《To The Ends Of Phantovia》


 Chapter 1: Crippled

    The clearing of a wooded area erupted into a dazzling display of magical prowess as mage warriors battled fiercely, the surrounding greenery trembling under their power. Four-legged beasts with manes of billowing shadows attacked from all sides with a flurry of wild whistling slashes and snapping jaws filled with jagged razors.


    A man with fiery red hair and fierce determination carved onto his face combined his natural athleticism with magical flair. With the flick of his wrist, embers sparked into flames that whipped between his fingers. The fire enveloped his forearms, cladding them in blazing gauntlets. Evading the pounce of a beast, he plunged his fist into its chest with a sizzling boom.


    As he expertly weaved elemental flair with punches and kicks, incinerating their hides, walls of solidified dirt and rock erupted from the ground. A man with dirty blonde hair waved his hands, commanding the earth to protect his allies'' blind spots. The beasts tried, but to no avail, to ambush the fire mage but the earthen constructs had interrupted them, howling in pain as their claws shattered against the sudden earthen formations.


    Another young man with slicked back brown hair and blue eyes met the monsters'' ferocity with a serene countenance, a cool confidence that granted him a situational awareness he wouldn''t have had otherwise. He backpedaled, dancing around the barrage of attacks with elegant grace.


    A monster managed to slip behind him, pouncing to target his back but he merely smirked. Lifting his finger, roiling waters swirled into existence behind him, morphing into a flat plain as the monster''s claws slashed at the construct with a distorted thud.


    Giving his hand a twirl, he ordered the waters to change its form, whirling around the monster until it encompassed its head. Snapping his fingers, the water sphere''s interior erupted into spikes that skewered the monster''s skull from every angle, killing it instantaneously.


    Moving his practiced hands with graceful fluidity, dozens of the identical constructs spiraled then hardened around the field at various angles.


    "Now, Stark!" He shouted to the fire mage.


    With just a glance, Stark charted a course as he ignited his hand. A fireball roared to life in his palm and he shot it forward. The fire zipped around the field, striking the water plains with frightening speed and accuracy, bursting each construct it came into contact with along the way and blanketing the field in a cloud of thick mist.


    With their vision impaired, the monsters ceased their onslaught as the warm vapor stripped them of their sense of direction. The water mage twirled his hands, manipulating areas of the vapor to cool them back into a liquid and twisting their form into tendrils that locked the monsters in place.


    The beasts groaned as they struggled to break free of their restraints. The last mage warrior, a man with dark eyes and green-tinted wavy hair, stepped forward.


    Blinded by the billowing mist, the warrior closed his eyes, relying on a basic spell they''d learned since childhood. Reaching deep into his physiology, he prodded at his Keensight until the basic technique stirred awake. His body warmed with its activation and he opened his eyes, now flaring with a green hue.


    Thousands of shimmering motes shifted into reality, drifting through the air like ethereal fireflies, each pulsing hue dancing to its own rhythm. The atmosphere glowed with a breathtaking palette of colors. Red motes vibrated with violent intensity, blue motes swept gracefully at his feet, orange motes bobbed along the earth, and green motes¡ªwhich were more prominent to him¡ªswirled freely in every direction. Each color possessed its own unique energy and essence, their gentle hum tingling the air.


    His teammates'' auras phased into view, the color of their silhouettes corresponding with their affinities. As he scanned the cloud, he spotted the congregation of blue particles binding the monsters in place.


    Dropping into a stance, he gripped his rapier''s handle as gales of wind coiled around his legs. Launching himself forward, he commanded the air before him to ensure minimal air resistance to deliver devastating attacks. He whirled through the cloud of mist, his rapier slicing through flesh and tissue with deadly precision.


    Their impeccable coordination filled the wooded clearing with a symphony of magic, their enemies falling before their might. As the last of the beasts were vanquished and the mist cleared, a voice announced itself.


    "Perfect form, Weirs," a middle-aged man dressed in a black uniform with gold outlining praised the wind mage warrior after spectating the skirmish atop an earthen pillar. He turned his attention to the earth mage. "Orfal, you provided adequate defenses for your teammates. Liyon, your water attribute has greatly improved since last month. And Stark, your combative capabilities have gotten sharper."


    Without lifting so much as a finger, the pillar descended into the earth until the older man was back on ground level. The warriors all bowed respectfully as he approached. His lips curled at the edges, pleased to find that, although they''d battled for almost an hour, there wasn''t a speck of dirt or a drop of blood on their white uniforms, still just as pristine as before their arrival.


    "I''m proud to call you all the pride of Acclar Village," he began to walk past them into the woods back to their village. "Field training is over."


    The warriors followed him through the woods for an hour until they reached a settlement nestled in the quiet countryside. Villagers strolled through the dirt roads pulling carts filled with goods. Vendors bustled with conversation and laughter as people shopped for their essentials.


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    Farmers caressed the earth as waves of fertile soil moved along the ground to provide even spacing for their crops. Women waved their hands with fluidity, guiding streams of water from wells into their buckets.


    "Rest," the middle-aged man ordered his warriors. "We will continue with the next portion of your training in an hour."


    The warriors nodded in agreement before dispersing. The middle-aged man continued through the village, cutting through an area he designated for basic training. Weathered wooden dummies lined against a brick wall with racks of dulled swords on either side. He was making his way to the courtyard when he stumbled across a boy who stood before a training dummy.


    Sweat dotted his face and soaked his plain brown shirt. Short dark hair draped over his forehead, just above his tan eyes. He let out a deep breath, spaced his legs, and closed his eyes. Tapping into his channels, he felt the warmth spread over his body and caress his sight. As he opened his eyes, now simmering with a silver hue, he was met with a tranquil scene he''d seen before.


    From what he''d been told, the motes were supposed to resemble a kaleidoscope of colors, casting a mesmerizing spell that would captivate one''s senses. However, once again, he was met with the same near-stagnant white motes quietly hanging in the air.


    He studied the white motes intently. There was always a speck of hope that he''d spot a deviation in their almost-static nature but once again, there was nothing to work off of.


    After watching the Acclar''s warriors in action for years, he had a solid grasp on how to make the particles react. However, time and time again, he''d try to influence their behavior but with zero results.


    "Come on," he strained his concentration, shooting out his hand in hopes that it would strengthen his focus but after minutes of nothing happening, he gave up.


    It was only when he released his Keensight that he''d finally noticed the man watching him with narrowed eyes. The boy startled back but quickly composed himself and mustered an awkward bow.


    "S-sorry, Father. I didn''t know you were standing there." He stammered.


    "Of course you didn''t, even with your Keensight active." He scoffed, disappointment etched onto his hardened features.


    The boy pressed his lips together in shame. "I-I thought, maybe if you have time, you could teach me how to¡ª"


    "We''ve gone over this before, Conner." He cut him off and continued on his way, turning his back on his son. "If you believe you could amount to anything without the backing of mana, you''re mistaken. You may wish to waste your time but I won''t be convinced to waste mine."


    The boy, Conner, reached out a hesitant hand towards his father''s gradually retreating form until he disappeared around a corner. He heard snickering behind him and turned to find Stark walking down the street with Liyon, poorly concealing their amusement.


    "Acclar''s cripple is back at it again, eh?" Liyon remarked, a haughty smirk tugging at his lips.


    "Keep it up, and maybe you''ll achieve a fraction of our strength." Stark''s words dripped with sarcasm.


    The two sauntered off, their words thickening the cloud of self-doubt that hung over Conner since the day his father deemed him a lost cause. Picking up a practice wooden sword from the rack nearby, he began mimicking a handful of techniques he''d seen the village''s warriors use. However, without guidance, he could never tell if he had proper execution.


    He tried to ignore the scrutinizing gazes he knew were watching him but after an agonizing hour of blind practice, he returned his sword and retreated to his home. Upon entering, he made his way to his father''s study, to the only sense of comfort he had in a village that emphasized strength.


    Over the years he spent fleeing from embarrassment, he''d read nearly every book on mana manipulation, each one providing nothing of value to him. Browsing a section of the study he''d neglected, he picked out a few books and sat himself down at the table underneath the window overlooking the courtyard.


    The books he''d chosen were so comprehensible that even a child could understand and implement them. Although he scoured the study in search of information that he''d missed about the basics, his desperation would always lead him to concepts about mana he was already familiar with.


    It wasn''t until he moved on to the next book that he discovered something intriguing. For the first time, he found something that briefly touched on white particles. His mood lifted and he eagerly absorbed any information he could. He was hopeful this would be the breakthrough he needed, however, the more he read, the more he deflated.


    It proceeded to explain that since 1 in 1000 people could detect these white particles without apparent cause, there was very limited research on the subject. Afterwards, the author quickly moved on to more elemental-related topics.


    Closing the book, he was left feeling more demotivated than before. He looked through the window on his right to find the warriors out training. He watched them longingly as they honed their affinities to perfection, the villagers passing by admiring their prowess.


    Prying his eyes from their training, he dragged his gaze across the unfinished books before him. He hadn''t read everything yet so until then, there was still a chance to learn something. Doing his best to ignore the voice in his head whispering helpless thoughts, he opened the same book and continued reading.


    He didn''t know when, but at some point, he ended up face-down on the table. With a grumble, he sluggishly lifted himself up, the book''s gutter imprinted on his face. He couldn''t quite place it, but something felt off after he''d woken.


    It wasn''t that the sun had already disappeared below the horizon, blanketing the sky in black dotted with ethereal specks, or how his father hadn''t kicked him out of his study after late hours. His hairs stood on end and bumps had formed along his skin.


    ''What''s happening?'' he asked himself, scanning the room for any anomalies.


    He concentrated on clearing his muddled senses while waving away the lingering fog that still clouded his mind from slumber. He panned his bleary gaze to the window.


    Lanterns hanging overhead on every building illuminated the streets in a dim orange glow. That''s when he spotted an object on the ground in the middle of the street. Rubbing his eyes into focus, he looked back at the object sprawled out on the ground. It took a minute or two for it to register what he was looking at but the red pooling under its form made it apparent.

 Chapter 2: Fearless and Fearful

    Conner stumbled back before rushing out of the study, abandoning his books on the table. Grabbing a sword from one of the many racks his father kept in the home, he raced to the front. Bursting through the door, the villagers'' screams and clashing of steel jolted his senses. The streets ran red with blood as panicked civilians fled their homes.


    His eyes followed the wave of frightened people as they barrelled down the ichor-slick street in one direction. Although he knew he couldn''t amount to much, he tightened his grip around his sword and hardened his features as much as his fear would allow.


    As the rushing crowd cleared, he scanned the area for the looming threat, steeling himself in preparation to protect the villagers. That''s when he felt the earth shake beneath him. He stumbled forward and back as the force grew stronger with each passing second, his fragile courage crumbling. Then, a shadow gradually swallowed him and the ruined buildings whole from behind accompanied by a deep guttural snarl.


    Mustering the little shreds of courage he had left, he forced his head to turn back and his eyes widened with terror. A towering winged beast loomed over him, its gleaming obsidian scales reflecting the arcing lightning from its jaws with a malevolent glint. Its reptilian eyes glowed with intelligence, sending a chill down Conner''s spine.


    The beast, the wyvern, tore through homes and shops, its jaws striking at villagers who were unfortunate enough to be caught in its sights. As it continued leaving destruction in its wake, its topaz eyes locked onto Conner, its gaze boring down on him with insatiable hunger.


    He tried to lift his blade but his body wouldn''t respond to his commands. His sword rattled in his trembling hand and his lip quivered as doubt slithered into his mind and seized his thoughts. His breaths turned ragged under its immense pressure, fear shackling him in place as the beast approached.


    He slammed his eyes shut. All of the time he''d spent honing his swordsmanship, the effort he poured into solving his condition. It seemed it was feeble after all. He could only pray it''d be a painless demise.


    However, instead of his end as he was expecting, he flinched to a fizzling crash resounding through the air. He peeked through an eyelid to find Stark and the others making their stand before him and the wyvern stumbling back, smoke dissipating from its cheek.


    "You''re in the way, cripple," Stark snapped, not bothering to look back at Conner.


    Although he knew he''d be a hindrance, his morale had been restored with their arrival. As he''d seen many times before, the village''s warriors exploded into battle against the wyvern. With the beast''s sheer size, they needed a way to bring it down to scale. The wyvern swung its tail towards them, its armored mass ripping through buildings as it passed.


    Orfal slammed his hand on the soil as thick walls erected from the earth at an angle, deflecting the blow with a resounding thud and shaving off layers of reinforced rock. As the beast sheared his defenses, Liyon waved his hands and streams of blue spiraled around the wyvern.


    The rushing waters took form, binding the creature in thick chains. Liyon''s hands trembled under the beast''s strength but summoning every ounce of will, he managed to wrench his hands back. The chains tightened around the wyvern''s neck and wings, yanking its lumbering form downward and drilling it into the ground, the earth shuddering under its weight.


    With strained effort, Liyon held it in place as Stark infused his arms in gauntlets of raging flames and Weirs imbued his rapier with a gale of wind. As the wyvern struggled to free itself, Stark and Weirs burst forward at blistering speeds.


    The world around them blurred as the air whipped their faces. With combined effort, they unleashed a maelstrom of slashes and scorching strikes across its body. The wyvern let out an irritated groan, barely reacting as it continued to twist and heave.


    Eventually, Liyon''s focus waned and the beast managed to wrench its right wing free from its shackles. Weirs veered violently as its razor talon slashed a gash into his chest. A shriek tore from his throat as he tumbled off the wyvern''s form.


    Liyon acted decisively, releasing his spell to conjure a slide of blue to cushion Weirs and sweep him to safety behind a newly formed earthen wall.


    "Liyon, take care of him!" Stark ordered as his teammate responded with a reassuring nod.


    The wyvern shot its wings out to their full length, their monstrous size casting a shadow over Acclar''s warriors and Conner, even as he stood a distance away. It began to beat its wings, the sheer force of their strength sending powerful squalls that shredded nearby homes, reducing them to heaps of debris.


    As Liyon tended to his unconscious ally, Orfal swept his palms along the earth with urgency before the beast could take to the skies. The earth bent to his will, tendrils of dirt and stone rocketing up into the night sky. Their form twisted, hastily interlocking with one another before closing above the wyvern to form a dome-shaped earthen cage.


    The beast slammed into the top of the cage, the stone cracking and quivering from the force as Orfal fought to keep its shape.


    "Do it now!" He shouted with desperation.


    Racing up the side of the hexagonal dome, Stark poured more mana into his gauntlets. He leaped to the top and clasped his hands together. With a roar, he rammed his gauntlets into the dome as the shockwave ripped through the air. Flames ran across the dome, consuming it in a raging inferno.


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    Orfal let his concentration fall and the cage''s form distorted, the sweltering heat liquefying the stone tendrils as molten rock gushed onto the screeching wyvern. The sounds of sizzling scales clashed with its cries of pain as a cloud of smoke began to billow.


    Stark landed on solid ground with labored breaths, watching the cloud shroud the rampaging beast. Eventually, its cries quieted until they were left with an unsettling silence. Stark remained on guard but after long seconds of nothing, he dismissed his gauntlets and turned to his teammates with a victorious smirk who had similar expressions.


    "Good work, everyone. Now let''s¡ª"


    The ground quaked once more as Stark''s eyes shot open in realization. He whipped his head back, the wyvern''s silhouette lifting itself from the rubble. Even after hitting it with everything they had, their years of arduous training had failed.


    An obsidian tail burst through the smoke to strike its nearest target. With quick reflexes, Orfal erected a thick wall packed with layers of debris and reinforced with brick and stone to protect Stark. Although he didn''t have enough time to calculate how to angle it, its density should''ve absorbed the blow. However...


    The obsidian battering ram tore through the wall, sending splintered wood and fractured stone flying. Smashing into Stark, his arm snapped at an impossible angle and his ribs caved before he soared through the torrid air and crashed through a barely standing building. The sudden force toppled over the wall, burying Stark in a heap of rubble.


    Orfal and Liyon stared wide-eyed at where Stark''s body had been entombed. Conner looked on in horror, attempting to process whether what he''d just seen was real. One of Acclar''s strongest had just been defeated right before his eyes.


    He looked back at the wyvern, which had now been freed once again, this time from the magma that trapped it. Its dark scales barely had a scratch on them as it casually shrugged off its body from their mana-based attacks.


    Growing tired of their futile efforts, its chest cavity glowed with golden luminosity, briefly exposing the silhouette of its ribs. The glow swept into its throat as it unlocked its maw, an intense radiance pouring out as golden arcs of jagged light flickered around its dagger-like teeth.


    Liyon sprang into action, water weaving through his fingers before he shot them forward. Tendrils of water wrapped themselves around the beast''s maw, slamming it shut with a hollow thud. The wyvern tugged instinctively but Liyon held firm.


    "Orfal, I can''t do this alone! We can still slay it."


    Orfal, snapping out of his trance and pushing away his doubt for failing his teammate, began hastily preparing another spell. But before he could finish, the wyvern managed to pry its mouth open just enough to cleverly leak a fraction of its lightning.


    The arcing energy immediately latched onto the tendrils of water, racing down their length with impossible speed. Before Liyon could react, chaotic whips of gold seized control of his nerves, scorching his flesh and burrowing through his bones as a primal scream ripped at his throat.


    Conner was certain that their years of grueling training and preparation would prevail, but the wyvern''s might and resilience had overwhelmed them and shattered their synergy.


    Orfal, desperate to do anything, fired javelins from the earth only for its scales to harmlessly deflect the damage. Despite having no effect, he recklessly fired more earthen spikes into the beast, roaring in anger as he drained his mana.


    Annoyed, the wyvern aimed its open mouth at the warrior, the back of its throat illuminating the devastation in a radiant glow. With little mana reserves to spare, Orfal conjured a wall barely thick enough to keep from toppling over.


    Conner watched in terror as the last of Acclar''s defenders was consumed in a flash of gold. The crater its lightning-infused breath left behind crackled with arcing remnants.


    By now, Conner''s fear had loosened its grip on him. He stumbled back as the wyvern stomped to where Weirs'' unconscious form lay to continue its feast. Using its meal as a distraction, Conner spun on his heel and fled.


    He lost his sense of direction as the landmarks he''d once used to navigate had been reduced to smoldering ruins. The only thing he could do was keep running, allowing fear to take him into the surrounding woods.


    With his heart pounding and breaths ragged, he kept straight even after the thick greenery had blocked out the billowing smoke behind him. The moonlight trickling through the trees illuminated the rough path as he ran. Stumbling and panting, he refused to stop, the cool air whipping his face and stray branches battering his forearms as he shielded himself.


    His adrenaline wore off but he didn''t stop. He didn''t care where his legs would take him as long as it was away from the echoing roars behind him.


    Time lost meaning as he continued his sprint through the wilderness until the ground underneath him disappeared and he was sent tumbling into a small ravine with a sharp yelp. He tumbled helplessly until smashing into a stream. Lifting himself weakly from the water, he staggered to a jutting boulder and pushed himself atop its relatively flat surface.


    The night air suddenly became more frigid as his soaking shirt clung to his skin. He trembled violently, squeezing water from his shirt but it did nothing to relieve him of the freezing temperatures.


    With his raging heart calming, the blood rushing in his ears subsided. Distant chirping crickets melded with the meandering waters before him. As he wiped the mud from his face, he realized that his frightened state had taken him off the path. And it wasn''t until his clouded mind had cleared enough that he noticed his sword was missing.


    He briefly scanned the area, hoping to find its glint in the moonlight but to no luck. Eventually, he had to accept that he''d dropped it somewhere along the way in his panic.


    Fiercely rubbing his arms to ward away the cold, he grew frustrated with himself. He thought training relentlessly would grant him even a sliver of his village''s warriors'' strength and confidence. But even if he''d reached their unattainable power, it wouldn''t be enough.


    The thick tar of doubt began to consume his thoughts once again, whispering nagging questions about his own self-worth and capabilities. Inadequacy gnawed at him as he now understood he could never face such formidable odds even if he was as gifted as the strong.


    "It seems I was too stubborn to notice my lack of strength," he trembled, the reality-crushing events finally smothering his hope.


    Curling up in the fetal position on his side, he allowed himself to drown in worthlessness. Tapping into his Keensight, white motes greeted him with a still calmness, the familiarity of their static nature strangely comforting. Reflecting on his own life, he found that nothing had changed, no matter the effort he put in. Fixed. Stagnant.


    Dismissing Keensight, he curled up tighter and closed his eyes, succumbing to exhaustion. Soon, the ambient sounds of the woods faded as he let his consciousness slip.

 Chapter 3: An Elders Aid

    Even before Conner''s eyes had opened, the muffled creaking of footsteps on aged wood prodded at his ears. Groaning floorboards echoed, giving him a very vague understanding of the size of the room he was held in.


    An assortment of herbs and spices wafted through the air, filling the room with an intoxicating aroma. The underside of a cabin roof greeted him as his eyes fluttered open. Though the morning sun was still hidden below the horizon, its rays soaked the distant skies in a vibrant orange hue, light filtering through the window to his side.


    Besides the lack of water leaving his tongue coarse and his throat parched, he felt fine. He was lying in a bed with dry clothing, his blankets providing a comfortable warmth.


    "So you''re awake, are you?" A gentle, yet weathered voice stirred his attention.


    Turning to the source of the voice, he found a woman who looked back at him with the soft gaze of her milky blue eyes. Wheat blonde hair had been tied back into a messy bun, her bangs framing her wrinkled face. Her dignified demeanor exuded a relaxing presence that put him at ease. Her simple cream robe moved gracefully as she approached him with a tender smile.


    "How do you feel, Child?" She placed her hand on his forehead.


    Conner blinked as he tried to comprehend the situation. The last thing he could recall was fleeing his village and ending up in a ravine, struggling to keep warm. Taking in his surroundings, he found a crackling fireplace embedded in the adjacent wall radiating warmth with a pot above it.


    Across from him, a shelf lined with medicines, natural herbs, and ointments lay organized in their designated areas. The shelves at his bedside held a selection of old books and grimoires.


    "What''s going on?" He asked his caretaker.


    "There are more comfortable places to take shelter than on a rock in a ravine, Child," she chuckled softly. "Fortunately, I frequent that stream to collect fresh water every morning before sunrise."


    She got up from her chair at his bedside and returned with a mug of water. He eagerly accepted and took deep gulps, and although it was at room temperature, it was more than enough to relieve the dryness in his throat.


    "Thank you, ma''am."


    "You may call me Iryna," She introduced as she took his empty mug. "I''m just glad you didn''t freeze to death."


    Moving to the fireplace, she carefully tipped the pot, its hot contents streaming into the mug until it was full. She then went over to the shelves of medical supplies, her hand hovering back and forth in search of something. After a few seconds, she plucked a herb from the middle shelf and a jar of natural minerals from the top.


    With practiced hands, she sprinkled in the crushed herb and added a dash of minerals before stirring the ingredients. Despite her age, her fingers moved with youthful dexterity that Conner couldn''t help but fall into a trance from.


    She carefully handed him the mug once more. "Drink."


    "Thank you." He accepted again, savoring the tea''s pleasant fragrance.


    He blew into the mug to cool it before taking a sip but jolted, his features tightening as its bitter taste made it difficult to swallow.


    His reaction elicited a poorly suppressed look of amusement from Elder Iryna. "Its flavor leaves a lot to be desired but it''ll help ward off any potential flu symptoms."


    Hardening his expression, he took another sip before setting the mug aside. "I don''t know how to repay you, Elder Iryna..."


    She waved away his concerns. "Please, there''s no need. Though if you truly wish to return the favor for my troubles, you can start with your name and an explanation as to why I found you in the wilderness."


    "Of course. My name''s Conner. And my village..." He paused as he recalled the events. "It was recently attacked so..."


    The elder nodded in understanding. "I''m sorry to hear that, Conner. If you''re in need of a place to stay for the time being, there''s an inn not too far from here."


    He scratched his head cluelessly. "And may I ask where ''here'' is exactly?"


    "We''re just outside of Paelstir Town. It''s quite a busy little town so there''s usually plenty of work for you to get back on your feet."


    "I see. Thank you for the advice." He took another painful sip of his tea.


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    He examined her selection of books, most having to do with mana-related topics. It was a small library of knowledge merely collecting dust and cobwebs. However, there was one book tucked away on the top shelf that seemed to be kept in relatively good condition.


    "Is something the matter?" She asked, getting up again to browse her ointments.


    "It''s just that I''m a bit confused. I don''t mean to come across as rude, and I''m grateful for your meticulous care, I truly am, but...you have an array of grimoires here. Surely one of them has a spell for ailments. Wouldn''t it have been easier to heal me that way?"


    She paused, her face unreadable for a moment before her soft expression returned. "Perhaps, but I''m far too old-fashioned so they''re more useful in the hands of a seasoned priest or adventurer. I''m accustomed to more...traditional methods." She gestured to the grimoires. "Most of these are just for aesthetics anyhow."


    "Right, I understand," he dropped the subject, unsure if he completely believed her.


    She returned to him with a jar of a green transparent substance. Opening the lid, she scooped a portion of the contents onto her first two fingers.


    "Now, lift your shirt up," she said casually, making him flinch. Seeing the light change in color to his cheeks, she let out a chuckle. "I promise I''m harmless, boy."


    Hesitant, he obeyed and lifted his shirt, exposing the years of amateur training faintly toning his body. With a soft touch, she lathered the scentless gel onto his chest, cooling his skin. His face burned with embarrassment as she continued massaging it into his skin evenly.


    "This will help regulate your core''s temperature," she assured, closing up the jar and returning it to its designated shelf.


    "You have quite the figure, you know," she glanced over her shoulder at him with a teasing glint in her eye. "Hardly something to be embarrassed about."


    The color in his face deepened at her playful demeanor as he promptly threw his shirt back on. Avoiding the elder''s gaze, he sat up and stared through the window, catching glimpses of birds darting across the pane.


    He could see now that they were on a hilltop overlooking Paelstir. The sun had barely begun to rear itself and the town was already bustling with life.


    "Thank you for your hospitality, Elder Iryna. I didn''t mean to cause you any trouble," his eyes fell to his palms.


    She once again dismissed his words. "It''s no trouble at all, my dear."


    After a few moments, she got up from her seat and grabbed a straw basket by the door.


    "There are some ingredients I''m missing for a soup I want to make so I''m heading out to restock. I''ll return in a few." She smiled warmly before closing the door behind her.


    With that, Elder Iryna left Conner to his thoughts. His eyes wandered from the medical supplies to the dusty grimoires. He was surprised that she was willing to leave him alone in her own home with her valuables, though it wasn''t like he was knowledgeable in medicine or proficient in mana usage for grimoires to have any use.


    His attention settled on the writhing fireplace. It was at times like these that he''d either train his physicality or reinforce his comprehension of the basics of mana. Though he was curious about her selection of grimoires, he didn''t want to snoop.


    Several minutes of solitude passed as he worked tirelessly on finishing his tea, which had cooled down some, his face scrunching involuntarily. After a long drawn-out battle with its bitter taste, he set the empty mug aside with a wrinkled nose and a protruding tongue.


    With nothing else to keep him occupied, he willed his Keensight to life and the soft white motes hanging peacefully in the air welcomed him. Their ethereal light blanketed the room in a gentle glow invisible to the naked eye. He panned his gaze out the window, the sea of particles bobbing faintly without aim.


    He quietly observed their inactivity, longing for a change in their behavior but it was all wishful thinking. With Keensight, the town below should''ve bloomed with a myriad of colors as its people meandered through the streets but it was merely a washed-out backdrop to him.


    He thought he''d come to terms with it but he felt an uncomfortable pang of frustration in his chest each time he used Keensight. Although the particles were relaxing, they also served as a reminder of his handicap. Perhaps there was still a piece of him that hadn''t come to terms.


    His attention was drawn to the doorknob twisting and the elder emerged into the room with the basket filled with a collection of different natural herbs and vegetables.


    "A few crops weren''t ready to be harvested." She set the basket near the fireplace and began organizing the ingredients. "Fortunately, I have substitutions so the soup will keep its heavenly taste."


    Her assurance was met with silence. She tried brushing it off but as time stretched with her preparing the meal and getting no feedback from her patient, she couldn''t help but turn to him. His eyes were wide and his mouth ajar as he stared at her.


    "Conner?" She called out, confused.


    His mouth moved but no words followed in his seemingly dumbstruck state. As she stood up and was about to check on him, she noticed the unmistakable silver hue in his gaze. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise but she quickly regained her composure as a smirk pulled at her lips.


    "So, you can see them too, can you? How unexpected."


    Conner watched her, both stunned and astonished. He hadn''t noticed it before but after seeing her with Keensight, it was as clear as day. A colony of motes swirled around her in a harmonic dance, enveloping her form in a gentle white flame.


    Captivation rendered him unable to process the impossibility of the particles deviating from their usually unbothered, static behavior. She made her approach as he continued to admire the foreign beauty of her aura, the ambient motes in her path drawn to her graceful presence while others were dismissed back into the atmosphere.


    "I think I understand you a bit better," She sat at the edge of his bed with a tender smile.


    With the morning sun finally peeking over the horizon to grace their faces with radiant light, he was no longer alone. Elder Iryna placed a warm hand on his shoulder.


    "Conner. How would you like to be my student?"

 Chapter 4: Two Halves

    The next day, Conner stirred awake to the sunlight trickling through his window. The birds had begun their morning choir, filling the air with their melodic song. Slipping out of his hand-knitted blanket, he let out a deep yawn and loosened his joints, stiffened from inactivity.


    It took some effort but he managed to pry himself from the comfort of his bed. He rubbed his groggy eyes into focus and made his way to the cottage''s restroom to freshen up. He splashed cold water on his face, its icy touch jolting his muddled senses, and mat down his hair to clear away his bedhead.


    After lightly brushing his dark hair and ridding his mouth of its morning breath, he threw on his grey robe¡ªthe only unisex clothing Elder Iryna could offer him for the time being to replace his tattered clothes.


    He checked his appearance in the mirror standing against the wall, giving his reflection a satisfied nod. He needed to look at least somewhat presentable for his first day of training under the elder.


    Even before leaving the guest room, he picked up the faint aroma of eggs and toast wafting through the air. Making his way to the kitchen, he found Elder Iryna sprinkling spices onto scrambled eggs sizzling in a pan. Giving it a jerk, its contents arced satisfyingly in the air and settled back into the pan with skillful precision.


    "Good morning, Conner. I hope you slept well." She spoke without looking at him before he had a chance to announce himself.


    "Good morning, Elder Iryna. And yes, I slept okay." He situated himself at the dining table.


    Separating their portions, she set his plate in front of him, the steamy fragrance drifting into his nostrils. Eggs topped with melted cheese and buttered toast on the side tantalized him. Taking a spoonful of eggs, the perfect blend of spices popped in his mouth.


    He greedily took another bite, eliciting a poorly suppressed smirk from the old woman. "Glad you like it."


    He stopped himself, realizing he''d been wolfing down his breakfast like some animal. Embarrassed, he awkwardly took his napkin and wiped the accumulated mess around his mouth.


    "Sorry." He mumbled, rubbing his neck.


    Elder Iryna poured two glasses of water and set one beside the boy''s plate. "So tell me, Conner, what do you know about mana?"


    He took another bite, now consciously monitoring his table manners. "Truthfully, what I know doesn''t exceed the basics. I know that mana makes up the world we live in and those with a certain affinity have an easier time manipulating the corresponding mana particles."


    Setting her plate and drink down, she smoothed her robes and sat across from him. "Go on."


    "Your affinity is determined at birth so you''d be more predisposed to that element," Conner paused to sip his water. "After some time, your mana channels would mature and become more sensitive to your affinity, making visualization and chanting an afterthought. Naturally, the attunement to your element would make it impossible to will a fireball into your hand if your affinity is wind."


    She nodded along, slipping a spoonful of eggs into her mouth. "I''m impressed. You seem to have quite the reservoir of knowledge."


    He absentmindedly pushed at his eggs. "As I said, I''m limited to the basics. But apparently, even that isn''t enough."


    She huffed a soft laugh. "That''s because you''ve been looking at it the wrong way, Child."


    Conner cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"


    Her blue eyes turned silver in the span it took for her to blink. "Activate your Keensight, Dear."


    He did as she instructed and hundreds of white motes bloomed into reality.


    "It''s true that the physical world is made up of mana, but have you ever considered that mana only constitutes one half of our reality?"


    He pondered her words for a moment but only grew more confused.


    "What you see is not mana, My Dear, but the other half," she continued. "Since the world has accepted that there can only be mana, they''ve reduced our inability to influence it to a ''condition''. But those who have studied these white particles, albeit not extensively, call it astris."


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    "Astris?" He echoed, sweeping his gaze around the room dotted with soft particles.


    "Yes. And although we cannot yet explain why so few of us are sensitive to it, we do know that it behaves fundamentally different than mana."


    He turned back to her, her gentle aura harmlessly licking at the table. "How so?" He asked eagerly.


    Pleased with his thirst for comprehension, she took another bite of her food before elaborating further. "While both entities complete the physical world, astris functions differently than mana, though no one can provide a concrete answer as to what degree. It is speculated that it might be the building blocks of reality while mana is the contents that fill it."


    Conner nodded along, absorbing all that he could, but something had been nagging at the back of his mind. "Though I think I''m starting to understand, that doesn''t explain why I can''t influence astris'' behavior..."


    She took the time to sip her cup of water before addressing his concerns. "Because you''ve been skipping a crucial step, My Dear."


    She must''ve noticed the confusion on his face because she went into more depth. "What you have are astris channels, not mana channels. Whereas a mage¡¯s mana channels are always tethered to the corresponding ambient particles, astris channels are more akin to a muscle that you need to strengthen to affect astris. You can''t hope to lift a heavy weight without training your body first."


    Conner''s eyes gradually grew as the pieces began to fit into the puzzle he struggled to solve for years. "So all this time, I''ve..."


    A smile pulled at her lips, amused by his revelation. "I''m not sure if there are other methods, but the one I found to be most effective at strengthening them is meditation. Matching their calm nature makes a noticeable impact."


    "I wonder why I didn''t think of that..." He pondered, looking down at his near-empty plate.


    "You were under the impression you had mana channels which are already linked to their element and cannot be trained to hold more reserves than what you''re born with. That said, mana mages have no incentive to meditate." She released her Keensight and he did the same.


    After finishing their breakfast, she dabbed her mouth with her napkin and took the dishes to place them in the sink. As she started for the door, her legs trembled and she began to sway. He got up from his seat but before he could catch her, she directed her weight towards the wall to stabilize herself.


    "Are you alright?" Conner hurried to her side, ready to catch her if she were to fall.


    "Yes, quite alright. Just lost my footing is all. Such things come with age." She gave a dismissive smile, leaning on the wall for a few more seconds.


    Using the wall for support while Conner hovered at her side, she swung the door. "Oh how I hate resorting to this thing, but I suppose it can''t be helped." She said, retrieving a wooden cane from behind the door before leaving the room. "Come. We will move on to more practical training..."


    His worry turned to giddiness at her words.


    "...after I show you how to tend to my garden."


    He deflated ever so slightly, but he couldn''t argue since this was her terms for his stay. However, there was something he was curious about. "Wait. If astris and mana are different from one another, why did you ask me about mana?"


    She stopped in the doorway and glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. "Simple. Your extensive studies would be a clear indicator of how serious you are to learn and progress." She turned back to the doorway and began walking. "I''m pleased to know that my time teaching you, at least from a theoretical approach, won''t go to waste."


    For the next couple of hours, she taught him how to properly care for the crops in her fenced-in backyard. After just a few minutes in her garden, he very quickly had a newfound respect for those who do yard work on any kind of regular basis. Luckily, each time he''d tear the weeds too high or fumble with the watering can, the elder was there to correct him...after teasing him at his expense.


    He never thought nurturing crops would entail much physically demanding work but his sore body told him otherwise by the end. He couldn''t imagine what it was like for Elder Iryna by herself.


    After he''d done a passable job on his first day, she guided him through the woods. Critters scurried as the elder led him up a trail that wrapped around a large hill. Dry leaves crunched beneath their feet and dappled sunlight caressed their skin. Eventually, they reached the top, a grassy clearing providing a breathtaking view of the Western Region of Phantovia.


    Flocks sailed across the majestic backdrop of sweeping mountains that reached for the heavens. Walls of brilliant light streamed through the rolling clouds, striking the winding rivers below. Forest greenery blended into a rocky plain that dipped into an ancient chasm carved into the earth, its depths concealed by moving shadows.


    "This is where I usually go to clear my thoughts, away from the weight of the world." She explained as she let an orange leaf flutter into her hand. "I normally don''t share my place of solace with others so I hope it will serve satisfactory."


    Conner scanned the area, the gentle rustling winds through the branches singing a soothing lullaby that he never had in his village. As he panned his eyes, he spotted a family of striped deer observing them curiously, their light coat billowing rhythmically. Startled, Elder Iryna let out a chuckle.


    "Oh, they won''t bother you," she reassured, the soft breeze playing with the ends of her robes.


    He refocused on the vast landscape before them. "I can see why you chose this as a sort of sanctuary."


    The elder smiled warmly as her eyes remained fixed on the view, pleased to hear his appreciation. "Yes, it truly is a sight to behold," she looked back at him, her wheat bangs rocking to the rhythm of the wind. "Now then, let''s get started, shall we?"

 Chapter 5: Strength Training

    The warm breeze brushed against Conner''s skin as he honed in on the earthly scent of moss and soil. His ears tuned in on the soothing melody of the winds meandering through the branches. The dancing grass stroked his legs, providing comfort and keeping him focused on the present.


    Elder Iryna remained at his side, sitting cross-legged and fully embracing nature''s gentle symphony. The rustling leaves mingled with the distant calls of birds to calm her thoughts.


    Though nature''s song provided Conner with a peaceful atmosphere, he only became more restless as time passed. He thought his training would be simple enough but he soon found it difficult to calm his mind.


    His mind drifted to Acclar''s warriors, reminding him of his lingering reservations. He fidgeted, trying to push aside his churning thoughts threatening to overwhelm him but they wouldn''t budge.


    After what felt like hours, Elder Iryna''s voice sounded to his right, snapping him out of his thoughts. "That''s enough for now." She carefully rose to her feet and smoothed her robes. "Let''s start heading back. I''d like to finish the rest of the house chores before sundown."


    As Conner followed her back down the path, he noticed he felt no different than before he began his meditation. To confirm his suspicions, he activated Keensight but after inspecting himself for a few minutes, he found no noticeable difference in himself or reaction from the astris particles while in his presence.


    Somewhat frustrated, he released his Keensight and continued following the elder back to her home. By the time he finished helping her with the last of the housework, it was already dusk. He readied himself for bed to ensure an early start to his morning.


    The next day, he helped the elder gather water from the stream before returning home to prepare breakfast. She quizzed him as they ate and was pleased to hear that he''d retained everything after hearing it once. When they finished eating, they left to go tend to the garden, checking for signs of pests and caring for the crops.


    Conner still fought with every weed he pulled on, each one feeling like a battle won, and somehow managed to overwater some of Elder Iryna''s Starbloom flowers. Fortunately, she had a vast reservoir of patience.


    After sufficient work, he went back inside to wash the soot caking his face. That''s when he stopped as he was passing by her collection of books in the room he woke up in. With the elder still watering her plants and curiosity enticing him, he wandered into the room to browse her selection.


    As he slid a book from its place, he broke into a fit of coughs as he disturbed the dust settled over it. Waving away the cloud after blowing off the cover and flipping through its faded pages, he found that it was a grimoire storing simple spells based on water magic. Putting it back in its place, he moved on to the next grimoire which offered basic spells for earth magic typically used by farmers.


    If it weren''t for the coat of dust and dangling cobwebs, her grimoires would''ve been in mint condition. Putting it back, he scanned the next shelf of mana-based grimoires. He wondered why she had so many books on mana if they weren''t applicable to her.


    As he looked through more of the same books, he stumbled across a book tucked away in a corner. He slid it out and barely noticed any dust on it. Its worn cover and creased pages told him it was used quite often.


    ''Astris Theory,'' he read the title before opening to a page.


    Reading its contents, it promised to go over very basic topics and theories relating to astris. Flipping through the first few pages he was immediately absorbed into the book. Most of what he''d skimmed through, Elder Iryna had already taught him but the author provided a more in-depth explanation.


    "Good find." A voice spoke from the doorway, startling him out of his thoughts.


    Elder Iryna stood with a smirk that teased him about his nosiness. Fumbling with the book, he closed it shamefully which only got an amused chuckle from the elder.


    "S-Sorry, Elder Iryna. I didn''t mean to snoop." His gaze fell to the floor as she approached.


    "Don''t concern yourself. Though do try to keep your curiosity in check as others might not be as forgiving," she gently took the book from his hands and flipped through its pages.


    He looked back at her grimoire collection. "May I ask something, Elder Iryna?"


    She looked up at him, awaiting his question.


    "Is there a reason you have so many grimoires that are of no value to you?"


    She stared at him, lifting an eyebrow as she answered. "I hope you haven''t made it a habit to determine what others find valuable based on nothing."


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    He blinked, surprised by her scolding tone, before his eyes fell again after replaying his words in his head. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it like that..."


    She let out a soft sigh as she continued to flip the pages. "As for your question, it''s for the same reason you''ve likely had grimoires that provided little use for you. I was misguided."


    Conner found a strange comfort when hearing this. He watched as her expression grew nostalgic, her eyes moving over contents she''d probably studied extensively throughout her own journey. "This is the only source of information I have on astris. The foundation of what I know has come directly from this book."


    As she closed it again, she handed it back to him.


    "It doesn''t offer much, but I''d like for you to have it."


    He looked at her with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"


    Her gaze drifted to the floor as she showed traces of a wistful smile. "I only have so much time left on this earth. I''d like to pass it on."


    His face fell at her words. He hadn''t known her long, and he wasn''t sure if he could properly give her any consolation. But as he stepped forward to try, she promptly turned and headed back for the door.


    "Besides, that book won''t do me any good anyhow. I could practically recite every word by now." She let out a dismissive laugh.


    With an uncertain look, he followed her out. After cleaning himself up, the two hiked up the hill back to the elder''s place of solace. Sinking into a cross-legged position, she allowed her mind to settle in nature''s calm embrace, letting her senses drift into serenity.


    Conner followed her lead, sitting beside her and closing his eyes to focus on the gentle rustling of grass and trees. As he let his mind wander, he felt a sense of peace welcome him. The training was simple enough but he began questioning if he was supposed to feel a difference in his channels. He then reminded himself of something Elder Iryna had said to help keep the voices of doubt at bay.


    She''d warned that training astris channels would be a gradual and tedious process, a journey akin to a marathon rather than a race. To assure him it was normal, she explained that it took her around two years to strengthen her channels. Although, her channels were well past their prime since, by then, she had already reached old age.


    After an hour of pushing away the growing thoughts of uncertainty, he heard Elder Iryna standing. Giving him an appreciative smile as he helped her to her feet, she told him that was enough for today and began making their way down the hill.


    As the days trickled by, Conner continued his meditation and read up on astris in his spare time. Just as the elder said, he didn''t learn any new information beyond what was reiterated in the book but he still found it to be an interesting read. The way the author articulated their thoughts on the page clearly despite covering a subject still a mystery to them was impressive.


    In the first few chapters, the author suggested theories on what astris was and its relationship with mana, though in the end, there was no concrete answer. Compared to mana, he had no idea if astris could measure up.


    Conner found himself atop the hill overlooking a fraction of the Western Region again, trying to quiet his thoughts but each time he meditated, the tendrils of doubt encroaching on his mind tightened. Two weeks had already passed and he saw no noticeable difference. He was beginning to think he was the issue. Those in Acclar seemed to think so.


    His mind veered back to the lightning wyvern and his arms began to tremble. Perhaps he was a fool to believe he could actually make any headway. He''d forgotten that his development would remain stagnant like the motes he saw, as if they too were mocking him. It was a truth he never wanted to acknowledge but perhaps it was for the best. It pained him to have Elder Iryna waste any more of her time. It was best if he...


    "Might I ask what''s been troubling you these past couple of weeks, dear?" Elder Iryna''s soft voice cut through his insecurities and silenced the storming winds of inhibition.


    Once his mind had settled, Conner met her tender gaze but quickly looked away as he admitted his worries. "I''m sorry I''ve been burdensome lately."


    The elder''s brow lifted slightly. "And why would you say such a thing?"


    His eyes fell to his hands fidgeting in his lap. "You''re needlessly using up your time on someone who''s inept. I''ve always had a habit of disappointing those around me, so I know it''s only a matter of time before I disappoint you too."


    The elder remained unfazed at his self-depreciating words, her expression fixed as she studied him. After a moment, she said in a soft yet stern tone. "If I shared the same sentiment, do you think you''d still be sleeping under my roof?"


    Unable to form a proper response, he remained silent.


    "You have undeniable potential, Conner. Even if you fail to see it yourself," her eyes flashed with a silver hue. As she briefly examined him, a pleased smirk played on her lips and reverted back to their natural milky blue color before she stood up. "So before you go spouting nonsense, you should take the time to compare where you are now to where you were when you started."


    With her cane stabilizing her steps, she began making her way back down the hill. Her cryptic words left him confused but he was still convinced she was mistaken.


    He got up and followed her back down, frustration and discouragement weighing down his steps. His eyes lit with silver as he watched astris flare around Elder Iryna''s form.


    Looking down at his hands again, he sighed. ''She simply doesn''t understa-''


    He halted and looked closer. He rubbed his eyes, believing them to be deceiving him, but when he opened them again, it was still there. An astris particle orbited around his right hand, mildly drawn to his presence. Promptly inspecting himself fully, he found less than a handful of motes gravitated weakly towards him then drifted away before others took their place, mimicking the same behavior.


    He stared at them in disbelief. It was hardly something comparable to Elder Iryna but to physically see his presence influence astris, even to a minuscule degree, filled him with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.


    His face lit up, his excitement drowning out the boisterous thoughts once clawing at his mind. After gushing over his tiny bit of progress, he''d realized the elder had already disappeared from sight and dashed down the path, now eagerly awaiting the next day.

 Chapter 6: Paelstir Town

    Conner''s hands moved with practiced ease, pulling the weeds out with the roots intact and watering Elder Iryna''s plants with precise amounts. With the gardening tools she provided, he skillfully shaved down the surrounding shrubs and trimmed their edges to retain their original perfectly rounded shapes.


    "Well done, my dear. I knew keeping you around would pay off eventually." Elder Iryna winked from her lounge chair in between sips of her lemonade as she bathed in the sun''s rays.


    Ignoring her playful jab, he double-checked the garden to make sure he''d cared for each crop, trimmed each bush, and pulled every weed. Afterwards, he went back inside to wash the sweat from his face and returned to the elder to help her walk.


    With one hand secured in the crook of his elbow and the other on her cane, they made their way up the path for their daily dose of meditation. By now, he''d gotten into a smooth rhythm with his daily life.


    Every morning before sunrise, he''d gather stream water from the ravine before Elder Iryna woke up. Breakfast was usually prepared by the time he returned and afterwards, he would tend to the garden while the elder saved her strength to venture up the hill.


    Truthfully, he wanted to get started on his meditation training as early as possible so naturally he''d learned how to tackle each of his chores with swift efficiency. This, of course, lightened the load on Elder Iryna which she greatly appreciated. Even so, as time passed, his concern for her deepened as she grew increasingly sluggish and would rest more often.


    As they reached the hilltop in twice the amount of time it used to take them, he very gently helped her down to the grass. After she was settled, he joined her at her side and the two focused on nature''s tune, slipping into a zen-like peace.


    Conner''s channels pulsed softly throughout his body, deepening his state of serenity. His senses heightened when meditating, becoming more sensitive to astris as he felt the fluttering motes caress his skin in a comforting embrace. The pace of his training was monotonous but it yielded results compared to the fruitless training he did before.


    When he opened his silvery eyes, he took in the sight of astris eagerly drawn to him, whirling around his form in a graceful dance of shimmering white. An individual''s aura was directly correlated to their channel''s strength. Although more astris particles were more ardent around him, he couldn''t help but wonder how much longer it would take to develop an aura as pronounced and refined as Elder Iryna''s.


    A soft thud startled him out of his thoughts and he snapped his head to the source. To his horror, the elder had toppled over onto her side and was gritting her teeth.


    "Elder Iryna!" He jumped to her aid. "Are you okay? Here, let me help you up."


    He gently lifted her upright, her form quivering from the fall, even though it was cushioned. With his hands still on standby should she fall again, she gave him an appreciative smile.


    "Thank you, Conner." She took the time to rest. "This old body isn''t what it used to be."


    "I told you not to get up without my help." He lightly scolded, more annoyed than angry.


    After a moment, she turned to him, examining his astris signature through the lens of Keensight. "Your channels have made so much progress since your first day."


    "There''s still room for improvement." He replied modestly.


    "There''s always room for improvement, dear. Unless you''re my age, then your progress tends to stagnate."


    After letting her watch the breathtaking view of the mountain range, he helped her to her feet and they carefully made their way back down the path. When they got back, he escorted her back to her room. As she sat on her bed, her brows shot up in remembrance.


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    "Oh, by the way. There are some ingredients I need for supper but we don''t have them in stock at the moment," she touched his arm. "They usually sell them at the market in town. Would you be a dear and fetch them for me?"


    It was around this time that he''d catch up on his light research on astris from the book she''d given him so he couldn''t help but feel a bit unfortunate to have to spend his free time running errands. Nonetheless, he agreed and she gave him a written list of items.


    He took the time to make himself decent and wash his face before throwing on a light coat and making his out the door.


    The stone buildings ahead became more detailed as he walked the winding path. The bustling streets and distant hum of daily life grew more clear as he approached. Carved from ancient stone loomed hooded mages, jutting their majestic staffs to pierce the sky as they stood proudly on pedestals on either side of the entrance like sentinels. Guards clad in bulky armor and equipped with spears gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he passed through.


    Hooves clopped over the stone roads as carriages cut through the center of the buzzing crowd. Slowing his pace, he took the time to admire the vibrant energy pulsing through the streets, unlike his rural village. However, just like in his village, magic charged the air as the townspeople intertwined the elements into their culture and way of life.


    A burly man with short red hair melting into his untrimmed beard coned his soot-streaked hand over his mouth, his exhales igniting controlled bursts of flames as he worked molten metal into shape. Passing an open field, kids giggled and laughed as an adventurer cast soft wind tunnels to levitate them all at once. To Conner''s left, an elderly woman waved her fingers over a pot of flowers, drawing moisturizer from the air until droplets clung to the plants.


    Further ahead, he spotted a crowd gathering around the square as bursts of magic swirled into the sky and exploded with a spectacle of shimmering particles. Curious, he made his way over and cut through the awestruck crowd of people until he found what they were looking at.


    A group of performers spun and leaped with acrobatic finesse, weaving elemental flare with their dance recital. Musicians tugged their strings and beat their drums as the audience, mostly children, looked on in astonishment. As the performance drew to a close, the onlookers broke out into applause and dropped silver, and occasionally gold coins, into the street performers'' bucket.


    Conner''s somber gaze fell to his hand for a moment before he realized he''d gotten distracted. Pulling out his list, he made his way to the market. Looking through each stall, he gradually ticked off every item on the list.


    After gathering what he needed, he began to retrace his steps back to the town''s entrance when he stumbled upon an armor and weapons shop. Since arriving at Elder Iryna''s home, he hadn''t had the chance to touch up on his swordsmanship. He was still sitting comfortably on his allowance so it wouldn''t hurt to browse their selection.


    The bell overhead jingled as Conner entered, alerting the shopkeeper to his presence.


    "Welcome. Let me know if you need help with anything." The short, balding man smiled before going back to adjusting the straps on a gauntlet.


    Conner nodded appreciatively before skimming over the assortment of weapons and armor. Luxurious armor was displayed proudly near the front windows while elegant swords lined the wall to his left and brutish axes stood on racks to his right.


    As he looked around, he couldn''t help but feel out of place. Fortunately, the shop had a neglected clearance section tucked away behind a display case of gaudy wands and staffs. Carefully maneuvering his way through the cluttered mess of dented armor and battle-scarred weaponry, he looked for something suitable for himself.


    Most of what he unsheathed were still in...passable condition but a handful of swords showed signs of rust. The swords from his village were lightweight but not only were these swords deteriorating, they felt heavier in his hands.


    He picked up a sword missing its sheath and held it up to the light. As he did, the loose blade rattled.


    He looked back at the sign, checking to see if he''d somehow misread "trash heap" as "clearance". Confirming the sign implied these armor and weapons were being sold, he looked back at the defective sword in his hand.


    ''Are they really okay with selling equipment of such quality?''


    As he came to the end of the selection, he''d finally found something promising. Pulling the blade from its soot-stained scabbard, he gave the sword a swing or two, pleased to find its weight distribution was something he was relatively accustomed to.


    Its overall design was modest and hadn''t yet been tainted by rust while the blade, though not exactly pristine, was far less degraded than the others before it.


    ''We have a winner.'' He thought, satisfied as he slid it back into the sheath.


    After purchasing his "brand new" replacement, he strapped it to his waist and left the shop. Double-checking his list, he confirmed he had everything and began making his way back to Elder Iryna''s cabin.

 Chapter 7: New Insight

    Sunlight squeezed through the canopy of leaves and tangled branches. The rhythmic sounds of sharp whistles cut through the stillness of the peaceful wooded terrain. With a focused gaze and steady breath, Conner leveled his sword to his side and sliced through the imaginary assailant before him with a swift slash.


    The audience of various wildlife spectated from a safe distance, curious to see what the strange creature was up to. Conner practiced the same technique again and again, occasionally slicing through leaves that were unfortunate enough to flutter into his small training area. The uneven terrain added an additional layer of challenge as he readjusted his stance and footwork accordingly numerous times.


    It took some attunement but he''d integrated his swordsmanship training into his daily routine. His sword skills, if he had any, had dampened after losing his old sword. Still, with no instructor, he could only feel out good execution which he knew was an amateur mistake. Reaching mastery was unreasonable but at least he could achieve mediocre levels of proficiency.


    When an hour of fatigue had eaten away at his muscles, he returned his blade to its sheath and walked back onto the trail that led to the cottage. Elder Iryna was rocking back and forth in her chair near the front door by the time he returned, her frail hands working to knit a blanket she''d been working on for quite a while.


    She raised her gaze and greeted him with her usual welcoming smile. "Welcome back, child. I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost. You''re back much later than usual."


    "Good to know that you worry about me." He teased the old woman.


    "Hardly," she denied with a smirk. "If you disappeared, who would tackle the house chores? It would be a shame, truly."


    Conner hummed a chuckle as he stepped onto the porch. "Will you be coming inside now?" He asked, on standby.


    She shook her head. "I''ll stay out for a little lon-" She broke out in a fit of coughs, prompting Conner to act hastily. Patting her back softly, he waited until she''d settled before refilling her cup with herbal tea from the teapot on the round table beside her.


    "Thank you," She accepted, her voice weathered, as she took a sip.


    "I can stay out here if you''d like." He suggested.


    "If you''re planning to skip out on your studies, I do hope you can prepare a better excuse than that, my dear." She winked, taking another sip. "I''ll be alright on my own. Run along now."


    He hesitated before walking through the door. "If you''re certain."


    As he made his way to his room, he couldn''t help but feel annoyed. Her health was obviously deteriorating but she continued to brush it off. He wished he could get her to understand the severity of the situation.


    Walking into his room, he took the book on astris from his nightstand and plopped down on his bed. Getting himself comfortable and opening to the page he left off at, he resumed reading the author''s over-bloated explanations. At first, he was excited to absorb anything he could on astris but over time, he grew mind-numbingly bored of the redundancy from searching for new information.


    So far meditation has been the only form of astris-related training, and although it proved useful to strengthen his channels, he still couldn''t see its advantage without a connection to the elements. His research was still frustratingly vague.


    Page after page, he read about theories of astris'' relationship with the physical world, the most plausible being what Elder Iryna had already explained. It wasn''t until he flipped to another page towards the end of the book that he cocked an eyebrow.


    Pulling the book closer, his eyes traced over the words. His eyes grew with each line, now glistening with interest.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    He shook his head then backtracked, now tracing his finger along the lines as he reread to ensure he wasn''t reading wrong. This was yet another theory, a feasible one as there was some evidence to support it, but if the author was correct, Conner would finally make some headway.


    A knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts. "I don''t mean to interrupt but supper is waiting."


    He''d become so engrossed in reading about this new information that he lost track of time.


    "S-Sorry, Elder Iryna," he fumbled, scrabbling out of bed and setting his book aside. "I''ll be there right away."


    The elder escorted Conner to the kitchen, the fragrance of spices pleasing to his nose. Fresh vegetables were laid out on the countertop next to a cutting board.


    "Let''s begin." Elder Iryna waved him over.


    Back in his home village, a maid would always cook his meals so he never saw a need to learn. His untrained hand navigated the cutlery as the elder guided him along. As a demonstration, she placed a carrot onto the board and chopped it into even pieces with little but skillful movements. He tried to imitate her but had only managed to chop them into irregular chunks.


    He thought moving on to peeling the cabbage would yield better results but somehow he''d reduced it into a ravaged heap of jagged green compared to her sheet of wavy strands. Scraping the ingredients into the boiling pot of water hanging over the fireplace, he was instructed to add a pinch of spices. He was convinced the universe was against him when the lid to the bottle popped off, dumping all of its contents into their dinner.


    Elder Iryna responded with a sigh laced with both disappointment and amusement as Conner flared with embarrassment. Fortunately, she had spare veggies and substitution spices for the new batch.


    By the time his disastrous cooking lessons had ended, it was already nightfall. Disappointment fell upon his features as he wouldn''t be able to test his findings from his astris book. Instead, he did some more studying in his room until his eyes drooped closed.


    The next day, he was atop the same hill by himself as Elder Iryna was still in bed all throughout his trip to the ravine and gardening chores. He''d usually use this time for meditation but was too impatient to put what he''d read the night prior to the test.


    Setting the open book down, he spaced his legs and closed his eyes, falling into a deep concentration. Even after strengthening his channels, he still had his doubts about whether or not this technique would work. It was technically a theory after all.


    His body pulsed with unseen energy as he worked his channels. He squeezed his eyes tighter in hopes of drawing upon more focus but after minutes of nothing, he began to think he was debunking this author''s theory.


    However, before he allowed his concentration to fall, he felt his body tingle. When he opened his eyes, he was shocked to find strands of soft white gravitating towards him, clinging to his body. He watched as the particles congregated, wrapping and coating his body in a thin layer of white and relaxing his muscles as the tingling sensation turned to a comforting warmth. Inspecting his arms, now clad in a near-transparent sleeve of astris, he felt lighter than before.


    His focus fizzled out as he grew more amazed and the astris evaporated back into the atmosphere with a gentle hiss. Falling to the grass, a wave of relief and joy flowed through him. He was certain that he had hit a dead end but he was ecstatic to have proved himself wrong.


    He skimmed through the chapter''s content once more to confirm this technique''s capabilities. Closing his eyes, he tried again, feeling for the ambient astris and willing it together.


    After a few minutes, faint streams of white once again trickled towards him and coalesced around him. When he opened his eyes, the astris began to dissipate but he was quick to tighten his hold to retain most of its shape.


    As he stood to his feet, careful not to break focus, he slowly walked over to a bulky log, three times larger than him, lying at the edge of the clearing. More astris departed from him, cutting open patches but he held on firmly.


    ''Let''s see if this actually works.'' He prayed, reaching down and cupping his hand underneath the bark.


    He took a deep breath, expecting mediocre results but to his shock, the log shot upward when he lifted with little effort. Although he couldn''t lift it over his head, it was still an astonishing feat considering the log weighed several times his own body weight. He barely felt any strain on his muscles.


    As the last of his astris had finally melted away in a white mist, he snapped his hand back when the log abruptly plunged to the ground, quivering the earth.


    He stood there, stunned but pleased that his studies hadn''t been entirely for naught. Deciding against his meditation training in favor of exploring this new ability''s potential, he closed his eyes again and called upon astris.

 Chapter 8: Temporary Fix

    Minutes blended into hours as Conner trained tirelessly atop the same hill overlooking the vast expanse of Phantovia. Thanks to his strengthened channels, influencing astris was made not just easier, but possible. However, as he continued practicing, it became apparent that his channels still needed some work.


    He realized encompassing a wider area in astris was significantly easier than targeting a specific body part as that would demand a certain level of skill and precision. After he''d read further ahead in his book, he learned that the layer''s thickness was directly correlated to the strength of his channels.


    Conner spaced his legs and breathed, tapping into his channels as they worked to siphon astris from the air and wrap it around his skin. It took a few seconds but the particles eventually reacted, streaming around his form and binding together in a coat of soft flickering white.


    Straining his focus further, he called upon more astris to mend the fading gaps. Satisfied with the amount of astris coating his body, he dropped into a low stance. The log he''d used to landmine deadlift was straight ahead. As he focused on keeping his hold on his astris, he exploded forward.


    The air whipped his face as his featherlight form glided across the grass. As he tried to stop himself in a panic, digging his heels into the ground, he lost his footing and tumbled into the log. A burst of crackling wood shattered the peaceful air as he smashed into it, fragments flying in every direction. Fortunately, his astris protected him from the impact...mostly.


    "Enhanced speed, check..." He groaned in pain.


    He dismissed the astris back into the atmosphere and lay there for a minute or two to gather his strength. Pulling himself out of the decimated log with trembling hands, he gave himself a pat down and a quick inspection. Aside from a few cuts and a couple of bruises, he was fine.


    "Enhanced durability, check." He nodded.


    Though it would take additional time to control, he was nonetheless satisfied to have proven the author''s claims. As he decided it was best to make his way back to the cottage, a distant screech pierced the air. He froze, his trembling body remembering that sound all too well. Glancing in its direction, he spotted a massive figure on the horizon soaring across the sky before it dove into the chasm and out of sight.


    "It''s still here?" His voice quivered as he waited a few minutes for his racing heart to calm. Once he had full control of his body, he painfully limped his way back to the cottage.


    He returned much later than intended and was expecting a scolding but it never came. As he peeked inside the elder''s room, she had just gathered her strength to get out of bed. He breathed a sigh of relief as she didn''t seem to notice him gone.


    "Don''t think for a second that you''re safe, child." She said, her back turned to him as she gently stretched her aged joints.


    He flinched, coming out of hiding as he scratched his head.


    "I promise I wasn''t skipping out on my duties," he replied sheepishly. "How''d you know I was back?"


    She looked back over her shoulder with a smile. "I don''t need to see or hear your return when your astris signature is so prominent."


    Dismissing her words, he came up to her side. "By the way, I''ve found a better way to help you."


    "Oh?" Her brow raised slightly in curiosity.


    He held the book up to his face. "The author dubbed it ''Astris Augmentation.'' They describe it as basically wearing astris like a suit of armor and, by doing so, can bolster the wearer''s physical capabilities. If you train this, your daily life would be made easier and much more comfortable as you could regain your¡ª"


    "Conner." She cut in, freezing his words in his throat. "Haven''t I told you I''ve already read that book from front to back? Don''t you think I would''ve come across the subject of physical enhancement?"


    His gaze trailed down as he lowered the book. "Then...why don''t you take advantage of this ability?"


    "You can''t solve natural life-lasting problems with temporary solutions," She reached over to grab her cane with more effort than what he was used to seeing from her. "And by the time I was made aware, my channels were already well past their prime anyhow."


    She stood, snapping Conner out of his somber thoughts and helped stabilize her. As he escorted her through the cabin, he mentally prepared himself for what was to come. It would mark his second day of grueling training with the elder. It was his most challenging lesson yet.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Rounding the corner to the kitchen, Elder Iryna said, "Now, ready the ingredients. I''ll show you how to make a steak stew."


    The next few days came and went and Conner found himself atop the hill alone more often. Every day, he''d dedicate his time, originally used for meditating, to training Astris Augmentation. Although he''d gotten better at drawing in ambient astris and reducing the gaps, the layer was still relatively thin.


    Dropping into a low stance, he clad himself in astris, feeling it wrap around his body in a sheet of translucent white. Focusing on the log he''d decimated, he blasted himself forward, creating a depression where he once stood.


    The world blurred as his form carried a gale of wind that whipped the grassy plain. He soared through the shallow trench he''d gradually carved into the earth. As the log rapidly filled his vision, he tried to stop but his foot caught on the uneven ground, turning his skid into an awkward skip. Raising his arms, he braced himself as he rammed into the bulky log with a thud.


    Though he wasn''t satisfied with his control, at the very least he didn''t crash through the log like he''d done for the first couple of days. As for imbuing himself with astris, he was grateful to have had a guidebook on the ability as trying to figure it out on his own would''ve taken much longer, months even.


    After imbuing himself, he found it difficult to hold it in place for long stretches of time, not because his channels were still weak, but because, like a muscle, he needed to learn how to flex them to achieve the desired results. And so, the more he infused his body, the more he honed in on how his channels pulsed and surged.


    After another hour, he packed up and left for the cottage. Elder Iryna was just getting out of bed by then, just in time for him to accompany her on her daily walk, the only real exercise her body could handle.


    "How''s your training coming along, dear?" She asked, admiring the melodic tunes of the birds darting through the canopy of trees.


    He thought to himself for a moment, his mind drifting back to the warriors of his village. "Okay, I suppose. Though, compared to others I''ve seen, I''m learning at a slower pace."


    He carefully guided her around a small heap of debris obstructing the trail.


    "Regardless, we all learn at our own pace, child. You shouldn''t let that discourage you," the breeze ruffled her washed-out wheat hair as she remembered something he''d told her days before. "Though I know I can''t utilize astris augmentation, I am curious to see it for myself, if you would be so inclined."


    He waved away a stray gnat. "Of course, Elder Iryna. But I''m not sure if I can give it a proper demonstration."


    They continued to walk the trail until they came across a small clearing. Woolly deer that were feasting on grass and berries snapped their gazes in their direction before darting off into the woods. Conner gently sat the elder down on a fallen log before making his way to the edge of the clearing.


    The elder watched in anticipation as the youth took up a stance. Streams of translucent white gravitated towards him, fanning out over his form and clinging to his skin. Her milky eyes sparkled faintly in fascination as she watched near-transparent flames flicker softly around his body.


    Straining her eyes, she activated Keensight to see the finer details of how astris was reacting. Waves of white whirled and merged with him, the colony of particles shoving into one another eagerly to claim their spot within his aura.


    He lowered his stance and in one push, he propelled himself forward. His form blurred into a streak of white as he blitzed across the field, the tall grass and shrubs dotting the area whipping to his passing.


    As he slowed at the other end of the field, his form cleared and he comedically pranced to a stop. The elder couldn''t help but chuckle at his struggle to brake.


    "Sorry if it didn''t live up to your expectations." He dusted himself off.


    "No, no. If anything, it exceeded my expectations."


    After she had her laugh, Conner proceeded to demonstrate his enhanced strength on a boulder. Tucking his fingers underneath, he lifted one end of it past his chest as bugs scrambled to escape the light. The elder applauded him as he dropped the stone with a hard thud and proceeded to shatter a chunk of the stone with a quick jab without a scratch on him to show for it.


    "Very impressive. Rather than have you test it, I''m going to assume increased durability is a bonus." She said, adjusting her position.


    "Yes," he approached her as he dismissed the astris coating his body. "Though I''ll need to train and study more to improve it."


    "Then you''d best keep up your hard work. And soon you will be a proper mage."


    He sat beside her on the log. "A proper mage, huh?" The calm wind brushed through the trees as he contemplated a question. "Elder Iryna, why did you want to teach me?"


    "What a strange question. I thought that would be obvious," she put on an innocent smile. "Astris is still very much a mystery and I am much too old to experiment with it. So I thought that nudging you in the right direction would help me unravel that mystery.¡±


    He glared but there wasn''t any real bite to it. "So I''m just your researcher."


    She hummed a laugh as she looked forward towards the rustling treeline. "There aren''t very many of us which means we are naturally different from the rest of the world." Her smile turned somber as she absentmindedly prodded at a rock with her cane. "Society tends to steer clear of those who deviate from the norm...It can be a lonely existence. But having someone around who understands that struggle makes things a little easier, especially when my time is nearing."


    She looked at him apologetically. "I suppose in the end it boils down to selfishness. I''m sorry, Conner."


    He shook his head reassuringly, comforting her with a warm hand on her back. "Don''t be."