Divinity

--- [Alex’s perspective]

“I see… But what about SDM?” – Alex

“Well, SDM is very different, but it is similar in one way; you still need to infuse yourself with Divinity. The thing that makes it so different, and so much more difficult, is that it’s not your body that you’re channeling it through.” – Gaia

“Huh? Not my body?” – Alex

“Nope. In order to use SDM you need to channel the Divinity through your soul.” – Gaia

“My soul?!” – Alex

“Yes. You channel the Divinity through your soul. The result is based on ‘the shape’ of your soul. You can think of your soul as a lock, and Divinity as the key.

In order to open the lock, you need a key that fits. This is the reason why using SDM is so hard; everything you need to do to use BDM, you have to do with SDM, except you have an additional step on top of that. You have to change the shape of the Divinity itself so that it can pass through your soul.

Changing the shape of Divinity is incredibly difficult, and will take you a lot of training, even with my help. This is why I usually don’t help F-rank hunters; they won’t be able to do it, and it will simply be a waste of time.

You guys are a special case. I’m only doing this because I would rather waste my time, than have her do that again…” – Gaia

At this point I’m more interested in learning what Lett did, than actually learning SDM…

“My specialty lets me see the shape of other people’s souls. This will allow me to see exactly what your specialty is. With my help, it will make it a lot easier for you guys learn how to change the shape of the Divinity.” – Gaia

“I have a question. I’ve heard about people being able to use SDM for things that isn’t their Specialty. If the result of the SDM is based on the shape of your soul, how is that possible?” – Alex

“The answer is simple; you have to change the shape of your soul itself. Now this is way beyond hard, very few people below A-rank can do this. A way to visualize this is by imaging a person who has a ‘circular’ soul and a person who has a ‘square’ soul.

When the person with a circular soul changes the shape of the Divinity and passes it through, fire will be created. When the person with a square soul does the same, water will appear. If the person with a circular soul wants to create water, they will first need to change the shape of their soul into a square, change the shape of the Divinity into a square, then pass it through. You have to go through three steps that are all exponentially more difficult than the last.

Now souls aren’t actually shaped like circles and squares, this is just to help you understand the theory behind it all. The bigger the adjustment you have to make to your soul, the harder it is to use it. For that reason, even learning how to change the shape of your soul doesn’t mean you can use any specialty. Just the ones that you get by slightly altering your soul.

Your soul will naturally go back to its original shape when you stop manipulating it, so you can’t change your specialty. This is also why it’s called a ‘specialty’. Each soul is unique, so you’re more or less going to be the only person who can do that specific SDM without needing to change your soul. Now there are a few cases of relatives using the same ability, but it's incredibly rare. In reality, relatives will have at most a similar ability, but even that is unlikely.” – Gaia

“I see… I wanted to learn my big bro’s specialty too, but I guess that might be a lot more difficult than I first thought…” – Alex

“Who knows what will happen in the future, but you can just forget about it for now. Anyways, you should be happy that I’m even teaching you SDM at all!” – Gaia

“Of course! I’m very thankful!” – Alex

“Well then, I guess it’s time to check out what your specialties are.” – Gaia

Gaia walks towards Shin.

“Actually, I already know mine. I accidentally used it in the E-rank exam when I was pushed to my limit.” – Shin

“That’s good to know, but it’ll be a lot easier for me to teach you if I know the shape myself.” – Gaia

“I see, go ahead then.” – Shin

She grabs his hands and closes her eyes.

“Mhm… Okay. That’s for sure a useful specialty in battle! You’re lucky.” – Gaia

“True. It was the deciding factor in winning my battle.” – Shin

“Alright then, you’re next.” – Gaia

She says while looking at me.

I put my hands forwards, and she grabs them.

“What the?!!!” – Gaia

She quickly lets go of my hands, and stumbles backwards.

The moment she touched me and looked into my soul, it was like a shock of electricity ran through my entire body.

My consciousness is starting to fade, and…

And…

…

…

---

Everything is pitch black and I hear a loud growling noise…

It’s that dream again!

The dream I’ve had all my life.

Every time I have it, I remember every other time I’ve had it, yet I can’t remember a thing when I’m awake.

I haven’t had it in a while; the last time was when Vic was still training me.

I used to just shrug it off, but…

It can’t just be coincidence.

The moment she looked into my soul, she jumped back, and I passed out.

I passed out, and I ended up here…

Does this dream have something to do with my soul?

As I think that, I feel myself waking up.

No!

If I wake up, I’ll just forget.

I need to somehow communicate this to them.

Gaia might be able to help me figure out what’s going on.

As I feel myself waking up, I start repeating a single word over and over again.

---

“Hey, wake up!” – Shin

“DREAM!” – Alex

“Dream?” – Shin

Huh?

Did I just say that?

“Uhm, I’m not sure why I said that…” – Alex

“Are you okay?” – Shin

“Uhh, I think so?” – Alex

“Gaia freaked out, and you suddenly passed out right after. What happened?” – Shin

“I don’t know…” – Alex

“There’s something abnormal about you. I’ve never seen anything like it before…” – Gaia