A New World, an immersive game experience

"The astral is that beyond the physical?" Eldrian offered, unsure. Confused why something made from him could know something he didn't.

Well, he understood how. But it still felt incredibly awkward. But that was indeed the entire purpose of making these 'cores'.

They would have access to his entire consciousness (more so than Eldrian himself). And thus all the experiences and knowledge he has would be available to them. However, they would not have much, if any, human emotions.

Along with that fact, their thought process was made by design. Not to fulfill the purpose of life, but of an AI. To be a CPU Eldrian could rely on to analyze things logically without any preconceived notions interrupting it.

Sadly, that last part wasn't perfect yet. These Cores would only be able to analyze the information Eldrian had gathered. They were dependent on him as their source of information. And thus his bias can influence their data.

Much like how standard AI could have their logic corrupted by false data, the same held true for the Cores Eldrian would continue to make.

But this was a known factor and accounted for. While it was impossible to negate all bias, it was possible to identify some.

Thus, Core 1 was able to quickly narrow down where Eldrian was going wrong. A fundamental flaw that was difficult to fix. Had it been something easy, Ziraili would long since have managed to guide Eldrian further along the lines of mastering his bloodline.

"Are you saying magic isn't physical?" Core 1 asked.

Wishing to say yes, Eldrian paused. He had had conversations like this before. And while the answer was yes. That only held true during low-energy states. Aka, rest.

With the application of Mageia, mana could be made physical. Thus the answer was no. Yet, fundamentally, everything magic-related wasn't physical. Neither was it locked solely to the ethereal realm.

Thus saying that magic falls into either the physical or non-physical is both incorrect and correct. The answer depended on the state of the magical material. And this held true past mana, to lifeforce, and to the Astral.

"So we lack the words to describe it," Eldrian mumbled. A simple conclusion to a complex answer. The problem wasn't that it was truly complicated. Rather he had been stuck trying to define it in a way he could understand. In words.

But it went past that. And while Eldrian understood this already, he had failed to realize this was part of his struggles. He thought he understood, but he never tried to put what he thought he knew into words. And when Core 1 forced him to try, he realized he couldn't. Even though Eldrian felt confident he understood the concept of the Astral.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason for this breakthrough. While Eldrian was talking to Core 1 like it was a separate entity, it truly wasn't. The super neat trick of his AI Creation spell was that their computational power would enhance his own understanding.

The talking part was simply to help vocalize his own thoughts. Speaking out loud often leads to flashes of inspiration.

"The problem is that the concept of non-physical is established. And even then it is split between non-physical entities and that which has no form, the ephemeral—such as concepts."

"Mana isn't an entity, it is a type of matter. Non-physical in a non-active state. Physical in an active state. Thus, it isn't a concept, and we've concluded it isn't an entity."

"Calling it simply 'mana' is adequate, but it isn't possible to describe its properties without detailing its conditions."

"This is where the rule of the observer effect comes into play. But to a far higher degree. Mana literally changes form depending on the observation placed onto it."

"Thus, to define it and all magical materia, a new concept needs to be formed. One that does not force magical materia into the 'physical' or 'non-physical'."

Eldrian nodded along. Finding a truth in things he thought he had long since mastered. "Since I tried to force it into those categories, I failed to heed the fact that it is in both states at all times."

"Indeed." Core 1 replied. "It is multi-state. Like light being a wave and particle. Magic materia is similar. It is both physical and non-physical. And more importantly, this remains true.

Regardless of energization. If it did not, then it would be impossible to control mana after formation of a spell."

"Yeah. You're right. But while this is fascinating. How is this going to help?" Theory crafting was nice and all, but Eldrian needed something more practical.

"It is important that you understand what this means as we break the world down into smaller realms."

"I see." Eldrian nodded. Considering all that he had been taught, the obvious trap lay in the Quantum realm and beyond. And that was also where his struggles lay. Not a coincidence.

"The nature of reality changes at these realms, thus so do the properties of the forces we are working with. Ziraili has explained this multiple times. But you never grasped what she meant."

"Yeah, well, it's hard to follow when my entire frame of understanding falls apart."

"True. Even I can not fathom the truth. And I doubt any other Cores will be able to. Perhaps once we have enough we might be able to deconstruct... That is not important."

Eldrian continued from there. "What you wanted me to keep in mind is that while I'm separating the world into magical and non-magical, there is actually no separation."

Bobbing up and down, Eldrian took that as Core 1's approval.

"Like spacetime. It's two concepts we considered separately, but they're inseparable."

"So it isn't the Astral and the Fabric (spacetime). It's the Astral Weave? Or something?"

"Call it whatever. The important fact is that you realize that the soul is part of the rest." It became difficult to explain. Even for Core 1—who knew exactly how Eldrian thought. And the problem was the lack of terminology.

Whether due to Eldrian's own lack of knowledge, or that of humankind. They simply didn't have the words to describe that which they were theorizing. And making a new word or term for each discovery seemed like a headache.

"Now, with that settled, try and feel the control of time. I will maintain the space of your soul."

Nodding, Eldrian jumped right in. If he could leave maintenance to Core 1, then he didn't need to worry about any backlash.

Certain that Core 1 would stop him if things became unstable, Eldrian searched within himself. While also extending his consciousness outward.

In his own mind, he sought the power of time he had tapped into on several occasions. And outwardly, he searched for its real reflection. For time.

Thanks to his training, the first step went rather smoothly. Just a few minutes later, Eldrian had drawn out his power. And another handful of minutes later, he formed a connection with the flow of time.

While visualizing it as a river flowing into his soul, Eldrian kept in mind that it wasn't a contained thing. Time encompassed all of space. And space contained the physical dimensions and the Astral. Interposed atop one another. Like real and imaginary numbers.

Honestly, Eldrian almost stumbled when he realized the implications of this reality. Much like the hypothesis of black holes containing entire universes within them, Eldrian realized each person was capable of housing an entire universe inside themselves. And then each person in those 'soul universes' could house their own....

Well, that was an exaggeration. But Eldrian was capable of housing an entire world inside his soul. And, in time, this might extend to become something equivalent to a solar system or galaxy. And if he reached that step, then there wouldn't be much difference between his soul and ANW.

Especially if he had the Cores separate from himself and become separate entities. If he could somehow give them their own souls, then this could truly become the reality...

A thought that thoroughly unsettled Eldrian. The existential complications nearly had him pause his attempt. But he ignored the ridiculous of it all and continued onward.

This method of mental visualization, seeing time as a river with Space contained within. And within space lay both the physical and non-physical.

This visualization allowed Eldrian to get time flowing. To open his soul directly to the flow of time. But from there, he wasn't sure what to do.

He always attempted to slow the flow of time. But that always ended up with the energy the time dilation creates, exploding in his face.

Eldrian was tempted to try the same here. But he was concerned about what would happen. He didn't know if he would survive the backlash if something went catastrophically wrong.

'Wait, why am I thinking of myself as the center?' As stupid as the question was, Eldrian realized it was a strange way to visualize time dilation.

He always saw it as the world around him slowing down. And through that act, he would be faster. But couldn't he something easier. Why not simply speed up his own time?

'That is what I did first. Mentally, at least. And I can do it that way without much hassle.' Sadly, this only held true for his thoughts—and for only as long as his concentration lasted.

But, Eldrian was currently in his soul. What would happen if he sped up the flow of time of his entire soul?

It was like a bubble floating around in the Astral dimension of spacetime. If he simply made it spin faster (for lack of a better metaphor) wouldn't that allow him to give himself a time-dilated effect between reality and himself?

If he could double the flow of time inside his soul, then he could gain two seconds there for every second outside.

There was just one question. Why hadn't GAIA done the same for ANW? There had to be a reason. And perhaps the excuse Miracle gave was the truth. Perhaps it truly did cause mental discomfort.

"Only one way to find out," Eldrian mumbled as he enacted his plan.

AN: Longer chapter, hope you guys enjoyed it. And the biggest of thanks to everyone who continues to support the novel through comments and voting.

I truly appreciate it.