Ethereal Ascendance: A Journey of Transformation

Holy water again!

Holy water is just normal water mixed with light element. Cyra sold it before in Norvale. Now, we hear Cyrae from another world also started her business selling holy water on Earth. It feels like their fates are so alike.

But even if it was decades ago, with all the tech, it was very different from Cyra's simple marketing.

"You know how light element magic has many low-level healing spells, right? They use light element to slow down tissue decay. At first, we just sold holy water saying it was a lost recipe that could help sick people live longer. We didn't think much beyond that. Even when we grew from a clinic to a company, we couldn't expand more because we couldn't make enough. Then one day, I, the avatar, found out we could use tech and magic circles together to target tiny amounts of strong light element directly on the sick parts. This became the PureBalance Gold Pill! It solved the problems of holy water's side effects and costing too much light element. The main body didn't have to sit in a bathtub making holy water every day anymore!"

As Cylaren finished, Cyra handed me a magazine, pointing at a logo.

It was a medical magazine. Cyra was pointing at Huaray Medical's trademark.

Before, I might not have noticed anything odd. But now, I could see the complex design was actually a magic circle! They say each PureBalance Gold Pill has this mark. It looks simple, but when it mixes with the light element in the pill, it does much more.

"That's amazing!"

I couldn't help but be impressed that Cyrae alone combined magic and tech, in a field no one had tried before.

Of course, even with this "cheat code", Huaray Medical didn't always have it easy. Modern medicine is based on science, so Huaray's products were often criticized because no one could explain how they worked. But the effects were clear, and the belief in traditional medicine helped. Other companies couldn't copy it because they didn't have the elements.

"But where do you get so much light element? Light puppets are one thing, but Huaray Medical makes countless PureBalance Gold Pills every year. The sunlight on Earth couldn't possibly have enough light element for that, right?"

I suddenly thought of a key question and asked.

"Earth's sunlight doesn't have much light element, true. But what if we leave Earth?"

Cylaren pointed up. She didn't mean the car roof or the sky outside, but space!

"Is there a lot of light element in space?"

Cyra looked surprised, staring at the car roof, confused.

"Earth only gets a tiny bit of the sun's energy. Earth's thick atmosphere blocks most invisible and harmful light. So space sunlight might have lots of light element!"

I understood what she meant. "Maybe if we fly higher, we can feel the difference!"

"Flying higher does give a bit more light element, but not as much as you think!"

Cylaren shook her head, bursting my bubble. "A few years back, we made progress with magic circles. The main body wanted to set up light element collectors in low Earth orbit to solve our supply problem. She wore a special spacesuit and risked going to near-Earth space. Absorbing light element directly from space sunlight was several times more than on the ground, but at most only one-tenth of Eldoria Continent's sunlight, maybe even less! I used to think light element was ultraviolet or some other energy in sunlight, but that doesn't make sense now. It also can't explain how other elements exist!"

I realized she was trying to explain magic with science!

This reminded me of Reed. Both were willing to take risks for their goals, just with different motives.

I felt Reed might be more expert in theory. Even Cyrae with Elara's experience might not match up. Maybe one day we could get them to talk?

After hearing her story, I could imagine how hard it was to start the business. Looking back at Cyra, the difference between these two was huge! Cyrae had expanded to space, while Cyra was stuck doing livestreams!

"We started with PureBalance Gold Pills, but even getting light elements from space, we can't keep up with demand. So the company's been trying to move into other medical fields too. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. If something happens to the main body, the whole company might collapse. Now our rivals are making moves. I hope we have enough time!"

Cylaren sighed. Huaray Medical wasn't just about her anymore. It fed tens of thousands of workers. Light element gave them a big advantage, but they couldn't solve the supply problem perfectly. Sustainable growth was the most important thing now.

"Now that there's a portal between the two worlds, and there's plenty of light element in the other world, why don't you try to get it from there? Earth governments are exploring it non-stop."

I suggested, thinking it might help in the short term at least.

"Of course we've tried! But Earth people don't understand elements, and the portal's only been open a short time. We can't expect help from official channels. So I've already sent people through the portal secretly to look for other ways on the other side."

Cylaren gave me a meaningful look, hinting at a big secret.

She'd already sent people to the other world? Sneaking past Earth's army into the portal wouldn't be hard for an angel. Adrian and I did it too. But Cyrae's main body was still on Earth!

"Ah - it must be her!"

I suddenly realized who it could be. Someone who had the chance to go through the portal to the other world, and we knew the plan had worked.

"Impressive! I can't believe you planned this far ahead. You really are a crafty old monster!"

I was amazed by Cylaren's foresight. Even though we hadn't adventured together, she was my high school classmate, so I didn't want to sound too formal.

"To Earth people, aren't we both monsters in a way? I'm just a bit older!"

She clearly guessed what I meant and smiled back in the same tone. Only Cyra looked confused, glancing between us.

"What plan? What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing. You don't know because you haven't been to the H-country military base. Let's talk about it later!"

This was a long story.

"Now that you know I'm involved, don't tell anyone! Huaray Medical didn't get the chance to work with the military at first because of complicated reasons. If the government finds out, it could destroy the company!"

As we finished talking, Cylaren warned me again, still worried.

"I have one more question!"

Just as we got out of the car, Cyra suddenly thought of something. She turned back, poking her head in the car to ask:

"I've been thinking it's really hard to find such a rich Christian in H-country these days. That mysterious donor who's been in touch with my mom... is that you?"