Chapter 13

As Jacob stood on the brink of his breakthrough, a revelation crashed into his thoughts like an unexpected storm. The notion of Qi refinement, as practiced by Chinese cultivators, surged into his mind with profound impact.

In this ancient practice, cultivators devoted themselves to refining their Qi—transforming into a more and more purer qi, its essence, denser, more volatile and making it more of their own than just a tamed qi. By continuously doing this, their Qi within their dantian evolve in essence, no longer in the same energy level as that of an ordinary qi but a higher and more divine energy.

This elevated Qi grants them unprecedented abilities—to effortlessly manipulate the natural Qi of the world, comprehend its intricate laws, and even bend them to their will. Continuing this transformative practice, these cultivators themselves start to evolve beyond measures, from a mortal life level to a higher being, even a God at some point.

Jacob was struck by a profound realization, his eyes widening in astonishment as the implications of his thoughts raced through his mind. His heart thumped with excitement, sensing the gravity of the idea taking shape within him. "Maybe," he murmured to himself, a glint of unwavering determination gleaming in his eyes, "divinity might just be a highly refined version of Qi or mana."

With a sudden clarity, determination flashed in his eyes. Jacob made a decision; he had to test this theory. He closed his eyes, plunging into the depths of his thoughts. He pondered the concept of refinement: to refine something, one must possess a substantial amount of it. Channeling his focus, he reached out to the surrounding mana, drawing it towards himself in a meticulous dance of absorption. The external energy merged seamlessly with his own reservoir, the delicate balance between them becoming indistinguishable.

With a deliberate and focused mind, Jacob initiated the intricate process of refinement. It was an alchemy of sorts, the fusion of external mana and his own, aimed at achieving an unprecedented level of purity.

Time was of the essence, and Jacob knew it. With resolute determination, he poured himself into the process, unwavering in his pursuit of refining his mana. The seconds ticked by, but Jacob remained steadfast, committed to uncovering the truth behind this audacious experiment.

On the other hand, hope and her super hero group, including Josie who joined them, fought against a big spider. Raphael was there too but like all the other teenager boys, he was useless. The trio of witches— hope, Lizzie and Josie took down the big bad spider. Rescuing a poor girl that was about to become the spider's new make-up.

Back to Jacob, he remained deeply immersed in his quest to refine his mana, his focus unwavering despite the slow progress. While he was observing the gradual expansion of his dantian with each passing moment, the once-constricting pressure around his dantian gradually lessened, hinting at a transformative progression. His mana reserves had diminished, resembling a mere fraction of their former size—a small, subdued pool—yet within it, glimmers of golden sparks danced sporadically.

Just as he prepared to further explore these intriguing developments, a seductive, rich voice abruptly pierced the air, startling him out of his focus.

"So, are you going to be done anytime soon, or are you going to leave a girl hanging here?" the voice teased, carrying an undertone of allure and mischief. The unexpected interruption left Jacob momentarily taken aback, causing him to refocus his attention with a sense of curiosity and caution.

He opened his eyes and met the face of Penelope, looking at him with a faint smile adorning her lips.

"Hey there, superboy," she greeted, her tone carrying a hint of playful mischief, then she circled around him like a predator sizing up its prey.

"You're new here, right?" she inquired, leaning way too close to Jacob's face, with a sly grin dancing on her lips, an air of curiosity and intrigue in her demeanor.

Jacob, don't know what got into him, didn't even bother to reply. He just leaped forward, straight to Penelope's lips, then planted a deep kiss. Penelope, out of instinct or something else, cooperated. They exchanged blows for a few seconds before Penelope pulled away, her eyes full of shock and confusion. She turned to look at Jacob for answers but as Penelope locked eyes with Jacob, a sudden rush of shock and confusion swept through her. His gaze, akin to a galaxy ablaze with mesmerizing light, captured her attention, drawing her into a realm of inexplicable purity and radiance.

Caught off guard by the intensity of the moment, Penelope found herself momentarily lost within the depths of Jacob's eyes. They held an ethereal quality, an otherworldly luminescence that seemed to emit a soothing aura, ensnaring her senses for a fleeting yet captivating moment.

In that brief span of time, a whirlwind of emotions surged within Penelope, leaving her bewildered yet strangely captivated by the purity and brilliance reflected in Jacob's mesmerizing gaze.

It was the first time Penelope saw such eyes from anyone who's supernatural, Or got involved with supernatural phenomenon. In their world of the supernatural, the students bore the weight of their abilities as if they were curses or burdens. Each carried a shadowy past, their eyes reflecting their struggles and the heaviness they carried. But in Jacob, there was an unprecedented lightness—a pure curiosity and excitement that she hadn't seen before.

In this school, optimism was a rare sight. The students had been weathered by dark experiences, viewing their powers with a mixture of fear and resentment. Hope seemed like a distant dream in a world where you never know what event might happen next, especially now, the emergence of legendary monsters only amplified the prevailing uncertainty, leaving everyone feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Yet, amidst this bleak landscape, Jacob stood apart. His eyes weren't clouded by despair; instead, they shimmered with a vibrant enthusiasm for what lay ahead. His anticipation for the future was infectious, his gaze reflecting a sense of adventure akin to someone on a clandestine quest for an extraordinary treasure.

Amidst a world filled with uncertainty and lurking danger, Jacob's eyes told a different tale—one of hope, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in the endless possibilities that lay hidden within the chaotic supernatural realm.

She snapped back to reality, realizing she was almost mesmerized by a new boy; she, the evil temptress, was almost swayed by a boy her age."what the hell is wrong with this guy?. And what's with that kiss!!" Her mind raced with confusion and questions.

However, outwardly she attempted to maintain her composure. "Did your mother never teach you not to go around kissing strangers, especially witches like me who can get pretty angry?" she remarked, her tone serious, her eyes fixed intently.

"Ha-ha, sorry about that. It's just... your lips are gorgeous. I mean, you're gorgeous too, but yeah, I couldn't resist," Jacob chuckled awkwardly, unapologetic for his actions.

"I'm Jacob, by the way. And you?" He moved closer to Penelope, meeting her eyes as he introduced himself. His gaze remained steady and pure. Penelope felt a shiver down her spine, glancing at Jacob for a moment before walking away.

"Penelope Park" she said her name as she was walking away. Jacob looked at her back, then touched his lips for a sec, then he smiled.