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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The summit was silent, save for the soft hum of the magic orb in Al’s hands. Its glow pulsed with intensity, illuminating the wide-eyed expressions of the onlookers. None were more stunned than Al himself.
He stared in disbelief as four elements radiated from the orb, each representing a different aura attribute. The norm dictated that an individual could only possess up to three aura attributes—anything beyond that was considered impossible. Yet, here he stood, his very existence defying the established laws of magic.
His thoughts went back to the time of his death, the bizarre occurrence that took place then. He had no explanation for why he now possessed four attributes, but he knew it had to be connected to his death. That moment, the instant the rune activated, something had happened beyond his understanding. The voice he heard just before his life faded, whispering calm words, still echoed in his mind. And the red figure he glimpsed in the void—it had been watching him, as though it had orchestrated his fate. Had it granted him this power? Or had it cursed him? He clenched his fist. His return to the past had not only given him another chance but had fundamentally altered his very essence. The how and why remained unanswered he had no clue which of this altered his magic but he had a gut feeling the voice and the red silhouette figure were one and the same, but the reality before him was undeniable.
Determined to verify the results, Al removed his hand and placed it back on the orb. The elements flared once more, undeterred. He repeated this test three more times, each yielding the same undeniable truth. He possessed four attributes.
Alexandri, standing beside him, gently grabbed Al’s hand and moved it away from the orb. With a composed expression, he placed the orb back into its pouch and secured it at his waist. The pouch itself was no ordinary container—it was a small subspace, a rare artifact capable of storing items beyond its physical capacity. As Alexandri tucked the orb inside, the pouch momentarily glowed, absorbing the orb into its limitless void. Only those attuned to such artifacts could access their contents, making it both a secure and convenient method of storage. The faint shimmer that followed was a subtle reminder of the immense value this artifact held, its magic woven into the very fabric of space itself. Alexandri had acquired it long ago, a gift from a master enchanter, and it had since become an indispensable tool on his journey.
Turning to Shin, Alexandri said, “Let’s start with you. This method is supposed to be the fastest way to help you manifest your light and lightning aura qualities.”
Shin’s brows furrowed as he processed Alexandri’s words, but his expression quickly shifted to horror as Alexandri continued, “Normally, letting lightning hit you would be faster, but we can't wait for it to rain.”
Shin gulped, taking a cautious step back. He knew Alexandri well enough to understand that he wasn’t joking.
Alexandri motioned for him to sit down cross-legged. “Close your eyes and take in the mana from this location,” he instructed. “But do not force it—if you take in too much, you’ll damage your mana pathways.”
Shin obeyed, inhaling deeply. The difference in mana density here was staggering. It was raw, untamed, unlike anything he had felt before. It felt heavier, almost tangible, pressing against his skin as though testing his resolve. He could sense it swirling in chaotic streams around him, thick with power, waiting to be tamed. His body instinctively recoiled from its intensity, but he forced himself to remain still, adjusting to the alien sensation. He felt his aura flicker in response, an unconscious reaction to the volatile energy around him.
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“Picture yourself at sea,” Alexandri continued, his voice smooth yet commanding. “The vast ocean stretches endlessly around you, its dark waters shifting beneath the weight of the wind. You are alone on a small boat, drifting in the heart of an unrelenting storm. The winds howl, the waves crash, and the sky above churns with fury. Lightning dances in the distance, illuminating the storm clouds like veins of raw power pulsing through the heavens.”
Shin’s breath grew steady as he envisioned the scene. He could almost feel the boat rocking beneath him, the salt of the ocean in the air, and the distant rumble of thunder vibrating through his bones.
“But you are not afraid,” Alexandri’s voice was firm yet encouraging. “The storm does not command you. You command it. You are the master of the lightning, the conductor of its energy. With every strike, with every bolt that splits the sky, you are one step closer to becoming one with it. You do not fear the power—it bends to your will.”
Shin allowed the sensation to take over. He imagined standing tall against the storm, raising his hands to the sky as the lightning heeded his call. It did not threaten to destroy him; it was an extension of himself, a force he could control. The static in the air crackled around him, the energy building, waiting for his command.
Small sparks of lightning flickered around his body, tingling against his skin like static before gradually intensifying. The energy surged, crackling in erratic bursts as if testing his command. Excitement flared in his chest—he could feel it working. He was grasping the essence of lightning, bending it to his will. But just as quickly as the exhilaration came, it unraveled. His control slipped, the energy spiraling beyond his grasp.
A sharp pain tore through his chest. The mana became overwhelming, an uncontrollable flood pouring into him too quickly. His body convulsed as a violent tremor wracked through his limbs. Blood trickled from his nose as his senses blurred, the sheer force of the energy sending him spiraling into shock.
Alexandri reacted immediately, moving with practiced precision. He extended his hand, his aura flowing in careful streams into Shin’s collapsing pathways. Slowly, he guided the excess energy out, realigning Shin’s aura to restore balance. The convulsions eased, the chaotic mana settling within him once more. Then, retrieving a potion from his pouch, he pressed it to Shin’s lips.
Shin coughed before regaining his composure. “You are going to keep practicing, I won't heal or guide you next time so pay attention,” Alexandri said. “Now that you’ve felt it, we’re not leaving this summit until you can manifest your lightning properly.”
As he spoke, a gust of wind brushed past him. Alexandri turned his gaze to Al, he was already aware of his fire and wind capabilities when they sparred. But what he saw now was beyond anything he had anticipated.
Al stood, surrounded by swirling flames, twisting gusts, and flowing water. The elements responded to him as if they were extensions of his own body. His expression remained unwavering, his eyes filled with a calm intensity. He controlled the elements with an ease that was almost unnatural like he had done this countless times before. His face bore no strain, no hesitation—only pure, unshaken focus.
Al had reached an impassable barrier in his magic in his past he was stuck as an 9-circle magician what made him more unique was his runes and combat prowess, the fact he was a battle mage the second of his kind. No matter how much he trained, no matter how many techniques he studied, he could never break beyond his limits. He had spent years chasing the power he instinctively knew existed going beyond the 10-circle, but it remained just out of reach, he struggled against the ceiling of his potential. Yet now, in this life, he had the ability to change his shortcomings and surpass his limits as a mage nothing was more better than this opportunity.
Alexandri’s expression hardened. If he had thought Al was a prodigy before, that belief was now cemented. But Al, sensing his gaze, feigned instability. He purposefully fumbled, disrupting the harmony of his elements.
A shiver ran down his spine as he had a thought in it he saw a glimpse of Alexandri’s expression—a devilish grin forming, eyes gleaming with an all-too-familiar hunger for training. Al knew that look. It was the look of a man who had just discovered his new favorite test subject.
And it was too late to escape.
A sudden crackling sound disrupted them, followed by a faint burning smell. Both Alexandri and Al turned in unison to see Shin sitting there, his face blackened with soot, his hair frizzed out wildly as sparks of lightning ran through them. He looked utterly dumbfounded.
Al burst into laughter, clutching his sides, while Alexandri grunted in exasperation.
They remained on that summit for a week, training rigorously. Under Alexandri’s guidance, they sparred, honed their abilities, and pushed their limits. During this time, Alexandri also taught Al how to imbue his attributes into his body, reinforcing his physical strength and his daggers with elemental energy. Every session was grueling... it was during that moment the incident in the marsh took place which reshaped both boys.