"This unique shape and this overflowin' Soulforce," Jambavan murmured, rising from his chair. "Kid, where did ya find this crystal?"
"I can't tell you that," I scoffed, shrugging my shoulders.
"Ya-ya brat—"
Before Jambavan could snap at me, Ume spoke up, moving toward the crystal. "You must have found an artifact with this crystal. May you show that to me?"
"H-how do you know that?" I gasped, flabbergasted.
"Soul Stones aren't like mundane minerals such as gold or silver, which exist in a fixed amount," Ume explained. "Soul Stones form around an essence and will continue to grow as long as that essence remains undisturbed. The closer you get to the essence, the higher the grade of Soul Stones you'll find. And at the very core, you may even discover uniquely shaped crystals—like this lotus—where the essence itself resides."
"S-so you're telling me I cut off an unlimited supply of Soul Stones by removing the essence," I stammered, my hand flying to my mouth. "I'm a total idiot."
