Strategy and fragthesises

William now understood how magic worked in this world. And by watching what his enemy—Sukmo Lawu—had done, it confirmed Sudirja’s explanation. He also understood why vocal spells were used more often than movement-based ones: vocal spells produced sound, and sound was air vibration. And from Sudirja’s explanation, Sukmo Lawu’s black mist released a residue particle: δ (Dorvion particle)—a particle that produces Manneon when it interacts with other particles. William intended to exploit this. What he didn’t know, however, was that his enemy—Sukmo Lawu—had already figured that out. Even though his plan was known, his enemy still allowed it. Because that made him happy.

“From your eyes, I can tell—you want to use the Manna that comes from my body, don’t you? Go ahead,” Sukmo Lawu spread both arms wide.

William considered shortening the distance with teleportation, but he knew the risk. If he accidentally touched the black mist, it would absorb him.

“Sudirja, is there a way to generate Dorvion particles?” William asked, looking toward Sudirja.

“The method is quite difficult, because the aftulc-class particles we usually use for magic are different. The one we normally use is φ (Fibrion particle)—it's the only one that’s abundant around us. Because φ particles are carried here together with sunlight,” Sudirja explained.

“So what makes φ particles different from δ (Dorvion) particles?” William asked.

“There are three ‘flavors’ of aftulc-class particles: δ (Dorvion)—produces Manneon on interaction and also strengthens the excitation of the interacting particle, φ (Fibrion)—produces Manneon and causes interacting particles to enter a dynamic physical state, υ (Uneren)—produces Manneon and causes interacting particles to undergo fragtesization...” Sudirja whispered.

Hearing this, William tilted his head. It was the first time he had heard of this new concept. Before being transferred to this world, he had never encountered that term.

“Fragthesization?” William asked.

Then, something unusual happened. Their supposed enemy, Sukmo Lawu, joined in to explain the term. Had he not been bored, it would’ve been impossible for him to do so.

“Remember when you suddenly found yourself alone in this place, even though you were all still in the same timeline, world, and location?” Sukmo Lawu added.

William quickly turned toward the source of the voice, still filled with caution.

“Does it have something to do with that?” William asked, eyes narrowing toward Sukmo Lawu.

Sukmo Lawu recognized that gaze, but he was already too bored of waiting. That’s why he joined in the explanation.

“A reality-separated environment, though still in the same location, same timeline, and same world, is called a fragthesis. The condition itself is called fragthesization,” Sukmo Lawu explained.

Hearing this, Sudirja could only slap his forehead. He didn’t expect his past self to be so naïve.

No, that’s beyond naïve. That’s mental emptiness in grasping a situation, Sudirja thought.

After that explanation, William recalled a nearly similar concept—the Schrödinger effect. He wanted to ask about it, but wasn’t sure if Sudirja would understand the term. But eventually, he decided to ask anyway.

“Is it similar to the Schrödinger effect?” William asked, hoping Sudirja would understand.

“Almost. Schrödinger effect refers to general states—like being dead and alive at the same time. But fragthesis refers to existential status—existing and not existing at the same time. Fragthesis is a condition where something appears to not exist but actually does,” Sudirja explained.

William began forming a plan. A brilliant one, but difficult to execute: using fragtesis to attack his enemy. But he still didn’t fully understand how it worked.

“If I’m inside one fragtesis and I attack an enemy in another, can I still hit him?” William asked.

Hearing this, Sukmo Lawu became excited. His enthusiasm was obvious on his face.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Sukmo Lawu said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Unfortunately, you can’t hit them if you’re in different fragthesises. But if you suddenly appear with an attack inside the fragthesis your enemy is in, then yes—you can,” Sudirja clarified.

“Finally,” Sukmo Lawu muttered, preparing himself.

“But—”

“υ (Uneren) is the second most abundant particle after φ (Fibrion),” Sudirja interrupted William.

“How do I use it?” William asked.

“It’s not much different from φ (Fibrion), but you’ll need to use at least myth-tier magic,” Sudirja explained.

“I don’t know the magic tier system,” William admitted.

“Create your own magic circle and follow the words I chant,” came a voice from behind and to the left.

William turned—Arjuna was walking toward him.

A magic circle formed in the air: a circle with three triangles and eight stars. It glowed with an azure light.

It was William’s own magic circle.

“Ah... A dual-key incantation circle,” Sukmo Lawu smiled in satisfaction.

"Sukmo nan lawas, sukmo nan akeh, lan pisah karo rupo, lan pisah karo rogo, lan sukma dadi rupo," Arjuna began chanting.

William followed. To the other allies’ ears, the overlapping voices sounded indistinct and layered.

"Lan asmo dadi rogo, lan wujud ing gaib, lan ra wujud, lan asma seng gaib karo ra wujud dadio rupa seng nyoto kan asmo rupa."William and Arjuna's voices harmonized as if spoken by one person.

Suddenly, William vanished. But if anyone had a first-tier omniscient artifact or technology, they would see that William was still there—just in a different fragthesis.

In the fragthesis where William now was, he darted toward where he believed Sukmo Lawu stood.

In Sukmo Lawu’s fragthesis, Sukmo Lawu was simply kicking at the air.

If someone used a first-tier omniscient device, they would know this was indeed what happened.

When William reappeared—

He was behind Sukmo Lawu, positioned between Sukmo Lawu and the life core of the soon-to-be-born demon.

Not wanting to be spotted—

William fragthesized himself again.

By the time Sukmo Lawu turned around—

William had vanished again.

He was now in a different fragthesis—

Preparing his next attack.

In William’s fragthesis—

He attacked what seemed like empty air. The place where he believed Sukmo Lawu was.

In Sukmo Lawu’s fragthesis, Sukmo Lawu looked like he just punched at the air.

But anyone with an omniscient artifact or tech would know the truth—William did land a hit.

When William appeared once more in Sukmo Lawu’s fragthesis—

His hand made contact with Sukmo Lawu’s neck.

Reacting, Sukmo Lawu tried to kick William.

But the attack missed.

William had already switched fragthesises—

Just before the attack landed.

“Well, this is getting interesting,” Sukmo Lawu smirked wickedly.