4 Gathering Energy (1/2)
Joshua lost his balance & fell down on his knees.
Catherine helped him up and he sat behind the desk.
”Are you all right?” she asked.
”That remains to be seen... Luna, how much energy is left?”
[Energy reserve at 1%]
A progress bar appeared on the center screen showing the energy total and a log file opened up on the left screen.
> Rebirth Successful
> Executing Soul Changing Form: human appearance - 5 points from reserve
> Creating object: chair *2 - 2% upkeep
> Creating object: table - 1 % upkeep
> Creating object: coffee cup*2 - 2% upkeep
> Creating consumable: coffee - 1 point from reserve
> Dismissing object: chair*2 - 2% upkeep recovered
> Dismissing object: table - 1% upkeep recovered
> Creating object: desk- 1 % upkeep
> Creating object: desk chair - 1 % upkeep
> Creating object : plant - 1 % upkeep
> Creating object : carpet- 1 % upkeep
...
> Creating object: illusory ocean view- 5% upkeep
> Creating object: computer- 5 % upkeep
> Creating program: Luna - 30 points from reserve
> Executing program: Luna - 20 % upkeep
> Executing program: scan user: Joshua Lockman - 10 points from reserve
> Executing program: scan user: Catherine Lippi - 10 points from reserve
The info was relatively clear. He had a limit to his ability to create objects in this space. A solid object like a table or a chair would take some energy to remain ”real”. However, some actions like changing his appearance, creating a consumable item or executing some tasks with the system would energy from his reserve. He didn't know yet how to recover energy but at least he could perform a quick win.
The plant, carpet, library & books and other random items he had created to decorate the room vanished. So did the ocean view.
The progress bar filled itself back up. He had a limit of a 100 points. He had used 5 points to take his human form, 1 to make some coffee, 30 to recreate the basic Luna & 20 to scan himself & Catherine.
That left his stock at 44. However, he was also maintaining his desk, chair & computer as well as Luna for an additional 27%. So his available energy was a mere 17/100.
Catherine had never seen a computer but she understood he had exhausted his soul energy.
”Do you know how to recover soul energy?” she asked.
”Nope, but I suspect you might.”
She nodded.
”The easiest way is that I give you some of mine, but it will be for the best if you learn how to do it for yourself. You're still pretty depleted for now though, so I'll help you this time.”
”You normally gather energy around your body and absorb it. For now, I'll pour some into you so you can focus on absorption. Close your eyes. I'm sending a bit of energy into you. Can you feel it?”
Joshua had the impression some liquid was pushed inside him. he imagined himself drinking it.
*gulp* *gulp* *gulp*
Catherine couldn't help give Joshua a weirdly amused look as his expression was extremely silly. Still, it seemed to be working.
Despite being spoon fed, the whole process lasted over 10 minutes since Joshua was a complete beginner in absorbing energy.
When the bar on the screen indicated 73, Catherine stopped. Joshua was full but the rest of the available energy was taken by the upkeep cost.
”Phew, I'm feeling much better, I owe you, one Missy.”
”Don't mention it, at my current level the amount I gave you is nearly nothing. Next time you'll gather it yourself though, I will teach you how.”