Chapter 866: Not All of Them Have a Plan
Added 2024-02-09 22:00:06 +0000 UTCMuch of Emi’s nervousness about her soon-to-be-claimed essences had faded away. She only realised after the fact that a lot of that had been thanks to the daunting but capable mentor who would be conducting the ritual. His lessons were excellent but she found him intimidating, not connecting with him the way she had with Farrah.
After Jason and Farrah left Earth, the whole family had grown strangely protective. While they were still on Earth, Emi had been trusted. Important, even, as Farrah set her to essential magical tasks. She may not have had her essences but she was a wizard, with greater command of ritual magic than most people on Earth. Once Jason and Farrah left, she had suddenly gone from wizard back to teenager, like Cinderella after midnight.
Things changed after Taika forced her to go see Rufus and explain her concerns. Not with her family, but once again there was someone who treated her with respect instead of protectiveness. Once that happened, she went from nervous to excited about finally getting her essences.
Once the anxiety had gone, another troubling emotion reared its head: guilt. She knew she was a special case. All the clan members had access to magic and training superior to that of the magical factions. Even the secretive US and Chinese Network training programs were not a match for Asano Clan resources, especially following the arrival of Rufus. And within the clan, no one was inundated with as much support as Emi.
Only Boris and his people had the off-world experience of Taika and Rufus, but the messengers weren’t essence users. While the two adventurers trained all the young clan members, only Emi received regular, one-on-one attention.
Because she was Jason’s treasured niece, she had unfettered access to essences and awakening stones. The rest of the clan had to claim those resources through a contribution system. Contribution points could be accumulated starting at age sixteen, with an initial allotment based on school grades, training achievements and other actions beneficial to the clan. They could also be traded, and with food and lodging being provided by the clan, contribution points were a valuable commodity.
Points could be spent on essences and awakening stones. As the clan was in its early days, this mostly centred around parents looking for the best opportunities they could give their children. They settled for cheap essences for themselves, or forewent essences altogether as they saved for more desirable essences for their children.
Emi’s great-grandmother was the clan matriarch, the now young-seeming Yumi Asano. The only authority above her was Jason, who had made it clear that she was in charge. Even if he hadn’t been absent, he had neither the interest nor the skill set to manage the clan. He had left certain directives, though, both before his departure and in the messages he sent with Rufus and Taika.
Before he left, he made it clear that no expense was to be spared in the development of Emi’s magic. In the recordings, he stated that Rufus was to be in charge of directing that development. Erika had not welcomed her brother trying to control parts of her daughter’s upbringing by fiat, but had found Rufus much more respectful.
Rufus had proven highly accommodating to the wishes and limits of Erika and her husband in his approach to Emi’s training. That did not always endear him to his trainee who had her own ideas about what was appropriate. This tension had been the beginning of Emi’s now-resolved uncertainty about him.
It had never been easy making friends for Emi. She’d always gotten along better with adults than children, being heavily indulged when she was younger. But with each passing year, her more adult intelligence seemed less remarkable. Now she was a teenager, she oddly found herself treated more like a child. It was easy to dismiss the opinions of a teenager.
Her first real friend had been made only after the full-time move to Saint-Étienne. It had been a time when her uncle had been at his most dangerous, like a live wire dangling over water. What little remained of his old persona felt like a tattered mask over a volatile and menacing creature that no one wanted to provoke. He was killing people, not just monsters, and she still remembered his nightmare that had invaded her mind. She didn’t remember the specifics, but the sense of inescapable dread still haunted her.
Moving to Saint-Étienne after they stopped travelling with her uncle, Emi had found herself around people her own age for the first time in a long time. Lina Karadeniz was a cousin of Jason’s girlfriend, the one who had died along with Emi’s Uncle Kaito. Lina had been hostile at first, with her family only joining the Asano Clan out of necessity. The Karadeniz family had been wealthy people living good lives in the days before magic. They laid the blame for losing that and the death of Asya at the feet of Emi’s uncle.
Time had changed things, at least for Emi and Lina. Two whip-smart girls who couldn’t seem to get along with anyone else, they kept finding themselves together — especially in the face of increasingly interested boys. Many of the young boys in the clan were relatives, but there were still plenty that weren’t and the pair started drawing attention. Against her better judgement, and often to her annoyance, Emi found herself with a social life.
After her nervousness passed about her soon-to-be essences, she became excited and started talking about them more. That was when she realised things started getting awkward. Her new friends had always understood who her uncle was, and that her great-grandmother ran the clan. But when she started talking about choosing her essences and being shown into the essence vault, they all started to realise the difference between them.
Emi’s new closeness with Lina became tense as wider family issues began to intrude. The Karadeniz family saw Emi and the privileges her uncle had mandated as an indication that the Asano family were turning themselves into oligarchs within the clan.
Treated more like a tool of politics than a person, it started to poison her new friendships and she was soon isolating herself all over again. She was torn not just by the people trying to use her but also with a fear that they were not entirely wrong. She enjoyed advantages that her friends did not. Opportunities she was freely given were things their parents struggled and strived for. She knew it wasn’t fair but, at the same time, did not want to give them up. She had large ambitions, and the advantages her uncle had given her were the launching pad for them.
Her father found her sitting on the balcony of their townhouse, legs dangling through the wrought iron railing. He sat down beside her and slipped his legs through the bars as well.
“You seemed happy there for a little bit,” he said. “I know it’s not cool to talk to your dad, but I think we both know you were never cool, so how about you give it a try?”
Emi gave him a withering look but couldn’t hold it, cracking up in spite of herself.
“It’s not fair,” she said. “The things I get, just because of Uncle Jason and Nana Yumi.”
“Don’t let her hear you call you that,” he said in a warning that was mostly a joke.
“Dad, if you aren’t going to take this seriously—”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry, sweetie. You know, it’s very mature of you to think about what you have that others don’t.”
“Dad, I’m not a child.”
“I know. I know, I really do. But I’m going to be honest with you, Emi: You’ve always been hard to parent. You thought you were smarter than me by age seven, and by age nine you were right. And I’m not an idiot.”
“You’re kind of an idiot.”
He scoffed, putting a hand to his chest in mock offence.
“I’m considered quite intelligent, I’ll have you know,” he told her. “I’m a doctor.”
“So you tell people,” she muttered.
He gave her a scathing look, her feigned disregard lasting only seconds before a laugh escaped her lips.
“Now who’s not taking this seriously?” he asked. “But really, Emi, I didn’t know what to do with you. You were a child, yet so like an adult in a lot of ways. I didn’t know how to handle that. I’m not sure I ever figured it out. And now you’re a teenager. Not a child anymore, but not an adult either. And you’re so accomplished, with all your magic studies.”
He leaned over, briefly reaching out to give her a side hug.
“But for all that you’re special,” he continued, “you’re also a normal teenager. You’re going through the amazing and terrible process of figuring out who you are, but I’m going to let you in on a secret: I am too. Still, at my age. There’s this illusion that adults have figured it out and gotten their lives together. And I have done that in a lot of ways. I became a doctor and married a woman far too good for me. But there’s always something fresh and confounding to deal with. Going from husband to parent. From doctor to magical healer. Life always has new things to throw at you. You figure out one thing and along comes the next. You don’t have to live in a magic town in France for that.”
“Is this meant to be encouraging? It doesn’t sound encouraging.”
He let out a long sigh that turned into a laugh.
“It doesn’t, does it? What I’m trying to say is that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to figure it all out today. I know that your mother and I aren’t always doing the things you want us to. Sometimes we’re going to get it wrong, and I’m sorry for that. But sometimes we’re going to get it right, and you aren’t always going to like it.”
He leaned his head against the railing, enjoying the sensation of cool metal against his forehead.
“Emi, our first job as parents is to prepare you for the world you’re stepping into. But the world is changing, maybe faster and more drastically than it ever has before. Magic is like the renaissance and the industrial revolution happening at the same time, in fast forward. We don’t know how to equip you for that, and it terrifies us. Because we love you more than anything in the world.”
“I love you too, Dad. But I’m going to be honest; you telling me you have no idea what you’re doing doesn’t fill me with confidence.”
He laughed as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“Well, you’re a teenager now, sweetie. You’re on the path to becoming an adult, and the first lesson is that none of us know what we’re doing. We’re just better at faking it than kids are.”
“So, you can’t help me then.”
“Well, I didn’t say that. Adults do figure some stuff out before moving on to the next anxiety attack, so there’s experience to draw on here. You said you were worried that you’re getting better treatment than your friends, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, how about this: We turn down the free stuff your uncle said to give you.”
“I kind of don’t want to, though.”
He let out a belly laugh.
“I can see why you wouldn’t. But you don’t have to lose out on the essences you want. Your mother an I are pretty high up in this whole organisation, you know? We’ve accumulated a lot of contribution points, so we can get you the essences you want. It’ll come out of our points, the same way everyone else does it.”
“You realise that I’ve chosen some expensive essences, right?”
“I know, sweetie. You change your mind every few days, but you always seem to go for the expensive stuff. But, believe it or not, your mother and I have a lot of clan contributions. We can afford it. You might have to wait a little longer on the exact awakening stones, if you keep going for the rare stuff. And you’d better believe that we’ll be dipping into your points when you start racking them up, miss master wizard.”
“Is that okay?” Emi asked nervously. “Doing it this way? Do you think that’s fair?”
“Fair is a hard thing, Emi. I don’t think any system can be completely equitable. All we can do is our best with what we’ve got, and try to make it a little better for whoever inherits it from us.”
“Well, no one’s inheriting anything from me,” Emi said. “I’m going to live forever.”
“See, I knew there was an age-appropriate thought somewhere in that head. All teenagers think they’re going to live forever.”
“Yes, but not all of them have a plan. I’m going to reach diamond-rank.”
“That’s higher than silver-rank, right?”
Emi gave her father a flat look.
“Did you not read all the documentation on ranks and advancement?”
“I’m only bronze-rank, Emi. That high-rank stuff doesn’t apply to me. And it’s a lot of material. All those binders.”
“You know there’s a digital copy, right? I can’t believe you skipped the reading. Were you like this in medical school?”
“No!”
“I feel sorry for the people who come to you, thinking you’re a doctor.”
“I am a doctor!”
***
Emi, Ian and Erika entered the gymnasium, the nervous girl walking between her parents. She looked around at all the people in the stands, their low chatter an unsettling susurrus. They stood at the doorway and looked around.
“Where’s Taika?” Ian asked.
“He’s just getting something for me,” Emi said, a little too innocently.
“Did you change your mind on your essence combination again?” Ian asked.
“No,” she lied.
“Emi…”
“Yes,” she sullenly admitted.
“You can call it off,” Rufus said as he approached them. “There’s no rule that says you have to do it the moment your body will accept essences. We can put it off until you’re absolutely certain.”
“No!” Emi half shouted, drawing more attention from a crowd already watching them.
Emi’s face crinkled up in a blushing wince.
“No,” she insisted quietly. “I’m doing it today. Who came up with this idea of doing these rituals in public?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a good idea,” Rufus said. “Becoming an essence user in this world is no small thing. It means being a notable figure, and they need to adjust to that. Starting here, surrounded by friends and family, is a good way to ease people into it.”
“As an alternative suggestion,” Emi said, “how about we do it with no one around?”
“You’d tell all these people to just go home because nothing’s happening?” Ian asked.
“Or you could do it,” Emi said.
“No,” her mother said. “If you want to not have your ritual in front of all these people, you have to tell them. You also have to tell your great-grandmother.”
They all turned to look at Yumi. She was sitting with Emi’s paternal grandmother, Nana Evans, in the front row of the stands. They had a prime position, right in front of the ritual circle Rufus had set up.
“I guess we can do it like this,” Emi said.
“Good choice,” Rufus told her. “But again, you can wait until you’re certain about your essence selection.”
“I am certain.”
“As you have been about every combination you’ve been picking out twice a week for the last year,” her father pointed out. “There’s no shame in patience.”
“We’re doing it now,” Emi insisted. “Even if it does have to be in front of all these people.”
“Very well,” Rufus said. “As soon as Taika gets back from the vault.”
“While we’re waiting,” Erika said, “have you given any thought to what you want to do for your sixteenth birthday?”
“Fight a monster,” Emi said immediately.
“Nope,” her father said.
“No,” Rufus told her.
“Absolutely not,” Erika said. “You can fight a monster when you’re old enough to make that decision for yourself.”
“I just did make that decision for myself.”
“Oh, Daughter,” Erika said. “You are a very clever young woman who is right about a lot of things. But when you are wrong, you are so very wrong. You take after your uncle in that way. You are not going to fight a monster for your birthday. Better yet, you could fight no monsters ever. You can use monster cores, like your father and I. Once you turn sixteen, you’ll be allowed to earn your own contribution points to buy them. All that ritual magic you know will be very useful for that.”
“I am not using monster cores. You can’t get to diamond-rank like that. I’m going to fight monsters.”
“Not at sixteen, you’re not,” her father said.
“How old then?” Emi asked.
“Forty-eight,” Ian told her.
“Dad…”
“She’s right, Ian,” Erika said. “Don’t be absurd. Sixteen is out of the question, but this is important to her, so let’s be sensible.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“She can decide for herself when she’s twenty-one.”
“Mum! Five years? Rufus was really late fighting his first monster, and he still did it by nineteen. In the other world, lots of people my age are fighting monsters.”
“And lots of people your age die,” Rufus said. “Mine is a brutal world. You saw what it did to your uncle. Be grateful that your civilisation isn’t watered with the blood of the young.”
“Thank you, Rufus,” Erika said. “For your reasonable — if horrifyingly grim — support.”
“You are very welcome, Mrs Asano.”
“I know you have concerns about your daughter’s safety,” he said. “My priority will always be to keep her safe. Her birthday is very near, but the day I am satisfied she’s ready to face a monster is not. It will be far longer than she wants before I am satisfied she is ready to face a carefully chosen monster under carefully arranged conditions. Only then will we even start to properly discuss the possibility. If nothing else, I won’t let her just jump in when she’s chosen a combination not built for combat.”
He looked at her with suspicion.
“Taika is bringing back a non-combat combination, right?” he asked.
“Yes,” Emi said. “Not that it matters. You told me yourself that every combination can fight. Look at Mum and her knife powers.”
“What combination did you choose?” Erika asked her daughter. “If you picked three legendary essences, I’m not sure even we have the contribution points for that.”
“Of course I didn’t,” Emi said, failing to meet her mother’s eyes.
“It’s two legendaries and an epic,” she mumbled.
“Uh, we can afford that, right?” Ian asked.
“Yes,” Erika said, her voice not that much higher in pitch than normal. “You’re the medical director and I’m the food logistics director for the whole clan. We can afford it. Probably. What essences specifically did you pick out, my sweet girl?”
“Vast, Myriad and Harmonic,” Emi said. “It produces the Unity confluence.”
Rufus nodded.
“One of the combinations Farrah suggested,” he said. “Good choice. You’ll want to be careful with your awakening stone choices, though. We can save those discussions for later, though.”
“Okay, that’s not too bad,” Erika said. “High rarity, but none of the truly exotic ones. It could be worse.”
“You could still give them to her for free,” Rufus said. “The way Jason intended.”
“It’s too late for that,” Erika said. “Grandmother has already started using the fact that we’re using contribution points like everyone else. She wants to forestall any tension between us and the other families. It’s inevitable that they’ll think the people who share a name with the clan will get special treatment, and she wants to head that off.”
“Uncle Jason would have wanted it like this anyway,” Emi said.
“He’s the one who said you should get it all for free in the first place,” Ian said.
“Yes, but he’d prefer it be fairer once he thought about it. Sometimes he can be slow on the uptake.”
“Sometimes?” Rufus muttered under his breath, earning a grin from Emi.
***
Yumi Asano made a ceremony of the whole affair, taking the chance to do a little politicking. She made a speech about the future of the clan, fair treatment and the unprecedented challenges that the upcoming generation would face. Other members of the clan’s ruling council did the same, Yumi being the only one to speak from the Asano family.
In the end, the rite Rufus conducted to grant Emi her essences was almost an afterthought. It was the simplest of ritual magic and he had her absorb all three essences at once. She absorbed her confluence and then bolted for the bathroom, her face turning a sickly yellow.
The onlookers laughed sympathetically. Many had gone through the same experience or watched friends and relatives do so. They were all familiar with the violent body purge that came with reaching iron rank. When Emi emerged from the bathroom, looking rather wrung out, she was met by thunderous cheers. Her parents and Rufus hurried up to her, huge grins on their faces. Her parents hugged her and Rufus solemnly shook her hand.
“Welcome,” he told her. “You’ve joined a larger world than you can possibly imagine. It’s only the beginning, but you’re walking the same path as me, Farrah and your uncle. You’re one of us, now.”
Comments
I too loved the chapter and glad to get something happy after the last one. Hubby wanted to know why I was crying. Hard to really answer as I've been trying to get him to read the series lol.
Josie Dinwiddie
2024-04-19 19:09:34 +0000 UTCOr, given what Jason's doing right now, a token from every named GAB (possibly except the World Phoenix, but who knows, heck, maybe some of the unnamed give her something to show there's no hard feelings between them and the guy who's about to rule the cosmos). What if every single one of her awakening stones were provided by GABs along with tokens to evolve her essence gifts?
StarkRG
2024-03-23 04:30:34 +0000 UTCWhat are the odds Emi find a reaper token and stone on her pillow the that night
True
2024-03-23 00:21:09 +0000 UTCThx for the chapter
Kconraw
2024-02-29 16:31:21 +0000 UTCThe emi chapters are insufferable. Hopefully not much time is spent focused on this family. I get setting the background but it's a super boring read.
Griffinlax
2024-02-26 05:35:05 +0000 UTCAmi I misreading that Rufus performed the ceremony for Emi and she absorbed 3 essences at once and it was a simple ceremony. I thought when Clive did a ceremony for two essences it was complex and the theory it would have them work better. I thought Rufus did not know ritual Magic and it was easy for Rufus to have absorbed at the same time. Did he have help from one of the avatars. Second this should make Emi even more powerful.
Ken Peterson
2024-02-22 21:03:22 +0000 UTCDo you want to know how many Contribution Points Jason has?! He has infinity Contribution Points. That's how many.
Marshall Kelloway
2024-02-15 06:06:42 +0000 UTCWhile I see her living there overall (a vast majority of the time), I almost guarantee she will be one of the first to leave Earth (for a trip, not permanently), if travelling becomes easier with Jason as an Astral King or the planetary magic getting high enough that some of the mid to high end diamonds visit (mid being someone like Soramir, high being those who list in the Astral City permanently and are more involved in the "astral community"). Why stay on Earth if your Uncle is literally in the top tier of beings we know about and is friends friends with million year old beings(the peak diamond and transcendent folks, or oddities like Gold Boris who are implied to be in the hundred million to billion range) who can show you around?
Brian Block
2024-02-12 02:19:10 +0000 UTC@tim yes they knew, Erika even made a "it's very twisty" comment or something like that.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-12 02:17:23 +0000 UTCI was laughing in such a anticipatory glee when I saw the confluence and the kit she will be working with. That's gonna be awesome to see develop! :)
Logen Felxon
2024-02-11 22:12:17 +0000 UTCIn sure he can and will certain disappoint Clive often whenever he gets all molesty with the interface
JonO
2024-02-11 21:23:48 +0000 UTC@Zach this is why I love and hate books. Its so hard to find a book that can really suck you in, but when you do, it can only take you so far in, and youre left wanting to see the whole of it and not just the hero's journey. And while I disagree with you about Emi (though I can see why you feel that way), I agree that I there are other characters I would LOVE to see more of as well.
Tim
2024-02-11 15:15:39 +0000 UTCThe Transformation zone in Pallimustus, yes. But he didnt have that kind of control to insert them into hus domains when they were formed. It would be nice though if once he becomes a full bliwn astral king that hed be able to update them at will. I almsot dont think he would though because then Clive would turn his domains into huge warehouses for item identification lol.
Tim
2024-02-11 15:09:51 +0000 UTCWith the Australian heritage, I'd expect it to be get abbreviated to something like 6 jono's or something. Would the slang version (like bucks for dollars) be chins?
Chris Nowak
2024-02-11 04:43:28 +0000 UTCGlad to see essence selection. It’s been a while! Missed it!
Diviknight
2024-02-11 02:03:36 +0000 UTCBecause what they saw/felt terrified them, they didn't understand what was happening, and after he released his aura in his sleep after a nightmare I imagine it was almost a soul attack on them. So no wonder they were terrified of him
Jordan Brennan
2024-02-11 01:45:19 +0000 UTCthat was my thought too
Jordan Brennan
2024-02-11 01:41:15 +0000 UTCI agree. They’re acting like Jason did nothing to earn these privileges for Emi. What’s the difference between her parents earning it by contributing and her uncle literally saving the world, providing a safe haven for everyone in his spirit domains, and the one thing he asks in return is his niece get her choice of whatever essences and powers she wants?? She’s not turning down the one-on-one training with Rufus.
Diviknight
2024-02-11 01:29:02 +0000 UTCThat’s OK to disagree with me. I think the character is a brat cliché kid sister character. As far as Jason‘s family goes, I thought his uncle and grandmother are considerably more interesting to me Craig Vermillion The vampire queen Three or four other people that were in the network I would be considerably more interested in seeing what was going on with them Back in the other world, there are considerably more characters. I’d be more interested in finding out what’s going on with Hell, I’d like to know what the Taylor and his brothers in greenstone have been up to
Zachary Blevins
2024-02-10 20:32:40 +0000 UTCThis is my new head cannon I don't care what else happens lol
Jarrett Mahon
2024-02-10 19:46:05 +0000 UTCI should start a bingo card for this haha
Jarrett Mahon
2024-02-10 19:45:14 +0000 UTCSpeaking facts
Jarrett Mahon
2024-02-10 19:44:37 +0000 UTC@Kevin, THIS. It always bothered me that NO ONE seemed to realize this and think about what THEIR soul would look like in that situation. But I dont remember if the family was aware that it was actually his soul they were in, or if they thought it was just some weird space connected to Jason. But still, that dont matter, what matters is how they could SEE all the trauma happening to him and still shrug him off...if it were one of my siblings, or child even, I would do all I could to stand beside them, magic monster or not.
Tim
2024-02-10 17:36:51 +0000 UTCIf they were smart, Rufus and taika got the recipe from jori before they left.... Clan asano cornering that market would be really smart
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 16:45:52 +0000 UTCEh. I'm assuming even iron rankel teenagers dont have that part of their brain yet that keeps them from making rash decisions..... It's probably wise to keep them a bit reigned in considering their long lives otherwise.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 16:40:25 +0000 UTCThey can all feel his aura. It's not possible to forget what he did or is doing for them by melting all of Ill intent who enter...
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 16:37:24 +0000 UTCYeah i was thinking something along those lines as well.
JonO
2024-02-10 16:37:02 +0000 UTCThats a good point. I want to think its more about being an adventurer and protecting others. But its a very thin line to cross
Ken Sevier
2024-02-10 14:22:37 +0000 UTCIt depends on how big the time skip is though. Time skip might be pretty massive.
DeviantSalivations
2024-02-10 14:15:51 +0000 UTCThank you for this chapter.... most authors forget that readers get attached to side characters.... this whole chapter made my heart swim... Of course we all needed it after the ripping out hearts out with a spoon and stomping on them last chapter...
Chris Pollan
2024-02-10 11:34:12 +0000 UTCI need to know what abilities she got reeeee
Braden Lambert
2024-02-10 11:04:28 +0000 UTCThat's my point. They are living under his protection, and literally nobody has contributed more than Jason to the family. Making a big deal about paying for it with contribution points from her family instead of Jason just giving her the essence is silly. If you need to say it was earned with points and not distributed because of nepotism then work out a system that accounts for Jason's contributions too and pay for the essence with his points.
Moonspike
2024-02-10 10:06:56 +0000 UTCI'm just surprised that throughout these chapters, Rufus hasn't mentioned that his family runs a school.... Maybe he's changing!
Thomas Grimshaw
2024-02-10 09:00:23 +0000 UTCI think it was less about them complaining and more that they saw their friends being handed stuff that they had to earn through hard work which sullied the friendship and tbh I think it was a very mature decision for Emi as a character to have made to show her friends that she doesn't want the privileges, she wants to do things the right way which I can get behind :)
Dazzoboy
2024-02-10 08:24:59 +0000 UTCNo, that's what I assumed on first read-through as well, but Evans is Ian's last name, not Cheryl's maiden name. That great-grandma is Glenda Pottsworth.
Joanna
2024-02-10 08:10:43 +0000 UTCThat is a very dangerous line. It implies that those without essences are lesser. Noreth's fears are becoming real.
Oliver
2024-02-10 07:54:53 +0000 UTCIs Rufus right in the long run, though? Those who start out young will be better on average.
Oliver
2024-02-10 07:51:58 +0000 UTCI take ur point, and maybe you can say that about the saving the world part, but the fact that the stones probably belong to him in the first place and that he's given them all refuge free of charge aren't hidden. Just because they took in refugees doesn't mean clan Asano are obligated to make all of their wealth 'public'. Even royal families keep both 'public' and 'private' funds.
Adrian Gorgey
2024-02-10 07:38:16 +0000 UTCSure, except people have notoriously short memories and most of what he did was out of the public eye.
Douglas Sokolowski
2024-02-10 07:26:27 +0000 UTCThats neat...but super annoying if thats the only place it is as I hate Discord. Also, that pretty much proves my point that the other two havent been in the series previously.
Tim
2024-02-10 07:12:46 +0000 UTCRofl, hey how much that sandwich cost? Oh, this? About 6 jasons.
Tim
2024-02-10 07:10:56 +0000 UTCEnjoyed the Emi chapter. The essence stone thing felt a little silly, though -- didn't a lot of those magical resources come from Jason in the first place? Or from the magical space he created? And didn't he literally save the world multiple times? And create the magical space they've all taken refuge in? And in a very real sense, save the life of every person there himself, since they were caught in transformation zones that he saved them from? So if he wants to give some rare essences to his beloved niece, that's not something anyone else should feel entitled to complain about.
Adrian Gorgey
2024-02-10 06:58:13 +0000 UTCWe're not an obsessive bunch, are we? 😂
Laura H
2024-02-10 06:50:09 +0000 UTCI was laughing like a maniac when I saw the essence choices and the confluence she wanted. I can't fekkin' wait to see what she does with her kit. :)
Logen Felxon
2024-02-10 06:50:08 +0000 UTCOh for Umber to be trapped as another's familiar... Technically beneath Shade in the familial hierarchy... Irony at its finest
Alex Cox
2024-02-10 06:25:28 +0000 UTCOne is the benevolent hegemon that through mysterious magical power gives her the privileges she gets for free just because. Or her parents, as hard working people earns the right to use said essences. Aka, one is nepotistic privilege because her uncle says so, while the other is nepotistic privilege because her parents has earned the right to make her dreams come true. One of those are obtainable by anyone, the other is objectively obtainable by a lot of people, but very few will ever get that chance. You know, become friends with the guy with unfathomable cosmic powers, fuck around and figure out if you gain nepotistic privileges or just free sandwiches. Which both would be great. But if you were a true friend, the nepotistic privileges wouldn't be something you even think about.
Logen Felxon
2024-02-10 06:22:05 +0000 UTCShe is absolutely going to get awakening stones from reaper, book, song, legion, devouring eye, sand, and probably but not certain phoenix. Each of these GAB have been looking for a way to buy Jason's favor, because he is doing most of them a solid using his half Transcendence upgrade to rebuild/ re-establish the sundered throne.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 06:01:49 +0000 UTCJason doesn't have Contributions points. He basically supplied most of the stuff lol
Kalanaere
2024-02-10 05:55:34 +0000 UTCThat would be hilarious and awesome.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 05:53:45 +0000 UTCNope you guys, his territories produce crystal wash naturally now, it happened when his soul got upgraded with the gate and throne.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 05:52:16 +0000 UTCIt can be titled she who fights with monsters.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 05:47:33 +0000 UTCOr you could end up with whole floating island cities of blue haired royals and a limited supply of public lavies. And yes I think I failed to make a joke here.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 05:45:34 +0000 UTCMy siblings and I are all hoping that Emi ends up with the much-cited Umber as a familiar. The familial discord will be worth its weight in comedy gold.
Gilligan_Ng
2024-02-10 05:22:29 +0000 UTCWell well well, I correctly guessed two out of three of Emi's essences. I'm basically a prophet.
Liesmith
2024-02-10 05:20:31 +0000 UTCThey should try to raise all boats while also ensuring their family legacy as the first likely adventurer powerhouse. I don't dispute that they need to be politic. But being politic with the heir apparents potential power set is ridiculous. It's a short term win vs a possible long term loss. (Rufus is the only saving grace in this situation.)
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 04:22:25 +0000 UTCNah, it was really disappointing that his family turned on him (including emi) after seeing his soul go monster when his brother and team died.... As if his response was not completely natural and expected. As if they wouldn't have had the same reaction in the moment. It was a complete betrayal of the person protecting them and the world and IMHO the biggest reason he was so damaged walking into book 7.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 04:07:09 +0000 UTCI'm betting a surfer dude. Or to quote Jason a dude bro?
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 04:01:50 +0000 UTCIt's true and fairly interesting. And likely makes sense considering the reality of a big piece of the population having very long lives and have the ability to have children the entire time... Kinda have to be fairly darwinian in that situation....
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 04:01:04 +0000 UTCCheck out the discord, there’s a bot that gives a list of every possible essence combo that can be made. It also describes how to form any confluence. It’s how I know how to create a cataclysm confluence
mhaj58
2024-02-10 03:53:00 +0000 UTCThat would be awesome
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:52:58 +0000 UTCZachary Blevins, I don't agree with you on a lot of your last two thoughts. I think Emi is fantastic, she was sidekick comic relief in the beginning. Then she was safety guaranteed or Jason would kill the entire twari clan. That was an evil chilling scene with real menace. Yes from time to time she has played the role of a bratty kid, but she has also been children of the corn smart which has been terribly jarring. Emi has been iron fist in a bigger iron gauntlet. She hasn't had to do any fighting or killing but I think she is going to be a natural at it. She has been growing up intelligent, physically well trained, isolated from peers, and raised amongst the bloody minded and Tika.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:49:56 +0000 UTCMoonspike Jason has as many contribution points as he wants. The clan is living in his temple cities.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:32:33 +0000 UTCI'm sorry but best line award goes to Rufus with his "Be grateful that your civilisation isn’t watered with the blood of the young.” line. It takes a lot to write a character that pompous and human.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:25:03 +0000 UTCWhen the previous chapter released, it originally said that Emi was 14. Someone in the comments pointed out that it doesn't really add up. Shirt responded to that comment saying it was a mistake and then updated the chapter to show the correct age at 15. In his comment he said: "I've adjusted Emi's age to 15, and she is close to 16."
Justin
2024-02-10 03:13:15 +0000 UTCNana Evans is Jason and Erica’s Gran from the “Bogan” side of the family through their mother
Iain Grubb
2024-02-10 03:07:44 +0000 UTCJonO I totally expect Emi to receive many blessings from the GAB like reaper and book. Humans get six gifts. I just imagine six awakening stones and six tokens. Finding their way to Emi.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:06:44 +0000 UTCUmber is another shadow of the reaper and shade's sibling and the absolute twat waffle who replaced shade with his( shade's ) last summoner.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-10 03:02:53 +0000 UTCWell, i think that Shirt, like always, shows a keen mind and a fantastic grasp of political reality. Every political system, be it democracy or monarchy or even autocracy in the end is based on a fine balance of power. Every leader finally needs people around him that are willing to work together and accept his/her ideas as their own. And diminishing tensions by treating everyone the same way and making set rules apply to everybody is a good way to go about it! Look at the imbalances of power that exist as soon as some people are not held to the same rules as other people and how much tension that brings into the world. Emi demonstrates wisdom far beyond her years again by recognizing that fact and actually act accordingly.
René Blaser
2024-02-10 02:57:07 +0000 UTCI think yes, Yumi definitely and I'm guessing Nana Evans to be Ian's Grandmother but possibly his mother
Kalanaere
2024-02-10 02:56:44 +0000 UTCI can't stop picturing all the ways Jason would screw with the people he actually liked on Earth. From annoying his Sister and definitely Ana to definitely tormenting Rufus, likely by giving Emi little details
Kalanaere
2024-02-10 02:53:58 +0000 UTCIt's important to note that they have all the power and authority already but this is a large political situation. They don't need to go beating it over people's heads by guaranteeing their kids the best of everything. In 2 or 3 generations there would be massive factions and the Asano kids would be Thadwicks. I think this is smart because they still got Emi everything she wanted but saved face in appearing to be like everyone else.
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:50:35 +0000 UTCOh thats a lovely idea!
René Blaser
2024-02-10 02:49:01 +0000 UTCUmber is a diamond ranked person, Shade's former summoner.
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:45:05 +0000 UTCWell the difference would be. her parrens are Paying for it, like everyone else. Compared to getting it for free. it not about her earning it, but the cost of it.
ma ka
2024-02-10 02:43:47 +0000 UTCI feel like the interface would be woven into how the Domains work.
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:43:33 +0000 UTCIf Emi get a familiar that is just Shade with a moustache I'll get another box in my bingo card.
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:40:24 +0000 UTCIf breaking the world and murdering people would get you negative points I would think he is net neutral. Though they would tell him he is negative to shake some spirit coins out of him.
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:37:17 +0000 UTCBOO! HISS!
Alex Schellenberg
2024-02-10 02:36:11 +0000 UTCIt is so heartwarming to be back on earth with Rufus as a mentor. I'm super excited for when the sad day comes when Jason's story is over ..... Because you'll be able to continue with her story instead ;) You know give yourself a break a little while give yourself some years and then come back with Emi as the main :)
DeviantSalivations
2024-02-10 02:22:50 +0000 UTCDid you even read the other books? Emi is an amazing character and was pivotal in Jason's growth during the periods then. She grounded him and allowed him to remember his human side. And she's hugely intelligent. There are going to be many more chapters dedicated to her in the future as well because she is absolutely going to be impactful. Or rather she would be if the books would continue past 12 or 13. Hell that would be a really good follow-up for Jason's story once it's ended. Start all over again with Emi.
DeviantSalivations
2024-02-10 02:21:17 +0000 UTCFrom how this goes I feel Emi wil be bronze or silver by the time the interlude chapters are done and I'd like to see her come back with Rufus being her own choice and all but I think Jason will be coming back to earth and crunch the vampires so badly it's gonna hurt to read
Jarrett Mahon
2024-02-10 02:17:43 +0000 UTCYeah but he'd do anything for Emi even giving up the last of his crystal wash supply to her
2024-02-10 02:15:42 +0000 UTCEveryone in the clan goes along with it because its her choice. Also, because you cant set up a functioning government in which one family gets all of the power for free...does no one remember Shako's descendants that used him as a crutch to rule their world? If Yumi took the clan in that direction, it would tear itself apart from the inside out. Its best to show that even the "royalty" as it were, abides by the same rules as everyone else, otherwise Jason would end up having to come back in a thousand years and relocate some kids while the clan dies.
Tim
2024-02-10 02:07:02 +0000 UTCkind of disappointed that it was just emi stuff.
Kaladorph
2024-02-10 02:06:31 +0000 UTCjasons, probably coins with his face on it like the ones that appeared when he got his looting power. lol.
Kaladorph
2024-02-10 02:06:09 +0000 UTCI think she will get familiars like jason, probably a shade version, one for time, and maybe a builder one to mess with jason. but also as a reward for his help.
Kaladorph
2024-02-10 02:04:54 +0000 UTC@Jordan, AT LEAST enough for a decent sandwich
Tim
2024-02-10 01:56:19 +0000 UTCWhere? Im currently on my fourth listen of the series and unless there are differences, I dont believe EITHER have been seen outside of the wiki lists.
Tim
2024-02-10 01:51:24 +0000 UTCEh @Blayne, cataclysm isn't necessarily bad. At cataclysm to a moral and just society is, but a cataclysm for the messenger Astral kings so they can no longer breed a slave race would be a arguably good thing
Lucas Gulick
2024-02-10 01:37:37 +0000 UTCBoth Harmonic and unity were seen fairly early into the series I believe, it has been a long time since an individuals essences were discussed so there could be quite a few others we've seen over the last few books that have them
Lucas Gulick
2024-02-10 01:35:41 +0000 UTCJason voluntarily giving up crystal wash feels like a poor assumption lol
Lucas Gulick
2024-02-10 01:30:22 +0000 UTCI get her reasoning, but what I don't get is everyone in clan leadership going along with it. She's essentially the heir. If she does t deserve the essences both based on her past contributions and capabilities, also as the future of the clan, then who does? It's not a democracy.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 01:27:20 +0000 UTCThink of it as the difference between generational wealth and self earned wealth. It’s technically not that but it’s almost a close comparison.
Damaddino
2024-02-10 01:27:04 +0000 UTCDo the people living in the transformation zone need to pay taxes? If so what currency do they use?
2024-02-10 01:23:57 +0000 UTCNot only should she get what ever she and the clan want to get her, (she's essentially the heir) but IMHO it's a mistake to politic this kind of thing. It's not a democracy. The domains will melt those who wish I'll intent ... And emi without question has already earned herself what ever based on her earlier assistance during the monster waves before Jason left. If she doesn't deserve the very best essences who does? If her extended family can't afford these best essences in the asano vault, who can? The whole premise is ridiculous. With great power does come great responsibility. What other kid has shown more responsibility than her so far? And also is the likely heir?
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 01:22:39 +0000 UTCBut.... She is essentially a princess. These domains are not a democracy. An asano will always be in control of them on earth. She's literally the heir apparent if she wants to be.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 01:21:12 +0000 UTCThe details are the cliff....
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 01:12:31 +0000 UTCI am assuming Jason sent back plenty of Crystal Wash so I am hoping Emi got one for her rank up.
Mike Zebill
2024-02-10 01:12:00 +0000 UTCWho needs all attack powers for fighting monsters? What about being a combat ritualist like Clive? 😂
Kelly
2024-02-10 01:06:39 +0000 UTCI disagree. Clan asano does want to be a light touch when it comes to treating everyone respectfully and fairly. But it's not a democracy. The territory will literally start melting people who have ill intent. And it's controlled by Yumi and the family. I assume it will follow the blood line over the generations. At some point the answer is if you don't like it you can leave. Providing emi, the likely heir, the best is not , and should not be considered a slap to everyone else. It's the best way to ensure that the clan and everyone it protects survives over the generations. I assume no one pushed back on the idea because experts thought the combo was still fantastic, velius included. It has to have been, else Yumi would have stepped in. But she's probably taking guidance from Rufus and other experts.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-10 01:06:04 +0000 UTCAlso with her focusing more on non-combat she should be able to advance her skills just by working her mental prowess. Similiar to other craft/trades people.
Mike Zebill
2024-02-10 01:03:04 +0000 UTCIf you check the comments for the previous chapter someone did a great job of breaking down the timelines. Shirtaloon even chimed in to clarify a few points.
Mike Zebill
2024-02-10 01:01:06 +0000 UTCI want her to meet her cousin Nik. And I want to see what essences he chooses
Cryfdwr
2024-02-10 00:58:52 +0000 UTCInteresting idea, I checked the bot but it doesn’t have any confluences for those essences.
Cryfdwr
2024-02-10 00:54:48 +0000 UTCI know it's impractical but being as this is Jason realm I'd laugh my ass off if he, during his mandated breaks, diverted a sliver of attention to Emi and tweaked her skill set just a little in order to annoy his Sister. He wouldn't actually be present or say anything but afterwards the cliche note floating to the ground would appear with some smart ass comments from Jason
Kalanaere
2024-02-10 00:54:45 +0000 UTCI absolutely live that Ian, Erica and Rufus all just were like "no" at the Same time. Also let's be honest. We all know she's going to sneak in a combat power somehow. Further, we need to check in on Ana, like her fridge being open in the middle ofvthe night and she's like just talking to herself "oh God. He's back" and then some faint echo of Jason being all "not really a God but minor details"
Kalanaere
2024-02-10 00:45:38 +0000 UTC<3
Ty
2024-02-10 00:44:49 +0000 UTCThank god. I started reading and thought, “if there’s a cliff about Emi’s essences, imma be so pissed.”
Cryfdwr
2024-02-10 00:40:16 +0000 UTCYou're absolutely right, I should reread from book 1 again
Gilgamiso
2024-02-10 00:31:06 +0000 UTCNana Yumi and Evans would be Great Grandparents no? Wonder what happened to Jason's Mum, hopefully she is trying to sell real estate in Ballarat.
Iain Grubb
2024-02-10 00:26:59 +0000 UTCI bet there are at least a wikia and discord ones. I'm guessing they have the same issue as many fan sites. Limited potential contributors due to chapter takedown on book publish, and Patreons search/access to older content is balls. I remember Emi's bday party was the same day EOA dropped the grid, but how long that was after Jason arrives with Farrah, Farrahs rescue or his walkabout I've no idea.
Carl Gherardi
2024-02-10 00:23:34 +0000 UTCAgreed. I was thinking more a cultivation-style sect initially.
ReadingObsessed
2024-02-10 00:16:50 +0000 UTC😮
ReadingObsessed
2024-02-10 00:15:49 +0000 UTCSo Nik?
Joanna
2024-02-10 00:08:03 +0000 UTCThe point was it isn’t free while her parents are “rich” it still cost them a lot. Also she’s going to have to wait a bit for the awakening stones.
The Hyperbolic Cookout
2024-02-10 00:07:24 +0000 UTCI feel the urge to act like a bookie and start taking bets on Emi's powers/stones
DemonReader
2024-02-10 00:07:18 +0000 UTCIt's that her parents still had to pay vs Jason's decree giving her everything for free. Sure she's still privileged, but she's not a princess being given totally free handouts from a king. She's just a very rich girl being bought expensive things by her parents.
MrCynical
2024-02-10 00:05:41 +0000 UTCWas thinking the same thing. Either way, she didn’t earn anything. Whether she accepts the best essences/amakening stones from Jason or some really good ones from her family(who still rule the place in Jason’s name), doesn’t matter. Her family only has the money and power to give Emi the good stuff because of Jason so she’s still receiving the essences because of Jason, even if it’s not directly.
Mason R
2024-02-10 00:05:11 +0000 UTCI know that The essence death is outlawed in the other world. But I wanna see a combination of life, death, and sin. In the other world it was only stated that the death essence tends to lead to the undeath confluence. But always thought that this combination should create an arbiter confluence essence
John Haseltine
2024-02-09 23:53:43 +0000 UTCI read it and went...well Shirt is just going to have explain later what her combo means...cause.yeah. I don't know. Lol but it's Emi there is no way she isn't going to rule the world. Or all the world's one day. Lol
Crystal Donak
2024-02-09 23:52:09 +0000 UTCI hadn’t thought about it, but yeah. I completely buy why Jason makes her a priority, but detached from him she’s a self impressed teenager. Not necessarily any worse than an actual teen, but we haven’t had enough of her as an on screen character. I think she needs development and time that isn’t being mentioned in passing a bunch like in the earth arc. If there are enough of these chapters maybe we’ll get some of that? I do want to know what her abilities are. Of all the essence abilities we’ve been told about, we’ve never gotten a good rundown of an actual mage. Clive and Neil don’t count.
Benjamin Warlick
2024-02-09 23:50:07 +0000 UTCI cried. Legit cried happy tears. I'm such a mom. Lol 😆 🤣 😂
Crystal Donak
2024-02-09 23:48:06 +0000 UTCI kind of don't get the difference between her using her parents' status/resources to get essences and using her uncle's status/resources for essences. I kinda figured that there would be something to make it so she didn't get all her awakening stones at once or have everything handed to her, but since essences are being handed to her anyway, does it really make a difference who's hand they come from?
Morgan Amacosmos
2024-02-09 23:45:33 +0000 UTCI don't doubt it. She'll definitely head over. Something tells me that shortly after Jason returns, he'll set the bridge with little to no trouble at all. Hell, some of the previous foreshadowing leads me to believe that it might have already happened through the transformation sequence
JonO
2024-02-09 23:41:13 +0000 UTCThanks Shirt. Rufas mentoring Emi is helping me too. Can't wait to hear what her abilities are.
Rowdy Robby
2024-02-09 23:39:40 +0000 UTCI'm hoping Emi makes it over to the other world and forms a team with Ketis. (Amir's granddaughter)
Greg Danes
2024-02-09 23:31:26 +0000 UTCEmi isn’t eligible to start earning points until she’s 16, but it’s likely she’ll be earning a lot with her specialty
Dirty Dibbler
2024-02-09 23:29:19 +0000 UTCOne of us. One of us.
Tyler Dideriksen
2024-02-09 23:13:53 +0000 UTCI'm glad you went back to basics....since jason and co have their levels so high not many opportunities for essence stones and the process. Thank you for throwing light on the asano family specially Emi.
Obi-Wan-Sage
2024-02-09 23:12:43 +0000 UTCAdd into that the Unity confluence and its a picture perfect set for her specialization of how arrays stack. And thats not even adding in all the other fun things I can picture a Unity essence accomplishing.
Tim
2024-02-09 23:10:54 +0000 UTCY'all gotta think bigger. Clan Asano is a home for a massive population of people displaced from their homes and countries because they couldn't trust their leadership to have their best interests in mind. Not to mention Clan Asano is now a superpower, and why exactly is a superpower gathering up all these strange people? That's some holocaust type stuff right there, and you know there'd be people saying that. Having the literal ruling family place their flesh and blood in the same position as everyone else in terms of magic power is a really smart move to communicate "Hey, we're doing this because we believe in it, not because we have an agenda." If you wanna talk about a country gaining more power, a trusting populace that willingly participates in its growth is absolutely the path.
Joshua Batts
2024-02-09 23:10:27 +0000 UTCIn this case, Vast almost seems like it'll act as multiplier for Myriad. As in vast quantities, not just many. With that in mind, the Harmony and Unity are balancing factors helping the massive quantity all work together as a cohesive whole.
Zack
2024-02-09 23:09:28 +0000 UTCWell in the chapter it says she hasn’t had her sixteenth birthday, and the last chapter she was 15, so it could be getting close to another year, it’s not a year or more
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 23:09:24 +0000 UTCReally I think they should just say Emi is using Jason's contribution points. I mean what could be the contribution point number for the guy who basically makes and maintains where everyone lives?
Bru-
2024-02-09 23:08:49 +0000 UTCTechnically Jason is the contribution points.
Michael Hawkins
2024-02-09 23:08:21 +0000 UTCI thought about it maybe I was being too harsh so I reread the chapter. No I wasn’t. She’s an insufferable, rich girl, brat, crying about how I’m so privileged and everybody doesn’t take me serious. I’m gonna go cry now because I am so rich I can get whatever I want and it’s not fair cry cry, cry, cry
Zachary Blevins
2024-02-09 23:08:07 +0000 UTCFinally more fun with essences and confluences, I missed this for many books now.
Namorat
2024-02-09 23:07:53 +0000 UTCFantastic, thank you.
Harbby
2024-02-09 23:03:57 +0000 UTCOne of us! One of us!
Cchamp4
2024-02-09 23:02:16 +0000 UTCI also hope to see her awaked abilities where
John goode
2024-02-09 23:01:25 +0000 UTCHow much does saving the world a couple times, defeating gold slash tier 4 threat(at bronze rank), looting most of the stuff that’s up for purchase anyways, earn someone?
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 23:00:45 +0000 UTCIt would be cool to have a big illustrated poster of it really I’d buy one
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:58:09 +0000 UTCI’m sorry his niece is one of the most least interesting characters in this whole book series. She wears so much plot armor. It’s ridiculous and she’s a cliché kid sister character who’s obnoxious not cute or endearing There are plenty of characters I’d like to hear about I could list at least two dozen, but this is who we’re gonna follow around i’m going to check out of this series again and give him two or three months to build up some back chapters
Zachary Blevins
2024-02-09 22:57:57 +0000 UTCI feel like the cataclysm confluence should be on the restricted list, if it's not already
Blayne Allsen
2024-02-09 22:57:35 +0000 UTCBe nice to have a published timeline to refer to, where atleast the major events have a mention, like Jason deaths, travel between worlds(those overlap a bit), end of arch’s, extraneous events outside of main storyline
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:57:13 +0000 UTCONE OF US!!!
Ken Sevier
2024-02-09 22:57:12 +0000 UTCSo.... how many contribution points does Jason have?
Moonspike
2024-02-09 22:57:10 +0000 UTCI think one more. She was fifteen when she met Rufus, but thus could also only be a few months since their meeting. Now she's sixteen so since Gary died a year after Jason disappeared and Rufus went to earth shortly before, i think it's about 2 years now.
JonO
2024-02-09 22:54:49 +0000 UTCUnless I’m just completely wrong
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:54:18 +0000 UTCShould still just be a bit passed a year since Jason’s start of transforming into full astral king started, so should be 7 total years since he was originally yanked from his apartment
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:54:06 +0000 UTCThat's what I'm hoping for as well. Jason made it to bronze in about a year. A little more than one, maybe two for silver. So yeah, emi can get there. I give her 4 to 5 years tops so she can be extra effective with rufus' guidance.
JonO
2024-02-09 22:53:03 +0000 UTCNo, she’s just ready for her Essences, says her 16th birthday is coming up, the precious chapter shirt confirms she’s 15
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:52:37 +0000 UTCShirt did say these epilogues would be snap shots spread over a large amount of time
Mike Stewart
2024-02-09 22:52:10 +0000 UTCIf Jason ever has a kid ...
Johnny_B
2024-02-09 22:50:55 +0000 UTCI doubt it'll be Jason level. Jason was emotionally torn before being shot away and threatened regularly with no preparation. Emi isn't torn, just more or less lost. She's finding her place in a world that is yet isn't the same one she was expecting to grow old in. Plus she is being guided from the start in a mostly healthy way. She'll be like Jason to a degree but even he knows she's smarter and more together than he ever will be.
JonO
2024-02-09 22:50:41 +0000 UTCI can’t wait for Emi to meet Clive. 😂
Naotsugu97
2024-02-09 22:50:23 +0000 UTCI agree with you. She’s just as naive and idealistic as Jason, if not more so when you consider everything he did to save the damn world and what it cost him. Oh no, I feel so guilty my uncle saved the world and left a bunch of treasure for me to use! All while everyone betrayed and tried to kill him over and over. How could I ever use what was left for the family specifically?!
David Fletcher
2024-02-09 22:48:00 +0000 UTCI agree. But i think emi will put him in his place quick. Umber needs to be humbled so he can learn a lesson from shade rather than forcing them unsuccessfully at him instead.
JonO
2024-02-09 22:45:58 +0000 UTCI imagine with a focused Rufus and taika training her she’ll breeze through to silver rank with access to Jason’s higher ranked magic zone and astral spaces
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:42:07 +0000 UTCTYFTC!!!
Hemlock
2024-02-09 22:41:17 +0000 UTCSo two more years passed?
DJ Doughty
2024-02-09 22:40:23 +0000 UTCI love that we finally have her essences, but I wish Jason was involved so we could have a full stat sheet
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:39:00 +0000 UTCAmazing last line one liner!
Josh George
2024-02-09 22:37:21 +0000 UTCShe still got the essences she chose -- tw legendaries and an epic, as she said. She just wanted to keep the few friends she has, which is important for teenagers, even very mature ones. She still has all her own points, as does Yumi, so she's not suffering any hardship by opting to be one of the crowd.
Laura H
2024-02-09 22:35:48 +0000 UTCIs the next Universe going to feature Emi...a sassy and stubborn girl related to her sassy and stubborn Uncle? We are already getting a moody Emi. Hopefully she doesn't become self-loathing as well.
Greg Lambert
2024-02-09 22:31:59 +0000 UTCI'm rooting for any other shadow of the reaper but Umber. Umber is a dick.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-09 22:30:54 +0000 UTCWhile I can agree with her point about nepotism, I find it surprising that the clan as a whole is not more focused on putting their most powerful foot forward from a strategy perspective. I know these essences are still pretty fantastic, but the family could have afforded anything between her parents and grand mother. Not taking advantage of every opportunity given to you is just stupid. The key is to not squander opportunity, it's not to turn it down out of guilt.
Kevin Anderson
2024-02-09 22:30:40 +0000 UTC“Now, time to eat like an essence user!”
Rabmuk
2024-02-09 22:30:35 +0000 UTCVast myriad and harmonic with a unity confluence. It's not what I expected for her. I really want to know what her first four abilities are. Not to belabor the point but vast has the connotation of big stuff. Myriad has a connotation of many lots of things. Harmonic is way more interesting because it can be sound, but it can also refer to synergies. I don't want to over sell this idea but this kid is going to be powerful. Very very powerful.
Zachary Ross
2024-02-09 22:28:29 +0000 UTCTftc
Xyminimal
2024-02-09 22:26:26 +0000 UTCShe may even at that strength be able to level out magical fluctuations. Very good for coin farming too
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:25:32 +0000 UTCOnly thing missing is a line about eating like an essence user lol. Great chapter
Scott Way
2024-02-09 22:25:04 +0000 UTCOh yeah re-reading it I get it now. Thanks!
Chuck Haeberle
2024-02-09 22:25:03 +0000 UTCHarmonic and unity surprised me, but it’s an excellent confluence for what the world needs, wouldn’t surprise me for her to reach diamond before anyone else who actually is born there and stays there. Would allow her to do a lot for world continuity.
Jordan Rogers
2024-02-09 22:24:16 +0000 UTCno no, she *uses* that fact as a political tool.
Nematrec
2024-02-09 22:23:40 +0000 UTCI think Jason did it on purpose. Though he might have meant for nepotism, he also lives to give things in a way that causes the recipient to think better of it. Like Chloe and her cancer... he healed her because she didn't ask.
JonO
2024-02-09 22:22:33 +0000 UTCGood for Emi. I can see how those essences would help a lot for array magic.
Nathan Rice
2024-02-09 22:22:05 +0000 UTCI am starting to wonder if vellius and the other hidden gab representatives are going to give emi specialized awakening stones. Belts can give her a reaper stone. Book one of his, i doubt she'll get one from the builder but i can see legion and the all devouring eye sending one her way as well. It's just a hope.... but i think it's a semi realistic one. Also with a reaper stone maybe she will get umber to join the ranks mwahaha
JonO
2024-02-09 22:21:05 +0000 UTCI'm so happy Emi is finally an essence user. Also Jason would be so proud of her for turning down nepotism, even tho he's the one who offered it.
Connor
2024-02-09 22:19:28 +0000 UTCThanks for letting us know the essences. I can't wait for Jason to interface with her so we can know the rest lol. I still say she deserves a lengthy and dry notification report and status chapter lol
JonO
2024-02-09 22:18:19 +0000 UTCChuck Haeberle
2024-02-09 22:17:43 +0000 UTCThanks for a satisfying chapter to end the week on! It's nice to not have to suffer with a cliffhanger all weekend. And Emi's essences -- have we seen Harmonic before,or the Unity confluence?
Laura H
2024-02-09 22:16:44 +0000 UTCNice. I love essence build min maxing. We haven't seen much of that since Jason's family got essenced up.
McCainOffensive
2024-02-09 22:15:54 +0000 UTCI’m hoping that someone else will go for a Dimension, Sin, and Myriad combo. The Cataclysm confluence gives me so many fun ideas
mhaj58
2024-02-09 22:12:43 +0000 UTCTftc!
Idan tal
2024-02-09 22:00:26 +0000 UTC
