However, while Star Genesis was surprised by Kyle's aura, Kyle was also surprised about hers.
In the past, Star Genesis' aura had been filled with strength, conviction, control, support, reliability, and leadership. She had been powerful in battles, and she had always assumed control when it was necessary.
But now, the strength in her aura had faded. Even though she was a Unique Sage, Kyle felt like her Battle-Strength might not even be average anymore. An average Unique Sage could fight a Peak Sage Demon evenly, but Kyle wasn't sure if Star Genesis could do that. Her Battle-Strength had dropped drastically in relation to her Realm.
The feeling of control in her aura had also lessened significantly. It was almost like she was fine with following someone else instead of always assuming control. The feeling of conviction in her aura had dropped a bit in intensity, but not by much. The feeling of leadership had also dropped.
Yet, the feeling of support and reliability had increased. It seemed like Star Genesis had accepted her new role in the team. She was not supposed to fight the enemy. She was not supposed to push her strength to the limit.
This might seem like a bad or tragic change, but that was not the case, and Star Genesis also didn't feel like it was. The team was filled with powerful Seekers with high Battle-Strengths. If one of them died, they would still have more people who could fill their role.
Yet, if something happened to Star Genesis, they wouldn't have anybody who could replace her. The reason why her Battle-Strength was so low wasn't that she wasn't as talented as the others. The reason was that she had dedicated her time to learning Formation Arrays.
While Kyle, Swamp Dragon, Fierce Breaker, and Sebastian improved their abilities in combat, Star Genesis had traveled far on the path of Formation Arrays. Without her, cracking the Formation Arrays in the Elemental Dimension would become impossible.
Metaphorically, Sebastian was the only one who could see the goal, Manny was the only one who could see the traps on the way to their goal, and Kyle was the only one who could travel the path. Yet, without Star Genesis, there would be no path. Kyle could only get to the goal as long as Star Genesis created a path for him.
As cold as it was to say, Swamp Dragon and Fierce Breaker could be replaced. The other four couldn't be replaced.Even though Star Genesis' power had dropped a lot, she had become more important.
As the two of them looked at each other, they almost felt like they were looking at a stranger.
"So, am I allowed to come in?" Kyle asked after a bit.
"Every visitor has to be accompanied by a Sect Member at all times for security reasons," Star Genesis transmitted. "You may enter, but I have to accompany you while you're here."
"That doesn't sound so bad," Kyle transmitted as he floated through the hole in the Barrier Formation Array. "Has Manny told you why I'm here?"
"You're here to comprehend the Minor Elemental Laws," Star Genesis transmitted. "I can escort you to the one you want to comprehend first."
"Thank you," Kyle answered. "Let me change my aura a bit. I don't think we want to catch too much attention."
In the next moment, the True Sin Aura around Kyle vanished, replaced with a neutral aura.
Star Genesis looked at Kyle for a bit in silence. She had never seen anyone who could hide their negative Karmic Luck this well. What Kyle was doing seemed almost magical to her.
"I think I'm going to look at Minor Earth first," Kyle transmitted.
"Follow me," Star Genesis transmitted as she flew towards the west. Kyle followed her, and after some seconds, he saw the actual Branch.
Kyle had seen countless Sects in the Supreme World, which was why he had expected to see a couple of familiar scenes. Yet, the way the Branch operated seemed alien for a Sect as it seemed logical.
Kyle had expected tall mountains, big buildings, arenas, gathering places, politeness, respect, and grandeur.
Yet, what he saw could be summarized with one word.
A factory.
In one area, thousands of Sect Members sat in the middle of their own Formation Arrays. Materials were flying through the sky as they transformed slabs of raw materials into standardized Nodes, Bases, and Connections.
In another area, thousands of Sect Members experimented with refined materials, creating and researching ways to improve existing Formation Arrays. Creativity was replaced with trial and error.
In one area, thousands of Sect Members refined materials acquired by Demons into different components, which could be integrated into weapons, Formation Arrays, and even supportive medicine.
In another area, Kyle saw thousands of Sect Members sitting inside a Formation Array that increased the density of Energy. Energy Stones of different sizes were in their hands. These Sect Members were creating Grade Six Energy Stones.
In yet another area, hundreds of Sect Members were swinging different weapons at metallic targets to create their own Imposing Laws. These targets were designed to help create Imposing Laws as quickly as possible. When the Sect Members succeeded, they would go to one of the Level Three Law Wells.
In these Law Wells, the Sect Members comprehended the Minor Elemental Laws, and after they succeeded, they went to another area. In that area, hundreds of Sect Members sat cross-legged on the ground, trying to fuse the Minor Elemental Laws with their Imposing Laws. Formation Arrays delivered Elemental Energy to them as they forced the fusion.
Finally, the Sect Members transcribed their newly-created Refined Laws. They wrote down everything they knew about it, and when they had transcribed everything, they entered a Formation Array that helped them forget their Refined Law. Afterward, they would start from the beginning again.
Inside the buildings, the Sect Members studied books on a vast array of topics to improve their understanding. Access to these books was free, but access to materials to practice their newfound knowledge wasn't. They had to work to buy materials.
When Kyle saw all of this, he realized that he had been wrong. He had seen some Sect Members in the past, and they had seemed quite relaxed and casual. This had given Kyle the impression that life was pretty easy for them.
However, that obviously wasn't the case. While they didn't need to risk their lives, they still had to work hard for their Merits.
"I can't imagine creating a Refined Law just to forget it again. This would feel like a tremendous setback and waste of time, and yet, so many of them are choosing to earn Merits in this way," Kyle thought.
Kyle watched the Sect Members work as he followed Star Genesis. "Life isn't easy in the Sects, huh?"
"There are good and bad things about it," Star Genesis answered. "We do not need to risk our lives, but work can feel pointless, monotone, and repetitive. I've done most jobs once to learn something, and while it's fun for a short while, it becomes unbearable after years."
"Most Disciples request to be sent to the frontlines as supporting units, but only the best get that luxury. The majority of Disciples have to earn their knowledge."
"What about you?" Kyle asked. "How do you earn your knowledge?"
"Competition," Star Genesis answered. "We have study and work periods. After a century of studying, you must submit what you've learned to the Elders. If the Elders deem your progress to be substantial, you get enough materials to support your studies. If your progress is slow, you only get some materials."
"I haven't failed a test yet. The Elders even told me that I should not waste my time working. They want me to learn as much as I possibly can."
"I don't lack materials."
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