Chapter 636 - 136.6 - Prepare

Chapter 636 - 136.6 - Prepare

"Please take a look at this."

Maya's gaze drifted downward, settling on the small object Astron had slid across the table. It was delicate but intricately crafted, a charm or amulet of sorts, made from some dark metal that glinted in the morning light.

Its surface was etched with fine, twisting lines, forming patterns that seemed to ripple across the metal like waves. There were symbols too, unfamiliar and complex, carved with such precision that they seemed almost alive, shifting subtly as she examined them.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she tilted the object, taking in the faint traces of energy pulsing through it.

Despite her extensive knowledge, she couldn't fully decipher its purpose. It felt old, ancient even, as if it had been crafted long ago by hands that understood magic in ways she hadn't yet explored.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with intrigue, her gaze lifting to meet his.

Astron watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he began. "It's a construct that I had requested to be made after studying [Psychic] magic and its core principles," he said, his tone measured, as though this explanation had been forming in his mind for some time.

Maya felt her heart quicken, and though she kept her face composed, a quiet warmth bloomed within her. He had studied psychic magic, her magic.

It wasn't something he would have had much use for on his own—his talents lay elsewhere. A thought crept into her mind, unspoken but vivid: he had done this for her.

He had delved into unfamiliar territory, expending time and energy, to understand something she struggled with. It was such a small thing, yet it felt monumental.

Astron continued, unaware of the shift in her thoughts. "In my free time, I looked into the theory behind it. Psychic magic is different from other forms and more personal. It relies on control and a clear mind, and it can be difficult to manage because of how easily emotions can bleed into the magic itself."

Maya nodded, absorbing his words. She knew all too well the dangers of psychic magic as this was a piece of common knowledge amongst the Awakened community.

For most people, Psychic magic was a very dangerous tool, as resisting it was not something that one could improve just by advancing their strengths.

Willpower, mind power, and many other things would need to be taken into consideration which was not something the Awakened community liked.

He paused, his gaze shifting slightly as though choosing his words carefully. "But it won't suppress it entirely, and it shouldn't. Confronting those parts of yourself—recognizing them without letting them rule you—is part of the process."

Maya nodded, absorbing his words. She had always tried to shut out that part of herself, to bury it under logic and discipline. But this amulet... it wasn't about suppression; it was about acceptance, about balance. The very thought was daunting, yet somehow, with Astron's guidance, it felt possible.

"What about the specifics?" she asked, looking back down at the amulet, her fingers still trailing over the etchings. "Will it require constant use, or is it something I activate as needed?"

Astron's gaze held steady as he continued, watching her fingers trace the amulet's intricate patterns. "Once you activate it," he began, his tone deliberate, "the amulet will allow the other side of you—a more instinctual, less restrained part of yourself—to become a voice within your consciousness."

He paused, his eyes sharp as he gauged her reaction. "It won't take over or alter your actions, but it will exist as a presence you can communicate with. Think of it as a bridge between your rational self and this... darker side. This way, you'll have a clearer sense of what it wants, why it reacts the way it does, and how to balance it with your other instincts."

Maya felt her heartbeat quicken slightly, though she kept her expression composed. The idea was unsettling yet somehow... intriguing. The thought of giving that shadowy part of her a voice, a presence, meant no longer burying it under layers of control. It meant meeting it face-to-face.

"Will it feel like... me?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.

Astron nodded. "It's still part of you, but separated enough that you can observe it as a distinct presence. That's why it's a construct—it provides that distance, that division, so you're not just reacting to it. Instead, you'll be interacting with it, understanding it, even working with it. Over time, this dialogue can bring that other side into alignment with who you are as a whole."

Maya absorbed his words, her gaze drifting back to the amulet. It would mean facing things she had suppressed, parts of herself she had denied since the failed evolution. But perhaps, if she could give it a voice, and understand its desires, she might find the peace she'd been missing.

Astron's voice cut into her thoughts. "This won't be easy, Senior. The charm only facilitates the connection—it's your resolve and self-awareness that will make it effective. Think of it as a guide, not a cure."

Maya felt the weight of his words settling over her, each one a quiet reminder that this journey would require more than just a charm; it would demand an unflinching look inward. Her fingers tightened around the amulet as if drawing strength from its intricate form. There was a part of her that felt both anxious and strangely eager, the thought of facing herself in such a raw, unfiltered way stirring emotions she couldn't quite name.

She lifted her gaze back to Astron, her voice steady but holding a glint of determination. "I understand," she said. "It's a chance to finally see that part of me as it truly is, to stop denying it."

Astron's expression softened slightly, an almost imperceptible nod acknowledging her resolve. "Yes," he replied, "and when you're ready to use it, remember—it's not about forcing control. It's about inviting understanding. Take your time and approach it without judgment."

The words resonated deeply, like a whisper of calm. This wasn't about power or strength alone. It was about integration, about finding a way to exist with all of herself.

'That is right. I need to face it myself.' With a final, grateful look, she tucked the amulet safely away, the anticipation within her mingling with a newfound resolve.

"Thank you, Junior," she said quietly. "I won't waste this."