“Energy in itself is intangible.” Merlin smiled as he let out a wisp of energy. It looked gray and Miles could see that whatever nomological power approached the wisp of energy, would be destroyed.

“Father’s power?” He inquired curiously.

“Yeah, I am stationed to prevent brawls getting serious, so I have to be able to stop people from using their powers.” Merlin answered then added, “Focus on what I am telling though.

What draws energy to your plane is your imagination. You will it to affect reality and after passing through serious filters placed upon all of us, it comes to be. The filters are Ancient Gene, Elemental Abilities, Ultimates, Techniques…

Normally, energy is capable of anything, but because of these limitations, things we can manifest are also limited. But the further you advance, the more liberated you get. Have you ever noticed that?” Merlin asked with a smile. From Miles's shocked face, he could tell the latter didn’t notice it before.

“I can see it now. In Grace-Rank, the Superpower is limited. One form and a single type of the element. In Form-Rank, Form, Power and characteristics can be changed. And in Extol-Rank you can even change your elements to the other attributes.” Miles answered as he thought.

“Exactly,” Merlin exclaimed. “Now, I already know that you can change the characteristics of your energy. You can make it sticky, quaggy, and some others. But have you ever tried to make your energy solid?”

“Aren’t I making it solid, when I am using Body Branch? And what about solid elemental powers such as Ice and Earth?” Miles asked hesitantly.

“No.” Merlin shook his head as he raised his right arm. In the next second, it turned into a dagger from the elbow down.

“You see, what I do is reconstruct my arm. Energy is just a medium for me to achieve this and what is solid is the flesh, bones, and other cells in my arm. And even when I apply energy to harden it—” He covered his arm and hardened the energy and showed it to Miles. “—energy is still not solid. It flows through my arm.

It is the same with solid elemental power. The filter you use is different thus manifestation is solid as well, but it doesn’t mean just because you can create those, you are able to solidify energy. That is why Barrier-type superpowers are so valuable!

But look at this.” Merlin let a wisp of energy out of his hand once again, and in the next second, it took a rectangular shape and started to solidify. “This is solid. Touch it.”

Miles reached out his hand and touched the solid energy in Merlin’s arm. It felt like cement.

“When you create weapons with Heart Branch, they are still not solid. That is why they dissolve so quickly. But when you learn how to solidify your energy, you can create things with your energy and let it stay outside of your body for a long time.”

“How long?” Miles asked with a squint.

“Depends on your energy,” Merlin said with a grin. “I see you caught where I am going with this one.”

“Oh, did I?” Miles said with a smile.

“Yes brother, some of the incredible things in Portal World might be constructs built by energy. Because some things don’t make sense at all.” Merlin said as he leaned back on his chair.

This was what Miles was thinking. Ever since he discovered the tower, he was thinking, and now he was one step closer.

“How much energy do you need for that?”

“Quantity and Quality-wise, even Grandpa can’t create something permanent.” Merlin shook his head. “He once created a sword and battled with it for a week, but that was it. After a week, the sword turned into energy and vanished.”

“Only a week?” Miles asked in disbelief. Towers, cores, and some other miracles of Portal World existed for millennials. How powerful were those who created them?

“Miles, Extol-Rank is another gap separating hunters. I did say that you are more liberated the more you advance but it doesn’t mean your base power is not important.

Just look at me, because of my superpower, I can change elements. But it also means I have to understand each element so I can acquire different attributes. Normally, in Form-Rank, it doesn't matter which elemental ability I take, I would be invincible. Because I am strong.

But in Extol-Rank it is different. I am good at the Fire element and can use 4 different Fires. But if I copy a water Elemental Power, I will be forced to use a single type of water. My opponents on the other hand can use several types of their elements.

Of course, I am not complaining, I just want to give you an idea. Having too much power doesn’t always make you stronger. A wise man once said, “I wouldn’t be afraid of a man who trained 1000 techniques for a thousand years, but I would be afraid of a man who trained one power for 100 years.

Miles, you are different. You don’t even have an element. This also means, that when you step into the Extol-Rank, you will not have anything to develop besides the basics. But like I said, if you train them enough, you will be stronger than people who could create tens of types of their elements.” Merlin said with a smile.

"Try to learn how to solidify energy. It might be impossible for you to learn in Form-Rank but try it anyway."

Miles nodded hesitantly. If it was several months ago, he would be crestfallen and thankful, but now it was different. He could control two elements and in the future, the number would only increase. He wasn't different from Merlin, in fact, he was even better in some sense. He could always use all the elements he knew without requiring to copy a corresponding superpower.

It also meant, he too would be troubled to learn different types of elements he could use. But he couldn't tell any of these Merlin.