Serapynhe watched her daughter with curiosity. Is my little one opposing me? Is this temporary boldness or genuine growth? she wondered.
No, she concluded quickly. It was the boy. Flávia probably could no longer bear to see him in trouble, and in such situations, she would step forward to protect him.
Even if the reason was trivial, it showed that her daughter was growing. She had always obeyed without question before; now, she was starting to assert herself, to protect what was hers.
She was drawing a line — a line of maturity. She was no longer a child in need of protection. She was an adult woman, aware of what she wanted.
Serapynhe smiled with satisfaction. Today I am pleased. A potential disciple… and my little one has finally become a true woman. Then she vanished into a faint wisp of dust.
---
Flávia stared at the spot where her mother had disappeared, confused. What had happened? Had she done something to make her happy? Or was it because of her fight with Bruno?
She pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the present. Bruno was still lying there, but something about him seemed different. He showed no pain or clear emotions; his eyes alternated between cold and gentle, observing her with curiosity.
"— What is it, Bruno?" she asked, slightly frowning.
He only shook his head, saying nothing, which increased her frustration.
Then Bruno looked deeply into her eyes and began to laugh, cutting off her complaint.
"— Haha… who would have thought little Flávia would oppose Serapynhe," he said, still smiling.
Flávia rolled her eyes. "And what's so funny about that?" she asked, confused.
Bruno smiled gently. "I don't know… at this moment, you seem to have become an adult woman, truly responsible."
She turned slightly, irritated. Am I opposing my mother? A real adult? she thought, frustrated.
He swallowed what he was about to say, but Flávia didn't wait. "What do you mean by 'real adult,' Bruno? I don't recall acting childishly."
Bruno, still smiling, replied, "I think it's better if you figure it out on your own, Flávia. But I dare say: now you are a free little bird."
As she tried to understand his words, light footsteps announced a new presence. Valessia appeared, as beautiful as ever, wearing casual clothes that hid her curves.
"— It seems little Flávia has grown," she said, approaching Bruno on the ground. "And you? Always fighting and getting hurt…"
With her hand, Valessia sent healing energy to Bruno, who still felt some pain, though without serious injuries. He merely nodded, unsure of what to say.
Flávia, standing beside him, seemed to understand something. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the spot where her mother had disappeared.
"— Aunt Valessia!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Do you think my mother really sees me as an adult now?"
"I'd say yes," Valessia replied, smiling. "You chose to fight for what you want and for what is yours. She must have seen it as a milestone in your growth, proof of your maturity."
Flávia laughed, lifting her nose cutely. Time seemed to speed up, and soon another day had begun.
---
It was around 8 a.m., maybe 7. Bruno and Flávia were in a mountain range within Serapynhe's territory, specifically on Mount Influir. As the name suggested, vitae did not flow there; it remained in specific spots, requiring more control than power to manipulate.
At the top of the mountain, Bruno and Flávia faced each other as she began to explain.
"— Bruno, my previous teaching about vitae was superficial. Your mother told you something, right? Now that she has approved you, I will show you vitae in its deepest form."
She continued: vitae is the vital energy that surrounds a dimension and serves as the power base for most of them. Each dimension has its own levels, with different internal rules. There are four levels: low, medium, high, and supreme. Each level presents distinct traits: simple vitae, pure vitae, and sovereign vitae. The environment and resulting strength vary according to the level.
Bruno asked, curious:
"— Are the vitae levels in each dimension fixed? For example, is a medium world limited to normal vitae?"
Flávia shook her head. "Not necessarily. It is common for higher-level vitae to appear in lower dimensions because they have evolutionary instincts. Creating higher-level vitae is a significant advancement."
She paused, watching Bruno absorb every word. "For example, Tenebris is a high-grade dimension, capable of producing sovereign vitae. Meanwhile, destroyed corners only produce simple vitae. Each level changes the environment and the strength available."
Bruno seemed fascinated. "And the Earth where I live? What level of vitae exists there?"
"An ordinary dimension," Flávia replied. "With neither high resistance nor a panconscious mind, yet still the base for all the dimensions surrounding it. Any dimension must connect to Earth in some way."
"Earth? But why?" Bruno asked, confused.
"I don't know. I think no one knows," Flávia answered monotonously, as if it weren't truly important.
Bruno remained thoughtful, delving deep into the significance of Earth for all the dimensions.