to wine and sex dared to question their abilities.

They must have thought they were at least better at Police Training, which I hadn't used for a long time.

However, in front of everyone, Anil Patel actually smiled wryly: "It depends on who you compare them with, surely not with you, right?"

There seemed to be nothing wrong with what he said, but why did it sound so offensive?

Everyone was smacking their lips, savoring the implied insult.

Only Wade Rivers rolled his eyes, looking like he felt the same way.