“You do not appear to be surprised by this revelation.” Ouranos said as I made no attempt to even feign surprise.

“Due to my unique circumstances I had long since theorized that monsters could become sentient but the exact process by which that may happen eluded me, until now that is.” I said with a shrug.

“What circumstances are those that would give rise to such theories?” he asked with an interested look.

“You’ll need to swear not to spread this information before i give it up. Hephaestus already more or less knows and has made that promise herself. Not saying the Xenos aren’t a big deal but my situation is likely to turn the world upside down if it got out rather than merely create some unrest.” I say seriously.

Ouranos looked contemplative for a moment before nodding “Very well then. You have my word that Neither I nor Fels will share this information unless the situation absolutely demands it.” he said firmly.

“I too shall swear not to spread whatever revelations I learn.” Ganesha said patting his chest seriously.

“I do not possess mana at all due to a skill I have had since I was first brought into this world. In it’s place I have cursed energy and cursed techniques instead of magic. For normal mortals cursed energy is impossible to perceive unless they are mages. Adventurers and gods however are different in that they can see the active version of the energy that I myself possess. Why that doesn’t extend to the passive version that occurs naturally and is currently floating above the city is not known to me but its how things are.” I said as I flared my cursed energy along my skin.

“When you say floating above the city you are referring to that vast array of color that appeared some time back I assume?” Ouranos asked and I nodded.

“That was actually kinda my fault as my level up to level two caused that sea of cursed energy to resonate with my own and briefly manifest into the visible spectrum.” I said with a awkward chuckle as I scratched my head.

“Why did it not do so again when you leveled up to three then?” Ganesha asked confused.

“Well I didn’t know it would do that when I first leveled up but afterwards I did so oi created a barrier to isolate my own energy and existence from the outside world when I leveled up to three. A unique ability that anything capable of actively controlling cursed energy is capable of with the right amount of practice and information.” I said casually.

“This cursed energy sounds similar to mana though even more useful in truth.” Ouranos said with a serious expression.

I shook my head “It’s an inferior energy in truth. At the same level of volume mana is far more potent and versatile. It has more freedom to it than cursed energy as in theory you could accomplish anything with mana. This isn’t to say cursed energy doesn’t have it’s own superior facets as it very much does. To better understand however you need to understand what exactly cursed energy is.” I said before explaining.

I explained how cursed energy was tied to negative emotions and how it worked on a basis of limitations and balance that needed to be carefully navigated to utilize it to it’s fullest. I finally explained cursed techniques and spirits and what I knew of them which was more than enough for Ouranos to have a grave expression.-

“The similarities between these cursed spirits you describe and monsters is concerning. You said Hephaestus accidentally allowed the creation of one of these entities and you keep it as a mere pet?” He questioned sternly.

“You make it sound as if I was being irresponsible or something. The cat is bound to me as it was born of my flames and coaxed into existence by my hand after Hephaestus brought it the majority of the way there by over feeding what was once a mere spark of my fire. It would be closer to a mages familiar than a pet if we are being semantic.” I said with a shrug.

“You’ll forgive me if I am not disturbed by the idea of what is essentially a variant with power and potential of a spirit created by a god.” he said with a firm gaze at Hephaestus who shrank under it.

“To be honest I’m surprised you aren’t more concerned about the sea of cursed energy floating overhead. I know I certainly am.” I said honestly.

“While the sheer potential for abuse of that source of energy is indeed a concern you yourself have already stated that it’s dormant unless intentionally riled up. You also said that you had a way to remove it as well if that became necessary.” Ouranos said calmly.

“Well I actually have a few ways to do so but they are either all dangerous or long term projects. I am even working on one of them at this exact moment. To be honest you are incredibly lucky the world itself doesn’t seem to know what to do with cursed energy so it merely gathers but never condenses into cursed spirits. Now that I think of it I might actually be the worst thing to exist for Xenos.” I said rubbing my chin at the end.

“What do you mean?” Ganesha asked confused.

“Well I explained what I could perceive of the very existential nature of monsters and how I absorb that to fuel my own growth right?” I asked and the god nodded. “Well if Xenos are created by many fragments of experience collecting as that is recycled by the dungeon then whenever I absorb it that cuts off any possibility of that monster becoming a Xenos. In other words I prevent the potential emergence of future Xenos for each monsters smoke I devour. I suppose if a Xenos were to die near me that would likely be permadeath for them as well though I’m not sure how them possessing souls might affect this process.” I said honestly.

“That is… concerning.” Ouranos said with a troubled look.

“Oh don’t worry about me hunting them or anything as my skills won’t let me kill any soul that is innocent without severe backlash and frankly the Xenos I have seen are amongst the most sinless souls I have ever seen.” I said with a helpless shrug.

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