Novels2Search
Soulbound: Faith
Chapter 9: More Discovery

Chapter 9: More Discovery

Aside from focusing the warmth on the part where the circle appeared, Viga got inspired to coat anything he could touch. He thought that since he could coat his arnis sticks, why not try coating other things as well?

His first experiment involved coating hazy objects in his house that seemed to lack substance. He reasoned that if something happened to these objects, it wouldn't be a significant loss. However, he failed to consider the consequences of his actions.

As Viga began coating the hazy object, he noticed that it started to fill up with substance, as if it were gradually materializing into existence. But with his constant supply of warmth, he felt the depletion of warmth within himself. Viga noticed it too late that the warmth was being sucked from him at an alarming rate; unlike when he coats his arnis sticks, the warmth just stays in the arnis sticks unless it struck something, and the warmth inside his body only depletes when he replaces the spent warmth in the arnis sticks. Panic struck him as he realized the consequences of his actions.

Gasping for air, Viga quickly ceased coating the object and slumped down in exhaustion. The fatigue he experienced was far more taxing than fighting the rats. It wasn't just mental strain but also a feeling of emptiness inside him. It took nearly half an hour for him to gather enough strength to stand up, using whatever he could hold onto to support himself.

Crawling to the refrigerator, Viga struggled to open it. Once it was open, he immediately grabbed food with substance and devoured it, feeling it gradually fill him up and alleviate his fatigue.

After some time, Viga felt better and full. He made a promise to himself to avoid such recklessness in the future, or at least be more cautious. He realized that this ability could be useful for materializing objects he needed, but it required a lot of experimentation to determine how to control the transfer of warmth, measure the appropriate amount, and prevent depleting himself to exhaustion.

Viga rested further and eventually went to sleep. Since he last dreamt of the Valiant man, he had been staying in the bizzare world for almost three weeks before being called back. He had plenty of time to do whatever he pleased in this world. Surprisingly, Viga discovered that he didn't need much sleep here. He tried staying awake for as long as possible, managing to last a week before his mind became fatigued. Rest alone wasn't sufficient; sleep was the only solution to refresh his mind.

Moreover, Viga realized that sleep in the bizarre world could recharge his warmth much faster and heal any injuries he sustained. So, despite not needing it as much in the real world, he maintained the habit of sleeping to rejuvenate his mind and replenish his warmth.

After the incident that nearly depleted his warmth, Viga realized the importance of accurately measuring and managing his reserves before he can continue on with his further experiments. He understood that he needed a reliable unit to estimate the amount of warmth he possessed and determine how much he could safely use without draining himself. For the time being, he decided to use the term "circle" since it correlated with the circle near his collarbone, representing the initial amount of warmth he had when he discovered his abilities.

Viga was aware that this method of measurement was not entirely precise, but it would suffice until he gained more knowledge and understanding of the nature of his warmth. He knew that as he delved deeper into his abilities and explored the true extent of his powers, he might need to revise and refine his measurement system.

Dedicating nearly two months to the task, Viga conducted various experiments, carefully monitoring and recording the correlation between his warmth and the corresponding amount he could use and produce. Through trial and error, he began to develop a better understanding of the relationship between his warmth reserves and the amount required for different tasks.

With each successful experiment, Viga grew more confident in his ability to control and utilize his warmth effectively. He became adept at gauging the appropriate amount of warmth needed for specific actions, whether it was coating objects or enhancing his physical abilities.

Now equipped with a better understanding of his warmth and its effects, Viga continued his experiments, this time focusing on coating objects with fully formed substance. Unlike the hazy things that depleted his warmth, coating objects with substance did not have the same draining effect and it doesnt do anything aside from enhancing it like his arnis sticks. The same effect apply when he coats the other things with substance. Also, his warmth depletes when he continuously enhances his body.

During one of his experiments, Viga decided to leave the warmth in one of his coated objects to see if it would dissipate on its own. However, he discovered that the warmth remained in the object unless he consciously recalled it, and he could only do so within a maximum distance of two wingspans. He also learned that he could effectively coat up to five objects at once. Beyond that limit, he wouldn't have enough warmth within his body to function properly. With five coated objects, he no longer had the reserve to replenish the warmth if it was expended, nor could he further enhance his own body since his reserves were just enough for proper functioning. Viga wondered if his warmth reserves would increase in the future, allowing him to coat and maintain more objects simultaneously.

One day, as Viga was engrossed in his experiments, he suddenly found himself abruptly summoned back to reality, leaving behind one of his books that he had just coated with warmth. It was the first time this had happened, and he couldn't help but wonder about the consequences of leaving an object coated with his warmth in the bizarre world.

With each passing day, Viga finally found out the effect of the warmth that he left on the book, that book was his math book. As he studied the pages, he noticed that the concepts and formulas became clearer to him, and he grasped them with greater ease than ever before.

It wasn't a miraculous instant learning ability, but rather a multiplier effect. The warmth coating seemed to enhance his understanding and retention of the material. As he delved deeper into the complexities of mathematics, Viga found himself making connections and solving problems that once seemed insurmountable.

Not only did he absorb the knowledge more efficiently, but he also discovered that he retained it permanently. The concepts and formulas he learned stayed embedded in his mind, becoming a solid foundation for future mathematical endeavors. It was as if the warmth coating had unlocked a hidden potential within him.

Excited by this newfound ability, Viga's concern for having a passing grade vanished as he realized that with minimal effort, he could excel in his studies. All he needed to do was coat his books with warmth and study them for a period of time. However, he soon encountered a problem—some of his books lacked substance, appearing hazy and incomplete. This presented a new challenge for Viga to overcome.

Determined to find a solution, Viga decided to investigate the reason behind the hazy appearance of some of his books. He made a trip to the library and borrowed books on the same topic as his hazy ones. His plan was to see if some of the borrowed books had substance in the bizarre world; if they did, he would coat them with warmth, then study and compare them to his hazy books, hoping to uncover the root cause of their incomplete nature.

Upon his return to the bizarre world, Viga got lucky that one of the borrowed books has substance, he proceeds coating the borrowed book with warmth and delved into its contents. He devoted considerable time and effort to studying the book, absorbing its knowledge and insights. When he was summoned back to the real world, he eagerly compared what he had learned from the borrowed book to the hazy book he possessed.

As Viga meticulously examined the hazy book, he noticed distinct differences between the two. Although both books covered the same topic, the hazy book seemed to have been written with a lack of care and attention to detail. It appeared as if the author had approached the subject half-heartedly, resulting in a fragmented and incomplete presentation of the material.

Realizing the disparity, Viga began to understand why some of his books remained hazy in the bizarre world. The books lacking substance were, in fact, incomplete works, lacking the depth and coherence necessary to fully materialize.

Instead of attempting to make the hazy books materialize, Viga realized that it would be more efficient to borrow books of the same topic from the library and determine if they had substance in the bizarre world. This approach would save his warmth and prevent him from depleting his reserves unnecessarily.

With this new plan in mind, Viga began frequenting the library, selecting books that had the same topic as his hazy ones. Then, as a flash of insight, since he was in the library, why not borrow some books that he believed would be useful for his adventures in the bizarre world? Like Survival and Stuff, from then on he added some books on different topics outside his studies. Once he entered this bizarre world, he coated these borrowed books that had substance with warmth, eager to unlock their knowledge and insights.

With his experience with his books, Viga then started leaving objects with substance in his everyday life coated with warmth, such as his mother's kitchen utensils, to see if they had the same effect as his books. When he coated his mother's kitchen knife, for instance, he initially noticed no immediate effect when he waved the knife in one of his stances. However, when he used the knife to cut meat and vegetables, a series of flashbacks appeared in his mind, showcasing his mother's skilled techniques in the kitchen. With each cut, Viga gained a deeper understanding of how to handle the knife, replicating his mother's proficiency.

This ability to learn by coating objects with substance fascinated Viga. It allowed him to tap into the accumulated knowledge and experiences embedded within these items. He realized that not only could he absorb information from books but also gain practical skills by interacting with objects coated with warmth.

Motivated by this revelation, Viga expanded his range of coated items. He experimented with tools, musical instruments, sports equipment, and more. Each time he interacted with a coated object, he would experience flashes of relevant memories and insights, enabling him to acquire skills and knowledge at an accelerated pace.

As Viga continued his experiments with coated objects, he couldn't help but notice a distinct difference with his arnis sticks. Unlike the other objects, which allowed him to tap into the knowledge and experiences of their previous users, his arnis sticks seemed to carry his own memories and battles. He remembered that his arnis sticks gradually gained substance through his frequent usage, care, and unwavering belief instilled by his instructor in the dojo.

In the realm of martial arts, where can you put your beliefs beside oneself? Of course, none other than your weapon, which serves as your ultimate tool for self-defense. The sticks had become infused with his own essence, trust, and the memories of his training turning them as an object with substance in the bizzare world. Viga finally realized that he had been experiencing these flashbacks from his arnis sticks long before he learned about what it can do with the books and other objects. He already have this ability since he started practising with the sticks coated, but it had gone unnoticed until now. He just dismissed it as ordinary remembrance during his practice sessions. It just became clear now when he coated different objects.

These series of experiments and discoveries greatly bolstered Viga's confidence for his upcoming adventures. He had acquired a wealth of knowledge and skills that he hoped would prove useful in his journeys. Even if some of the things he learned didn't directly apply to his adventures, they still had practical applications in his everyday life, such as aiding his studies. Though Viga wasn't one to seek attention or show off, the knowledge he had accumulated could easily place him at the top of his class, or even the entire school, should he choose to reveal his capabilities. However, Viga prefers to maintain a low-profile and doesn't seek to showcase his abilities. He believes that staying humble and discreet is often the wiser approach.

Filled with anticipation, Viga eagerly awaited his next adventure in the bizarre world. Although excitement coursed through his veins, he couldn't help but harbor a glimmer of concern. The previous encounters and challenges he had faced in this realm had pushed him to his limits, testing his strength, courage, and resourcefulness. Deep down, he hoped that the forthcoming adventures would be equally thrilling, yet he yearned for them to be less perilous. The desire to explore and uncover the mysteries of this extraordinary realm battled with the instinct for self-preservation. With a mixture of excitement and caution, Viga prepared himself mentally and physically for whatever awaited him in this enigmatic world, hoping that his skills and newfound abilities would be enough to overcome any obstacles that lay ahead.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.