「'KiAera. I want you to grow that sapling into a tree,'」GamaGen instructed. 「'Your hint...'」
「'Abyssal Ambience' is the fundamental resource required for the manifestation of Spectral Flame. It is the raw material of the abyss itself, and it takes on the form of particles that exist in the air around you. With every breath, you are taking in Abyssal Ambience and storing it within your core, where it can be used to fuel your flames.'」
Reading the runes on the walls, KiAera nodded to herself. But questioned the meaning of those words. She wanted to be able to help everyone. To be able to make them stronger. But how would she do that?
She held her gaze on the tiny plant. Do not touch or harm it.
The Spectral Flame within her core burned steadily as she channeled its energy toward the sapling. The flames danced around the plant, encircling it in a halo of warmth and light. She focused on her goal, willing the plant to grow stronger, taller, healthier. Her willpower surged, the flames shifting from blue to white—white to blue—the temperature constantly maintained to harmless levels.
But still, nothing happened.
She tried again. And again. And again. But the plant remained unchanged. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much focus she put into her efforts, the sapling refused to budge.
GamaGen had insisted on the test, so she was determined to see it through. But as time passed, and her frustrations grew, she began to lose faith in her own ability. The fire within her flickered, then faltered, the flames sputtering weakly before finally dying out completely.
She slumped to the floor in defeat, her ears drooping and tail hanging limply behind her. "I don't know what else to do, GamaGen."
The book floated down to her eye-level.「'You need to believe in yourself,'」 he said, his voice calm and steady. 「'Do not let your doubts or fears hinder your progress. You are capable of so much more than you realize. You have the power within you to change the world around you for the better, and it's up to you to discover it. Have faith in yourself, KiAera.'」
With that, he turned and left her alone with her thoughts.
KiAera sat in silence, contemplating GamaGen's words. She was strong-willed, but what was it about her willpower that could help her grow the sapling? What was it about herself that would help her accomplish her goal?
She sighed and shook her head, feeling hopelessness creep into her heart. How was she supposed to succeed if she couldn't even figure out the first step? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind.
Maybe if she cleared her thoughts, she could come up with an answer… Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, but still she struggled to find a solution.
Just as she was about to give up, she felt a faint tug at her core. Suddenly, she realized it: The only thing needed is your spirit. With every breath, you are taking in Abyssal Ambience and storing it within your core, where it can be used to fuel your flames.
She opened her eyes and looked down at the sapling. If the Spectral Flame within her core could be used to grow the plant, then why not take in Abyssal Ambience directly from the air? Her eyes widened as she realized the implications of this newfound realization.
If her flames were fueled by Abyssal Ambience, then could she redirect that fuel into the sapling?
She closed her eyes again, focusing on the energy flowing around her—within her—converting, altering, and alternating. She began to breathe deeply, pulling the Abyssal Ambience directly from the air while proactively channeling it into her Spectral Flames. She could feel the flames inside her burning brighter and stronger, fueled by her willpower. She then directed the flames toward the sapling. The plant began to grow, its leaves unfurling, its stem stretching slightly taller, and its roots digging deeper into the soil.
"Keep it cool and gentle…" she murmured to herself, continuing to channel the Abyssal Ambience into the flames. The temperature rose slightly, but not enough to harm the plant. The sapling continued to grow. "It's working!"
As she focused on the process, she realized that the more she directed the Abyssal Ambience into the flames, the more she could sense the connection between them. It was as if they were one entity, one being—the flames and the plant. It felt as though they shared a consciousness, a shared purpose. This seemed familiar. No, it felt familiar… like the moments when she underwent transformation!
KiAera's [WIL +10]! KiAera's [APeX +10]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Name and Status: KiAera
APeX: [2300 Units] → [2310 Units]
WIL Parameter: [80 Will] → [90 Will]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Her eyes opened once more, staring at the sapling. Its leaves had grown thicker and lush, its stem had expanded and strengthened, and its roots had dug deeper into the soil. It had transformed into a beautiful, healthy young tree.
GamaGen, who had been silently observing her all along, slowly floated over. His pages fluttered slightly as he scanned the tree.「'What do you see, KiAera?'」
She stared at the tree. It was tall, strong, vibrant. "I see... I see a young tree."
The book floated closer. 「'But what do you see?'」
KiAera pondered his words for a moment before responding, "I see... potential."
The book seemed satisfied with her answer, as he continued to hover nearby. KiAera took a moment to examine the tree, marveling at its transformation. It had gone from a small sapling to a young tree in a matter of minutes, all thanks to her Spectral Flames. She could only imagine what else she could accomplish with her power.
「'Well done, KiAera. Let's work on the next seedlings. You'll grow two at a time while I amplify the modifier in the room to Level 3 with a five times multiplier. The same rules apply with the same objective. Be warned, though; you will feel some kind of pressure weighing upon your body, as if you were inside a pressurized container,'」GamaGen explained, pointing a spine at the other small plants within the chamber.
"No worries, GGen, I'll be fine," KiAera nodded. The saplings weren't much bigger than the first, so she figured she could handle it.
As soon as she touched the first set of seedlings with her flames, she could feel the change in pressure within the chamber, as if it were ten times heavier, perhaps even more. It hit her hard—almost crushing, as if she were submerged in water—as she tried to maintain her focus on the seedlings.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe, but she continued to push through the discomfort. As if magnetized to a position, the particles of the Abyssal Ambience seemed to resist her attempts to convert them into her flames, and the resulting pressure weighed heavily on her body. Nonetheless, she persevered, refusing to give in to the pain or exhaustion—hauling the particles toward herself with fifteen times the effort. The flame internalized within her core nearly went wild, and she had to concentrate even harder.
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GamaGen watched as she struggled, his expression unreadable.
KiAera's [WIL +150]! KiAera's [APeX +150]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Name and Status: KiAera
APeX: [2310 Units] → [2460 Units]
WIL Parameter: [90 Will] → [240 Will]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
"What... happened?" KiAera panted, finally completing her task. Her body ached, but she was proud of herself for pushing through the pain. There were two young trees before her—but one was scorched black on several leaves. "I had a hunch I could reverse it, but I wasn't sure if it would work... It seems I have a lot to learn about my powers."
GamaGen nodded in agreement. 「'That you do. In this test, you learned the limits of your power. But what you have yet to discover is the true nature of your abilities.'」
KiAera could feel the pressure in the room settle as the etchings on GamaGen's cover glowed. The sensation of weight was there, but not as uncomfortable as before. She glimpsed the panel situated within a pavilion. 'Level 2. Multiplier x5.'
The book hovered toward a fountain. 「'Next we'll have you convert water to fire and back.'」
KiAera stared at GamaGen, her heart racing. "Convert water to fire? Is that even possible?"
GamaGen floated back to her side, the water swirling around him shifting into pure abyss particles. 「'In the world of magic, anything is possible if one understands the underlying principles and the essence of their powers. You have already proven your ability to manipulate the Abyssal Ambience and harness your willpower to fuel your Spectral Flame. Now you'll learn to bend the very elements to your desire.'」
"That sounds… plausible," KiAera admitted, glancing toward the shimmering fountain not far from where they stood. "What do I have to do?"
GamaGen tilted his spine, focusing his attention on the fountain. 「'First, you must attune yourself to the water. Understand its flow, its rhythm. As you breathe, let the water guide you. Feel the coolness, the fluidity, and how it can shift from one state to another. Your task is to coax the water into your flames, converting its essence into fire while maintaining its core qualities.'」
KiAera nodded, though her heart raced at the thought. She approached the fountain, the gentle sound of cascading water filling her ears. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her senses, attempting to connect with the water. There was an ambience—pleasant and calm, and waves of coolness teased her fingertips. She could almost hear its whispers, urging her to feel its flow.
Taking a deep breath, she plunged her hands into the fountain, letting the water envelop her. Instantly, a sense of calm washed over her, as if the water recognized her intentions. The sensation was both exhilarating and formidable; she could feel the potential it held. But how could she turn that potential into fire?
She concentrated, recalling the lessons learned in the previous challenges. Drawing on the Abyssal Ambience, she began to build her inner flame once more. As she did, she envisioned the water not as something to be consumed, but as something to be transformed. It was a partnership; fire and water could coexist, shaping each other through her will.
Slowly, KiAera began to manipulate the water with her mind. She could feel it responding to her, swirling in tandem with her thoughts. Her heart raced, setting the pace for her breaths as she pulled energy from her core into the water. She whispered a silent promise to the droplets: "You are not just water; you are the foundation for something greater. Together, we can transform. Together, we can ignite."
With every heartbeat, she infused the water with the essence of her Spectral Flame, urging it to morph, to give up its liquid form in favor of something more fiery. The sensation was unlike anything she'd encountered before; it was as if she were walking a tightrope between two worlds, balancing the ebb and flow of the water with the fierce intensity of her flames.
The water responded, shimmering with vibrant hues as it began to shift. She could feel it vibrating in her hands, a pulse of energy as the temperature steadily increased. She pushed the boundaries of her willpower, focusing on the balance between the two elements. There was a tension in the air, a crackle as the water began to boil in her grasp.
For a moment, doubt crept in again. What if she couldn't pull this off? What if she fizzled out like the last time? But thinking of GamaGen's encouragement, she steadied herself, deepening her connection with the water. She could feel her core pulsing with the rhythm of her heart, the duality of flames and water thriving within her.
And then, with a burst, the water transformed! A bright blaze of fire exploded from within the fountain, illuminating the chamber with a dazzling display of blue and white. KiAera's eyes widened as she gazed at the spectacle, her heart racing with the excitement. The flames twisted and danced before her, carrying the essence of the water—smooth, fluid, and vibrant. She had done it, taken the liquid from the fountain and turned it into fire. Yes!
But the flames lacked stability; they flickered wildly, shifting back toward water if she lost focus for even a moment. KiAera narrowed her thoughts, breathing steadily as she sought to anchor the flames. She sent her will through the fire, willing it to obey her command. The flames glowed brighter, but at a cost—the energy it took to maintain the shape strained her.
KiAera's [WIL +40]! KiAera's [APeX +40]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Name and Status: KiAera
APeX: [2460 Units] → [2500 Units]
WIL Parameter: [250 Will] → [290 Will]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
「'Excellent work, KiAera!'」GamaGen praised. 「'But remember, your goal is not just to create fire; it is to merge the two elements. They are not opposites but parts of a greater whole. Control the flow and find the harmony that exists between them.'」
KiAera nodded, then exhaled, slumping herself against the fountain. "We're done, right? Please tell me we're on the last bit of the lesson."
GamaGen floated closer, his pages flickering rapidly as if in contemplation. 「'Not quite, KiAera. You are indeed growing, but you have yet to experience the full extent of a Revisionist's abilities. To truly master your powers, you must learn the art of altering—shaping not only the properties of elements but also your very perception of them. But first… let's solidify what you've achieved today.'」
KiAera winced at the thought. "Altering? Like rewriting the rules of nature? Isn't that a bit... extreme?" Then again, transmuting water into fire was already a form of bending reality.
She shivered at the implications of what GamaGen was asking her to do next, so maybe she should be prepared for the unexpected.
「'You could say that. But what's even more important is the ability to reshape them at will. In essence, you will harness the flow of energy that exists in all things and redirect it as you see fit.'」
KiAera's brow furrowed. "How can I even begin to do that? I barely managed to transform water into fire," she admitted, still trying to catch her breath.
GamaGen floated closer, his pages softening as they settled into a more comforting tone. 「'Every journey begins with a single step, KiAera. You need to trust in your abilities. Your connection to both the Abyssal Ambience and the elements is your greatest asset. Remember, you have already proven to yourself that you can do the impossible today. You just need to push a little further.'」
Taking a moment to absorb his words, KiAera allowed herself to feel the flicker of hope reignite within her. "Alright. Let's do it.”
GamaGen conjured a small sphere of water, rich with Abyssal Ambience, hovering it gently in the air before her. 「'Now, I want you to focus on this sphere. Feel its shape, its motion. It is not just water; it possesses the potential for so much more. Instead of forcing a change, invite it. Think of this sphere as yourself.'」
GamaGen's book form then began to shift, maintaining the same size but transforming into one that was all too familiar: a raven with a multitude of purple eyes and feathers etched with silver lines. It took a moment to recognize the creature, but it was the form of a Kravenox. Since when could GamaGen return to such a state?
It startled her when GamaGen's eyes glowed with an ominous intensity. Before she knew it, she found herself lifted off the floor, as if the ambience in the room were hoisting her into the air. GamaGen raised her high enough that she began to feel uneasy. Panic spiraled through her mind as she swung her paws frantically toward the ground. She kept moving upward—higher and higher—until it became dizzying!
What was he thinking?
"Ahem," GamaGen cleared his throat as he flitted toward her. "While I have you suspended in the air, I would like you to give careful consideration to activating your chimera's mark. I am going to drop you, Miss KiAera." His gaze lingered intently on the dim sigil on her forehead.
"You wouldn't dare," she hissed.
A low, almost sadistic chuckle rumbled from GamaGen's new form, his purple eyes gleaming with an unsettling delight. The transformation into the Kravenox had given him an aura of foreboding that KiAera wasn't used to—or entirely comfortable with. His wings flapped softly, creating gusts of Abyssal Ambience that swirled in an almost taunting manner.
「"Miss KiAera, you underestimate my commitment to your growth. Now, use your mark. Alter yourself to survive the fall. Or don't… The choice is entirely yours."」
KiAera's heart raced as she twisted and writhed midair, trying to shake free of whatever invisible grip held her aloft. "You're insane! How is dropping me supposed to teach me anything?!"
「"Panic often breeds clarity,"」he said serenely. 「"And nothing awakens potential like the threat of gravity-induced annihilation."」
Without further warning, the invisible force let go.
And KiAera plummeted with a scream.