Logan’s eyes widened.

"High Councilman Greinier informed me about the events that unfolded on Earth. I was saddened to hear about your parents." Celyse said in a soft voice.

Logan averted his gaze.

"I shall not condemn you if that is your desire." she said, "Is that truly what you wish for?"

Logan glanced at her. "What if it is?"

"Then acknowledge and accept it as your will." she said, "If you truly wish to master Eleon Arts, your will and determination are to be resolute, regardless of your motivation.”

"So, you wouldn’t try to stop me or talk me out of it?"

"That is not my duty. I am to aid you in your training, not coddle you." she said, "As I have said before, I shall not condemn you for having those feelings.”

Logan half smiled and lowered his head. "I will do my best.”

Celyse nodded. "Now then, if you would please follow after me, we shall proceed.”

She led him to a grassy hill beyond the courtyard. The hill itself wasn’t that impressive, nor the view that could be seen from it. At first he wondered why she brought him there, after which he concluded that it would be safer to practice on a hill than in the courtyard, where they might damage the priceless sculptures.

Although the sun rose not that longer ago, the heat in the air already affected them, even the view below distorted into a light haze. Logan feared that it would become unbearable by mid-day, he hoped that a cool breeze would come to their rescue at that time.

He wiped the moisture from his forehead then stealthily grasped his trousers while looking off into the distance. He turned back to Celyse who shook her head and muttered "Men" under her breath.

Logan smiled sheepishly. "Shall we get started then?"

Celyse let out a faint sigh. "Very well.”

"Eleon Arts are quite difficult to master, thus, we commence training from a very young age. In spite of that fact, many fail to proceed to the manifestation phase before they reach adulthood." she said, "You comprehend what I am saying yes?"

Logan nodded.

"Good. From this moment you are a child that has not yet learned how to crawl, as such, I shall address you as Nehana. The rough translation would be Junior initiate, it is the name given to all children."

Logan opened his mouth to protest.

Celyse narrowed her eyes. “Do you take issue with what I said?"

Logan pressed his lips together tight and shook his head sideways.

"We shall commence your training with Nature manipulation, it is the simplest to control, thus it shall serve as an acceptable introduction.”

"So, like water, earth and air?"

"Correct, as an initial standard you shall master the basic elements before proceeding to the manifestation phase.”

"Take a look at that flower." she said, pointing to a patch of soil beside him.

Logan gasped in surprise. A beautifully artistic flower bloomed out of the ground, created entirely out of sand.

“Incredible...can you create anything?"

"With substantial training and application, any visualized concept may be manifested physically.”

"That’s so cool. It really looks like what we call magic on Earth...not that anyone can actually use real magic.”

"Nevertheless, we shall commence with water manipulation as your first element to master. There exists a small lake beyond the East walls, it shall serve as our training area for the coming days." she said, "Let us make haste."

Logan nodded without further questioning.

After a ten-minute walk through the forest of giant sequoia-esque trees, they arrived at the lake. Logan sighed in relief, his wish from before had partially been realized, in fact, it turned out better than he could have hoped for.

"The look on your face is not of someone who is prepared for intensive training." Celyse said.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Sorry about that, I’m just relieved that we’ll have this lake to cool down in when the temperature rises."

Celyse grinned mischievously, and gestured towards the lake. "Well then, proceed into the water without delay."

"I shall inform you when you have reached the appropriate depth."

Logan removed his shirt and shoes then rushed towards the lake. The moment his feet touched the water, a sharp numbing sensation overwhelmed his entire body.

"It’s freezing!"

He turned around towards Celyse to protest, however her eyes were averted.

"Have I given you the command to stop Nehana?" she said, her eyes still averted.

"No, I-"

"Then proceed until I give you the order!"

Logan clenched his fists and grit his teeth, an involuntary response to combat the cold. His muscles tightened to generate heat as he continued walking farther into the frigid lake. He was submerged up to his sternum, any farther and he would succumb to hypothermia, at least that is what he thought. His teeth chattered and he shivered uncontrollably.

‘How is the lake this absurdly cold? Even with the abnormal heat of the sun on my shoulders, there is no relief.’

"That is far enough, you may turn around.”

"So you can look at me now that I’m near drowning" he muttered, noticing that her eyes were no longer averted from him.

"Did you say something Nehana?" she said with a raised brow.

"N-nothing.”

"Do you feel refreshed?"

"Not to complain or anything, but how long will I be submerged in this death trap?" he said, his voice trembled due to the cold.

"Until I permit you to leave Nehana.” she said, "Do not fret, it shall become pleasant once you have bonded with the lake.”

"All right, let’s get started then." he said, "What do you want me to visualize?"

"Visualization is important, however it would be meaningless unless you are bonded with the element that you wish to manipulate.”

‘Do we need to become friends or something?’

"So how does one form a bond?"

"I shall explain it in the simplest manner.”

“Eleon exists in all things, giving life and structure to the world. Naturally, this includes us.” she said, “We as Lumus have the ability to sense and interact with Eleon in both ourselves, as well as the world around us.”

She glanced at Logan.

He nodded.

“In order to interact with the elements, we need to form a bond between the Eleon within ourselves, and the distinct Eleon contained within the target element.”

Logan raised his hand. “May I ask a question?”

“You may.”

“From what you have explained, there is a distinction between our own Eleon signature, and the Eleon that exists in the world. What about the elements, is there a distinction between the Eleon in say, water verses the Eleon on air?”

Celyse leaked a smile. “High Councilman Greinier mentioned your sharp wit... impressive.” she said, “Yes, there exists a clear distinction, however, it is not limited to the elements.”

Logan nodded. “So, we have to form individual bonds with each Eleon type before we can manipulate them?”

“Indeed, Eleon bonds are essential to Eleon Arts.”

“Got it, so how do I form a bond?”

“First you need to become aware of your own Eleon signature, your essence, if you will.” she said, “This will unlock your senses, allowing you to establish your sense of self, and perceive the Eleon signatures around you.”

“How do I do that? What should I be searching for?”

“Eleon vibrates at various frequencies, dependant on the element or matter it resides in.” she said, “As we speak, the Eleon with you, and the lake are vibrating at different frequencies, it is something easily discernible with practice.”

“Wait, you can sense my Eleon signature?” he said, “Then why did High Councilman Greinier not know my Lumus status before testing me?”

“Eleon exists in all things, Malenta included. The difference is that Malenta are unable to perceive or harness Eleon. It is only through training that one’s Eleon signature becomes more distinct, allowing Lumus to identify one another.” she said, “In addition, your lineage made it difficult to ascertain your Altherian classification.”

Logan nodded. “That makes sense.” he said, “So, what am I supposed to do? Don’t tell me.... I have to meditate or something to perceive my Eleon signature?”

Celyse nodded. “Indeed.” she said, "You best make haste before your limbs lose their function, permanently."

Under extreme conditions and an absurd degree of unreasonableness, Logan managed to persevere and complete the tasks set upon him by Dormain.

He believed his former mentor to be the absolute worst instructor, at least with regards to human decency. However, over the past few hours his opinion has shifted to some degree. Perhaps delirium had set in due to prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, he definitely had minor brain damage, at least according to him. He wasn’t thinking clearly, and he couldn’t focus for any length of time.

No amount of shivering nor muscle contraction brought any relief. Had he been entirely human, he would have succumbed a very long time ago. Thus he cursed his genetics for allowing him to persevere, unwillingly. He raised his head towards the sun, hoping and praying for a catastrophic solar flare to evaporate the lake and put an end to his torture.

Indeed, he began to lose touch with reality.

"Nehana, now is not the time for reverie. If you are to bond with the lake before sunset, you cannot lose your focus." Celyse said.

"Yes, I’m sorry.” he said, "What am I doing again?"

Celyse sighed. "You are to perceive your Eleon signature and establish your sense of self. "

"Right...What am I supposed to perceive or feel exactly?"

"I shall only say this once, listen closely before you commence.”

"Firstly, clear your mind and disregard all external stimuli. Once your mind is free of conscious thought and distraction, a faint thrum will become perceptible. It may sound as though the thrum is resonating inside of your ear canal, however it is a sensation and not an actual sound. You are to change your perception of the thrum, from a sound into a feeling. It is only through that feeling that you are able to fully comprehend your Eleon signature. The process in which you convert the sound perception into a feeling, I shall leave to your discretion. I shall provide further instruction once I am satisfied with your progress." she said, "Now, proceed as I have instructed.”

Logan nodded.

Logan closed his eyes; using meditation and breathing techniques, he attempted to clear his mind. He felt apprehensive about completing his task, namely due to the fact that he would need to think about his next step once he perceived the thrum.

Although Celyse indicated that his mind was to be free of conscious thought to perceive it initially, she did not say however whether conscious thought after perceiving the thrum would result in him being unable to perceive it thereafter. After meditating for nearly an hour, he heard the thrum.

‘That hum…That’s it! Finally.’