Chapter 146: The Test
"But you... you are different. Your Core Essence is nothing like a human’s. It’s strong and domineering. It doesn’t try to adapt to an environment, instead, it forces an environment to adapt to it. And there is even more in there. Other Core Essences that aren’t a part of the main Essence. And one of them is the same Essence I feel from my own people. The Core Essence of a Dragonborn. Are you... one of us?"
Riyala looked up at Jason once she was done talking. There was a seriousness in her eyes that told Jason she was genuinely curious, and Jason had to wonder just how much information he was really giving out from his mana alone. If it was this easy for Riyala to notice what he was just by reading his mana, then it’d be just as easy for a stronger opponent to do the same.
’I need to learn how to control this.’
This thought passed through Jason’s mind and his eyes narrowed as he spoke to the system.
’Is there a way to hide my Core Essence?’
[The Core Essence is a part of every species’ biological makeup. There is no known method for masking it and only those species with specific biological traits that allow them to mask their Essence are capable of it.]
The system’s message was clear and Jason clicked his tongue quietly before shaking his head. Jason knew that the changes in his Core Essence was happening because the Magic Crystals he had been eating were changing his biological makeup and giving him skills, so he didn’t need to think too much about the reason behind the changes. But he needed a way to make sure people weren’t picking out his abilities from only a glance. The best course of action might be to find a new skill that would allow him to mask his mana and Core Essence. Once Riyala saw Jason narrow his eyes, she immediately tried to apologize since she thought that she had made him mad at her, but Jason stopped her with a small grin.
"It’s fine, I’m not angry. I’m just surprised you were able to pick out my Core Essence so easily. You must’ve worked really hard to learn how to do that. But no, I’m not a Dragonborn. I’ve never even been to Radagan."
Jason turned back to the burgers and Riyala calmly watched him flip them over before she finally had to ask.