Sleeping is a luxury and I cannot stress this enough. Living forever may sound incredible, but who would want to do this in exchange for having to forever face themselves? It’s therefore a most appreciated ability to escape the binding that is the ‘self’, even if for a short while.

There’s a path of cultivation, one that is considered quite popular and is the mainstay of the famed Divinity sect, one that the forefather of our era, Ponti Wasentom has allegedly walked, and that is the path of divinity. This one implies integrating oneself into the mind of the Universe, becoming a part of it and, eventually, once the time is right, coming back into the world through it again.

“It’s a gross underestimation and oversimplification of that path”

Well… It’s a bit of an overly boiled down glossary of what it means to cultivate into a divinity, but it’s still true to its roots. The reason why I made a reference to that path just now is for no other reason as the idea of escaping binding of the self.

Renouncing themselves in favour of something greater, losing the self, not having to face oneself forevermore, not being yet being eternally… is it not the same as dreaming?

That isn’t dead which can eternal lie, as they say. A most tempting path indeed. It’s quite ironic of me to say it though, as one who cultivates immortality.

Oh, right. The whole reason I started this monologue in the first place was to distract myself right after I woke up. It’s clear I am incapable of sleeping on demand… It’s even more clear that I am incapable of sleeping often, so the only way I can distract myself is with such innocent means of passing the time.

I woke up in the middle of the night, in my room no less. Someone must have carried me here as I clearly remember falling asleep in the dining room. Whatever, it’s of no consequence.

Today would be the day the mortal event would be held, so I am hoping that they (the mortals) would be able to surprise me, though I am very much doubtful. One can only hope.

…

The morning came, the mortal woke up and Tessa, who looked like she was in much pain, came to request me to continue teaching the technique.

Why does she look like that again?

“it’s called a hangover. It’s what happens after you get drunk”

I see.

“You didn’t just not ignore my existence right now, did you?”

I decided that some things just have to be faced. No point acting like a child about them.

“That is unexpectedly mature from you”

What do you mean?

“Don’t act as if you don’t know what they said about you. I am a part of you, I know when you lie”

Okay. Even I can act mature sometimes.

“Good boy”

You’re overstepping your boundaries.

Anyway, since we had some time to kill, I decided to continue teaching the girl who had a hard time telling left from right.

“You’re getting softer”

How so?

“You remembered Tessa’s name and then called her ‘girl’, rather than having to rely on me to remind you her name again and then referring to her as ‘mortal’”

I guess I am getting softer. Age does things to people. Even those like me.

…

By the time we were done, Tessa was trying hard to imitate a corpse and I was having a mighty fine conversation with Gold (that’s how I decided to refer to the Heart Demon from now on) about our favourite sights of the Galaxy (I didn’t start this conversation, by the way).

“The violet flowers of Yirghemmen are quite the sight”

Too many eyes in too wrong places. Who was the idiot that decided that visual surveillance was a good idea in the world of cultivation? At least leave the soil alone, it;s too much popping for a casual walk.

I say the technological paradise of Vigg-3022-A15. It is truly a marvel few places can compare.

“Too primitive. There’s nothing glorious about this comically underdeveloped civilization and the sect in charge is made up of weirdos”

Hey, the sect has nothing to do with this. Besides, don’t you appreciate the rustic charm?

“No”

You’re no fun.

“I think Tessa is about to have a heart attack”

Is that so? Oh, right. Having her run that extra circle was a bad idea. Here, fixed. Where did we leave? Vig-3022-A15? And she fainted. So weak, as expected of a mortal. Anyway, if you don’t like that, how about the Azure Palace of the Third Emperor? That one is full of cutting edge technology and the futuristic style should fit your palate.

“You’re too demanding on the girl. Most other mortals would be dead by now, even with your intervention. It could leave terrible consequences in their bodies. Here *cracking sounds*, I solved it for you. As for the Palace, you think I would be fond of this over-the-top futuristic design? It’s too gaudy. The infinite garden of the Wonderworld is more to my tastes”

Please, don’t use my psychic powers without permission. As for the garden, it’s literally the same as the Palace, sans the cyborg slaves.

“No, it’s not! You’re so shallow, I can’t believe it!”

I’m shallow? Come to think of it, yes, I am. You’re right. Let’s wake the girl up, I don’t feel like continuing with the conversation.

“I didn’t mean-”

I know. It’s just that I am not in the mood, that’s all.

*snap*

“Why did you snap your fingers?”

It looked great

“Are you awake?”

“...”, Tessa’s eyes were moving in ways they weren’t supposed to, I think.

“Seems not”

“I am!”, now she was awake.

“How many fingers am I showing right now?”

“Three”

“Now”

“Six. H-how?”

“You will forget it. You seem fine, good”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Try performing the movement again”

“O-okay”, Tessa gingerly stood up and dissipated from my eyes’ view, appearing three meters behind me almost instantly.

“Good job”, it seems I didn't have her run that additional circle in vain.

“Thank you!”, her smile bloomed like a flower. Non second thought, now that I am reminded of the violet flowers of Yirghemmen, I don’t think it’s a good way to describe... anything, really.

“Okay, when is the Martial Conference going to start?”

“You mean Martial Conferen-”, now she looked surprised, I am a a bit hurt, - “Should be soon. I asked Helq to come remind us when the time to prepare was right”