When the energy began to flow out of the key, it dispelled in the air. Apparently, the energy sought to lower its density.

Kyon made a couple of experiments with Synergy and found out to his relief that the outgoing energy and Synergy did not mutually destroy each other, as it was the case with Martin’s formation. He correctly assumed that Synergy resonated both with the soul and the energy it released that’s why the conflict did not happen.

{So, the released energy dispels. But how can I use it to my advantage? When it’s out, I can't control it anymore and I can't do anything about it! How can I harness the energy? The books told me nothing about it...} - The guy sighed sadly. He had to figure it out for himself.

He remembered Mob’s recent fight. How did he do it? Kyon concentrated and tried to take control of the channels where the energy flew out.

At first, it just wouldn’t work. Gradually, he began to see the light. Out of nowhere, he felt as if ten trunks had grown on his body, one of which was useless, though. It emanated Synergy.

After half an hour of practice, he learned some little tricks. He could wiggle the channels, bend them, compress them, make unthinkable knots and angles with them, build the pressure, vacuum, sealing.

Kyon tried to release the energy through the key while giving the channel ridiculous forms and noticed changes in energy behavior when it came out. He could control it in a way, setting the direction or density.

Doing the experiments, he didn’t notice that the working day had come to an end. While the other slaves were busy with the highly intellectual game of crushing rocks, Kyon had made significant progress: {A soul has a limited reserve of energy, which I can release through nine channels. They transform it into a certain element in the most unimaginable ways. Except that the key to pure energy doesn’t transform it into anything. I can't control the energy outside of the channel, but I can assign certain characteristics, such as speed, density, direction, structure, and so on, if I form the channel in a certain way.}

Kyon also discovered that no matter how he tried, he couldn’t empty out the energy from the soul faster than a few minutes. There was a certain speed limit at which the keys could release the energy. The harder he struggled, the more difficult it became. Therefore, even the most intense battle would take about ten minutes.

The next 4 working days were monotonous for Kyon.

He came to work, did the day’s work in a couple of hours so that Vasily's soul was at peace and then he went to the secluded hall to practice releasing the energy through the keys. He experimented, learned how they worked, “reinvented the wheel.” Later at night, he did stretching exercises and slept 2 hours before the new working day.

Kyon stopped having dreams in the form of memories long ago, so he just had some rest.

Soon he sculpted his way to a stronger body but he never bothered himself with exhausting workouts. It was all about Synergy, which properly distributed enzymes derived from protein foods and regulated metabolism. He didn’t need any training to the envy of any athlete. By the arrival at the Stones’ estate, he was supposed to have a great, attractive athletic body, capable of long-term physical activity. It was going to benefit him if not in terms of strength and endurance, then in physical attraction, and in addition to his pretty face and carelessly disheveled hair, it would make him irresistible.

Kyon also discovered that his soul had become more capacious. He knew that as soon as the rate of growth hit a certain level, he’d move to the 2nd stage. It should mark the first milestone on his way of development. He made his first step when he initiated the connection with his soul. It was the beginning.

Kyon knew that the energy density of the first grade was insignificant in the mine, therefore his soul development would progress much slower than he desired. If only he knew how to practice the elements and not just scatter them in the wind then his growth rate would increase.

It was a great advantage that Kyon could dispel the energy at night, even when he was sleeping, as his attention stayed focused due to Synergy, which took on the role of the performer and acted automatically.

There was an even better advantage: the total purity of his channels, i.e. the flow was 900%. All 9 channels had been 100% purified, which is an impossible dream for the rest of humankind. The average figure was 200-300%. Their development takes three to four times longer, and the attacks of their element on the same stage with Kyon are way weaker.

The beaten wardens returned during those 4 days.

The slaves of the 2nd rank were given 3 nights for treatment, which was more than enough for most of them to recover.

Unfortunately, Kyon's former warden Osip, was still too weak when it was time to leave the hospital. Driven by the desire to avenge his friend, Byron left the guard, who beat Osip, a rotting pulp. He wouldn’t last for two days.

Babil’s face was mutilated thanks to the "caring" dog. He got a couple of bruises from Byron as well. Since then, he was neither seen nor heard. Kyon’s appearance made him grind his teeth which were scarce in light of recent events. He could forget about gaining his power back. As a result of the brawl, not only his reputation suffered but also his finances due to the young man’s shameless plundering. The moneylender had stashed some savings in the shop, but he would get his money only on the 7th day of the week. Even the last remaining guard had no respect for him.

The evening of the 6th day of the week has come. Tomorrow is a day off. No one was in a rush to go to bed. Some had settled at the tables with cards, the others were writing letters to their dear ones, and some were just chatting over a cup of low-quality tea.

Kyon was worried that his absence in the database could be revealed. He knew that Bob turned in his weekly report ten days ago. He’d been entertaining the thought that it wasn’t so easy to find a replacement for the late formacist Martin. There might be a chance that the check-up of the reports would be delayed. He hadn’t had any trouble, so far. That’s all that mattered.

Bob and Mob came to the common room to distribute the earnings for over-fulfillment. The tall man had an aura innate to drug addicts. Did something happen between him and Martha?

Kyon didn’t jump to conclusions. He thought that the money the jerks of the wardens had kindly lent him was more than enough for the next day to win the auction and get a raise, and he wouldn’t need the rest.

He found Mike and promised to give him the rest of the money from the auction so that he could exchange it into real currency and send it to his family who lived in the village of Kornevo, which he found out during their conversation.

When he solved the problem with "extra" money, Kyon knocked on the door of Byron's room.

«Who's there?» - He heard a muffled voice from behind the door.

«Greetings Byron, it's me.»

«Come on in, boy. I'll pour you some tea... What have you been up to?» - The big guy let the young man in and went to a small table with a kettle on it. He warmed up the drink on a crystal, put a steaming mug in front of Kyon and sat opposite him.

Kyon nodded thanks for the treat and carefully sipped his tea.

«Everything is as usual. The auction takes place tomorrow. I’m planning to get out.»

Byron frowned:

«Everyone in the mine dreams of getting a promotion and go to the estate, you know. Your money may not be enough. Last time, three people won with bids of about 250 thousand…»

The guy grinned and winked conspiratorially to the big man:

«I took some compensation from Babil and his cronies for attacking me and beating Osip. It should suffice.»

«Ha-ha-ha! Damn it, that’s cool!» - The man was taken aback for a second but then he laughed out loud. He approvingly banged with his fist on the table: - «They deserve it! If anything had happened to you, I would have fucking skinned them!»

Kyon felt gratitude towards that simple-minded big guy welling deep inside him:

«I am glad to hear that.»

Byron put aside his cup and thoughtfully propped his chin with his hand, drumming his fingers on the table:

«By the way, you should know that even if you win the auction, it won’t set you free. I have no idea about the way of life and habits there, but if you do get out, I wish you the best of luck with your family matters. Hopefully, that asshole will get what he deserves…»

Kyon got confused for a moment but then he remembered his story “full of drama, sentimentalism and universal injustice.” Maybe, the guy should have felt sorry for his lie, but that emotion was not typical of his rational mind.

If Byron had found out that the boy had manipulated him, he wouldn’t be so happy about that. If he left things as they were, everyone would be pleased. «A white lie», - Kyon thought that was just the name for that.

Kyon nodded vaguely and noticed the Rubik's cube on the shelf behind Byron. He pointed to it:

«Show me that thing.»

Byron turned around, looked for the thing Kyon needed and, reaching for the toy and handed it to the guy. While the big guy was distracted by his request, he generously poured the entire reserve of Synergy in Byron's cup.

«Here you are. I already regretted buying that junk. I can’t make head or tail of it.» - The man chuckled and swallowed the lukewarm tea down.

{Oh, what a simpleton. I guess it’s true what they say, all brawn, no brains...} – Kyon chuckled friendly. He set Synergy into established action. Once it got into the stomach, it would penetrate Byron's keys and in a couple of days, it would connect with his spirit. It would be a good incentive for him, albeit he had not even reached the base phase. The big man had repeatedly mentioned that he cursed his fate for being weak, even if at first glance, no one would call him that.

Kyon was leisurely rotating the sides of the cube.

«Tell me, what are your plans for the future?»

The man looked down and clenched his fists:

«I don't know. It’s all because of my fucking brother. I hate him!... I’ll have to stay at least another two years here. Only then, I can buy my freedom, and after that... then, I'll find a way to get my revenge.»

«Two years is a long time. If you somehow get out earlier, find Mike's family in the village of Kornevo and wait for me there. I'll find you and help you get your revenge, but keep in mind...» - The cube was gradually returning to its original state, line after line - red, yellow, green, and red again…

Byron interrupted impatiently:

«Will you help me!?»

«I will but keep in mind you'll owe me.» - Kyon nodded in satisfaction putting the reassembled cube on the table in front of the man.

Byron glanced at the toy and said pensively:

«You know I'm not rich…»

«I didn't say it’s about money. But don't worry about that now.»

«Kyon, I don't give a shit how you are going to do it. If you help me get my revenge, I'll do anything for you!» - The man slammed with his fist firmly on the table, the cups clinked pitifully. He cleared his throat and added, not so confidently: - «Well, aside from weird things, you know.»

They laughed together.

Kyon said good-bye to Byron and went to his bedroom. Tomorrow was going to be a hard day, the day.

Byron closed the door behind the boy and began to clear the table. His gaze lingered on the Rubik's cube and he gasped in surprise.

It was early morning. Sleepy people like living dead crawled to the common room, constantly yawning. Kyon was cheerful as never before. He put too much on the line.

Byron slowly went up to the mini-stage and announced loudly about the auction. Then he ordered everyone to go and get washed.

Kyon was standing under the refreshing shower and kept thinking... {So, the Patriarch has a beautiful young granddaughter... Hmm, what could be better than winning the heart of a highborn lady? The status and influence of the Stone family would allow me to go out in the world. How interesting... A challenge where a slave must seduce a maiden from the high society, the daughter of the leader... If I use all the techniques of seduction, she will be mine by all means! In my world, I could charm anyone in an hour. I'm sure my skills will come in very handy here. Oh, I can’t wait. My masters have never given me such a task! Hopefully, the girl is my type. If she is, I’ll bring her to heel, even if it takes time. She'll thank me later.}

The guy was lost in his naive romantic fantasies. He had no idea how the world worked. The chain of command was rather flexible in the mine. Everyone was on familiar terms, just the way Lovr lived in his own world. Outside, in high society, a single wrong glance could become his last. His ignorance could get him into big trouble which he was completely unaware of.

Male nature responds quickly and clearly to romantic thoughts. The guy suppressed the urge, turned off the water and began to get dressed.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. Kyon turned back and saw a bald man approaching him with a lascivious look on his face.

{Screw you, not now.} - The young man had just put on his pants.

«Hey guy, what was that I’ve just noticed…»

Before the man could finish the sentence, a slippery piece of soap bounced off the wall and dropped straight under his foot. He slipped and slid on the wet floor, cursing loudly, till he crashed into the wall. When he came to his senses, the guy was already gone.

Kyon pulled on his shirt on the move and ran with his shoes unlaced, exhaling: «If not for my ballistic skills, it would have been rough.»

There was a commotion in the common room: two shopkeepers and their loyal guard brought in the mobile stall. The slaves were lining up, shouting and quarreling.