The blue sun's light was just beginning to creep through my window when Azure gently roused me from sleep. I groaned, every muscle protesting as I forced myself upright. The thin mattress had done nothing to help my already exhausted body recover.

"Are you sure I can’t get a few more minutes of sleep?" I groaned, rubbing my eyes.

"Elder Molric's instructions were quite specific about arriving at dawn," Azure reminded me. "And given his... eccentric nature, it would be unwise to test his patience so early in our apprenticeship."

I couldn't argue with that logic. After quickly freshening up and adjusting my new robes (which were somehow more comfortable after sleeping in them), I left my room to enter the main corridor.

The academy was active even at this early hour. Initiates hurried past with haunted expressions, many clutching books or practice materials. None of them met my eyes – whether out of fear, jealousy, or simple survival instinct, I couldn't tell.

"Any idea where Elder Molric's chambers are?"

"The quartermaster included a map with your materials,” Azure replied. “His laboratory is in the eastern spire, near the apex."

Of course it was. Because why wouldn't the eccentric hermit have his sanctuary in the highest, most isolated part of the floating citadel?

Finding the right tower was easy enough. Unlike the main spires with their pristine crystal architecture, this one had been overtaken by twisted plants wrapping around it like a mother caressing her child.

After walking up the never-ending flights of stairs, I stood before a heavy wooden door, noting how it seemed to be the only non-crystal surface in the entire corridor.

"Enter," came the elder's voice before I could knock.

I pushed open the door and stepped into... exactly the kind of chaos I'd expected from an obsessed researcher.

Every surface was covered with specimens – plants in various stages of transformation, and what looked suspiciously like preserved body parts floating in jars of crimson liquid.

The laboratory itself was massive, easily ten times the size of my tiny room. Multiple workstations were scattered throughout, each dedicated to different experiments. The walls were lined with shelves containing hundreds of books and scrolls, many looking ancient enough to crumble at a touch.

And in the center of it all was Elder Molric, bent over a simple potted plant. His fingers traced patterns in the air, guiding threads of red energy that wove through the plant's structure like embroidery.

"Watch carefully," he said without looking up. "This is attempt number forty-seven at teaching plants to inscribe their own runes."

I moved closer, unable to hide my interest. The plant's stem was writhing, its surface rippling as if something was trying to push through from within. Then I saw it - patterns forming in the bark, crude but unmistakable runic shapes emerging like a child's first attempt at writing.

"The theory is sound," Elder Molric muttered, more to himself than to me. "If living things can be taught to generate their own stabilizing runes, the applications would be..." He trailed off as the patterns grew more complex, spreading across the plant's surface like frost on a window.

For a moment, it looked like it might actually work. The runes were almost complete, taking on that familiar silvery sheen I'd seen on other Skybound markings. But then something shifted - the patterns began to blur, running together like wet ink. The plant started vibrating, its glow intensifying from silver to angry red.

"Ah," Elder Molric said with surprising calm. "Perhaps a bit too much resonance this time."

The plant exploded in a shower of crystalline shards, forcing me to duck behind a nearby workbench. When I peeked out, there was nothing left but glittering dust and a cracked pot.

Elder Molric sighed, brushing fragments off his robes. "And that would be failure number forty-seven. Though..." he picked up a larger shard, studying it with interest, "this one managed to maintain the runic structure for almost three seconds longer than attempt forty-six. Progress!"

"The runes looked almost stable at the end there," I said, standing back up. "Why did it fail?"

His eyes lit up at my question. "The living tissue begins to accept the runic patterns, but then..." He caught himself mid-gesture, remembering why I was there. "But that's a discussion for another time. First, we should address your training."

Moving to a clearer workbench, he began organizing some papers. "The academy has mandatory lessons for initiates – resonance theory, runic basics, meditation techniques. They take up most of the day." He glanced at me. "As my direct disciple, you're not required to attend these sessions. I expect you to master the basics on your own time, either through self-study or by attending whichever lessons you feel necessary."

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I nodded, already planning to sit in on at least a few classes, if not in this cycle then a future one. "I understand, Master."

"Good. Now then..." He turned to face me fully. "Let's see if you completed your assignment. What are the three fundamental principles of resonance?"

"Harmony, stability, and progression," I answered. This had been in the first chapter. "Harmony refers to the alignment between practitioner and celestial energy. Stability is maintained through proper runic foundations. Progression represents the natural evolution of one's resonance as they advance through the ranks."

He nodded. "And the five primary runic configurations?"

"Circular for containment, spiral for transformation, linear for direction, branching for distribution, and..." I hesitated for a fraction of a second.

"Triangular for focusing," Azure whispered in my mind.

"Triangular for focusing," I finished smoothly.

The questions continued, growing more complex. We moved into material from books I hadn't had time to read, but Azure fed me the answers from his analysis. Elder Molric's eyebrows rose slightly as I correctly described advanced runic theory that should have been well beyond my current level.

Finally, he held up a hand. "Enough. Your grasp of the theoretical framework is... acceptable."

Before I could respond, his expression shifted, and he launched into what I could only describe as a rant.

"But you know what's truly fascinating? The fundamental flaw in all these texts!" He began pacing, his movements growing more animated. "They all preach submission to the red sun's power, as if that's the only path! 'Submit to the crimson light,' they say. 'Let it guide you to enlightenment.' Nonsense!"

He whirled to face me, his eyes burning with intensity. "Why should we submit to just one celestial power when two exist in our sky? The red sun may drive transformation, yes, but the blue sun..." He gestured excitedly. "The blue sun provides stability! Balance! The key to true transcendence isn't submission to one force, it's harmony between both!"

I fought back a sigh. Azure had been right – we hadn't even made it to chapter three before the heterodox master revealed his controversial theories. Still... he wasn't entirely wrong.

While I'd experienced the red sun's power firsthand - its ability to enhance physical capabilities and drive mutations - the blue sun remained a mystery. I'd seen it in the sky, felt its gentler light, but had no idea what powers it might grant. The books I'd read barely mentioned it, focusing almost exclusively on the red sun's influence.

If there were any way to break the boundaries of what is possible in this realm, it was likely linked to the combined power of the Two Suns.

"The Skybound do seem to artificially limit themselves," I said carefully. "Even their name implies restriction – bound to the sky rather than truly free."

"Exactly!" He slammed his hand down on a workbench, causing several specimens to rattle alarmingly. "My research suggests that by properly combining both celestial energies, we could achieve something unprecedented. Imagine – the transformative power of the red sun tempered by the blue sun's stability. Perfect balance, perfect control!"

He was practically vibrating with enthusiasm now, pulling out diagrams and research notes. "Look here – my early experiments show that plant life can be modified to process both energies simultaneously. The failures are numerous, yes, but each one brings us closer to understanding the true nature of celestial power!"

His voice dropped to a whisper. "The other elders call it heresy, of course. They're too invested in the old ways, too afraid to question traditional teachings. But you..." He studied me intently. "You're different. Since you're a Natural who can channel the red sun's power without runes – you're already proof that the orthodox path isn't the only way."

It was then that I realized why he'd accepted me as a disciple so quickly. To him, I wasn't just a student – I was validation of his views. Living proof that the traditional understanding of celestial power might actually be wrong.

Seeming to realize how carried away he'd gotten, Elder Molric coughed and straightened his robes. "But... that's just something to consider. For now, show me how you manipulate the red sun's energy without runic stabilization."