Golden Pink

A comedic, absurd, action-packed slice-of-life story.

Xander's Ultimatum

11 Days Remain

The Promise Date Dantez and Korelius must reverse Essence Loss, or face permanent disownment.

Ancient texts from the Third Age imply that Essence isn't destroyed, just displaced! If a vessel goes hollow, where does the Eco go?! - D.

The Secret Tether

Dantez's insatiable curiosity and Korelius's nosiness led them to a disastrous, secret event in a valley. They explored forbidden grounds near the school after Dantez suspected the Eco remnants of a dragon. Korelius died saving Dantez from the fallout.

Using his genius knowledge, Dantez performed an impossible feat: he unintentionally transferred his entire Essence into Korelius in an attempt to revive him and it worked.

Korelius is now reborned as something completely different.

Index

Atmosphere:

Turning the pages...

The Lineage Ledger

The Delees Lineage

A modest household marked by amber eyes and unexpected resilience.

Korelius Delees, 23

The Average & The Nosy

He has no high status, and average Eco grades. For the longest time he lived averagely, bored and carefree but his standard life fueled the nosiness that got him killed. He was reborn by Dantez and is now unraveling a power within him that is upgrading his body and his mind. He is day by day becoming a laidback version of his sister, in his own way. Recently, he discovered a newfound agility, had his arm severed and reattached, and manifested a strange regenerative pink mist. His hair is not a bright, neon, or glowing pink, it is just naturally pink.

Mirandine Delees, 27

The Breadwinner & Masked Genius

She sacrificed her entire childhood to raise and fund Korelius. At a young age, she was doing odd jobs to get enough money so she could leave the Merkis household and sustain Korelius and herself. To the neighborhood, she is an elegant, stunningly beautiful woman of few words, with gentle melodic hums that runs a modest but flawless household. Secretly, she is a top-tier, masked Aura Genius (Black Song) operating as one of the highest-tiered members of a powerful Guild. She handles discipline with a terrifyingly pleasant smile and strict physical action, but always follows it up by tenderly singing and healing the injuries, communication, care and sometimes tears.

Jaron Delees

The Late Father

A soldier who died in the war before he could ever see his son grow up. He fought bravely but was an ordinary man, leaving behind absolutely no legacy, wealth, or Eco status to protect his family.

Liana Merkis Delees

The Late Mother

A kind woman who tragically passed away giving birth to Korelius. Her sudden death left the young siblings completely vulnerable, forcing them into the care of extended family. But she knew a rare breathing technique that allowed her to accumulate Eco in which she constantly hummed it into a song and taught it to her daughter.

Kaelen Merkis

The Careless Uncle

The man who originally took the kids in. He was deeply neglectful, lazy, and squandered whatever small funds the state provided for the orphans. Fueled with rage, Mirandine eventually had to forcefully take charge of the household and leave to ensure Korelius had a future.

The Ofgreen Lineage

Notoriously known to have Golden hair and Green eyes.

Dantez Ofgreen, 22

The Youngest & The Outcast

A quiet, calm genius driven purely by curiosity and enlightenment rather than power or status. He grew up with his head buried in History books about Eco and Essence users. Unlike other kids that view Eco like science, he views it like a life form due to learning about it in texts and stories. Combining his historical knowledge and modern science made him a genius. His refusal to conform to his family's various ambitions made him the black sheep.

Xander Ofgreen, 32

The Eldest Brother & Head of Household

The current leader of the family. Xander is cold, pragmatic, and heavily entrenched in the political power of the Guilds. He views Eco purely as a currency to buy influence and status. To him, Dantez isn't a disappointment; and understands that he is misunderstood because his father acted the same but he can't allow and admit it. Dantez is a liability. So he shames him to grow faster for the sake of the family. During the tournament, he displayed a terrifying mastery of the Ofgreen Sun Form.

Sofia Ofgreen, 25

The Strict Sister & Caretaker

A renowned genius in her own right, she has written many books of fundamentals of essence that some schools use in their teaching. Because their mother is emotionally incapable, Sofia took on a maternal role with an iron fist. She is deeply concerned with the family's reputation and expresses her care entirely through nagging, rage, screaming discipline but care. A lot of reluctant care and unvoiced understanding. While holding and bringing her mother everywhere, every man wants her hand as she is a fiery beauty.

Bertalon Ofgreen

The Retired Grandfather

He is the terrifyingly silent patriarch who built the family's modern empire. Even in retirement, his mere presence commands absolute obedience. He rarely speaks, preferring to observe his family's politics from afar, leaving everyone constantly guessing if he is proud or profoundly disappointed. But when he is disappointed, he breaks character, shakes his head and softly says no under his breath in pure despair and agony.

Helda Ofgreen, 52

The Mother

A gentle, soft hearted sweet woman who struggles with the heavy atmosphere of her own home. She lacks the ruthless ambition of her children and spends her days quietly being too nice to everything. She loves Dantez but is paralyzed by how much his rebellious, brilliant nature mirrors his dead father.

Elara Aride Ofgreen, 29

Eldest sister & The Combatant

The family's combat prodigy. She spends her time traveling between powerful Guilds, seeking out strong opponents to crush. Elara is hyper-competitive and views Dantez as a pathetic waste of raw potential because he refuses to apply his massive Essence to actual combat. Surprisingly enough, she is married to the eldest son of the Aride household. With a 2 year old child and is an amazing mother. Alongside her brothers, she showcased a terrifying mastery of the Ofgreen Sun Form during the tournament.

Velan Aride

Second Son of the Aride Household

Elara Ofgreen's husband. A surprisingly thin, proper, and well-mannered man who is completely unbothered by his wife's terrifying reputation.

Silas Ofgreen, 25

The Academic Sofia's Twin

An aloof and arrogant researcher who travels the country studying localized Eco phenomena. Silas is obsessed with sterile, peer-reviewed perfection. He looks down on Dantez's chaotic, unsanctioned field experiments as the messy tantrums of a child who refuses to follow proper scientific method. He is also very popular with the ladies, almost one upping Xander in looks. He also demonstrated a terrifying mastery of the Ofgreen Sun Form alongside Xander and Elara during the tournament.

Gideon Ofgreen, 25

The Perfectionist Sofia and Silas Triplet

A meticulous, image-obsessed rising star within the society's Tribunal and legal systems. Gideon is the face of the family's morality and lawfulness. He is the most vocal about Dantez being a stain on the Ofgreen name, viewing his younger brother's delinquency as a direct insult to his own legal career. Being closer in age to Dantez, he does see himself as better than him. Gideon tries to please Xander the most, and always works close to his eldest brother.

Bartalon Junior Ofgreen

The Late Father

A legendary, Essence genius whose shadow looms over the entire estate. His mastery over Essence was unparalleled, but his relentless pursuit of Eco ultimately led to his untimely death.

House Barmin

Lord Thaddeus Barmin

The Retired Elder

A frail-looking but commanding man who justifies the political maneuvering around the Great Evening duels. His unnamed son is the current Lord of the house.

Sir Avlar Barmin

Eldest Son of the Lord

Next in line for his father's seat. He manipulates atmospheric pressure to create solid wind platforms and localized vacuums in combat.

House Gheurt

Lord Vargar Gheurt

Head of House Gheurt

A scarred, aggressive Aura user and father to Camor. He openly seeks Mirandine for her combat potential and genetics.

Sir Camor Gheurt

Eldest Son of House Gheurt

A massive fighter who wields a slab-like iron sword. He uses terrifying Aura states to turn his blade into a highly pressurized, repulsive wall.

House Vandlem

Finn Vandlem

Only Son of House Vandlem

Sofia and Gideon's childhood friend. A sharp-looking noble who uses a highly deceptive hybrid technique, mimicking Aura footwork to land close-combat Essence strikes. He recently used forbidden Black Flames in a brutal attempt to kill Korelius before his fake body dissolved into ash.

The Academy & Estate

Dean Aris

Dean of the Institution

The strict head of the academic society. He uses his Eco to assert dominance. He expelled Dantez for losing his Essence and suspended Korelius.

Professor Vance

Faculty Member

An academy teacher who chased Korelius and Dantez past the curfew wards into the valley before the shockwave hit, leaving his robes singed.

Barnaby

Head Butler

The head butler of the Ofgreen estate, who fields direct requests from Sofia regarding official estate stationery and household matters.

Allen

Estate Servant

A servant of the Ofgreen estate tasked by Xander with preparing rooms and arranging transport for the Delees siblings.

House Saint Oliver

Maxemilio Saint Oliver, 19

The Doctor's Apprentice

A 19-year-old medical apprentice from a Saint house. He wears a pristine white trench coat over a gray hoodie, has black hair, and wears silver earrings. He is an Aura user who stays painfully calm and unbothered, using regular medical practices alongside Eco healing. He played a crucial role in piecing together the ancient Rune theory with Dantez.

Look at this pattern! Every single one failed an obsession before going hollow! Wait, does Ryan's timeline match?! YES IT DOES! It's all connected!! - D.

Historical Records

Figures studied by Dantez Ofgreen regarding the catatonic history of Essence Loss.

Cooper Lang

A huge Master Essence user. The first recorded person to experience Essence Loss and become a vegetable after failing to save his brother.

Ryan

An Essence user who lost his wife, suffered complete Essence Loss, and became catatonic.

Billy Bones

An author of texts beloved by Dantez. He experienced Essence Loss right at the edge of a massive scientific breakthrough.

Sidney

A historical figure who suffered Essence Loss and became catatonic while running a marathon.

Eliony Vivianne

The former host of 'ViveEvo' who suffered Essence Loss and became catatonic on the final episode of her late-night show.

Lienne Smith

The only recorded case where the catatonic state of Essence Loss was rectified through years of intense rehab, though she remained permanently hollow.

King Karl V

A former ruler who created the master list of forbidden magic and mercilessly hunted practitioners after his Queen was assassinated with hidden flesh Runes.

The Lexicon: Eco

Aura = Stealing from Earth! Essence = Borrowing from yourself! BUT WHAT IF YOU OVERDRAFT?! A forced vacuum should theoretically reverse the flow of Eco! - D.

Lienne Smith recovered physical function but remained hollow. The Eco pathways healed, but the anchor was gone. The soul MUST be the anchor! - D.

Old Eco mutations are just genetic memory! If a lineage isolates a specific frequency long enough, it crystallizes in the DNA! - D.

The Vortex is the key!! If Aura rejects Essence, can we invert the polarity to force a vacuum?! I need more coffee and three more chalkboards!! - D.

Eco represents the earthly logic of magic in this world. It is kind of its own element that contains this aspect of it that makes things whimsical and "Magical".

Essence User (EU) is the manifestation of a person's unique Eco through their soul. People that have a big "pool of Eco" gathered around their soul, are more prone to be able to Sense Eco. Their senses are essentially able to feel the Eco in the air, in what they touch, what they eat, see, smell and even hear and compute that information within themselves. With the knowledge gathered, they are able to replicate the eco from within their soul and out, creating "Magic." If they can understand how something works, nothing is truly impossible to do.

Aura Users (AU) is the manipulation of Eco present in the environment. It relies heavily on mental fortitude. The more concentrated/in the flow state a person is, the more Eco gathers energy around the users allowing them to Move faster or punch harder or creating a protective layer on them or even straight up fly in some cases. These enhancements can transfer into their weapons the best and the weapon can get modified to amplify a specific effect.

Nobody is tied to being one or the other but using both at the same time is simply logically impossible. Using Aura to gather Eco will overload your inner Eco causing a disturbance of proper Eco Flow which in turn breaks concentration. In many cases depending on the individual, it is much easier to use one than the other.

Cado refers to a unique, natural mutation or specialty in a person's Essence, offering them abilities outside standard Eco manipulation.

Guilds are the powerful, established factions that dictate high-society politics, combat rules, and wealth distribution across the nation.

Vortex or Gravitational Anchor is the intense, crushing mental state Aura users must maintain to pull wild Eco into themselves. If focus breaks, the magic violently disperses.

Eco-weaving is the architectural art of embedding Eco into physical objects, creating self-sustaining magical technology like heated floors and floating chandeliers.

Great Evening represents a formal high-society matchmaking gala designed to secure political alliances and preserve ancient lineages through organized tournament combat known as the Dishes.

The Dishes is a brutal tournament combat that follows a Great Evening. Suitors fight to prove their genetic worth and win a noblewoman's hand.

Essence Loss is a catatonic state a user falls into when their willpower shatters after failing an ultimate life goal, causing them to become completely hollow and lose their Eco.

Saints belong to ancient families who originally used flesh Runes to heal people before the practice became forbidden. Maxemilio belongs to one of these houses.

Old Eco describes the ancient, raw magical traits and mutations that wealthy aristocratic families desperately try to preserve through strict genetic bloodlines.

Runes are a primitive, physical language of Eco. Formerly used by early Saints to concentrate magic for rapid healing, they are now strictly forbidden on living flesh after King Karl V outlawed them when his queen was assassinated using them. They are only safely used in modern Eco-weaving on inanimate machinery.

Black Flames are an ancient, dead Essence magic. Highly lethal, they never stop burning until either the user wills it or the user dies.

Sun Form is the Ofgreen signature genetic trait. Powerful members can take on the physical properties of the sun, granting them the ability to float, glow with blinding brilliance, and fire constructs of solid hard-light.