1.8: Pressure, Intensity and Power
We've covered the creation of genki by combining ki-particles and energy within the centre, and how the body threads the ki-signature and intent through genki. This is all natural behaviour for a lifeform, from single-celled organisms to us.
What follows next is a discussion of the unnatural; the manipulation of the behaviour of the centre through various means to increase or decrease genki output - and how that manifests against the effort required to do so. This section is not a tutorial, not yet, as we are still within the realm of academics, but changing the centre's behaviour and the amplification of genki is integral to many of the ki techniques you will want to use in a casual fashion. For those of you who wish to join us in planetary defence, these ideas will be crucial. Understanding what elements of your own ki you can push the hardest and which manipulation will give you the biggest gain for the least effort safely will make your training far more efficient, helping you to become an asset to the planet far sooner.
To begin, some definitions. Many of these have already been referred to in other sections already, though for posterity I am including them all here.
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Effort: The combination of concentration, attention and the standard physical energy required to perform a task. Effort as standard incorporates a genki component, as with all actions, but is negligible to other uses of genki. Effort is used as a term to distinguish a particular direction of will and energy expenditure from ki.
Base State: The natural output of ki particles and energy from a person without manipulation or amplification. In battle this definition also encompasses the ki-user's habitual or maximal level of genki amplification, and is clear from context.
Flow rate: The number of particles leaving the centre per second.
(Effective) Centre volume: The volume of the centre if calculated with standard geometry, represented as a sphere. In truth the centre is a point with ki radiating away, but to understand transformations and aid visualisation, a spherical depiction makes the most sense.
(Effective) Surface area: The surface area of the centre. In base state this is represented as a sphere's surface area and is proportional to the effective volume V^(2/3).
Ki particle flux: Officially defined as the number of ki particles passing through a surface per unit area. If one was measuring the flux at the effective centre surface, the flux would be the flow rate divided by the surface area. Usually the flux is measured some distance from the centre however, and in that case we take an imaginary window and count the number particles passing through it. If the window moved closer, the particle flux would increase.
Ki/Ki energy flux: As above but referring to the energy, also referred to as the ki pressure.
Ki particle intensity: Subtly related to the flux, intensity is the number of particles passing through a surface per unit area, per unit solid angle of the source emitting it. If ki emission is isotropic - that is, the same in all directions - then the intensity is the flux/(4*pi). If it is not, say in the case where ki is being projected in a particular direction like a narrow beam, then the intensity will change as a function of the angle of the observer to the source. I.e. the intensity in the direction of the beam is much higher than another direction.
Ki/Ki energy intensity: As above but referring to the energy.
Charge: A way of referring to the ki energy per particle. Ki particles can possess genki and ki from the field, so sometimes the distinction is made between genki and field-ki charge. This distinction is usually for keeping records of what combination is needed for different techniques. Sometimes the term "charging up" is used when discussing ki-based attacks. That use is conflating two processes, adding genki energy to the focus point of the attack and amplifying that genki. What is being discussed should be apparent by context.
Power: The total energy per unit time. In this case the total energy leaving the body per second, approximated as the flow rate times the average charge. When discussing genki only, this is considered the true base power. Usually the "current power level" refers to the instantaneous measure of energy leaving the body after amplification and is expressed in a galactic standard unit. We never knew what that unit of measurement was when we first started measuring power level, as the scouters we acquired used an alien alphabet and no one ever said the unit (it being obvious by context, apparently). Much later we found from off-planet friends it's called a Barh (singular and plural). We never use it in casual conversation either. In addition we now refer to the log (in base 10) of the number to save repeating all the zeros.
Pressure: The ki pressure is the power per unit surface area at a defined distance. In this case the ki-pressure will increases with decreased distance from the source. This is a strict definition, although confusingly people will conflate pressure with power level - implying a change in pressure at a fixed distance is akin to a change in power level. Again, the context provides clues.
Usually "pressure" "power", "power level" and the concept of "charging up" are used in battle to refer to the total energy of an enemy. After all, ways to express how hard the total energy reading to smacking you in the face is is the only concept that matters. However, the ki particle flux and its particular nuances do sometimes come into play.
The natural flow rate and charge varies between people, but the variation is far smaller for the flow rate. As explained previously the centre size and therefore flow rate is, within a species at least, proportional to size. A larger person naturally has a higher flow rate to manage the increased body mass. Even amongst the best ki-users, there may only be an increase in the flow rate of ten-fold or so after years and years of training - the real difference training making is in maximum charge. But there is at least one person on Earth who does not fit this pattern; to call them an anomaly would be to understate it. For an Earthling this person has a monumental flow rate, the flux of ki particles near them was around fifty times that of every other Earthling their size as a mere child.
I'm speaking of Papayaman.
(I could of course give you his real name. He has told me he doesn't mind, given that we're all giving up our identities to some extent, but from one 'hero to another, I could never commit such a betrayal.)
Now, we superheroes have backstories to make us more palatable to the public. Backstories also simplify the narrative for merchandising, comics, and all manner of paraphernalia, the profits from which are indeed mostly funnelled into environment repair and victim support. Great Saiyaman for example is a man from another planet imbued with great power, which isn't far from the truth. The Shadows are traces of people who died trying to save others, their silent shadows now free from physical constraints and doing the bidding of superheroes to help those they couldn't in life. That story is bittersweet, though of course nonsense. But Papayaman's backstory - that he died in childbirth only to be revived on a prayer to the Gods, complete with the strength and magicks of one and a duty to live a pure and selfless life as payment - is eerily accurate.
Many years ago we fought a beast of sorts, a primeval chaos that only knew destruction. The tale is so convoluted I don't wish to explain now but at the end of the battle (that we accomplished with a surprising number of people's help), Dad decided he enjoyed himself so much he'd like to fight the beast again one day. The rules of the afterlife dictate that one has to be suitably punished and repent one's sins for the soul to be cleansed and enter Heaven, to return eventually to the cycle of reincarnation - if you believe in that, of course. However, this beast had no sense of reason and so would not understand the punishment he'd receive, let alone be able to repent. Nothing was said explicitly, but my Dad's wish was granted that day. The beast returned to the world of the living tied to the soul of an innocent Earthling child to live again and be taught love and reason. Much later we learnt the child was to be still-born, his parents finding his miraculous birth a blessing from the Gods and ancestors, which it was in a sense.
The child grew to be a kind and giving young boy, doing his best to protect his family and provide for his village. We met him when he was ten years old, his untrained power preposterous when enraged, almost Saiyan (without the appetite). Dad immediately upped-sticks to train him in his village, both to eventually have that fight he wanted and to ask him to protect the planet with us, which given his nature the boy readily agreed to.
Whilst the boy who would become Papayaman was the only person with superhuman strength in his village, when a contingent of family and friends regularly reciprocated Dad's visits home we found the locals surprisingly resilient to ki flux, particularly his immediate family. They were never staggered or fatigued by showy demonstrations, much to the kids' disappointment. This was a surprise but on reflection made perfect sense.
The primeval and therefore simple nature of the beast meant it had no need for a high particle charge, the intents it used were simple and destructive. Instead it had a huge particle flow rate to utilise its also vast genki, or used magical techniques to achieve its goals. Some quick calculations showed what whilst the boy did not have exactly the same overwhelming levels the beast had (yet), he was indeed generating a huge flow rate of particles, the intensity feeling as though fifty people were huddled around you. At rest his overall power level wasn't huge, only this flow rate.
The significance? Remember: genki's primary function is to maintain homeostasis within the body. Every time a cell is encountered by a ki particle a check is conducted on both the ki signature then the intent to decide what to do with the energy carried within. If more ki particles are around then more checking is needed to be performed by the cells, and more effort expended this way, causing people to tire quickly. The ability to withstand this barrage improves with exposure. The villagers and his family had grown accustomed to being within auratic contact with the boy, so were able to withstand being around a huge group of us when training, completely unphased. A year or so before his debut, when Papayaman left his island for the city, that the trouble finally started, the previous mere curiosity becoming a thorn in his side.
Age 797 at my home in Mount Paozu, talking over dinner with Pan (18), Bra (17) and Papayaman.
Bra: I'd say it definitely feels like a presence, you're very… noticeable.
Pan: Like a crowd of people.
Bra: Exactly.
Papayaman: Either way it makes dating really tricky. I've given up for now.
Pan: Don't say that!
Gohan: In what way?
Papayaman: People get exhausted just being around me. They'd call it an early night every time. I knew I was being cagey with my life but working with Mr Satan is an interesting enough cover story, right? But then someone passed out into their salad and I realised I can't be that dull.
Gohan: I take it you tried suppression.
Papayaman: Yes and it works, but then I get distracted, and if it's because I'm surprised the snapback cracks a glass or something. So embarrassing. I'd rather just be me.
Pan: Maybe you need to date some fighters? They'd be tougher, get through the evening at least.
Papayaman: Or someone from home…
Bra: Or have a date with someone but they have to stay on the other side of the room.
Papayaman: And who in their right mind would agree to that?
Bra: Like a secret date! Go to the cinema together but sit apart, communicating only through texts at dinner.
Pan: That's stupid…
Bra: Get closer each date, you know? The anticipation of finally spending time together building over the next few dates… and by then they can stand you!
Papayaman: Gee, thanks…?
Bra: You know what I mean! I'll think of an angle, like, getting to truly know someone through body language alone, maybe even having to work out who you're on the date with - give me two weeks, three tops-
Papayaman: You know, I'm not that bothered-
Bra: -I'll make it a thing online, wouldn't even be weird to suggest it then!
Papayaman: I appreciate the thought but-
Pan: No no, don't struggle, that's it - you're her new project and I'm now free.
Bra: Don't get ahead of yourself, 'Ms Satan' - I still have plans for you -
From trial and error Papayaman knows it takes a few days to a week of auratic contact for others to adjust and not tire hugely from being around him. Blind dates are not the best idea in that respect (I never found out whether he took up Bra's suggestion but I do know she seeded the trend!). He can reduce his flow rate to make others more comfortable, though the process does take concentration and if tied up trying not to spill dinner down a shirt one does forget to suppress. Changing that output, forcing it lower, isn't just a straightforward exchange of effort for results; there's an initially frustrating yet helpful nuance to the procedure.
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Changing the flow rate is the only way to reduce power level (short of near-exhaustion). Reducing the flow rate and therefore power level to zero allows one to move undetected in ki-sense, but manipulating to slightly lower levels has its uses. Earthlings and other non-ki-users in the Universe often have a power level of 5-10, or (0.7-1.0 in the new logged way we keep track). Being able to hide amongst those individuals using the bare minimum genki allows a ki-user to act as a decoy in hostage situations or approach off-guard enemies. Even lowering base genki output close to 1000 (3) is enough to fool many opponents into believing you're talented for the planet but no competition and they will dismiss their guard. Saiyans top out at around a base power of 10,000 (4) or so, so suppressing your power level by manipulating the flow rate can fool an opponent with ki-sense or a ki-scouter into not taking you seriously enough. A deadly mistake.
The rudimentary scouters owned by Freeza shorted out at power levels higher than around 20,000 (4.3) due to their required sensitivity for finding low power levels on planets to purge. Nowadays, the scouters developed on Earth are far more robust and use a prior-based computational model to estimate the base power level of opponents beyond what would be possible through ki sense alone, putting numbers to that gut feeling we get when opponents are holding back. Even better, the technique to vary power level in this very precise fashion was developed (in this galaxy at least) on Earth, as was the ability to sense ki. The knowledge of this planet's talent has spread and so many come anticipating to be surprised, and skilled fighters are developing the techniques themselves now they know it's possible. Still, for the moment we have the upper-hand and we should use that to our advantage where we can.
Broadly, the lower the flow rate you wish the centre to have, the higher the effort required to maintain that rate. However, some flow rates require relatively lower effort than others. Much like the electron exists in energy states that are only allowed by harmonics (1-6), the centre itself responds to harmonics in a similar fashion. Thus there are peaks and troughs that enable one to expend a small amount of effort yet still rest at lower energy levels. These levels are at ½, ¼, 1/8 etc of the total flow rate. One can picture it as though the centre surface is being folded onto itself.
When the fold is perfectly aligned, like in the case of ½ and subsequent ratios, the centre is stable and the effort required to maintain that state comparatively lower. One still needs the effort spare to get to that state however, and so when first practising it will take a lot of effort to breach that first hurdle and settle down into halving the power level. This excess effort required is akin to an "activation energy" for a chemical reaction, where input energy is required as a kickstart. Even when over the hurdle some effort is still required - the body wishes to return to its most stable state and will 'snapback' to the global minimum if given half a chance.
The lower the intended power level, the more effort is required to achieve it, not in the least because at power levels tending zero the body will fight your poor decision. The body's reaction is disproportionately strong and I will detail this in the practical section to keep the necessary warnings with the exercise, but suffice to say there is a time-limit of a few hours on complete suppression before passing out.
Changing the particle flow rate to increase power level is another kettle of fish entirely, and can be done in two ways, again by changing the surface area of the centre. The first way, a physical transformation in size, is able to change the volume and surface area of the centre along with it, adhering to the rule of thumb that the required amount of genki output follows body size. Some physical transformations can be relatively subtle, allowing a higher concentration of ki to be focussed in the musculature with increased muscle volume. Others are more drastic, the ki-user literally growing in size by many factors. In this case the amount of ki particles drawn from the ki-field by the centre increases to sustain the output. In addition these large transformations will require genki to trigger, a costly activation energy, and so are utilised with careful consideration. To bypass that cost, some transformations use magical means, or the trigger is purely physical utilising outside energy input (electricity, fire, light, someone else's genki) rather than a purely conscious, genki-driven decision to transform.
A second way does not require physical transformation, thus the activation energy is negligible. Yet the increase in flow rate is on the same order of magnitude; doubling, tripling, even tenfold increasing the genki output. The technique is known as the kaioken, developed and taught by a god to my father years ago. Again this technique relies on harmonics - instead of folding the centre surface on itself to decrease the centre surface and volume, the centre surface is warped in multiples, much like the higher harmonics of a vibrating guitar string, increasing the surface area, but crucially the volume of the centre remaining the same. As the flow rate from the centre has increased many-fold without a change in centre volume, the centre will exhaust itself far faster than it can replenish. This is dangerous. What's more - this surge in flow triggers, much like Papayaman's problem, an increased need for cells to check ki signatures and intents.
If one was calm, using the kaioken would only cause fatigue. With active and dangerous intents flying around in battle however, cells stutter and break down at high intensities as they ignore vital intents and respond to ones they shouldn't, causing internal damage. So whilst this technique has a huge gain in power level for a short time, the kaioken is extremely risky.
Other methods are far better suited to increasing overall instantaneous power levels and these affect the charge per particle instead of the particle flux. With adequate training to gain a considerable pool of genki available to use, adding charge per particle can greatly raise one's power level, particularly when combined with amplification. The downside? Whilst exhaustion of ki particles can be recovered through a short rest, ki energy can only recover through eating.
Like when reducing power level by manipulating the particle flow rate, there are optimal spots with comparatively lower effort required to hold that ki particle output. Specifically there are two components, and experience and training can change the shape of both of them.
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The first component is a steady (monotonic) increase in effort required to summon more and more genki. The component rises faster than linear - that is, on average, one can near maximum power output with half maximum effort, and that final boost takes a lot more effort. Then there is a second, oscillating component superimposed on the first that again relates to harmonics, where some genki outputs are easier to achieve than others. These two combine in such a way that, at the limit of concentration and effort, there is less a sliding scale and more a series of obvious "levels" one can reach as notches, much liked lowering particle flow rates. Eventually one reaches a wall with effort. With experience and training of the mind however the monotonic increase will lower, that wall becomes surmountable and, with one huge push of effort, a breakthrough made. Each new level reached is a step-change in power. Practise, training and familiarity will make those levels stretch further. Above all, patience will bring you those breakthroughs. Limits are therefore, for the most part, temporary.
Some transformations do not affect just the centre but the charge per particle, too. One in particular is the Super Saiyan technique. Tapped into using overwhelming emotional responses rare for pure-blooded Saiyans to have, and recreated in calmer states through focussing energy on the upper spine to disrupt ki-flow through the body in a similar manner, the transformation utilises the ridiculous level of usually wasted genki available to Saiyans to increase their power level by a factor of fifty. Further improvements to the state increase the factor to one hundred and then two hundred, although the latter in particular, Super Saiyan 3, is so intense a very noticeable partial physical transformation occurs. The technique is so depleting with a huge activation energy, "three" is very rarely worth the trouble.
An increase in ki energy pressure, whatever the method, is completely useless without interaction with the physical world. In battle or training then ki is usually primed with an intent to allow this, a so-called 'push' intent. This is one of the most basic instructions that can be modified and added to with a moment's notice.
A push intent involves ki interacting with the physical world and thus is performed through the electromagnetic force. Touching your fingers together feels like two solid objects clashing, but in reality it is the electromagnetic repulsion of the negatively charged electrons around atoms in your fingers that prevent your fingers passing through each other. That electromagnetic interaction is mediated by photons, the energy and momentum transferred between electrons by this particle. Thus a realised push intent is a conversion of ki energy into an electromagnetic one, an impartation of energy into a momentum and therefore physical force through photons.
The required readiness of the push intent does however spill over at times, ki picking up on the ki-user's anticipation and going ahead to perform an unstructured push instead of waiting for fuller instruction. This is common and expected, though with practise can be reduced. As a ki-user's power level increases this spillover will grow to the point a fluorescence is visible to the naked eye, the previously invisible aura now partially visible as a glow around the ki-user. The unguided push intent, without direction, attempts to push equally in all directions. With the ground in the way, ki is bounced up so there is an overall upwards flow in the auratic glow. Further, even when the push is calm, the constant movement of ki against air without a direction causes a convective heat when ki is kept close, and the physically manifested ki will appear to rise like smoke. Together, these two effects cause a flame-like appearance to the visible aura that does not follow the true near-spherical distribution of genki underneath.
The colours of this visible aura are not linked to the subtleties of the ki signature as detected with ki-sense as one would expect. Instead, the spectrum of fluorescence is tied more to the species ki signature itself, the intent, and any compounding effects of transformations. For example - whilst Pan is red-green in ki-sense, I know myself to be more red-orange and Vegeta's family have a blue base, our and other Earthling's genki is white in appearance. That is, genki is releasing photons across the entire spectrum, combining to appear white.
Papayaman, with his relative imbalance in flow rate to power, has a pinkish tinge to his reflecting the lower energy levels of ki per particle, as though the spectrum has been shifted ever so slightly to the red (and therefore lower energy) end. The previously mentioned kaioken technique induces a far redder glow to the aura. With so many particles forced through the surface some end up with relatively far too little charge as the body struggles to keep up, causing a double-peak in the spectrum. One can think of this as analogous to incomplete combustion; the higher the kaioken level the redder the aura.
Some species have a peak surrounding bluer colours and appear purple, and other species and transformations like the Super Saiyan transformation are yellow, indicating a tighter spectrum around a central wavelength. Note, the spectrum's width and skew is not directly linked to a charge per particle, in that doubling of the charge won't shift the colour by the same level to the blue end of the light spectrum, it is more the mix of ki signature and transformation can flavour the particular push (and other) intent's outputs. However, in base form the colour can give some relative indication of genki charge per particle.
The visible aura, whilst technically a waste of energy, can act as a form of intimidation - especially against those with poor ki-sense. Although for those with training, a lack of visible aura when all ki-sense is indicating your opponent is a well of power is the far more terrifying prospect as it implies the level of ki-control that individual must possess. Both the optical and ki senses provide useful information about the depth of a fellow ki-user's abilities.
Being able to see your own aura is an exciting prospect, but for the average Earthling this will not occur with the basic manipulations here; the change in genki output only being an order of magnitude or so at a (sustainable) maximum for newer students and therefore insufficient.
Amplifying genki however, using genki to access ki from that ever permeating field in the Universe and control it, that is where the greatest physics-breaking increases in power come from and what we shall investigate next.