42: Sir Talbetter's Discussion About Lifeforce and His [Espejo] Abilities II
About that, we three come across Guiles and Gondola, Lord Guan's little brother. They seem so preoccupied so we leave them to their own accord and exchange salutations. Afterall, we all have different agenda for now. They focus on trading and local partnership while we three are doing what we are about to learn something about arcane theories and lifeforce.
"But why should we keep this conceal? Why not share among the officers and the soldiers? Why the confidentiality? Of all places, why the war chamber?" pondering theories about how secretive this information will be, as I blankly follow General Clyden's lead.
"We are here." General Clyden stops by the doorstep, then he opens it.
The three of us have been seated when General Clyden closes and locks the door. Meanwhile, Sir Talbetter yet again requests a scroll to be written on - I provide him with the ones that my elbows pressing on. And then, he reaches for the brush and ink. General Clyden and I just stare at the content without questioning his intentions. He draws a big circle with a stylus, imprinting: open parenthesis Espejo close parenthesis. So that means that is his 'Personal Orenda' skill, then? By the way, is this how they distinguish arcane skills, similar to the physical skills such as [Arms Sub-tactics] and [Unarmed Techniques]?
"This is the name of my 'personal Orenda' ability - [Espejo]." tapping it with another index finger from his free hand.
"And these three are…" as he prepares to illustrate circles again, this time there are three, introducing: "[Parallel Charlatan], [Travail Persona], and [Double Down]."
General Clyden asks, "So if the [Espejo] is the Origin Ability then that means those three are her Primary or First Degree Children Abilities, right? The underlying web of abilities… ?" curling his eyebrows, as he points out the question directly towards Sir Talbetter.
"Yes. Like you said, General, [Espejo] is the Origin ability while these three under her are dubbing her children's abilities - [Parallel Charlatan], [Travail Persona], and [Double Down]. These three are the Primary Child Abilities of [Espejo]." Sir Talbetter confirms General Clyden's answer. Then the gátes draws yet again four circles that spawns after [Parallel Charlatan] inferring another subset of children's abilities.
"[Espejo Doble], [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], and [Espejo Ejército] are all sister abilities, because their mother is from the same clause as Parent Ability. Same situation with [Parallel Charlatan], [Travail Persona], and [Double Down] - these three are all Sister Abilities to one another. These four abilities are immediate to [Parallel Charlatan] while if these four skills - Espejo Doble], [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], and [Espejo Ejército] view [Espejo] as both their Second Degree Parent Ability and and especially, Origin Ability." he explains, then he expands another child ability under [Espejo Doble].
"This is-..." after he finishes drawing the circle linked to [Espejo Doble], "... [Insta-telesubstitution] is the Primary or First Degree Child Ability of [Espejo Doble]. When we invert it the other way around, [Espejo Doble] is the Parent Ability of [Insta-telesubstitution]." he smacks his tongue, continuing: "If we move up to one level, [Insta-telesubstitution] is the Sub-child Ability or Lower Avuncular Ability of either [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], and [Espejo Ejército]. And if turn around once again; [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], and [Espejo Ejército] are the Co-parent Abilities or Higher Avuncular Abilities of [Insta-telesubstitution]."
"Moving on, [Inst-telesubstitution] is Second Degree Child Ability of [Parallel Charlatan] while if we inverse it, [Paralllet Charlatan] is the Second Degree Parent Ability of [Insta-telesubstitution]. [Insta-telesubstitution] is the Third Degree Child Ability of [Espejo] while if we change the perspective, [Espejo] is the Origin Ability and the Third Degree Parent Ability or Third Degree Mother Ability of [Insta-telesubstitution]." as he concludes the explanation of [Insta-telesubstitution]'s relationship case under 'Orenda Ability Mapping/Genealogy'.
Sir Talbetter creates another circle stemming from [Espejo Trifecta], as General Clyden gets ahead of himself, saying:
"That is the First Degree or Primary Child Ability of [Espejo Trifecta]. Conversely, that unnamed passive ability, you say, portrayed [Espejo Trifecta] as its Parent or Mother Ability." showing his certainty of knowledge about this topic.
"Correct!" Sir Talbetter smiles.
"Moving on, the unnamed passive ability below [Espejo Trifecta] sees [Espejo Doble], and [Espejo Pelóton], and [Espejo Ejército] as its Co-parent Abilities. And if we flips around, these three" General Clyden continues, as Sir Talbetter hums in agreement to Clyden's in-depth explanation.
But he misses out, so I link up he had said so far, uttering: "[Insta-telesubstitution] and that unnamed passive ability below [Espejo Trifecta] are Cousin Abilities. I don't know if that is the right term in this 'Orenda Ability Mapping', though. One level up, [Parallel Charlatan] views it as a Second Degree Child Ability - then in contrast, that unnamed passive ability stemming from [Espejo Trifecta] treats [Parallel Charlatan] as its Second Degree Parent Ability. [Espejo]'s and the said-ability's relationship are Third Degree Child Ability and Third Degree Parent Ability or Origin Ability, respectively." concluding the entire whole [Espejo Trifecta]'s surbordinate unnamed passive ability tree relationship.
"Good job, Marshal Aisla. That will make my explanation even easier. Yes, they are cousins for sure." Sir Talbetter praises my further deep dive analysis of the 'Orenda Ability Genealogy'.
Of course, Lord and Marshal Aisla could keep up with discussion. My lieutenant, General Clyden, seems surprised as he expects me to keep idle in this conversation. Don't you underestimate me. Yes, you as well, who somehow can read my mind.
In the meanwhile, Sir Talbetter illustrates yet another circle emerging from [Espejo Ejército], this time there are two circles named [Long Sight] and [Gátes Bow Stride].
"Ah! Those are sister abilities - [Long Sight] and [Gátes Bow Stride] for sure… !" I take the advances this time, answering knowing both of these are indeed sisters.
"Yes, Marshal."
"If [Long Sight] and [Gátes Bow Stride] are sister abilities, then they are both cousin abilities to [Insta-telesubstitution] and the unnamed passive ability under [Espejo Trifecta]. Proving to that point; [Long Sight] and [Gátes Bow Stride] are the Sub-child Abilities of [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Doble], and [Espejo Ejército]. To the [Parallel Charlatan], they are Second Degree Child Abilities. Inversely, [Long Sight] and [Bow Strides] sees [Parallel Charlatan] as their Second Degree Mother Ability or Second Degree Parent Ability. And like in the cases of [Insta-telesubstitution], [Long Sight] and [Gátes Bow Stride] are the Third Degree Child Ability of [Espejo]." concluding, as I respire a long breath after that. Sir Talbetter himself nods his head, as to why he concurs to the explaining of mine.
After my long elaboration of Sir Talbetter's 'Personal Orenda Ability - [Espejo]', he draws the rest of the circles with the corresponding interconnection of parent-child relationship. Completing the diagram. Comparative to what he drew in the arena not long ago but his chart is rather comprehensive.
Espejo] | |||||||
[Charlatan Parallel] | [Travail Persona] | [Double Down] | |||||
[Espejo Trifecta] | [Espejo Peloton] | [Espejo Ejercito] | [Espejo Commandante] | [Espejo Forlìaþ] | [(hidden, claimed by Talbetter)] | [(hidden, claimed by Talbetter)] | |
[(unnamed passive)] | - | [Long Sight] | [Gátes Bow Stride] | [(hidden, claimed by Talbetter)] | - | - | - |
After this would settle, I take yet another initiative. Meaning to ask: "Why the secrecy, Sir Talbetter? Would it be better to convey this to them - the rest of the generals, the officer corps - the high officers and the sub-officers, and even the soldiers?" as I have been itching to ask since the time we have been seated here.
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"Nya~ good thing, you ask, Marshal. Like I stated in the gymnasium. 'Orenda' abilities are too profound and wholesome to one's character." he says. Is he being confident to somehow seal this to General Clyden and I?
"Moreover, I will unveil how each and every one of these personal abilities of mine unlocked. Most of them are stupid insights and some of them are just plain, you know? Sexual or somewhere in-between." Sir Talbetter resumes by giving us a hint.
"'Sexual or somewhere in-between?' Yeah, I remember you said that earlier with the rest of the soldiers." General Clyden then reinforces that 'Orenda' abilities truly work in that situation.
"Yes, I developed [Espejo] as the root of my personal ability when I was still my teen years before becoming levy-turned-footman. Afterall, it is the [Espejo Doble] all along. [Espejo] is just a 'name placer' to a wide range of varieties while the three underlying abilities - [Parallel Charlatan], [Travail Persona], and [Double Down] are 'ability sorters'." he spouts in somewhat convoluted term.
"The real abilities are [Espejo Doble], [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], [Espejo Forlìaþ] and so on." he continues, jabbing with his finger all indicated circles.
It makes sense. Pertaining as sorting documents and missives. For example, there are a series of files that can be compiled into a folder. A heap of folders can be sorted out within an envelope. Envelopes within the drawer of a desk. And so on. [Parallel Charlatan] is for the mirages that Sir Talbetter spawns, [Travail Persona] is for the enhancement and utility for his incarnation, and [Double Down] - a somewhat last stand of Sir Talbetter when either he is getting desperate or life-death situations. Well, according to him on how he organizes his 'personal Orenda' ability - [Espejo].
"As for [Espejo Doble], it came from my solitude in my teenage years and when I saw the glory before my eyes since I didn't have someone to rely on." Sir Talbetter says, as my lieutenant and I quietly listen to his words.
"[Espejo Trifecta] came into being from one of my wives. One of my wives wanted to be pleasured by many Talbetters during our session. That's the lore so far." he shares sheepishly. Ah! I get it - it is not how secretive it is but because it's how embarrassing the birth of this ability is.
"Makes sense." I mumble and obviously escapes from my mouth in an oblivious way.
"Pardon?" Sir Talbetter notices my mumblings.
"Kinks, experience, memories, et cetera." I reply, reiterating my first response.
"Right. [Espejo Pelotón] materialized when I got my battlefield commission as a phalanx officer. I was elated at that time, prompting the creation of that ability." Sir Talbetter explains his next personal ability spawning from [Parallel Charlatan].
"[Espejo Forlìaþ] manifested itself when I was helpless during one-on-one duels. Urging myself to somehow stand a chance such episodes like these were to happen." and he continues his next explanation of one of his personal abilities, underlying from [Travail Persona].
"Cool." General Clyden praises the ability itself, which is also my reaction.
"Cool ability, indeed, but its inception is from a shameful beginning, however." still selling himself short, Sir Talbetter purports.
"Don't be hard on yourself, Sir Talbetter. You're still poised as ever and you know that." I smile at him.
"Anyways,..." he regardlessly brushes my comfort of gesture, then he proceeds with the topic, "Back to the topic, [Espejo Commandante] was when I knew that I kept on relying on my incarnations and at the same time, my own people - my formation, my phalanx. So I stepped up, in order to protect my men from danger." it makes me think how glorious and heroic this ability came from. True to its characteristics, it branches out from [Travail Persona] and the sister ability of [Espejo Forlìaþ].
"Segue, Sir Talbetter. Why co-parent instead of 'aunt'? And same case, why sub-child in lieu of 'niece'? Does it sound cheesy or something else?" General Clyden asks something insightful on why the term seems to be like this.
"First things first, you're right about that part - 'aunt' and 'niece' really do portray crass and corny. Second of all, what can we do? We were not the ones who popularized the naming jargon convention. Thirdly, the sound of 'co-parent' and concurrently 'sub-child' truly do click as professional as possible. Lastly, history and the 'insular groups' that I have stated prior. Like one of my wives, she is an ardent practitioner and if she hears a word of describing one's 'personal Orenda' ability an 'aunt' instead of 'co-parent' and 'niece' as 'sub-child'. Ha! She would eviscerate you physically and mentally. And I promise you, it's your business." Sir Talbetter answers my lieutenant's queries and at the same time warns us using those words, which overall satisfies our questions.
"Oh…" General Clyden and I both gasp, heeding to his caution.
"Moving on, I accidentally unlocked two of my personal abilities either under [Double Down] or [Travail Persona]. This insight was made from training - I still didn't know the grasp and full notions of them." Sir Talbetter claims.
"Strange…" I say, with a definite confusing getup on my face.
"Why is it, I might ask?" Sir Talbetter replies, as he lets go of the brush in his dominant hand.
I ask in a wholesome manner, "You said some of your personal abilities emerged from different situations. Is it because you only know it might open those nascent abilities of yours but you are still unaware of their characteristics?" as I then place elbows on the desk and intertwine my hands, answering his feedback.
"Yes, like I said. YOU and only you alone who can confirm these changes and improvements. Whatever it is, in comparison. If you jog three kilomawwes (15 km) daily, you may either challenge ten kilomawwes daily or you don't feel exhausted at all as your previous result. Same thing with 'personal Orenda' ability, the aftermath or the feeling will be apparent to yourself."
"That's good, by the way. In your personal milestone, to say the least. Since neophytes like us are just starting to wonder when or how we can unleash ours." General Clyden inputs a rather convincing argument.
"Though, still. I am weathering it out since these two new abilities of mine are part of [Espejo] at all or independent of it. Who knows, actually." Sir Talbetter gives his unsure answer with certainty. Afterall, like he has stressed: himself alone is the judge of that.
"Anyway, another segue. Do [Fire Bolt] or other conventional abilities are once 'Orenda' abilities? Just curious." Clyden fires another interesting question.
"Yes. Yes, they were. In fact, these skills were the firsts among firsts. When magic scholars did see that a certain arcane ability became repetitive and facilitated learning, the said-ability transformed into formalized. Nature itself will adapt, thus we have: 'Mana', 'Prana', 'Vis', 'Chakra', 'Pneuma'; not only subpar-universal lifeforces but also regional lifeforces - known and undiscovered." Sir Talbetter answers.
I then follow whether it is a stupid question or scholarly, I will ask it anyways, inquiring: "For example, your [Espejo] can it be duplicated by future arcaneologists?"
"Good question, Marshal! Can it be replicated by future practitioners? Definitely! When? I don't know, the future will tell - maybe in a thousand years, hundred years, or if when a generational talent cracks [Espejo]; give or take, it might be in just a matter of fifty years. How, by what means? Quid pro quo, or develop by enthusiasts, or translate it into technological means by arcane scientists. This is the reason why arts can become science." he pauses, as he breathes a huge moment of air, "When a theory or a thought is born it becomes an art and when that art turns into an umbrella bible it shifts into science." he finishes concluding the second part of his poetic sentence. Wait a minute? Is that similar to Lord Gerðas's quotes?
"If they can decipher it, how much percentage can they restudy your [Espejo]?" I ask him once again with no brakes.
"My [Espejo] ability? Let's say, among fifty percent or so. They could copy my [Espejo Trifecta], [Espejo Pelotón], [Espejo Commandante], [Espejo Ejército]. However, not [Espejo Doble]."
"Oh, I get it since they don't probably know most of your feelings even if they do stalk you or read your diary." I give my input, bolstering the notion of his profound experience - his signature 'Personal Orenda' ability is his welfare.
"Yes, henceforth, my [Espejo] ability in the future can be modified - prompting it to become 'Noted [Espejo] ability' with tweaks of their own. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see those days." Sir Talbetter bolsters the idea that somehow he is realistic about how his [Espejo] will evolve, he sighs about the uncertainty what [Espejo] will become.