Xerion sat on a meditation mat, in the middle of a courtyard located within the mansion of Nadia Tulinen Širdis – his cultivation teacher.

The open-aired nature of this place held a certain charm, as if easing the heart’s worries, mostly thanks to the light streaming in from above and the ever-present taste of fresh air on one’s tongue.

It was so quiet here, so peaceful. Even with full focus placed upon his senses, the only sound that reached his ears was that of muffled footsteps far in the distance, and that of breathing – coming from his fellow student.

Damien’s posture showed uneasiness, the boy unaccustomed to conversing with other Practitioners. Quite the usual occurrence for those stemming purely from mortal roots.

Those granted with the gift of wielding essence could be… overbearing, at times. Feeling superior to those without such. Some, as unfortunate as that was, liked to remind the mundanes of the difference between their stations.

The fear ingrained from such treatment and oppression wasn’t easily put aside, and so, those who ascended from beginnings as humble as they come, tended to be a bit… skittish, around the ones with more impressive pedigrees.

Xerion hated to see his fellow mentee act in such a way. It wasn’t right. Both of them were here and equal, and he’d make sure for the boy to understand such.

“I never properly introduced myself, did I? I’m Xerion Säkene Širdis, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh, yes, and I’m Damien Itkevä Širdis. Uh, I did say that before.” He scratched at his head. “But yeah, nice to meet you too.”

“You did say it, but now it feels more official, no?” He flashed him a grin. “So you already know what I tried, but what did you do to light a Spark? I’d love to hear about it, if you don’t mind sharing.”

“Ah, no, I don’t mind. For my first attempt, I kind of… made my heart beat a certain way? Like the actual organ. See, I thought, maybe vibrations could get through? And affect the mists that way. And, well… they did, but the backlash then slammed into my heart, and I passed out.”

“That’s… impressive,” Xerion said. “Hmmm. Yeah, shit, now I want to try it. I know it’s a bad idea, but it sounds sooo interesting, right?”

Damien nodded, a small smile on his face. His lips opened to continue, but at that moment, their teacher cut in.

“Both of you tried to do the same thing on your initial attempts, but from two different angles. You, Xerion, thought to use your mind to influence your heart, while Damien did so with his body.”

Nadia shook her head, seeming amused. “Then instead of steady progress, you upped the scale to the very top. The similarities are truly interesting. The correct method for Spark condensation is to employ all three in the process – heart, mind, and body. You’ll figure it out in time, I’m sure.”

Hmmm. I’m already getting ideas. Maybe I could bring the mists under my control through the power of my heart, then command them with my mind, and cause friction by applying vibrations? He grabbed and pulled at his stubble, his imagination ever conjuring new solutions to this conundrum.

The clearing of a throat brought his attention back to the chestnut-haired boy.

“Ah, I— See, I wanted to… Hmmm. I’m a—”

“You can just ask. I don’t mind, truly.”

Damien sighed, then appeared to harden his resolve. “I’ve been a fan of Xafram, the Golden Defender of Virsha, for as long as I can remember, and you look exactly like him, and you have the same surname. Are you, errr… maybe possibly related to him?”

Xerion froze. “…Yeah. He’s— He was my father. But yeah, he’s… ah, you know…”

“Damien,” their teacher chided, her voice full of disapproval. “That question—”

“No, it’s all right. Really. This topic, it’s still a bit of an open wound, since he… yeah. But yes. He was my dad.”

Nadia clapped, suddenly bursting with energy and teeming with cheer. “That break went on for longer than it should’ve, yes? Let’s get back to it. Xerion, please peer within your Heartspace and tell me how much essence you have left.”

He wanted to object, but more on pure instinct than of true desire. The way he answered, it made him look weak, vulnerable, like a little kid yearning for his daddy. He hated that, for people to think of him that way. But reason prevailed, and so, he shut his mouth and delved within.

Will-flesh condensed before his thought-made eyes. A quick scan of his surroundings gave the answer to his teacher’s query.

“Not a lot. That final collision dissipated a good half of it, I think. Is that bad?”

“The use of such methods can not only be damaging, but also terribly inefficient. You’ll improve in time. And that’s quite fine. Come on out, and we’ll discuss a few things pertaining to your breakthrough.”

Goodness, was that word electrifying. The ascension of his mind, the return to the outside, sure got a bit of a speed boost by its mere utterance.

“I’m ready,” Xerion said eagerly, palms rubbing at his thighs in nervous anticipation.

Nadia handed him a rock, grey and unassuming, then stayed silent.

“This is?” he asked.

“A stone. Now hurry up and use it.”

“…I’d really like to ask for some more details.”

“Don’t you trust me?” she asked, hurt evident in her voice.

“…I do?” he said, more a question than a statement. Then with greater conviction: “Yeah, I do. But the last time I didn’t ask for additional information and instructions, I almost killed myself. Also, this’s a test of some sort, right?”

Nadia merely smiled, gesturing for him to get on with her request. He sighed in resignation and did so.

Power pure of owners and of concepts flowed, running through the channels that filled every corner of his form. A hundred paths it took, twisting, twirling, yet kept coming. Then it arrived, gushing into his heart reservoir.

Liquid essence burst and changed, mist appearing in its place. One lick of gold had left its color, then a hundred also followed, the white clouds no longer free, slowly starting to be his.

Xerion watched in amazement as his Heartspace began filling with unattuned energy, which then was quickly converted into one usable by him. Stained by Courage? Would that be the right term?

Unimportant, he thought and cleared his mind. Minutes flew by as a seemingly unending stream of essence was poured into his depths. And then, he was full.

“Ugh, that feels awful,” he said, returning the rock to his teacher. “Now could you tell me what that was?”

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“An Unattuned Essence Stone. And yes, it’s quite unpleasant to be so teeming with energy, but the longer you stay that way, the more bearable it shall become. A good practice for the future, I say.”

“Unattuned? Hmmm. Is this one of those treasures I talked about? I didn’t know they come in such a form.”

“Oh, Xerion. You don’t actually believe you already know everything, do you?” She shook her head. “A Practitioner’s journey of advancement is one of never-ending learning. And yes, this would fall into that category of items.”

Nadia motioned at both of her students. “To forestall your next question: Yes, this is another treasure given to the mentors, to be used on their mentees. And no, you can’t take it with you. It’ll stay with me, as will the rest of them, for the precise reason that young Practitioners tend to be… hmmm, bursting with confidence? Thinking themselves of no need of further guidance?” She gave him a pointed look. “A foolish notion, don’t you think?”

Xerion grumbled under his nose but nodded in acceptance. It did make sense, for the access to such good stuff to be conditional. “The thought of going on my own never crossed my mind.”

“But of course,” his teacher said and winked. “Now, let’s dive into the why of things. For example, why did I make you use it? See, the uses of those rocks are many, but for this instant, only two are relevant: filling the Practitioner’s Heartspace with extra energy when running dry, or doing so when in preparation for a perfect breakthrough.”

“Perfect breakthrough?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“What do you think is needed to advance from one Sub-Rank to the next?”

“What the ‘Progress’ line says? To condense all the necessary Sparks?”

“Indeed. What else?”

“I…” Xerion struggled, his very soul in turmoil at the words he had to say. “I don’t know.”

“Nor should you, not before today. That’d be the mist. About thrice as much of it as needed to create all the Sparks. But see, breakthroughs vary in how complete they are. For the best possible one, a Practitioner needs their Heartspace to be absolutely brimming with essence, till not an iota more can enter.”

“So I’m going to…?”

Nadia didn’t answer, her gaze moving onto the unassuming rock in her palm. Astonishment seemed to flash across her face, followed by the redoubling of her concentration. Whatever tests she was performing, their results must’ve been astounding.

Two minutes later, she looked up, her green eyes taking Xerion in. There was some resignation in those, and a bit of… envy?

“I’m going to tell you something. Try to not be too smug about it, won’t you?” Without giving him the time to object or to contemplate her words, she continued: “The Essence Capacity Limit differs between Practitioners. As far as we know, it’s innate. When people speak of talent, this is one of the most important parameters to ascertain it. A higher cap is naturally better.

“The average ECL is around nine. I know, where did the strange number come from? One, for example, would mean having the heart depth for enough mist to create all the Sparks needed to complete the Sub-Rank’s Progress.

“You understand, yes? At your Sub-Rank, at Level 1, you need to make three Sparks. Therefore, an Essence Capacity Limit of one would allow you to store enough mist to light another three at any moment. As I said, the average is nine, which means having the stores for twenty-seven more Sparks.

“Your ECL is… well, I’m uncertain, actually. Between thirty-five and forty. A ridiculous number. Not unheard of, but… ridiculous. I’d call a person with fifteen as plenty talented.”

Xerion wasn’t, in fact, too smug about it. Mostly because he didn’t see that much significance in what was said. That, and he had some deeper, more complex feelings regarding this news.

“Are higher reserves really that important?” he asked, confused. “Like, yes, I’m sure they help a lot, but you make it sound like… I don’t know. Life-changing information.”

Nadia looked taken aback, before snorting with laughter. “You don’t understand, you silly boy. A higher ECL allows for better breakthroughs. Which also means getting more Attributes, and condensing stronger Sparks.”

“Okay, that’s… yeah, I can see how that changes things.”

His mentor shook her head. “No, you’re right, it doesn’t matter that much in the end. It’s just— Practitioners put a lot of emphasis on it. I let it get to my head, and I shouldn’t have. This is a good thing.”

Xerion had a complicated expression on his face as he said, “Yeah… Yes, it is.”

“Hmmm? What’s with that dour look?”

Xerion glanced at her, then at Damien. “Well… Yes, I’m glad I got this advantage. I need as much power as possible, to… do various things. But then, I- I fear that…” He ran a palm over his hair, pulling at it nervously. “I don’t know. That no one will recognize my efforts, if I ever accomplish anything. That they’ll say ‘oh, he’s talented, so it only makes sense.’ It’s stupid. I should be happy.”

Nadia’s eyes gained that quality he so often saw in Maria’s, after a particularly eventful conversation with his mother. Gods, even Damien had a look of understanding. This was all so embarrassing. Maybe… should he leave?

“Worry not, my young student. I won’t say a word of it.” She made a motion of sewing her lips shut. “And I’m sure that—”

“Me neither,” his fellow mentee butted in. “I- I, ah, get how people can judge you, think all you have is because of luck. It’s… it’s awful, yeah.”

Xerion gazed at Damien, maybe for the first time seeing who he truly was. The boy seemed exhausted, and not the mere thing of running out of stamina after a good workout, but rather bone-deep tiredness gained after months of constant effort with little sleep.

His tiny frame held muscles of no real note – if judged by the standards of Practitioner families, that is. But by mortal ones? If he started working on them recently? Extremely impressive.

And beyond the awkwardness he so readily showed, there was this… pride, a mere speck of it, battered and barely hanging on, but undeniably there.

This was a man who got a chance to make his life better and took it, clinging onto it with both arms, not letting all the shit he was subjected to slow him down.

“I believe you,” Xerion said to him, respect clear in his voice. Then he looked at Nadia. “Both of you. And thank you. This means a lot.”

Damien’s face grew red at the words, while their teacher waved her hand in acknowledgment and said, “It’s a small matter. Now, how about we get to that breakthrough, yes?”

“Yes! I’m sooo ready to go.”

A snort echoed out. “Yes, I’d imagine so. Well then, enter your Heartspace and I shall provide some guidance, when necessary.”

Xerion plunged within, to the scene of endless mists. If what he held before was a lake of essence, this was an entire sea, with three tiny lighthouses in the middle of it. A qualitative difference came from such a quantity, he was sure, as there was a weight to it all now. His spirit felt heavy, bogged down by a load too huge for it to bear.

Thankfully, a solution to this little issue was readily apparent. An advancement. Growth of real import. The excitement! And if everything went well, he might not even die.

“I’m ready, Ms. Tulinen.”

“Oh, how formal! I’ll allow it, on this occasion. Shall we start?”

“Yes!”

“Very well. Here’s your first step: grab the Sparks and spin them round and round, near the edges of your Heartspace, and do so quick, for their speed will be of the essence.”

Xerion thought back to their earlier talk, how those Sparks should be condensed. Heart, mind, and body, she said? Let’s try this.

This space belonged to him. It was within him. It was him. Since the moment of flesh parting, since that muffled pain was felt, his reign started, as the sovereign of his heart.

Mine

The decree had echoed true, and the whole inner world rumbled. An all-too-familiar coppery tang made its way to his mouth, but he smiled for he knew, it was the acknowledgment of his word.

All would do as he commanded.

Will-flesh arm extended forth, thought-made fingers grasping, clenching. Not enough. He needed to be bigger. Mind sunk deeper as form grew, forming a colossus whose existence even his imagination barely fathomed. But it was still human, and he needed it to be more.

A palm made of thousand memories tore at his chest, digging a deep furrow in the phantasmal flesh. From it, another one emerged, all three limbs each grabbing a tiny flame.

Xerion held those minuscule, condensed sources of power and started spinning. The giant size of his conjured body allowed for a truly insane level of acceleration, and at its peak – when his mind’s creation began falling apart – he released those fiery Sparks.

This was his Heartspace. All fell under his control. And so, he controlled their flight and speed, keeping them exactly where they were needed.

Three flames drew a circle after circle, so fast that they appeared to be a single, gold-tinted scarlet ring of power in a land ruled by mist. Mist, which began to get sucked by the strength the ring exerted on its surroundings, and so following its path, moving to its tune.

“I did it,” Xerion said, his voice strained. “And the essence is moving too! What now?”

“Good, good, good. Hold on for as long as you can, preferably till your entire reserves are in motion. Then, you need to detonate the Sparks, light it all on fire, and push out with all your power.”

“What?!”

“Do as I say; no time for unnecessary chatter.”

Xerion wasn’t about to argue with that, too preoccupied with the apocalyptic scene happening within his body.

In the end, it took minutes for the entire thing to become a single, enormous spinning construct of pure golden power. Such was his exhaustion by that point, that when the moment came, he just impassively flicked a finger and—

The ring ignited.

Xerion screamed as pain more torturous than all he ever felt combined tore through his chest. Only a tiny sliver of his mental clarity remained, and with it, he ordered the fiery maelstrom to push.

Existence released a groan, like a chair with legs about to give. The pressure on it mounted, and mounted, and—

Crack

The barrier blocking his advance crumbled.

“Don’t stop pushing!” Nadia roared. “You keep at it until either every last drop of energy is gone, or you pass out!”

Xerion barely heard her, but he didn’t need to. The single, lone thought echoing through his head ad infinitum was exactly:

Push