The fuming god slime was a first for me in all honesty. I didn’t really know what to do at all.

Without any other method available, I tried to pacify the slime whilst wishing Phoenix had an off switch.

“Phoenix, relax a little… ahem… I mean how else was I supposed to gather more energy? It wasn’t naturally building up but it gathered when I compressed it. That’s all.”

It made complete sense to me that this was how it worked as this was the only method that showed me results. However, Phoenix quickly killed that confidence.

“Who the HELL told you that!? Do you even hear yourself!? Not a goddamn person ever does that!!” Which followed another string of gibberish language cursing or at least I assumed considering the tone didn’t change very much.

“Then how do I even build up more energy naturally? I mean not everyone can absorb stuff like you can.” I retorted feeling wronged especially by the majestic series of curses in that strange language that I was considering learning as I didn’t hear any two similar sounding words being used which left me to awe a little at the variety of curses that are available in the universe.

“Jupiter, you… you… useless!!!” Phoenix couldn’t even continue and had to just sigh with defeat in the end before I finally got an explanation while still being called useless.

So here is the quick run-down on why I got so vehemently cursed worse than any of my ancestors could have ever imagined.

According to cursing god slime experts, thing about core energy are its very large similarity to muscles. Yes, muscles. For example, going to the gym, working out and straining your muscles, destroying them and following that with rest and rebuilding them making them stronger which just so happened to be the exact same method with which core energy gets strengthened. Who could of guessed that, huh?

It naturally grows with use and with continued use builds up a stronger core; more energy can then be gathered there. Another thing to note is that I’m not the first to condense my core into a crystal or anything but apparently I’m the dumbest person in the universe to have ever done so on the second day of having access to that energy.

The core naturally strengthens over time with use and eventually becomes strong enough to naturally compress the energy that had been gathered and they eventually form a crystal core which allows for that massive quantity of energy to turn into a nice big crystal. Now that was the first part where I messed up but it wasn’t over just yet.

I goofed again and that was when I didn’t even have a specific structure designed for my core energy integrated into it and basically clicked on “create character” with the options – permanent for fucking ever – no take backs without a colossal explosion blowing my guts into 12’546 pieces specifically and – randomizer.

Naturally, I felt depressed as the whole “Absolute Power” felt like it turned into “Absolute Idiot”.

I also discovered that basically no one would ever do what I just did as the pain and control required is quite substantial when it’s not happening naturally with a strengthened core and never had there been a case of someone doing it to Phoenixs knowledge. I wouldn’t doubt anyone would even tell you had that happened considering the sheer disdain you would receive.

All in all, this was a reminder that only someone as useless and as idiotic as me would have probably suffered all that just to get a tiny crystalized core because I couldn’t “gather” more energy.

Phoenix eventually calmed down after much pacifying and sweet talking on my end as I was also depressed but I’d rather not have a pissed off god slime to add insult to injury here.

Phoenix with a clearly tired tone asked at some point :” So what color was the crystal?”

I was still afraid of answering that as I didn’t want to hear another string of curses due to having fucked up on the color coordination of the crystal but relented with a bit of nervousness. I wasn’t completely sure of what it looked like actually, considering its inside me but I did get a mental image when it was forming and saw a somewhat clear picture so I went with what my imagination told me.

“Pure white with a black glow on the outline.”

“…”

The silence again was scary. I really didn’t know what to expect as it felt like I might of just instigated god slime to turn me into a skeleton.

“Is that a bad thing too?” The question breaking the silence.

“I don’t know.”

“…”

It was my turn to be speechless.

Clearly not expecting that as an answer I stood there with my head slightly tilted.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I never heard of those two qualities on a crystal. There have been white crystals, black ones, transparent ones and the whole spectrum of colors but never a white one with a black glow as far as my knowledge is concerned.” Phoenix replied.

I was completely lost as to what that meant at this point.

‘What the hell did I create? Something god slime doesn’t even know doesn’t sound very “okay” to me for some reason.’ I thought to myself as it truly was surprising that this sort of thing isn’t in the slimes database. I mean it can’t possible know all the different colors, combinations and structures but the fact that it isn’t a common one kind of made me proud albeit with anxiety.

“Jupiter, let me see it. I can’t usually go to your energy core as the energy would repel the parts of me I send there but you should be able to will a hole for me to inspect now. “ Phoenix asked me with a serious tone and I was a little worried it might just blow it up as I still haven’t gotten to the point of completely trusting Phoenix over here.

“Uhm… sure but you won’t like blow it up or anything right?”

Being the self-proclaimed paranoid man of the 21st century, I had to ask regardless of the underlying trust issue being made apparent.

To which the reception was nicely taken or as nice as it could be considering what I did. Phoenix just called me a useless idiot again and said blowing it up would probably destroy the entire cabin with it and me which reassured me a little about Phoenix but freaked me the hell out about the tiny goddamn BOMB in my stomach!

Phoenix sent one of those little green receptions that it had crawling in me towards my stomach and I just had to focus on the feeling of where Phoenix arrived and opened a little hole in that area. It wasn’t too difficult as my control of the energy in that area increased quite a lot with the constant compression and gathering of extra energy. Not a professional or even an adept of any sort but I could roll a few windows down for Phoenix.

I sat calmly in a meditative trance as I sent my conscious will towards my core. It felt different compared to the hazy energy feeling of the past. I didn’t notice due to having been hurled curses left and right but I noticed now that I felt much more at ease with my core area. It no longer felt like a new extension but a part of me that has always been there. Sure, it sounds confusing but I could only describe it as feeling more connected to it like how easy it is to move your fingers or tongue. I willed a tunnel towards my crystal and it just appeared.

Phoenix not one to wait, rushed through with a small little glob of itself and did a few good spins around my crystal before retreating. I didn’t really like having something “foreign” in that area but I could guess it was because of its importance.

“Odd, odd.” Phoenix was seemingly considering something as it just called it odd. I wasn’t too sure how badly I may have potentially messed up my future and made a very clear mental note to never fucking do anything without god slime decree.

I felt like a toddler who just learned to open its eyes and the first thing I did was shat myself. The feeling wasn’t so great. My earlier power craze ambition that had ignited my desire for a life beyond mediocrity, which for the record I had thought previously lost on Earth, took a big blow with the sudden change before it even gained momentum. Depressing is what this is.

“Jupiter, try testing your new core. Let’s see what it does, gather water or fire.”

I simply nodded at the order, as I felt I lost some points with Phoenix due to this blunder and so I returned my will to my core and started to get the energy to flow out of it.

The whole process felt incredibly faster and smoother as if my energy went from a newborn pup to a fully trained German shepherd. It marched out of my core and went towards my outstretched palm. I felt the control was easier than before so I started supplying a steady stream of energy from the core to my palm until I felt it permeate the entire hand. I remembered Phoenix mentioning to picture fire and try and make the energy vibrate so as to produce what I can only guess is a combustion of sorts.

To my shock the energy flowing from my core was steadily flowing towards my hand but in a very small amount but nonetheless for some reason if felt endless.

The energy permeating my hand vibrated to some extent as I mentally pictured a ball of flame.

“Puff”

With the cutest little noise, a small ball of fire was created as the energy in my palm ignited. I had opened my eyes slowly and they reflected the brilliant glow of a small black flame with a lot of heat spreading outwards from it. My mouth curled upwards as excitement emerged. That however, ended in failure as my excitement cut off my concentration and the ball just dispersed.

“I DID IT!” I still exclaimed proudly. Though I was confused about why it was black and not red, the excitement from finally having accomplished a hallmark moment of success in my journey still satisfied me. It was after all my very first use of magic. A lifetime dream once thought never to be achieved was finally completed in this strange new land.