The applause that had begun to swell died away as abruptly as a snuffed candle. Mnemion stepped forward, his regal purple robes seeming to absorb the light around him. His sharp gaze, framed by curly hair now streaked with silver, settled on Elden with an expression that was equal parts curiosity and judgment. The contrast between Mnemion's stern demeanor and Edward's kind wisdom sent a ripple of tension through the chamber.
Elden felt a prickle of unease as Mnemion regarded him. Mnemion was known for his probing questions and exacting standards, his reputation as a stern examiner preceding him. The faintest hint of a smirk touched Mnemion’s lips before he spoke, his voice carefully measured. "Impressive, Master Vortis. Your control over water magic is... unexpected."
"Thank you, Sage Mnemion," Elden replied, keeping his tone respectful despite the tension in the room.
Mnemion inclined his head slightly, a gesture that could have been approval or simply acknowledgement. "However," he continued, his tone sharpening almost imperceptibly, "I must question the wisdom of pursuing such a specialized path. Water affinity has become increasingly rare since the Elemental Wars. Is it not our duty to focus on more... practical applications?"
A hush fell over the chamber, the earlier excitement now replaced by a tension so thick it was almost tangible. Elden felt the weight of every eye upon him, but he stood firm, his voice steady as he replied, "With respect, Sage Mnemion, this is merely a starting point. The potential applications extend far beyond water magic itself. The principles of harmonizing disparate elements could revolutionize our approach to compound weaving."
Mnemion's lips curled into a smirk, the expression sending a chill down Elden's spine that seemed to freeze the very marrow in his bones. "Potential, you say?" Mnemion's voice dripped with skepticism. "Yet the trouble of storing water magic in our memories is considerable. It's like trying to hold the ocean in a teacup."
He gestured dismissively, a flicker of flame dancing between his fingers. "Fire-based magic is far more practical, given the widespread availability of fire-affinity Wellsprings. Why expend effort on a dying art when the future burns so brightly before us?"
Before Elden could respond, High Remembrancer Edward Vortis raised a hand, his voice cutting through the tension. "An astute observation, Sage Mnemion. Yet we must not dismiss innovation out of hand." His gaze grew distant, tinged with a mixture of pride and something deeper, more complex. "Elden's work reminds me of another brilliant mind who once walked these halls—Vex the Alchemist."
A ripple of whispers passed through the chamber at the mention of the name. Elden's eyes widened, fragments of childhood memories stirring—a kind smile, the scent of strange herbs, shimmering globes of water dancing in the air.
Edward continued, his voice softening. "Vex was part of the Atlantis expedition twelve years ago. A visionary with a rare water affinity. He would have..." He paused, composing himself. "Well, that's a discussion for another time."
Mnemion shot a brief, almost imperceptible glance at one of the senior Remembrancers standing nearby. The man, whose expression had been one of quiet contemplation, suddenly stiffened. His eyes seemed to cloud over for the briefest of moments before he cleared his throat and stepped forward. No one appeared to notice the change, the moment passing like a shadow in the corner of a room.
"I must agree with Sage Mnemion," the senior Remembrancer began, his voice measured but firm. The sudden change in his demeanor was subtle, noticeable only to the most observant eyes. "Master Vortis's skills are commendable, but in our line of work, theoretical knowledge is as useful as a boat in a desert." He paused, his gaze sweeping the room before settling on Elden. "I propose a more... detailed examination."
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The senior Remembrancer continued, "Master Vortis, would you care to attempt breaking through a 5-star earth defensive spell from my memory palace? Using your... innovative approach, of course."
The room fell silent, the challenge hanging in the air like a guillotine. It was bold, almost disrespectful – earth magic was notoriously difficult to overcome, especially with water-based techniques. The challenge was made even more daunting by the fact that this was no ordinary defensive spell; it was Gaia’s Bulwark, a legendary 5-star spell known for its near-impenetrable strength.
Elden met the senior Remembrancer’s gaze, unflinching. "I accept your challenge, Sage."
As the senior Remembrancer began weaving the spell, the ground beneath him seemed to pulse with life. Stone and earth gathered around him, forming a formidable barrier that exuded an ancient, unyielding strength. The barrier, known as Gaia’s Bulwark, shimmered with an earthy glow, its surface smooth yet impossibly dense. Elden could feel the raw power emanating from it, even at half strength.
Elden closed his eyes, diving deep into his Wellspring. He recalled the theories he had painstakingly developed, the countless hours spent in study and experimentation.
"In compound weaving," Elden began, his voice resonating through the chamber, "the key lies not in opposing forces, but in mutual augmentation." His hands moved with the precision of a master, streams of water intertwining with flickering flames around him. "Water doesn’t just erode earth; it can penetrate its crevices, break down its defenses from within."
The assembled Remembrancers watched in awe as Elden’s spell took shape. It was unlike anything they had seen before – a swirling vortex of water and fire, each element enhancing the other instead of canceling it out. The power radiating from the spell was palpable, far beyond what a typical 4-star spell should be capable of.
But as the spell grew in power, Elden felt its stability waver. Sweat beaded on his brow as he fought to maintain control, the chaotic energies threatening to tear apart his creation.
Desperation surged within him, a tidal wave of emotion that threatened to sweep away his concentration. With no other choice, Elden plunged deeper into his Wellspring, pushing past the familiar currents of elemental magic. And then, suddenly, he sensed something new – a strange silver energy, unfamiliar and dangerous.
His fingers twitched involuntarily, and a faint, almost imperceptible ripple passed through the chamber. The spell Elden had been crafting shifted, its energies realigning in a way that even he couldn’t fully comprehend. For a moment, the vortex of water and fire seemed to merge into something else entirely, something that flickered with a faint, silver-gold light.
Then, with a final, forceful push, Elden unleashed the spell. The vortex struck Gaia’s Bulwark with a thunderous roar. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. But then, cracks began to spiderweb across the surface of the earthen shield. The barrier shuddered, groaned, and then shattered into countless fragments.
The air crackled with residual magic as Elden's spell dissipated, leaving behind a lingering scent of ozone and sea spray. The chamber fell deathly silent as the dust settled. Elden stood, panting and drained, but victorious.
It was Mnemion who broke the silence. His voice was calm, almost contemplative. "Impressive. It seems innovation does have its place, after all."
The senior Remembrancer, now back to his composed self, nodded in grudging approval. "Indeed. Master Vortis has passed the test."
Edward stepped forward, his expression a mix of pride and something else. "Then let it be known that Elden Vortis is hereby promoted to the rank of five-star Remembrancer, with all the rights and responsibilities therein."
As the chamber erupted in applause, Elden couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just glimpsed something far beyond his understanding.
He glanced down at his hands, half-expecting to see them changed somehow by the power he had just wielded. They looked the same as always, yet he could still feel the echo of that strange, silver energy thrumming through his Wellspring.