(Warning: Some swearing-ish)

Energy Cultivation

After passing time listening to the young maid Zeze talk about her grievances of last night's scandal. Julianna, lost in her own thoughts of planning her revenge did she finally hear Zeze's loud voice shouting her name.

"Jemma! JemMa! JEMMA!"

Snapping out of her own thoughts she turns to Zeze.

"Yes?"
"Are you even listening?!" Zeze pouted. "So what are your plans now that everything's gone down the hole?"

Thinking Julianna says, "Well, first things first, from today onwards I will only answer to Jewels. Little Jemma has changed to become Jewels all because of last night. I will no longer be that little Jemma that everyone step on while hanging my head low. No! I am now Jewels with my head held up high!"

Julianna nodded. She should settle on her identity now using her last name as a nickname for Jemma.  This way she would be able recognize people addressing her so they won't get suspicious about the spirit transfer of Julianna Jewels and Jemma Brooks.

Zeze' eyes tears up, but they refuse to fall. Julianna could see Zeze's emotions expressed through them. It was eyes that looked proud of Julianna and her decision to continue her life with worth and pride.

"Well, its about Goddess damn time!"

Julianna gives her a tight smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

Well, it's too early to think I'll still stay the demure, ladylike, mannered young Miss that you know. This Jewels plans to get her hands dirty and go down that rabbit hole.

- - -

After spending a good time of the afternoon with Zeze, Julianna got reacquainted with the desolate wing of the mansion known as "Landfill". Every room was either empty or held old and broken furniture. Since her room was at the top of the floor she made her way down to the second floor where more empty rooms were found. Julianna heard words or mumbling from the corner of the wing as she made her way towards the end of the hall. Following the sound she finds herself in front of a huge double door. She knocks twice, but no one answered, however the mumbling stopped for a bit before it began again. She knocks again but instead of waiting she opens the door.

An old man, in loose clothing is huddled over a pile of books, the room is filled with rows and rows of books on shelves and Julianna remembers that this place is Jemma's sanctuary and the old man with a whole head of white hair with sea blue eyes is her grandfather, who she calls Pop pop. The huge library has two levels, there are stairs the leads up to the second balcony level that runs around the room. Half of the second level are filled with more shelves of books while the other half held a living area with a bed and tables for her grandfather. Not far from the foot of the bed is her grandfather's lab for herbal experiments. Jemma never touched her Pop pop's lab. She was too afraid she might mess up her grandfather's experiments and cause disaster.  

When Pop pop sees Jemma he smiles and waves her over. As she approaches she sees ten different books all opened and her grandfather flipping one page at a time in the different books that lays out around him. As if he could memorize all different ten books page by page at the same time. 

This man is a genius! Julianna thought. What happened that made him others thinks that he's senile?   Was it because of his mumblings?  Even though no one could understand every word, Pop Pop understands perfectly what he's reading. 

Crouching over her grandfather she pats his head gently, that was the most outwardly expression of love she was able to express to her grandfather with Jemma's love and devoted memories of Pop Pop.  Before she could out herself, she turns around to find the books she needs to help her start her new life.

After spending some time wandering she finally found herself in front of the books that she was seeking.   The first book she opens is an introduction to the basics of Energy Cultivation.  It was a fairly thin book with about 40 pages.  With the help of Jemma's photographic memory Julianna read the book it minutes.  The basics of Energy Cultivation has different levels that ranges from 1 to 10.   One being the lowest and 10 being the highest,  with the exception of breaking through level 10 to become Grand Master. Throughout history there has only been one Grand Master and he was the creator of Energy Cultivation. 

Anyone who has a low level cultivation skills,  level 1-2,  were considered those who would never achieve success in life for they would take 40 years to be able to cultivate enough energy to break through the next level.  As long as a child first tested at level 3,  they had the  opportunity to move up. 

Energy Cultivation was then converted into power for fighting.  As long as they had that power, it would then be transferred through the fighting styles and weapons that they utilize.  Causing more damage to their opponents. 

From level 10 and above,  the energy could be used as a weapon in itself .  Once anybody reaches level 10,  they would be considered lethal and feared in any battle.   Their opponents would give way to level 10 fighters.
The level of energy cultivation skills coincides with the level of fighting skills.

Searching through Jemma's memories Julianna finds that once Jemma found out her results of the energy cultivation test Jemma lost all hope to even read anything on energy cultivation.  Jemma's energy cultivation level was 2, it was the same level as a normal citizen. 

In the Brooks family,  they come from a long line of military generals .  Her father holds the highest office in the kingdom, known for being the King's right hand.  Currently,  her 2 older sisters are at level 4 with energy cultivation, while her 2 brothers are at level 5 with energy cultivation. Jemma's twin brothers were 10 years older than her and had no interest in her while growing up.  They were the family's first born sons and had a path of life already set in front of them.  Their lives only revolved around building their military career and furthering the Brooks family name. They had no time for such trivial family affairs. Her two older sisters however had all the time in the world to make Jemma's life a living hell.  Maria, the oldest of the three sisters,  made it a mission to tease and bully Jemma every day while, Lindsay, the second Miss, either ignored Jemma or instigated others to bully her.   They bullied her because they blame for their mother's death. 

When Jemma was 4 years old her mother took Jemma to the Academy to test her energy cultivation skills,  it was a simple test, all Jemma had to do was touch the clear quartz stone. The clear quartz stone was as tall as a grown human being and as heavy three horses. The Academy's location was built around the stone and expanded as the years pass by,  it is the oldest and most prestigious school through the Four Kingdoms.  Energy cultivation testing was opened to the public twice a month and held reserved appointments twice a week for anyone who could afford the fee.

That day that Jemma was tested,  was the worst day of her life.  That day started out with hope,  Jemma held her mother's hand as they walked towards the Academy.  She remembers feeling excitement and love.  She couldn't wait to get tested and bring honor to her family. As they reached the Academy and was welcomed by an Elder Professor they were brought straight to the clear quartz stone. 

"All you have to do is touch it."  Her mother encouraged her,  gently pushing her towards the stone. 

As she reached out to touch it, there was a faint buzz emanating through the stone. 

"Low level 2 energy."  The elder said. 

Jemma looks at her mother not really understanding what that meant.  A quick look of disappointment and relief flashed through her eyes before she covered it up with a smile. 

"It means you're normal."  Her mother told her.  "It means you don't have to follow your Father, your Brothers or your Sisters path in life.   You can live a care free life with your prince by your side." 

Jemma felt disappointed in herself she couldn't understand why her Mother said that to her.  It has been instilled in her first memories that her path in life was to carry on the Brooks tradition and honor by being a powerful cultivator and fighter.  It was the only way of life for the Brooks family.  "Normal" and "care free" does not exist in their vocabulary. 

Jemma's tears fall,  she has no cultivation skills which means she will not have enough power for fighting.  

Her mother embraces her and comforts her until her tears dry,  "Don't worry about anything,  I'll talk to Father and he'll understand.  He'll still love you like I love you." 

As they leave the Academy her mother brings her to a sweet shop to sooth her disappointment.  As they leave that's when it happened,  six men in black attack them.   All Jemma remembers is one moment her hand is holding her mothers hand.  Then the next they were ripped apart and her mother fighting for her life, trying to protect Jemma.   Next,  her mother killed in front of her.  Jemma crying her mother's name over and over.  Her next memory was waking up in bed with her Father sitting next to her bedside.  All the hatred shown in his eyes as he looks at Jemma. 

"It's all your fault you wasteful trash," Harvey grunted as he stood up,  "You're fortunate that your fiancé is the Prince.  Otherwise you would have followed your mother by my hands.  You're an embarrassment to the family!" 

That was the last time he talked to her.   Their form of communication was thru maids. 

***********

(For anyone who is confused, when I mention Jemma, it's Jemma's life experience and memories that Julianna is remembering.  While currently, the pov is from Julianna and her experience in Jemma's body. Julianna will then be answering to Jewels and will begin to refer herself as Jewels once she gets her bearings in her new life.)