Chapter Nine:

Year 350 of the Kala Calendar, Planet Edeion

Since the scientists of the Imperial Engineering Institute relocated their research base here, Edeion had become the scientific heart of the Star Spirit Empire. Unlike the home planet Aier, which was a single vast continent, Edeion was comprised of five landmasses, each hosting a heavily guarded imperial research institute. Four of these institutes focused on distinct technological fields—psionics, biology, chemistry, and physics—while the Central Research Academy oversaw all scientific development.

At this moment, in the Central Research Academy, Santira was engaged in a technical discussion with a physicist. Among the three sisters, she was the one most enamored with scientific innovation; after the Institute's relocation, her semi-divine power made her one of the rare few who could frequently travel between Edeion and Aier.

“…If you wish to understand time, you must first imagine it. Picture a ring in your mind, then envision twenty-five thousand rings intersecting it, each with a different center…” Santira explained the nature of time with vivid clarity to the scholar before her. He pondered deeply and nodded—this was the third time this month he had sought the wisdom of the Supreme Preserver, and each visit brought profound inspiration.

“Then, Lord Ernest, do you have any further questions?” Santira smiled at the scholar. She delighted in the exchange of ideas with scientists. “Thank you for your guidance, Supreme Preserver. I have no more questions for now.” Ernest gathered his notes, bowed respectfully to Santira, and said, “In that case, I shall take my leave. May Kaspi bless you.”

“May Kaspi bless you,” Santira replied, bidding Ernest farewell. She turned to the newly arrived director of the Psionics Institute. “Director Nesin, what brings you here?”

As the head of the Imperial Engineering Institute’s Psionics Division, Nesin possessed an exceptionally rare eleventh-level psionic power—the highest in the Institute, and among the most distinguished in the Star Spirit Empire. He was also the colleague Santira encountered most often at the Academy.

“Lady Santira, I have come to seek your advice regarding the energy conversion and utilization of the Kadarim Crystal.” Nesin carefully phrased his request, which caused Santira to furrow her brow.

“The energy conversion and utilization of the Kadarim Crystal? Director Nesin, you are bold indeed. Many believe the Kadarim Crystal is a sacred relic bestowed upon us by the gods. If word of your endeavor spreads, it would surely provoke protest.” Santira’s tone betrayed no emotion, leaving Nesin uncertain whether the Supreme Preserver supported or opposed him. He had no choice but to lay his intentions bare.

“I have studied history, Lady Santira. I know the Kadarim Crystal is merely a derivative of divine power. With our current scientific capabilities and cultivation levels, we are now able to research the Kadarim Crystal, and our people are prepared to accept it.”

“Well said, Lord Nesin. Only through constant progress can we achieve development, and by maintaining humility, we avoid wandering astray. If we pursue the unknown without regard for society’s advancement, disaster is inevitable. The tree falls not from fierce winds, but from rot at its roots. It seems your once deserted institute will soon become highly sought after.” Santira smiled at Nesin. Over these centuries, as the Star Spirit Empire’s technology advanced rapidly, guidance for the populace was never neglected. Thanks to the presence of Kala, many issues were resolved before they could even arise. Practicing the Way of Kala taught more people how to master their emotions, while the gods of the spirit realm illuminated the Empire’s path forward. Now, the study of the Kadarim Crystal promised many surprises for the Empire.

“…The Kadarim Crystal is a psionic artifact, existing simultaneously in both the physical and the mental worlds. It draws strength from the mental realm and various radiations in the real world, growing ever stronger. As a psionic artifact, the Kadarim Crystal possesses extraordinary capacity for psionic energy—a first-level crystal can at most bear the power of a tenth-level psionic force, but doing so would utterly destroy the crystal. According to our tests, its optimal endurance is about five times its own psionic level…”

“…The Kadarim Crystal increases the wearer’s sensitivity to the mental realm, enabling greater mastery of their own psionic abilities. We’ve even observed that prolonged use seems to enhance the user’s psionic strength, though the sample size is too small to be conclusive…”

Santira explained her understanding of the Kadarim Crystal in detail to Nesin: “…Most of our knowledge so far is grounded in cultivation. To gain further insight, you must rely on your own efforts, Lord Nesin.” Nesin listened intently, committing every word to memory. “Thank you, Lady Santira. With this information, I believe the study of the Kadarim Crystal will have a promising beginning.”

Santira sighed softly. “I hope your research yields breakthroughs. Recently, a village on Aier was reduced to ashes after a solar fragment ignited in a flash blaze. The Supreme Council has urged the Engineering Institute to find more stable energy sources. I hope you can bring us good news. May Kaspi bless you.”

Santira offered Nesin a small box, and he accepted it with a hurried bow. “I will do my utmost to develop a new energy source as soon as possible. May Kaspi bless you.”

After bidding farewell to the Supreme Preserver, Nesin boarded a flyer and headed for his research institute. He reflected on the flash blaze incident Santira had mentioned, which he had heard of as well. Ever since the Academy improved the fusion reactor and produced solar fragments, questions about their safety had abounded. When struck violently, solar fragments became unstable; roughly one out of every five collisions resulted in a flash blaze. Although they were safer and more convenient than their predecessor, the fusion reactor was never approved for public use due to its inherent risks.

With that thought, Nesin glanced at the flyer he was currently aboard. By the latest reports, eighteen vessels had crashed due to such incidents—a sobering tally. No wonder the Engineering Institute had received three emergency directives.

Nesin shook his head, dispelling the lingering fear. Even if he found a new energy source, absolute safety could never be guaranteed. The universe is vast and unpredictable; sometimes the strangest coincidences trigger a “flash blaze.”

He arrived safely at the Psionics Institute, appreciating the natural scenery along the way and adjusting his mood before entering his laboratory. Though the Psionics Institute was one of the Empire’s four major research branches, its lack of achievements had caused it to be overlooked by many newcomers. Many Star Spirits who followed the Way of Kala had never even heard of it, leaving the institute sparsely staffed while the other three were crowded with talent.

“Teacher, you’re back. Are we continuing with the psionic potato experiment today?” A youthful face looked at his mentor with grave seriousness. “Wilmot, throw out those mutated potatoes. We have real work to do.” Nesin eyed Wilmot with exasperation. His Psionics Institute had long relied on potatoes for research, but now, at last, they could embark on a grand project.

“Teacher, what real work? Did you secure permission to study the Kadarim Crystal?” Wilmot, after disposing of the odd potatoes, remembered his teacher’s bold promises and quickly deduced the answer.

“Yes, my dear student. I visited the Supreme Preserver, Lady Santira, and she agreed that we are now qualified to study the Kadarim Crystal. And, thanks to my eleventh-level psionic power, she didn’t appoint anyone else to lead us.” Nesin looked proudly at his student, pleased that his years of diligent cultivation had not been in vain.

“Praise be to the gods, Teacher—you’re incredible! You foresaw that research on the Kadarim Crystal would require a high-level psionic leader and worked your way up to eleventh level. In the whole Empire, few rival your strength, and none of them are researchers. At last your long-held dream can be fulfilled.” Wilmot’s cherubic face was expressionless, but his words gushed with admiration, prompting Nesin to look at him a few times more.

“Your emotional control has improved as well; soon you’ll reach the ninth level.” Nesin nodded slightly to encourage his disciple, then calmed his thoughts and placed the newly obtained items on the test bench.

Opening the box, Nesin saw three Kadarim Crystals of varying sizes. With his psionic sense, he discerned that they corresponded to levels one, two, and three. [It seems the Supreme Preserver intends to grant me further resources only after I produce results. That’s fine—high-level Kadarim Crystals are scarce, and their power is immense. Without prior research, it’s best to proceed step by step.]

Nesin took out the first-level crystal, placed it in the containment cabinet, and began the study of the Kadarim Crystal with his student from the ground up.

By year 360 of the Kala Calendar, Nesin’s experiments achieved a breakthrough: he successfully linked the Kadarim Crystal with the Psionic Realm, enabling the crystal to release energy continuously. Further research revealed that the Kadarim Crystal converted various energies from the physical world into psionic power, transmitting it to the Psionic Realm and forming a perfect cycle with the forces he unleashed—a truly astonishing discovery.

In year 400 of the Kala Calendar, Nesin developed the Psionic Matrix. Through a matrix led by the Kadarim Crystal, Star Spirits could access an eternal source of energy. By harnessing the crystal’s properties of energy reflux and flawless release, Nesin invented the Warp Network. Within the matrix’s range, any Star Spirit vessel could instantly reach its destination, greatly facilitating the growing Empire.

With the Supreme Council’s support, Star Spirits constructed three massive Kadarim Crystal Towers on Aier. Under the immense psionic fluctuations, the Psionic Matrix enveloped a hundred light-years around Aier. Next, every territory of the Star Spirit Empire would be covered by the Psionic Matrix and Warp Network.