Chapter 32: Baptism Began
As time marched on, the power of the [Dark Sea Seed] gradually diminished, reaching its culmination half an hour later. With its depletion, Tucker's [Dark Sea of Origin] finally stabilized, marking the end of an extraordinary phase of development.
Breathing deeply, Tucker turned his attention towards his "source energy pool". He had previously relied on the "Dark Sea of Origin Seed" to sense the "Dark Sea Dimension" of the Origin Layer. Now, with the seeds spent, Tucker found himself cut off from directly sensing the dimension he had so intricately opened. The connection felt as tenuous as a distant torch flickering in the wind on a dark, stormy night.
"Is it too deep?" Tucker pondered, a frown creasing his brow. "I can still mobilize source energy, but navigating such a profound dimension poses its own set of challenges. Unless... the pool is enlarged."
Developing one's own source pool was a task of daunting difficulty, often requiring the aid of extraordinary source energy treasures. The challenge of expanding the "Dark Sea of Origin" within the original dimension was even more formidable. It was a process where immense investment could yield only a fraction of the expected outcome. Yet, Tucker had achieved such depth, a feat so rare it was akin to ancestral fortune smiling upon him.
Fortunately, Tucker possessed a unique system at his disposal. He opened the properties panel, and as he had anticipated, there were noticeable changes in his wizard sequence.
"Extraordinary Sequence:
- Wizard: Level 12.
- Original Dark Sea: Level 5."
Tucker's eyes scanned over the "Wizard" and "Dark Sea of Origin" listings under the "Extraordinary Sequence". After a moment of contemplation, he whispered to himself, "As I thought, a pseudo-promotion."
He reflected on the history of human endeavor, recalling how, before the advent of the "Spirit of Steam and Steel" and the creation of the "Steam Core", humanity had always sought ways to enhance their extraordinary sequences. One such method was the opening of the "dark sea", though it was later revealed to be a 'pseudo upgrade'.
Despite this, the method didn't hinder real sequence advancement and proved beneficial to many spellcasting sequencers. With this understanding, Tucker began channeling his source energy experience into the "Original Dark Sea", which also possessed the traits of a "Sequence Seed", embarking on a new chapter in his extraordinary journey.
In the enigmatic depths of Tucker's sanctum, where the veils of reality seemed to blur and shift, his journey of empowerment continued. Each moment brought him closer to an unseen threshold, the air itself thrumming with the promise of transformation.
"Level 5," he whispered, a sense of achievement flickering in his eyes. Moments passed in silent anticipation.
"Level 6," he announced, his voice steadier, more confident. The source energy around him responded, pulsating with renewed vigor.
As Tucker channeled his source energy experience into the dark sea, he noted that this reservoir of power demanded a greater volume of experience than the pure [Wizard] sequence. However, he was not deterred. A steady stream of experience was already flowing into him, thanks to the burgeoning Dark Sea of Origin, which continued to expand under his meticulous guidance.
His perception of the Dark Sea of Origin sharpened with each passing moment. Its characteristics began to reveal themselves - a system with "original" properties, capable of naturally nourishing the sequence ecology, and the "dark sea" trait, forming a self-contained system, impervious to external disturbances, yet able to absorb surrounding source energy continuously.
"A source pool without limits, capable of infinite development," Tucker mused, his fingers absently tracing patterns in the air. "And it possesses a remarkable capacity for recovery."
He paused, considering further implications. "Additionally, due to the profound depth of my [Dark Sea of Origin], the source energy channeled remains undetected externally. This stealth is a fundamental aspect of a wizard's craft, especially when preemptive action is required."
With renewed focus, Tucker continued to invest source energy experience, intent on deepening the level and reach of his own Source Energy Dark Sea. As it ascended to level 8, a subtle but significant change began to manifest. The energy within his source pool started to simmer, hinting at an imminent transformation.
"It's happening," he exclaimed softly, feeling the shift within the "source energy pool". This was the moment he had anticipated - the pivotal point of 'pseudo-upgrade' where the Dark Sea of Origin would catalyze a qualitative change.
He realized that the source energy of the Dark Sea of Origin was purer than that of the source energy pool. As the level of the Dark Sea escalated, its essence's purity surpassed that of the pool, prompting the latter to refine its energy, aligning itself with the Dark Sea's level.
"This is a critical juncture in the pseudo-upgrade," Tucker noted, a sense of wonder in his tone. "At level 8, the energy purity of the Dark Sea of Origin rivals that of a regular level 12 wizard."
He contemplated the implications. "By surpassing this first-order transformation node, the Source Dark Pool enhances the essence's purity at each level. As an independent sequence ecology, the level of [Original Dark Pool] remains unaffected by the wizard sequence. This means, even as a first-order wizard, I could master source energy of level 20 or even 30. And that... will significantly amplify my sorcery."
With eyes gleaming with anticipation and understanding, Tucker began to immerse himself in the detailed transformation process brought about by the pseudo-upgrade, each step unfolding new horizons of power and possibility.
"Breathe deeply and focus," whispered a voice, echoing through the ethereal space.
Tucker's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that glowed with a newfound intensity. The air around him shimmered as if the very fabric of reality was bending to his will. The source energy pool within him, once a raging torrent, now settled into a tranquil sea, its power harnessed and refined.
The Wizard Tree, a colossal entity anchoring this mystical realm, thrummed with a more stable energy. Its leaves rustled softly, a symphony of nature's magic. Around Tucker, the air sparkled with sequence shadows of spells, now more tangible and pronounced than ever before, each one a testament to his growing mastery.
"Level 11!" Tucker exclaimed, a hint of awe in his voice. His journey through the dark sea of magic had elevated him, strengthening his connection to the arcane forces.
"The source energy intensity has surged by nearly 50%," he mused aloud. "Though I can push further, it demands a period of acclimatization, a dance of control and release."
At that moment, Amanti, a fellow practitioner of the arcane arts, approached with a curious gleam in her eye. "Tucker, are you... are you alright?" Her voice was laced with concern and wonder.
"Yes!" Tucker's response was a confident nod, his eyes reflecting the depths of his transformation.
Amanti circled him, her gaze analytical yet filled with a hint of envy. She could sense the change in him, an aura of power that was both intimidating and alluring. "Something's different about you," she remarked. "Stronger, more attuned."
"But the source energy baptism is yet to begin," she added, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Indeed," Tucker agreed, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Amanti paused, her thoughts racing. "Ah! Someone was looking for you earlier!"
"Who?" Tucker's interest was piqued.
"It was Carlos, though I find it odd. You two aren't exactly acquainted, are you?"
Amanti's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but Tucker remained unfazed. "In Larmore, knowing someone and pretending not to can be a matter of survival," he said, his voice low and serious.
Amanti pondered his words, weighing their truth. "Will you meet him?"
"Unnecessary," Tucker replied with a dismissive shake of his head. "Besides, it's likely he's involved in my journey somehow. For now, I'll await the baptism here."
"Alright then," Amanti conceded, settling beside him in her chosen seat.
Tucker returned to his meditative pose, his mind delving into the mysteries of the transformed source energy, each revelation bringing him closer to the heart of the arcane. The air around them hummed with potential, a prelude to the wonders and dangers that lay ahead in their magical odyssey.
"After the transformation, my source energy has essentially evolved into second-order source energy," Tucker explained, his voice resonating with newfound depth and clarity.
"This enhancement isn't just about power. The response speed, detailed control, and precision have all significantly improved," he continued, his eyes reflecting the intricate dance of energy within him.
"The greatest beneficiary of this evolution is my Sheep Transformation Technique. With further advancements in the original dark sea, I'll amplify its effects, leveraging the higher-level source energy for suppression."
Tucker's confidence was palpable. "With this technique, I can confront beings more than ten levels above me, transforming them into sheep, rendering them powerless."
As Tucker grew accustomed to this transformative source of energy, the scene around him unfolded in the Steam Tower Baptismal Fountain. A constant flow of extraordinary individuals gathered, seeking the rejuvenating powers of the source pool. They found their spaces, sitting cross-legged, an air of anticipation hanging heavily in the atmosphere.
Hours, more than ten in total, slipped by unnoticed...
In a secluded corner cubicle, Tucker sat, his presence almost blending into the shadows. His hands moved with a graceful ease, channeling source energy with a mastery that spoke of his deep connection to both the source pool and the dark sea.
Suddenly, the gentle murmur of water reached his ears, signaling a shift. The source energy in the vicinity intensified, becoming richer, more vibrant. Tucker wasn't the only one who noticed; a wave of awareness rippled through the crowd in the baptistery.
"The baptism begins!" someone whispered, a mixture of reverence and excitement in their voice.
As the source energy swelled to a crescendo, an individual activated their baptismal certificate. The power of the certificate coalesced into a vortex, drawing in the abundant source energy, channeling it into the sequence ecology of the gathered extraordinaries. This surge of energy acted as nourishment, accelerating the growth of their unique abilities.
Tucker watched, his eyes wide with a blend of astonishment and realization. "So, the most sophisticated baptisms utilize the simplest methods," he mused. "It's not just about ingesting the energy but allowing it to flood your being completely."
However, Tucker soon noticed something unique. Within the baptismal font, diverse extraordinary ecological characteristics emerged, each rich and distinct. He quickly discerned the nature of these traits and how they played into the baptismal process.
"With the font as the core and the certificate as the conduit, this process nurtures the extraordinaries, promoting the growth of their sequence ecology," Tucker thought aloud, admiration in his tone. "Simple in form, yet profound in concept."
Feeling the moment was right, Tucker no longer hesitated. He activated his voucher, and a deluge of pure source energy cascaded into his wizard sequence ecology. The sensation was exhilarating, a feeling of growth and nurturing that resonated deep within his soul.
Tucker was fully immersed in this transformative experience, his system rapidly evolving, adapting to the influx of energy. The process was a testament to his journey and the untapped potential that lay within.
For Tucker, maintaining a stable connection to the source energy was akin to a second nature, easily achieved once he decided to commit to it.
In contrast to many who pursued a single-threaded development path, Tucker was discreetly cultivating two threads in parallel. "There's a unique satisfaction in growing stronger quietly, away from prying eyes," he mused to himself, concealed in a secluded corner of the baptistery.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone