Kiyara motioned for Adrian to sit down, and he complied, crossing his legs on the floor. Mimi padded away to a dimly lit corner of the chamber, curling up with her green-flame tail wrapped around her small body. Within moments, the fox was napping peacefully.

“This will not be pleasant,” Kiyara warned. “I will guide your mana channels to open, but you must focus and make sure that the flow of magic doesn't overwhelm you."

Adrian nodded. "Out of curiosity, what will happen if I lose my concentration?"

"In the best case scenario, you'll suffer from a severe case of mana core overexertion."

"Glowing veins, intense pain, I get that. And the worst case?"

"Well… there is a very small chance that other complications may arise. But you don't need to concern yourself with such trivial matters, My King."

"Kiyara, just tell me what I'm in for, please."

Kiyara sighed. "There is a small chance that your body may collapse completely, you may even die.

Great, exactly what I needed to hear. Adrian forced himself to nod, trying to mask his apprehension. “I appreciate the honesty, but don't worry, I'm still committed to seeing this through."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm certain."

Kiyara extended her hands and placed them gently against Adrian's chest. A surge of warmth spread from her touch, sinking deep into his core. Adrian closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, centering himself. Almost instantly, he felt the flow of mana within him responding, like a locked door being forced ajar. Heat pulsed outward, thrumming through his body. So good so far, nothing feels off.

The initial burst was manageable, but then Kiyara pushed further. Adrian’s eyes snapped open, wide with shock.

The heat intensified, turning molten, and mana poured through him like a raging river. His veins burned, the energy tearing through pathways that were barely ready to support it.

“Focus! Redirect the flow, don’t let it pool!” Kiyara yelled.

Adrian grit his teeth, trying to guide the mana, but it felt like trying to control an avalanche. His fingers twitched as sparks of blue fire erupted around him. The heat was unbearable; sweat poured down his face. This isn’t working…

Kiyara’s grip tightened. “Your mana channels are resisting. I must push harder.”

“Push… harder?” he gasped, his voice strained.

But before Adrian could protest further, another wave of energy crashed through him. His arms trembled. The blue flames that surrounded him crackled and spat wildly. Cracks of light spiderwebbed across his skin as his veins glowed brightly. “Kiyara… I can’t…!”

“You must! Resist it, My King. Guide it. Control it!”

He forced himself to concentrate, drawing on every ounce of willpower. He tried to channel the energy into one place—his core. For a moment, it worked; the torrent slowed, and the overwhelming pain ebbed. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived. The mana surged again, this time fiercer than before. His veins lit up like molten rivers beneath his skin, each pulse of power more intense than the last.

The room itself seemed to react, green and blue flames dancing along the stone walls. The air vibrated with mana, thick and suffocating. Kiyara frowned, sensing the imbalance. “Your channels are fighting me. I must adjust.”

“Adjust…?” His voice cracked, sweat dripping into his eyes. But Kiyara was already acting, redirecting the flow once more. The sudden change sent a searing bolt of pain through his chest, and he cried out.

He felt himself slipping, the sheer magnitude of the power threatening to engulf him completely. I’m… going to be torn apart. Desperation clawed at him, but he pushed back, clinging to every shred of consciousness.

"Hold on just a little longer!"

Adrian’s world narrowed to the burning light coursing through his body. Pain was all he knew. I can’t give in. I have to… control it.

Adrian’s body trembled under the weight of the mana coursing through him. The blue glow from his veins flared brighter, blinding in its intensity. He felt as if his very blood was burning, boiling away beneath his skin.

“Focus! Feel your mana core and anchor yourself.”

Anchor myself… right, he thought bitterly, fighting against the tide within him.

The boy closed his eyes, shutting out everything but the roaring heat inside. He forced the torrent of mana to narrow, pushing it towards his radiant mana core. Slowly, agonizingly, the chaotic flow obeyed.

The blinding light beneath his skin dimmed. The pain receded to a dull ache.

Adrian's breaths steadied, and hands no longer shook, and the erratic sparks of blue fire calmed into a steady glow around him. The energy had not gone, but he had taken hold of it.

Adrian opened his eyes, meeting Kiyara’s gaze. "How did I do?"

She nodded approvingly. “You did it. The flow is stable.”

He exhaled shakily, a wave of relief washing over him. “It… feels like I just wrestled a storm.”

“In a way, you did, Now, let us see what came of it.”

Kiyara stepped closer, her tail of green flames trailing behind her. “May I touch your forehead, my King?”

Adrian’s brows furrowed slightly, but he gave a short nod. “Go ahead.”

She lowered herself gracefully, fingers hovered just above his forehead. “This might feel strange, but don't worry, it's part of the process."

Adrian braced himself as her fingers touched his skin. A surge of warmth flowed from her hand into his head, not unpleasant but deeply alien.

He felt her magic threading through his mind like roots burrowing into fertile soil. It wasn’t invasive, but it demanded his attention. It's as if she's burrowing into my soul.

After a moment that stretched into eternity, Kiyara withdrew her hand, prompting Adrian to open his eyes and meet her gaze. “So, what did you see?"

"Your mana core has changed noticeably."

"In what way?"

"It's best if you see for yourself, My King."

Adrian nodded and closed his eyes, letting his focus shift inward. He reached out with his awareness, searching for the steady glow of his mana core. It didn’t take long before he found it: a brilliant sphere of energy pulsing within him. The blue radiance he had come to know so well was still there, but now, patches of deep purple flickered across its surface like veins. Purple? That must be the conjuration magic Kiyara mentioned.

He opened his eyes and exhaled softly, meeting Kiyara’s watchful gaze. “You were right. I didn’t expect to gain an affinity for conjuration magic.”

Kiyara’s tail flicked, lips curling into a satisfied smile. “It seems my efforts were successful."

Adrian chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. “It seems they were.”

“Do you still remember how to use conjuration magic properly?”

“I’m pretty sure I do. But just to be safe, why don’t you explain it to me again?”

"Very well, but first, I'll need you to stand, My King." Kiyara said.

Adrian nodded and stood up. "What now?"

Kiyara slowly rose to her feet. "Conjuration requires focus, intent, and a clear image of what you wish to manifest. Close your eyes and envision something simple: a small object, perhaps. Picture every detail of it in your mind.”

Adrian closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath. He visualized a stone with a faint blue tint to its surface. He focused on its texture, its weight, the way it would feel in his hand. Manifest it.

“Now, draw upon your mana and channel it into that image. Bring it forth.”

Adrian reached for the energy within him, feeling it flow through his veins. He directed it toward the image of the stone, willing it into existence. For a moment, he felt something. Is this right?

Yet, in the end, nothing. The air remained still, unchanged.

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He stared at his empty hands, frustration bubbling up. “Did I do something wrong?”

Kiyara chuckled softly, the sound more reassuring than mocking. “You simply need to be a bit more patient. Let’s try again.”

Adrian nodded and closed his eyes once more, focusing inward. This time, he tried to clear his mind of distractions, drawing upon his mana slowly, carefully. He pictured the stone again, each rough edge and cool surface. He willed his energy to wrap around the image, to give it weight and presence.

“Steady,” Kiyara murmured. “Do not rush. Let it flow naturally.”

The mana responded sluggishly, slipping away from his grasp like water through his fingers. He gritted his teeth, pushing harder. The spark flared again, brighter, but still the air remained empty when he opened his eyes. “Why isn’t it working?”

“You are trying to force it, My King. When you seek to create, you need to understand not only the form but its purpose. Conjuration is more than just making objects, it’s about bringing an idea to life.”

He took a slow, deep breath. I need to calm down. Losing focus will only make it worse. “Fine, what next?”

“Try something different. Conjure an object that holds meaning to you, something you understand intimately.” Kiyara suggested.

Adrian hesitated, thinking. “Would a sword work? I'm quite familiar with how it should weigh and feel."

“Perfect, close your eyes and imagine it in your hands. The balance, the edge. Make every detail real in your mind.” Kiyara instructed.

Adrian obeyed, shutting out everything but the memory of the blade. The mana within him stirred, responding to the vividness of his thoughts.

“Now, draw upon that connection, channel your mana into that form."

Adrian focused harder, feeling the surge of mana welling up inside him. He directed it toward the image in his mind, willing it to take shape. The air around him crackled, and heat surged up his arms. Blue flames flickered into existence around his hands, swirling and coalescing into a tangible form. He opened his eyes.

There, resting in his grasp, was a sword. It glowed faintly with a bluish light, the edges flickering like a living flame. He stared at it, disbelief giving way to a rush of exhilaration. I did it.

Kiyara’s smile widened. “Well done.”

He turned the blade in his hand, testing its weight. It felt… right. Familiar, as if it had always been a part of him. The flames danced along the blade’s edge, but it remained solid, tangible. He swung it experimentally, and it responded as a true blade would.

Adrian looked at Kiyara, pride and relief evident in his eyes. “It worked.”

Kiyara watched him with approval, her gaze sharp and assessing. “You have a natural talent for this, but let’s see what else you can create.”

Adrian took a deep breath and let the sword fade away, the blue flames dispersing into the air. "Do you have any suggestions?"

“Continue with what is familiar, conjure other objects that you know well. Weapons, tools: anything that comes naturally to you.”

He nodded and closed his eyes again, drawing upon the steady warmth of his mana. He pictured a shield as mana flowed into his hands. Focus, slow and steady.

When he opened his eyes, he was holding a round shield. Its surface glowed faintly with blue energy, and it felt surprisingly sturdy in his grip.

“Good. You're improving fast, My King."

"In that case, let me try something else."

Adrian dismissed the shield, then tried again, this time focusing on a spear. The shaft was straight and firm, the tip glimmering with a faint, fiery light. He tested its weight, then spun it experimentally, feeling the balance. "This whole conjuration thing has become much easier than I expected."

“You’re adapting quickly, but there is no need to limit yourself. I'd suggest trying to conjure an object which you rarely use now, just to see what would happen." Kiyara said.

He considered her words. Different. His mind raced through familiar objects until it landed on something he rarely used: a bow and arrow. "What about a bow? I think being able to conjure one on demand could be useful."

“Excellent choice.” Kiyara replied, a small smile playing on her lips.

Adrian closed his eyes reluctantly, letting the world around him fade as his focus turned inward. He reached into the depths of his mind, calling forth the image of a bow. The mana within him stirred, sluggish at first, but as his resolve sharpened, it surged forward, like a river breaking through a dam.

Warmth enveloped his palms, and his eyes snapped open. He was holding a bow, not of wood, but of pure, shimmering blue flame. The string crackled with energy, casting faint ripples of light across the chamber.

Adrian’s breath caught as he turned it over in his hands. The bow felt solid and familiar, as though it had always been a part of him. He ran a finger along the curve, marveling at how natural it felt. Why does this feel so… easy?

“Oddly comfortable,” he muttered. Testing the tension, he drew the string back. The resistance was perfect, and with the motion, a glowing arrow of blue light coalesced in his grip.

"I'm impressed, truth be told, I wasn't expecting you to be able to manifest such a marvelous weapon." Kiyara said.

"Not so fast, I still need to try and fire an arrow first."

"By all means, please proceed."

Adrian aimed at a distant stone jutting from the far wall, his focus sharpening. The arrow thrummed with power, responding to the mana he poured into it.

When he loosed the string, the arrow streaked forward, leaving a trail of crackling light in its wake. It struck the stone dead center, a sharp, resonating impact that filled the chamber.

“Well done,” Kiyara said warmly.

The bow felt right, but it could be better. Adrian thought.

He tightened his grip, channeling more mana into the bowstring. Energy rippled through it, and this time, the arrow that formed had a blazing core of blue fire. He nocked it slowly, the intense heat warming his fingers but not burning him.

“Let’s see what this can do,” he whispered. Drawing the string back, he aimed high, locking his gaze on a section of the wall. Then, he released.

The arrow shot through the air, its fiery core blazing brighter with every heartbeat. Halfway to the target, it erupted in a radiant burst of blue flames, scattering embers that danced across the chamber. The heat lingered in the air as Adrian lowered the bow and smiled faintly. "That was more like it."

Kiyara clapped her hands slowly. “Impressive."

“I still think there’s room for improvement.”

“Of course, there always is. But for now, rest. You have come far in a short time.”

***

Adrian stacked a few stray bricks to form a crude makeshift seat. It wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement, but it served its purpose.

He sat down with a soft sigh, leaning forward slightly as his hand instinctively found Mimi’s head. The little fox of green flames had curled up on his lap, her luminous emerald eyes half-closed in contentment. He stroked her ears gently, feeling the odd but soothing warmth of her fiery form. At least she’s comfortable.

Kiyara stood a few paces away, her tail swaying as she surveyed the clearing. With a casual flick of her wrist, green flames erupted from her fingertips, leaping into the air with life of their own.

The flames spiraled and twisted before forming tendrils that turned into tangible shapes. A modest table materialized first, its surface smooth and polished as if crafted by skilled hands. Chairs followed, as one by one, simple yet functional items filled the makeshift camp.

Adrian watched in quiet awe, fingers still idly running along Mimi’s soft, flame-like fur. An impressive display of conjuration magic, I wonder if Kiyara had an influence over me gaining an affinity for conjuration as well?

Once the camp was prepared, Kiyara turned her attention to conjuring food. A large platter appeared in a burst of emerald fire, hovering briefly before settling onto the table. Another flash revealed fresh loaves of bread, fruits, cheeses, and roasted meats.

Adrian’s stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence. He winced, rubbing his belly with an embarrassed chuckle. Training really does take it out of me. He reached for a piece of bread, its warmth comforting in his hands, and took a hearty bite.

The first taste melted on his tongue, but curiosity soon overpowered his hunger. Around a mouthful of bread, he managed, “Kiyara, how’d you… conjure all this… outta thin air?”

Kiyara’s lips curved into a small, amused smile as she took a seat opposite him. “What you see here is not truly real. It is all created from my mana.”

Adrian paused mid-chew, his eyes widened before he swallowed hard. “Doesn’t that… affect how long you can last?”

With a casual wave of her hand, Kiyara dismissed his worry. “Not significantly, it takes a bit of energy, but not enough to matter.”

Adrian nodded slowly, though he continued eating with a little more caution. He picked up a ripe-looking fruit and examined it. “If this is all mana then could you just make as much food as you have mana?”

“In theory, yes. But there is a surprising amount of effort involved in making it taste this good.”

“So you could feed the entire world if you felt like it?”

Kiyara couldn't help but laugh. “Only if I wanted to see countless people perish from mana poisoning. Ordinary people cannot digest food made entirely from mana. It would be… most unfortunate. Also, before you say it, any items that I make will also give most people mana poisoning if they use them for too long."

"And uh, you're sure that at least I'll be fine, right?"

Kiyara doesn't respond. Instead, she takes a bite from a luscious green apple.

"Kiyara, I'll be fine, right?"

"Hmm, maybe, probably."

Adrian exhaled a sigh. "Whatever, not like I have much to lose."

Kiyara chuckled. "Worry not, My King, if you were incompatible with the items and food I created. You'd have been dead long ago."

"I… I see."

"Don't worry so much, just enjoy yourself."

Adrian leaned back and rolled his shoulders slightly. “Anyway… what are the limits of what you can conjure? I assume there has to be some kind of ceiling.”

Kiyara tilted her head thoughtfully, her fox-like ears twitching slightly. “The more detailed or intricate something is, the greater the effort required. Simpler items, especially those I have a strong connection to, are relatively easy. But if you’re imagining me conjuring an entire castle… then that would be… impractical, to say the least.”

“Good to know.” Adrian said, taking another bite of fruit.

Kiyara regarded him for a long moment before asking, “Tell me, what are your plans, My King? In this life.”

His jaw tensed, memories of the ambush flashing before his mind’s eye. “My immediate goal is to find the people who were taken from me. I watched them be torn away right in front of my eyes.”

Kiyara’s expression darkened. Her eyes softened, and the faint flicker of sadness played across her features. She glanced away, the silence stretching between them.

Adrian frowned, sensing her inner turmoil. “Are you disappointed?”

Kiyara shook her head slowly, meeting his gaze once more. “No, I am not disappointed. But it is… difficult. Seeing you both the same and different at once. In the past, you would have responded in a much more prideful manner. Now, you speak with restraint, it’s… surreal.”

“What you remember is who I once was, not who I am now."

“And that is what makes you different, my King. This life… it has changed you. For better or worse, time will tell.”

Adrian leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. “What about you? After all this time… you said you don’t have all your memories, but you’re here, trying to guide me. Why?”

A ghost of a smile played on Kiyara’s lips. “Because it is what I have always done. Even when I don’t know what the future holds. My purpose is tied to yours.”

Adrian nodded slowly, feeling the depth of her conviction. “Then we’ll find a way forward. Together.”

Kiyara’s smile widened, though it carried a hint of sadness. “Yes, together.”

The green flames crackled again, their warmth wrapping around them. Adrian felt exhaustion creep in and let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the slumbering form of Mimi curled up near the edge of the bonfire’s glow. “For now, I think we should rest."