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Chapter 169 - ★ 168 (ANTARES'S PAST XX, TRAINING III)

★168

"Let's get back to the topic at hand, teleportation. It's basically the same thing. You need coordinates to move from one place to another. However, it's not as easy as it seems. Unlike portals, you'll be covering distance without moving physically.

Naturally, there are three types of teleportation. One."

He raised his index finger.

"If it's just 'disappearing here and reappearing there' without involving time mechanics, it's purely spatial relocation.

For example, Mega Art Astro Forge: Fold Space brings two points of space together so you can step across instantly. This doesn't necessarily manipulate time flow, only position."

He practicalized the teleportation with the red orb, the fabric of space folding delivering the orb to another point in space.

There or multiplied, label (A,B,C) all three vanished, but A reappeared immediately.

"Two."

Middle finger up.

"If teleportation involves jumping through moments as well as locations, it leans toward time manipulation, Mega Art Temporal Twist. An example is if someone teleports not just to another place but with respect to time such as earlier as seen with this orb A. Instantly..."

At that moment, the orb labelled B appeared.

"Or later."

He finished.

"Third."

He skipped without waiting for the orb C.

"Teleportation as a Space-Time Art. It is the most perfect form of teleportation. By altering your position in the spacetime manifold and coordinating in place, one will skip both the distance and the duration normally required to travel, appearing instantly in their destined location."

Right after his explanation,the orb C arrived at the moment.

"Why am I learning Space-Time Art before Temporal Twist and Astro Forge?"

I asked. If Space-Time is perfect, it's harder to learn than Temporal Twist and Astro Forge.

"I'm testing and comparing you to my achievements. I'm the Prodigy. You're the Anomaly."

(Nice, right? Teacher and Student, Prodigy and Anomaly:)

'A teacher-student competition, nice. So that's what Elara was talking about. Well, I'm counting on you, Anta.'

'Logic wise, the Anomaly always wins. Disrupt the logic, and the Anomaly will still win because our powers come from defying the system rather than fitting and embodying the system. The answer is clear as day, and now that it's officially a challenge, I won't hold back. I'll set an unbreakable record in the Star Realm.'

"Besides, learning Space-Time Art first will make the two easier."

"How can one go from one point to the other without occupying space?"

'I have my own way of doing it, I just need to know how the universal way of doing it."

"It involves disassembling one's Information Particles and reassembling them in another place. The process is metaphysical and instantaneous. Due to the particle's atemporality, there's no time to lag."

XIt's the same with the process I have, but..."

"What are Information Particles?"

(Note: It's not exactly the same as the one in the Cardinal World, but it's still IP.)

"The smallest unit that makes up existence, whether physical or metaphysical. Information Particles is what you are made of."

The Information Particles discussed here are the fundamental building blocks of all existence, the raw "stuff" of reality.

They are neutral and universal, forming physical matter, consciousness, energy, and metaphysical constructs. You could think of them as the "alphabet" of the universe.

Meanwhile, 'that' Information Particles (infons) are informational codes embedded in Energy Fragments, monitored and regulated by the Transparent Particle. So Information Particles are part of Infons.

(Just me highlighting the differences.)

'Essence is who you are. So, does this means Essen is IP? Not really.'

Essence is made of IP, but not all IP is essence. Essence is the "you" that emerges from the raw, universal substrate of Information Particles regulated by Infons.

"So a person or a thing gets broken down into IP, they travel across the distance and reassemble at their intended destination. Construction can occur even at an infinite distance, as long as the journey is covered, they'll reassemble. Easier said than done, huh?"

"Not exactly."

I replied.

'I can dismantle Essen and transport it, but what I'm worried about is whether it will be fast and whether they are atemporal just like IP?'

'A word or advice, stop thinking you can't do it. Think the other way around and force reality to accept it. That's what I've one thing I've noticed about all versions of you, and it's still here.'

'Ok..."

"Can you show me an example?"

"Sure."

With Etherium activated, I watched everything unfold step by step.

His body bursts into IP, travelling at speed that instantaneous before merging into the whole instantly.

"Is that good enough?"

"Yes."

'That wasn't all I saw. There was Energy all over him and IP.... Isn't it bound to Energy because it's linked to nothing?'

I looked up, but there was nothing. However, knowing the sneaky Existential Force, it won't be linked to nothing.

(And it's a Fragment of Ether as stated in CHAPTER 140.)

'Perhaps something I can't see just yet. Something in existence doesn't want me to know. I understand that, but I'm not interested in the hidden source for now. I can disassemble my essence and reassemble them back. However, I need to take another step while I can.'

With that, I channelled Essen to the nearest Energy, and the two forces collided, an Existential Force and an Anomaly's Essence. As if it were conscious, it repelled Essen.

'A gangbang can be useful.'

As if being controlled, all Essen rushed at the Energy particle for a hug.

The hug was so tight the links between the Fragments were severed. The connection was all I needed, Essen bonding with Energy is going to be a huge leap in my cute arsenal.

I can't go on and keep bonding with each particle wherever I go so I copied the external code of Energy and let Essen absorb it. All I have to do is remake my essence with that code giving me a little advantage around some areas.

What I did doesn't mean Essen will develop a Fragment or Energy will recognise me. No, it means if I'm familiar with Energy's external code, I can use it somehow unexpectedly.

At that moment, I took the risk of disassembling my essence and before I could cover the distance, I was already there.

'What? I didn't move like Sensei did.'

I froze, more astonished than Sensei himself.

'Something was here. It wasn't Essen and ther4 was no coordinated either. Don't tell me I've already assimilated with the code and it's now imprinted in my very being?'

It can't be. But as always,

'There's only one way to find out.c

Without Atomic Separation, I moved to another direction without a coordinate but a place of interest.

Without a lag, I appeared on the other side and as I turned, I caught the glimpse, vision and thought of my past self in the present before it faded. It's like I had two minds and visions. Ton stared in disbelief

'No. This can't be true.'

I tried again, this time holding two locations in mind.

Bzz, within less than the smallest fraction of a moment, I was there. Then suddenly, I could see from three different angles. It felt like having six eyes. On top of that, several thoughts began forming at once inside my small head, overlapping but clear.

'Oh Star.'

'It's working. It's impossible but it did work.'

'Does this mean...'

'I can be anywhere...'

'Energy is present?'

Confusion was written all over Ton's face. He was speechless, his eyes darting from one Antares to the other. One by one, they randomly faded, leaving only one.

"Antares, don't go anywhere further."

Ela spoke but sorry, I have something important to try.

'If this is possible, then I can do it.'

It was a risky move, but a perfect chance to test the limits and flaws of this new self-Art. I moved abruptly, and both my vision and mind were overwhelmed.

I could see myself in multiple places at once. I was everywhere in that moment, occupying limited space in an instant, not as clones, but as a singular me, multiplied and whole.

"Stop this right now."

Ela's voice rang out, and something else followed.

Several thoughts crashed through my minds at once, overlapping in a chaos that teetered on the edge of madness.

"Ugh!"

We cried out simultaneously, then everything went black. No sound, no light, for a moment, there was only darkness and silence.

"Antares!"

Before anyone could reach me, I opened my eyes and straightened up. That blackout was needed. Thanks to Entares, all the thoughts and vision were destroyed, helping me regain myself in a matter of seconds.

I was alone; the others had vanished. My mind and vision were no longer fractured, they'd likely disappeared like last time.

'Thanks.'

'"Hmph."

He turned away like a tsundere.

"Are you all right?"

Ela appeared before me, physical and concerned, her eyes searching mine.

"I'm fine."

I replied, biting the urge to laugh at Entares's attitude.

"What was that?"

Zhou asked, surprised and curious at the same time.

"Aether Move. I named it."

"I mean, how? That shouldn't be possible for a Dwarf."

"The Anomaly isn't likely to follow the laws of the system."

I replied with a smile.

"Are you sure you're alright? I've never heard you cry like that before."

"I'm fine. I had a little schizophrenia, that's all. My mind is whole now. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have woken up so quickly nor can I be acting normal."

"I can see that you're fine but..."

"There's nothing to worry about, Ela."

I reasure.

"For some reason, I feel like I can do anything."

I jumped energetically.

"Hmm, if you say so then no problem. I'll hold back. But...if you fall for a second, I'm pulling you out. Got it?"

"Got it."

"That was a hell of a movement back there. Appearing in multiple locations at the same time. Although it's still unrefined, this is one of the first steps in being who you really are."

'There she goes again. Talking like she knows what you'll become.'

Entares complained but I ignored him.

"Space-Time Art is strictly a Hypergod Tier Art. Not only did you clear one of its branches, you've created something beyond said branch."

"As a matter of fact, that's something very few among us possess. It's like they're hiding something."

"Is this really a good thing? You know, being an anomaly and all."

"It's both and the way I'm seeing it, you'll tip to the good side."

"..."

"Are you sure you don't need to rest?"

"I'm good. I can clear two or more Space-Time Art before the end of the day."

She walked over and cupped my cheeks.

"I know you can but you don't always have to be unique and break the rules. Sometimes, try to be normal and merge with the world around you."

"I'wll, try."

"Ok. Promise me you'll not use Aether Move again."

She gave me a pinky finger, prompting me to lock a pinky promise. I did.

"I won't."

"You're one the few I know can keep Etherium activated for this long. To prevent any unexpected side effects, promise me you won't be using it everyday?"

She held out her hand, offering another pinky promise. Without hesitation, I linked mine.

"How about the five day interval?"

"Isn't that too long?"

"It's better to be safe than sorry. Especially when we're talking about someone as precious as you."

"Am I precious?'

At that moment, she leaned in and stole a kiss. I know it meant something for others but for me, it's still a connection between two body parts.

Nothing more, nothing less, it was as natural as shaking hands or throwing punches. These are also examples of a connection between two body parts.

"You are to me. And soon enough, the world will know about you."

I smiled.

"I'm taking too long. Zhou's probably begging me to leave."

Ton stood nearby, arms folded, eyes closed.

"He really is begging for you to leave,"

We teased. Ela laughed at him before teleporting away.

"You have a scary potential and might probably break my records."

"What are your records?"

"Learning Mega Art the day I opened my eyes."

"That's crazy."

"Mega Art Chaos Shift to be precise. Back then, there were no Nova Arts."

"Oh, how long did it take you to learn Space-Time Art?"

"A day and a quarter. Before that, the record was a day and a half. Alter of Pisces held it. He terrified the entire Pond and earned the title Paragon of Singularity."

He's the 'only one', a flawless construct standing between the Supernovas and the rest of us. His mind, his power… unique. Unmatched, no one has ever replicated him.

He dominated the Pond for an entire Class, until I showed up and stole his spotlight. That's how I became the Paragon of Genesis. For I was born at peak brilliance.

"From my first breath, I was already standing where others struggle their whole lives to reach."

"Of course, that only pushed Alter further. He claimed a new title, Paragon of Absolute, basically declaring that nothing in existence is beyond him."

A voice called out in space.

Had it been for our pinky promises early, I'd easily locate them. But still, even with Etherium, I tracked the sound and pinpointed the source.

'Up there.'

Entares pointed and I turned towards the heavens.

"And later, Zhou earned another title, Paragon of Ascension, marking him as the only one capable of standing against someone who possessed two Paragons, with no challengers at his heels..

Even Altair and I had failed to claim a Paragon. Now, an M-Class Star had been crowned Paragon of Paradox, an existence both impossible and undeniable."

A cold hand settled on my shoulder, and I turned, squinting through the faint glow around me.

A Star, an Azure Star to be precise, stood there, draped in white robes that seemed to shimmer faintly, head to toe. His eyes were piercing azure, sharp and unreadable, and his hair was as white as mine, flowing like strands of moonlight.

To be continued...

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