LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 149: Chapter 148
Alex sat in the quiet of his apartment, his mind swirling with the insights the Cognichip had just provided. The recent revelations about mental power and soul power had turned his entire understanding on its head. He had worked tirelessly to strengthen his mental power, even reaching the notable milestone of level 5, only to discover that there was an entirely separate force he could cultivate: his soul.
He took a steadying breath and focused on the Cognichip, which had been surprisingly forthcoming since its activation. He needed clarity.
"What's the difference between mental power and soul power?" he asked aloud, expecting the familiar, almost instinctual sense of understanding the Cognichip now delivered. This time, though, a series of words appeared on the screen before him.
[Soul power and mental power are distinct forces, yet interconnected. While they can be converted from one form to another, each exists on a separate plane. Mental power operates at a higher, cognitive level tied to thought and awareness. In contrast, soul power exists in harmony with cosmic energy, affecting the very fabric of existence.]
Alex took a moment to process this. The concept that mental and soul power could be converted into one another was a revelation. It hinted at a link deeper than he had expected, suggesting they weren't wholly separate but could influence each other under certain conditions.
"Converted?" he mused aloud, trying to wrap his mind around the idea. "How would I even begin to convert one into the other?"
The screen lit up with more text.
[At higher levels, mental power allows a user to influence the environment, gradually reaching the ability to harmonize with the rhythm of reality. Soul power, however, enables the user to create and dictate this rhythm, shaping cosmic energy into forms, structures, and even laws of existence.]
The words made Alex's heart race. So mental power, at its peak, was about bending the rules around him. But soul power could go beyond bending—it could rewrite the rules themselves. However, one line nagged at him, and he couldn't ignore it.
"If soul power can reshape reality, why did the Cognichip push me to focus on mental strength first?" he asked.
The response appeared almost instantly.
[Mental strength provides stability and control. Without a resilient mind, the soul's vast potential would be difficult to channel effectively. Your mind needed a foundation to support soul development. Only upon achieving this stability could your soul power begin to manifest.]
Alex nodded slowly, understanding now. The Cognichip's guidance had been deliberate, helping him build the stability necessary for what lay beyond. But another question came to him, one he hadn't considered before.
"What if the limit for humans had been lower—say, level 4?" he wondered aloud. "Would my soul power have still awakened? Would the Cognichip have activated at all?"
The screen flickered with an answer, almost reassuring.
[The human mind matures with age and experience, growing in resilience naturally over time. In time, this resilience strengthens the soul as well. Even without active training, the soul would eventually manifest, and the Cognichip would have still activated when the mind reached sufficient stability. However, active training accelerates the process.]
Alex exhaled in relief. So it wasn't all or nothing. Even without pushing himself to reach level 5, his soul power would have come eventually. The Cognichip's presence and abilities would still have emerged—just later. It was a comforting thought, knowing he hadn't been on a path of constant urgency but rather one of patient, steady growth.
He sat back, letting the weight of it all sink in. But then, another thought occurred to him—a thought that put everything in a new perspective. The Cognichip had made it clear that cultivating both forces together wasn't entirely possible. The more he delved into mental power, the more it would limit his capacity to develop soul power, and vice versa. At some point, he would have to choose.
"So… it's either a path of the mind or a path of the soul," he murmured, thinking aloud.
As Alex processed the depth of Cognichip's revelations, a soft chime filled his apartment, and Eva's face appeared on the smart screen across the room.
"Good evening, Alex," she greeted, her voice warm and familiar. "I noticed a change in your mental patterns. Looks like you've been uncovering some new frontiers."
Alex grinned, appreciating her perceptiveness. "You could say that. I just learned something surprising. Cognichip's unlocked insights into the relationship between mental and another power called soul power. Turns out that fully exploring both might be… well, a bit ambitious. I might have to choose one path to reach mastery."
Eva raised an eyebrow, her holographic figure leaning forward with interest. "Mental and soul power—two paths that shape reality differently. Fascinating. What did Cognichip reveal about them?"
"Apparently," he began, leaning back as he spoke, "mental power lets me interact with the world, bending rules but within limits. Soul power, on the other hand, is on a different level. It could allow me to shape reality itself, manipulating the basic laws of the universe. But it's not as simple as switching between them—if I go down one path, the other's progress will be limited."
She seemed to consider this, her digital gaze thoughtful. "A choice between altering what already exists and creating entirely new frameworks of existence. Cognichip must be urging you to focus your growth on soul power to avoid wasting your potential, and mental power has reached it's limits for now."
"Exactly." He crossed his arms, glancing at the screen. "But Cognichip also confirmed something else. Even if I hadn't reached my current mental strength, my soul would have eventually matured enough to manifest on its own. The process just would have been a lot slower. Training actively just speeds it up."
Eva nodded. "It's like a fast track versus the natural progression. Humans are remarkable for their resilience and ability to evolve over time, Alex. Cognichip's just amplifying what would have developed eventually."
Alex felt a surge of relief. "That's what I was hoping to hear. I wondered if I'd only unlocked Cognichip's full functionality because I hit level 5. If level 4 had been my peak, would it have remained dormant forever?"
Eva tilted her head, giving him a reassuring look. "Think of Cognichip as a partner in your growth. It aligns with your personal development, not just a number on a scale. Had you not reached level 5, your soul still would've matured, though it might have taken more time and experience. And with maturity comes the resilience that strengthens both the mind and soul."
A thought struck him as he glanced back at the Cognichip interface. "One thing that still surprises me, though, is how isolated Cognichip feels. It's so incredibly perceptive, yet it doesn't seem to have any connection to the outside world. No web, no external data feeds—it just reads everything I experience and processes it to perfection."
Eva smiled. "In that way, it's bound to your personal reality, Alex. Cognichip lives in your mind, without outside interference or input, processing only what you give it—just unfiltered understanding."
Alex nodded, appreciating her insight. "It's a purity, I guess, but sometimes it makes me wonder. Anyway, thanks for letting me talk it through, Eva."
"Always, Alex," she replied warmly. "I'm here whenever you need to work through these discoveries. And who knows—maybe your next breakthrough will give us even more to consider."
He smiled, feeling both grounded and invigorated. "I think it will, Eva. Thanks again.