IDLE Database - Chapter 101

Essence.

If at first Aldrin thought that it was just a resource unique to IDLE Database, that’s where he got it wrong.

Essence or Life Energy is just one of the different variations of the everpresent Dimensional Energy.

After thousands of years since the migration era where humanity set off to live on different habitable planets, studies regarding the subject – Dimensional Energy – had obviously begun way before the three factions emerged or even the birth of the first Energy Refiners.

However, along with the river of time that continued to cycle, the discoveries and studies made about it had slowly become a restricted topic for normal civilians.

What Aldrin learned at school never dwelled on the topic of Dimensional Energy deeper. Letting the masses know that it’s what allowed them to continue existing was proven enough.

No one raised a question among the normal populace even if there were some curious minds throughout the years, they either became a part of the few who kept the truth away or they disappeared without a trace. As for the common Energy Refiners, with the information provided to them by the Association or the organization they joined in, it’s also rare for someone to dig deeper.

They’re Energy Refiners, the first thing they wanted to do was to focus on progressing through it. Perhaps only when they encountered said variations of Dimensional Energy would they start to wonder.

Apart from Essence or Life Energy, there’s also Aether or Cosmic Energy and Void or Nether Energy.

Despite having different names, their root remained to be the Dimensional Energy or simply ‘Mana’.

Mana became its simplified name because it was the foremost name presented for it. Nonetheless, to the majority of the population, be it a normal civilian or an Energy Refiner, it’s still called Dimensional Energy.

Or so the book Aldrin bought from Idle Shopping said.

While waiting for Janet to knock on his door, he thought of efficiently using his free time by buying that book to gain more insight into things that’s normally not available for everyone’s prying eyes.

The Book was called Life Energy so it only mentioned those other variations or citing of Dimensional Energy in passing while it detailed the Life Energy that every living creature, be it plants or animals including humans and any other sorts of creatures, possessed.

Reading through the contents of the book that got downloaded in his mind, Aldrin got a clear view of why the corpses could be melted, burned or squeezed into Essence. Even in death, the Life Energy of every living being will remain in their corpses. It also shed light on why the multi-colored energy, which was the visual representation of the Essence, could create a body for the units he could summon.

There’s also the Essence Grenade and Allcure Elixir that he could craft. The former was the detonation of Life Energy while the latter was the utilization of Life Energy to heal.

However, it’s still a mystery why he needed Essence to expand the Essence Storage and the Idle Storage dimension. As for the other things listed in the ‘Upgrades’, Aldrin somehow understood that Essence could be required for it.

In any case, he hadn’t finished the book yet. His mind was pulled back to reality by the knocks he was waiting for.

A while later, Aldrin welcomed his elder sister and Instructor inside his room for the second time. This time, however, he invited her himself rather than being invaded by the woman.

“Speak, what’s the deal?”

That’s Janet’s first question as soon as she stepped into his room. She’s still wearing what she wore during the day or during the entirety of her time as their instructor, a stylish non-restrictive suit and skirt that captured her figure quite well.

Her red flowing hair that was still damp as well as her slightly reddened cheeks told Aldrin that the woman had just taken a shower before coming to his room.

He had no idea whether it was in preparation to meet him and he didn’t bother to ask. That’s not the reason why he called her after all.

The woman remained near the door and took her stand there with her chin held high. No matter how Aldrin wrapped his head around it, she’s clearly trying to establish her position while being guarded against him.

“Hmm? Elder sister, why do you seem so guarded? At least come in and have a seat first. We can’t talk properly if you remain here.”

“Fine… So now what?”

Janet contemplated for a moment before following his suggestion and took a seat on his bed, at the same place she sat down during her first visit. His room didn’t have any stools or chairs prepared. Not just his, every room was the same.

“Like I said earlier, I have to confess something.” Aldrin started, his voice filled with seriousness.

And unfortunately, he still failed to notice how fidgety Janet became after hearing the word ‘confess’. He somehow interpreted that as Janet trying to find the most comfortable sitting position.

Janet gulped down and put a hand in front of her. “Hold on for a moment, Aldrin. This confession, why did you have to bring this up, now of all times?”

‘This guy, is he this fickle? Before the Training Camp started, he’s crazy over Renissa. He’s even getting along well with his fake girlfriend. Now, he wanted to confess to me? Absolutely ridiculous! I’m his Senior, for crying out loud!’

If only Aldrin had could someone’s mind, he would hear his esteemed elder sister shouting that in her head.

“Why, huh? Because I believe it’s necessary before the next part of the training tomorrow.”

‘I still believe that she can be some kind of insurance if things don’t go my way. I might look pathetic for trying but still, I can’t just let things slide when he specifically infiltrated this place to kill me. If he recognized me right away, I’d probably be dead by now. I, at least, want to retaliate against him and perhaps be more informed about the mess I got dragged into.’

Likewise, Aldrin thought to himself, still unaware that his line of thought was pointing in a different direction than Janet’s.

He had confirmed that Carlos would also be coming with them in the Rift tomorrow. Tarrying just wouldn’t do him any good.

“It’s improbable to delay this any longer..” Aldrin continued, rendering Janet’s lightly flushed face get a darker shade of red.